The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their 10th National League West title over the past 11 seasons with a 6-2 win on Saturday and now are in position to complete a series sweep of the Seattle Mariners.
Shelby Miller will serve as the opener in the finale with Gavin Stone expected to fill a bulk role. Miller, who began his career as a starting pitcher, enters at 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA, 4.01 FIP and 0.89 WHIP in 36 innings pitched across 31 relief appearances.
Stone was the first of the Dodgers’ pitching prospects to make his MLB debut this season, and he had a difficult stretch of opponents to begin his career, having to face the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays in order.
The rookie right-hander gave up 17 runs (16 earned) in just 10 innings pitched during that stretch and was sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He allowed just one run over two innings out of the bullpen on July 4, and had an encouraging outing against the Boston Red Sox in late August.
Stone then yielded seven runs on nine hits in his last outing against the San Diego Padres on September 11. He is 1-0 with a 10.80 ERA, 6.99 FIP and 2.19 WHIP in 23.1 innings pitched at the big league level.
The Mariners counter with Logan Gilbert, who looks to continue what has been a solid 2023 campaign. He brings with him into his start a 13-5 record, 3.62 ERA, 3.67 FIP and 1.06 WHIP in 174 innings pitched in 29 appearances.
The Dodgers are going with a post clinch-day lineup that includes Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman getting a day of rest. For Freeman, it snaps a streak of 147 consecutive starts this season. Jason Heyward and Kiké Hernández are playing right field and first base, respectively.
In addition to the pair of superstars, Max Muncy, Will Smith and Miguel Rojas are also getting some rest.
Dodgers lineup
3B: Chris Taylor
RF: Jason Heyward
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: David Peralta
1B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Amed Rosario
2B: Kolten Wong
C: Austin Barnes
Mariners lineup
SS: J.P. Crawford
CF: Julio Rodríguez
C: Cal Raleigh
RF: Teoscar Hernández
LF: Jarred Kelenic
3B: Eugenio Suárez
DH: Mike Ford
1B: Ty France
2B: Josh Rojas
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