The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided being swept by the Miami Marlins and now shift gears to a three-game set with the Washington Nationals for the backend of their road trip.
The Dodgers enter play with a surefire spot at a postseason berth, commanding the National League West by 13 games. Looking ahead to the playoffs, they currently hold an eight-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the second spot in the NL postseason bracket.
All-Star designated hitter J.D. Martinez returns to the Dodgers lineup after a stint on the 10-day inured list due to left groin tightness. During a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Martinez went a combined 1-for-8 with a double and three RBI over two games.
The 36-year-old hasn’t experienced any setbacks, and his return to the mix adds another key piece to the Dodgers’ puzzle.
“Getting J.D. Martinez in there consistently, adding length versus right and left, is crucial,” manager Dave Roberts said of the lineup when at full health. “Max is back on track, which I think you’ve seen the last couple weeks our team offense has been better because of that. It just makes everyone better around them.”
While Martinez returns, Mookie Betts is expected to miss the entire Nationals series after fouling a pitch off his left foot. X-rays were negative but Betts underwent a CT scan on Friday that may provide more insight on a potential injury.
Meanwhile, Roberts is again forced to rely on a bevy of young starting pitchers, most recently learning that Walker Buehler would not be returning this season. The news comes following Julio Urías’ departure from the active roster after being placed on administrative leave, and the realization that Clayton Kershaw is battling a shoulder ailment that is hindering his effectiveness.
Roberts hands the ball to Emmet Sheehan, who makes his 10th appearance (ninth start) of the season. The 23-year-old was recalled prior to his last start against the NL-leading Atlanta Braves, a start in which he impressed with four innings, allowing just one run while striking out six.
Sheehan is another young arm who has the stuff to be very impactful, generating a .195 expected batting average, which falls in the 94th percentile. Sheehan’s 5.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, with 36 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched isn’t indicative of his actual success.
In his last start, Sheehan induced 18 whiffs against the best offense in baseball. The few weeks he spent in Triple-A seemed to have improved the conviction in which Sheehan throws his four-seam fastball, adding in a plus-changeup as his second pitch.
The Nationals counter with MacKenzie Gore, who makes his 27th start of the season. The 24-year-old has carved a solid role, logging a 4.28 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, with 147 strikeouts in 132.1 innings.
Since allowing six runs to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 9, Gore has rattled off three solid starts, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits in 15.1 innings. However, he’s struggled to miss barrels, allowing a 43.5% hard-hit rate.
The Dodgers should look to capitalize on his below-average four-seam fastball, a pitch he throws 59.4% of the time. Opposing hitters have slugged the heater at a .505 clip, a pitch he throws at the fourth-highest rate amongst qualified starters.
Dodgers lineup
LF: Chris Taylor
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
2B: Amed Rosario
RF: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
Nationals lineup
SS: CJ Abrams
DH: Joey Meneses
1B: Dominic Smith
C: Keibert Ruiz
RF: Travis Blankenhorn
LF: Jake Alu
3B: Carter Kieboom
2B: Luis García
CF: Jacob Young
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