After a 3-2 homestand, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back on the road for the start of a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The teams previously met in June, with the Dodgers taking two of three from the Phillies at Dodger Stadium.
L.A. has won two consecutive games and six of their last 10, but still trail the first-place San Francisco Giants by four games in the National League West standings.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, is one of the hottest teams in baseball, having won eight straight games and recently overtaking the New York Mets for first place in the NL East.
Tuesday’s series opener features what should be a pitchers’ duel between Max Scherzer and Aaron Nola. “It is. We’ve got a lot of respect for Nola. Heck of a pitcher, former All-Star, every time he goes out there you’ve got your hands full,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“I like our guy, too. Coming off an off day, traveling, we’ll have a rested ‘pen, we’ve got to win a ballgame. Mookie said it about a week ago, it’s that sense of urgency. We’ve got to ramp it up.”
Scherzer makes his second start for the Dodgers since being acquired at the MLB trade deadline. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was dominant in his debut against the Houston Astros last Wednesday, tossing seven innings of two-run ball and collecting 10 strikeouts.
In 20 starts between the Washington Nationals and Dodgers this season, Scherzer is 9-4 with a 2.75 ERA, 3.54 FIP and 0.89 WHIP over 118 innings pitched.
Having pitched in the NL East for parts of seven seasons, Scherzer is plenty familiar with the Phillies. He’s a perfect 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA in 18.2 innings against them this year, and for his career, owns a 14-4 record, 2.55 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 155.1 frames (24 starts).
As for Nola, he is coming off a rough outing against the Nationals in which he gave up five runs on five hits over five innings of work. It was the most runs Nola allowed in a game since June 30 when he yielded seven to the Miami Marlins.
The right-hander has taken a step back this season as he enters Friday’s start at 7-6 with a 4.49 ERA, 3.55 FIP and 1.16 WHIP in 126.1 innings this season (22 games).
Nola hasn’t faced the Dodgers since 2019 but owns a perfect 2-0 record with a 3.75 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 24 frames against them.
Prior to first pitch, the Dodgers reinstated Corey Knebel and placed Joe Kelly on the injured list. A designation was not given for Kelly, though considering a secondary move to get Knebel back on the 40-man roster was not announced, it suggests the 33-year-old may be on the COVID-IL.
As expected, Justin Turner remains out of the Dodgers lineup due to left groin discomfort. Starting in his place at third base is Chris Taylor, who bats sixth. Mookie Betts was in the original lineup prior to being scratched, presumably because of his ongoing right hip trouble.
The Dodgers also added Conner Greene to their active roster and optioned Zach Reks to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Greene was claimed off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Trea Turner
1B: Max Muncy
C: Will Smith
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
RF: Billy McKinney
P: Max Scherzer
Phillies lineup
LF: Odúbel Herrera
2B: Jean Segura
RF: Bryce Harper
C: J.T. Realmuto
1B: Brad Miller
SS: Didi Gregorius
3B: Ronald Torreyes
CF: Travis Jankowski
P: Aaron Nola
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