The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their homestand with a series sweep of the Washington Nationals. Having won eight of their last nine games, the Dodgers nonetheless enter Friday six games back of the San Francisco Giants for first place the National League West.
Riding a six-game winning streak, the Dodgers take the field at PNC Park for the start of a four-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Pittsburgh is mired in a three-game losing streak, are 2-8 in their last 10 games, and are just 19-18 at home this season.
Nick Tepesch, called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, makes his Dodgers debut. He was 3-0 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 17 strikeouts over three starts (18 innings) with Oklahoma City.
Over parts of two seasons with the Texas Rangers, Tepesch was 9-17 with a 4.56 ERA, 5.01 FIP and 1.37 WHIP in 42 games (39 starts). He’s backed Friday night by a Dodgers bullpen that leads the NL with a 3.00 ERA.
What’s more, Dodgers relievers have combined for a 1.06 WHIP and held opponents to a .201 batting average, both of which are best in the Majors. Taking the mound for the Pirates is Jameson Taillon.
He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014, which caused him to miss that season and 2015. Taillon this year is 1-1 with a 3.50 ERA, 5.40 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in three starts since joining the Pirates from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier this month.
Taillon was knocked around by the Chicago Cubs for four runs on eight hits in just four innings pitched in his last start. Corey Seager enters with a seven-game hitting streak, while Howie Kendrick has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Nick Tepesch
Pirates lineup:
1B: John Jaso
LF: Starling Marte
CF: Andrew McCutchen
3B: Jung Ho Kang
RF: Matt Joyce
SS: Jordy Mercer
2B: Sean Rodriguez
C: Chris Stewart
P: Jameson Taillon
