The Los Angeles Dodgers return home after a tough road trip to take on the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium, with prospect Bobby Miller getting another opportunity in the starting rotation.
After going 4-6 on a road trip where their level of play may have felt better than the results, the Dodgers get a respite from facing top teams in the league and get to take on the last-place Nationals.
Miller, who impressed with a gutsy MLB debut against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, has earned at least one more start in the Dodgers rotation. The right-hander brings his 1-0 record, 1.80 ERA and triple-digit fastball to the home crowd for his Dodger Stadium debut.
Miller’s only other times pitching at Chavez Ravine came in a start last year during the exhibition Freeway Series and the 2022 MLB All-Star Futures Game.
The Nationals counter with Trevor Williams, who is 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. The eight-year veteran has been a serviceable starter in his journey with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets and now Washington.
Williams throws a four-seam fastball almost 50% of the time, mixing in a sinker (16.3%), changeup (15.8%) and slider (10.5%).
When Williams is hit hard, he is in the bottom 9% of the league for max exit velocity at 113.8 mph. Hitters are barreling Williams’ pitches a little less than his career average, however, so the Dodgers will likely need to sit on his fastball when it is in the strike zone.
Offensively, the Nationals have been led by Lane Thomas. He is having one of the best seasons of his career, slashing .287/.344/.465 which is good enough for a .809 on-base plus slugging percentage to go along with his eight home runs.
World Baseball Classic Team Mexico hero Joey Meneses leads the Nationals in batting average at .295, but his low slugging percentage should keep him in the ballpark.
The Dodgers won’t face their former top prospect Josiah Gray during the series, but Keibert Ruiz is sure to see a lot of action behind the plate.
Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman enters play with a 17-game hitting streak and J.D. Martinez has hit safely in 12 straight. Martinez additionally is leading all National League players with a .586 slugging percentage.
Max Muncy is out of the Dodgers lineup one night after he was removed early due to a left hamstring cramp. Chris Taylor is starting at third base, and Mookie Betts gets another opportunity to play shortstop.
Dodgers lineup
SS: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: David Peralta
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Miguel Vargas
CF: James Outman
3B: Chris Taylor
Nationals lineup
RF: Lane Thomas
2B: Luis García
3B: Jeimer Candelario
DH: Joey Meneses
1B: Dominic Smith
LF: Corey Dickerson
C: Keibert Ruiz
SS: CJ Abrams
CF: Alex Call
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