The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost every meeting against the Cincinnati Reds and now need a win Wednesday to avoid being swept in the season series. Losing six head-to-head meetings thus far has left manager Dave Roberts and Cody Bellinger, among others, frustrated.
Los Angeles will rely on a bit of unconventionality as they hand the ball to Ross Stripling in what’s essentially a bullpen game. Although Stripling certainly has starter’s experience, he’s pitched just once since Aug. 9.
That was Stripling’s last start and one that was followed by back soreness that forced him to the 10-day disabled list. He retired one of two batters faced in a relief appearance upon returning from the DL last Friday.
Overall this season, Stripling is 8-3 with a 2.61 ERA, 3.11 FIP and 1.13 WHIP in 29 games (17 starts). Roberts said three innings or 45 pitches were a reasonable expectation for his All-Star right-hander.
The Reds counter with Anthony DeSclafani, who didn’t log more than four innings in either of his past two starts. DeSclafani enters 7-4 with a 4.56 ERA, and though he’s 4-2 at home, has pitched to a 4.65 ERA at Great American Ball Park.
DeSclafani did not face the Dodgers when the Reds swept them in a four-game series at Dodger Stadium back in May. He sees a lineup that gets the return of Justin Turner.
He didn’t start, but made a pinch-hit appearance in the Dodgers’ loss on Tuesday. Roberts indicated Turner would be in the lineup for the club’s remaining 17 games this season.
The Dodgers enter play 1.5 games back of the Colorado Rockies for first place in the National League West, and trailing the St. Louis Cardinals by three games for the second spot in the NL Wild Card Game.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Manny Machado
1B: Max Muncy
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Yasiel Puig
P: Ross Stripling
Reds lineup:
RF: Scott Schebler
SS: Jose Peraza
1B: Joey Votto
3B: Eugenio Suarez
2B: Scooter Gennett
C: Tucker Barnhart
LF: Mason Williams
P: Anthony Desclafani
CF: Billy Hamilton
