After exploding for nine runs, including four home runs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in position to extend their winning streak to four games and win a second consecutive series. The Dodgers enter Tuesday’s matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies a season-high 14 games over .500.
The second of a three-game series pits rookie Kenta Maeda against young right-hander Vincent Velasquez. Maeda is 10-7 with a 3.22 ERA, 3.42 FIP and 1.07 WHIP in 22 starts.
He has 125 strikeouts to 32 walks over 125.2 innings on the season. Maeda has shown remarkable command in his past five starts, tallying 31 strikeouts and walking just one. He is 3-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 11 home starts.
Maeda has allowed two earned runs in each of his past three starts after being tagged for five runs in just 4.1 innings pitched by the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 17. He’s 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA over four starts since the All-Star break.
Velasquez enters 8-3 with a 3.33 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.30 WHIP in 19 starts this season. The 24-year-old has struck out 114 and walked 39 in 102.2 innings.
Velasquez has been much better at home than on the road this season as he has a 1.72 ERA at home, compared to a 4.69 ERA on the road. The right-hander gave up two runs on three hits in five innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
He faced the Dodgers out of the bullpen last season while a member of the Houston Astros, retiring both batters faced. Corey Seager hit two home runs in Monday’s game, putting him at 21 homers on the season, the most ever by a shortstop in Los Angeles franchise history.
Outfielder Scott Van Slyke was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a right wrist injury. Utility man Chris Taylor was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to replace Van Slyke on the active roster.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Josh Reddick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Howie Kendrick
P: Kenta Maeda
Phillies lineup:
2B: Cesar Hernandez
RF: Aaron Altherr
3B: Maikel Franco
1B: Tommy Joseph
C: Cameron Rupp
CF: Odubel Herrera
LF: Tyler Goeddel
SS: Freddy Galvis
P: Vincent Velasquez
