What’s already been a successful road trip for the Los Angeles Dodgers can end in impressive fashion as they are in position to complete a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Doing so would give L.A. a 6-2 record on their stretch away from Dodger Stadium.
Kenta Maeda was officially from the 10-day disabled list to start the series finale at PNC Park. Maeda was placed on the IL May 17 due to a left adductor contusion. The injury was sustained as a result of a foul pitch off his hip two nights prior.
Neither the Dodgers or Maeda considered it serious, and the right-hander threw an ‘aggressive’ bullpen session less than one week later. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named Maeda his probable in the middle of the week.
Maeda is coming off a season-high 12 strikeouts and 6.2 scoreless innings in what was one of the best outings of his career. That came on the heels of the 31-year-old holding the Washington Nationals to just one hit over six shutout innings.
Kyle Garlick was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move to activating Maeda off the injured list.
Maeda is opposed by Chris Archer in what’s his third start since returning from a right thumb injury that forced him to the IL. Archer’s last start before he was sidelined came against the Dodgers and in a rough outing.
He managed to pitch just four innings and allowed six runs on six hits, including two home runs. Archer has allowed a combined 11 runs (nine earned), 10 hits and six walks across 8.2 innings in his two starts since being activated.
Justin Turner is back in the Dodgers lineup after he was strategically given a night off. Turner went through a stretch where he was hit by a pitch in four consecutive games, which was followed by hitting a foul ball off his left shin.
Although the Dodgers are facing a right-hander, Alex Verdugo is not in the lineup. He was removed after playing six innings on Saturday and is not starting the series finale because of back tightness.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
2B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Cody Bellinger
1B: Matt Beaty
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Kiké Hernandez
C: Austin Barnes
P: Kenta Maeda
Pirates lineup:
2B: Adam Frazier
RF: Gregory Polanco
CF: Starling Marte
1B: Josh Bell
LF: Bryan Reynolds
3B: Colin Moran
C: Elias Diaz
SS: Kevin Newman
P: Chris Archer
