Since losing two of three to the Colorado Rockies in the Opening Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have responded with a five-game winning streak that has them in position to complete a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.
It would represent a second consecutive series sweep for the Dodgers, and dating back to last season, their sixth in a row at home. Since the winning streak began April 12, Dodgers pitchers have a combined 1.40 ERA and 0.73 WHIP that both are the top marks in baseball, and a 2.48 FIP that ranks second overall.
L.A. still hasn’t found consistent offensive production but continue to come up with timely hitting for big innings. On Saturday that was provided by Trea Turner, who enters play with a career-best 27-game hitting streak.
The stretch dates back to the 2021 season, which Turner believes has made for a bit of an odd situation. “I didn’t realize it until maybe a day or two ago,” he said of the hitting streak.
“Somebody asked me about it, and it kind of feels weird saying there’s a 20-something game hitting streak when you take a five-month break. But I guess that’s how it works, so I’ll take it. You just keep battling, try to get those hits and get on base for the guys behind me.”
Willie Davis has the longest hitting streak in Dodgers franchise history at 31 games.
Turner and the Dodgers look to provide run support for Andrew Heaney in his second start with the team. Heaney impressed in his Dodgers debut, allowing just one run over 4.1 innings against the Minnesota Twins. He relied on a new sweeping slider and intends to continue incorporating the pitch into his mix.
The Reds counter with Tyler Mahle, who is 1-0 with a 1.00 ERA over two starts this season. The right-hander has 11 strikeouts but failed to complete more than five innings in either of his two outings thus far.
Mookie Betts is back in the Dodgers lineup after receiving a night off for rest and reset. Betts is unhappy with his swing and enters the Easter Sunday matchup batting .226/.273/.290 with a 64 wRC+ over seven games this year.
Prior to the game the Dodgers recalled Phil Bickford from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Garrett Cleavinger.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
Reds lineup
SS: Kyle Farmer
DH: Tyler Naquin
LF: Tommy Pham
1B: Joey Votto
C: Tyler Stephenson
RF: Aristides Aquino
3B: Mike Moustakas
2B: Brandon Drury
CF: Jake Fraley
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