Dodgers at Brewers
The Los Angeles Dodgers have relied on the long ball -- particularly at home -- this season and it rescued them again Wednesday to extend their winning streak to four games. Now back atop the National League West, the Dodgers will hope to continue to flex their muscles when they open a seven-game road trip at the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night.
A.J. Pollock clubbed a three-run blast that was the decisive blow in a 3-2 win over Cincinnati on Wednesday and allowed Los Angeles to tie the major league record with a homer in their 32nd straight home game. “It’s a cool stat, for sure,” Pollock said. “It’s a lot of power on this team. I’ve only been a part of, say, like, 15 of those games, but these guys are really trying to do damage." The Dodgers lost two of three last weekend to Milwaukee, which also was denied a three-game sweep by dropping a 6-3 decision in the series finale against St. Louis on Wednesday. Reigning NL Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich was 2-for-12 against the Dodgers but went 6-for-12 with four homers and 11 RBIs versus the Cardinals.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Julio Urias (0-1, 5.27 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Zach Davies (2-0, 1.53)
Urias, who could be headed to the bullpen, needs a better effort than last Friday against Milwaukee, when he worked five innings and was roughed up for six runs on six innings, including a pair of homers. The 22-year-old Mexican struck out seven in five scoreless innings of three-hit ball in his season debut before lasting only 3 2/3 innings and giving up three runs in a no-decision at Colorado on April 7. Ryan Braun is 3-for-7 against Urias, who is 1-1 in three starts versus the Brewers.
Davies has improved in each of his three starts and went a season-high seven innings against the Dodgers, earning the victory after permitting one run on eight hits while striking out six. He also won his previous turn against the Chicago Cubs after yielding two runs (zero earned) on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, which followed five innings of two-run ball in a no-decision at Cincinnati on April 1. Cody Bellinger is 3-for-6 against Davies, who is 3-1 with a 2.30 ERA versus the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner pinch hit Wednesday after not starting a second straight game due to hamstring tightness.
2. Brewers C Yasmani Grandal was 6-for-11 with a homer and three RBIs at Los Angeles last weekend.
3. Dodgers RF Alex Verdugo is 8-for-18 in his last six games, including 4-for-10 in the three-game set versus Milwaukee.