Dodgers at Reds
Even though they have been on opposite ends of the spectrum in their respective divisions in recent years, the Los Angeles Dodgers had a hard time solving the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 despite going on to win their sixth straight National League West crown. The Dodgers are having no such issues lately, however, and look for a sixth straight victory over the Reds when they continue their three-game series in Cincinnati on Saturday.
Los Angeles began last season having won 17 of 19 in the all-time series before losing its first six meetings with Cincinnati, which has finished in the NL Central basement each of the last five years. The Dodgers have restored order since, improving to 4-0 against the Reds this season after bashing four homers and getting a 10-strikeout performance from Rich Hill in Friday's 6-0 victory - the club's fifth shutout in its last nine games. While Los Angeles was busy posting its fourth straight victory and 15th in 20 contests, Cincinnati was unable to build off the momentum it created with back-to-back wins over the Central-leading Chicago Cubs. The Reds have yet to put together much offensively against the Dodgers, scoring a total of six runs while batting .141 and striking out 39 times in the four meetings this year.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Ohio (Cincinnati)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (4-0, 4.15 ERA) vs. Reds RH Tyler Mahle (0-5, 3.97)
Buehler turned in his first scoreless performance of the season last Saturday against Washington but was denied his third victory in as many starts despite registering seven strikeouts in as many innings after the bullpen surrendered five runs in the eighth. The Vanderbilt product has won each of his last six regular-season decisions - spanning 12 starts - since losing at Colorado on Sept. 8. Buehler allowed one unearned run and struck out eight batters in 6 1/3 frames en route to a win over the Reds on April 17.
Mahle avoided his sixth loss in as many outings but remained winless in his last 13 starts on Sunday as he escaped with a no-decision at San Francisco after permitting four runs in 6 1/3 innings. The former seventh-round draft pick experienced some bad luck in his previous two turns, suffering the defeat in both despite giving up one run each time. Corey Seager is 3-for-3 with a double against Mahle, who took his first loss of the season on April 16 after surrendering four runs and 11 hits versus the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner left Friday's game after fouling a ball off his left shin in the third inning and is considered day-to-day.
2. Cincinnati leads the NL in fewest homers allowed (41) but has yielded seven against Los Angeles this season.
3. Dodgers starting pitchers are 11-1 with a 2.19 ERA, 132 strikeouts and 17 walks over the last 20 games.