Dodgers at Pirates
The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a bit of an up-and-down start during their eight-game road trip, averaging seven runs in their three victories and scoring a total of one run in their two losses. Inconsistency hasn't been a problem for the Dodgers in recent years against the Pittsburgh Pirates, however, and they'll get a chance to continue their recent domination of the series when the teams begin a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday.
Los Angeles has yet to play a game within four runs through two legs of its trek, sandwiching wins of 6-0 and 8-3 around a 4-0 shutout loss in Cincinnati before splitting a pair of contests in Tampa Bay. The Dodgers, who own the best record in the National League at 32-18, have thoroughly enjoyed the sight of the Pirates on the schedule over the last three seasons, winning seven straight and 14 of the last 16 meetings - including a three-game sweep at home in late April - while outscoring them 109-54. Pittsburgh has dealt with its fair share of lopsided defeats this season - five by eight runs or more - but handed out of its own in Thursday's 14-6 rout of Colorado to avoid a three-game sweep. The Pirates clubbed four home runs while topping their previous season-high offensive output by four runs.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (4-1, 3.83 ERA) vs. Pirates TBD
Buehler was handed his first loss in 13 regular-season starts in hard-luck fashion Saturday in Cincinnati, allowing four runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out seven across six innings. The 24-year-old has held opponents to a .213 batting average in three May outings despite the setback, going 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA while fanning 22 and walking one in 20 frames. Buehler has surrendered only one homer in 100 at-bats versus right-handed hitters this season entering his first career start against Pittsburgh.
The Pirates will not announce the starter for the opener until Friday, but a strong candidate for the role is left-hander Steven Brault, who has made two starts in May and worked at least 3 1/3 innings in each of his three appearances. The former 11th-round pick backed into his first win of the season Saturday, earning the decision even though he permitted two runs on four hits and four walks in 3 1/3 frames. Brault is 1-0 despite a 10.29 ERA in three career appearances versus the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers' starting pitchers are 13-2 with a 2.11 ERA and while posting a 159:21 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 153 innings since April 25.
2. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell is batting .405 with 10 homers, 26 RBIs and 19 runs scored in May.
3. Los Angeles OF Cody Bellinger failed to reach base safely for the first time in a game he started in Wednesday's loss, ending the sixth-longest such streak to begin a season in major-league history at 45.