Dodgers at Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers have conducted their own version of a Home Run Derby competition, one that has been spread over the first three contests of their series against the host Philadelphia Phillies. The majors-best Dodgers have gone deep 11 times heading into Thursday afternoon's finale of the four-game set at Citizens Bank Park.
David Freese and Justin Turner each belted a two-run homer in Los Angeles' 7-2 win on Wednesday, with the former erupting for three despite limited playing time in the season series against Philadelphia. Max Muncy, who went deep in each of the first two games of the set, is 7-for-18 with three homers, five RBIs and eight runs scored in his last five games for the Dodgers. The Phillies failed to carry over any momentum from Tuesday's stirring 9-8 victory by mustering just two hits the following night, including a bloop single by Scott Kingery in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old is 5-for-11 with two homers, three RBIs and five runs scored in the series and 9-for-23 versus the Dodgers this season.
TV: 12:35 p.m. ET, YouTube
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers RH Ross Stripling (4-3, 3.65 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (8-2, 3.63)
Stripling recorded his best start since replacing the injured Rich Hill in the rotation after striking out seven without walking a batter in five innings of Saturday's 11-2 win against Boston. The 29-year-old surrendered a solo homer, however, marking the fourth time that he's been taken deep in the last three outings. Maikel Franco (3-for-8, homer) has fared well in a small sample size versus Stripling, who worked a scoreless inning of relief against Philadelphia on May 31.
Nola has heated up with the summer by posting a 2-1 mark with an 0.76 ERA in his last five starts, although he could have added another victory if not for a leaky bullpen on Saturday. The 26-year-old fanned nine over six innings in a no-decision versus Washington, but four walks drove up his pitch count and led to his departure. Cody Bellinger is 2-for-8 with four strikeouts against Nola, who sports a 2-0 mark with a 2.84 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in three career starts versus the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia OF Nick Williams went 0-for-3 in his first game in place of the injured Jay Bruce, who is nursing a sprained intercostal muscle.
2. Los Angeles OF Joc Pederson is 3-for-22 with seven strikeouts in his last eight contests.
3. Phillies RHP Hector Neris is appealing major league baseball's three-game suspension and fine for intentionally hitting Freese with a pitch during Tuesday's contest.