Aug 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers beginning pitcher Jack Flaherty (0) throws within the second inning towards the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities Earlier than Labor Day has even arrived, there might be shades of the autumn when the Baltimore Orioles go to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game sequence that begins on Tuesday.
At 78-53, the Dodgers will carry the very best report within the main leagues into the matchup, whereas the 76-56 Orioles have the second-best report within the American League.
The Dodgers held a three-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks within the Nationwide League West initially of play Monday, whereas the Orioles have been 1 1/2 video games behind the first-place New York Yankees within the AL East.
Even with high starters like Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the injured listing, the Dodgers have nonetheless received six of their previous seven video games and are 12-4 since Aug. 9. A part of the rationale for his or her current success is the addition of right-hander Jack Flaherty on the commerce deadline.
Flaherty (10-5, 3.00 ERA), who’s scheduled to begin on Tuesday, has taken the mound 4 instances since becoming a member of Los Angeles from the Detroit Tigers and is 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA throughout that span. He might be making his first profession begin towards the Orioles, with whom he performed for 2 months in 2023 after a commerce.
Additionally aiding the Dodgers’ resurgence has been the return of key elements to the offense. Mookie Betts is again after recovering from a damaged hand, and Max Muncy is enjoying once more after being away for 3 months due to an indirect damage.
Muncy hit dwelling runs within the first two video games of his return final week, and Betts hit a go-ahead two-run homer within the eighth inning of a 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Whereas Shohei Ohtani continues to ship, coming into the 40-40 membership on Friday, Freddie Freeman is enjoying by means of a hairline fracture within the center finger of his proper hand.
“It is good to have everyone again, however we additionally need to carry out and that is the most important factor,” Betts mentioned after Sunday’s victory. “It would not actually matter what sort of crew you’ve assembled, it’s important to carry out, and proper now we’re doing OK, however we’ve to do it when it issues.”
The Orioles will ship left-hander Cole Irvin (6-5, 4.82) to the mound for the sequence opener. Irvin, a local of close by Anaheim, Calif., returned to the beginning rotation final Wednesday after 5 consecutive aid appearances and gave up two runs on 5 hits over 4 1/3 innings towards the New York Mets. He didn’t issue into the choice in that outing.
In two profession aid appearances towards Los Angeles, Irvin is 0-0 with a 4.70 ERA.
Baltimore is attempting to get unlocked after a run of mediocre play for the reason that All-Star break, going 18-18 with a 4-6 report since Aug. 16. The Orioles fell 6-3 to the Houston Astros on Sunday, amassing simply two hits.
First baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) went on the injured listing on Monday, whereas heart fielder Cedric Mullins (quad) has missed the previous two video games.
Since returning to the foremost leagues on July 31, Baltimore rookie Jackson Holliday has 5 dwelling runs and 18 RBIs in 24 video games, with 26 strikeouts.
“Everyone knows that we’ve the expertise,” Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias advised reporters Sunday. “So I believe we simply need to maintain the main focus.”
Urias is batting .345 with three dwelling runs and 11 RBIs over his previous 10 video games.
–Discipline Degree Media
