Cody Snavely
After going .500 on their recent six-game homestand, the Los Angeles Dodgers head East to begin a six-game road trip to close out the first half of the 2024 Major League Baseball season. Their first test: a matchup with the National League-best Philadelphia Phillies.
The Dodgers, who took care of business against the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers, have an even bigger test on their hands as they not only have to battle the Phillies but also the humid heatwave at a rowdy Citizens Bank Park, which is top three in attendance this season.
However, entering this series, neither team is playing their best baseball. Over their last twenty games, the Dodgers have won twelve games, and the Phillies have won eleven.
Despite maintaining a significant eight-game lead in their division, the Phillies are not invincible. They recently suffered a series loss to their National League East rival, the Atlanta Braves, losing two of three this past weekend.
The Dodgers have had plenty of inconsistencies with their offense throughout the year, but their starting rotation has recently taken a dip in quality. It has been a chore for the team to get length out of their rotation, leading to a struggle in the win column.
The Dodgers and Phillies are among the top offensive teams in the National League, each leading in the top three in home runs, RBIs, and OPS.
The Dodgers also have one of the best records against teams with a winning record. They enter today’s series with twenty-one wins in thirty-six games played.
The Dodgers and Phillies enter today’s series with the top two records in the National League, and the Dodgers will not only face the front end of the Phillies rotation but also await the activation of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.
Pitching match-ups
Game One: Bobby Miller (1-1, 6.12 ERA) vs Zack Wheeler (9-4, 2.74 ERA)
Game Two: Gavin Stone (9-2, 3.03 ERA) vs Cristopher Sánchez (LHP) (6-4, 2.96 ERA)
Game Three: TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Aaron Nola (10-4, 3.48 ERA)
Game Times
Game One: 3:40 PM PT, SNLA, NBCSP, TBS
Game Two: 4:00 PM PT, ESPN
Game Three: 3:05 PM PT, SNLA, NBCSP
Who’s in & who’s out?
The injury bug continues to haunt the Dodgers, as last week, they lost another player to the injured list.
Veteran outfielder Jason Heyward was placed on the 10-day IL with left knee soreness after attempting to rob a Joc Pederson home run. Heyward, 34, was removed from the game and had an MRI, which showed no damage, but he was ultimately placed on the injured list.
Stepping into the shoes of Heyward, the Dodgers have recalled the promising James Outman, a 2023 Rookie of the Year finalist, who was previously optioned back to Triple-A in May.
According to Dave Roberts, Outman is expected to platoon and face right-handed pitching, with Andy Pages expected to keep the everyday role he has earned over the past few months of play.
Clayton Kershaw and Joe Kelly were both active prior to Saturday’s game against the Brewers, each facing live hitters, but neither is close to being activated off the 60-day IL.
Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hurt was also removed from his last appearance in Triple-A. The team has not announced much about the injury, but Dave Roberts said during Sunday’s pregame that it was “unfortunate.”
Left-handed hitting third baseman Max Muncy was also shut down from baseball activities before the Brewers series as his oblique injury has not rebounded as he and the team had hoped.
The Dodgers also have an opening in their rotation for the final game of this series, which is currently listed as to be determined. However, the logical option would be either Landon Knack or Justin Wrobleski, who made his Dodgers debut this past Sunday.
However, the Dodgers’ logical choice is to recall an additional arm from the minor leagues as they prepare for a bullpen game.
The Phillies’ injury situation is much better. Prior to tonight’s game, they plan to activate Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper from the 10-day injured list.
Harper, who was signed with a hamstring injury, was seen running the bases on Sunday before the series final against the Braves, and Phillies manager Rob Thompson already stated that Kyle Schwarber would be activated on Tuesday after missing time with a left groin strain.
However, the Phillies will still be without starting catcher J. T. Realmuto as the veteran backstop is nursing his right knee after right knee meniscectomy surgery.
Despite having a deep rotation, the Phillies will be without right-handed pitchers Spencer Turnbull and Taijuan Walker, who are expected to return after the all-star break.
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