Caleb Ferguson is again being utilized as an opener with Ryan Yarbrough on bulk detail as the Los Angeles Dodgers look to take the second game of their series against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
After a no-hit performance from Emmet Sheehan on Thursday night that made MLB history, the Dodgers can start a winning streak and further crush the Giants’ postseason hopes.
Ferguson enters 7-3 with a 2.56 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. The southpaw has had his ups and downs in 2023 but over his last seven appearances has been very successful, striking out 11 in 6.1 innings, allowing only one run.
Ferguson’s last game pitching also was in the form of a start, three days ago.
Yarbrough is coming off one of his finest appearances with the Dodgers. Against the Seattle Mariners, he pitched 4.2 innings, striking out seven and allowing only one run. Yarbrough has been effective since being traded to the Dodgers, posting a 2.90 ERA.
The Giants meanwhile send out Sean Manaea, who has struggled since his introduction to the National League West for the past two seasons. After a disappointing year for San Diego Padres in 2022, Manaea has gone 6-6 for the Giants with a 4.82 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
He throws an array of six pitches but the Dodgers will mostly see a fastball, changeup, and a slider. Manaea’s career numbers against the Dodgers probably don’t fill him with confidence, as he is 0-5 against with a 9.00 ERA.
With a left-handed pitcher on the mound, the Dodgers lineup features a bevy of platoons. Among them is Amed Rosario, who has excelled against southpaws.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
2B: Amed Rosario
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: James Outman
SS: Miguel Rojas
Giants lineup
DH: Austin Slater
2B: Thairo Estrada
1B: Wilmer Flores
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
LF: Mitch Haniger
3B: J.D. Davis
C: Patrick Bailey
SS: Marco Luciano
CF: Tyler Fitzgerald
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