Dodgers Vs. Diamondbacks Game Preview: Gavin Stone Facing Pressure

The Los Angeles Dodgers began their road trip with a crucial win and now look to guarantee themselves at least a series split with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Gavin Stone takes the mound with the Dodgers facing a pivotal need for some length. Because of a bone spur forcing Clayton Kershaw to an early exit, manager Dave Roberts called on seven different relief pitchers in the 10-9 win.

The Dodgers bullpen did add a fresh reinforcement in Ben Casparius, with Kershaw going on the 15-day injured list. Casparius is up with the Dodgers for a second time this season but is yet to make his MLB debut. That figures to come Saturday night as the Dodgers look to provide some reprieve for an overworked bullpen.

After struggling through most of July and into August, Stone has gotten back on track his past three starts. Included in that stretch is completing seven innings in each of his last two outings.

Stone is facing the Diamondbacks for a third time this season but it’s his first career start at Chase Field.

He’s opposed by Merrill Kelly, who is 4-0 with a 3.98 ERA in seven starts. Kelly’s 2024 season was interrupted in April because of a right shoulder strain that sidelined him until earlier this month.

Kelly has completed at least five innings in two of three starts since coming off the 60-day injured list, and allowed at least four runs twice.

Dodgers lineup

DH: Shohei Ohtani
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
LF: Teoscar Hernández
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
3B: Max MUncy
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: Kevin Kiermaier

Diamondbacks lineup

RF: Corbin Carroll
CF: Jake McCarthy
DH: Joc Pederson
LF: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
1B: Pavin Smith
C: Adrian Del Castillo
3B: Eugenio Suárez
2B: Luis Guillmore
SS: Geraldo Perdomo