Nationals at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn't solve Max Scherzer in the series opener and now get a look at Stephen Strasburg when they host the Washington Nationals on Saturday. The Dodgers had their four-game winning streak halted on Friday while Washington improved to 3-1 on its nine-game road trip.
Scherzer struck out nine in six innings and outdueled Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in a battle of three-time Cy Young Award winners as Washington posted a 5-2 victory in the opener of the three-game set. Nationals star Bryce Harper drove in his 19th run on Friday and is 6-for-18 with two homers, six RBIs and nine walks over his last six games. Los Angeles' Yasmani Grandal also is swinging a hot bat, going 13-for-38 with two homers and 11 RBIs during a nine-game hitting streak. Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger struck out three times in the opener after going 10-for-28 during a six-game hitting streak.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN2 (Washington), KTLA, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (2-1, 3.08 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (2-0, 2.87)
Strasburg allowed four runs in six innings for the second time this season and settled for a no-decision against Colorado in his last turn. The 29-year-old San Diego State product has a stellar 0.99 WHIP and .206 batting average against with 26 strikeouts and six walks. Strasburg is 2-2 with a 2.44 ERA in seven career outings against the Dodgers and has struggled versus Matt Kemp (8-for-24, one homer) while shutting down Chase Utley (5-for-32).
Ryu has struck out 17 in 12 innings while winning his last two starts, allowing just two runs, four hits and one walk in those outings. It was an impressive comeback after he struggled with his command in his first turn, when he walked five while giving up three runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings of a no-decision against Arizona. The 31-year-old South Korean is 0-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two career starts against the Nationals.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers scored 37 runs during their four-game winning streak before being held in check in the opener.
2. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon (toe) has missed six straight games and still is hoping to avoid a stint on the disabled list.
3. Los Angeles CF Chris Taylor reached base four times in the opener on two singles and two walks after going 2-for-16 with six strikeouts over his previous three games.