If the Los Angeles Dodgers are going to turn around their disappointing season, finishing off a three-game road sweep of the Washington Nationals on Sunday would be a good place to start. The Dodgers took both games of a doubleheader from the Nationals on Saturday and have won three straight following a string of six straight defeats.
Los Angeles had lost nine of 10 entering the series, but Ross Stripling shut down the Nationals for a 4-1 win in Saturday’s opener and the Dodgers rallied in the ninth on Matt Kemp’s two-run double for a 5-4 victory in the nightcap. Seven relievers had to combine on a four-hitter for the Dodgers in the second game after starter Rich Hill left with blisters on his throwing hand after just two pitches. Fellow left-hander Alex Wood will need to give the Dodgers a deep start Sunday to preserve the bullpen. The Nationals had won four straight and 13 of 15 before rain killed their momentum - they had not completed a game since Sunday prior to Saturday’s twinbill.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SportsNet Los Angeles, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Alex Wood (0-4, 3.35 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (5-3, 3.28)
Wood is still looking for his first win despite allowing one earned run or less in five of his nine starts, including each of the last three. The 27-year-old gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings in a tough-luck loss at Miami on Tuesday. Wood is 4-3 with a 2.55 ERA in 11 starts against the Nationals, including a no-decision April 22 in which he allowed three runs (two earned) over six frames.
Strasburg has won three straight starts, racking up 25 strikeouts and only three walks over 20 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old had nine strikeouts and allowed one run and five hits over 6 2/3 innings in a win at Arizona in his last start May 12. Strasburg is 2-3 with a 2.45 ERA in eight starts against the Dodgers, including a tough-luck loss April 22, when he gave up three runs (two earned) over seven innings with 10 strikeouts.
WALK-OFFS1. Nationals 2B/LF Howie Kendrick went on the disabled list Saturday after rupturing his Achilles in Game 1 and is expected to undergo surgery Monday. Washington is expected to call up 19-year-old OF Juan Soto to provide outfield depth in Kendrick’s absence.
2. Dodgers INF Max Muncy is 8-for-19 with four doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs over his past six starts.
3. Washington 3B Anthony Rendon is 12-for-19 with a homer and RF Bryce Harper is 8-for-20 with three doubles versus Wood.