Phillies at Dodgers
Clayton Kershaw is slated to make his first start since May 1 when the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday for the finale of their four-game series. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner has been sidelined with left biceps tendinitis but will look to pitch Los Angeles to its 11th win in 14 games in his return.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there isn't a definitive pitch limit for Kershaw, saying, "I think he's fine to go deep, depending on how he's throwing." Los Angeles has won two of the first three games of the series, including an 8-2 triumph on Wednesday in which Matt Kemp (NL-best .345 average) homered and recorded a season-high four RBIs. Philadelphia's Nick Williams has gone deep in back-to-back games and three of his last five contests. Philadelphia learned Wednesday that slugging left fielder Rhys Hoskins fractured his jaw in Monday's game and is expected to be examined Thursday in Philadelphia to see whether or not he will need surgery.
TV: 7:35 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (6-2, 2.27 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.86)
Nola has been superb through 11 starts as he is holding opposing batters to a .212 average while sporting a 0.98 WHIP. The 24-year-old settled for a no-decision in his last turn against Toronto despite registering 10 strikeouts while allowing just one run and one hit over 6 2/3 innings. Nola beat the Dodgers in his lone career start against them as he allowed two runs and five hits over seven frames on Sept. 19.
Kershaw served up seven homers in seven starts before going on the disabled list and is allowing opponents to bat .234. The average is a bit of a stunner after the 30-year-old held opponents below .200 in four straight seasons (2013-16) and has a .206 career mark. Kershaw is 3-5 with a 3.16 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Phillies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 1B Cody Bellinger went 2-for-4 on Wednesday after going 3-for-41 over his previous 12 contests.
2. Los Angeles placed RHP Kenta Maeda (hip) and 2B Chase Utley (thumb) on the 10-day disabled list while recalling ambidextrous pitcher Pat Venditte and RHP Dennis Santana from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
3. Philadelphia 3B Mitch Walding struck out in all four at-bats Wednesday in his major-league debut.