Braves at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers literally are powering through their latest wave of injuries with 22 home runs over their last seven games. The surging Dodgers belted a season-high five homers in Friday’s 7-3 series-opening win over the visiting Atlanta Braves and will look to maintain their hot streak when the teams continue their three-game set on Saturday.
Yasmani Grandal homered twice while Joc Pederson, Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger also went deep as the Dodgers improved to 16-5 over their last 21 games. Pederson and Bellinger have combined for eight home runs over the last four games, but the Dodgers’ injury-plagued starting rotation received a scare Friday when rookie star Walker Buehler exited in the sixth inning with rib soreness following another dominant performance. Atlanta lost for the 13th time in their last 16 contests at Dodger Stadium despite a solo homer from Johan Camargo. Freddie Freeman doubled in four at-bats and is 6-for-12 with two blasts and four RBIs over his last three games.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 2.16 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Alex Wood (1-4, 4.48)
Sanchez settled for a no-decision against Washington on Sunday after giving up two unearned runs and two hits over seven innings. “He’s got a great feel for pitching and knows what he’s doing," manager Brian Snitker told reporters. “I think his stuff is better than what I was led to believe when we signed him. He can change speeds, and he locates the fastball well.” Chase Utley is 15-for-34 against Sanchez, who owns a 3.21 ERA in five career starts versus the Dodgers.
Pitching on seven days’ rest on Sunday after dealing with hamstring cramps, Wood struggled against Colorado as he allowed six runs in two innings. The 27-year-old native of North Carolina owns an impressive 60-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio but has given up a total of 11 runs over 7 1/3 frames in his last two starts. Ender Inciarte is 5-for-14 against Wood, who is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts versus Atlanta.
WALK-OFFS
1. Dodgers 3B Justin Turner (sore left wrist) was not in the lineup Friday for the third time in the last four games and is listed as day-to-day.
2. Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna (knee) resumed baseball activities on Friday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment in a few days.
3. Los Angeles LHP Rich Hill (blister) will throw a simulated game Saturday and is expected to rejoin the rotation next weekend.