Dodgers, Astros Set Pitching Matchups for Highly Anticipated Weekend Series in LA
Coming off their two-game sweep of the Angels, the Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready for a high profile matchup with the defending champion Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium. The series this weekend with be another between the 2017 World Series teams and will give Dodger fans another opportunity to have some fun at the expense of the Astros for their cheating scandal.
The Astros have underperformed a little bit this season but still do sit in second place within the AL West. Houston just took two of three games from the New York Mets and head into this series with LA looking to keep things going. The Dodgers will need to make sure they don’t take the Astros for granted as both teams will be going for bragging rights here.
The Dodgers and Astros have their pitching matchups set for the upcoming weekend series, so here’s each matchup, and everything you need to know about all the pitchers set to start.
No-Hit Sheehan
Emmet Sheehan takes the ball on Friday for the Dodgers. He was special in his Major League debut last week, going six shutout innings of no-hit ball against the San Francisco Giants. The moment didn’t seem too big for the rookie and he will be looking to keep things rolling against Houston.
Houston will be throwing out JP France to oppose Sheehan. In eight games this season, France has gone 2-2 and posted an ERA of 3.42. He has gone 6.2 innings in each of his last two starts so the Dodgers will likely be seeing him for a majority of the game. France eats innings so LA would be wise to try and get off to a good start in this one to knock him out of the game before he can settle into any rhythm.
It’s Miller Time!
Saturday will feature Dodgers rookie sensation Bobby Miller taking the mound. Miller has been great for the team this season, going 3-1 and posting a 2.83 ERA. He did get roughed up in his last start against the Giants but he will be looking to bounce back here at home. Miller has prime stuff on the mound and should be able to take advantage of an Astros team that can be opportunistic at times.
As for the Astros, they will be sending right-hander Ronel Blanco to the mound to face Miller. Blanco made his Major League debut last season for Houston and has played in 12 games this season, starting three. He holds an ERA of 4.66 in those games. Blanco got beat up in his last start against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing five earned runs over 5.2 innings pitched. Before that game, he hadn’t given up more than two runs in his previous two starts.
Sunday is for the Cats
Tony Gonsolin takes the mound in the series finale on Sunday. He has had a very up and down season so far but does still have some impressive stuff on the mound. On the year, Gonsolin has posted an ERA of 2.92 but did get dominated in his last start against the Giants, giving up seven earned runs over 5.2 innings. Gonsolin will need to make sure he gets command of the ball in this one otherwise the Houston batters will take advantage and it could be another long day for the veteran pitcher.
On the other side, the Astros will be sending out Hunter Brown. Brown holds a record of 6-4 and an ERA of 3.78 this season. Like Gonsolin, he was roughed up in his last outing as he gave up six runs over 5.2 innings against the Mets. Brown has been pretty solid for the Astros this season so the Dodgers will need to make sure they stay patient at the plate and don’t overcommit.
First pitch for Friday’s game is at 7:10 p.m. PT; first pitch for Saturday’s game is at 4:15 p.m. PT; and first pitch for Sunday’s game is at 4:10 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on ESPN for Sunday Night Baseball.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Please subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more all year long!
