Dodgers Vs. Pirates Preview: Beckett Activated Off DL, Will Start
After a successful beginning to the series with a 5-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers will look to capture a series win on Tuesday.
The starter for this game was under question as Josh Beckett was coming off an injury and was activated from the disabled list prior to the game. After a favorable bullpen session, the Dodgers reinstated Beckett and penciled him in for the start.
Josh Beckett comes into the game with a 2.26 ERA to support his 6-5 record through the first half of the season. The right-handed pitcher has surprisingly been an essential piece of the Dodgers success after having a phenomenal first half. Beckett currently ranks fourth in the National League in ERA and sixth in WHIP.
In his career, Beckett has faced the Pirates on three separate occasions, and once as a Dodger. The veteran did receive a loss; however, did pitch a quality game that could have resulted in a win if he had received some more run support. Beckett pitched five innings and allowed two runs on five hits. The 34-year-old also struck out five and only allowed one walk in a 2-1 loss on May 30.
The Pirates will hand the ball over to Vance Worley, a right-handed pitcher from Sacramento, California. Worley comes into this game with a 2-1 record to accommodate a 3.38 ERA, but may have needed the All-Star Break more than most, as he is coming off of a rough three-start stretch.
In his last 14 innings pitched, Worley has allowed nine runs on 17 hits in two starts and an appearance from the bullpen. In his last three starts, Worley’s ERA has risen from 1.74 to 3.38, showing the potential for a lot of Dodger runs.
Worley has faced the Dodgers twice, in 2011 and 2012, and the Dodgers have had his number. In two career starts, Worley has mustered a 10.13 ERA. The Long Beach State alum gave up twelve hits, six walks, and nine earned runs in eight innings of work.
The Dodgers will send out the same lineup as last night, as Hanley Ramirez and Yasiel Puig will both be watching from the dugout with their respective injuries.
Dodgers Lineup:
2B: Gordon
SS: Turner
1B: Gonzalez
RF: Kemp
CF: Ethier
LF: Crawford
3B: Uribe
C: Ellis
P: Beckett
Pirates Lineup:
RF: Polanco
LF: Snider
CF: McCutchen
2B: Walker
C: Martin
1B: Davis
3B: Alvarez
SS: Mercer
P: Worley
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dodgers Outfielder Andre Ethier Surprises Middle School Students