Editorials

Preview: Alex Wood Looks To Build On Strong Start, Dodgers Go Right

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

After dropping the season finale to their crosstown rival on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers hit the home stretch of their 10-game road trip as they start a weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

The Dodgers have won 13 of their last 16 games and are 5-2 to this point on the road trip. Additionally, their hot streak has led to an 8.5-game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the National League West crown.



Friday’s game features a lefty showdown between the Dodgers’ Alex Wood, and Dimanondbacks’ Robbie Ray. Wood (10-9, 3.51), is making his eighth start for the Dodgers and is coming off a solid outing against the San Diego Padres in which he pitched seven innings and gave up only three hits while holding the Padres scoreless.

Meanwhile Ray (3-11, 3.72), is mired in a tough stretch as he’s suffered seven losses over his last nine starts. Ray’s last win came July 7 when he threw 7.2 innings against the Texas Rangers. In his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, the left-hander pitched five innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Somewhat surprisingly however, he racked up eight strikeouts in the start.

Ray owns a career 0-2 record and 4.56 ERA against the Dodgers, with both starts coming this season. Wood enters 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA over five games (two starts) against the Diamondbacks. He last started at Chase Field on June 1 for the Atlanta Braves, allowing one run over eight innings.

With a lefty on the mound the Dodgers again go to a lineup heavy on right-handed batters. Justin Ruggiano earns another start in left field and hits leadoff. Jose Peraza returns to the lineup, starting at second base in place of Chase Utley.

Jimmy Rollins remain sidelined with a sore knuckle on his right hand, which results in Corey Seager receiving another start at shortstop. Scott Van Slyke starts in center field and Chris Heisey is in right. Adrian Gonzalez represents the other lone left-handed bat in the Dodgers’ lineup.

On a day in which the nation has so much to remember for reasons beyond baseball, all players, coaches, and officials across MLB are wearing caps with an American Flag patch.

Dodgers Lineup:

LF: John Ruggiano

2B: Jose Peraza

3B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

RF: Scott Van Slyke

SS: Cory Seager

C: A.J. Ellis

CF: Chris Heisey

P: Alex Wood

Diamondbacks Lineup:

CF: A.J. Pollack

LF: Ender Inciarte

1B: Paul Goldshcmidt

C: Wellington Castillo

3B: Phil Gosselin

2B: Chris Owings

RF: Yasmany Tomas

SS: Nick Ahmed

P: Robbie Ray

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