Preview: Brett Anderson Makes First Career Start Against Nationals

The Los Angeles Dodgers look to rebound from a disappointing 2-4 road trip as they open up a homestand against the Washington Nationals.
Getting the start on the mound for the reigning National League West champions is Brett Anderson, who is making his first career start against the Nationals. On the season Anderson is 6-6 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.28 WHIP.
In his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, the southpaw pitched a solid six innings allowing only four hits and one run all while striking out five batters. Anderson has not allowed more than three runs in a start since June 10.
Opposing Anderson is fellow left-hander Gio Gonzalez. In 20 starts this season Gonzalez is 8-4, with a 3.75 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. In his previous start Gonzalez lasted five innings as he gave up two runs on eight hits, but also tallied seven strikeouts.
The Dodgers took two of three from the Nationals out of the All-Star break and a win Monday night will keep Los Angeles as the only team this season to avoid a four-game losing streak. They’ll look to do so with a lineup that features a bevy of right-handed batters.
Adrian Gonzalez and Joc Pederson are both being given a night off with a left-hander on the mound. However, in Gonzalez’s case, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly also said the break for the first baseman is meant as a relief for nagging neck soreness and a minor calf issue that bothered Gonzalez during the road trip.
Additionally, the Dodgers placed Howie Kendrick on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring and recalled Jose Peraza, who gets the start at second base. Elsewhere, Yasiel Puig is batting third with Scott Van Slyke starting in left field and batting fourth.
Dodgers Lineup:
SS: Jimmy Rollins
2B: Jose Peraza
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Scott Van Slyke
CF: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Alberto Callaspo
LF: Alex Guerrero
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Brett Anderson
Nationals Lineup:
3B: Yunel Escobar
2B: Anthony Rendon
RF: Bryce Harper
1B: Ryan Zimmerman
LF: Jayson Werth
SS: Ian Desmond
C: Jose Lobaton
CF: Michael Taylor
P: Gio Gonzalez
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