Preview: Mat Latos Returns With Dodgers Looking To Extend Winning Streak
The Los Angeles Dodgers remained as hot as the weather Friday night by winning their fourth consecutive game. Clayton Kershaw turned in another dominant effort, tying a season high with 14 strikeouts.
Now the Dodgers turn to Mat Latos, who last started Aug. 13. On the season Latos is 4-9 with a 4.81 ERA and largely struggled since being traded to Los Angeles. Despite being moved to the bullpen at the start of the Dodgers’ road trip, the right-hander wasn’t used as a reliever.
Latos did travel to the club’s Spring Training complex to throw a simulated game as preparation for his return to the mound. Latos is 7-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 12 career starts against the Chicago Cubs, and though he’s 0-1 when facing Chicago this season, that was a tough-luck loss when he was still with the Miami Marlins.
In the outing Latos held the Cubs to just one run over seven innings, but was charged with a loss in the 2-0 outcome. The Cubs counter by sending Jon Lester to the hill. He’s 8-9 with a 3.44 ERA and 3.13 FIP.
Lester is coming off a dominant outing in which he held the Cleveland Indians to one run on six hits over 8.2 innings. Lester last faced the Dodgers June 25 and only managed to throw four innings, giving up four runs on four hits.
With a left-hander on the mound the Dodgers go to a lineup heavy on right-handed hitters, per usual. Kiké Heranndez remains the starter in center field with Scott Van Slyke in right and Carl Crawford in left field.
Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are the lone left-handed batters in the Dodgers’ lineup; switch-hitter Jimmy Rollins starts at shortstop and bats leadoff. Also of note, Justin Turner is playing a fifth consecutive game for the first time this season.
Dodgers Lineup:
SS: Jimmy Rollins
CF: Kiké Hernandez
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Scott Van Slyke
LF: Carl Crawford
C: A.J. Ellis
2B: Jose Peraza
P: Mat Latos
Cubs lineup:
CF: Dexter Fowler
LF: Kyle Schwarber
RF: Chris Coghlan
1B: Anthony Rizzo
3B: Kris Bryant
C: Miguel Montero
SS: Addison Russell
P: Jon Lester
2B: Tommy La Stella
[divide]