Preview: Mike Bolsinger Looks To Help Dodgers Get Back On Track

With a forgettable loss in the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers had their division lead slightly cut into and they now sit 7.5 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants entering play Saturday.

After getting a spot start last weekend against the San Diego Padres, Mike Bolsinger takes the mound once again to face his former team a third time this season. The right-hander is coming off a five-inning outing in which he allowed three runs on two hits — both home runs — but he earned a win.

In 11 combined innings pitched against the Diamondbacks this season, Bolsinger is 1-0 and has only allowed two runs on six hits, while holding opponents to a .162 batting average. While Bolsinger has largely enjoyed success against Arizona, his start at Chase Field was cut short after four shutout innings due to a bout with food poisoning.

In five career appearances at Chase Field, the 27-year-old is 0-1, with a 3.46 ERA. On the season Bolsinger is 6-3 with a 2.97 ERA, 3.13 FIP and 1.21 WHIP.

Taking the mound for the Diamondbacks is Rubby De La Rosa. The right-handed pitcher is 12-7, with a 4.49 ERA, 4.69 FIP and 1.30 WHIP. In his last start, he suffered a loss at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three earned runs over five innings. The pitcher put forth similar stats when comparing home and away games, but is 7-2 at Chase Field.

De La Rosa is 7-2 at Chase Field, but will need to improve on his outings against the Dodgers this season if he hopes to earn a win. In 15.2 innings over three starts, De La Rosa is 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA; he’s walked five and allowed five home runs.

After stacking a lineup heavy on right-handed bats Friday night, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly returns to a more atypical look. Carl Crawford starts in left field and bats leadoff, with Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson and Chase Utley also returning to the lineup.

Yasmani Grandal, who had been sitting out with shoulder soreness, is back behind the plate and batting seventh.

Dodgers Lineup:

LF: Carl Crawford

2B: Chase Utley

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

3B: Justin Turner

RF: Andre Ethier

SS: Corey Seager

C: Yasmani Grandal

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Mike Bolsinger

Diamondbacks Lineup:

CF: A.J. Pollock

RF: Ender Inciarte

1B: Paul Goldschmidt

LF: David Peralta

C: Welington Castillo

3B: Jake Lamb

2B: Chris Owings

SS: Nick Ahmed

P: Rubby De La Rosa