The Dodgers are coming into today’s game with a 1.5 game lead in the NL West and they are looking for a sweep over the Phillies.
The Dodgers have control of the NL West in back to back days for the first time since April and they have done all of this without Clayton Kershaw. Keeping the momentum going is essential to the club in order to advance to the post season. With a victory today the Dodgers could complete a sweep over the Phillies.
This afternoon Ross Stripling will take the mound for the Dodgers. Stripling is coming into today’s game with a record of 3-4 and an ERA of 4.07. This is Stripling’s tenth start for the Dodgers, but he has now appeared in 14 games. Dave Roberts has shown just how versatile Stripling is in the fact that, Stripling is able to make starts, but also be used out of the pen if needed. So far in 2016, Stripling has put in 66.1 innings of work and in those innings he has struck out 48 batters and walked 21. Stripling has made the transition from AAA to the majors pretty nicely this season and has really stepped up when the Dodgers needed another starter.
The Phillies will be sending Jerad Eickhoff to the mound. Eickhoff is a 26 year-old right hander that is in his second season with the Phillies. He is coming into today’s game with a record of 8-12 and an ERA of 3.82. So far in 2016, Eickhoff has thrown 143.2 innings while striking out 120 batters and walking just 33. According to Brooks Baseball, Eickhoff primarily relies on his fourseam fastball (91 MPH) his curve (75 MPH) and his sinker (92 MPH. He also mixes in a slider (82 MPH) and a change (85 MPH). His curve generates more swing and misses/ strike outs in comparison to his other pitches.
Lineup
Chase Utley is in his usual lead off spot in his final game against his former team. Justin Turner is batting third in the lineup after having a great offensive night last night. Adrian Gonzalez, the butter and egg man is in the fifth hole as he looks to continue the power hitting he had last night. Yasmani Grandal is catching as Stripling takes the mound.
First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM and will be shown on Sports Net LA.