Dodgers @ Brewers April 19, 2019: Stripling for six straight

The Dodgers (13-8) take on the Brewers (12-8) again in game two of four at Miller Park on Friday night.

The Dodgers’ season so far:

8-2

0-6

5-0

A sixth straight win would even out the recent trend, but at some point they’ll have to find some consistency.

Dodgers
Brewers
5:10 p.m.
Milwaukee, WI.
LF
Pederson
CF
Cain
SS
Seager
RF
Yelich
3B
Turner
2B
Moustakas
1B
Bellinger
C
Grandal
CF
Pollock
3B
Shaw
2B
Muncy
1B
Thames
RF
Verdugo LF Gamel
C
Barnes
SS
Arcia
P
Stripling (R)
P
Chacin (R)

Ross Stripling (1-1, 2.92 ERA, 4.08 FIP) is coming off his best start of the year. He went eight strong innings against the Brewers at Dodger Stadium, allowing one run on four hits with three strikeouts and a walk on 88 pitches. Chicken Strip was supposed to start the season in the bullpen, but so far he’s stepped up and been the most consistent starter for the Dodgers. Once Rich Hill returns, Stripling is to shift to a relief role. Hill is slated to make one more rehab start

Stripling makes his first career start at Miller Park. He’s only pitched
two innings in two relief appearances in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee pitchers are the best hitting pitchers in baseball right now. They’re slashing .364/.417/.576/.992 with two home runs. Jhoulys Chacin has a hit against Stripling with three hits and a homer on the season. That’s something to keep in mind for Stripling. National League baseball, baby.

The Dodgers jumped all over Chacin (2-2, 6.52 ERA, 6.41 FIP) early at Dodger Stadium five days ago. The right-hander allowed six runs on six hits including a home run to Joc Pederson. He struck out three and allowed three free passes in 2.1 innings before being chased from the game. The veteran is 11-10 with a career 4.70 ERA and 1.568 WHIP in 27 games (26 starts) against the Dodgers.

Chacin will have his work cut out for him in his rematch against Stripling and the L.A. bats. The Dodgers are one of the best hitting teams vs. RHP in baseball right now. They lead MLB in batting average against right-handers (.278), slugging percentage (.519), OPS (.884), and they’re tied with the Cubs in OBP (.365).

Cody Bellinger continues to be one of the hottest hitters in the majors. He’s 9-for-18 (.500) with three home runs and a ridiculous 1.681 OPS in the last week. He’s tied with Khris Davis and Christian Yelich for the most home runs in baseball (10), and he’s currently leading in average (.432), slugging (.919), OPS (1.431) and wRC+ (263) on the year. He’s absolutely locked in.

Bellinger is once again hitting cleanup in front Pederson, Corey Seager and Justin Turner. He’ll be at first base tonight as Verdugo, a hot bat (and arm), mans right field. Max Muncy gets the start at second base.

Let’s go streakin’.

About Stacie Wheeler

Stacie Wheeler, born and raised in So Cal, has been writing about the Dodgers since 2010. She wrote daily as the co-editor of Lasorda's Lair for five long years, and she has also written for Dodgers Nation, Dodger Blue 1958 and The Hardball Times. She currently contributes to True Blue LA. Stacie graduated from the University Of Southern California with a bachelor's degree in Cinema-Television. You can also watch her videos on her YouTube channel, DishingUpTheDodgers.