Dodgers @ Cubs May 5, 2021: Buehler vs. Alzolay

Well the good news is the Dodgers can only lose one game today.

4:40 PM Chicago
RF Betts LF Pederson (L)
SS Seager (L) 1B Bryant
3B Turner SS Báez
1B Muncy (L) C Contreras
C Smith RF Heyward (L)
CF Taylor 2B Bote
LF Beaty (L) 3B Duffy
2B Lux (L) CF Marisnick
P Buehler (R) P Alzolay (R)

Dave Roberts heard the calls from the masses, as Matt Beaty is back in the lineup tonight for the Dodgers. Joc Pederson leads off and starts in left field for the Cubs today.

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Here’s how Walker Buehler and Adbert Alzolay matchup:

Buehler is coming off his worst start of the season against the Reds. He allowed seven hits and five runs in 6 1/3 innings, but did strike out a season-high 10 batters. The Dodgers gave him a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning, but Buehler allowed a double and an RBI single before being pulled. Scott Alexander came on in relief, and allowed a two-run double to Joey Votto to put the Dodgers down 6-5.

Alzolay still has his rookie status despite this being the third year he’s seen big league action. He threw 12 1/3 innings in 2019 and 21 1/3 innings last season. In 21 innings this year, he’s allowed 13 hits and 11 runs. He’s coming off his best start of the season, where he allowed two runs over six innings in Atlanta for his first win of the season. He throws a slider nearly half of the time and has a 40.5 percent whiff rate on it. He also throws a sinking fastball and a four-seam fastball, and rarely throws a changeup and curve.

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The Dodgers are swapping Edwins.

Edwin Rios was placed on the IL with shoulder inflammation, which could begin to explain the awful stretch he’s been in at the plate. Edwin Uceta is back up.

The Dodgers might be getting more bullpen reinforcement soon.

Joe Kelly could be back in the bullpen soon barring any setbacks. Scott Alexander was unavailable yesterday with some soreness, but is expected to be available tonight.

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First pitch is at 4:40 PM PST on SNLA and ESPN — try not to get swept on national TV.

About Alex Campos

I've been writing about the Dodgers since I graduated from Long Beach State, where I covered the Dirtbags in my senior year. I'm either very good or very bad at puns.