Dodgers Turn to Eovaldi To End 4 Game Losing Streak

After showing a bit of life against the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers got crushed in 3 straight games at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, running the club's losing streak to 4 games.  Fortunately, the Dodgers get a chance to get back on the winning track this evening by starting a 3 game set against the worst club in baseball.  Rookie pitcher Nathan Eovaldi gets his second start for the Dodgers and his first start at Dodger Stadium. Eovaldi was brilliant in his big league debut last Saturday in Arizona (the last time the Dodgers won a game) striking out 7 batters and only allowing 4 hits on his way to recording his first major league win. 

The Astros come to Chavez Ravine in a bit of losing stretch as well. The Astros have lost 3 in a row and 6 of their last 7.  Houston also posts the worst record in MLB, an ugly 38-80 mark.  Facing off against Nathan Eovaldi will be 26 year old right hander Bud Norris.  As mentioned in the series preview, Norris has put up respectable numbers on the year with a line of 3.73 / 3.86 / 3.58 in 140 innings pitched. 

Notes:

•  In addition to Eovaldi making his Dodger Stadium debut, filling in for the injured Dee Gordon is Justin Sellers who is making his major league debut.  The 25 year old shortstop had a .398 wOBA in AAA Albuquerque. 
• Eovaldi will be looking to start his Dodger  MLB career 2-0 solely as a Dodger starter. The last Dodger pitcher to do that was Kazuhisa Ishii in 2002.
• The Dodgers officially agreed to terms with first round pick Chris Reed, the 21 year old relief pitcher from Stanford. 
• While injuries have forced the Dodgers into a youth movement of sorts, the Astros appear to be all-in on a youth movement as well.  Currently, the Astros have 12 rookies on the 25 man roster.

Lineups

Game Time: 7:10 p.m

Television: Prime Ticket