Joc Pederson's memorable start

The Dodgers look for a split in their series finale against the Brewers on Thursday morning, with one of the hottest hitters around in Joc Pederson.

Pederson hit two more home runs in Wednesday night's 6-3 loss to the Brewers, and since moving to the leadoff position he has six home runs in seven games.

Joc Pederson is the first Dodgers rookie with 6-HR in a 7-game span since the team moved to Los Angeles in 1958 (via @EliasSports)

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 7, 2015

Pederson as a leadoff man is 6-for-27 (.222) with six home runs, five walks and 13 strikeouts. That's 24 of his 32 plate appearances with the "three true outcomes" (home run, walk or strikeout).

But it goes back even further, to April 27.

Joc Pederson's last 7 hits are HRs, 3rd most consecutive hits that are Home Runs since 1974. #WhipAround pic.twitter.com/5vT434uPX2

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 7, 2015

Pederson on the season is tied with teammate Adrian Gonzalez and Reds third baseman Todd Frazier for the National League lead with nine home runs.

With nine career home runs, Pederson is just one behind David Ross for most by a Dodger in their first 45 games, and tied with Del Bissonette and Yasiel Puig.

Pederson's last single was on April 25. On the season he has nine home runs, eight singles, five doubles and 21 walks, the latter fourth in the majors.

There has only been one Dodgers player with at least five home runs and more home runs than singles in a season, and that was Don Drysdale in 1958, with seven home runs and six singles. Current Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire did that five times in his career - 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2001.

Pederson has 21 walks so far this season. In the last 20 years, the only Dodgers with that many walks in the team's first 27 games were Manny Ramirez (24, in 2009), Russell Martin (23, in 2008), and J.D. Drew (21, in 2005).

Pederson is hitting .272/.423/.667 on the young season. Gonzalez and Pederson rank first and second in the NL in OPS, and first and fourth in the majors, respectively.

It has been quite a start.

Early start

With a 10:40 a.m. PT start, Thursday is the fourth-earliest weekday start for the Dodgers this year. The only earlier weekday games this year are July 22 at Atlanta (9:10 a.m.), Aug. 5 at Philadelphia (10:05 a.m.) and Aug. 27 at Cincinnati (9:35 a.m.).

Game info

Time: 10:40 a.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network