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The red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers, currently in first place in the National League West, look to continue scorching the St. Louis Cardinals pitching staff at Busch Stadium. The Dodgers have won 11 of their last 13 games and are riding a season-high six-game winning streak entering tonight’s game.
Hyun-Jin Ryu returns to the rotation for LA after posting a four-inning save in his first career relief appearance five days ago against these same Cardinals in Dodger Stadium. He takes the slot occupied by Alex Wood who is on the 10-day disabled list.
The Redbirds counter with flamethrower Carlos Martinez who has averaged 96.2 mph with his four-seam fastball this season. Over his last two starts, the right-hander has pitched 16 1/3 innings, allowing three runs - all in extremely hitter-friendly Colorado - while striking out 14 batters, and he will attempt to add to his streak of six consecutive quality starts.
Starting Lineups
| Dodgers | . | Brewers | . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | . | Brewers | . |
| Player | Position | Player | Position |
| Forsythe | 3B | Broxton | CF |
| Seager (L) | SS | Thames (L) | LF |
| Grandal (S) | C | Aguilar | 1B |
| Gonz�lez (L) | 1B | P�rez | 3B |
| Utley (L) | 2B | Santana | RF |
| Bellinger (L) | LF | Pi�a | C |
| Puig | RF | Villar (S) | 2B |
| Eibner | CF | Arcia | SS |
| Kershaw | P | Nelson | P |
Over their last 13 games, the Dodgers have outscored their opponents 74 to 37, an average of 5.7 runs scored against 2.8 runs allowed. This includes winning four of five games with St. Louis by a cumulative score of 24-15.
During their current six-game winning streak, the Boys in Blue have plated 39 runs while allowing only 12. The offense in that span has hit at a .275/.362/.497/.859 clip while clubbing 11 home runs.
The only currently active Dodgers to have faced Martinez a double-digit amount of times are Adrian Gonzalez - 3-for-15 with one homer, four walks and a sacrifice fly - and Yasiel Puig who has three singles and two walks in 11 plate appearances.
However, Puig will enjoy a scheduled day off with Kiké Hernandez - batting .252/.325/.524 with 19 of his 26 hits for extra bases - starting in his place in RF.
Ryu has had a bit of a schizophrenic season, allowing two runs or less in five of his eight appearances, but allowing four or more in the other three.
Matt Carpenter has faced Ryu 14 times, collecting three hits (one homer) while striking out four times. Jedd Gyorko is 0-for-9 with a walk and three strikeouts versus the lefthander. But watch out for the opposing starter; Martinez, a career .193 hitter, has two singles in three career at-bats against Ryu.
Notes
The Cardinals made a roster move, releasing old friend Jonathan Broxton and recalling right-handed pitcher John Gant from Triple-A Memphis where he had been starting. Gant last pitched on Saturday.
Game Info
Time: 5:15 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNetLA, ESPN (out of Dodgers markets only)