Following an 8-3 victory on Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to 11 games and are in position to take the series over the Kansas City Royals.
The Dodgers’ 11 consecutive wins is their longest stretch of the season and it’s helped propel them to the best record in baseball at 78-33.
During their winning streak, the Dodgers pitching staff holds an MLB-best 2.18 ERA, and has held opponents to a .179 batting average. Now healthy again, Andrew Heaney has been a key factor in their success.
Heaney gets the ball on Saturday against the Royals in his seventh start of the season and fourth since returning from the 15-day injured list because of left shoulder trouble.
His most recent start against the San Diego Padres was 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball, but Heaney recorded just three strikeouts, his lowest total of the season. The Padres scored three runs, but all were unearned following an error.
Overall, the 31-year-old is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA and 2.33 FIP across 28 innings this season. But in his prior three outings, Heaney has allowed just one run in 12.1 innings, while striking out 14.
The Royals counter with Brad Keller, who is coming off a solid start against the Boston Red Sox. He tossed six innings and allowed one run on four hits, but issued three walks.
Keller is 6-12 with 4.45 ERA in 21 starts this season. The right-hander is in his fifth year and has struggled in recent seasons for the Royals.
The Dodgers enter Saturday with a 14-4 Interleague record, the best mark in all of baseball.
Since July 31, the Dodgers offense has been one of the league’s top groups, combining for a 140 wRC+, .301 batting average, .369 wOBA, and an MLB-best .523 slugging percentage.
Max Muncy is back at third base after taking one game to serve as the designated hitter while recovering from a right hand contusion.
The Dodgers are going to be in their 1955 Brooklyn uniform, as the Royals are wearing their 1945 Monarchs jersey as part of celebrating Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: Justin Turner
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Joey Gallo
CF: Cody Bellinger
Royals lineup
LF: MJ Melendez
SS: Bobby Witt Jr.
C: Salvador Perez
3B: Hunter Dozier
CF: Michael A. Taylor
1B: Nick Pratto
DH: Brent Rooker
2B: Michael Massey
RF: Nate Eaton
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