On Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers (17-26, 4th NL West) played the second game of a three-game series in the nation’s capital against the Washington Nationals (24-18, 3rd NL East).
The Dodgers defeated Miami 7-0 in Thursday to snap a six-game losing streak. Justin Turner has returned from a fractured hand and knocked in five runs, a career high, while Kenta Maeda threw eight shutout innings for the Dodgers. Washington has seen one game suspended and one postponed this week and has not played a full game since Sunday. Catcher Matt Wieters for the Nationals underwent hamstring surgery on Thursday. There is no timetable for the catcher’s return.
Matt Kemp leads the Dodgers with a .318 batting average. Yasmani Grandal has the team lead in home runs with seven and RBIs with 26. Los Angeles has a team batting average of .239, while opposing hitters are averaging .247 at the plate against Dodgers pitching. On Saturday, the Dodgers will send Rich Hill to the mound. The left-hander this season is 1-2 with an ERA of 6.20, 25 Ks and 13 BBs.
Howie Kendrick leads the Nationals with a .302 batting average and team high 45 hits. Bryce Harpers leads the team in home runs with 13 and RBIs with 30. Washington has a team batting average of .240 while opposing hitters are averaging .219 at the plate against Nationals pitching. Washington on Saturday will send Tanner Roark to the mound. The right-hander this season is 2-3 with an ERA of 3.33, 45 Ks and 16 BBs.
