Los Angeles Dodgers: Offense looks to back Ross Stripling in return

Ross Stripling is making his return to the starting rotation and the Los Angeles Dodgers offense is going to look to provide some runs.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have the gift of a deep pitching rotation and that is on full display right now. Even after losing Rich Hill to a torn flexor tendon, the Dodgers look just fine in the pitching department.

Taking Hill’s place in the rotation is going to be Ross Stripling, who started the season in the starting rotation before getting bumped to the bullpen once Hill returned from injury. Stripling thrived in the starting role as well with a 2.65 ERA in six starts with the Boys in Blue.

Another strong showing in the starting rotation with Hill out is going to give the Dodgers a tough decision to make. Hill definitely deserves to be in the starting rotation but if Stripling is noticeably better as a starter then it is going to be hard to move him back to the bullpen full-time.

A strong first game could give Stripling the momentum to go on another productive run. And as a pitcher, there is nothing better than getting some run support in your first game back as a starting pitcher.

The Dodger bats are certainly going to look to provide that production and hopefully maintain it throughout the game unlike Monday, where they scored three runs in the first inning and could only score two runs the rest of the game.

As part of our Los Angeles Dodgers Beat the Streak series, this is who we think can provide at least one base knock in route to some run support for Stripling.

Jason’s pick (Current streak: 1): Alex Verdugo

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going up against southpaw Robbie Ray, who typically carves against the Dodgers. After losing the first game of the series, the team is in a dangerous position to lose the series with Ray on the bump in game two.

There really are not any personal matchups to look towards for a selection. All of the veteran Dodgers with a lot of at-bats against Ray have struggled, with the one exception being David Freese, who is currently on the IL.

Instead, we are going to turn to a young Dodger who has two hits in three at-bats against Ray in Alex Verdugo.

Verdugo has started to heat up and anyone that did not know he was a rookie would never realize that he is on based on his demeanor and poise at the plate. The left-on-left matchup is no problem for Verdugo, as the rookie is actually hitting better against lefties this year with a .343 batting average.

Hopefully, those trends continue on Tuesday and the rookie can provide a spark to win the game and ensure that the Dodgers do not drop the first series of this road trip.