Dodgers Vs. Pirates Preview: Ryu Starts, Looks To End Losing Streak

[new_royalslider id=”14″] The Los Angeles Dodgers are in the midst of a three-game losing streak for the second time this season and should they lose Saturday, they would have themselves a season-high four game losing streak. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, they’re just 2-9 in their last 11 games at Dodger Stadium, with both wins coming in this series.

Josh Beckett pitched five innings in his first start after the no-hitter and now the Dodgers hand the ball to Hyun-Jin Ryu. The lefty had a perfect game through seven innings in his outing against the Cincinnati Reds May 26. Ryu is 5-2 with a 3.10 ERA and has been sharp in both of his starts since coming off the disabled list.

Ryu has faced the Pirates once in his career, which came last season at Dodger Stadium. In the 6-2 Dodger win, Ryu tossed 6.1 innings, allowed two runs and struck out six. Andrew McCutchen, who leads the Pirates with an overall .303 batting average, is hitting .350 against lefties this season in 22 at-bats. Gabby Sanchez, who made a pinch-hit appearance in the Pirates’ win on Friday, is batting .364 off lefties.

The Dodgers face another starter who’s winless this season in the form of Brandon Cumpton. The right-hander has bounced in and out of the minors dating back to last season and he’s made three starts this year, posing 0-1 record with a 3.38 ERA.

Cumpton has allowed two earned runs in two of his three starts and his lone loss came in his best outing. The 25-year-old threw seven innings against the Cincinnati Reds, held them to two runs and struck out five, a season-high, but didn’t receive run support and the Pirates lost 2-1.

The Pirates starter has one start against the Dodgers his career, taking home a no-decision in five innings of work last season.

Matt Kemp, mired in an 0-for-20 slump remains in left field, while Adrian Gonzalez returns to the lineup after a night off Friday, with the exception of a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning and staying on at first base in the ninth.

Dodgers Lineup:

2B: Gordon

CF: Ethier

RF: Puig

SS: Ramirez

1B: Gonzalez

LF: Kemp

3B: Turner

C: Butera

P: Ryu

Pirates Lineup

3B: Harrison

2B: Walker

CF: McCutchen

1B: Sanchez

LF: Marte

RF: Tabata

SS: Mercer

C: Stewart

P: Cumpton
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