Emmet Sheehan (3-3, 4.70) vs. Erick Fedde (1-5, 4.69).
Coming off another heroic performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto yesterday--almost one for the history books, twice--Emmet Sheehan takes the hill with the chance to give the Dodgers the series victory. Let's go, Emmet!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4, 2.68) vs. Sean Burke (3-3, 3.88).
This series with the White Sox is a good opportunity to remember former Dodger Miguel Vargas. A mediocre infielder with a negative WAR over parts of three seasons, Vargas was traded to the White Sox where he further cratered (-1.0 WAR in only 42 games) in the remainder of the 2024 season. Since then, however, Vargas has markedly improved and kept a starting position: 1.9 WAR in 2025, and he's off to a great start this year with a 2.6 WAR and a 143 OPS+.
I'm sure he's approaching this series with a bit more vigor. Hoping Yoshi can shut that down today and we can tie the series.
Roki Saaki (3-3, 4.03) vs. Anthony Kay (5-1, 4.40).
Continuing with the jewelry theme, the Dodgers face another pitcher in the same week whose name evokes gems and bling. But I've got a feeling the Ks will belong with Roki Sasaki tonight, following a couple of solid recent outings.
Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.62) vs. Mitch Keller (5-3, 4.51).
Confession: I will be at the game tonight, the first Dodgers away game that I've attended in years. I'm really hoping for a great performance from Justin Wrobleski, so that the Dodgers can win this series. Which means, given the Pirates' starter, I should not be seeing Mitch All Together.
UPDATE 12.30p PT: It's thunderstorming outside here in Pittsburgh. Yikes.
Shohei Ohtani (6-2, 0.74) vs. Jared Jones (1-0, 4.82).
After last night's 12-3 win, driven by a 10-run seventh inning once Pirates starter Paul Skenes left the game, the Dodgers should feel pretty shiny indeed. Now that they're going against Jared, can they put another jewel in their crown?
Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.74) vs. Paul Skenes (6-5, 2.83).
This Skenes guy may be on to something, what with his eight different pitches having a history of confounding hitters across his short but stratospherically successful career. I'm really glad that we get the opportunity to go against the best tonight--this will be a great test for the Dodgers.
Sheehan vs. Soriano.
Oh man, I am still giddy over last night's nine-run first inning (as well as Yoshinobu Yamamoto's excellent performance). Let's go!
Yamamoto vs. Kochamowicz
We can't expect Freddie Freeman to win every game for us with a walk-off HR, right?!
Roki Sasaki (3-3, 4.59) vs. Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.63).
Roki Sasaki has to be excited to see the Angels again, given the success of his May 17 start (7.0 IP, 4 H, and 1 ER in his best start of the year). Let's hope they've brought their B-game, as usual.
Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.87) vs. Ryne Nelson (2-4, 4.82).
A win today would give us our sixth-straight series victory, so let's see if we can halve Nelson.
Shohei Ohtani (5-2, 0.82) vs. Zac Gallen (3-4, 5.16).
Last night's win got close at the end, but the Dodgers have the momentum now in this series. Los Angeles now has a six-game lead on the Padres and a 6.5-game lead on the Snakes. I'm thinking we're not going to see much in Gallen tonight.
Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.95) vs. Michael Soroka (7-2, 3.25).
The Diamondbacks squeezed the life out of the Dodgers last night, ceding an early run before slowly aspyxiating Emmet Sheehan, and eventually Jack Dreyer, to regain the lead and slither to a 4-1 victory.
But the Dodgers lost the first game against San Diego before taking the series; and they did the same with the Brewers recently. So maybe we'll shove back against the Snakes tonight?
Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.70) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 2.31).
Emmet's a force, he's ready
So this isn't a big mistake
There's a Arizona team back in third place
As the desert starts to bake
If I listen close I can hear ol' Charley, oh, oh, oh
Missing home run calls every time on the radio, oh, oh
Sheehan can keep us from a Union of the Snake tonight. Let's go!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Andrew Painter.
That starting matchup sounds like our Japanese ace does not support the arts. I don't think that's the case, but I hope Yoshi can paint corners himself today.
Roki Sasaki (3-3, 4.93) vs. Jesus Luzardo (4-4, 4.38).
Tonight's matchup faces two starting pitchers with balanced win-loss records; actually, the Phillies' overall record of 29-28 is pretty damn balanced as well. But Dodger fans know that for Roki Sasaki, there can be flashes of brilliance just as there can be complete meltdowns.
Given recent history of meltdowns in Dodger Stadium with this opposing team, we'll see which team flinches first tonight.
It wasn't so much what the Dodgers did--stop the red-hot Phillies and give opposing starter Zack Wheeler his first loss of the year--but how they did it: four solo home runs from Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith.
Oh, and Justin Wrobleski, who had struggled in his last start against Milwaukee, came back with a vengeance (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks and 0 BB). Bryce Harper struck out three times and Kyle Schwarber struck out twice, contributing to 11 Ks overall for the Dodger pitchers (Wrobleski; the moderately effective Edgardo Henriquez; a clutch K for Alex Vesia (on his bobblehead night!); and a perfect ninth from Tanner Scott).
I couldn't watch this one as I don't have Apple TV, but that gave me the chance to hear Charley Steiner botch Freeman's HR call as well as call the Dodger right fielder "Kyle Turner." Hoo, boy.
Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07) vs. Zack Wheeler (4-0. 1.67).
Since taking over the manager's role in Philadelphia, former Dodger manager Don Mattingly has led the Phillies to a 20-8 record, basically the reciprocal of the 9-19 record he inherited. So while the Phillies currently appear to be a .500 team (at 29-27), looks are deceiving...which makes for a perfect test for the Dodgers this weekend.
Let's get this party started tonight.
Shohei Ohtani (4-2, 0.73) vs. Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.86).
After getting dropped from the two-hole where he was an unfortunate black hole in the lineup, Mookie Betts was moved to the cleanup spot and promptly produced two HR and five RBI in his new environs, winning Player of the Game in the Dodgers' 15-6 romp.. Every Dodgers starter reached base, with only leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani not registering a hit; Ohtani was HBP in the fourth inning which gave him only two ABs for the evening. Hopefully, he'll be okay for tonight's start.
It should be noted that the Rockies also had all of its starters reach base safely last night, though they didn't have much to show for it, especially once one removes the five-run ninth inning in which position player Miguel Rojas threw batting practice pitches.
Let's see if this Mookie resurgence sticks!
Eric Lauer (1-5, 6.69) vs. Kyle Freeland (1-5, 7.04).
Eric Lauer last saw the Dodgers in 2025 World Series Game 3, when he threw over four scoreless innings late in the extra-innings contest. After flailing for the Blue Jays this year, Toronto let him go and the Dodgers snatched him up in exchange for some of the cash that they make hourly on Shohei Ohtani jersey sales to busloads of Japanese tourist visitors.
Tonight, Lauer makes his Dodgers debut. Here we go!
Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.93) vs. Tanner Gordon (0-0, 6.59).
The Dodgers welcome the Rockies into town as well as the return of perennial postseason hero Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez to the lineup for the first time this season. This will trigger some sort of roster move, which as of press date has not been announced. But considering Hernandez' rehab starts in Oklahoma City (batting .216 over 12 games) were basically about as unproductive as his 2025 regular season statistics (.203 batting average in 92 games), it's safe to keep regular-season expectations low.
At least we face the Rockies, tied for the worst record in the majors (along with the Angels). Can't get much easier than this re-entry point.
