Eric Lauer vs. Zebby Matthews.
I can't recall the last time the Dodgers faced a pitcher named "Zebby." But that doesn't mean we won't have a Target on our back going into this series in Minnesota, especially after another AL underachiever (the Orioles) just took us behind the woodshed to win a recent series.
It doesn't give me much confidence to start Eric Lauer, either! Hoo, boy.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!
Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Trevor Rogers.
After last night's thrilling walk-off victory, perhaps the Dodgers talked about stranding runners all over the place (especially the bases loaded, no outs situation in the third which yielded zero runs). We wouldn't have to be in walk-off mode if we just take care of business along the way.
Get to work, boys!
Roki Sasaki (3-4, 4.76) vs. Trey Gibson (1-2, 5.91).
This is the opener of a three-game set vs. the Baltimore Orioles, the beleaguered bottom of the AL East (actually, the Red Sox are 16 games behind, four worse than the O's).
Tommy Edman debuted on Wednesday and didn't have a hit (0-for-3 with a walk in the leadoff spot). Can this game mark his first hit of 2026?
I might just have sobered up from the USNMT-Australia World Cup game in time to watch this one.
Shohei Ohtani (6-2, 1.06) vs. Shane McClanahan (6-4, 3.23).
Ring the alarm bells! Shohei Ohtani has to take the mound roughly 14 hours after his last game? Luckily, last night's 1-0 victory only took 1:52, so hopefully our two-way phenom had time to sleep a bit (and can you believe Ohtani is batting .297?).
Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.95) vs. Drew Rasmussen (6-2, 2.71).
How is Miguel Rojas so dramatic and effective as a late-game pinch hitter? Last night, Rojas saved the Dodgers with a seventh-inning game winning home run, which hearkened back to the postseason exploits of last season. Sure, we shouldn't have to depend upon a three-run homerun from Kyle Tucker to even be in the game in the first place. Let's get this offense going tonight for Wrobo, okay?
Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.47) vs. Nick Martinez (6-2, 2.43).
The Rays are no (Top) Secret: quietly building a consistent contender without the huge payroll.. Tonight is Round 1 against Dodgers GM Andrew Friedman's former stomping grounds.
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!
