Game Thread: Musgrove tries to stop the bleeding in LA

Joe Musgrove, who’s 1.59 ERA ranks fifth best in the major leagues in the young season, takes the mound in Los Angeles at 9:10 p.m. Eastern on Saturday night in an attempt to end the Pirates’ season worst six-game losing streak. He’ll be opposed by the Dodgers’ long time ace, left-hander Clayton Kershaw.

This will only be Kershaw’s third start of the year, as he was on the disabled list for the first three weeks with left shoulder inflammation. In those two starts he allowed four runs in 13 innings for a 2.77 ERA.

The last two years Kershaw has lost 2 to 3 mph off his velocity, down to 90.1 this year, taking a bit off his overall efficiency, but still not enough to get his ERA above 3.00. Instead of an Ace of Aces, perhaps he’s dropped to a #2 starter level.

Adam Frazier will be the only left-handed bat in the lineup against Kershaw, with Jung-ho Kang moved up to the third slot, while the Dodgers counter with five of their eight position hitters swinging from the left side against Musgrove, who’s been tough against lefties this year, allowing only a .647 OPS, but devastating against right-handed batters, who can only muster a .427 OPS so far.

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PIRATES

1 L Adam Frazier 2B

2 S Melky Cabrera RF

3 R Jung-ho Kang 3B

4 S Josh Bell 1B

5 R Francisco Cervelli C

6 S Bryan Reynolds CF

7 R Pablo Reyes LF

8 S Cole Tucker SS

9 R Joe Musgrove RHP

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DODGERS

1 L Joc Pederson LF

2 L Kyle Seager SS

3 R Justin Turner 3B

4 L Cody Bellinger RF

5 L Max Muncy 1B

6 L Alex Verdugo CF

7 R Chris Taylor 2B

8 R Austin Barnes C

9 L Clayton Kershaw LHP