Pittsburgh @ Los Angeles preview
Dodger Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) Pittsburgh 1, LA Dodgers 6
THE STORY: The Los Angeles Dodgers look to continue their dominance over the Pittsburgh Pirates when the teams conclude their four-game series Sunday at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have won five out of the seven meetings this season, and they’re 56-23 against the Pirates since 2001. Pittsburgh is 4-9 in its last 13 games, while the Dodgers are 3-3 during their final 10-game homestand.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Root Sports, Prime Ticket
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Brad Lincoln (1-2, 3.73 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Chad Billingsley (10-10, 4.30 ERA)
Lincoln allowed four runs - three earned - over 5 1/3 innings last Monday against the Cardinals. Lincoln, who will be making his seventh start for the Pirates this season, went 7-8 with a 4.19 ERA in 19 starts for Triple-A Indianapolis.
Billingsley, who gave up three runs over 6 1/3 innings Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, hasn’t made a quality start since Aug. 16 or won since Aug. 5. He is 4-1 with a 4.54 ERA in nine career games – five starts – against the Pirates.
ABOUT THE PIRATES (68-84): Ryan Doumit flied out as a pinch hitter Saturday, but he’s heating up just in time. Doumit, who is 19-for-42 in September, will be a free agent after the season if his $7.25 million club option isn't picked up. The Pirates are rotating four catchers this month after picking up Matt Pagnozzi from the Rockies earlier this week. Michael McKenry went hitless in four at-bats on Saturday, and Doumit is slated to get the start Sunday. Doumit is hitting .550 against the Dodgers this season. When the Pirates begin a three-game series in Arizona on Monday, both Pagnozzi and Jason Jaramillo are expected to get a start. Jeff Locke will be on a 75-80 pitch count in his final two starts of the season as the Pirates look to be cautious with their rookie starter. Locke will likely begin next season with Triple-A Indianapolis.
ABOUT THE DODGERS (75-76): After going 19 games without a multi-homer effort, the Dodgers broke the skid Saturday with home runs from James Loney and Juan Rivera. Loney has homered in back-to-back games, and he’s hit safely in 19 of his last 25 games since Aug. 21 while batting .368 (35-for-95) during that span. It was originally thought that Loney wouldn’t return to L.A. next season, but general manager Ned Colletti said it remains a possibility. Tony Gwynn Jr. (shoulder) is hoping to return in time to face San Diego from Sept. 23-25. Gwynn is batting .258 with two home runs, 22 RBIs and a career-high 22 stolen bases, and he’s eligible for arbitration at the end of the season. Matt Kemp scored his 100th run and stole his 40th base Saturday, making him the first player in franchise history with at least 40 steals, 100 runs scored, 100 RBIs and 30 home runs in a single season.
FINAL PITCH: With his pinch-hit appearance Saturday, Pagnozzi became the 52nd different player to appear in at least one game for the Pirates this season. It's a franchise record for the Pirates, who used 51 players last season.