The Dodgers are down to their last chance in Game 4, and they’ve shuffled the lineup in search of a spark against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday.
Los Angeles enters the night trailing 3-0 in the NLCS, which means this one is simple: win or the season ends. The Dodgers scratched out just two runs in Game 3, setting up what could be the final home game of the series at Dodger Stadium.
Tyler Glasnow gets the ball for Los Angeles, just as the team said he would before the series began. The right-hander’s regular season was cut short by injuries, limiting him to 22 starts, but he still finished with a 3.49 ERA.
He already delivered one key October performance, earning a win in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves after throwing 4.2 innings and allowing one earned run. He also issued five walks in that outing.
The batting order looks different, even though the Dodgers only made one actual personnel change from Game 3. Shohei Ohtani is back in the leadoff spot as the designated hitter, with Mookie Betts hitting second and Freddie Freeman in the three-hole.
Will Smith, who doubled in two runs in Wednesday’s loss, moves into the cleanup spot. Kyle Tucker bats fifth, followed by Teoscar Hernandez at sixth and Miguel Rojas at seventh while staying in the lineup at second base.
Andy Pages is eighth in center field, and Kiké Hernandez rounds things out at third base.
The full lineup reads: 1.
Shohei Ohtani, DH
2.
Mookie Betts, SS
3.
Freddie Freeman, 1B
4.
Will Smith, C
5.
Kyle Tucker, RF
6.
Teoscar Hernandez, LF
7.
Miguel Rojas, 2B
8.
Andy Pages, CF
9.
Kiké Hernandez, 3B
Glasnow, RHP.
First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. PT, moved up from 6:00 p.m.
PT because of scheduling changes in the ALDS. The Dodgers need offense, and they need it fast, if they want to keep this season alive.
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