The Los Angeles Dodgers have reshuffled their batting order for Thursday's series finale against the Seattle Mariners at Dodger Stadium, as designated hitter Shohei Ohtani sits out.
Manager Dave Roberts decided to hold Ohtani from the starting lineup to manage a lingering knee issue.
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Tommy Edman moves to the leadoff spot and will play second base, while Teoscar Hernández shifts from left field to designated hitter, batting seventh.
Kiké Hernandez enters the starting outfield, making his first start since returning from the injured list two days ago.
Teoscar Hernández had started in left field in the first two games of the series, but the new alignment gives the outfield a different look.
Pitching Matchup and Series Context
The Dodgers entered Thursday's game aiming for a series victory after splitting the first two contests against Seattle.
Los Angeles won Wednesday's game behind starter Eric Lauer, who allowed just one hit over six scoreless innings.
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Right-hander Roki Sasaki took the mound for the Dodgers in the finale.
He has a 4.71 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 93.2 innings this season, and has allowed only one earned run in 12.2 innings across his two starts since the All-Star break.
Seattle countered with right-hander Bryan Woo, who holds a 4.37 ERA this season and a 5.63 ERA in 16 innings pitched in July.
Woo posted a 2.94 ERA during his All-Star campaign last year.
The Dodgers have the best record in Major League Baseball at 68-40, holding a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers.
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A win on Thursday would give Los Angeles their fourth consecutive series win since the All-Star break.
