The Los Angeles Dodgers began a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Dodger Stadium, marking the final stretch before Monday's MLB trade deadline.
The Dodgers, with a 69-40 record, have won four consecutive series since the All-Star break, going 8-4 overall.
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They recently took a series win against the Seattle Mariners.
The Red Sox, holding a 57-51 record, have been impressive since the break, winning 11 of 14 games—the best record in Major League Baseball during that period.
Lineup Changes and Pitching Plans
Shohei Ohtani returned to the starting lineup as designated hitter.
Max Muncy sat out because the Red Sox started a left-handed pitcher, with Kiké Hernández at third base for the second straight game.
Dalton Rushing was also out, with Eliezer Alfonzo Jr. catching. Miguel Rojas started at second base, replacing Tommy Edman.
The Dodgers used a bullpen game strategy, with right-hander Edgardo Henriquez opening.
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Henriquez has a 2.79 ERA over 42 innings this season, with 42 strikeouts and 19 walks. This was his first appearance as an opener this year.
For the Red Sox, left-hander Ranger Suarez made his second start after returning from a groin strain.
He threw four shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in his comeback.
Suarez holds a 3.02 ERA over 95.1 innings with 103 strikeouts and 26 walks.
Suarez is familiar with the Dodgers, having spent eight years with the Philadelphia Phillies before signing a five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox this offseason.
The game started at 7:10 p. m.
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PT and was broadcast on SportsNet LA and the MLB app, with radio coverage on AM570 in English and KTNQ 1020 AM in Spanish.
