Two division leaders will do battle in Texas this weekend as the Los Angeles Dodgers get set to take on the Texas Rangers beginning on Friday night. The NL West-leading Dodgers are back on top and are in a prime position to make another deep playoff run in the NL. The Rangers, after several years of poor play, have held the lead in the AL West Division for much of the season. The pitching matchup on Friday night will feature Dodgers' righty Tony Gonsolin (5-3, 3.72) taking on Rangers' lefty Andrew Heaney (6-6, 4.43). The first pitch is scheduled for 8:05 PM EST.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers are back in a familiar position, first place in the NL West Division. The Dodgers come into this series with a record of 55-40 and a slight lead over both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers are coming off a successful series in Baltimore, taking two out of three games from the Orioles. On Wednesday afternoon, the Dodgers lost a chance at a clean sweep over the Orioles in an 8-5 loss. Julio Urias had another rough outing on the road, allowing eight runs and eight hits in five innings. Max Muncy and James Outman both homered for the Dodgers in a losing effort.
Putting the yard in Camden Yards. pic.twitter.com/CoZqOxHJG6
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 19, 2023
The Dodgers will give the ball to righty Tony Gonsolin on Friday night in the series opener against the AL West-leading Rangers. Gonsolin is 5-3 in 14 starts this season including three quality starts. He's given up 52 hits in 72 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.72. Gonsolin has a K/9 rate of 7.1 and a WHIP of 1.09. On the road, Gonsolin is 1-2 in seven starts with one quality starts. He has allowed 22 hits in 33.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.94. He has a K/9 rate of 6.7 on the road and a WHIP of 1.10. Gonsolin is 1-1 in his last three starts with an elevated ERA over five. He has also allowed three home runs in that span.
Key Injuries: OF Jake Marisnick is out.