Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller will aim to regain his form when he starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday to kick off a six-game homestand. Miller has struggled in his two starts since returning from a two-month absence due to shoulder inflammation. He allowed five runs in 6 1/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies on June 19, and then gave up three runs in just two innings against the Chicago White Sox last Tuesday.
Miller, known for his 100-mph fastball, had an impressive debut this season with 11 strikeouts against the St. Louis Cardinals but managed only 5 2/3 innings combined in his next two starts before being placed on the 15-day IL on April 13. With a 1-1 record and a 6.75 ERA over five starts this season, he has not provided the stability the Dodgers hoped for.
Miller, who has a 1-0 record and a 3.00 ERA in two career starts against the Diamondbacks, remains confident: “It just feels like I’m going through spring training again. Every time I’m out there I’m giving it my all. All it takes is one good outing to get back in the swing of things. I know who I am and what I can be.”
The Dodgers lost a road series to the San Francisco Giants over the weekend, including a 10-4 defeat on Sunday, marking their first series loss to an NL West team since dropping two of three games at home against Arizona in May. Since a five-game losing streak that began with those defeats, the Dodgers have gone 19-11. Mookie Betts has been out since June 16 due to a left hand fracture.
Arizona will counter with right-hander Ryne Nelson (5-6, 5.69 ERA), who struggled in his last start, allowing six runs on 10 hits over 3 2/3 innings against the Minnesota Twins. Despite that outing, Nelson had won his previous two starts, giving up only three runs over 13 innings. In his career, Nelson is 2-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three appearances (two starts) against the Dodgers, including five scoreless innings for a win in Los Angeles on May 22.
The Diamondbacks, after a slow start, reached .500 on June 21 but then lost five of six games before victories over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday and Sunday. Christian Walker, who had three hits and two RBIs against the A’s on Sunday, has 22 career home runs against the Dodgers, including four in six games this season.
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