The status of Texas All-Star shortstop Corey Seager is the top storyline going into the middle game of a three-game series between the Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Seager exited with a sprained right thumb in the eighth inning of his first game against his former team on Friday night, a contest the Dodgers won 11-5.
Seager sustained the injury diving head-first into second base on a double. Afterward, manager Bruce Bochy said X-rays were negative.”
“I’d put him at day-to-day right now,” Bochy said. “Obviously you hate to see that, so hopefully he comes in feeling better (Saturday).”
Seager was having a solid night vs. his former team, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double. He was initially called out on the double, but it was overturned after the Rangers challenged. For the season, Seager is batting .350 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. He missed 31 games earlier this year with a left hamstring strain.
Outside of Seager’s status, the Rangers will be looking to rebound from their first loss of the second half. Right-hander Dane Dunning (8-2, 2.82 ERA) is scheduled to start for Texas.
Dunning has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers, admirably filling in the rotation vacancy created when Jacob deGrom went down with an injury. Dunning is 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 13 starts since joining the rotation on May 5.
In his latest start, on Monday vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, Dunning allowed two runs on five hits with four strikeouts over seven innings in a no-decision. He has thrown at least seven innings in three of his past five starts.
This will be Dunning’s second career outing vs. the Dodgers. He started against them on June 13, 2021, taking a loss after allowing four runs on seven hits over four innings.
Dodgers rookie right-hander Bobby Miller (5-1, 4.25 ERA) is scheduled to start against the Rangers for the first time. Miller experienced right knee discomfort in his last start vs. the Mets on Sunday, but he told MLB.com he’s “all good.”
Against New York, Miller allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seemed pleased with what he saw from Miller in that game, saying after the start: “For me, it was growth. It was a step in the right direction He made pitches when he needed to. For Bobby, great job tonight.”
Miller has pitched better on the road compared to at home this season. He is 3-0 with a 2.11 ERA in four road starts.
On offense, the Dodgers are coming off a Friday game in which each of their batters hit safely. Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez were the stars with three-RBI nights, while Mookie Betts and Will Smith both had two-run doubles.
Los Angeles has won nine consecutive series openers and is 5-2 on its nine-game road trip to open the second half.
–Field Level Media
