This week, the Dodgers face a challenging schedule as they host American League teams at Dodger Stadium, welcoming both the struggling Chicago White Sox and the formidable Houston Astros. The series against the White Sox kicks off on Tuesday night, following Chicago’s recent series win at home against the San Francisco Giants.
The White Sox will be without promising outfielder Luis Robert Jr., who was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain and is having a disappointing season. However, former Dodger Miguel Vargas has shown some progress, currently hitting .229 with a wRC+ of 103, although he is in the midst of a slump, going 4-for-37 recently.
In terms of statistics, the matchup is lopsided heading into the series. The Dodgers hold a strong record of 53-32, boasting a +90 run differential, while the White Sox sit at 28-56 with a -80 run differential. The Astros, currently in first place in the AL West, are performing exceptionally well, winning 14 out of their last 18 games and will start their series against the Dodgers on Friday.
Clayton Kershaw, a key player for the Dodgers, is set to pitch in the middle game against the White Sox, just three strikeouts away from reaching the significant milestone of 3,000 career strikeouts.
This week marks the second time this season that the Dodgers are playing exclusively against American League teams. Previously, they struggled against the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels, finishing 2-4 in that stretch. The Dodgers have performed decently so far against AL teams, with a 13-8 record, including 7-5 at home, which suggests a potential for improvement this week.
In addition, the Dodgers will have another chance to face AL teams later this season, with a homestand against the Minnesota Twins and a road trip to the Boston Red Sox set for late July. Overall, this presents a crucial week for the Dodgers as they aim to solidify their standings and gain momentum moving forward.