LA Hits Town, Musgrove v Stripling & Notes

Today: The Dodgers roll into town; game time is 7:05 and the action will be carried by AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan. The weather should be fine for tonight with the clouds clearing out between the first pitch and eight o'clock.

Lineup: Josh Harrison 2B, Austin Meadows CF, Fran Cervelli C, Josh Bell 1B, Corey Dickerson LF, Colin Moran 3B, Gregory Polanco RF, Jordy SS & Joe Musgrove P. Starling gets a day off after fanning five times in his last eight at bats.

J-Grove takes the hill tonight (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Pitchers: RHP Joe Musgrove (2-0, 0.64) opens the set against RHP Ross Stripling (3-1, 1.68). Joe has been all that after his long spring rehab, giving up a run in both his starts since being activated. This will be the first time he's faced the City of Angels NL squad. Stripling started in the pen and then injury woes got him into the rotation. In his last five starts, he's given up four runs (3-0/1.24) and gone a little deeper each game as he gets stretched out. He's been a beast, with 40 K in 29 IP over that span. Ross faced the Bucs once last year, giving up a run and four hits in four innings with five whiffs.

Notes:

• Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs looks at Amore's launch angle makeover.
• LA has won 17-of-13 and is right back in the NL West race; the Bucs are 4-of-16 and losing sight of the Brewers. Aye carumba!
• Ivan Nova threw a two-inning sim game today without any pain, so he's getting closer to returning to the rotation.
• Jung-Ho Kang was feelin' it at Bradenton - he went 4-for-5 with a HR, three RBI and stolen base. He played third base last night. 
• Rodney Page of the Tampa Bay Times says RHP Gunnar Hoglund and the Pirates have worked out an undisclosed signing deal. Hoglund, a Competitive Balance first-round prep RHP, had the potential to be a holdout with a commitment to Ol' Miss and two-way ability, but apparently reached an understanding and will join the Bucs as a pitcher. (S/O to @rumbunter)