LEADING OFF: Dodgers vs Braves NLCS rematch, Red Sox-Yanks

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

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POWER SURGE

Dansby Swanson looks to continue his tear at the plate when the Braves host the Dodgers, their first meeting since Los Angeles rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to beat Atlanta in last year's NLCS.

Swanson hit a two-run homer Thursday during a 5-1 victory over Washington, extending his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games. He has five homers in that stretch, including in back-to-back games.

Ian Anderson (4-2, 3.27 ERA) pitches for Atlanta against Julio Urías (7-2, 3.61), who closed out a 4-3 victory in Game 7 of the 2020 NLCS with three hitless innings of relief for his second win of the series.

NEXT TO ARRIVE

After splitting a four-game set with Tampa Bay, the slumping Yankees welcome another AL East rival to the Bronx when the Boston Red Sox visit for the first game this season between the teams.

New York has dropped seven of 10 and its star-studded lineup has been held to five runs or fewer in 11 straight games. Giancarlo Stanton is 1 for 16 with nine strikeouts in five games since returning from a left quadriceps strain.

Nathan Eovaldi (6-2, 4.01 ERA) starts for the Red Sox against Michael King (0-2, 2.86).

BEEN A WHILE

Cincinnati right-hander Luis Castillo (1-8, 7.22 ERA) tries for his first win in almost two months when the visiting Reds face Kwang Hyun Kim and the St. Louis Cardinals. Castillo is 0-7 with a 7.91 ERA in his last seven starts. He hasn’t won since he tossed seven scoreless innings in an 11-4 victory over Pittsburgh on April 7.

According to Elias Sports, no Reds pitcher has lost eight consecutive appearances as a starting pitcher in a single season.

Kim (1-3, 3.65 ERA) has dropped his last three starts.

WORTH WATCHING

The...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Dodgers-vs-Braves-NLCS-rematch-Red-16224230.php