The Los Angeles Dodgers (26-33) continue their weekend series with the Atlanta Braves (37-23) at Dodger Stadium with a Friday night matchup set for 10:10 p.m. ET. The game will air live on MLB.com with a paid subscription.
Despite currently sitting in last place in the NL West, there's buzz at Chavez Ravine that hasn't been felt or heard all season due to the emergence of rookie prospect Yasiel Puig. Puig continues his remarkable first week in the major leagues Friday night with fellow rookie sensation Hyun-Jin Ryu (6-2) expected to get the ball against Atlanta.
Despite being predicted to challenge for their first division title since 2009, the Dodgers underperformed through the first two months of the season. Los Angeles, though, is getting on a roll, winning three of four since Puig was called up from Double-A Chattanooga on Monday.
The 22-year old Cuban defector has been as god as advertised. His strong throw from the right field warning track completed a game-ending double play in a 2-1 victory over San Diego on Monday, and he's batting .438 (7 for 16) with three homers and nine RBIs.
Puig's eighth-inning grand slam in a 5-0 victory over Atlanta Thursday set Dodger Stadium into a frenzy.
"It's just infectious the way he plays," manager Don Mattingly said. "Seems like there's a joy in his game. It's the way you're supposed to play. He just looks so fresh. That's what gives our guys so much energy."
The Dodgers, winners of 10 of 14 at home, are expected to have Ryu back on the mound Friday after he missed his last turn with a sore foot. The lefty was hit by a comebacker in a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on May 28, when he pitched a two-hitter and struck out seven.
He will face Paul Malholm (7-4, 3.68) on Friday. The left-hander has had no problem receiving run support generating more than six runs from the Braves offense of support per game.
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