Hiroki Kuroda looks to get back on track Friday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers lost the opener of the series on Thursday night 6-2, and the Dodgers have lost four of their last five contests. Jeff Locke gets the start for Pittsburgh.
Kuroda had an MRI on his neck earlier in the week, but it revealed no serious injury. He has allowed eight runs, including five doubles and four home runs, in his last two starts. He will pitch the remainder of the season, even though the Dodgers are one loss or Atlanta Braves win away from elimination, telling Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, "You never know about the future."
The Dodgers were officially eliminated from the National League West with Thursday's loss.
It has been an unlucky season for Kuroda, who has pitched well all season, with a 3.25 ERA, 3.78 FIP, and 3.61 xFIP. But he has an 11-16 record to show for it, and is the first Dodgers pitcher to lose 16 games in a season since Orel Hershiser in 1987.
Friday night's 7:10 p.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime Ticket. For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.