A look at what’s happening around the majors today:
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PITCHING CLINIC
A pair of three-time Cy Young Award winners square off when Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers face Max Scherzer and the Nationals in a marquee matchup between the past two World Series champions. Los Angeles is looking for a three-game sweep of its first home series this season, and Dodgers starters are 5-0 in their last seven outings.
The Dodgers have won five of their last six regular-season games against the Nationals and are 11-4 versus Washington over the past four seasons. But the Nats beat Los Angeles in a five-game playoff series on the way to their 2019 title.
LIKE THOSE LEFTIES
AL MVP José Abreu and the Chicago White Sox will try to win their 18th straight game when facing a left-handed starter. That would tie the major league record set by Atlanta from 2004-05.
The White Sox get their chance when they host Mike Minor and the Royals. Chicago’s streak dates to a loss to Detroit on Sept. 28, 2019, when lefty Tyler Alexander started for the Tigers.
HOME OF THE BRAVE
It’s been a big week for Atlanta reserve Ehire Adrianza. He was reinstated from the restricted list before Friday night’s game against Philadelphia, just in time to launch his first pinch-hit homer — a three-run shot. Adrianza had been away from the team while completing his citizenship test. He added a pinch-hit double Saturday and scored the go-ahead run.
“I’m glad to be a U.S. citizen,” said the 31-year-old Adrianza, a native of Venezuela who played the past four seasons with Minnesota following four with San Francisco.
Adrianza and the Braves go for a series sweep when they host the NL East rival Phillies in prime time. Atlanta opened the season with four consecutive losses, the first three in Philadelphia, but…
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