Kim Hye-sung (26) of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive games.

The Dodgers have established their starting lineup for the game against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on the 22nd (Korea time) as Shohei Ohtani (designated hitter), Mookie Betts (shortstop), Freddie Freeman (first baseman), Will Smith (catcher), Teoscar Hernández (right fielder), Max Muncy (third baseman), Andy Pahés (center fielder), Michael Conforto (left fielder), and Tommy Edman (second baseman).

The starting pitcher will be Dustin May. May has recorded 4 wins and 4 losses in 13 games (72⅔ innings) this season, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.46. In June, he showed some struggles with a record of 1 win in 3 games (17 innings) and an ERA of 5.29.

Kim Hye-sung has shown good performance this season with a batting average of .378 in 33 games (74 at-bats, 28 hits), 2 home runs, 12 runs batted in (RBIs), 14 runs scored, and 6 stolen bases, with an OPS of .959. Even with limited opportunities, he maintains a consistently good pace. In June, he has a batting average of .310 in 12 games (29 at-bats, 9 hits), with 5 RBIs, 1 run scored, 2 stolen bases, and an OPS of .803.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is thoroughly utilizing Kim Hye-sung as a platoon player against right-handed pitchers. Kim started on the 19th and 20th against San Diego, but was excluded from the starting lineup on the 21st against Washington when the left-handed starting pitcher Mackenzie Gore was on the mound, and he came in as a defensive replacement. Although right-handed starting pitcher Jake Irvin will pitch in that game, he still could not make the starting lineup.

The Nationals will start C.J. Abrams (shortstop), James Wood (left fielder), Luis García Jr. (second baseman), Nathaniel Lowe (first baseman), Brady House (third baseman), Josh Bell (designated hitter), Dailyn Lilly (right fielder), Keibert Ruiz (catcher), and Jacob Young (center fielder).

Starting pitcher Irvin has recorded 5 wins and 3 losses in 15 games (89⅓ innings) this season, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.23. In June, he has struggled with a record of 2 losses in 3 games (16 innings) and an ERA of 5.63.

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