Gavin Stone

After Gavin Stone's hot start this season, the Dodgers ' de facto No. 2 pitcher needs to shake off a slump that includes a loss to Houston Friday.

Fresh off winning the All-Star game MVP, Duran gave Boston a 1-0 lead with a solo homer off Gavin Stone. It looked like that would be the game-winner, but the Boston bullpen wasn't able to hold the lead while allowing a grand slam to Freddie Freeman. Duran also doubled to see his slash improve to 286/.344/.488 with 11 homers and 42 RBI.

It looked like Stone was going to get a hard-luck loss despite giving up just the one run, as the Dodgers didn't score a run with him in the game. That changed to a (still disappointing) no decision when Freddie Freeman whalloped a grand slam in the eighth. Stone scuffled towards the end of the first half, but this was a nice reminder of the talent. He gets the Giants on Thursday.

It'll be rookie Justin Wrobleski and former Red Sox hurler James Paxton taking the ball this weekend at Dodger Stadium. Stone turned in a pair of lackluster outings to close the first half, but has been really impressive this season with a sparkling 3.26 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 76/28 K/BB ratio over 96 2/3 innings (17 starts).

Dodgers are facing countless injuries - Gavin Stone is easing the pain. The post Gavin Stone is Having a Crucial Breakout Season appeared first on Pitcher List.