The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are baseball's biggest brand, but that brand is sporting a Band-Aid this season.

The Cardinals host the Dodgers at 7:15 p.m. Friday in the opener of a three-game set at Busch Stadium.

Los Angeles leads the majors in runs, hits, homers and on-base plus slugging percentage. Pitching, however, has been an issue. LA ranks 22nd in team ERA, largely due to a rash of injuries.

Numerous Dodgers pitchers are on the injured list including Tyler Glasnow, the team's most valuable starter a year ago, as well as Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki.

The injuries haven't been limited to the rotation. Key relievers Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech are also hurt, among others. Treinen and Kopech are expected to be activated for this weekend's series.

"It's like a game

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