The Los Angeles Dodgers begin their 2016 Cactus League schedule with a matchup against the Chicago White Sox, their Camelback Ranch co-tenant. Although the two teams share the Spring Training facility, the Dodgers are considered the home club in Thursday’s afternoon affair.
In his first game as Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts send Clayton Kershaw to the hill. Kershaw is expected to toss two innings — or the equivalent of that should his pitch count get high — before giving way to the bullpen.
Considering this is the first spring start for the Dodgers’ ace, there’s likely to be some rust to shake off. Kershaw’s career statistics during Spring Training have not always been indicative of what was to come during the regular season.
However, last year, Kershaw went 3-0 with a 1.61 ERA and had 22 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched over six Cactus League starts. He tallied 11 strikeouts and allowed one run in two starts (eight innings pitched) against Chicago over that stretch.
Kershaw is coming off a season in which he finished 16-7 with a 2.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and led the Majors in several advanced metrics. Chief among them were, FIP (1.99), xFIP (2.09), SIERA (2.24), strikeout percentage (33.8 percent) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (29.1 percent).
Kershaw also led the Majors with 232.2 innings pitched and compiled the first 300-strikeout season since 2002. He’s slated to make a sixth consecutive start on Opening Day, which trails only Don Sutton’s streak of seven straight for the Dodgers franchise record.
The Dodgers avoid White Sox ace Chris Sale and instead face John Danks, who is entering the final season of a five-year, $65 million contract. The veteran left-hander is the longest-tenured White Sox player, joining the organization in 2006 and making his Major-League debut in 2007.
Danks was 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in a combined 10.1 innings pitched across three starts last spring. Included in that was a start against the Dodgers, in which the southpaw allowed one run on two hits over two innings and suffered the loss.
Danks’ career has been thrown off course since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2012. Last season, he was 7-15 with a 4.71 ERA, 4.49 FIP and 1.41 WHIP in 30 starts.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ first opportunity to pen a lineup has Howie Kendrick starting at second base and batting leadoff. With Justin Turner on the shelf for at least the first week of Cactus League games, Alex Guerrero gets the first start at third base in Turner’s place.
Despite a left-hander being on the mound, Yasmani Grandal is behind the plate. Roberts said Grandal is to receive the bulk of the starts as the club’s primary catcher, even in games Kershaw is on the mound.
Scott Van Slyke starts at first base for Adrian Gonzalez, who is expected to make his debut in Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers. The Dodgers further combat facing a lefty with Kiké Hernandez as the designated hitter and Trayce Thompson starting in center field.
Thompson was acquired from the White Sox in a three-team trade last December. A strong spring conceivably could lead to the versatile outfielder earning a spot on the roster once camp breaks. Particularly if the Dodgers trade Guerrero, as has been speculated.
The White Sox don’t have Jimmy Rollins in Thursday’s lineup. However, it’s conceivable the veteran, who signed a one-year Minor League contract, will enter the game at some point against his former club.
Frazier starts at third base and bats cleanup in his White Sox debut. Frazier was also part of the aforementioned three-team trade, and he’s someone the Dodgers made the decision to pass on acquiring in the deal.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Howie Kendrick
LF: Andre Ethier
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Scott Van Slyke
C: Yasmani Grandal
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Alex Guerrero
CF: Trayce Thompson
White Sox lineup:
DH: Adam Eaton
2B: Brett Lawrie
1B: Jose Abreu
3B: Todd Frazier
LF: Melky Cabrera
RF: Leury Garcia
C: Dioner Navarro
SS: Tyler Saladino
CF: Jacob May
