Fresh off a come-from-behind victory against the Chicago White Sox in their 2017 Cactus League opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers make the short drive to Maryvale to face the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday afternoon. Milwaukee shut out the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 2-0, at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Saturday.
In line with what’s expected during the regular season, Rich Hill follows Clayton Kershaw in the rotation. While Kershaw elected to throw one inning during his spring debut, Hill is scheduled to complete two frames.
The veteran left-hander is entering the first year of a three-year, $48 million contract signed with the Dodgers last December. Hill was one of the club’s three marquee free agents who agreed to re-sign during the offseason.
Hill is confident he’s fully moved on from blister issues that limited him to just 20 starts — six with the Dodgers — last season. He was on the 15-day disabled list at the time of being traded, and Hill’s tenure in Los Angeles was muddied by constant monitoring of his troublesome blisters.
Ross Stripling will pitch in relief on Sunday, and so too will Chris Hatcher and Brandon Morrow, among others. Andre Ethier and Chase Utley make their respective spring debuts, batting leadoff and third, respectively.
Ike Davis receives the nod at first base, while Charlie Culberson starts at third base and Chris Taylor is at shortstop. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said there isn’t much to make of Sunday’s lineup.
“It’s more of right now not getting guys going back-to-back,” Roberts explained. “[Turner] is going back-to-back, but he’s DH-ing. We’re trying to put eyes on guys.”
The Brewers send Wily Peralta to the mound, and he forms the battery with Jett Bandy. He was acquired in a December 2016 trade from the Angels. Peralta is entering his sixth season with the Brewers.
Hill draws a Milwaukee lineup that includes Scooter Gennett, Jonathan Villar and Hernan Perez.
Sunday’s game is being televised on SportsNet LA and will simulcast on AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio. First pitch at Maryvale Baseball Park is set for 12:05 p.m. PT.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Andre Ethier
DH: Justin Turner
2B: Chase Utley
RF: Scott Van Slyke
CF: Kiké Hernandez
C: Austin Barnes
1B: Ike Davis
SS: Chris Taylor
3B: Charlie Culberson
Brewers lineup:
2B: Jonathan Villar
CF: Keon Broxton
RF: Domingo Santana
1B: Hernan Perez
3B: Scooter Gennett
C: Jett Bandy
DH: Kirk Nieuwenhuis
LF: Ryan Cordell
SS: Yadiel Rivera
