The Los Angeles Dodgers kick off Cactus League play on Friday with a home matchup against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
Taking the mound for Los Angeles is Wilmer Font, who looks to build off an excellent 2017 campaign with Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 134.1 innings last season, he posted a 3.42 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 178 strikeouts to just 35 walks.
Font earned Pacific Coast League All-Star honors for his efforts and a September promotion to the Majors. He appeared in three games for the Dodgers and struggled to the tune of a 17.18 ERA, 11.89 FIP and 3.00 WHIP across 3.2 innings.
The right-hander accumulated three strikeouts but struggled with command and issued four walks. For Font, it was his first big-league stint since the 2013 season while he was a member of the Texas Rangers.
Other Dodgers that are scheduled to pitch after Font include Yaisel Sierra, Pat Venditte, Daniel Corcino, C.C. Lee, Brian Moran and Edward Paredes.
The White Sox counter with Dylan Covey, who spent the majority of his time in the Majors last season. Covey logged 70 innings in a hybrid role for the White Sox, tallying 12 starts and six appearances out of the bullpen.
All-in-all, he pitched to a 7.71 ERA, 7.20 FIP and 1.67 with 41 strikeouts and 34 walks. Tyler Danish is also expected to pitch for the White Sox. The right-hander struggled with Triple-A Charlotte last season, posting a 5.47 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 138.1 innings.
However, Danish tossed five shutout innings in his lone Major League start last season, and will once again compete for a spot in Chicago’s starting rotation.
Matt Kemp is in a Dodgers lineup for the first time since Game 4 of the 2014 National League Division Series. As manager Dave Roberts said would be the case, Corey Seager is limited to DH duty as he works his way back from an elbow issue.
Kiké Hernandez is at shortstop, while Yasmani Grandal earns the first start behind the plate, and Trayce Thompson is in right field as Yasiel Puig was scratched from the game due to hip soreness.
Puig’s injury is not believed to be too serious as they are just being cautious with him and he should be back in the lineup on Saturday.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
DH: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
LF: Matt Kemp
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Logan Forsythe
SS: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Trayce Thompson
White Sox lineup:
SS: Yolmer Sanchez
3B: Tim Anderson
1B: Jose Abreu
RF: Avisail Garcia
2B: Yoan Moncada
DH: Nicky Delmonico
LF: Ryan Cordell
C: Kevan Smith
CF: Adam Engel
