Looking to improve on their perfect 2-0 record in Cactus League play, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch for the first time this spring.
Making his first start of Spring Training is right-hander Brock Stewart, who received limited run in the Majors last season. In only nine games (two starts), he pitched to a 6.11 ERA, 6.39 FIP and 1.81 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 17.2 innings pitched.
The 27-year-old spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he found better success. In 19 starts, he posted a 3-3 record with a 2.99 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 80 strikeouts across 96.1 innings of work.
Stewart owns a career Major League record of 2-3 over parts of three seasons, having notched a 4.84 ERA, 5.50 FIP and 1.55 WHIP with 68 strikeouts against 40 walks in 80 innings.
Additional Dodgers pitchers expected to get some work in following Stewart’s outing include Josh Fields and J.T. Chargois, among others.
The Cubs send fellow righty Christian Bergman to the mound, who additionally makes his first start of the spring. A non-roster invitee, the Glendale, Calif. native spent the previous two seasons with the Seattle Mariners.
He was ineffective at the Major League level last season, turning in a 5.79 ERA in only three appearances. Having seen time with both the Mariners and Colorado Rockies, Bergman owns a lifetime 11-15 record, 5.59 ERA, 5.09 FIP and 1.47 WHIP in 215.2 innings of work (71 games, 25 starts).
After slugging two home runs in Sunday’s 13-9 victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, D.J. Peters returns to the starting lineup, batting seventh and playing center field.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Kiké Hernandez
C: Austin Barnes
RF: Paulo Orlando
1B: Matt Beaty
CF: D.J. Peters
DH: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
Cubs lineup:
2B: Trent Giambrone
SS: Cristhian Adames
CF: Ian Happ
DH: Kyle Schwarber
1B: Yasiel Balaguert
LF: Johnny Field
C: Francisco Arcia
RF: Jose Cardona
3B: Chesny Young
