After taking three of four games against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Opening Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers welcome another rival to town in the San Francisco Giants for the start of a three-game set at Dodger Stadium.
Julio Urias makes his 2019 regular season debut after enjoying an excellent showing in Cactus League play. In six Spring Training appearances (five starts), he posted a superb 1.72 ERA and 0.51 WHIP with 15 strikeouts over 15.2 innings pitched.
Originally slated for a bullpen role, Urias begins the season in the Dodgers starting rotation following Rich Hill sustaining a knee injury. Manager Dave Roberts is mindful of his need to exercise restraint with the 22-year-old, who will be on an innings limit in 2019.
The Giants counter with fellow left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who is back in the National League West after spending the previous two and a half seasons with the Boston Red Sox.
The eight-year veteran struggled last season, pitching to a 2-6 record, 6.08 ERA, 5.43 FIP and 1.77 WHIP in 74 innings for the eventual 2018 World Series champions.
Pomeranz is 1-4 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 31 strikeouts compared to 15 walks across 33.2 innings of work in eight career appearances against the Dodgers (six starts). San Francisco is starting a left-hander in each of the three games at Dodger Stadium, which could lend to interesting lineups.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
CF: A.J. Pollock
1B: David Freese
RF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
P: Julio Urias
Giants lineup:
CF: Steven Duggar
1B: Brandon Belt
3B: Evan Longoria
C: Buster Posey
SS: Brandon Crawford
LF: Connor Joe
RF: Gerardo Parra
2B: Joe Panik
P: Drew Pomeranz
