The Los Angeles Dodgers began their first road trip of the 2024 season with a 9-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field and now look to get back on track as the teams continue their weekend series.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is making the first road start of his MLB career. However, it is his second outing away from Dodger Stadium after facing the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea. The Dodgers were the designated home team in the Seoul Series finale.
Yamamoto struggled in that start but bounced back with an encouraging performance against the St. Louis Cardinals last week. He allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings and collected strikeouts.
Yamamoto now looks to keep it going when he takes the mound at “The Friendly Confines.” “That is going to be my first time, of course. And I’m looking forward to it, but I just have to keep the concentration,” said Yamamoto through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda of his start at Wrigley Field.
He faces a Cubs lineup that includes fellow Japanese star Seiya Suzuki, who has gotten off to a torrid start this season. L.A. will also face Shōta Imanaga in the series finale on Sunday.
“I am looking forward to seeing them out in Chicago, and then also through the whole season,” Yamamoto said. “There won’t be too many times to face them and then also meet them. So I’m looking forward to it.”
Yamamoto is going to be backed by a Dodgers bullpen that added a fresh arm in the form of Gus Varland. Dinelson Lamet was designated for assignment as the corresponding move to Varland getting recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.
The Cubs start Jordan Wicks, who had mixed results in his 2024 debut against the Texas Rangers. He took a no-decision after giving up five runs (two earned) on five hits and recorded six strikeouts in four innings pitched.
With a left-hander on the mound, the Dodgers lineup again features some of their platoons. That notably has Mookie Betts playing second base so Miguel Rojas can start at shortstop.
Kiké Hernández is playing center field for James Outman, and Chris Taylor is in left field.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
RF: Teoscar Hernández
3B: Max Muncy
CF: Kiké Hernández
LF: Chris Taylor
SS: Miguel Rojas
C: Austin Barnes
Cubs lineup
LF: Ian Happ
RF: Seiya Suzuki
CF: Cody Bellinger
DH: Christopher Morel
SS: Dansby Swanson
1B: Michael Busch
2B: Nico Hoerner
3B: Nick Madrigal
C: Yan Gomes
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