Dodgers Vs. Cubs Preview: Clayton Kershaw, Trevor Bauer Start Doubleheader Games

After getting rained out in the series opener at Wrigley Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs now meet Tuesday for a split doubleheader. The first game begins at 11:20 a.m. PT, with the second to follow at 4:40 p.m. Both contests will be seven innings.

Like he was scheduled to on Tuesday anyhow, Clayton Kershaw takes the mound. He gets the ball in the early game for a seventh start of the season. Kershaw enters 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA and has been nothing short of impressive since a rough outing on Opening Day.

The southpaw is 4-1 with a 1.09 ERA in his past five outings and logged at least six innings in each of those games. Kershaw is a lifetime 6-3 with a 2.74 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 11 starts against the Cubs, but just 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts at Wrigley Field.

The Cubs elected to insert Monday’s starter Kyle Hendricks into the first game of the doubleheader. He’s just 1-3 and sports a 7.54 ERA that is inflated due to struggles against the Atlanta Braves.

Hendricks has allowed a combined 14 runs in two starts against the Braves, and only five runs across three outings against the Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates.

Previously scheduled to start the series finale, Trevor Bauer has been moved up to the finale of the doubleheader. That’s bumped Walker Buehler from the three-game opener to starting Wednesday instead. He was due to be opposed by Jake Arrieta, but he was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Bauer is coming off a tough-luck loss in which he allowed two runs over eight innings. Bauer is 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA in six starts this season.

Keegan Thompson, who made his MLB debut with one inning of work out of the bullpen last week, starts for the Cubs in the second game of the doubleheader.

The Cubs activated Joc Pederson off the 10-day IL on Monday. This series marks the first time Pederson is facing his former teammates since signing a contract with the Cubs during the offseason.

The Dodgers recalled Keibert Ruiz to take the spot on the active roster that was vacated when Mike Kickham was designated for assignment.

MLB rules permit teams to add a 27th player to their active roster for whichever doubleheader game they decide, and both the Dodgers and Cubs elected to save that option for the second contest. L.A. used the extra roster spot to recall Luke Raley.

Dodgers lineup for Game 1

RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Chris Taylor
LF: AJ Pollock
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes
P: Clayton Kershaw

Cubs lineup for Game 1

C: Willson Contrers
RF: Kris Bryant
1B: Anthony Rizzo
SS: Javier Baez
LF: Matt Duffy
3B: David Bote
CF: Jake Marisnick
2B: Ildemaro Vargas
P: Kyle Hendricks

Dodgers lineup for Game 2

RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
CF: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
1B: Max Muncy
LF: AJ Pollock
3B: Edwin Rios
2B: Gavin Lux
P: Trevor Bauer

Cubs lineup for Game 2

LF: Joc Pederson
CF: Kris Bryant
1B: Anthony Rizzo
3B: David Bote
RF: Jason Heyward
2B: Ildemaro Vargas
SS: Eric Sogard
C: Tony Wolters
P: Keegan Thompson

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