After having their series opener rained out, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs are playing a split doubleheader at Wrigley Field on Saturday.
Clayton Kershaw was due to start in the original afternoon game on the schedule, so the only change for the left-hander taking the mound slightly earlier than anticipated. Kershaw enters 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 0.69 WHIP through four starts.
He’s coming off passing Don Sutton for first place on the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list, which made for a celebratory moment at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw’s start is his first at Wrigley Field since the worst performance of his career last season. He pitched just one inning, and allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in what coincidentally was also the first game of a day-night doubleheader with the Cubs.
It marked the shortest start of Kershaw’s career, which previously was 1.1 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 4, 2010.
The Cubs counter with Drew Smyly in what will mark a return from the bereavement list. The veteran left-hander is 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across four starts in his first season with the Cubs.
Smyly is 0-1 with a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over five career games (three starts) against the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are on a three-game winning streak, while the Cubs have dropped two in a row and 11 of their last 15.
L.A. gets their first look at Seiya Suzuki after being among the teams connected to the Japanese slugger. Suzuki got off to a hot start this season but now is batting just .250/.365/.475 with six doubles, four home runs and 15 RBI.
The Dodgers called up Robbie Erlin from Triple-A Oklahoma City as their 27th player on the active roster for the doubleheader.
Kershaw not fond of Wrigley Field mound
Kershaw is a lifetime 1-3 with a 4.74 ERA over four career starts at Wrigley Field. During an in-game interview with SportsNet LA at the conclusion of the Dodgers’ homestand, the 34-year-old reiterated he doesn’t care for or have a good feel of the mound at the Cubs’ home ballpark.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
3B: Justin Turner
DH: Max Muncy
LF: Chris Taylor
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Austin Barnes
2B: Gavin Lux
Cubs lineup
C: Willson Contreras
RF: Seiya Suzuki
DH: Yan Gomes
LF: Patrick Wisdom
1B: Frank Schwindel
SS: Nico Hoerner
3B: Jonathan Villar
CF: Michael Hermosillo
2B: Nick Madrigal
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