The Los Angeles Dodgers face the Arizona Diamondbacks in an early-season rematch in the start of their first road trip this season. Thursday’s game is also the Diamondbacks’ home opener at Chase Field.
The series opener is another a showdown between Dustin May and Merrill Kelly, both of whom have not pitched since the Opening Series at Dodger Stadium between the two teams. Neither right-hander allowed a run in his respective outing.
Kelly struck out four while giving up three hits in 3.2 innings pitched in the Diamondbacks’ 2-1 victory over the Dodgers on March 31. Kelly was taken out early as the Dodgers were able to drive up his pitch count — 74 by the time he was replaced.
May also struck out four and only gave up three hits but did so in seven innings. It was the longest outing of May’s career, and one he said was a confidence-booster.
The Dodgers outscored the Diamondbacks, 20-7, during the four-game series but could only muster a split. Both of their losses were 2-1 defeats in which the bullpen faltered. L.A. bounced back to sweep the Colorado Rockies in a two-game series and enter play in first place in the National League West.
The Dodgers additionally have the second-best run differential in baseball at +25, behind only the Tampa Bay Rays’ +31.
However, the Dodgers are not at full strength in their fifth time facing the Diamondbacks this season. Miguel Vargas remains out of the lineup due to lingering soreness and mild inflammation in his right thumb as a result of being hit by a pitch.
Miguel Rojas isn’t expected to return from groin tightness until Friday, but Mookie Betts indeed shook off his twisted ankle that occurred when he collided with Jason Heyward. Betts’ start at second base is his third of the season.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
DH: J.D. Martinez
LF: David Peralta
CF: James Outman
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Jason Heyward
Diamondbacks lineup
3B: Josh Rojas
2B: Ketel Marte
DH: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
1B: Christian Walker
LF: Corbin Carroll
RF: Jake McCarthy
C: Gabriel Moreno
CF: Alek Thomas
SS: Geraldo Perdomo
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