The Los Angeles Dodgers return home to take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the finale of the exhibition Freeway Series, after the clubs split the first two games.
Making his final tuneup of the preseason is Brandon McCarthy, who was the fifth starter named to the Dodgers’ rotation. McCarthy held off Alex Wood, which has resulted in the left-hander getting placed in the bullpen.
In his previous start against the Cleveland Indians, McCarthy allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings. For the spring, McCarthy has pitched to a 4.85 ERA in 13 innings, striking out seven and issuing just one free pass.
Taking the mound for the Angels is former Dodgers reliever Jesse Chavez, who has enjoyed an excellent spring to date. Chavez is coming off a superb outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which he tossed six shutout innings with three strikeouts.
All-in-all, the San Gabriel, Calif. native has posted a 2.51 ERA in four starts, allowing four earned runs in 14.1 innings. Although Chavez was exclusively used by the Dodgers as a reliever, he’s been named to the Angels’ Opening Day rotation.
Corey Seager rejoins the Dodgers after remaining in Arizona to receive extra at-bats in Minor League games to improve his swing. Seager, who said he’s fully recovered from an oblique injury, starts at shortstop and bats second.
Yasiel Puig is batting eighth a third game in a row. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained Puig is expected to remain in the bottom of the lineup due to a lack of production.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Andrew Toles
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
2B: Logan Forsythe
DH: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Austin Barnes
Angels lineup:
3B: Yunel Escobar
RF: Kole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
DH: Albert Pujols
1B: C.J. Cron
LF: Cameron Maybin
SS: Andrelton Simmons
2B: Danny Espinosa
C: Martin Maldonado
