The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with simultaneous split-squad action on Friday, hosting the Seattle Mariners five minutes ahead of a matchup against the San Diego Padres at Peoria Sports Complex.
Making his fifth start of the spring is three-time National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, who has dominated the opposition thus far.
In his last outing against the Kansas City Royals, Kershaw allowed his first hit of the year — a home run by Mike Moustakas — but still registered four solid innings, yielding just the one run with four strikeouts.
All-in-all, Kershaw has pitched to a minuscule 0.90 ERA in 10 innings of work, allowing four baserunners and striking out eight. He’s expected to again hit for himself, though only log one at-bat, then potentially be replaced by a designated hitter in Andre Ethier.
The veteran outfielder has been out March 6 due to hip tightness that then led to back spasms. Ethier is 4-for-9 with one home run, one RBI and six walks in nine games this spring.
Kenley Jansen, Ross Stripling and Madison Younginer are expected to pitch in relief against the Mariners. Seattle sends a left-hander of their own to the mound in Ariel Miranda. He too is making his fifth Cactus League start this year.
Miranda is coming off a rough outing against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in which he lasted just 1.2 innings, conceding four runs on four hits and two walks. For the spring, Miranda has accumulated a 5.87 ERA in 7.2 frames, allowing eight hits and three walks while tallying four strikeouts.
Logan Forsythe is starting at second base and hitting in his familiar leadoff spot. Yasiel Puig, who was ejected Thursday for arguing a strike-three call, is back in right field and batting second.
The game is being televised on SportsNet LA and broadcast on FOX Sports AM 1150. First pitch at Camelback Ranch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT.
The Dodgers defeated the Mariners, 7-3, at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, March 5. They’ll meet again in a home game for the Mariners on Wednesday, March 29.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Logan Forsythe
RF: Yasiel Puig
LF: Franklin Gutierrez
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Scott Van Slyke
CF: Trayce Thompson
3B: Darnell Sweeney
SS: Charlie Culberson
P: Clayton Kershaw
Mariners lineup:
CF: Leonys Martin
RF: Mitch Haniger
1B: Danny Valencia
LF: O’Neill
C: Carlos Ruiz
3B: Tyler Smith
SS: Shawn O’Malley
DH: Joe DeCarlo
2B: Rayder Ascanio
