The Los Angeles Dodgers play a day-night doubleheader on Sunday, with their first contest coming against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. The matchup is the second and final of the spring between the two clubs.
The Royals defeated a split-squad Dodgers team, 7-2, at Camelback Ranch on March 3. Whereas Kansas City knocked around Rich Hill in that meeting, they now draw Clayton Kershaw. The left-handed ace has yet to allow so much as a hit in three starts this spring.
Kershaw has five strikeouts in six innings pitched, and is just one walk from having a spotless line this year. He retired eight consecutive batters in his previous outing after issuing a leadoff walk to open the game.
For the first time this spring, Kershaw will bat for himself. Ralston Cash and Fabio Castillo are also scheduled to pitch against the Royals.
The Royals counter with Nathan Karns, who takes the mound for the third time this spring. In his last outing, Karns allowed two runs on two hits and issued one walk in three innings. He’s tallied three strikeouts in each of his two starts.
The Dodgers’ lineup features a balance of regular players and Minor Leaguers. Andre Ethier (hip) and Corey Seager (back/oblique) are not slated to play in either of the two games on Sunday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had indicated Ethier was a possibility to return to the lineup, while there isn’t a timetable on Seager.
First pitch between the Dodgers and Royals is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. The Dodgers and Chicago White Sox will kick things off at 7:05 p.m. PT. Sunday night’s game will be broadcast by SportsNet LA.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
CF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Charlie Culberson
LF: Tyler Holt
RF: Brett Eibner
P: Clayton Kershaw
Royals lineup:
LF: Billy Burns
3B: Mike Moustakas
CF: Lorenzo Cain
DH: Jorge Soler
1B: Ryan O’Hearn
2B: Cheslor Cuthbert
C: Brayan Peña
RF: Bubba Starling
SS: Humberto Arteaga
P: Nathan Karns
