After snapping their losing streak with a road win on Monday, the Los Angeles Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch and take on the Texas Rangers for the second consecutive day.
Making his first start of the spring is Kenta Maeda, who will reprise his role as a starting pitcher after ending last season in the bullpen. Over 134.1 innings, Maeda posted a 4.22 ERA, 4.07 FIP and 1.15 WHIP with 140 strikeouts to 34 walks.
To close out the regular season, he compiled a 2.25 ERA across eight innings in a relief role. The right-hander remained in that capacity for the postseason and allowed just one run in 10.2 innings, striking out 10 batters to just two walks.
Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi referred to Maeda as very “underrated” during the offseason, citing his ability to fill any role asked of him.
Yaisel Sierra, Brian Schlitter and Joe Broussard are among the pitchers expected to also take the mound for the Dodgers on Tuesday.
Starting opposite Maeda and making his debut for the Rangers is Jesse Chavez, who’s looking to earn a spot in the starting rotation.
Last season with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chavez pitched to a 5.35 ERA, 5.09 FIP and 1.40 WHIP over 138 innings. He appeared in 38 games — 21 of them being starts. Chavez struggled with the home run ball, yielding nearly two per nine innings. Furthermore, he accumulated 119 strikeouts while issuing 45 walks.
Chavez will face a Dodgers lineup that features the likes of Corey Seager, Justin Turner and Matt Kemp. Seager, still in the process of completing a throwing program as he builds up his right elbow, again in the designated hitter.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
DH: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Matt Kemp
C: Yasmani Grandal
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Alex Verdugo
1B: Max Muncy
SS: Drew Jackson
Rangers lineup:
2B: Rougned Odor
SS: Darwin Barney
DH: Willie Calhoun
1B: Joey Gallo
RF: Destin Hood
LF: Drew Robinson
C: Curt Casali
3B: Timmy Lopes
CF: Carlos Tocci
