The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs meet for the seventh and final time during the regular season in what’s a rare afternoon start on a weekday at Dodger Stadium. A win will clinch a season series victory for the Dodgers, who have taken two of three at home thus far.
Los Angeles began last week’s series with a win at Wrigley Field before dropping the next two contests. None of those were started by Clayton Kershaw, who takes the mound for his second outing since returning from the 10-day disabled list.
Initially penciled to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Kershaw instead remained with the Dodgers over the weekend and faced the New York Mets. He went just three innings and allowed two runs on five hits.
Thursday’s start marks Kershaw’s first time facing the Cubs since he took the mound in Game 5 of the 2017 National League Championship Series. He held them to one run on three hits over six innings to help send the Dodgers to their first World Series since 1988.
Kershaw enters 1-4 with a 2.94 ERA, 3.35 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in nine starts this season. Kershaw’s 2018 campaign has been interrupted by two stints on the DL — first with left biceps tendinitis, then more recently due to a lower back strain. He felt healthy against the Mets and is focused on improving his results moving forward.
In a reversal from the initial plan, the Dodgers activated Walker Buehler off the 10-day disabled list and will use him out of the bullpen. Buehler was scheduled to start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab assignment. Josh Fields was put on the DL due to right shoulder inflammation.
The Cubs call on Jose Quintana, who at one point was a rumored trade target of the Dodgers. Quintana faces them for the first time since the Chicago White Sox sent him to the Cubs prior to the 2017 trade deadline.
Quintana is 6-6 with a 4.26 ERA, 4.37 FIP and 1.38 WHIP in 15 starts. He’s a lifetime 0-1 in two starts against the Dodgers, but has only allowed a combined five unearned runs in 14 innings pitched.
Quintana faces a lineup that sees the return of Chris Taylor. It’s Taylor’s first start since he was removed last Wednesday with hamstring tightness. He went 3-for-5 with one double, one home run and three RBI as a pinch-hitter.
Matt Kemp also returns after his appeal was denied and a one-game suspension was served Wednesday night.
Dodgers lineup:
SS: Chris Taylor
LF: Kiké Hernández
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Matt Kemp
1B: Max Muncy
CF: Cody Bellinger
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Austin Barnes
P: Clayton Kershaw
Cubs lineup:
CF: Albert Almora Jr.
2B: Javier Baez
C: Willson Contreras
1B: Anthony Rizzo
SS: Addison Russell
3B: David Bote
RF: Ian Happ
LF: Kyle Schwarber
P: Jose Quintana
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