Another disappointing loss has the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the prospect of being swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series for a second time this season. Since last season, the Diamondbacks have won the last 11 regular-season meetings.
In addition to the Dodgers looking for their first win against the National League West foe, Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for his fourth start searching for the same. He’s 0-2 thus far but pitched to a 1.89 ERA, 3.55 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in 19 innings.
In his last start against the San Francisco Giants, Kershaw allowed just six hits and one earned run over seven-plus innings pitched. Kershaw last faced the Diamondbacks on April 3, when he was tabbed for four hits, one walk and two earned runs across six innings.
Over his career against Arizona, the three-time Cy Young Award winner is 14-9, having posted a 2.56 ERA and 1.11 with 193 strikeouts in 168.2 innings.
The Diamondbacks counter with Zack Godley, who looks to build off an excellent start against the Giants. He tossed seven scoreless innings in the contest, yielding just four hits while striking out nine batters.
Godley previously faced the Dodgers this season at Chase Field, in what his first outing of the season. He yielded just one earned run over seven innings, allowing four hits and one walk with three strikeouts.
In his career at Dodger Stadium, Godley is 0-1 with a 2.63 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 13.2 innings with 12 strikeouts to five walks. Through two starts, Godley leads the National League with a minuscule 0.64 ERA over 14 innings.
He hasn’t allowed a home run all season, and has additionally posted a 1.53 FIP and 0.64 WHIP during the span.
The Dodgers are without Logan Forsythe available, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. Utility player Breyvic Valera was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Forsythe’s spot on the active roster.
Matt Kemp returns to the lineup after a game off that came one night removed from suffering a knee contusion while crashing into the fence in left field on attempt to rob a home run.
Beyond the game, the Dodgers and all 30 MLB teams are celebrating Jackie Robinson Day. Players, coaches and on-field personnel will wear Robinson’s iconic No. 42, which is otherwise retired across the league.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
LF: Matt Kemp
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Austin Barnes
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Kiké Hernandez
P: Clayton Kershaw
Diamondbacks lineup:
LF: David Peralta
2B: Ketel Marte
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
CF: A.J. Pollock
3B: Daniel Descalso
RF: Chris Owings
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Jeff Mathis
P: Zack Godley
