The Los Angeles Dodgers’ five-game homestand continues with the opener of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers’ promotional calendar calls for Star Wars Night at Dodger Stadium, with fans who purchased a special ticket package receiving an exclusive shirt.
Friday night’s matchup is the fourth between Arizona and Los Angeles since the All-Star break. The Diamondbacks dropped the series opener at Chase Field before bouncing back with a pair of one-run victories.
One of which came in extra innings after Kenley Jansen blew a save opportunity. Kenta Maeda faces the Diamondbacks a fourth time this season and second time at home.
He’s 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in his three starts against Arizona. Maeda allowed five runs on seven hits, lasted just 4.1 innings and suffered the loss when he started against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 17.
Overall this season the Japanese native is 9-7 with a 3.25 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in 20 starts. Maeda has pitched at least six innings in two of his past five starts.
He’s opposed by Zack Godley, who starts against the Dodgers for the first time in his career. Godley tossed 0.2 innings out of the bullpen at Dodger Stadium on June 15 and collected one strikeout.
The right-hander is 3-1 with a 5.88 ERA and 1.62 WHIP in eight games (four starts) this season. Godley started six of nine games after he was called up last season, pitching to a 3.19 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
None of the Dodgers in Friday’s lineup have extensive experience against Godley, though Justin Turner has slugged five home runs in 11 games since the All-Star break. Yasiel Puig doesn’t start for a sixth consecutive game because of right hamstring tightness, and is also the subject of trade rumors.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Howie Kendrick
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Andrew Toles
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Kenta Maeda
Diamondbacks lineup:
2B: Jean Segura
CF: Michael Bourn
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
3B: Jake Lamb
C: Welington Castillo
RF: David Peralta
LF: Yasmany Tomas
SS: Chris Owings
P: Zack Godley
