The Los Angeles Dodgers face somewhat of a quick turnaround against the Cleveland Indians, as they played their first night game of the spring on Wednesday. With their 7-6 victory over the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles improved to 4-1 this year.
Taking the mound for the Dodgers on Thursday is Clayton Kershaw in what’s his second start of Spring Training. In his last outing, the 28-year-old gave a brief glimpse into what many fans came to see, with an appropriately dominant first inning. Kershaw did not allow a baserunner, collected a strikeout and was able to get out of the inning on just 12 pitches.
Although the ace put forth a commendable outing, the perfectionist in Kershaw wasn’t pleased. Expected to throw two innings, Kershaw presumably will seek to improve the fastball command he lamented not having.
Chris Hatcher, Kenley Jansen, Sergio Romo and Alex Wood are also scheduled to pitch Thursday at Camelback Ranch.
Opposing Kershaw on the mound for the Indians is Danny Salazar. During his first outing of Spring Training, Salazar pitched two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and issuing a walk. Last season, he went 11-6 with a 3.87 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 161 strikeouts in 137.1 innings.
Cuban infielder Jose Miguel Fernandez is at second base in what’s his first start of the year. Andre Ethier once again is hitting leadoff, and Justin Turner returns to the lineup after missing the past three games.
Thursday’s game is not televised but can be listened to on AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Andre Ethier
CF: Andrew Toles
DH: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Franklin Gutierrez
1B: Scott Van Slyke
2B: Jose Miguel Fernandez
SS: Chris Taylor
3B: Charlie Culberson
Indians lineup:
3B: Jose Ramirez
DH: Yan Gomes
RF: Lonnie Chisenhall
C: Roberto Perez
CF: Abraham Almonte
1B: Chris Colabello
LF: Daniel Robertson
SS: Erik Gonzalez
2B: Ronny Rodriguez
