Losers of seven consecutive Cactus League games and seemingly absorbing an injury on a daily basis, the Los Angeles Dodgers head to Goodyear Ballpark Thursday evening to face the Cleveland Indians in the second meeting between the two clubs this spring.
Cleveland won the first matchup, 8-5, back on March 7 at Camelback Ranch. Clayton Kershaw takes the hill for his fifth start this year. The southpaw has thrown five innings in each of his last two outings, and sports a 1.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and has 14 strikeouts across 15 innings pitched.
Kershaw allowed two runs on six hits in his last start, which came against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch and on one extra day of rest. The Dodgers’ ace has seemingly checked off each box as he stretches himself out in preparation for another Opening Day start.
Kershaw is opposed by Trevor Bauer, who is set to appear in his fourth game (third start) of Spring Training. Bauer started on March 4 and March 8, then pitched in relief against the Kansas City Royals on March 13.
Bauer has allowed at least one earned run and recorded a minimum of two strikeouts in each of his games this spring. Last season, he was 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA, 4.33 FIP and 1.31 WHIP in 31 games (30 starts) with the Indians.
Bauer faces a Dodgers lineup that was expected to see the return of Yasmani Grandal, but the catcher’s activity is being limited over the next few days; Grandal has been bothered by forearm soreness.
A.J. Ellis is instead behind the plate to form the battery with Kershaw, as they’ve regularly done over the past four seasons. Meanwhile, Trayce Thompson gets another look in left field with Andre Ethier out 10 to 14 weeks due to a right tibia fracture.
Howie Kendrick was slated to start at second base and bat lead off, however he was scratched due to left calf tightness that has him listed day-to-day. Elian Herrera starts at second base in place of Kendrick.
In positive injury news for the Dodgers, Scott Van Slyke starts as the designated hitter after missing the last three games with a hip flexor. Former Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe starts at third for the Indians and bats sixth.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
DH: Scott Van Slyke
C: A.J. Ellis
SS: Kiké Hernandez
2B: Elian Herrera
LF: Trayce Thompson
Indians lineup:
CF: Rajai Davis
2B: Jason Kipnis
SS: Francisco Lindor
1B: Mike Napoli
DH: Marlon Byrd
3B: Juan Uribe
LF: Joey Butler
RF: Colin Cowgill
C: Roberto Perez
