The Los Angeles Dodgers head to Sloan Park on Tuesday to take on the new-look Chicago Cubs for the first of two Spring Training matchups. After being defeated by the Cleveland Indians on Monday, the Dodgers look to get back in the win column after their first loss in Cactus League play this year.
Making his second start of the month is Clayton Kershaw, who is coming off a solid outing against the Chicago White Sox. In two innings, he allowed one hit and a walk while picking up two strikeouts.
Kershaw went 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and had 23 strikeouts over two outings (15 innings pitched) against the Cubs last season. In the loss, which came in June at Wrigley Field, Kershaw was tagged by Kris Bryant for two home runs.
It was Bryant’s first career multi-home run game. He’s batting third for the Cubs in Tuesday’s lineup.
Joe Blanton, Carlos Frias, Pedro Baez and Jacob Rhame are scheduled to pitch in relief against the Cubs. Taking the mound for Chicago is right-hander Kyle Hendricks for his first 2016 Spring Training appearance.
In 180 innings last season, Kendricks posted a 3.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 167 strikeouts to 43 walks. Infielder Rob Segedin remains in the lineup for the second day in a row, this time starting at first base. In six plate appearances thus far, he’s batting .500/.500/1.667 with two home runs and one double.
For a fourth consecutive game, infielder Alex Guerrero is held out of action with lingering knee soreness. He was originally scheduled to see time as the starting designated hitter, but was scratched in favor of Andre Ethier.
Howie Kendrick, who missed Monday’s game due to groin soreness, also will not play in Tuesday’s game as a precaution.
Dodgers Lineup:
LF: Carl Crawford
RF: Yasiel Puig
3B: Chase Utley
DH: Andre Ethier
C: A.J. Ellis
SS: Kiké Hernandez
CF: Trayce Thompson
1B: Rob Segedin
2B: Micah Johnson
Cubs Lineup:
SS: Javier Baez
LF: Kyle Schwarber
3B: Kris Bryant
RF: Jorge Soler
DH: Shane Victorino
C: David Ross
1B: Taylor Davis
CF: Juan Perez
2B: Kristopher Negron
