The Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t have scripted a more Hollywood ending to their split-squad games on Saturday. After blowing the lead against the Chicago Cubs, they fought back and won, 6-5, on a walk-off hit by pitch.
Against the Seattle Mariners, the game was highly contested throughout, with the Dodgers pulling away behind four runs scored in the 10th inning to capture an 8-4 victory.
The Dodgers now shift their focus to the Colorado Rockies in the first matchup between the two clubs during Spring Training. Colorado faces Clayton Kershaw, who takes the hill for his third Cactus League start this year.
In his last outing, Kershaw went three innings against the Cubs, allowing five hits and one run, while striking out five. The lone run came in the third inning as the three-time Cy Young Award winner allowed three consecutive base hits.
Kershaw threw two scoreless innings in his debut this year against the Chicago White Sox. He has a combined seven strikeouts over five innings pitched. Kershaw in his career is 17-5 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and a no-hitter in 31 starts against the Rockies.
Scheduled to follow Dodgers’ left-handed ace are Yimi Garcia, Adam Liberatore, Matt West, Chris Anderson and Jharel Cotton. Taking the hill for the Rockies is Jordan Lyles.
In his previous start against the Kansas City Royals, the 25 year old suffered the loss, although his outing wasn’t indicative of it. The right-hander allowed one run on two hits in three solid innings of work.
In his first start of the spring however, Lyles struggled a bit more against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He gave up two runs on three hits and issued two walks in the outing. Lyles has four career starts against the Dodgers.
He’s a lifetime 0-3 with a 6.85 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Lyles allowed four runs on five hits over six innings and suffered the loss in his lone start against Los Angeles last season. However, he did have five strikeouts in the outing.
The Rockies are using a designated hitter in their lineup, while the Dodgers are not. This will mark Kershaw’s first plate appearances of the spring.
After starting at third base on Saturday against the Cubs, Chase Utley now slides over to second base and bats second. Joc Pederson remains in center field, but is batting leadoff. A.J. Ellis becomes the first Dodgers catcher to make back-to-back starts this spring.
Yasmani Grandal, still recovering from a right arm contusion, is scheduled to catch Scott Kazmir in a B game on Monday morning.
Dodgers Lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
2B: Chase Utley
LF: Andre Ethier
RF: Scott Van Slyke
SS: Kiké Hernandez
C: A.J. Ellis
1B: Cody Bellinger
3B: Charlie Culberson
P: Clayton Kershaw
Rockies Lineup:
CF: Charlie Blackmon
DH: Ryan Raburn
3B: Nolan Arenado
RF: Carlos Gonzalez
1B: Mark Reynolds
LF: Gerardo Parra
2B: D.J. LeMaheiu
C: Nick Hundley
SS: Cristhian Adames
