Having opened their 2019 Cactus League schedule with three consecutive wins at Camelback Ranch, albeit one as the designated road team against the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Dodgers now make the short drive to Surprise Stadium to face the Kansas City Royals.
After missing one day of workouts due to back discomfort, Cody Bellinger makes his 2019 debut by starting in right field and batting cleanup. Bellinger shares the outfield with new center fielder A.J. Pollock and Alex Verdugo.
Bellinger is looking to rebound from a bit of a down season, and expects to do so with the bulk of his playing time coming in right field. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts anticipates the 23-year-old will lead the team in plate appearances this year.
Kenta Maeda is on the mound for his first start, and has Josh Smoker, Yimi Garcia and Kevin Quackenbush among the pitchers available behind him. “It’s his first outing. So he’s going to be excited to go out there and face another opponent,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Maeda’s start.
“Like with all pitchers, fastball commands and he’s going to throw some sliders and mix in his split. So just to kind of get his through it and get this first one out of the way.”
The Dodgers face veteran Ian Kennedy in what’s also his 2019 Cactus League debut. Kennedy went 3-9 with a 4.66 ERA in 22 starts for the Royals last season.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: A.J. Pollock
1B: Max Muncy
2B: Chris Taylor
RF: Cody Bellinger
C: Russell Martin
DH: David Freese
LF: Alex Verdugo
3B: Edwin Rios
SS: Daniel Castro
Royals lineup:
2B: Nicky Lopez
3B: Hunter Dozier
RF: Jorge Soler
1B: Ryan O’Hearn
CF: Brett Phillips
DH: MJ Melendez
SS: Jacksson Flores
C: Melbrys Viloria
LF: Terrance Gore
