Thursday marks the Los Angeles Dodgers 15th game of Spring Training but first under the lights. They face the Cleveland Indians for a second time in four days, and third and final time in Cactus League play.
The two teams have split the previous meetings, which were played at Camelback Ranch. Alex Wood takes the mound for his third outing of the year and is looking to further grow comfortable with exclusively pitching out of the stretch.
In 3.1 innings pitched, he’s allowed a combined four runs on four hits and issued three walks. Wood is focused on finding his rhythm and tempo, and after his last start said he’s making continual progress with his mechanics.
Scott Alexander, Edward Paredes, Pat Venditte and Yaisel Sierra are among the Dodgers relievers available to pitch.
The Indians send out eight-year veteran Josh Tomlin for what’s also his third start of Spring Training. He went two scoreless innings in his debut, but is coming off an outing in which the San Francisco Giants tagged him for five runs over two innings.
Tomlin has spent his career Cleveland, turning into a reliable option in the starting rotation.
He went 10-9 last season in 26 starts, to go along with a 4.98 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 7.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Corey Seager is again at designated hitter as he builds up to playing the field, which may be on the horizon. As such, Kiké Hernandez receives another start at shortstop. Austin Barnes, who was slowed by a right elbow issue, is making his second start behind the plate.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
DH: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Cody Bellinger
LF: Matt Kemp
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Chase Utley
C: Austin Barnes
SS: Kiké Hernandez
Indians lineup:
SS: Francisco Lindor
LF: Rajai Davis
3B: Jose Ramirez
1B: Edwin Encarnacion
DH: Yonder Alonso
CF: Tyler Naquin
C: Roberto Perez
RF: Brandon Barnes
2B: Eric Stamets
