The Los Angeles Dodgers cap off a stretch of three consecutive night games Thursday with a matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Their meeting at Camelback Ranch is devoid of seeing Joc Pederson, who is out of the lineup after playing Wednesday.
The Cubs don’t have many regulars with them for the road meeting, and enter 2-0 in Cactus League play thus far. The Dodgers will look to hand Chicago their first loss with a pitching staff led by Jimmy Nelson making the start.
Nelson re-signed with the Dodgers on a Minor League contract after missing all of last season due to back surgery. Manager Dave Roberts named the right-hander among the candidates vying for the final spot in the Opening Day rotation.
Josiah Gray was initially scheduled to start against the Cubs, but he instead will appear out of the bullpen. Blake Treinen, Ryan Pepiot, Victor Gonzalez and Edwin Uceta are also scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers.
They’ll be backed by a Dodgers lineup that has Mookie Betts and Corey Seager at the top. AJ Pollock, Edwin Rios and Austin Barnes are other regulars playing as well.
Chicago starts Trevor Williams in his first action of 2021 Spring Training. He signed a one-year contract with the Cubs last month after spending five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Thursday’s game will be another contest shortened to seven innings as pitching staffs continue to stretch out.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
DH: Edwin Rios
C: Austin Barnes
2B: Zach McKinstry
1B: Matt Davidson
3B: Sheldon Nuese
CF: James Outman
Cubs lineup
CF: Ian Happ
2B: Nico Hoerner
SS: Ildemaro Vargas
3B: David Bote
C: Austin Romine
RF: Rafael Ortega
DH: Patrick Wisdom
1B: Alfonso Rivas
LF: Michael Hermosillo
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