The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off Cactus League play with a bang on Friday afternoon, as they slugged four home runs and defeated the Chicago White Sox, 13-5, at Camelback Ranch.
Justin Turner’s home run in the bottom of the first inning was the team’s first hit of the spring, and Kiké Hernandez, Matt Kemp and Logan Forsythe later went deep themselves. The Dodgers return to the field Saturday afternoon for a split-squad doubleheader.
Half of the team will be at Camelback Ranch, where the Dodgers will host division rival San Francisco Giants, while others travel to Surprise to take on the Kansas City Royals.
Right-hander Ross Stripling is set to start the game against the Giants, and Zach Neal takes the mound against the Royals.
Stripling is being stretched out a starter this spring despite 47 of his 49 appearances in 2017 coming out of the bullpen. In 74.1 innings, Stripling posted a 3.75 ERA, 3.68 FIP and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 74 and walking 19.
The 28-year-old has faced the Giants six times in his career, yielding a 3.63 ERA in 17.1 innings. He made his Major League debut against them in 2016, tossing 7.1 innings of no-hit ball.
Neal appeared in 24 games for the Oakland Athletics in 2016, starting six of them and going 2-4 with a 4.24 ERA, 4.35 FIP and 1.11 WHIP while striking out 27 and walking six in 70 innings of work.
The sinkerballer pitched just 14.2 big league innings last season, yielding a 7.98 ERA. In 21 games (16 starts) with Triple-A Nashville, he went 4-8 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.
Andrew Toles is set to make his 2018 debut in one of the two games on Saturday. Toles has not seen game action since May of last season when he tore his ACL, so he will be someone to keep an eye on all throughout the spring as he looks to win a big league roster spot.
Yasiel Puig is in the lineup after being scratched from Friday’s game due to hip soreness. The injury wasn’t believed to be serious, so Puig should be without limitations when he takes the field.
Corey Seager was originally scheduled to be the designated hitter in the home game against the Giants, but he was a late scratch due to a stomach illness so Henry Ramos gets the start in his place.
Dodgers lineup vs. Giants
2B: Chase Utley
CF: Joc Pederson
1B: Cody Bellinger
RF: Yasiel Puig
DH: Henry Ramos
LF: Alex Verdugo
C: Kyle Farmer
3B: Max Muncy
SS: Donovan Solano
Dodgers lineup @ Royals
CF: Chris Taylor
2B: Logan Forsythe
DH: Austin Barnes
SS: Kiké Hernandez
LF: Andrew Toles
RF: Trayce Thompson
3B: Drew Jackson
C: Will Smith
1B: Matt Beaty
