The Los Angeles Dodgers are slated for another round of split-squad games on Tuesday, taking on the Cleveland Guardians in a road matchup and facing the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. First pitch for both games is set for 1:05 p.m. PT.
The Dodgers are losers of two straight, dropping contests against the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies, scoring just a combined four runs in those contests. L.A. holds a 12-7 record, good for second in Cactus League, and remains the top unit in limiting damage with excellent pitching.
Clayton Kershaw makes his third start and what will likely be one of his final tuneups heading into the regular season. Kershaw’s prior outing came against the Texas Rangers in which he allowed five hits over 4.1 innings pitched, two of which were solo home runs.
The 35-year-old has logged six strikeouts in his 7.1 innings this spring but allowed two homers in each outing, including a majestic shot to former Dodgers teammate Corey Seager.
With Kershaw being left off of the World Baseball Classic roster, his preparation for Opening Day has been slower than in recent years, something he hinted at as being a positive for his body.
Noah Syndergaard gets the home start for the Dodgers, his fourth of Spring Training. The right-hander has continued to improve upon each start in camp, logging four strikeouts over 4.1 innings against the Chicago Cubs on March 11 with his only blemish being a solo home run.
Syndergaard’s work with Mark Prior and the Dodgers staff on pounding the strike zone has resulted in a 0.96 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched, and he’s got a firm grasp on the heart of the starting rotation ahead of the regular season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts welcomes a majority of his starters back to Spring Training as only the championship game remains in the WBC with Team USA taking on Team Japan.
For the split-squad lineups, he sends out a majority of right-handed hitters against Alex Wood and the Giants, whereas at Goodyear Ballpark, James Outman, David Peralta and Max Muncy get their chance to face Triston McKenzie.
Peralta is the latest Dodger to return to Camelback Ranch from the WBC, as he went 0-for-2 with a walk against the Rockies.
Dodgers lineup (vs. Giants)
3B: Chris Taylor
1B: Freddie Freeman
CF: Trayce Thompson
DH: J.D. Martinez
SS: Miguel Rojas
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: Jonny DeLuca
RF: Jose Ramos
C: Patrick Mazeika
Giants lineup
1B: LaMonte Wade Jr.
2B: Thairo Estrada
DH: Joc Pederson
2B: David Villar
LF: Mike Yastrzemski
3B: J.D. Davis
C: Roberto Pérez
CF: Bryce Johnson
RF: Stephen Piscotty
Dodgers lineup (@ Guardians)
LF: David Peralta
CF: Jason Heyward
3B: Max Muncy
RF: James Outman
2B: Michael Busch
1B: Devin Mann
DH: Ryan Ward
SS: Yonny Hernández
C: Hunter Feduccia
Guardians Lineup
LF: Steven Kwan
SS: Amed Rosario
3B: José Ramírez
1B: Josh Bell
DH: Josh Naylor
RF: Oscar Gonzalez
2B: Andrés Giménez
C: Cam Gallagher
CF: Myles Straw
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