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Spring Training Preview: Kenta Maeda Starts As Dodgers Take On Athletics For Second Straight Game

Daniel Starkand
3 Min Read
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-1 at Camelback Ranch Monday night, but the bigger story was the injury to All-Star third baseman Justin Turner, as he was hit by a pitch in the first inning as wound up being diagnosed with a fractured left wrist so he will be out for an extended period of time.

Spring Training play goes on though, as the Dodgers and Athletics meet again Tuesday afternoon, this time with Oakland hosting at their facility in Mesa.

Kenta Maeda makes his fourth start of the spring for the Dodgers, and he likely follows in the footsteps of Clayton Kershaw and Alex Wood, throwing around five innings and 70 pitches.

Maeda has had a good spring so far, giving up just five hits and two runs in 7.2 innings of work (2.45 ERA) while striking out eight and walking just two.

Opposing Maeda is Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn. The 24-year-old has appeared in five games this spring (two starts), giving up eight hits and six runs in 14 innings, good for a 3.86 ERA.

Blackburn made 10 starts for Oakland in 2017, going 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA, 4.39 FIP and 1.26 WHIP. He struck out 22 and walked 16 in 58.2 innings.

With Turner out, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that starting second baseman Logan Forsythe will get the bulk of the time at third base now and Chase Utley, Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes will see extended time at third base.

Forsythe gets the day off Tuesday though after playing in the night game Monday, so Kyle Farmers gets the first start at third base post-Turner injury.

Dodgers lineup:

CF: Chris Taylor
DH: Corey Seager
1B: Cody Bellinger
LF: Matt Kemp
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
2B: Chase Utley
SS: Kiké Hernandez
3B: Kyle Farmer

Athletics lineup:

DH: Matt Joyce
SS: Marcus Semien
2B: Jed Lowrie
LF: Khris Davis
1B: Matt Olson
RF: Stephen Piscotty
C: Bruce Maxwell
3B: Matt Chapman
CF: Boog Powell

Daniel Starkand is a graduate from Chapman University with a degree in journalism and broadcast journalism. He grew up in Burbank, Calif. and played baseball at Burbank High and his first two years at Chapman. Along with serving as a senior writer, editor and social media manager for DodgerBlue.com, Daniel also writes for LakersNation.com. Contact: daniel@mediumlargela.com