After a stretch of playing three National League opponents in their last four games, the Los Angeles Dodgers (4-1-1) draw another American League foe as they travel to Tempe Diablo Stadium to face the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (3-5).
Wednesday’s meeting is the first of two between the Angels and Dodgers this week, as they’ll square off at Camelback Ranch on Friday. Then from March 31-April 2, Los Angeles and Anaheim will play a three-game exhibition Freeway Series with two of the games taking place at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers won five of six meetings against the Angels last year, sweeping the series at Dodger Stadium and winning two of three games in Anaheim.
Scott Kazmir makes his second Spring Training start with the Dodgers. The southpaw allowed two runs on six hits in 2.0 innings against the Texas Rangers in his debut.
Kazmir expressed some dissatisfaction with his fastball location, though also highlighted his ability to locate pitches that induced inning-ending double plays. He spent 2009-10 with the Angeles before unceremoniously getting released in June 2011.
The Angels counter with Jered Weaver, who also makes his second start this spring. In his debut outing, Weaver allowed two hits and had three strikeouts over two scoreless innings against the Chicago Cubs.
Both starting pitchers are expected to toss three innings or the equivalent of it. Luis Avilan, Mike Bolsinger, Jharel Cotton, Chris Hatcher and Jamey Wright are scheduled to pitch in relief. The Dodgers also have right-handers Logan Bawcom, Felipe Gonzalez and Jeremy Kehrt up from the Minor League side.
Alex Guerrero (knee soreness) and Howie Kendrick (groin soreness) once again are not in the lineup. Elian Herrera starts at second base, while Rob Segedin is at third. Segedin leads the Dodgers with two home runs, clubbing both in the same game, and he’s second with five RBIs.
Daniel Nava has enjoyed a successful swing thus far, batting 6-for-10 with two doubles and four RBIs in four games. Kole Calhoun isn’t far behind as he’s 6-for-11 with one double and one RBI also in four games.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Andre Ethier
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
RF: Scott Van Slyke
C: Yasmani Grandal
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Austin Barnes
3B: Rob Segedin
2B: Elian Herrera
Angels lineup:
3B: Yunel Escobar
RF: Kole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
DH: Albert Pujols
1B: C.J. Cron
LF: Daniel Nava
SS: Andrelton Simmons
C: Geovany Soto
2B: Johnny Giavotella
