The Los Angeles Dodgers look to avoid being swept in Saturday’s split-squad action after their rally fell short the afternoon game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Los Angeles now hosts the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch.
After an impressive start by Carlos Frias on Friday night, the ball is now in Zach Lee’s court as the two are currently battling for the fifth spot in the Dodgers’ rotation. In his first three starts of the spring, Lee has given up four runs in eight innings (4.50 ERA) while allowing seven hits, striking out four and walking two.
The 2010 Dodgers first-round draft pick made his Major League debut last season, allowing seven runs over 4.2 innings in a spot start against the New York Mets. Lee otherwise spent the 2015 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 11-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 19 starts.
Louis Coleman, Joe Blanton, Chris Hatcher and Jamey Wright are expected to follow Lee. The White Sox counter with a first-round pick of their own, Carson Fulmer, who was drafted eighth overall by the Chicago in 2015.
The 22-year-old right-hander was teammates with Dodgers’ draftee Walker Buehler at Vanderbilt University. Fulmer is making his fifth Spring Training appearance and third start.
In 8.2 innings pitched, he’s given up four runs on eight hits, while striking out six and walking five. He was impressive in nine starts at Rookie Ball and High-A last year, posting a 1.96 ERA and recording 26 strikeouts over 23 innings pitched.
Fulmer faces a red-hot Justin Turner, who is batting .600/.647/1.133 (9-for-15) with one home run, five doubles and four RBIs in six games. The Dodgers are 1-2 in their meetings against the White Sox this spring.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Carl Crawford
CF: Joc Pederson
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Austin Barnes
SS: Elian Herrera
RF: Rico Noel
DH: Cody Bellinger
2B: Willie Calhoun
White Sox lineup:
CF: Austin Jackson
2B: Carlos Sanchez
1B: Jose Abreu
RF: Melky Cabrera
3B: Matt Davidson
LF: J.B Shuck
SS: Tyler Saladino
C: Dioner Navarro
DH: Leury Garcia
