The Los Angeles Dodgers are in Chicago to face the Cubs in the first of a three-game series on Monday, and they’ll again be relying on backup catcher Eliezer Alfonso behind the plate.
Dalton Rushing, the backup catcher who’s been pushed into the starting role during Will Smith’s recovery from a neck injury, is suffering from an injury of his own, reportedly minor arm irritation, and it seems the Dodgers are hoping some days off will help him recover.
It seems that another Dodger, Max Muncy, is also getting a day off, though it does not appear he’s doing so due to injury.
Who is in the Dodgers’ lineup?
Shohei Ohtani leads the lineup for the Dodgers, and center fielder Andy Pages follows him in the No. 2 spot. Tommy Edman remains in the No. 3 spot and at second base, with first baseman Freddie Freeman batting cleanup and shortstop Mookie Betts hitting fifth.
Right fielder Kyle Tucker is up to the sixth spot, switching with left fielder Teoscar Hernandez, who is hitting seventh.
Kike Hernandez is stepping in for Muncy at third base and is hitting eighth, and Alfonso is hitting ninth.
Dodgers’ lineup vs. Cubs
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Andy Pages, CF
3. Tommy Edman, 2B
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. Mookie Betts, SS
6. Kyle Tucker, RF
7. Teoscar Hernandez, LF
8. Kike Hernandez, 3B
9. Eliezer Alfonso, C
P. Justin Wrobleski, LHP
Who is pitching for the Dodgers?
Lefty Justin Wrobleski gets the start for the Dodgers.
Wrobo, who made his first All-Star team earlier this season, is 11-2 on the season with a 2.88 ERA.
He has 87 strikeouts against 94 hits allowed and 21 walks, and his WHIP is 1.021.
Those 21 walks have resulted in a walk rate of just 4.7%, which is good enough to put him in the top 4% of all pitchers.
His four-seam fastball, which he throws about half the time, has a run value of 15, putting him in the top 2% of all pitchers, per Baseball Savant.
Who is pitching for the Cubs?
Matthew Boyd (6-1), a lefty, is pitching for the Cubs.
Boyd has a 3.41 ERA and 60 strikeouts on the season.
How can I watch the Dodgers vs. Cubs game?
Monday’s game is on SportsNet LA, and first pitch is set for 5:05 p.m. PT.
