Dodgers Vs. Cubs Preview: Jamey Wright Takes Center Stage
The Dodgers give Jamey Wright the start as they will save Dan Haren for Monday’s opener against the San Francisco Giants. Wright is 5-4 with a 4.30 ERA over 59 appearances this season. However, this will be the right-hander’s first start of the season. The 39-year-old veteran has given up no earned runs in four innings over three appearances against the Cubs this season.
The Cubs counter by sending Jacob Turner to the mound. Turner is 5-10 with a 6.20 ERA this season. He has not fared well against Los Angeles as he is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA in two starts. However, each of the outings came when he was with the Miami Marlins.
As for the Dodgers offensively, Yasiel Puig may be poised for a big game. The Dodger slugger is hitting a career .400 off Turner with three RBIs, including a home run. Today’s Dodgers lineup is a career 19-for-42 with one home run and 12 RBIs against Turner.
Los Angeles enters today’s contest with a 3.5-game lead over the Giants in the National League West division standings. A win would not only give the Dodgers three out of four victories against the Cubs, but it would allow them to maintain a comfortable distance before their clash against the Giants.
The Dodgers magic number to clinch the division is five and including Sunday, there are seven regular-season games remaining.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Gordon
CF: Puig
1B: Gonzalez
RF: Kemp
SS: Ramirez
LF: Crawford
3B: Uribe
C: Ellis
P: Wright
Cubs Lineup
LF: Coghlan
SS: Baez
1B: Rizzo
3B: Valbuena
C: Castillo
CF: Alcantara
2B: Valaika
RF: Szczur
P: Turner
