Dodgers Vs. Phillies Preview: Kemp Sits For Second Consecutive Game
The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a win against the Philadelphia Phillies last night as Clayton Kershaw threw six shutout innings, enduring a 43-minute rain delay in the fourth inning. The Boys in Blue are currently 7-1 at Citizens Bank Park since the beginning of the 2012 season, and they look to continue their dominance this afternoon.
Dan Haren takes the mound for the Dodgers this afternoon and hopes to put his most recent start behind him. The right-hander is currently 5-2 with a 3.18 ERA and has contributed much more to the starting rotation than the Dodgers may have anticipated. However, last week Haren allowed five runs and ten hits over six innings of work. The starter has recorded his two losses of the month on the road and looks to come out on the winning side today.
With Cliff Lee being placed on the disabled list, David Buchanan makes his Major League debut as a Phillies starter today. The 25-year-old right-hander has gone 5-1 win a 3.98 ERA in Triple-A and impressed the organization in Spring Training.
The Dodger outfielders have been as impressive as ever in the month of May. Between Carl Crawford, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Yasiel Puig and Scott Van Slyke, the five-outfielder unit is batting a combined .349 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs over a 22-game span. Despite his impressive numbers at the plate, Kemp will be the odd-outfielder out for a second consecutive game.
Stealing three bases last night, Dee Gordon assumes his spot as the leadoff hitter with Puig again hitting third due to Hanley Ramirez’s late scratch with calf soreness. Adrian Gonzalez, Crawford and Ethier will bat fourth, fifth and sixth, and after Chone Figgins got the start last night, Justin Turner will play at third base today and bat in the two spot.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Dee Gordon
3B: Justin Turner
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Carl Crawford
CF: Andre Ethier
C: A.J. Ellis
SS: Erisbel Arruebarrena
P: Dan Haren
Phillies Lineup
CF: Ben Revere
SS: Jimmy Rollins
2B: Chase Utley
1B: Ryan Howard
RF: Marlon Byrd
LF: Domonic Brown
C: Carlos Ruiz
3B: Cesar Hernandez
P: David Buchanan
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