Dodgers Vs. Phillies Preview: Kershaw Starts, Arruebarrena’s Debut

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The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to complete the three-game sweep of the New York Mets Thursday and now begin a three-game set with the Philadelphia Phillies on the last stop of their-nine game road trip. The Dodgers are 3-3 thus far on the trip and finished their last nine-game stint away from Dodger Stadium 5-4. Overall, the team is 16-10 on the road this season.

Clayton Kershaw takes the mound and is looking to rebound from a disastrous start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which the left-hander allowed seven runs and managed to pitch just 1.2 innings. Prior to that outing, Kershaw had gone at least five innings in 68 consecutive starts.

In nine career starts against the Phillies, Kershaw holds a lifetime 1-4 record and is 1-2 at Citizens Bank Park. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner began his career 0-4 before collecting his first win over the Phillies last season. Kershaw is 2-1 this season with a 4.71 ERA.

Starting opposite Kershaw is Roberto Hernandez, who is 2-1 with a 3.98 ERA in seven starts this season and is making his first start since two relief appearances last week. Hernandez’s best start this year was a 7.1-inning shutout effort against the Washington Nationals on May 4.

Carl Crawford leads the Dodgers with plate appearances against Hernandez with 21. In those at-bats, Crawford is hitting .238 with a double, triple, three RBIs and six strikeouts.

Marlon Byrd is hitting .372 against lefties this season with three home runs and Carlos Ruiz has long been a thorn in the Dodgers’ side. In 13 career at-bats against Kershaw, Ruiz is batting .385 with two RBIs.

After committing his fourth error on the season, Matt Kemp receives the night off and Andre Ethier starts in his place. Also out of the lineup is Hanley Ramirez, which means recent call up Erisbel Arruebarrena makes his MLB debut.

Dodgers Lineup:

2B: Gordon

3B: Figgins

RF: Puig

1B: Gonzalez

CF: Ethier

LF: Crawford

C: Ellis

SS: Arruebarrena

P: Kershaw

Phillies Lineup:

SS: Rollins

C: Ruiz

2B: Utley

RF: Byrd

1B: Howard

LF: Ruf

3B: Hernandez

CF: Mayberry

P: Hernandez
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Dodgers Update: Clayton Kershaw’s Impressive Return, A.J. Ellis Improving