Dodgers Vs. Royals Preview: Kershaw On The Mound Following No-Hitter
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to rebound off of a tough loss night against the Kansas City Royals. On the mound for the Dodgers will be their ace, Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw made history in his last outing, as he became the second Dodger this season to throw a no-hitter.
The Dodgers continue to surprise the major leagues with their phenomenal road record. With a record of 24-16, the Dodgers are looking to finish up a six-game road trip with a successful series against the Kansas City Royals.
Kershaw will make his 10th start for the Dodgers this season; however, Kershaw has never faced the Royals in his seven years in the bigs. He is 7-2 with an ERA of 2.52 on the season. Kershaw has received a victory in his last four starts and looks to keep the streak going tonight.
Left-hander Danny Duffy will get his ninth start for the Royals. Duffy is 4-6 with an ERA of 2.80 on the season. Duffy has never faced the Dodgers in his brief four-year career. Duffy was drafted in the third round of the amateur draft in 2007 and made his debut in 2011.
Duffy has had superb starts in his last four outings and won three out of four. His only loss was his last start against the Detroit Tigers, where he gave up two earned runs and three hits in seven innings of work. Duffy has had an impressive month thus far, as his ERA has dropped from 3.57 to 2.80.
Since these two starting pitchers have not faced the opposing teams in their careers, we could be looking at a pitcher’s duel that could leave opposing batters confused. The Dodgers are currently four games behind the San Francisco Giants following losses by both teams on Monday.
Since the Dodgers are facing the left-handed Duffy, Van Slyke will get the start in center field. Romak will take over for Puig in right field and Puig will move over to designated hitter. Hanley Ramirez is out of the lineup with shoulder irritation and is listed as day-to-day, while Dee Gordon receives a night off with a lefty on the mound.
Dodgers Lineup:
3B: Turner
LF: Kemp
DH: Puig
1B: Gonzalez
CF: Van Slyke
C: Ellis
RF: Romak
SS: Triunfel
2B: Rojas
P: Kershaw
Royals Lineup:
CF: Cain
1B: Hosmer
DH: Butler
LF: Gordon
C: Perez
2B: Infante
3B: Valencia
RF: Maxwell
SS: Escobar
P: Duffy
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