Freeway Series Preview: Brandon McCarthy Makes Final Spring Start
Following a tight 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Friday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers will play the visitors in the second of the three exhibition games against their crosstown rivals. Joc Pederson made a spectacular catch in center field, while Yasiel Puig exited the game early as a precaution after a collision with Howie Kendrick.
Starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy will take the mound for his final start of the spring before making his regular season debut against the San Diego Padres next week. Opposing McCarthy will be Andrew Heaney, who was acquired by the Dodgers from the Miami Marlins and then promptly traded to the Angels for Kendrick.
Heaney is a coveted prospect and after the Angels announced their projected starting rotation to begin the season, the young lefty will most likely be pitching at the Triple-A level. The young left-hander started a game against the Dodgers during the Cactus league in March and struggled. Handling Heaney will be former Dodgers catcher Drew Butera.
McCarthy hasn’t had the best spring, posting a 6.75 ERA in four games started, but did look very sharp in his most recent outing after making some adjustments.
Yasiel Puig is in the starting lineup despite the hit he sustained last night. There are some changes to the lineup as Scott Van Slyke is taking over for Carl Crawford, which is expected as Van Slyke hit very well against lefties last season. Yasmani Grandal will be the starting catcher, and Justin Turner will move into the designated hitter slot.
After tonight’s game, the series will move to Dodger Stadium on Saturday for the exhibition finale and the last tuneup before Opening Day on Monday.
Dodgers Lineup
SS: Jimmy Rollins
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
2B: Howie Kendrick
LF: Scott Van Slyke
C: Yasmani Grandal
3B: Juan Uribe
DH: Justin Turner
CF: Joc Pederson
P: Brandon McCarthy
Angels Lineup
RF: Kole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: Matt Joyce
3B: David Freese
SS: Erick Aybar
DH: C.J. Cron
C: Drew Butera
2B: Johnny Giavotella
P: Andrew Heaney
Dodgers 2015 Spring Training – Brandon McCarthy
