Freeway Series Preview: Dodgers Host Finale Of Exhibition Season

After five long weeks, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reached the finale of their exhibition season. They’re coming off consecutive losses at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and are looking to avoid a three-game sweep as the Freeway Series shifts to Dodger Stadium.

One night after Brandon McCarthy started his final tuneup before the regular season, Brett Anderson gets to follow suit. The left-hander is 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA and has only given up three runs in four starts this spring — with all three coming in a rough outing against the Angels.

In just 1.2 innings on March 19, the Angels had seven hits off Anderson, including an Albert Pujols solo home run. Anderson said after the start he was affected by an altered warmup that was a result of learning the Angels’ bus was stuck in traffic.

Taking the mound for the Angels is Hector Santiago, who is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in four starts this spring. After throwing two scoreless innings in his first start on March 5, Santiago has allowed a combined six earned runs and on at least four hits in his last three outings.

While the series shifts to a National League stadium, a designated hitter is still being utilized Saturday night. Adrian Gonzalez gets the honor for the Dodgers and he’s replaced by Scott Van Slyke at first base. Joc Pederson, batting .349 this spring, starts in center field for a third-consecutive game and bats eighth in the lineup.

Dodgers Lineup

SS: Jimmy Rollins

RF: Yasiel Puig

DH: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

1B: Scott Van Slyke

C: Yasmani Grandal

LF: Carl Crawford

3B: Juan Uribe

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Brett Anderson

Angels Lineup:

RF: Cole Calhoun

CF: Mike Trout

DH: Albert Pujols

3B: David Freese

1B: C.J. Cron

SS: Eric Aybar

C: Chris Iannetta

LF: Colin Cowgill

2B: Johnny Giovatella

P: Hector Santiago

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