Freeway Series Preview: Howie Kendrick Returns To Anaheim
The Los Angeles Dodgers have returned to Southern California and begin an exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
After Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury sent him to the disabled list, the Dodgers were left one starter short, thus prompting manager Don Mattingly to utilize a bullpen game Thursday. Tonight’s starter, Sergio Santos, who replaces Mike Adams after the veteran right-hander elected to leave the organization.
Santos has allowed five runs, four earned, in 8.2 innings across nine relief appearances. He made four-consecutive appearances without allowing a run, but has given up a run in two of his last three outings. Thursday figures to be key for Santos, who conceivably is still competing for a spot in the Dodgers’ bullpen.
After getting a look at him during Cactus League play, the Dodgers once again face Matt Shoemaker. The right-hander allowed four runs on five hits in six innings during the March 28 game, which the Dodgers won.
The Dodgers lineup again resembles what could be seen come Opening Day. As manager Don Mattingly has indicated to be his preference, Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig are paired together in the batting order — with Puig batting third and Gonzalez in the cleanup spot.
Joc Pederson is starting in center field and batting eighth in the order, where he’s spent much of the spring hitting from. The rookie totaled 43 bases on 21 hits, with six being home runs, during Spring Training.
After the conclusion of the three-game series on Saturday, the Angels and Dodgers won’t meet again until July 31 at Dodger Stadium. Although the Angels finished last season with the best record in baseball, the Dodgers beat them in three of the four games they faced one another.
Dodgers Lineup
SS: Jimmy Rollins
LF: Carl Crawford
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
2B: Howie Kendrick
DH: Yasmani Grandal
3B: Juan Uribe
CF: Joc Pederson
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Sergio Santos
Angels Lineup
RF: Cole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
1B: Albert Pujols
LF: Matt Joyce
3B: David Freese
SS: Eric Aybar
DH: C.J. Cron
C: Chris Iannetta
2B: Johnny Giavotella
P: Matt Shoemaker
[divide]Sergio Santos Discusses Possibility Of Closing For The Dodgers