Editorials

Game 7 Preview: Dodgers Face Mariners In Early Interleague Matchup

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After taking two of three games against the San Diego Padres to open the season, the Los Angeles Dodgers only managed one win their three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Dodgers now return home for an early-season Interleague matchup with the Seattle Mariners, winners in two of their last three games.

Brandon McCarthy takes the mound looking to build on, or bounce back from his first start in which he allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings. Having spent the majority of his career in the American League, McCarthy has plenty of experience against the Mariners.



In the 13 games (11 starts) where McCarthy’s faced Seattle, he’s 2-6 with a 3.88 ERA; however, his last saw them in 2012. McCarthy will be opposed by James Paxton, who is 0-1 this season with a 3.00 ERA.

Paxton suffered his loss to the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim, though pitched well enough to earn a win — collecting six strikeouts and allowing two runs in six innings. The left-hander has never faced the Dodgers in his career.

With Dodgers manager wanting to give Jimmy Rollins a night off, Darwin Barney starts at shortstop and bats leadoff. Mattingly said pregame Juan Uribe’s hamstring isn’t an issue, but the team is taking a cautious approach with the veteran third baseman.

As such, Alex Guerrero makes a second consecutive start at third. Guerrero looked comfortable in his debut Sunday and was impressive at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and four RBIs. Carl Crawford gets another night off with Scott Van Slyke playing left field.

Also of note, A.J. Ellis is starting for the second time in three games. Monday night marks the first time Ellis has been behind the plate this season with someone other than Clayton Kershaw starting. Howie Kendrick is a career .258/.294/.392 against the Mariners and has a .307 batting average in Interleague play.

Yasiel Puig has also fared well against American League opponents, batting .319 (38-for-119) with Adrian Gonzalez not too far behind at .296 (176-for-595).

Dodgers Lineup:

SS: Darwin Barney

RF: Yasiel Puig

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

LF: Scott Van Slyke

3B: Alex Guerrero

CF: Joc Pederson

C: A.J. Ellis

P: Brandon McCarthy

Mariners Lineup:

CF: Dustin Ackley

RF: Seth Smith

2B: Robinson Cano

LF: Nelson Cruz

3B: Kyle Seager

1B: Logan Morrison

C: Mike Zunino

SS: Brad Miller

P: James Paxton

[divide]

Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly Discusses Catching Situation


Please enable Javascript to watch this video

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button