Preview: Clayton Kershaw Faces Madison Bumgarner In Rematch
The San Francisco Giants are back to take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in what has been named the battle of the aces, Clayton Kershaw against Madison Bumgarner. After the Dodgers were swept in San Francisco last series, the team hopes to return the favor in Los Angeles
The last time these two pitchers met was on April 22 in San Francisco in which the Dodgers lost by a score of 3-2. However, although the Dodgers did not win the game, Kershaw did not get the loss and Bumgarner did not get the win.
Kiké Hernandez has been called up after Carl Crawford’s injury and is starting in center field to replace the left-handed hitting Joc Pederson. Although Pederson has been hot as of late, he is batting .167 against lefties in his career.
Manager Don Mattingly is opting for an all right handed hitting lineup, as Alex Guerrero will start in left field, Justin Turner will start at first base, and Scott Van Slyke will start in right field.
Last season at Dodger Stadium alone, Bumgarner carried a record of 3-2 with a 2.45 ERA, giving up four home runs in 33 innings. However, the left-hander did have 38 strikeouts.
Clayton Kershaw had an even better resume against the Giants last season, as he was 3-0 against them with a 1.69 ERA in 32 innings. Although he has not had the success that he had last season, the 27-year-old hopes to return to his former self against the Giants.
After this series, the Dodgers and Giants will meet again 13 more times before the season is over, with the next one starting on May 19 in San Francisco.
Dodgers Lineup
SS: Jimmy Rollins
CF: Kike Hernandez
1B: Justin Turner
2B: Howie Kendrick
RF: Scott Van Slyke
LF: Alex Guerrero
3B: Juan Uribe
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Clayton Kershaw
Giants Lineup
LF: Nori Aoki
2B: Chris Duffy
CF: Angel Pagan
C: Buster Posey
RF: Justin Maxwell
1B: Brandon Belt
3B Casey McGehee
SS: Joaquin Arias
P: Madison Bumgarner
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