Preview: Clayton Kershaw Looks For Redemption Against Rockies
One day after losing a rare heartbreaker at home, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to get back in the win column as they square off with the Colorado Rockies for the second of their four-game series.
Clayton Kershaw look to right the ship from an individual standpoint, taking the mound against the Rockies for the second time in five days. When he faced the Rockies in Colorado on Sunday, the suddenly human Kershaw gave up five runs on eight hits, but the offense bailed him out with nine runs in a game the Dodgers won, 9-5.
For the season, Kershaw is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA, which has left many to ponder the reasons for his subpar start to the season. Though manager Don Mattingly is not among them as he said prior to Friday’s game Kershaw has thrown the ball fine from his standpoint.
Kershaw can earn his 100th career win Friday night and he is 6-0 in his last seven starts against the Rockies.
Just like last Friday in Colorado, the Dodgers once again face Eddie Butler, who was highly effective against the Boys in Blue. He allowed just two runs on five hits and was the victim of poor run support in a 2-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Butler also allowed two runs to the Dodgers when he faced them at Dodger Stadium April 19, but the Rockies were shutout and Butler suffered another loss. In his first full season with the Rockies, the 24-year-old right-hander is 2-3 with a 3.73 ERA.
Perhaps the biggest news of the day came hours before the game, when the Dodgers announced they reactivated closer Kenley Jansen from the disabled list. As for the Dodgers lineup, Yasmani Grandal makes a fifth consecutive start and catches Kershaw for the third time this season.
Scott Van Slyke also earns another start in left field and bats eighth, giving the Dodgers extra pop at the end of the lineup. Juan Uribe continues to be the odd man looking in as Justin Turner gets the nod at third base.
Dodgers Lineup:
CF: Joc Pederson
SS: Jimmy Rollins
2B: Howie Kendrick
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Justin Turner
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Andre Ethier
LF: Scott Van Slyke
P: Clayton Kershaw
Rockies Lineup:
LF: Charlie Blackmon
SS: Troy Tulowitzki
3B: Nolan Arenado
1B: Wilin Rosario
RF: Carlos Gonzalez
C: Nick Hundley
CF: Drew Stubbs
2B: D.J. LeMahieu
P: Eddie Butler
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Kenley Jansen Discuses Needing To Get Comfortable
