Spring Training Game Four Preview: Dan Haren Makes His Debut
Riding a two-game winning streak, next up on the Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training schedule is the Milwaukee Brewers. After scoring only one run in their Cactus League opener, the Dodgers have put up a combined nine runs over their two wins. It’s been a bag of mixed results for the Dodgers thus far. Clayton Kershaw was hit hard in his first start, Zack Greinke managed to throw four pitches before suffering a calf strain and Carl Crawford experienced tightness in his right leg while running the bases.
On a positive note, Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched well in his first Spring Training start on Friday, as did relievers Chris Perez and Jamey Wright in their spring debuts. The competition at second base has seen Dee Gordon and Alex Guerrero each look comfortable fielding at the position, but both have struggled a bit at the plate. Justin Turner has managed to swing the bat well as he continues to factor in for a role as a second or third baseman.
All eyes will be on Dan Haren when he takes the mound on Saturday, who’s the next Dodger set to make his debut. Haren went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 2013 with the Washington Nationals. The 33-year-old threw seven innings without giving up a run in his only start against the Brewers last season.
Haren signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Dodgers in November. Spring Training could be particularly important for Haren, who may find himself starting one of the two games in Australia if Greinke and Kershaw are held out.
Kyle Lohse will take the mound for the Brewers, who have split their first two Cactus League games and will have a split squad on Saturday. Lohse only faced the Dodgers once in 2013, which resulted in a 2-0 loss for the right-hander. He finished the season 10-11 with a 3.35 ERA. Of the Dodgers who’ll likely step in the batter’s box on Saturday, Juan Uribe experienced the most success, hitting .333 off Lohse in six at-bats last season.
Yasiel Puig was given the day off on Friday, but is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Picking up where he left off last spring, the “Wild Horse” is batting .400 with one double and one RBI. 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun played in one of the Brewers’ games and hit a two-run home run. Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez has yet to play this spring as he recovers from a procedure that removed a non-malignant polyp.
Fans with Time Warner Cable or Bright House Networks can tune into SportsNet LA at 12:05 pm for game coverage. Those who aren’t subscribers to either one of the providers can listen to the game on AM570. The majority of Dodgers Spring Training games will be available on the radio. A complete schedule of the games that can be found on the radio is provided here.
Due to opening the season roughly one week earlier than all other teams but the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers are playing a condensed Spring Training schedule. Saturday marks their fourth game in as many days in a stretch where they won’t have a day off until March 17.
Dodgers Lineup:
DH: Crawford
CF: Figgins
RF: Puig
1B: Van Slyke
3B: Uribe
C: Ellis
SS: Harris
LF: Baxter
2B: Gordon
P: Haren
Brewers Lineup:
2B: Weeks
DH: Gindl
RF: Braun
C: Lucroy
CF: Gomez
3B: Francisco
1B: Morris
LF: Rogers
SS: Herrera
_______________________________________________________________________________
ICYMI: Here’s our Dodgers Nation Week In Review Video
