Editorials

Preview: Kershaw Starts And Throws To Ellis, Rollins Moved Up In Order

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After a disappointing series in St. Louis, the Los Angeles Dodgers attempt to turn their luck around as they play the first of four games in the next three days against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Clayton Kershaw makes his 11th start of the year and his 30th career start against the Rockies. The left-hander has dominated them throughout his career, going 15-5 with a 3.29 ERA. Kershaw’s greatest feat against the Rockies came last season when he threw his first career no-hitter on June. 19.



Kershaw is coming off arguably his best start of the season during which he had 10 strikeouts in seven shutout innings. A key for the reigning National League MVP on Monday is getting hitters to miss, as they have a career .328 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) against him at Coors Field.

The Rockies counter with Kyle Kendrick, who has already faced the Dodgers twice this season. Kendrick’s first start was completely different than the second. In the first outing on April 17, he lasted just 4.2 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and issuing four walks.

The right-hander improved on that and allowed just one run in seven innings the next time out against the Dodgers, though he did walk five. Kendrick is facing Los Angeles for the first time at Coors Field this season, where he has a 5.33 xFIP.

Justin Turner is starting at third base and batting second for a third consecutive game. After being dropped to the eight-hole in Saturday’s and Sunday’s games, Jimmy Rollins bats seventh Monday. A.J. Ellis is catching Kershaw and hits eighth.

The combination of Rollins and Ellis at the bottom of the order figures to present a challenge for a Dodgers’ offense that’s continued to struggle on the road. After having his six-game hitting streak snapped Saturday, Rollins also went hitless in Sunday’s loss.

David Huff was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City Monday afternoon. He’s a candidate to start one of the doubleheader games Tuesday if he isn’t first needed as a long man.

Dodgers Lineup

CF: Joc Pederson

3B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

2B: Howie Kendrick

RF: Andre Ethier

LF: Kike Hernandez

C: A.J. Ellis

P: Clayton Kershaw

Rockies Lineup

CF: Charlie Backmon

2B: D.J. LeMahieu

SS: Troy Tulowitzki

3B: Nolan Arenado

1B: Wilin Rosario

C: Nick Hundley

RF: Austin Barnes

LF: Rafael Ynoa

P: Kyle Kednrick

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