Preview: Scott Baker Makes Dodgers Debut, Who Aim To Sweep Padres

The Los Angeles Dodgers hit four home runs in their win on Saturday over the San Diego Padres and now look to complete the three-game sweep at Petco Park in Sunday’s matinee match up.

Hyun-Jin Ryu’s absence has forced the Dodgers to shuffle their rotation on multiple occasions through the first month of the season and Sunday is more of the same. However, rather than accounting for Ryu’s spot coming up, the Dodgers turn to Scott Baker Sunday so that Brett Anderson and Clayton Kershaw both get an extra day of rest.

Baker signed a Minor-League deal in early April and after opening the season in Triple-A Oklahoma City, he makes his Dodgers debut. In three starts in Triple-A thus far, Baker has gone 1-1 with a 1.06 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.

Although he spent the past two years with the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, Baker has spent the majority of his career with the Minnesota Twins and has accumulated a career 4.25 ERA with a 66-52 record. He’s twice faced the Padres, going 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA.

On the mound for the Padres is righty Brandon Morrow, who makes his fourth start on the season and first career start against the Dodgers. The 30 year old has logged no-decisions in all of his three starts, tossing a total of 20 innings over the three outings while allowing seven earned runs and seventeen hits.

Along with Baker joining the club, the Dodgers also recalled Carlos Frias from Triple-A on Sunday. Coinciding with the roster moves, Joel Peralta and Yasiel Puig were both placed on the disabled list. With that, Andre Ethier again starts in right field and Justin Turner gives Howie Kendrick his first breather of the season at second base.

Alex Guerrero starts at third base and Yasmani Grandal starts behind the plate and bats cleanup, making this the first series of the season A.J. Ellis hasn’t gotten at least one start.

Dodgers lineup:

SS: Jimmy Rollins

RF: Andre Ethier

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

C: Yasmani Grandal

2B: Justin Turner

LF: Carl Crawford

3B: Alex Guerrero

CF: Joc Pederson

P: Scott Baker

Padres lineup:

CF: Wil Myers

3B: Yangervis Solarte

RF: Matt Kemp

LF: Justin Upton

1B: Yonder Alonso

C: Derek Norris

2B: Jedd Gyorko

SS: Alexi Amarista

P: Brandon Morrow

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