Dodgers-Twins Preview: Greinke Starts, Team Faces Chilling Weather
The Los Angeles Dodgers are finally set to take on the Minnesota Twins today after inclement weather caused Tuesday’s game to be postponed. The Dodgers have their work cut out for them over the next two days as they will also play a doubleheader in the chilling temperatures on Thursday assuming the weather cooperates. This marks the Dodgers second Interleague series of the season so far, and they hope to regroup against the Twins today after a tough week of play.
The Dodgers roster looks a little different than it did on Sunday as the team has since optioned Tim Federowicz and Carlos Triunfel and added Miguel Olivo and Paco Rodriguez. The struggling bullpen welcomes Rodriguez back to the team with open arms, and Olivo adds a change of pace after Federowicz’s lack of production at the plate and defensive mistakes have proven detrimental to the team. Olivo, who has been unstoppable in Triple-A Albuquerque, is not in today’s lineup but will likely be utilized in the doubleheader.
Scheduled to start in yesterday’s postponed game, Zack Greinke makes the start for the Dodgers today. The 30-year-old right-hander is riding a 16-game streak of pitching at least five innings and giving up no more than two runs per start. In Greinke’s last start, he pitched in the only win over the Dodgers four-game series against the Phillies giving up just two runs over seven innings while striking out 11. Thus far, Greinke is sporting a sub-1.00 WHIP and has proven to be the most consistent starter in the Dodgers rotation.
With Greinke spending seven seasons in the AL Central, the right-hander has started 18 games against the Twins. Joe Mauer is extremely familiar with the formal Royal as the two have faced off 47 times over the past nine years and is a career .340 against Greinke.
Kyle Gibson takes the mound for the Twins after his original Sunday start has been delayed until today. The 26-year-old right-hander is coming off his worst start of the season after giving up 10 hits and seven runs in just three innings against the Rays last week. Gibson has been solid in every start prior so far this season, and he looks to redeem himself against the Dodgers today.
With the two teams facing off in Minneapolis, the Dodgers will have the luxury of using a designated hitter who in today’s game will be Andre Ethier. Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford will man the outfield, although Crawford will bat in the ninth spot as Dee Gordon continues to cozy up in his spot as the leadoff man.
Dodgers Lineup
2B: Dee Gordon
RF: Yasiel Puig
SS: Hanley Ramirez
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
CF: Matt Kemp
DH: Andre Ethier
3B: Juan Uribe
C: Drew Butera
LF: Carl Crawford
P: Zack Greinke
Twins Lineup
2B: Brian Dozier
1B: Joe Mauer
3B: Trevor Plouffe
RF: Chris Colabello
LF: Jason Kubel
DH: Josmil Pinto
C: Kurt Suzuki
CF: Sam Fuld
SS: Eduardo Escobar
P: Kyle Gibson
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