Preview: Carlos Frias Looks For Better Day Results, Series Split

The Los Angeles Dodgers came away victorious in Wednesday’s match against the Chicago Cubs, snapping their two-game losing streak. They rode the power bats of Adrian Gonzalez and Justin Turner, who each hit home runs for a team that’s sorely lacked offensive production.

The Dodgers now attempt to come away with a split in the series on getaway day and will need to do so somewhat shorthanded. Yasiel Puig was scratched from the lineup for the second consecutive game due to a callus issue on the palm of his left hand.

As a result, Alex Guerrero, originally slated to start at third base on Thursday, is instead in left field. Scott Van Slyke, who threw out Chris Denorfia at second base to end Wednesday’s game, replaces Puig in right field. Justin Turner starts at first base and Alberto Callaspo is at third.

Looking to keep the Cubs in check from the mound is Carlos Frias. On the season, the right-hander is 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA in 12 appearances. Frias has been in a bit of a tough stretch lately as he’s failed to come away with a win in his last four starts.

Additionally, he’s allowed three or more earned runs in three of those games and has a 10.00 ERA in daytime starts over his young career. Frias is coming off a start in which he allowed six runs on five hits in 5.1 innings against the San Francisco Giants.

Frias also has not faired well against the Cubs in his short time in the Majors. In two relief appearances at Wrigley Field, he was roughened up. In a combined 3.1 innings pitched, Frias has allowed three runs on three hits, walked two, and holds an 8.10 ERA.

Opposing Frias on the mound is the coveted offseason acquisition for the Cubs, Jon Lester. After signing a six-year, $155 million contract, the ace of the staff hasn’t showed the phenomenal numbers we are used to seeing from the 2014 World Series champion.

In 14 starts this season, the southpaw is 4-5 with a 3.80 ERA. Lester hasn’t earned a victory in his last six starts and faces the Dodgers for just the second time in his career. In the first start, in 2013 when Lester was with the Boston Red Sox, he tossed 7.1 innings and held the Dodgers to one run on three hits in a Red Sox win.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Kiké Hernandez

SS: Jimmy Rollins

1B: Justin Turner

RF: Scott Van Slyke

2B: Howie Kendrick

LF: Alex Guerrero

3B: Alberto Callaspo

C: A.J. Ellis

P: Carlos Frias

Cubs Lineup:

CF: Chris Denorfia

1B: Anthony Rizzo

3B: Kris Bryant

LF: Chris Coghlan

SS: Addison Russell

RF: Mike Baxter

C: David Ross

P: Jon Lester

2B: Jonathan Herrera

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