Preview: Clayton Kershaw Looks To Get Dodgers Saturday Split

After lighting issues cut Friday’s game short, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals met earlier than anticipated Saturday afternoon to finish out the final nine innings. Adrian Gonzalez quickly tied the game with a solo home run, but Pedro Baez faltered in the eighth and the Nationals walked away with a win.

Clayton Kershaw now takes the mound for his 19th start of the season. The left-hander was initially slated to start the series opener out of the All-Star break, though the Dodgers reversed course and opted to provide their ace with an extra day of rest.

In his final start of the first half, Kershaw threw a gem against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out 13 and allowing just eight hits in a complete-game shutout. He enters the day leading the Majors in xFIP (2.06) and strikeouts (160).

Over his career Kershaw is 7-2 with a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 11 games (10 starts) against Washington; including 5-0 over the last three seasons.

The Nationals send Doug Fister to the mound for his fifth start since being activated from the 15-day disabled list. In his four previous starts, the right-hander carried a 3.70 ERA. He has allowed 10 runs since his return, nine of which came in two games.

Saturday is the second of the Dodgers’ 10-game road trip in which they will face all National League East opponents. The series in the nation’s capital concludes with a matinee affair Sunday, with the Dodgers then moving on to face the Atlanta Braves.

Major League Baseball allowed for both teams to call up a 26th man for the active roster in the second game Saturday. The Dodgers interestingly opted to go with Zach Lee, who would make his MLB debut with any appearance Saturday after being taken 28th overall by Los Angeles in the 2010 Draft. All but Yasmani Grandal are back in the Dodgers’ lineup for the second meeting.

Dodgers Lineup:

CF: Joc Pederson

2B: Howie Kendrick

3B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

LF: Andre Ethier

RF: Yasiel Puig

C: A.J. Ellis

SS: Jimmy Rollins

P: Clayton Kershaw

Nationals Lineup:

CF: Michael Taylor

2B: Danny Espinosa

RF: Bryce Harper

3B: Yunel Escobar

LF: Clint Robinson

SS: Ian Desmond

C: Jose Lobaton

1B: Tyler Moore

P: Doug Fister

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