Preview: Clayton Kershaw Makes Final Start In First Half Of Season
After Tuesday’s 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw to get them back into the win column. The Dodgers’ homestand thus far has produced subpar results against the New York Mets and Phillies. Los Angeles is just 2-3 through the first five of a 10-game homestand.
Making his 18th start of the season is Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw. On the season the southpaw is 5-6, with a 3.08 ERA, 2.54 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. Kershaw enters the start leading the National League 147 strikeouts, which also ranks second overall. While he’s resembled the dominant form from last season, the Dodgers are winless in his las four outings.
Kershaw has not fared particularly well over his career against the Phillies. In 10 starts he’s 2-4 with a 3.34 ERA, though he’s been markedly better in the two most recent starts. In those games — one in 2013 and the other in 2014 — Kershaw is 2-0 with 14 combined scoreless innings pitched, allowing just five hits and walking four to go with 17 strikeouts.
Taking the hill for the Phillies in just his third career start is Adam Morgan, the first-year pitcher from Florida. In his brief career Morgan is 1-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. With a left-hander on the mound, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly has adjusted his lineup accordingly.
Yasiel Puig bats leadoff and he’s followed by two right-handed hitters in Howie Kendrick and Justin Turner. Scott Van Slyke gets the nod in left field, though Joc Pederson remains the starter in center field and bats sixth.
The Dodgers bullpen added fresh arms Wednesday as the club selected Chin-hui Tsao’s contract and recalled Josh Ravin from Triple-A Oklahoma City. In order to get the two right-handers on the roster, Eric Surkamp was designated for assignment, and Yimi Garcia and Ian Thomas were optioned to OKC.
Dodgers Lineup:
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Howie Kendrick
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
LF: Scott Van Slyke
CF: Joc Pederson
SS: Jimmy Rollins
C: A.J. Ellis
P: Clayton Kershaw
Phillies Lineup:
2B: Cesar Hernandez
CF: Odubel Herrera
3B: Maikel Franco
1B: Darin Ruf
LF: Jeff Francoeur
C: Carlos Ruiz
SS: Freddy Galvin
RF: Dominic Brown
P: Adam Morgan
[divide]Yasmani Grandal On Facing A Struggling Phillies Team
