The Los Angeles Dodgers host the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch on Friday in a game that’s in the spotlight for a reason beyond storied rivals squaring off. In what’s the first of four this spring, Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully is on the call.
Scully arrived at the Dodgers’ Spring Training facility on Friday afternoon to speak with members of the media ahead of his 2016 debut. Scully is entering his 67th and final season in the Dodgers’ broadcast booth.
He finds himself at the center of negotiations as a bargaining chip of sorts in effort to get agreements in place that will lead to wider distribution of SportsNet LA.
As for what Scully will so eloquently be calling, Carlos Frias gets the start in his first audition for the Dodgers’ fifth starter job. The opportunity was created by Mike Bolsinger suffering a strained oblique that’s expected to keep him out until at least Opening Day.
In five spring games this year, Frias has given up four earned runs 10.2 innings. He has allowed eight his and walked one while striking out seven.
His longest appearance thus far was three innings pitched in the game he started. Last season, Frias started 13 of 17 games with the Dodgers. He was 5-5 with a 4.06 ERA, 4.32 FIP and 1.47 WHIP.
The right-hander is 1-2 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 17.2 innings pitched over five career regular-season games (two starts) against San Francisco. The Giants counter by sending Clayton Blackburn to the mound for a second consecutive start.
Blackburn’s first three appearances this spring were all in relief, including one against the Dodgers. In that game he allowed two runs on three hits and had two strikeouts across three innings pitched.
Overall this spring, Blackburn is 0-1 with a 4.38 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 12.1 innings. He faces a Dodgers lineup that’s still without Yasmani Grandal (forearm soreness) and Howie Kendrick (left calf strain). Grandal may not be ready in time for Opening Day, while Kendrick’s injury is considered day-to-day.
Frias will face plenty of players who are expected to be part of the Giants’ everyday lineup come the regular season. Of note, Cuban prospect Yaisel Sierra is listed among the Dodgers’ available relievers.
The Dodgers defeated the Giants, 5-2, at Scottsdale Stadium on March 6 in a game Zach Lee started.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Carl Crawford
RF: Yasiel Puig
2B: Chase Utley
1B: Adrian Gonzalez
C: Austin Barnes
CF: Joc Pederson
3B: Rob Segedin
SS: Charlie Culberson
P: Carlos Frias
Giants lineup:
CF: Gregor Blanco
RF: Hunter Pence
C: Buster Posey
SS: Brandon Crawford
LF: Mac Williamson
3B: Kelby Tomlinson
1B: Grant Green
2B: Ramiro Pena
P: Clayton Blackburn
