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Spring Training Preview: Dodgers Return From Final Off Day To Face White Sox

Matthew Moreno
2 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers return from their final off day of 2019 Spring Training for a second matchup this year with their Camelback Ranch co-tenant, Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers defeated the White Sox in their Cactus League opener, and this time are the designated home team.

As the club continues to maintain Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler will both be available come Opening Day of the 2019 season, Ross Stripling appears poised for another role as a swingman out of the bullpen.

But for the time being, Stripling takes the mound Wednesday night for his third start of the spring. Stripling was identified as the pitcher who would step into the rotation if a need is created, which explains the Dodgers moving ahead with stretching him out like a starter.

Stripling went three innings in his previous outing, during which he focused on building his pitch count. He’s allowed a combined two runs on six hits and recorded five strikeouts across five innings pitched thus far.

The White Sox counter with Manny Bañuelos, who is making his fourth start of the spring. Bañuelos has allowed at least one run in each of his outings, and is coming off a start in which he went three innings against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

The southpaw spent last season with the Dodgers organization. He was traded to the White Sox over the winter in exchange for Minor League infielder Justin Yurchak.

Bañuelos faces a Dodgers lineup that includes several regulars, with A.J. Pollock again batting leadoff.

Dodgers lineup:

CF: A.J. Pollock
2B: Kiké Hernandez
1B: David Freese
3B: Max Muncy
SS: Chris Taylor
RF: Cody Bellinger
C: Russell Martin
DH: Austin Barnes
LF: Joc Pederson

White Sox lineup:

RF: Jon Jay
3B: Leury Garcia
1B: Jose Abreu
DH: Yonder Alonso
C: James McCann
LF: Daniel Palka
SS: Tim Anderson
2B: Jose Rondon
CF: Adam Engel

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com