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Dodgers Vs. Athletics Game Preview: Kevin Kiermaier Makes Team Debut

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jul 3, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center field Kevin Kiermaier (39) during batting practice prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Gerry Angus-USA TODAY Sports

Mired in a 2-5 stretch since having their five-game winning streak spanned, the Los Angeles Dodgers look to get back on track in the series opener against the Oakland Athletics.

Kevin Kiermaier is starting in center field and batting eighth for his Dodgers debut. Hunter Feduccia was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City as the corresponding move to Kiermaier being added to the active roster.

Amed Rosario is also with the team is Oakland but not yet in the lineup.

Gavin Stone takes the mound Friday night as he too is aiming to turn things around a bit. The right-hander was impressive through June but experienced some regression in July.

Stone went 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA and 6.17 FIP while allowing opponents to bat .369/.400/.643 in four starts last month. However, one of those outings saw him hold the Boston Red Sox to just one run despite giving up six hits and issuing a walk over five-plus innings pitched.

Stone otherwise allowed four runs in each of his other three July starts.

The A’s counter with fellow rookie Joey Estes, who enters 4-4 with a 4.92 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 14 games (13 starts) this season.

Estes made 13 consecutive starts this year before pitching out of the bullpen against the Los Angeles Angels on July 26. He threw 2.2 scoreless innings in that relief appearance, the first of his career.

The weekend matchup is the Dodgers’ final visit to the Oakland Coliseum before the A’s move to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, where they will play their home games from 2025-2027 in advance of then relocating to Las Vegas.

Dodgers lineup

DH: Shohei Ohtani
C: Will Smith
2B: Gavin Lux
LF: Teoscar Hernández
RF: Jason Heyward
1B: Cavan Biggio
3B: Kiké Hernández
CF: Kevin Kiermaier
SS: Nick Ahmed

A’s lineup

RF: Lawrence Butler
LF: Miguel Andujar
CF: JJ Bleday
DH: Brent Rooker
C: Shea Langeliers
3B: Abraham Toro
1B: Seth Brown
2B: Zack Gelof
SS: Max Schuemann

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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