The Los Angeles Dodgers conclude their brief five-game homestand on Wednesday as they wrap up a two-game Interleague series against the Chicago White Sox. There’s plenty surrounding the game, as Yu Darvish makes his home debut on his 31st birthday, and it’s Lakers Night at Dodger Stadium.
“I tried to downplay it a little bit to Yu,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the game. “I know he’s excited about it. The radar gun is going to be lighting up. For him, his teammates and coaches, we’re excited for him to make his Dodger debut at home.”
Darvish’s only other time pitching at Chavez Ravine came for Team Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He’s 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in two road starts for the Dodgers.
Darvish struck out 10 batters in each of his first two starts with Los Angeles, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher since Karl Spooner in 1954 (15, 12) to accomplish as much. Though he’s been prolific in his two outings, shaky first innings have been a minor issue.
In three starts against the White Sox, Darvish is 1-1 with a 5.12 ERA and 1.55 WHIP. He last faced them in 2013.
Carlos Rodon starts opposite Darvish, with the White Sox looking to avoid being swept in the four-game season series. The 24-year-old is coming off of a brilliant outing, although he didn’t factor into the decision against the Houston Astros.
In eight innings pitched, Rodon gave up just two runs on nine hits, while striking out four batters. Rodon has thrown 22.1 innings over his last three starts, all quality starts, yet didn’t earn a decision in any of the games.
Rodon faced the Dodgers earlier this season at Guaranteed Rate Field in what was a forgettable outing. He allowed five runs on seven hits in just 3.2 innings and suffered the loss.
The southpaw spent the beginning of the season on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis and didn’t return until the end of June. In eight starts this year he’s 1-4 with a 4.24 ERA, 103 ERA+ and 1.41 WHIP.
Kiké Hernandez is 2-for-2 with two solo home runs against Rodon, while Corey Seager and Chris Taylor are both 2-for-3, each with a home run. Rob Segedin, who was reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on Tuesday, makes the start at first base.
That means Cody Bellinger’s string of consecutive starts is snapped at 31. Bellinger has appeared in all 98 games since making his MLB debut April 25.
Dodgers lineup:
CF: Chris Taylor
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
LF: Kiké Hernandez
2B: Logan Forsythe
C: Austin Barnes
RF: Yasiel Puig
1B: Rob Segedin
P: Yu Darvish
White Sox lineup:
CF: Leury Garcia
3B: Yolmer Sánchez
1B: Jose Abreu
LF: Nicky Delmonico
RF: Avisail Garcia
2B: Yoan Moncada
C: Omar Narvaez
SS: Tim Anderson
P: Carlos Rodon
