The Los Angeles Dodgers play their first split-squad games of 2016 Spring Training on Saturday, as they host the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and send a travel team to Peoria Stadium to face the Seattle Mariners.
On Friday, the Dodgers battled back from an early deficit against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but eventually fell as their crosstown rival rallied against Julio Urias in the eighth inning.
With the starting rotation not panning out as expected, the stage has been set for pitchers to state their claim as they audition to fill Brett Anderson’s void. Though, there’s now some uncertainty as Alex Wood was scratched due to left forearm tightness.
Brandon Beachy, who was originally slated to face the Mariners, now starts in Wood’s place against the Cubs. The Dodgers called on Carlos Frias in their game with Seattle.
Beachy has one relief appearance under his belt this spring, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing one hit and issuing one walk. The Indiana native re-signed with the Dodgers in the offseason and figured to be in line for more starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Beachy was 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 10 outings (nine starts) with the OKC Dodgers. He also made two starts for the Dodgers, though struggled and allowed a combined seven runs on 10 hits, walked six and had five strikeouts over eight innings pitched.
Taking the hill for the Cubs is Trevor Cahill. He was signed to Minor League contract last August and re-signed in December. Cahill recorded three strikeouts and gave up two hits in his first and only other start up to now, this spring.
In his career against the Dodgers, Cahill is 6-4, with a 3.86 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. With Andre Ethier slated for action against the Mariners, Carl Crawford starts in left field and bats leadoff.
Adrian Gonzalez gets a defensive day off and is in the lineup as the designated hitter, which moves Cody Bellinger into a starting role at first base.
Chase Utley receives the start at third base, while Charlie Culberson is at shortstop. An MRI revealed a sprained left knee for Corey Seager, who is expected to miss one to two weeks.
Los Angeles beat Chicago, 7-3, at Sloan Park on March 8 in a game Clayton Kershaw started.
Dodgers Lineup:
LF: Carl Crawford
CF: Joc Pederson
RF: Yasiel Puig
DH: Adrian Gonzalez
3B: Chase Utley
C: Austin Barnes
1B: Cody Bellinger
SS: Charlie Culberson
2B: Micah Johnson
Cubs Lineup:
2B: Ben Zobrist
SS: Addison Russell
3B: Kris Bryant
DH: Miguel Montero
LF: Jorge Soler
1B: Javier Baez
C: Willson Contreras
CF: Albert Almora
RF: Juan Carlos Perez
