Dodgers to Employ Slightly Different Lineup Strategy in Game 2 of NLDS

Published on by Dennis Schlossman
coachingstaff
(Mandatory Credit: Joe Comporeale/USA TODAY Sports)

One night after the Dodgers‘ offense came to life and produced nine runs against a seemingly battered Diamondbacks squad, the management crew of the Dodgers have made a few changes to the batting order, mainly because of the presence of Arizona’s lefty starter Robbie Ray.

Over the course of the regular season, Ray posted a 15-5 record with a 2.89 ERA and 218 strikeouts over an even 162 innings of work, and will certainly be mentioned when the NL Cy Young votes are tallied at the conclusion of the 2017 World Series. He was even better against the Dodgers this year, recording a 3-0 mark with a 2.27 ERA and 53 punchouts in 31-2/3 innings pitched.

The changes for the Dodgers will consist of Austin Barnes replacing Yasmani Grandal behind the dish, as well as utility man Enrique Hernandez taking over for Curtis Granderson in left field. Hernandez slashed .215/.308/.421 in 342 plate appearances on the year, but hit .270/.367/.579 against opposing southpaws. Barnes hit .289/.408/.486 this season, and posted a slash line of .257/.372/.514 with six home runs against lefties. In addition, right fielder Yasiel Puig moves to the No. 8 hole.

In Game 1, Grandal and Granderson went a combined 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.

With veteran lefty Rich Hill getting the start for Los Angeles, the Diamondbacks will make several changes of their own, most notably using Daniel Descalso at the keystone, Chris Iannetta behind the plate, and Jake Lamb at third base.

During the 2017 regular season, Hill was 0-3 with a 5.03 ERA over four starts and 19-2/3 innings against Arizona. He has gone 1-5 with a 4.78 ERA in nine career starts
against the Diamondbacks.

Dodgers lineup:

  1. Taylor CF
  2. Seager SS
  3. Turner 3B
  4. Bellinger 1B
  5. Hernandez LF
  6. Forsythe 2B
  7. Barnes C
  8. Puig RF
  9. Hill P

Diamondbacks lineup:

  1. Peralta LF
  2. Pollock CF
  3. Goldschmidt 1B
  4. Martinez RF
  5. Descalso 2B
  6. Iannetta C
  7. Lamb 3B
  8. Marte SS
  9. Ray P

Saturday evening’s Game 2 at Dodger Stadium is slated for a 6:08 p.m. Los Angeles time first pitch.

After a flight to Phoenix tomorrow evening, Game 3 is set for Monday night in Arizona, with the first pitch coming at either 7:08 PT or 6:08 PT, depending on the ALDS outcomes.

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