Rested Hyun-jin Ryu starts middle game vs. Cubs

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers look to rebound from Friday's loss to the Cubs by sending Hyun-jin Ryu to the mound on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. A well-rested Ryu.

By slotting former major league starter Dan Haren on Friday night against Chicago, the Dodgers gave Ryu an extra day of rest before his start on Saturday. In his career with five or longer days rest, Ryu is 16-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts, with 122 strikeouts and 36 walks in 152⅔ innings.

Ryu has pitched once against the Cubs in his career, and it was exactly one year ago today. He tied a career-high by allowing 11 hits last Aug. 2 at Wrigley Field, but also allowed just two runs in 5⅓ innings in a win, with six strikeouts and no walks.

The Dodgers' lineup is in a bit of disarray, with Adrian Gonzalez (right knee contusion), Yasiel Puig (left hamstring tightness) and A.J. Ellis (sore right knee) all sitting.

But before Andre Ethier could get excited for a potential first start since July 22, any such plans were thwarted with left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada on the mound for the Cubs. Fellow left-handed batter Carl Crawford remains in the lineup in left field, making this a ninth consecutive game Ethier didn't start.

Ethier has three plate appearances and three innings in the field since his last start.

Scott Van Slyke gets his customary start against a southpaw, and starts in center. Justin Turner gets the start at first base for Gonzalez, his first game this year at the position.

Turner played 15 games at first base for the Mets in 2013, including nine starts.

Game info

Time: 6:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA