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LOS ANGELES -- After playing 27 of their last 34 games inside the National League West, including each of the last 10 games against divisional foes, the Dodgers branch out with a game against an old divisional opponent in the Braves.
Justin Turner is back at third base on Monday, his fourth start at the hot corner in the last five games. Turner has missed only three games in May, and with Monday will have started 14 times in 23 games this month.
Manager Don Mattingly in the past has been wary about playing Turner every day, but noted the balance between finding playing time for Turner while also providing adequate rest.
"It's just what happens to him. Medically he's got some knee stuff going on. That's just the way it is ," Mattingly explained. "We kind of look at it like three [games on] and one [game off], then two and one. Trying to basically not let him not go too far without a day off."
Turner in 2014 had 322 plate appearances in 109 games, both the second-highest totals of his career, behind only the 117 games and 487 plate appearances in 2011 with the Mets.
Juan Uribe has only played six of the last 14 games, and including tonight has started just three times in 15 games. For now he is behind Turner and Alex Guerrero on the depth chart, but Mattingly noted that could change in a hurry.
"It's tough with Alex and Justin right now. We're trying to throw the best lineup out there," Mattingly said. "I do think if this continues on, there's going to be a point when Juan's going to be a valuable part. We don't know when, but right now those two guys have been swinging the bat very well and have been solid for us."
A.J. Ellis is back behind the plate.
There are only two Braves with more than three career plate appearances against Brett Anderson. Third baseman Alberto Callaspo is 4-for-11 (.364) with a double and a walk against him, and catcher A.J. Pierzynski is 3-for-8 (.375) with a walk.
Nick Markakis is also 2-for-3 with an RBI against Anderson, but they faced each other way back in 2010.
In other news, the Dodgers' rally banana has official backing now, with Chiquita responding to Kiké Hernandez and his efforts.
Good luck tonight, not that you'll need it if you have your #rallybanana @kikehndez! https://t.co/A4qInlB7St
— Chiquita (@Chiquita) May 25, 2015