Dodgers notes: Carl Crawford, Kiké Hernandez, Kenta Maeda, home opener

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers play the middle game of the Freeway Series against the Angels, their last game at Dodger Stadium for a week and a half.

The Dodgers will be back for their home opener on Tuesday, April 12, as it turns out the last team in MLB to have its home opener, as pointed out by Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider.

Hector Santiago starts for the Angels, and using Dave Roberts' note from Thursday — "When there is a left-hander going, Kiké will be in the lineup." — Kiké Hernandez starts again for the Dodgers and bats leadoff, on Friday at second base.

Even with the left-hander in there, Carl Crawford starts in left field, batting an uncharacteristic fifth on Friday. Roberts talked about Crawford's role on the team on Thursday, which will involve a lot of time against right-handed pitchers.

"I think he's mindful of where he's at. He understands his role on the team, and knows he's not going to play 140 games for us. It's my job to monitor his health," Roberts said. "He's told me numerous times he'll do whatever I ask of him, and that's always good to hear from a veteran player.

"When he plays and he's healthy, he performs. He's always been like that. We have to be mindful to keep him fresh."

Kenta Maeda starts for the Dodgers in his final tuneup, expected to last four innings and 60 pitches on Friday night. He lines up to start both the third game of the season in San Diego, on April 6, then the aforementioned home opener, which makes tonight a tuneup in more ways than one.