Red-hot Yasiel Puig hitting 3rd for Dodgers in opener with Giants

Yasiel Puig is off to a sparkling start to his season, with two triples and a home run in tthe first three games. After going 6-for-10 against the Padres, Puig will bat third in the Dodgers' series opener against the Giants on Thursday afternoon.

That third spot opened up with Justin Turner getting a planned day off in the day game following a night game. Kiké Hernandez gets the start at third base against Jake Peavy, batting seventh.

A sign of Puig being locked in are his two triples so far, and he comes to a park in San Francisco where he has four career triples in just 18 games. Of course, a record three of those were hit in one game in 2014.

The other planned off day for LA on Thursday is Carl Crawford in left field, with Scott Van Slyke getting the call against a right-hander, batting fifth. It is Van Slyke's 42nd start against a righty since the beginning of 2013, compared to 97 starts against southpaws during that span.

Austin Barnes gets the start at catcher, as planned and mentioned by Dave Roberts two days ago.

Peavy starts for the Giants, who will bat their pitcher eighth for a fourth time in four games this season.