Chase Utley gets rare start vs. left-hander in opener with Giants

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers as expected have stacked their lineup with mostly right-handed batters against left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner of the Giants. But what is notable are the three regular lefties that remain in the lineup.

Corey Seager and Adrian Gonzalez were pretty much a given for a big series such as this, starting at shortstop and first base, respectively. That’s not so much of a surprise.

But Chase Utley starting at second base is, making just his fifth start in 40 games against left-handed pitchers this season.

Utley is hitting .173/.212/.296 against southpaws in 2016.

Seager has been one of the Dodgers’ best hitters against left-handed pitching in 2016 hitting .249/.309/.421 with a 98 wRC+, but he is also 2 for his last 32 (.063) with three walks and a double against southpaws, dating back to Aug. 26.

Seager is 2-for-2 with a double and a walk this season against Bumgarner.

Gonzalez is 4-for-8 with three RBI this season against Bumgarner, for more small sample size fun.