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LOS ANGELES — Joc Pederson gets the start in left field for the Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series against Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander, his first postseason start in left field.
Pederson started Game 4 of the NLCS, but in center field, where he made his previous 14 starts. He started twice in left field in September.
World Series Game 2 lineups
| Pos | Astros | Pos | Dodgers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Astros | Pos | Dodgers |
| CF | Springer | CF | Taylor |
| 3B | Bregman | SS | Seager (L) |
| 2B | Altuve | 3B | Turner |
| SS | Correa | 1B | Bellinger (L) |
| 1B | Gurriel | RF | Puig |
| C | McCann (L) | LF | Pederson (L) |
| LF | Gonzalez | C | Barnes |
| RF | Reddick (L) | 2B | Utley (L) |
| P | Verlander | P | Hill (L) |
With Curtis Granderson left off the World Series roster, the Dodgers’ choices in left field against right-handed pitchers essentially boil down to Pederson or Andre Ethier, who started twice in the NLCS.
“I think that [Verlander] is obviously plus, plus velocity. I like Joc a little bit better with the velocity,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And I think Joc is a better defender in left field, too.”
Verlander allowed two hits and just one run to the Dodgers on Aug. 20 in Detroit, and one of the hits was a home run by Granderson.
Austin Barnes had the other hit in that game, and he starts at catcher, his eighth start in 10 games this postseason, including three starts against a right-handed pitcher. Barnes this postseason is 7-for-26 with a home run, a double, and four walks, hitting .269/.367/.423.
Chase Utley gets a start at second base, looking to snap an 0-for-24 skid in the postseason, dating back to Game 5 of the 2016 NLDS. This year in the postseason, Utley is 0-for-9 with two walks and a hit by pitch.
The Astros are keeping the same lineup from Game 1.