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Joc Pederson starts in LF, Austin Barnes at C for Dodgers in World Series Game 2

MLB: World Series-Houston Astros at Los Angeles Dodgers Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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)
Time: 5:09 p.m. PT TV: Fox

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.