PHOENIX — Austin Barnes gets the start at catcher for the Dodgers against Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke in Game 3 of the NLDS on Monday night at Chase Field.
“I think with Austin it’s just more that I’ve liked the at-bat quality,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Just to be able to get a hit, spoil pitches, and with Zack who obviously is a tactician on the mound.”
Game 3 lineups
Pos | Diamondbacks | Pos | Dodgers |
---|---|---|---|
Pos | Diamondbacks | Pos | Dodgers |
LF | Peralta (L) | CF | Taylor |
SS | Marte (S) | SS | Seager (L) |
1B | Goldschmidt | 3B | Turner |
RF | Martinez | 1B | Bellinger (L) |
3B | Lamb (L) | RF | Puig |
CF | Pollock | C | Barnes |
2B | Descalso (L) | LF | Granderson (L) |
C | Mathis | 2B | Utley (L) |
P | Greinke | P | Darvish (S) |
Barnes has never faced Greinke in his career. Yasmani Grandal is 7-for-28 (.250) with two home runs, a double and a walk against Greinke, including 5-for-12 (.417) with a home run this season.
Barnes, who hit .289/.408/.486 in 262 plate appearances this season, is 3-for-4 in. double and a walk so far in this series. He got the start in Game 2 against left-hander Robbie Ray.
Barnes earned more playing time down the stretch, and started nine of the final 22 games behind the plate, including six starts against right-handers. Barnes hit .321/.444/.459 against righties this season.
“I think that Austin has a great way of being selective, grinding at-bats, and also just the comfort level of he and Yu [Darvish],” Roberts said. “I feel comfortable with both of our catchers in that battery.”
Corey Seager is 6-for-11 (.545) with two home runs, a double and five walks against Zack Greinke, for a cool .688 on-base percentage and 1.182 slugging percentage. That includes 1-for-3 with three walks this season.