Dozier hits leadoff, Kemp slots in at DH for Dodgers in Game 1

The Dodgers will start Game 1 with an all right-handed lineup against Chris Sale. Leading the way will be Brian Dozier, who will be hitting leadoff and playing second base.

Dozier is in the lineup because of his experience against Sale. In 50 plate appearance against the lefty, Dozier is 12-for-47 with three home runs.

“I think over the last few weeks he’s swung the bat considerably better,” manager Dave Roberts told media prior to Game 1. “Albeit he hasn’t had a ton of live at-bats but his work has been consistent and has been good. The history with Sale and just having history in this ballpark. So I think that for him to get him involved quickly and hit him at the top of the order and get a couple two, three cracks at Sale is a good thing for us.”

The Dodgers used a total of six different leadoff hitters during the regular season. Dozier makes five this October.

Matt Kemp gets first ups at designated hitter, starting for the fourth time this postseason. The 34-year-old is 21-for-74 with six homers in 83 career plate appearances at DH.

It will be interesting to see if Roberts goes to his bench in the same manner as he did in previous rounds with hockey-like line changes. The Dodgers may be less aggressive on lineup switches than in the NLCS, but that remains to be seen.

Manny Machado is sure to receive a few jeers from the crowds at Fenway when he steps into the batter’s box Tuesday night. In 49 previous games at Fenway Park, Machado hit .278/.315/.468 with 23 extra-base hits, including eight home runs.

Also, this note on Cody Bellinger not starting Game 1 after he was named MVP of the NLCS.

Roster notes

Roberts explained Scott Alexander coming back into the fold as a difference in workloads. The Dodgers feel Caleb Ferguson couldn’t work on back-to-back days and Alexander was capable of doing so.