True Blue LA - March 18: Padres 2, Dodgers (ss) 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-03-18T16:26:01-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/169007932018-03-18T16:26:01-07:002018-03-18T16:26:01-07:00Kershaw ‘efficient’ on the mound, rips a double at the plate
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<p id="P32kbC">PHOENIX — <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> struck out eight in his five scoreless innings in his best start to date this spring, then punctuated it with an RBI double in the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>’ 2-1 loss to the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> on Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.</p>
<p id="6z45rR">Kershaw’s day appeared done after his 70 pitches and five scoreless innings, which including those eight strikeouts, five ground balls and two pop ups. </p>
<p id="wMkqem">“He put it together today. The swing-and-miss slider was good, the fastball command was really good”, manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said. “He didn’t have the feel for the breaking ball but he still pitched really well. It was a very efficient five innings.”</p>
<p id="BvkFQa">Kershaw stayed in to bat for himself in the bottom of the fifth inning, and laced a double into the right center field gap to score <span>Kike Hernandez</span> with the game’s first run.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bring him home, <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonKersh22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClaytonKersh22</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DodgersST?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DodgersST</a> <a href="https://t.co/pXD8MFVNSL">pic.twitter.com/pXD8MFVNSL</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/975488441973596160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a>
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<p id="P6jVW4">It was Kershaw’s second at-bat of the day and just his third this spring as he gets ready for the regular season.</p>
<p id="GAe7A2">“The mentality as a starting pitcher is you just pinch-hit once every five days. So for me, it’s just try to be a competitive at-bat,” Kershaw said. “You’re not looking for results really.”</p>
<p id="UK2BsA">Kershaw’s was the second hit by a Dodgers pitcher this spring, joining <span>Ross Stripling</span>, who singled on Mar. 14.</p>
<p id="XLx3jY">So far on the mound this spring Kershaw remains scoreless through 14⅔ innings with 19 strikeouts and four walks. He walked none on Sunday.</p>
<p id="B4EIv0">“A 0.00 ERA means very little in spring training but I guess it is results-based,” Kershaw said. “If they don’t score runs, I must be doing something right.”</p>
<p id="VioKd4">Kershaw will make one more start this spring, on Friday against the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> in Surprise on regular rest. That start, on regular rest is expected to last six innings or 90 pitches, and will give Kershaw an extra day of rest before his opening day start on March 29 against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="AjpL5O">Dead central</h3>
<p id="CcrW61">In Maryvale, the rest of the Dodgers’ split squad lost to the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> 7-3. Edwin Rios got the start at first base and for the second time this week hit a home run over the batters’ eye in center field.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Meanwhile in Maryvale... Edwin Ríos sent one over the batter's eye AGAIN. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DodgersST?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DodgersST</a> <a href="https://t.co/0Xi2W6ICJT">pic.twitter.com/0Xi2W6ICJT</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/975477947715936256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2018</a>
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<aside id="IwSd8c"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Dodgers 2018 top prospects: No. 13, Edwin Rios","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/10/17103396/edwin-rios-2018-dodgers-prospects"}]}'></div></aside><h3 id="KBiLVs">Up next</h3>
<p id="LEurEk">The Dodgers have a night game on Monday, hosting the A’s at 7:05 p.m. PT. <span>Alex Wood</span> gets the start for the Dodgers, with <span>Kendall Graveman</span> on the mound for Oakland. Monday’s game will be televised by SportsNet LA and broadcast on 570 AM radio.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/18/17136628/clayton-kershaw-strikeouts-rbi-double-dodgersEric Stephen2018-03-18T11:53:56-07:002018-03-18T11:53:56-07:00Turner raises money for charity at LA Marathon
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<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="Osgdtu">PHOENIX — As the marathon that is spring training draws to a close, <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> third baseman <span>Justin Turner</span> spent his off day Sunday back in Los Angeles for a good cause.</p>
<p id="WFnWcn">Turner on Sunday morning was an honorary race starter for the LA Marathon, which began <a href="https://www.lamarathon.com/event-info/the-course/course-map">its 26.2-mile course at Dodger Stadium</a>. The Justin Turner Foundation is an official charity of the LA Marathon this year <a href="https://www.classy.org/campaign/los-angeles-marathon-team-justin-turner-foundation/c147563">and raised over $35,000</a> “to help individuals and families in need.”</p>
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<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgePEiclmIf/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div>
</div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgePEiclmIf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Big huzzah to @dodgers @redturn2 who’s out around the @lamarathon course high fiving and takin selfies with runners.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/realmattmoneysmith/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Matt $$ Smith</a> (@realmattmoneysmith) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2018-03-18T17:09:46+00:00">Mar 18, 2018 at 10:09am PDT</time></p>
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<p id="ttgXyM">“I think it’s great. He’s obviously done a lot in this city,” manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said. “We have two days over six weeks and I’ve tried to give certain guys a couple extra days to be away just for kind of their own days. Justin wants to take his personal day to do stuff for the community and I think that’s fantastic.”</p>
<p id="eFD4Kp">Turner is 12-for-36 (.333) with two home runs, two doubles and three walks this spring.</p>
<p id="0OAzc5">With Turner away from camp, the Dodgers have <span>Kyle Farmer</span> starting at third base against the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at Camelback Ranch on Sunday, and in the other split squad contest have <span>Jake Peter</span> at third base against the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> in Maryvale.</p>
<h3 id="qr34tB">Notes</h3>
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<li id="dfavm4">Sunday’s home game against San Diego is the last game this spring for the Dodgers against a division opponent. Their remaining five games in Arizona are against the A’s (twice), <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>, <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a> and <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, followed by three Freeway Series games against the Angeles in Anaheim and Los Angeles.</li>
<li id="oImbmt">Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt, who has been home dealing with a personal matter for about a week, is expected to return to Dodgers camp on Monday.</li>
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<h3 id="L9MHo3">Lineups</h3>
<p id="c9PKzn"><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> starts against the Padres, with <span>Tyson Ross</span> starting for San Diego at Camelback Ranch. Joe Davis and <span>Nomar Garciaparra</span> will call the game for SportsNet LA, and 570 AM will broadcast the game on radio.</p>
<p id="WmgTa0"><span>Manny Banuelos</span> starts against the Brewers in Maryvale, against Chase Anderson. That game is televised by Fox Sports Milwaukee for those with MLBtv, and the Brewers’ radio broadcast is available through MLB Gameday audio.</p>
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<h3 id="wh1qFn">Games info</h3>
<p id="XwMlpx">Dodgers vs. Padres, Dodgers at Brewers</p>
<p id="4h4ezV">Time: 1:05 p.m. PT for both</p>
<p id="2XiY5s">Location: Camelback Ranch vs. Padres; at Brewers in Maryvale</p>
<p id="xN3kzk">TV vs. SD: SportsNet LA<br>TV at Mil: Fox Sports Wisconsin</p>
<p id="PbmqBs">Radio vs. SD: KLAC 570<br>Radio at Mil: Brewers broadcast (available through MLBtv)</p>
<p id="yctK9z">Streaming: <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/subscriptions/spring_training_schedule2018.jsp">MLBtv</a> </p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/18/17136466/justin-turner-los-angeles-marathon-charity-dodgers-lineups-split-squadEric Stephen2018-03-18T10:22:33-07:002018-03-18T10:22:33-07:00Dodgers opening day starting rotation pretty much set
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9BJ3KAl6hOkTgwPYoDzdCieoDDM=/0x0:4440x2960/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59072141/usa_today_10678120.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="8XazcL">PHOENIX — <span>Kenta Maeda</span> will start for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> on Tuesday against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics</a> in Mesa, which pretty much locks in the club’s rotation order for the start of the season.</p>
<p id="kIbzS8">After a <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> starts opening day against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, he will be followed by <span>Alex Wood</span>, Maeda, <span>Rich Hill</span> and Hyun-jin Ryu in that order. </p>
<p id="TPMXYz">“We’re set right now as we see it,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We have one off day but that’s kind of what we’re thinking.”</p>
<p id="PM7H6q">Both Maeda and Hill pitched last Thursday, with Maeda throwing in a minor league game. An off day on Wednesday this week pushes Hill to Thursday against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>. Maeda threw a bullpen session on Saturday in preparation for his start, and Hill threw his on Sunday.</p>
<p id="0M4Srv">Maeda is the lone right-hander in the group. But among 89 qualified pitchers in 2017 three Dodgers left-handed starters <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2017&month=14&season1=2017&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,a">ranked in the top 13 in wOBA allowed against right-handed batters</a> — Kershaw (.245) fourth, Hill (.253) fifth and Wood (.267) 13th. Ryu (.312) was 49th.</p>
<div class="c-float-left"><aside id="KxSqqw"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Clayton Kershaw scheduled to start opening day for a Dodgers-record 8th time","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/2/13/17000650/clayton-kershaw-opening-day-starts-dodgers-mlb-history"},{"title":"Do the Dodgers have enough starting pitching depth?","url":"https://www.truebluela.com/2018/2/19/17027524/dodgers-spring-training-preview-starting-pitchers-depth"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="Aip3g8">“We have a number of left-handed starters that are arguably better against righties and lefties,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “Handedness matters less than effectiveness against both sides. We have really good pitchers who happen to pitch with their left arm.”</p>
<p id="Xxce6n">While effectiveness might not be an issue for this set of five starters, depth might be a problem for the Dodgers. None of these five pitchers made more than 27 starts last season, and while part of that is by design with the club’s liberal use of the 10-day disabled list there will still likely be several more starts made by other pitchers.</p>
<p id="4OtueX">The Dodgers have used at least nine starting pitchers in each of the last 20 seasons and during the last five seasons have averaged 13 starting pitchers.</p>
<p id="qKMqsN"><span>Walker Buehler</span> is chief among the depth options but the club’s top prospect <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/6/17019870/walker-buehler-2018-plan-innings-limit-spring-debut-dodgers">will be limited this year</a>, likely to 140-150 innings or so in total in his second full year back from Tommy John surgery. <span>Julio Urias</span> likely won’t be ready until after the All-Star break, with <span>Ross Stripling</span> and perhaps <span>Brock Stewart</span> also ready to make spot starts as needed.</p>
<p id="wQlyKh">“We feel very confident with the five guys we do have but we don’t have the depth we had in the last couple years,” Roberts said.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/18/17133446/dodgers-starting-rotation-opening-day-rosterEric Stephen2018-03-17T15:47:29-07:002018-03-17T15:47:29-07:00The spring plan for Kenley Jansen
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Kansas City Royals at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VjhImsyDbBQJHlJFTTBHmsZ8Y7E=/0x0:4500x3000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59067723/usa_today_10707826.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="CoaMOU">PHOENIX — <span>Kenley Jansen</span> pitched another scoreless inning on Saturday against the <a href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a> at Camelback Ranch, continuing his methodical build toward the regular season.</p>
<p id="rLA2O7">The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> closer approaches spring training much like the horses in Jerry Seinfeld’s old bit. “No competition here, the most important thing is your health!”</p>
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<p id="9MjgWF">Jansen struck out a batter Saturday and got a pair of ground outs, and put that pitchers fielding practice to the test by covering first base on a ball to the right side. Back in the clubhouse with the White Sox broadcast showing on the internal Camelback Ranch feed, the announcers referred to Jansen as “an out machine.”</p>
<p id="A5hWmu">“Don’t jinx it,” Jansen said, probably only half-joking.</p>
<p id="iSVazt">For someone who is used to <em>‘California Love’</em> blaring when he enters late in close games, pitching the fifth inning of an exhibition game in March doesn’t have the same juice.</p>
<p id="403T1B">“The adrenaline’s not there, I’m not going to lie. The first day the adrenaline was there. We all know it’s spring training,” Jansen said. “I know already it’s going to be there opening day, it’s nothing to worry about. I just have to make sure I get my innings in.”</p>
<p id="FwWrCH">There is a plan for how and when Jansen will get those innings in. His next outing is expected to be Monday night against the A’s, followed by a Thursday appearance in which he will be asked to get four outs. Jansen had 14 games during the 2017 regular season in which he recorded more than three outs.</p>
<p id="nhgUia">Finally, Jansen will pitch in back-to-back games during the Freeway Series against the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a>, likely Sunday in Anaheim and Monday at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<h3 id="SJyBqt">Up next</h3>
<p id="w5uEtk">The Dodgers have a split squad on Sunday, playing the <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a> in Maryvale and also hosting the <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> at Camelback Ranch. There was some talk of <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> starting on the back fields in a minor league game on Sunday but common sense prevailed and he will pitch against San Diego.</p>
<p id="WDiKla">The usual thought behind such maneuvers is to avoid giving a division rival a free look at a starting pitcher, especially so close to the season and if there are several early-year matchups coming up.</p>
<p id="K5FCnH">But the Dodgers only play the Padres one series in April, a three-game set in San Diego from April 16-18. Also, it’s the Padres, not a contending team. That, and Kershaw preferred pitching in a major league spring game rather than against minor leaguers.</p>
<p id="v8g6eV">“For Clayton to pitch against a division opponent, when he would potentially see the Padres played into it. And the thought that he would rather pitch in an A game versus the back fields,” manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> said. “All those variables led to that decision.”</p>
<p id="rTmpL3">Kershaw has yet to allow a run this spring in four starts, with 11 strikeouts and four walks in 9⅔ innings.</p>
<p id="RRf3v5"><span>Manny Banuelos</span> will start for the Dodgers in the road game against Milwaukee on Sunday, with relievers <span>Tony Cingrani</span>, <span>Josh Fields</span> and <span>Pat Venditte</span> also likely to make the bus trip. <span>Adam Liberatore</span> is among the relief pitchers expected to pitch Sunday at Camelback Ranch.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/3/17/17134244/kenley-jansen-spring-plan-clayton-kershaw-start-dodgers-notesEric Stephen