The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered their first loss of the season to the Philadelphia Phillies Friday, but the defending champions are hoping to bounce back with a different lineup today.
Will Smith is not in Saturday’s lineup, but it’s unclear why he is not competing. Instead, the Dodgers have Austin Barnes penciled in as the team’s starting catcher. Manager Dave Roberts will likely provide an update on Smith’s absence from the lineup closer to game time.
Once again, Kiké Hernández will play at first base with Freddie Freeman sidelined with a right sprained ankle. Freeman is not eligible to return until April 10, so there’s a good chance Hernández will continue to fill in for the Dodgers superstar for the time being.
Max Muncy is back at the hot corner after Miguel Rojas got the start yesterday. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola will be on the mound, while Roki Sasaki will pitch for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers lineup was silenced for a majority of Friday’s 3-2 loss in Philadelphia. Left-hander Jesús Luzardo tossed seven scoreless innings. It wasn’t until Tommy Edman hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth that the Dodgers were on the board.
