Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Lineup: Shohei OhtaniThe Los Angeles Dodgers will only get one side of Shohei Ohtani on Friday vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Ohtani, who has been battling a knee issue, is still going to be hitting, but he will not make his scheduled start.
He will also end up missing the All-Star game, giving him more than a week in between pitching starts.
The Dodgers will instead go to a bullpen opener, which is quite easy to do since the team had a rest day on Thursday and should have a good amount of rested arms.
1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Andy Pages, CF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Mookie Betts, SS
5. Tommy Edman, 3B
6. Kyle Tucker, RF
7. Teoscar Hernandez, LF
8. Miguel Rojas, 2B
9. Dalton Rushing, C
The Dodgers are going up against a lefty in Eduardo Rodriguez. For the matchup and to give a veteran some rest before the All-Star game, LA is resting Max Muncy.
Muncy is making his third All-Star appearance next week.
In his absence, Tommy Edman moves to third base, while Miguel Rojas enters at third base.
Against Rodriguez, Andy Pages and Mookie Betts will have the ideal matchups. Both, especially Betts of late, have proven to be good contact bats.
Additionally, Teoscar Hernandez will look to get going since his return from the injured list.
In a bullpen game, the Dodgers are turning to Kyle Hurt, who has experience as a starting pitcher and an arsenal to go multiple innings.
Hurt was pitching really well when he slotted into the bullpen amid a run of injuries. He has a 4.55 ERA in 31 games this year, but his FIP is a bit better at 3.55.
Once Edwin Diaz gets healthy, among others, Hurt will be on the chopping block, but his start on Friday can help him make his case to stay on the team for the stretch run.
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