Dodgers at Diamondbacks
One of the most reliable closers in the game, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Kenley Jansen is facing questions about his decreased velocity after struggling in his first two appearances. Jansen quickly has become a major source of concern for the Dodgers, who continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Jansen allowed a total of five home runs in 68 1/3 innings last year but gave up his second in two appearances this season on Monday, when Chris Owings belted a game-tying three-run blast with two outs in the ninth. Arizona finally prevailed 8-7 as Nick Ahmed and Jeff Mathis each drove in a run off Wilmer Font in the bottom of the 15th inning after the Dodgers had taken a one-run lead in the top half. Ahmed continued his hot start with three hits and Ketel Marte went 3-for-7 with two triples for the Diamondbacks, who have won their last seven regular-season meetings with the Dodgers. Both teams will be looking for their starting pitchers to go deep into the game Tuesday after combining to use 15 relievers in Monday’s contest, which lasted nearly six hours.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Godley (2017: 8-9, 3.37)
Kershaw made his franchise-record eighth consecutive Opening Day start on Thursday and lost for the first time, giving up one run over six innings in a 1-0 loss to San Francisco. After tossing 21 1/3 scoreless frames across six spring starts, the three-time Cy Young Award winner was nearly as impressive in the opener, striking out seven while walking two. Paul Goldschmidt is 10-for-44 with two home runs versus Kershaw, who is 14-8 with a 2.55 ERA in 26 career starts against Arizona.
Godley appears primed to build on last season's breakout performance, when he set career highs in starts (25), wins (eight), innings (155) and strikeouts (165). “I’m looking for everything to continue,” manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “He came into camp in very good shape and very ready for every challenge that’s going to be put before him this year.” Godley owns a 1-1 record and 3.38 ERA in eight career games (four starts) against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Goldschmidt’s 28 home runs and 90 RBIs are the most by an active player against the Dodgers.
2. Dodgers C Yasmani Grandal went 3-for-6 with a two-run homer Monday and has recorded seven hits in his first 16 at-bats.
3. Arizona OF Yasmany Tomas cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno.