Reds at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers finally ended their losing streak and are hoping their ace can help lead them in the right direction when they begin a three-game series against the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Monday. Clayton Kershaw makes his season debut versus the Reds one day after the Dodgers halted a six-game slide with a 7-1 home triumph over Milwaukee.
Kershaw, who has suffered from back pain in recent years and dealt with biceps tendinitis last season, missed the beginning of 2019 due to inflammation in his left shoulder. Los Angeles could use a healthy, effective Kershaw as its pitching staff yielded 38 runs during its skid before receiving a strong eight-inning effort from Ross Stripling on Sunday. The Reds followed a season-opening victory with eight straight losses before recording a four-game winning streak that ended with Sunday's 9-5 setback against St. Louis in Mexico. Jesse Winker belted a three-run homer as Cincinnati battled back from a 4-0 deficit, only to surrender five runs in the seventh inning and settle for a split of the two-game set.
TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (1-1, 0.92 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (2018: 9-5, 2.73)
Castillo has been superb in the early going, allowing two runs and five hits with 25 strikeouts over 19 2/3 innings in his first three starts. The 26-year-old Dominican has worked seven frames in each of his last two turns, including a scoreless effort versus Miami on Tuesday in which he fanned eight en route to victory. Castillo gave up four runs - three earned - and eight hits while registering 17 strikeouts and issuing just one walk over 12 1/3 frames in winning both of his career starts against Los Angeles.
Kershaw's latest injury ended his team-record streak of eight consecutive Opening Day starts. The 31-year-old three-time National League Cy Young Award winner made a rehab start for Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday, allowing two runs and five hits while registering six strikeouts in as many innings. Kershaw owns a 3-2 record with one shutout and a 2.54 ERA in 10 career turns against Cincinnati.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers have homered in 29 consecutive games dating back to last season, which is three shy of the NL record set in 1999 by Colorado.
2. Half of Winker's eight hits this season have been home runs.
3. Los Angeles LHP Rich Hill (knee) is expected to make a rehab start Wednesday for either Triple-A Oklahoma City or Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.