The Dodgers’ lineup got a last-minute makeover Wednesday, giving it an unfamiliar look for today’s game against the Padres:
Herrera LF
Punto 2B
Kemp CF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Cruz 3B
Rivera RF
Treanor C
Harang P
Two of the changes were brought on by injury. Shane Victorino was originally leading off, but his injured left wrist is preventing him from batting right-handed — the side he needs to bat from against Padres left-hander Clayton Richard. Second baseman Mark Ellis is ill and undergoing IV treatment today, manager Don Mattingly said.
The other changes weren’t. A.J. Ellis isn’t catching a day game after a night game, as usual. Andre Ethier is 4 for 28 with a double and four RBIs in his career against Richard, and .215/.270/.321 against all lefties this season, so he’s out in favor of Rivera (who’s 0 for 8 lifetime against Richard.
The resulting lineup comes with a few quirks:
Herrera has been in the starting lineup only once since July 8, and has led off just three times since the start of June.
Punto has been in the starting lineup only three times since he was acquired from Boston on Aug. 25.
Rivera has started four games in September, and hasn’t started in right field since July 6.
It’s unorthodox, but Mattingly insisted “this is the best lineup that gives us a chance to win today.”