TEMPE, Ariz. — The Dodgers and the Angels will have instant replay at their disposal for their first head-to-head Cactus League game of 2014. Managers Don Mattingly and Mike Scioscia are able to challenge one umpire’s call during the first six innings. In innings 7, 8 and 9 the umpires can initiate a challenge.
The camera angles at Tempe Diablo Stadium aren’t what they will be during the Freeway Series, when replay will be in use for the first time. But Prime Ticket is televising the game, so at least the teams won’t be at the mercy of an in-house video feed.
It’s the first replay game for the Dodgers and the fourth for the Angels. Scioscia has already thrown one challenge and lost; I asked him this morning if he’ll challenge for the sake of challenging — practice for the manager, practice for the umpire, practice for Nick Francona.
“You have to practice the logistics that’s for sure, but I don’t want to make a mockery of it,” he said. “If there’s a play that makes sense — I know the umpires are looking forward to the challenge, just so they can get their end of it worked out too.”
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Dodgers:
Yasiel Puig CF
A.J. Ellis C
Hanley Ramirez SS
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
Scott Van Slyke LF
Andre Ethier DH
Justin Turner 2B
Mike Baxter RF
Chone Figgins 3B
Dan Haren RHP
Angels:
Kole Calhoun RF
Mike Trout CF
David Freese 3B
Raul Ibanez DH
Howie Kendrick 2B
J.B. Shuck LF
Carlos Pena 1B
Chris Iannetta C
Erick Aybar SS
C.J. Wilson LHP