The Los Angeles Dodgers open a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday afternoon, the first of three straight day games at Wrigley Field. Chad Billingsley starts the opener for the Dodgers, looking for more of the same from his 2-1, 2.64 ERA start.
Left-hander Paul Maholm starts for the Cubs, and Juan Rivera returns to left field for the Dodgers for the first time since straining his left hamstring on April 24. For the first time all season, Andre Ethier is batting cleanup against a left-hander with Rivera in the lineup. Rivera had batted cleanup with Ethier fifth in every other game that both were in the lineup against southpaws this season.
Newest dodger Bobby Abreu is in uniform for the Dodgers, wearing number 33. Here are Friday's starting lineups.
Dodgers (17-8)
Gordon SS
Ellis 2B
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Rivera LF
Loney 1B
Hairston 3B
Ellis C
Billingsley P
Cubs (9-16)
DeJesus RF
Campana CF
Castro SS
LaHair 1B
Soriano LF
Stewart 3B
Barney 2B
Soto C
Maholm P
Friday's 11:20 a.m. PDT game will be televised by Prime Ticket. For more Dodgers news and notes, be sure to read True Blue LA.
