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Dodgers: Previewing the Dodgers’ Opening Series of the 2019 Season

By Michael Wittman

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: A general view during the third inning of Game Five of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: A general view during the third inning of Game Five of the 2018 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch during the second inning of the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch on March 09, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Game Three: Zack Godley (15-11, 4.74 ERA) vs. Kenta Maeda (8-10, 3.81 ERA)

Much like his rotation mate, Ross Stripling, Kenta Maeda will look to stick in the rotation this season after ending last season in the bullpen.  Kenta was much better in the first half last season as he posted a 3.12 ERA prior to the all-star break but regressed to a 5.35 ERA after the all-star break.

Last season Maeda’s changeup improved and he made it a focal point this spring to get more swings and misses with it.  He will need to pitch carefully to Jake Lamb who has two home runs against Maeda and a .333 average in twenty-seven at-bats.  One of the newer Diamondback players, Eduardo Escobar has also homered off Kenta.

Zack Godley struggled in 2018 and saw his ERA rise from 3.37 in 2017 to 4.74 last year.  To Godley’s credit, he did make 32 starts and proved to be durable for Arizona.  He did have control issues as he walked four batters per nine innings compared to three in 2017.  Justin Turner and Chris Taylor have each hit two home runs against Godley while Joc has struggled with a .077 average in thirteen at-bats.

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