Dodgers @ Athletics April 7, 2021: Bauer vs. Luzardo; LA looks for sweep

The Dodgers go for the series sweep of the A’s in a matinee affair at Ring Central Coliseum in Oakland. Trevor Bauer makes his second start as a Dodger after a mostly good first outing last week in Colorado.

	12:37 p.m.		Oakland
CF	Taylor	DH	Canha
SS	Seager	2B	Lowrie
3B	Turner	CF	Laureano
C	Smith	1B	Moreland
LF	Pollock	3B	Chapman
1B	Muncy	LF	Brown
DH	Barnes	RF	Piscotty
2B	Lux	SS	Andrus
RF	McKinstry	C	Garcia
P	Bauer	P	Luzardo (L)

Last time out, Bauer had a no-hitter going through six innings before losing it in the seventh inning. He still struck out 10 Rockies’ hitters en route to an easy win. With the A’s struggling mightily early in the 2021 season, Bauer could be in line for another good outing.

Cody Bellinger is still out after being inadvertently spiked on Monday night. With the off day tomorrow, it’s probably for the best. There’s still a non-zero chance he lands on the injured list. Chris Taylor, who took a Frankie Montas fastball off the elbow on Monday night, is starting in center field and leading off for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts gets the day off with some lower back stiffness. Wish I could say the same.

The Dodgers loaded up the lineup (as best they can) with right-handers, seeing as lefty Jesus Luzardo is starting for Oakland. AJ Pollock draws the start in left field, Will Smith returns to the lineup behind the dish and Austin Barnes is the designated hitter. A couple lefties are getting a chance against the Oakland flamethrower: Gavin Lux starts at second base, while Zach McKinstry gets another start — this time in right field.

The A’s are a little short-staffed, as Matt Olson is out again today. Dodger nemesis Mitch Moreland starts in his place at first base. Sean Murphy, off to a slow start, is out in favor of Aramis Garcia behind the plate, while Seth Brown makes his first start of the series.

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Not a ton of pregame news, but here’s what we have.

Stan Kasten says he hopes Dodger Stadium can be open at 100% capacity no later than June 15.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 7, 2021

Hopefully 100% of those people are fully vaccinated (even though I know they won’t be).

Dodger Stadium pic.twitter.com/k4buCqCXC1

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 7, 2021

A new display at Dodger Stadium. Would be really cool to see it in person.