Aug. 29--Dexter Fowler returns to the Chicago Cubs' lineup Friday night, but there are plenty of twists as they try to snap a two-game losing streak against Los Angeles Dodgers formidable left-hander Clayton Kershaw at hot Dodger Stadium. Temperatures reached the high 90s in Los Angeles in the afternoon.
It doesn't hurt that Fowler, who nursed hand and knee injuries the past two games, is a lifetime .425 hitter (17-for-40) against Kershaw. Rookie Kyle Schwarber, who was sent down just before the Cubs beat Kershaw 4-2 at Wrigley Field on June 22, won't start.
Left-handed batters are hitting .213 against Kershaw this season, compared to right-handed hitters' .200 mark.
Matt Szczur, who hit a home run against Kershaw in that game, will start in left field. Szczur is 2-for-4 against Kershaw. Chris Denorfia, a lifetime .257 hitter against Kershaw, will start in right field. Starlin Castro will start at second base despite batting 2-for-20 lifetime against Kershaw.
Here's the Cubs' lineup:
Dexter Fowler cf
Chris Denorfia rf
Kris Bryant 3b
Anthony Rizzo 1b
Starlin Castro 2b
Matt Szczur lf
Miguel Montero c
Jason Hammel p
Addison Russell ss
