Dodger manager Don Mattingly made several adjustments to his line-up for Wednesday night’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers, some anticipated, some not so much. With Dodger center fielder Matt Kemp now back in the line-up and Bobby Abreu starting in left field (thus relegating Tony Gwynn Jr. to the bench), Mattingly moved hot hitting second baseman Elian Herrera into the lead-off spot, a move that was anticipated. What wasn’t anticipated was moving first baseman James Loney into the number two hole. “Batting second is a great place to bat,” said Mattingly. “(Loney) will probably see some better pitches there (with Kemp and Ethier coming up behind him).”

Here is the starting line-up for tonight’s game:

Herrera – 2B
Loney – 1B
Kemp – CF
Ethier – RF
Abreu – LF
Kennedy – 3B
Ellis – C
Gordon – SS
Kershaw – P

Mattingly hinted that Herrera will probably remain in the lead-off spot whenever Gwynn sits. Mattingly also said that he is pleased with the way Dee Gordon has adjusted to the number eight hole, noting that the struggling shortstop is hitting (around) .330 since being moved there. He added that Gordon seems a lot more comfortable at the plate lately. When asked if there had been any consideration in sending Gordon down to Triple-A, Mattingly acknowledged that they had discussed it but they do not have any immediate plans to do so.