The Los Angeles Dodgers are back at Surprise Stadium for a second time in the past three days, but on Sunday take on the Texas Rangers. L.A. defeated the Kansas City Royals on Friday, thanks in large part to Chris Taylor’s grand slam.
Taylor is back in the lineup for Sunday’s matchup, starting at third base for the first time this spring. He previously played center field and second base. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts intends to move Taylor around the diamond this season, which will include potentially logging more innings at third base than years past.
Also in the lineup Sunday are Mookie Betts and Corey Seager, who have played the same number of games this spring and hit leadoff and second in the lineup each time.
The Dodgers will look to provide run support for Walker Buehler in his second Cactus League start. Buehler allowed one hit over two scoreless innings his first time. He is expected to make the natural progression of going three innings against the Rangers.
Buehler has been encouraged by the improved sharpness he has this spring compared to other years, which is a byproduct of adjusting his offseason routine to continue throwing.
Kenley Jansen, Victor Gonzalez, Dennis Santana, Garrett Cleavinger and Gerardo Carrillo are also scheduled to pitch. Jansen had been doing dry work in effort to iron out his mechanics after a subpar showing during live batting practice.
Texas counters with Mike Foltynewicz, who makes his first start of the spring. He signed a one-year contract with the Rangers in February.
Foltynewicz was an All-Star in 2018, but struggled with injuries the following year and only made one start for the Atlanta Braves last season before getting designated for assignment.
Sunday’s game will go eight innings.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
C: Will Smith
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Chris Taylor
2B: Gavin Lux
DH: Sheldon Neuse
LF: Zach Reks
CF: DJ Peters
Rangers lineup
SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
2B: Brock Holt
RF: Joey Gallo
DH: Khris Davis
3B: Rougned Odor
1B: Nate Lowe
LF: Eli White
C: Jonah Heim
CF: Delino DeShields
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