After concluding Cactus League play in Arizona, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back in Southern California for the start of the annual exhibition Freeway Series against the L.A. Angels. Sunday’s opener takes place at Angel Stadium and is scheduled to go eight innings.
David Price was scheduled to make his final tuneup start before the regular season and be piggybacked by Tony Gonsolin. Both pitchers, along with Dustin May, are vying for the last spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation.
However, Price was scratched from the game due to illness. He has yet to log more than three innings in any appearance thus far, which would suggest the 35-year-old is primed for a role out of the bullpen.
Gonsolin is in a similar boat as his longest outing is 4.1 innings. That came last Sunday, which was Gonsolin’s first and only start of Spring Training.
However, assuming he pitches four or five innings against the Angels, Gonsolin would be in position for a normal length start come the regular season if he’s selected for the rotation.
Price has pitched to a 2.70 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in three games this spring, striking out four batters across 6.2 innings of work.
Gonsolin brings with him into Sunday’s relief appearance a 2.61 ERA and 0.39 WHIP in four appearances. He’s allowed just four hits and hasn’t walked a batter while striking out 12 batters.
The Angels counter with Andrew Heaney, who looks to close out exhibition play on a good note. He has struggled mightily in four previous starts, pitching to a 6.28 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 14.1 innings.
Heaney was one of the Angels’ most reliable starters last season, going 4-3 with a 4.46 ERA, 3.79 FIP and 1.23 WHIP across 66.2 innings frames (12 games).
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
1B: Max Muncy
DH: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
LF: DJ Peters
2B: Gavin Lux
Angels lineup
2B: David Fletcher
1B: Jared Walsh
CF: Mike Trout
3B: Anthony Rendon
LF: Justin Upton
DH: Albert Pujols
SS: José Igelsias
C: Max Stassi
RF: Dexter Fowler
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