After splitting the first two games of the Freeway Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers and L.A. Angels meet in the rubber match at Dodger Stadium. It’s the Spring Training finale for both teams as Opening Day is on the horizon.
Dustin May takes the mound Tuesday for his final tuneup before the start of the regular season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently announced May will begin the year in the starting rotation, earning the final spot over Tony Gonsolin and David Price.
May is 2-1 with a 2.63 ERA and and 1.24 WHIP in four games this spring. After his last start against the Chicago Cubs, he emphasized the need for a routine with his role.
“I’m a huge routine guy, so just being able to stay on the five-day a couple times in a row now has been great,” May said.
“Just being able to feel my body out and get to the spot I was feeling last year in the playoffs and hopefully getting to stay as a starter. But we’re moving forward with whatever they tell me to do.”
Among other pitchers scheduled to appear in the Freeway Series finale is Dennis Santana. He was said to be competing with Scott Alexander for the final spot in the Dodgers bullpen, but reportedly will be left off the Opening Day roster.
The Angels counter with Jose Quintana, who looks to put the finishing touches on an outstanding spring. He enters play with a 2-0 record, 0.64 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in five starts.
Quintana appeared in only four games for the Cubs last season before going on to sign a one-year contract with the Angels in free agency. He reunited with manager Joe Maddon, as the two spent parts of three seasons together in Chicago.
The Dodgers once again will utilize a designated hitter despite being in a National League ballpark. That’s because May’s next turn in the rotation will come against the Oakland Athletics in Interleague play, where he won’t be required to bat.
“I just think that looking at the position player group, Dustin won’t take an at-bat in his first turn because we’ll be in Oakland, I just think it’s more important for those position players to get those at-bats,” Roberts explained.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
C: Will Smith
1B: Max Muncy
LF: Chris Taylor
DH: AJ Pollock
2B: Gavin Lux
Angels lineup
2B: David Fletcher
DH: Shohei Ohtani
CF: Mike Trout
3B: Anthony Rendon
LF: Justin Upton
1B: Albert Pujols
SS: Jose Iglesias
C: Max Stassi
RF: Dexter Fowler
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