The Los Angeles Dodgers played their second intrasquad game of Summer Camp on Monday night, which featured Clayton Kershaw and Ross Stripling on the mound, Cody Bellinger shining at the plate, and Joc Pederson getting a jab in on the reigning National League MVP.
Kershaw, who was named the Opening Day starter in March, is presumed to take the mound when the Dodgers begin their 2020 schedule against the San Francisco Giants on July 23. He had been throwing while in Texas and planned to stretch out to four-plus innings in the intrasquad game.
Kershaw’s night began by striking out Mookie Betts on called strike three, and he also flashed leather on a stop between the legs to take a potential hit away from Corey Seager.
Stripling also was involved in a memorable moment as he surrendered a home run to Pederson. It purportedly came after Bellinger slighted Pederson’s hitting ability.
We missed you, baseball. pic.twitter.com/fs7Qv6PphR
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 7, 2020
A voice from center field as Joc Pederson stepped in v Ross Stripling: "Easy out."
Next pitch landed in RF pavilion. Joc as he trotted: "There you go, Bopper. Go get it."
There are advantages to an empty stadium.— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 7, 2020
That of course wasn’t the first time Pederson heard an ‘easy out’ assessment, as former teammate Zack Greinke placed that label on him as well.
With the maximum three exhibition games scheduled later this month, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had previously indicated the club would play a heavy dose of simulated situations and intrasquad games.
“I think there’s a little competition there, so that definitely helps,” Betts said of the Dodgers facing each other. “But I’m not sure that we’ll get the full fill until the regular season starts.”
Walker Buehler also is confident the Dodgers play intrasquad games can serve as ample preparation. “Them being our hitters doesn’t make them any less of a Major Leaguer than the other teams we’re going to play,” he said.
“With how talented we are — nothing against any other team — but facing some of our guys is about as good as you can get. I know personally there are certain guys I’ll be more competitive against in our locker room than maybe any other person in the league. So I’m not too worried about that.”
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