Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training again is winding to a close with the exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels, and with that has come a return to Major League stadiums as part of the final preparation for the regular season.
Remaining questions for the Dodgers Opening Day roster were answered before the team left Camelback Ranch, which has manager Dave Roberts wanting to see more of a “finite focus” during the Freeway Series.
“We’re out of Arizona, we’re in a big league ballpark, we’ve got our guys together now,” Roberts said before first pitch at Dodger Stadium.
“It doesn’t give us a whole lot of time, but just kind of ramp up the intensity, certainly more on the offensive side.”
With Clayton Kershaw on the mound for his final tuneup of the spring, the Dodgers went out and shut out the Angels after Roberts’ comments. Kershaw had seven strikeouts over six innings, and the offense hit three home runs.
The Freeway Series now shifts to Angel Stadium for two games, and the Dodgers then have an off day before Opening Night on Thursday.
The Dodgers are heading into the 2023 season with a new-look roster but the same World Series expectations. They are among the favorites in the National League, but Roberts stopped short of repeating his World Series guarantee.
Dodgers lineup outlook
The Dodgers lineup for the opener of the Freeway Series featured a bevy of regulars, and the majority of which hit right-handed. Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy were the lone left-handed hitting position players to start against Angels southpaw Tucker Davidson.
The dry run served as a sign of what’s likely to come during the regular season, with the exception of Will Smith starting instead of Austin Barnes.
“I think this is a lineup you could see versus left-handers,” Roberts said. “I like it. I think it just gives us some options off the bench. … But yeah, more semblance of what it’s going to look like versus a left-hander.”
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