Some of the anticipation over the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the San Diego Padres for the first time this spring was washed away with several regulars not playing in the matchup at Camelback Ranch.
Chief among them were Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Max Muncy, Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Eric Hosmer. Machado’s absence was particularly noteworthy in that it eliminated the opportunity to see Trevor Bauer.
Machado has hit Bauer well in his career, though the right-hander is confident the tide will begin to turn in his favor this season. “I’m just mad that Manny didn’t make the trip,” Bauer joked after throwing three scoreless innings against the Padres.
“You know? He’s already ducking me. I just wanted to face Manny. I wanted to see him. I’m mad he’s ducking me.”
When asked if his struggles against Machado were mental or a physical correction such as approach and pitch selection, Bauer only offered a vague response. “Just wait. Just wait. It’s going to be a fun year,” he said.
Bauer got a jump start on enjoying himself against the Padres by spending the majority of the first inning with his right eye closed. “I like making myself uncomfortable and throwing different stuff my way and trying to find a solution for it,” he explained.
“I think that’s how you improve. You find a way to make yourself uncomfortable, get comfortable with it and do it again.”
Roberts quells talk of Dodgers-Padres rivalry
Considering both teams enjoyed success last season and are positioned well moving forward, it has stoked conversations of the Dodgers and Padres now having a rivalry. However, manager Dave Roberts doesn’t see it in the same light as the San Francisco Giants, or Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees.
“I just think that’s a ways down the road,” Roberts said. “When you’re talking about those types of rivalries, that’s more generational and withstood the test of time. Right now, I think there’s more to a rivalry than just geography.”
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