The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped the middle game of the Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels due in part to a bumpy start from Noah Syndergaard in which he allowed five runs on nine hits.
The Dodgers now shift focus to Tuesday’s matchup with the Angels and hand the ball to Ryan Pepiot in the final game of Spring Training before Opening Day.
Pepiot posted an impressive 3.29 ERA with 19 strikeouts and five walks in 13.2 innings of work during the Cactus League. His improved command was a welcomed sign after struggling with his command for much of last season.
Pepiot was given the nod in the Opening Day rotation over fellow prospect Michael Grove, a decision that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called one of their most difficult.
In his last start against the Seattle Mariners, Pepiot went 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and collecting six strikeouts. Pepiot has a difficult matchup against the heart of the Angels lineup, which features Taylor Ward, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon.
The Angels counter with 23-year-old Reid Detmers, who after tossing his first career no-hitter last season, has earned the right to be a part of a young and talented Angels rotation. In five starts this spring, Detmers has a 2.60 ERA and 0.87 WHIP, with 23 strikeouts.
Detmers was the Angels’ No. 2 prospect before making his Major League debut in 2022 and after a year of facing big league talent, the former first-round pick is living up to the hype.
He squared off against the Dodgers on June 15 of last season, allowing four runs on four hits, including two homers in just 3.2 innings, earning the loss at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Chris Taylor
CF: Trayce Thompson
2B: Miguel Vargas
SS: Miguel Rojas
Angels lineup
LF: Taylor Ward
CF: Mike Trout
DH: Shohei Ohtani
3B: Anthony Rendon
RF: Hunter Renfroe
2B: Luis Rengifo
1B: Brandon Drury
SS: Gio Urshela
C: Logan O’Hoppe
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