Freeway Series Preview: Walker Buehler Makes Final Spring Training Start In Dodgers-Angels Opener

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached the final days of their 2022 Spring Training schedule after going 4-7-4 in Cactus League play. They are back in Southern California on Sunday night for the start of the annual exhibition Freeway Series with the L.A. Angels.

The three-game set begins at Angel Stadium before shifting to Dodger Stadium the next two nights. L.A. then will have two days off heading into an Opening Day matchup with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Walker Buehler takes the mound in Anaheim for his second and final start of Spring Training. Buehler made his 2022 debut on March 22, throwing 52 pitches over 4.2 innings. Buehler, who has been slow to build up in years past, joked it was the most he’d ever thrown for an entire Spring Training period.

His next time on the bound was in a B game at Camelback Ranch, when Buehler threw 74 pitches. After Sunday’s outing Buehler will next be on the mound for his first career Opening Day start.

Brusdar Graterol and Daniel Hudson are also scheduled to pitch in the Freeway Series opener. The appearance will be Graterol’s fifth of Spring Training, and a fourth for Hudson. Both right-handers figure to play prominent roles in the Dodgers bullpen this season.

Buehler, Graterol, Hudson and other Dodgers pitchers who may enter the game face an Angels lineup that includes regulars Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, among others.

The Angels counter with Noah Syndergaard, who is entering his first season with the team after signing a one-year, $21 million contract during the offseason.

Syndergaard had four strikeouts and allowed just one run over 3.2 innings in his spring debut, which is the right-hander’s only start thus far.

Chris Taylor receives the first start in left field since the Dodgers traded AJ Pollock to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Craig Kimbrel. Gavin Lux is playing second base, and Max Muncy again is the designated hitter.

Dodgers lineup

RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
DH: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
LF: Chris Taylor
1B: Edwin Rios
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Austin Barnes

Angels lineup

DH: Shohei Ohtani
CF: Mike Trout
3B: Anthony Rendson
1B: Jared Walsh
RF: Taylor Ward
C: Max Stassi
LF: Brandon Marsh
2B: Jose Rojas
SS: Tyler Wade

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