The Los Angeles Dodgers began their condensed exhibition game schedule with a dominant 9-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday night. Cody Bellinger was among the standouts, collecting three hits in four at-bats, including a grand slam in the bottom of the first inning.
The Dodgers look to make it two in a row when they host the Diamondbacks for the second time in as many days. They send Julio Urias to the mound for his final tuneup before the regular season.
The left-hander is coming off a solid 2019 campaign, going 4-3 with a 2.49 ERA, 3.43 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 79.2 innings of work (37 games). Most of his appearances came out of the bullpen, but Urias also found success in the starting rotation.
He made just eight starts last year, but thrived to the tune of a 3.26 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 30.1 frames. The 2020 season will be Urias’ biggest test yet as he no longer has an innings cap.
He is expected to occupy one of the five spots in the Dodgers starting rotation on a full-time basis. While an order hasn’t been set yet, Urias is lined up to follow Clayton Kershaw and Ross Stripling.
The Diamondbacks counter with Taylor Clarke, who struggled for the better part of his rookie campaign. He posted a 5-5 record with a 5.31 ERA, 6.41 FIP and 1.37 WHIP in 84.2 innings pitched, registering 68 strikeouts against 30 walks (23 games, 15 starts).
The Dodgers’ lineup largely resembles its appearance from the night prior. Though, AJ Pollock is now starting in left field and Joc Pederson is at designated hitter. Gavin Lux, a 2019 National League Rookie of the Year favorite, again is out of the lineup.
Austin Barnes was hit by a pitch in the left wrist on Sunday and while X-rays were negative, as expected he is not starting. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Barnes would return Wednesday for the club’s final exhibition game.
Dodgers lineup:
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Cody Bellinger
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
DH: Joc Pederson
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Will Smith
Diamondbacks lineup:
RF: Kole Calhoun
2B: Ketel Marte
CF: Starling Marte
3B: Eduardo Escobar
LF: David Peralta
DH: Ildemaro Vargas
1B: Jake Lamb
SS: Nick Ahmed
C: Stephen Vogt
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