The Los Angeles Dodgers split their exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome over the weekend and now are set to begin the regular season with a matchup against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
The Dodgers’ Opening Day lineup is mostly set, with only a couple of spots still in question. In the event that Mookie Betts misses the game due to an illness, Miguel Rojas would likely start at shortstop.
The Dodgers also don’t have a clear-cut starter in center field, but Andy Pages could get the nod over James Outman due to the Cubs sending the left-handed Shota Imanaga to the mound.
“We haven’t made a final decision. Obviously, there is that last spot we’re essentially talking about,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of who could start in center field on Opening Day.
“Andy’s had a very good camp and that was a really good play out there in center field. Obviously, with Imanaga going on Opening Day, it makes sense that there’s a chance he’ll be in the lineup.”
Pages was among the four outfielders included on the Dodgers travel roster to Japan, along with Outman, Michael Conforto and Teoscar Hernández.
Pages struggled a bit at the plate this spring, but showed he is more than capable of playing a good center field for the Dodgers.
The 24-year-old is coming off a solid rookie season that saw him hit .248/.305/.407 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs and 46 RBI in 116 games. He did most of his damage against southpaws, batting an excellent .357/.396/.520 in 107 plate appearances.
Could Andy Pages start both Tokyo Series games?
With the Cubs starting another left-hander in Justin Steele for the Tokyo Series finale, Pages could potentially get back-to-back starts in center field.
If the Dodgers want to find playing time for other players on their roster, Kiké Hernández is a candidate to start in center field for the second game.
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