Spring Training Preview: Dodgers Batting Max Muncy In Leadoff Spot For Matchup With Corey Kluber, Rangers
Max Muncy, 2020 Spring Training
Norm Hall/Getty Images

Fresh off completing a sweep of their first split-squad action in 2020 Spring Training, the Los Angeles Dodgers now host the Texas Rangers in one of two Cactus League matchups this year. The other comes in one week, at Surprise Stadium.

As the calendar has turned to March and Opening Day of the 2020 season is all but 25 days away, the Dodgers have multiple regulars playing back-to-back Sunday. The group includes Max Muncy, Corey Seager, Kiké Hernandez and Matt Beaty.

Although Muncy is leading off, he doesn’t figure to do so during the regular season, as that should be filled on a regular basis by Mookie Betts.

Muncy and the rest of the Dodgers lineup will look to keep their hot bats going against Corey Kluber. The right-hander is making his Rangers debut.

The Dodgers counter with Victor Gonzalez for his second career Spring Training game. Gonzalez labored in a start against the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields, allowing two hits and issuing a walk in one inning. To his credit, Gonzalez held the Diamondbacks to just one run.

“Victor threw the ball well but it’s just pounding the strike zone. The secondary couldn’t land, so he was working behind, but the stuff is good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the loss. “He’ll be fine.”

Prior to the outing, Roberts touted Gonzalez as someone he anticipated making his MLB debut this season. Roberts added he would be “disappointed” if the left-hander didn’t reach the Majors in 2020. The club views Gonzalez as a capable of contributing in the rotation and out of the bullpen.

Dodgers lineup:

1B: Max Muncy
CF: AJ Pollock
SS: Corey Seager
2B: Kiké Hernandez
C: Will Smith
DH: Matt Beaty
LF: Luke Raley
RF: Anthony Garcia
3B: Cristian Santana

Rangers lineup:

CF: Nick Solak
2B: Rougned Odor
RF: Joey Gallo
1B: Greg Bird
3B: Matt Duffy
SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa
LF: Rob Refsnyder
DH: Travis Sam
C: Jeff Mathis

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