After playing to a 2-2 tie with the Seattle Mariners, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back on the road for their first Cactus League matchup against the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium.
Ryan Pepiot starts for the Dodgers in what marks his third overall appearance of the spring. He enters with a 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 15.0 strikeouts per nine in three innings of work.
Pepiot allowed one run on three hits and collected four strikeouts in his last outing against the Kansas City Royals. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut last season and went 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in nine games (seven starts).
The Athletics counter with Drew Rucinski, who also makes his third appearance of 2023 Spring Training. The right-hander has been hit hard so far, as he brings with him into Thursday’s matchup an 0-1 record, 10.80 ERA and 2.20 WHIP in five innings pitched.
Rucinski gave up three runs on four hits in his last outing against the Cincinnati Reds. He signed a one-year contract with the Athletics this past offseason after spending the previous four seasons with the NC Dinos of the KBO League.
Rucinski faces a Dodgers lineup that includes regulars Miguel Vargas and J.D. Martinez. Vargas is batting second and playing second base, and is cleared to swing his bat in games for the first time this spring.
Dodgers lineup
CF: Jason Heyward
2B: Miguel Vargas
LF: Steven Duggar
DH: J.D. Martinez
1B: Michael Busch
SS: Luke Williams
3B: Yonny Hernández
RF: Bradley Zimmer
C: David Freitas
Athletics lineup
2B: Tony Kemp
SS: Aledmys Díaz
LF: Conner Capel
C: Shea Langeliers
DH: Jesús Aguilar
3B: Jace Peterson
RF: Ramón Laureano
1B: Ryan Noda
CF: Esteury Ruiz
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