The Los Angeles Dodgers earned their first win of 2023 Spring Training over the Chicago Cubs and now continue their Cactus League schedule with a road matchup against the San Diego Padres.
It marks the first meeting between the teams since Game 4 of the 2022 National League Division Series, when the Padres pulled off a shocking upset over the Dodgers.
Both clubs are expected to be among baseball’s best this season as ZiPS’ latest projections have them finishing in a tie atop the NL West with respective 91-71 records.
The Dodgers hand the ball to Ryan Pepiot for the first time this spring, who showed flashes of his tantalizing potential while also struggling with command during the 2022 season.
The right-hander wound up going 3-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in nine games (seven starts) with the Dodgers. His final two appearances with the team were both out of the bullpen. While with Triple-A Oklahoma City, the former prospect went a stellar 9-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 19 games (17 starts).
Landon Knack, Andre Jackson, Phil Bickford, Nick Robertson and James Jones are scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers as well.
The Padres counter with Nabil Crismatt, who also makes his first appearance of Spring Training. He emerged as a key contributor in San Diego’s bullpen last season, going 5-2 with a 2.94 ERA, 3.22 FIP and 1.17 WHIP across 67.1 innings pitched (50 games, one start).
Mookie Betts and Jason Heyward are in the Dodgers lineup for the first time this spring. Betts is batting leadoff and playing right field, while Heyward follows him and gets the start in center field.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
CF: Jason Heyward
C: Will Smith
DH: J.D. Martinez
SS: Gavin Lux
LF: Steven Duggar
3B: Luke Williams
1B: Devin Mann
2B: Miguel Vargas
Padres lineup
SS: Xander Bogaerts
CF: David Dahl
3B: Manny Machado
DH: Nelson Cruz
1B: Matt Carpenter
2B: Ha-Seong Kim
LF: Taylor Kohlwey
C: Luis Campusano
RF: Brandon Dixon
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