The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off of back-to-back wins for the first time in 2022 Spring Training and now head to Surprise Stadium for a matchup with Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers.
Seager is batting second in the Rangers lineup for his first time ever playing against the Dodgers. He of course was selected by L.A. with the 18th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and remained with the franchise until this past offseason.
Seager signed a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Rangers, an offer the Dodgers reportedly were not close to matching. Seager enters with just four hits in 19 at-bats during Cactus League play, though does have two home runs and five RBI.
Ryan Pepiot starts for the Dodgers, hoping to build momentum following a dominant appearance out of the bullpen against the San Diego Padres when he held them without a hit while striking out three over two innings.
Pepiot has already been re-assigned to Minor League camp, but manager Dave Roberts has mentioned the right-hander as a potential contributor for the Dodgers at some point during the season.
Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson, Victor Gonzalez and Justin Bruihl are also scheduled to pitch. For Graterol it will mark his first time making back-to-back appearances.
The Rangers counter with Taylor Hearn, who is in the mix for a spot in their starting rotation. The former reliever has enjoyed positive results this spring in two outings, allowing a combined one run over 4.2 innings while collective five strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ offense exploded for 12 runs to blow out the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night, and Roberts has scheduled a majority of his regulars to start against the Rangers. L.A. has faced a heavy slate of left-handers recently, so finding a groove against their kryptonite in spring would be optimal.
The top three in the Dodgers lineup are what is expected during the regular season, with Mookie Betts leading off, followed by Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner. Kevin Pillar continues to get action against southpaws, a role that if successful, could make him a piece to the puzzle at some point in the year.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
1B: Freddie Freeman
SS: Trea Turner
DH: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
C: Will Smith
CF: Chris Taylor
2B: Hanser Alberto
LF: Kevin Pillar
Rangers lineup
2B: Marcus Semien
SS: Corey Seager
DH: Mitch Garver
1B: Nathaniel Lowe
CF: Adolis García
RF: Kole Calhoun
LF: Brad Miller
3B: Andy Ibáñez
C: Jonah Heim
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