The time has come. Shohei Ohtani is making his Cactus League debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers as they host the Chicago White Sox for a matchup at Camelback Ranch.
Although it’s just a Spring Training game, it’s been highly anticipated after Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers during the offseason. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his excitement, and added the rest of the coaching staff and players are excited for it as well.
Ohtani and the Dodgers have not revealed much about his plans during Spring Training, aside from the superstar wanting around 50 at-bats between Cactus League games, live batting practice, and Minor League games, so it’s unclear when he may get into a game again.
He is starting as the designated hitter while batting second between Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, which is the lineup the Dodgers are going to start with during the regular season as well.
Along with the big three, the Dodgers also have multiple other regulars in the lineup, including Will Smith, Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández.
On the mound, Bobby Miller is making his first start of 2024, coming off a strong rookie season where he established himself as a key member of the Dodgers’ rotation.
During the 2023 season, Miller pitched 124.1 innings while posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 119 strikeouts. The Dodgers are hoping the 24-year-old will take another step forward in his development this season.
Opposite of Miller is Garrett Crochet, another highly-regarded young arm who has spent the first three seasons of his career as a reliever. The left-hander is moving into the White Sox rotation this year, but he is also in the process of coming back from Tommy John surgery that limited him to just 13 games last year after missing all of 2022.
Over his career, he’s thrown 73 innings with a 2.71 ERA and 85 strikeouts while posting a 1.33 WHIP.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie Betts
DH: Shohei Ohtani
1B: Freddie Freeman
C: Will Smith
3B: Max Muncy
LF: Teoscar Hernández
RF: Jason Heyward
SS: Miguel Rojas
CF: Jose Ramos
White Sox lineup
LF: Dominic Fletcher
1B: Nicky Lopez
DH: Eloy Jimenéz
1B: Andrew Vaughn
3B: Mike Moustakas
SS: Paul DeJong
RF: Oscar Colás
CF:. Kevin Pillar
C: Max Stassi
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