The Los Angeles Dodgers enjoyed their only day off of spring training on Monday, but now shift gears to taking on the Los Angeles Angels at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday.
The Dodgers are 9-2-1 to this point in Cactus League play, showing strong bursts of offense at all points of their roster. Shohei Ohtani is among their top performers, most recently posting a 3-for-3 game on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies.
Ohtani’s blistering triple in the second inning of Sunday’s contest was an eye-opening swing for many, but more of the same for what he’s been doing for years. The superstar faces his former team for the first time since joining the Dodgers this offseason, signing for a record $700 million contract.
Ohtani spent six seasons with the Angels, earning two unanimous American League MVP Awards, two Silver Sluggers, three All-Star selections, and a Rookie of the Year crown in 2018.
In 701 games, Ohtani batted.274/.366/.556 with 171 home runs and 437 RBI. On the mound, he went 38-19, with a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a.200 batting average allowed across 86 starts.
Austin Barnes was originally in the Dodgers lineup, but he was scratched later in the day and replaced by Chris Okey.
Bobby Miller gets the ball for the Dodgers, making his second start this spring. The second-year right-hander posted two solid innings in his debut, allowing one earned run on two hits.
His strong work in 2023 as a rookie has him in contention to make a large jump this season. Without the pressure of being a front-end option for the Dodgers, Miller settling into a mid-rotation spot could put him on watch for a true breakout year.
Chase Silseth takes the mound for the Angels in his second start. The 23-year-old called up in 2023 out of necessity, and amidst the turmoil of another bumpy year, he posted a 3.96 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a.212 batting average allowed.
A tough area for him this past year was limiting walks, to which he allowed 4.47 per nine innings pitched. Silseth showed true growth in several categories, including a bump in strikeouts, limiting hits, and home runs.
The Dodgers now enter a straight run in their Cactus League schedule that doesn’t feature a day off until they travel to South Korea for the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers lineup
2B: Mookie BettsDH: Shohei Ohtani1B: Freddie FreemanLF: Teoscar Hernández3B: Max MuncyRF: Jason HeywardCF: Kiké HernándezSS: Miguel RojasC: Chris Okey
Angels lineup
RF: Aaron Hicks; 1B: Nolan SchanuelCF: Mike Trout; LF: Taylor Ward2B: Brandon DruryDH: Logan O’Hoppe; 3B: Miguel SanoC: Matt ThaissSS: Zach Neto