The Los Angeles Dodgers kick off their season early for the second consecutive yr, because the staff is touring to Tokyo, Japan to tackle the Chicago Cubs for a two-game collection on the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19.
The Dodgers go away for Japan in lower than two weeks, giving them restricted time to finalize their roster competitions.
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The competitors that issues most for Japan is the one for the ultimate place participant roster spot. As of now, it seems there are three gamers — Hyeseong Kim, Andy Pages, and James Outman — competing for one spot. Nevertheless, it’s doable a non-roster invite similar to David Bote or Eddie Rosario sneaks into the competitors, too.
However, with simply eight Cactus League video games to go till L.A. heads to Japan, right here’s a prediction for what the Dodgers’ Opening Day lineup will appear like for Sport 1 of the Tokyo Collection in Japan.
Dodgers Opening Day Lineup Prediction
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Mookie Betts, SS
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Teoscar Hernández, RF
Max Muncy, 3B
Will Smith, C
Michael Conforto, LF
Andy Pages, CF
Tommy Edman, 2B
The Breakdown
The highest 4 of the lineup will not be solely apparent, however has already been revealed by Roberts. Then, happening the road, the Dodgers will seemingly go lefty, proper.
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The massive prediction right here is Kim will get left off the Opening Day roster, and as an alternative, Pages takes the spot. The Cubs have the left-handed Shota Imanaga slated to pitch Sport 1 in Japan, and Pages was a lefty killer final yr.
Throughout 107 common season plate appearances in opposition to left-handed pitching on the MLB degree final yr, Pages slashed .357/.396/.520 with an OPS of .917. He’s 2-for-15 so far in spring with one dwelling run and an OPS of .611. Kim is 2-for-17 with one dwelling run and an OPS of .544.
The Cubs are anticipated to have one other left-hander in Justin Steele begin the second sport of the Tokyo Collection. Thus, Pages would seemingly get the chance to begin each video games, which means it doesn’t make sense for Kim to journey with the staff when he may proceed getting reps in Arizona.
Whereas Kim is probably not within the beginning lineup for Japan, he’ll nonetheless have a chance to compete for a spot on home Opening Day roster. The additional time at Camelback Ranch will solely assist him make that dream a actuality.
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Photograph Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
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