The primary Dodgers lineup of the Shohei Ohtani period is upon us, with the celebrity batting second towards the Padres, nestled between former MVP Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
That top-third of the lineup is one to observe, however it's additionally buoyed by the arrival of Teoscar Hernández — hitting sixth, in left discipline — and the return of Gavin Lux after lacking final season with an ACL torn and sprained MCL in proper knee. . That Lux, who posted a 114 wRC+ in 2022, is batting ninth is a testomony to the depth of the Dodgers' lineup.
Lux begins at second base, moved away from shortstop lower than two weeks in the past after pitching hassle all spring. He and Betts swapped positions, with Betts moved to shortstop, a change that supervisor Dave Roberts stated throughout spring coaching was “everlasting, for now.”
Betts hadn't performed shortstop since 2013 within the Arizona Fall League earlier than dipping his toes into the water on the place in 2023 for a depleted Dodgers staff. Final yr, Betts performed 16 video games at shortstop, beginning 12, however his largest splash got here with above-average protection at second base for 70 video games and 62 begins.
Dodgers vs. Padres lineups
| Dodgers | Pos | Family members | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | Pos | Family members | Pos |
| Betts | St | Bogaerts | 2B |
| Ohtani (L) | DH | Tatis Jr. | RF |
| Freeman (L) | 1B | Cronenworth (L) | 1B |
| Smith | C | Machado | DH |
| Muncy (L) | 3B | Kim | St |
| T.Hernández | LF | Profar (S) | LF |
| Outman (L) | CF | Campus | C |
| Hayward (L) | RF | Wade (L) | 3B |
| Lux (L) | 2B | Merrill (L) | CF |
That is Betts' fifth yr with the Dodgers, and he has began in proper discipline on Opening Day in every of the previous 4 seasons. Along with his begin at shortstop on Wednesday, Betts grew to become simply the fourth Dodger since 1901 to begin Opening Day video games within the outfield and at shortstop, and the one for the reason that staff moved to Los Angeles in 64 years. to do.
The three Brooklyn Dodgers who began within the outfield and at shortstop on Opening Day had been John Hummel (left discipline in 1908, shortstop in 1909), Jimmy Johnston (left discipline in 1918, shortstop in 1923, and proper discipline in 1925), and Corridor. of Famer Arky Vaughan (shortstop in 1943, left discipline in 1948).
Betts hit first, the place he hit in all 289 of his begins over the previous two seasons.
Freeman is making his 14th consecutive Opening Day shutout, the third-longest energetic streak in MLB. Elvis Andrus began the final 15 opening days, however was a non-roster visitor in Diamondbacks camp this spring earlier than being reassigned to minor league camp on March 10. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen began the final 14 opening days.
Miguel Cabrera's unimaginable 20-game hitting streak ends this yr as he retires on the finish of the 2023 season.
Freeman in his profession on opening day is a .295 / .436 / .545 hitter with three house runs, a triple, six runs batted in, and 7 runs scored. Since becoming a member of the Dodgers, Freeman has three singles in seven at-bats with two walks and two runs scored in his two opening days with Los Angeles.
Wednesday options the identical lineup utilized by the Dodgers in every of their two exhibition video games throughout this journey to South Korea. The Padres are the house staff for this opening sport, which implies the Dodgers beat them on opening day.
