It's arduous to make a stronger declare than the best way Gavin Stone wrapped his arms across the Dodgers' fifth beginning function to open the season. Nothing has been made official by the group, however Stone's pitching over the previous 4 weeks has eliminated any doubt that he deserves to start out each fifth day in video games that depend.
Stone on Monday within the Dodgers' 5-2 win over the Korean nationwide group at Gocheok Stadium had his finest outing this spring, going 3⅓ scoreless and hitless innings. He crashed eight of his 11 batters confronted and allowed only one stroll.
Monday continued a robust spring from Stone, who has proven enhancements during the last two months of 2023 after struggling earlier. Counting Cactus League play, this spring Stone has 17 strikeouts and simply two walks in his 13 innings, with only one run allowed.
Stone mentioned after the sport that supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned earlier than Monday's recreation that he could be the fifth starter.
“I'm extremely grateful for this and the chance they're giving me,” Stone mentioned within the Gocheok Stadium interview room. “I sit up for it so much, and I hope to reap the benefits of it.”
Stone on Monday hit 97 mph on his fastball and averaged 95 mph, a tick up from final 12 months within the majors. He received 17 swinging strikes in opposition to Group Korea, together with 11 on the changeup alone, all due to a extra full repertoire.
“That's the command of the fastball that we noticed two years in the past that was missing a bit bit final 12 months,” Dodgers normal supervisor Brandon Gomes mentioned of Stone through the seventh inning on the SportsNet LA broadcast. “He additionally added an actual cutter and extra of a standard slider to open up the arsenal a bit extra. We all know that the change is plus-plus. What is obvious is that the velocity is again the place it was, and he strikes the ball like He's an enormous leaguer now.”
Early waking hours
Monday's recreation was the extra handy tune-in of the 2 observe video games in Seoul, as the three a.m. PT begin time matches Wednesday and Thursday's recreation in opposition to the Padres.
A number of hours earlier than any In-N-Out location opened Monday, the Dodgers went double-double after a pair of walks to tally three runs within the third inning. The primary two of that body got here on a double by Will Smith, with Freddie Freeman touching residence plate earlier than a misplaced tag on a throw that beat him.
Notes
Bobby Miller gained't pitch in any video games in opposition to the Padres, however he began one other message with Monday's exhibition. Miller struck out six and walked one batter, permitting a pair of runs within the third inning, however that was it. However extra importantly, he went 5 innings and 76 pitches. The schedule will possible enable Miller an additional stretch earlier than the common season, with the Freeway Sequence looming subsequent weekend.
Shohei Ohtani was hitless in three at-bats on Monday and was 0-for-5 within the two exhibition video games in Seoul. Earlier than the sport, supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned Ohtani will start a pitching program after the Dodgers return to Los Angeles, persevering with his rehabilitation from elbow surgical procedure final September.
Chris Taylor hit an opposite-field residence run within the seventh inning, the Dodgers' second residence run in two exhibition video games in South Korea.
JP Feyereisen adopted Stone and received the ultimate two outs of the sport. The one Dodgers pitchers not used through the two exhibition video games in Seoul had been Blake Treinen, Ryan Yarbrough, Gus Varland and Landon Knack.
Spotlight play
It's protected to say that the Dodgers' infield protection is a query mark getting into the season, with Mookie Betts principally new at shortstop, Gavin Lux having bother throwing all season, and Max Muncy coming off a down 12 months. the typical with the glove. However within the fourth inning on Monday, Lux made a pleasant play on a sizzling hit to second base and to finish the inning Muncy made an incredible cease and throw to finish the body.
Subsequent
When the Dodgers take the sector subsequent, it can depend within the standings. Opening Day opens within the morning in America, with a 3:07 pm PT begin time in opposition to the Padres (SportsNet LA, plus ESPN out of market). Tyler Glasnow begins for the Dodgers, making his second profession opening day begin. Yu Darvish will probably be on the mound for San Diego.
