We are now only 13 days from Opening Day as the Dodgers continue to prepare for their season opener against the Colorado Rockies on the road. There are still some tough battles happening for positions on the team’s prospective 26-man roster. The competition for the final few spots will no question increase over the upcoming days.
On Friday, Los Angeles added another win in Cactus League play defeating the Texas Rangers, 7-2. Only seven more Cactus League games remain.
Julio Urias made his fourth start of the spring, pitching four scoreless innings while allowing only two hits and striking out three batters. So far this spring, Urias has posted a 1.74 ERA over 10-⅓ innings.
Chris Taylor had a very productive day at the plate. Taylor’s swing looks right, as he went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run cored, and two RBI.
Max Muncy also had a 3-for-3 day, knocking in a run while scoring two.
The Dodgers began the afternoon on the right foot, as they took the lead in the first inning on a Muncy RBI double that scored Mookie Betts.
Zach McKinstry added another RBI double in the second inning, while Taylor and Edwin Rios added RBI doubles of their own in the third.
Taylor added his second RBI double in the fourth inning, and Austin Barnes notched an RBI single in the sixth frame.
Jimmy Nelson relieved Urias in the fifth inning and pitched two scoreless frames, allowing two hits and a walk.
Kenley Jansen came in to pitch in the seventh and saw his scoreless spring streak come to an end. He gave up a solo home run to Ronald Guzman, an opposite-field shot that barely left the park. It was just Jansen’s third hit allowed this spring,
Blake Treinen pitched in the eighth, surrendering a homer to Sherten Apostel.
Dodgers’ right-hander Kendall Williams came in the ninth to finish off the game. Williams made his spring debut for the Dodgers after being acquired from the Blue Jays as the final player to be named later in the Ross Stripling deal.
The Dodgers will face the Padres on Saturday as Dustin May will make the start, squaring off against San Diego left-hander Ryan Weathers.
The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Pacific.
I would like to end this story by wishing three-time Cy Young Award winner and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw a Happy 33rd Birthday.
I think all baseball fans can agree that Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball history.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Although Williams started out his inning having no command whatsoever, undoubtedly due to nerves, he then straightened up and showed some good stuff. I hadn’t realized that he’s only 20 years old. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on him as he works his way through the various minor league levels. He could ultimately wind up being a nice return for Stripling.
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Hey, guys I’ve been watching at least parts of most of the games, what are your thoughts on Jimmy Nelson? I don’t think they would start him over price, Urias, or Gonsolin, but he has looked very good all the times I’ve seen him pitch. I think he could make the rotation on a lot of the MLB teams.
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He’s looked good considering he hasn’t pitched much over the past couple of years. I’m pretty sure he’ll make the roster, but as a long reliever and he says he’s fine with that. The only way he makes the rotation is if they make Price the second lefty in the bullpen but if they do that they might also move Gonsolin or May into his place.
I’ll be really interested to see if they just put the 13 best pitchers on the OD roster or if they pay some attention to whether they are starters or relievers. I guess there is also a chance that they make a trade and send a pitcher they just don’t have room for to another team. Angels would be very smart to make a call to AF to see who might be available.
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Yeah, a trade with the Angels would be perfect, at least until Arnie changed his mind the next day, and pulled the plug on the deal😀
I don’t know why, but it still kills me that we never heard what the Dodgers were supposed to get in that trade. Last season.😀
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I’m with you Keith. It drives me crazy too. The details that did come out just seemed ridiculously one sided and then the team that had the best part of the deal pulled out. Very strange.
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