The 2024 Los Angeles Dodgers schedule already began with Opening Day in South Korea for the Seoul Series, but they now are going to conclude Spring Training with the annual exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels.
The three-game series is being played at Dodger Stadium on Sunday and Monday before shifting to Anaheim for the finale Tuesday night.
Dodgers pitching probables for the Freeway Series are Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone and James Paxton. They’re due to be opposed by Angels starters Griffin Canning, Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth.
Miller last pitched on Monday in the exhibition game against the Korean National Team. He labored a bit through five innings, allowing two runs on five hits and collecting six strikeouts.
Miller went 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in three Cactus League starts before the Dodgers left Arizona. The inflated ERA was a byproduct of allowing three earned runs (four overall) to the Cleveland Guardians in just 3.1 innings on March 11.
Stone also pitched against Team Korea, entering in relief and providing bulk coverage with a dominant 3.1 no-hit innings. Stone collected eight strikeouts and issued one walk in his relief appearance.
Stone revealed after the game that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had informed him earlier in the day of earning the fifth spot in the Opening Day rotation.
“I’m incredibly thankful for that and the opportunity that they’re giving me. Very appreciative. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of it,” Stone said.
In four Cactus League games (three starts), Stone allowed just one run allowed and had nine strikeouts over 9.2 innings pitched.
Paxton was not on the Dodgers’ travel roster for South Korea and he made just one start during Cactus League games, throwing two innings in the outing. The Dodgers need to formally add Paxton to their active roster on Thursday.
Dodgers Opening Day rotation
With Miller, Stone and Paxton lined up in that order, it also gives some insight into the Dodgers starting rotation heading into domestic Opening Day on March 28.
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start the Dodger Stadium opener and then be followed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday. Miller then figures to make his regular season debut in the third game of the Opening Series with the St. Louis Cardinals on an extra day of rest.
Stone likely will follow in the series finale, and that would leave Paxton to make his Dodgers debut against the San Francisco Giants on April 1.
Although Stone earned the proverbial fifth spot in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, Roberts did remark prior to that being revealed that the right-hander could technically slot fourth in the order.
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