Padres get first glimpse of Dodgers squad with spring training games officially underway

World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 5
World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - Game 5 | Elsa/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs faced off Thursday in the first game of 2025 spring training, with the Dodgers losing the game 12-4. Both teams played a number of their starters, with the Dodgers placing Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound to start the game. Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy, recent additions Eddie Rosario, Hye-Seong Kim, and former Cub David Bote all featured in the game for Los Angeles as well.

Dodgers starts produce little in loss to Cubs

The trio of Betts, Muncy, and Hernandez would step to the plate a total of five times in the game, with Muncy recording the only hit. Betts would walk in his only at-bat, while Hernandez would go 0-2. Kim, the lesser known of the Dodgers international free agent additions after Roki Sasaki, would walk in his only appearance at the plate.

Los Angeles would finish the game 0-4 with runners in scoring position, with their biggest boost coming from a two-run home run off the bat of newest Dodger Eddie Rosario. Formerly with the Braves, Rosario absolutely dominated against the Dodgers in the 2021 NLCS, where he took home the MVP honors after putting up a ridiculous .560/.607/1.040 line with three homers over six games.

Dodgers pitching would be their downfall in the game, with non-roster pitcher Justin Jarvis taking the loss after giving up four earned runs in the top of the third. Yamamoto, who started the game, would go 1.2 innings, giving up no runs on three hits and two strikeouts. Other active roster pitchers making appearances for the Dodgers included Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski. Wrobleski, who appeared in just eight games for Los Angeles in 2024, gave up a two-run home run in the top of the fifth to Cubs third baseman Gage Workman.

A scary moment happened in the top of the third inning when Miller, a two-year veteran starter with the Dodgers, got struck in the head by a line drive off the bat off Cubs first baseman Michael Busch. Miller, who is now in concussion protocol, was able to walk off the field after the incident on his own power.

The Padres will face the Dodgers for the first time in spring training on Sunday at 12:05 PM. Although Manager Mike Shildt has yet to give any indication on the nature of the game and how many starters the Padres will use, it should be a competitive showing and give Padres fans their first glimpse of this year's rivalry.

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