Dodgers Drop One to Cubs, 7-5
- Updated: March 18, 2015
(Photo via @Dodgers)
With just eighteen days left until Opening Day, the Los Angeles Dodgers set up shop in Glendale, Arizona to face off against another true blue squad, the Chicago Cubs. On par with most spring training games, the bats came alive early and made noise often as the matchup totaled 25 hits and 12 runs between the two teams.
When it was all said and done the Chicago Cubs bested the Los Angeles Dodgers by a score of 7-5. Fortunately for spring training the W’s and L’s don’t matter nearly as much as player performance. In that regard, Dodgers fans should be thanking their lucky stars (and the teams development staff) that outfielder Joc Pederson has stepped in replaced certain ex-Dodgers so seamlessly.
The 6-foot-1 lefty hit a three-run home run off a juicy pitch served up by Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta. In addition to Joc Pederson’s big day, the rest of the squad contributed to earning five runs and seven hits in just four short innings against Arrieta. It’s got to excite the Los Angeles fan base to know that Joc Pederson is off to such a fantastic start.
On the other hand, there are still some questions left to be answered about the Dodgers bullpen. Los Angeles starter Brandon McCarthy also gave up a homer to Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan that drove in three runs. That was the standout pitch in an overall rough day for McCarthy who has already given up 8 runs on 13 hits in only 9 innings this spring. Today alone those numbers were six runs and eight hits in just four innings.
Other than McCarthy, this wasn’t a disappointing outing for the Dodgers, even though they couldn’t get the win. We must remember that Brandon McCarthy certainly isn’t Kershaw, Greinke, or Ryu, which means this won’t be an everyday occurrence. As long as the Dodger’s bats continue to make noise this franchise is in good position.
The Dodgers will face off against the Anaheim Angels tomorrow March 19th, 2015 at 1:05pm PT at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.
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