Tie Game, or April Fools Joke for Dodgers?
- Updated: April 2, 2015
(Photo via Twitter User @Dodgers)
Earlier today, two especially talented professional sports teams faced off, and the game ended in a tie. No, unfortunately this is not a whimsical April fools prank being played on the respective fan bases. This was just another day of Spring Training in the MLB.
The Los Angeles Dodgers met up with another formidable foe in the NL, the Kansas City Royals, for a matchup in Surprise, Arizona. Once again, that’s not a wisecrack compliments of the 1st of April, that’s actually the name of the city the game took place in. I may, or may not, have had to use Google Maps to confirm that fact.
If you ask me it looks like Don Mattingly, or whoever decided which Dodgers were playing today, decided to participate in the tomfoolery and shenanigans worthy of an April fool. I say that because, other than Clayton Kershaw and his catcher, most of the Dodgers that played today won’t be spotted on opening day. Many of these athletes were AA and AAA players, so it’s understandable that they weren’t household names. However, one guy came to the plate, and the announcers were so inexperienced at pronouncing his name that they just spelled it for the fans instead of butchering it.
Fortunately for Dodgers fans, their ace Clayton Kershaw looked poised and prepared for opening day during the 3 innings he pitched today. He proved his curveball and slider were as deadly as ever, and his fastball registered in the mid-90’s during his entire pitching stint. Defensively he was aware and agile, participating in double plays and fielding choppy ground balls. Since ex-Dodger Matt Kemp will accompany the San Diego Padres into Chavez Ravine on opening day, I’m sure he has informed his new teammates that they will be facing a ridiculously talented pitcher who likely has a chip on his shoulder. Safe to say he won’t be anyone’s April fool when he takes the mound. Check out Clayton Kershaw’s final spring training game highlights right here.
The final score to the outing today versus the Kansas City Royals was 4-4. If I had to pick a Dodgers player that stood out, and one whose name we all probably know, it would have to be Darwin Barney. His first two at bats were a triple and a double respectively. As far as the Dodgers that we don’t all know, the player of the game would have to be Travis Witherspoon. Check out this video if you’d like to see why.
The Dodgers will travel back to Southern California to finish up their Spring Training with a freeway series vs the Anaheim Angels, beginning today and ending Saturday night. Game time for April 2nd at Angel Stadium of Anaheim is set for 7:05pm.
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