LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to begin their 2026 campaign. 

Despite dropping their last Spring Training game to the crosstown rival Los Angeles Angels 3-0 on Tuesday night, there were plenty of positives to go around in the last few games. 

Tuesday's game especially showed their readiness as Shohei Ohtani took the mound for his final spring tune-up.

Many believed that Ohtani's trip to play in the World Baseball Classic would hinder his pitching ramp-up, but he has not missed a step pitching-wise. 

In his last Spring tune-up before the season kicks off, Ohtani struck out 11 Angels in four innings while giving up only one earned run on four hits and walking two. 

In the pregame, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hoped that Ohtani could record six innings and 80 pitches, but the number of strikeouts and long at-bats drove his pitch count up early. 

Following his start, Roberts made it clear where Ohtani stands before the season starts. 

“He’s ready to go," Roberts stated in the postgame. 

Roberts was also very confident in the pregame presser on how Ohtani's pitching could play in 2026. So much so that he believes that if Ohtani can pitch in all of his scheduled starts, he will be in the Cy Young Award conversation this year. 

“Because of just talent, ability, will," Roberts said. "If he does that, he’ll be in the conversation, absolutely. I have no doubt."

Ohtani was cruising in his first three innings, including striking out six consectuive batters from the second to third inning. 

He entered the fifth inning with his pitch count at 79 pitches, but he was unable to record an out and gave up three straight hits before Roberts pulled the plug on his outing. 

The Angels scored all of their runs in the fifth inning once Ohtani was pulled. 

This was also the first time that we saw Justin Wrobleski in his role as a long reliever. Roberts said that Wrobleski would act as a bulk reliever, most likely to follow Ohtani's starts. Roberts also confirmed that Ohtani will not be pitching into the seventh inning in his first start. 

If it comes to it, then Wrobleski might also piggyback off of Roki Sasaki's start days 

Wrobleski shone in his outing on Tuesday. He retired all 12 of the batters he faced and struck out five in four scoreless innings. 

Even with the loss, the Dodgers officially finish with the best record in Cactus League play. While it is nice to earn the moniker of "Best Cactus League Team," they are only looking towards the historic three-peat. 

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