
When it comes to getting ready for potentially winning a third straight World Series championship, no one who follows the Los Angeles Dodgers can say the team isn't showing up.
While Spring Training in Arizona doesn't officially start for pitchers and catchers until February 13, a few Dodgers pitchers are already getting some work in right now.
Dodgers Nation on Wednesday reported that Alex Vesia, Anthony Banda, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, and others are already in Arizona, getting some reps on the pitching mound.
Oh, yes, Shohei Ohtani also is there as well. That's not a bad mix of players looking to get sharp early and often.
Vesia, a left-hander whom the Dodgers hope can deliver this season, put together a 4-2 record with a 3.02 ERA last season. In 68 games, Vesia had five saves in 59 2/3 innings of work with 80 strikeouts and a 0.99 WHIP.
Banda, another left-hander, was 5-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 71 appearances last season. In 65 innings of work, Banda had 61 strikeouts and a 1.22 WHIP. Sheehan and Stone, a couple of right-handers, are going to see how much they can contribute on the mound, too, for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
What about Ohtani? A Dodgers fan might not think he'd need to be ready before Spring Training started in earnest. But the four-time Most Valuable Player across the American League and National League is very serious about his on-field play.
Last season, Ohtani hit .282 with 55 home runs and 102 RBIs for the Dodgers. He's a two-time MLB Player of the Year, a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a National League Championship Series MVP, and a two-time World Series champion.
That's not a bad resume, is it, Dodgers fans?
The Dodgers share Spring Training space with the Chicago White Sox. Both teams take part in Spring Training at Camelback Ranch-Glendale in Glendale, Ariz., which is in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Camelback Ranch-Glendale is located just west of State Farm Stadium and Gila River Arena.
The complex features top-quality playing fields, walking trails, and a five-acre lake that separates the Dodgers and White Sox practice areas.
Los Angeles opens its official Spring Training schedule with games against the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners. The Mariners' game will be the first home game in Spring Training for the Dodgers on Monday, Feb. 23.
Spring Training overall records might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but the Dodgers probably want to make sure every player is in sync before Opening Day.
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