Dodgers Opening Day Lineup Coming More into Focus

Dave Roberts has revealed more lineup thoughts as we trend toward opening day.

Opening day is three weeks away and things are coming together for the Dodgers, roster wise and lineup wise. On Thursday at Camelback Ranch, manager Dave Roberts revealed a bit more on his thinking when it comes to the starting 9 for LA on March 30th against the Diamondbacks.

Doug Padilla of the OC Register reported on it on Twitter.

Dave Roberts all but commits to Will Smith as his No. 3 hitter and Max Muncy at cleanup. Roberts, on Smith: "It's hard to go wrong with him in the three. A guy that can hit left, hit right, he can drive runs in, values the walk, so makes sense.”

— Doug Padilla (@DougPadilla) March 9, 2023

If Will Smith is batting third and Max Muncy is batting fourth, presumptively Mookie Betts will continue leading off for the Dodgers and that would slot Freddie Freeman in the two hole. That also gives Doc a right/left/right/left top of the order, which helps with matchups.

As for the 5-9 in the order, we might have already got a glimpse of that on Monday with LA's lineup against the Padres.

#Dodgers throwing out their regulars against the Padres #rivalry pic.twitter.com/dDH0Bx98wb

— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) March 6, 2023

Important note, no, Noah Syndergaard will not be the opening day starter.

J.D. Martinez will hit fairly high in the lineup until he proves that shouldn't be hitting that high, so the five hole is a safe bet. Jason Heyward is a lock -- or a "safe bet, as Dave said it -- to make the team out of spring training and Dave loves Chris Taylor in left field. However, depending on the pitcher, David Peralta is certainly an option to get the start. 

Miguel Rojas and Miguel Vargas figure to slot into the 8 and 9 holes for most of the season.

Opening day 2023 is getting real close and it's time to start getting hyped for real. The fact that Clayton Kershaw is getting his first start of the spring tomorrow against the Angels should only aid that hype.