Dodgers Victorious 2024 Season Home Opener

By: Angela Redding | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Beat magazine | March 28, 2024
Photos: MLB Dodgers, MLB Cardinals

A Successful Season Home Opener for The Dodgers

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Date: March 28, 2024 | Location: Dodger Stadium | Time: 1:10 p.m. PT

Welcome to the game of baseball, Dodgers baseball to be exact. With the weather definitely in the Dodgers’ favor it was a great spring day to start the Home Opener. As fans turned out for the first home game of the season the Boys in Blue were dressed in their home white uniforms.

With Tyler Glasnow set to pitch his first season opener as a Dodger and the starting lineup stacked with A-list players, the stage was set for victory.

As with many events in Hollywood, there are preshow activities that take place and a red carpet to walk as well.

The Los Angeles Dodgers added a light blue carpet for the players to walk down lined with family members on either side cheering them on as their names were announced and the starting lineup was announced by actor Brian Cranston. The crowd cheered loudly as Shohei Ohtani the games DH was announced and walked the carpet.

Other pregame ceremony activities included an introduction of Dodgers coaches and staff, a presentation of the blockbuster event of the year on the Dodger Vision Board which showcased highlighted players and an introduction to the team’s home opener, a presentation of the Nations colors, and the singing of the National Anthem by Josh Groban accompanied by the traditional Flyover.

Fans dressed in Dodgers jerseys with Ohtani jerseys being highlighted throughout the stadium and were ready to witness the home team play exceptional baseball and bring home the win.

Let’s Play Ball

Dodger Game Recap

Date: March 28, 2024 – 2024 Home Game Season Opener- A day game
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers vs St. Louis Cardinals
Location: Home Game – Dodger Stadium
Note: Ohtani’s home game debut.

Starting Pitchers
Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow – First appearance as a Dodger in the Home Opener
Cardinals: Myles Mikolas

Highlight plays (Home Runs etc.) Player(s):

Glasnow started the first inning and pitched his first season home opener game for the Dodgers. He managed to keep the Cardinals scoreless during his time on the mound in the first inning.

Mikolas pitched to Betts and walked him on the sixth pitch. Shohei Ohtani came up to bat and the fans stood and applauded. He hit a ground ball into right field on the fourth pitch from Mikolas. It was a base hit down the first baseline. Betts ran to third where third base coach Dino Ebel stopped him, Ohtani to second, and attempted to go to third. Ohtani is caught in a run down between second and third and is tagged out at third base, while Betts stays safe. This play showcased the swift defensive teamwork of the opposing team, with precise ball handling and quick decision-making. Ohtani’s double exemplifies his powerful hitting, even in high-pressure situations, making him a dynamic player to watch on the field.

Freddie Freeman stepped up to the plate with his usual confidence, ready to make a difference for his team. The pitcher wound up and delivered the sixth pitch… Freeman swung and made solid contact, sending the ball into center field for a ground ball base hit. As Betts rounded third and headed for home, the crowd cheered. The scoreboard lit up with the score now reading 1-0 in favor of the Dodgers. With one out on the board, Freeman stood tall on first base.

The game continues to unfold as the Dodgers’ catcher, Will Smith, takes his turn at bat. Smith makes solid contact with the ball, sending it into the outfield for a single. With Freeman now advancing to third, the tension in the stadium reaches a fever pitch. The Dodgers are threatening to further their lead, and the Cardinals are desperate for an out. Muncy hits a fly ball and is out but brings in Freeman. Score 2 -0 Dodgers. Teoscar Hernandez strikes out leaving Smith at first.

In the second inning, Glasnow pitches a ten-pitch scoreless inning.

Mikolus pitches a 1,2,3 second inning.

As the game progressed, Kershaw, Buehler, and May who are still on the injured/nonactive list, were spotted in the dugout lending their support to the team.

The first batter up in the bottom of the third was Mookie Betts, who smashed a high-flying solo home run to left field on the first pitch to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead over the Cardinals. Ohtani was walked and Freeman stepped up to bat and he hit a first pitch-breaking ball, 2 run homerun deep into centerfield. The crowd roared with excitement as the home runs electrified the stadium, igniting the passion of the fans and motivating the players. The skilled athleticism on display was nothing short of awe-inspiring, and as the game progressed, it was clear that the energy in the air was building.

The top three in the Dodgers lineup did what everyone expected them to do. They Played Great Baseball!

Mikolus gets his fifth strikeout against Teoscar Hernandez to end the third inning.

In the top of the fourth, Paul Goldschmidt hits a home run off of Glasnow, putting the Cardinals on the board with a score of 5-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Ohtani gets his second hit of the game, getting on base after Betts strikes out. The Cardinals pull Mikolus out of the game and replace him with Pallante to pitch. Pallante strikes out Freeman. With Ohtani on first, two outs, and a 5-1 score, Will Smith comes up to bat and hits a fly ball to center field and is out.

Glasnow pitches a scoreless inning in the sixth. Pallante pitches in the bottom of the sixth as seven years with the Dodgers, Max Muncy, bats and strikes out. Teoscar Hernandez doubles and gets on base. Outman bats one and gets on base, which sends Hernandez in to score – 6-1 Dodgers and one out. Heyward bats a soft-bounced ball and is out, and Outman advances to second base. Two outs. Lux is up to bat and is out at first, leaving Outman on base.

Pitching for the Dodgers in the seventh is Yarbrough. He gets a 1, 2, 3 out scoreless inning.
Rily O’Brien pitches to Betts. Betts walks. Ohtani strikes out.
Freeman walks after five pitches.
Smith hits a high fly into right field and is out. Betts takes third base.
Max Muncy gets on base with a base hit into right field and brings in Betts. The score is 7-1 with two outs. T. Hernandez strikes out.

Yarbrough pitches a scoreless eighth inning.

Libertore pitches to Chris Taylor who hits a hard ground ball and is out at first. Kike Hernandez comes up and strikes out. Rojas pinch hits for Lux, hits one high into center field, and is out.

In the ninth inning, Yarbrough pitched to Goldschmidt who got on base with one out. The Dodgers must win the home opener. Arenado, wearing #28, came to bat and was the last out for the Cardinals, resulting in three outs and the game being over. The Dodgers won.

Three scoreless innings for Yarbrough It was an opening-day three-inning save for him.

A win for Glasnow.

Fans were not disappointed as the home team took the win kicking off the season on a good note.

Dodgers win their sixth home opener in front of a sell-out crowd of 52, 000.

Quick quotes/notes:

Freddie Freeman commented to Kristen Watson, SportsNetLA: “The US start was really good today. Mookie is good at getting it going.”

Ohtani said he was very grateful for the Dodgers and the fans.

Roberts said he liked the way Muncy swung the bat and he thought the Dodgers did a great job. It was a fun day.

Extras

Tyler Glasnow pitched six innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

Myles Mikolas pitched four innings and was pulled after the first two Dodgers came up to bat in the fifth (pulled after Ohtani bats and gets on base)

Final score: 7 – 1 Dodgers

NEXT GAME: Dodgers vs. Cardinals, Friday, 6:05 p.m., at Dodger Stadium on Apple TV Plus