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For 2 groups, the MLB season kicks off this week.
The Dodgers and Padres meet in Seoul, South Korea for a two-game set on Wednesday and Thursday within the first collection of the league yr.
For these planning to look at at residence within the U.S., the primary pitch for each video games is at 6 a.m. ET, so ensure to brew an additional pot of espresso.
Whilst you’re at it, control these three issues.
Prized Dodgers offseason acquisitions make their debut
Dodgers followers will not wait lengthy to see the group’s spectacular offseason additions. Pitcher Tyler Glasnow, acquired in a commerce with the Rays, will start the opener whereas Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamato will get the Recreation 2 nod. Glasnow posted a 3.53 earned run common (ERA) in 2023 and was sharp in spring training with a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings pitched.
Yamamoto was less consistent, placing out 14 batters however issuing 15 hits. Following a scoreless debut outing, he allowed 9 earned runs in his closing 7.2 innings pitched.
The headliner, in fact, is two-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. He was sensible this spring, posting a .500 batting common and reaching base on 15 of his 26 plate appearances. Ohtani is projected to bat second to open the season.
Padres beginning pitcher Yu Darvish vs. loaded L.A. lineup
Darvish is coming into his fourth season with the Padres and might be their Opening Day starter. As MLB.com notes, Wednesday will mark the primary time Darvish and Ohtani, teammates on Japan’s World Baseball Traditional roster final yr, face off within the majors. That duel might be a must-watch, as will his battles with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
In 31 career at-bats towards Darvish, Betts solely has a .194 batting common. Freeman has had extra success and is batting .286 with two residence runs towards the right-hander.
Offseason surgical procedure’s impression on Padres third baseman Manny Machado
Loads of gamers would have been content material placing up the identical numbers Machado did in 2023. Nevertheless it speaks volumes that his 30-home run, 91-RBI season was largely seen as a disappointment.
His .258 batting common ranked because the second worst of his profession, and he had his lowest on-base proportion (.319) since 2017.
After the 2023 season, Machado had elbow surgical procedure, which is able to force him to start the season because the Padres designated hitter.
Following a powerful spring, that must be excellent news for the Padres. Machado hit .370 in 27 Cactus League at-bats, suggesting he is prepared for the 2024 season to start.
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