TEMPE, Ariz. — Saturday was, in a way, a fitting opening for the Dodgers as they aim for a third consecutive World Series title.
They certainly seemed formidable. In a pre-season game, albeit one that didn’t carry much weight, the Dodgers triumphed over the Angels with a score of 15-2 during the Cactus League opener for the 2026 season. Remarkably, they put up nine runs before merely recording nine outs at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
“Overall, it was a very good day for us,” Manager Dave Roberts remarked, adding that the team scored plenty and gave various players a chance to bat.
The last time the Dodgers took the field, they were celebrating their victory after winning Game 7 of the World Series against the Blue Jays.
Now, 112 days later, pressure is mounting. The team’s payroll has soared to $400 million, cementing their status as leaders in the sport and raising concerns about potential lockouts next season. They’ve bolstered their roster with additions like Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz, which only amplifies the stakes for this year’s World Series, as they aim to avoid failure for a third time.
For now, the challenge before the Dodgers is straightforward: they need to navigate spring training with an aging yet revitalized roster intact.
In a sunlit Arizona on Saturday, they certainly made a strong first impression.
While many key players, including Tucker and Diaz, were absent from the lineup, Shohei Ohtani started as the designated hitter, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto took the mound, marking a swift recovery from the offseason.
Ohtani managed an infield hit early on, which contributed to a three-run lead in the first inning. The rally included solid performances from Teoscar Hernandez, who had three hits, and key walks from Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland, capped off by a two-run hit from Kim Hye-sung after a focused eight-pitch battle.
Yamamoto struck out two batters in the first inning, effectively retiring the Angels in order. The Dodgers continued their scoring streak with six more runs in the second inning, where Kim again showcased his refined swing, and Zach Erhardt contributed with a two-run double.
However, when Yamamoto returned after a lengthy time in the dugout, he struggled, allowing two runs on three hits, notably a dropped ball that disappeared into the outfield sun.
Yamamoto, reflecting on his performance, noted that the gap between innings affected him somewhat, yet he felt good after throwing 30 pitches—a promising sign given his workload last season.
Roberts, who opted to pull Yamamoto with two outs in the second, said, “I thought he looked good. The 30 pitches were enough. I didn’t have to push hard today.” Yamamoto mentioned he intends to participate in one more spring training outing before heading to join Team Japan for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Interestingly, Roberts seemed unaware of Yamamoto’s plans for the WBC, wishing him luck after pulling him from the game. Yamamoto humorously mentioned he didn’t catch on initially but figured it out once he left the mound.
The Dodgers, now, must find their rhythm as they gear up for the regular season, balancing the everyday grind with a careful ramp-up schedule.
While it’s still the beginning of spring training, there’s a long path ahead. Yet, after just one game, they’ve already shown their inertia and power.
Dodgers Update
On the same day, the Dodgers improved their outfield depth by acquiring 27-year-old Jack Swinski from the Pirates via waivers. Although Swinski has only batted .199 over four MLB seasons, he hit 26 home runs last year and notably has a .314 batting average with five homers against the Dodgers in 15 games.
Swinski joins Ryan Ward and Michael Ciani as left-handed outfield options on the 40-man roster. Meanwhile, the team has placed Quique Hernández on the 60-day injured list.
