The Dodgers seemed eager for a lift Friday night.
As soon as their new closer, Edwin Diaz, began warming up in the bottom of the eighth, the previously stagnant lineup sprang into action.
They capped off a tense game with a 5-4 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Tied at 4-4, Alex Freeland led off the eighth with a double, and Kyle Tucker’s RBI single gave the Dodgers the lead, marking a standout moment since he just signed a hefty $240 million contract this winter.
This led to the ninth inning, where Diaz made a dramatic entrance with his iconic trumpet theme, “Narco,” played live.
Diaz then secured his first save for the Dodgers after signing a $69 million deal this offseason.
The earlier offensive frustrations quickly faded as the Dodgers claimed the series victory and began their pursuit of a third consecutive World Series title.
Before those crucial late-game plays, the Dodgers struggled at the plate.
Their first hit came in the third inning when Freeland, who earned the last roster spot by defeating Kim Hye-sung in the spring, hit a solo home run.
Then, three batters later, Mookie Betts launched a three-run homer, turning a two-run deficit into a two-run lead.
However, after that burst, the Diamondbacks’ pitchers were effective for what felt like an eternity, until Alec Thomas’s clutch two-run double in the fourth inning evened the score.
This created considerable pressure for the Dodgers’ bullpen, which had to be challenged early when Emmett Sheehan lasted only 3 1/3 innings. Yet, every reliever stepped up, shutting out the Diamondbacks and leading to the Dodgers’ second straight win.
What It Means
So far, the Dodgers’ major offseason acquisitions are looking good.
Alongside his winning hit in the eighth, Tucker also made two solid outfield assists and stole a base on an eighth-inning single, advancing to third due to an errant throw.
On the flip side, Diaz navigated the ninth inning without much trouble, preventing a pinch when Thomas reached second with a walk and a stolen base.
This victory allowed the Dodgers to clinch the series heading into the rest of the season.
Who Is Hot
Freeland didn’t hit well during the spring, managing only a .125 average in the Cactus League but still secured a platoon role as a second baseman.
In Friday’s season opener, the 24-year-old rookie showed he could repay their confidence. His home run in the third was noteworthy, coming from an 0-2 count where he connected with an inside fastball.
He later added a crucial double to right-center in the eighth, fueling the game-winning rally.
Who Is Not?
On the other hand, Sheehan struggled, having lagged behind in spring training due to illness, which impacted both his pitching development and fastball speed, which was several ticks lower than last year’s average.
In his season debut, Sheehan struck out a batter in the first, then allowed runs in the second and third. He was removed in the fourth with a poor outing, keeping him at just 83 pitches.
His fastball averaged only about 94 mph. He ended with six strikeouts, but also allowed five hits, two walks, and four runs scored before a inherited runner came home against Jack Dryer.
To The Next
The Dodgers are aiming for another series win on Saturday, facing Tyler Glasnow, who had a solid spring. The Diamondbacks will respond with veteran left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who controversially blocked a trade to the Dodgers at last year’s deadline.
