Dodgers Triumph in Cold Conditions at Coors Field
DENVER — As snow fell and temperatures dipped into the 30s, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reminisced about the coldest game he had experienced. “I think it was in Buffalo back in April 2000,” Roberts recalled from his minor league career. “Snow, wind, cold. It was in the ’20s. Just miserable.”
What does it mean to play in what he termed a “mindset game”? Well, the Dodgers’ opener against the Colorado Rockies that evening turned out to be manageable. The snowfall eased a few hours before the game, allowing ground crews to clear the field. Although the 35-degree temperature at first pitch marked a record low for the Dodgers, Roberts noted with a laugh that it was just “dry cold” after the clouds cleared.
Still, such conditions can be tough. It’s almost like “testing your soul a little bit,” Roberts joked. Ultimately, the team excelled, securing a 7-1 victory.
“I can’t complain about that,” remarked third baseman Max Muncy. “Everyone has to go out there and deal with it, right?”
In what was a dominant performance, the Dodgers (15-4) scored in each of the first five innings, establishing an early lead. Tyler Glasnow pitched a solid seven-inning game against the Rockies (7-13), striking out seven, despite the chilly weather.
Muncy, who entered the game having hit just one for 17, turned things around with a 3-for-4 showing, including two home runs, a double, and an RBI. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith also contributed with two hits each, while Andy Pages and Kim Hye-sung reached base twice.
This was exactly what Roberts sought when he urged his batters to “beat the cold” before the game. “It’s uncomfortable and it’ll hurt your hands,” he noted. “Today is one of those days where you have to focus for three hours and stay engaged for four or five at-bats.”
Glasnow, who is enjoying a great start to the season, seemed to thrive despite the frigid conditions, especially compared to last year when he struggled in similar weather. “I think he’s improved by leaps and bounds,” Roberts commented.
The Dodgers are off to a strong start, having won four consecutive games and 11 of their last 13, making them the first team in the majors to reach 15 wins.
Glasnow’s strong performance marked the third time in four games the Dodgers saw at least seven innings from a pitcher. “I’m usually very hot and sweaty, so it was mostly comfortable,” Glasnow said. “I think just feeling good helped.”
Muncy seems to have found his rhythm again. After a tough week, the cold weather might actually have sparked his bat. He hit a 452-foot solo homer in the second inning and followed it up with a 419-foot shot in the fifth, plus an RBI double. Interestingly, Muncy’s previous RBIs this season all came from solo homeruns.
“I really like what I’m working on,” Muncy expressed. “I feel once we establish that, things will start moving.”
On the flip side, Rockies’ pitcher Tomoyuki Kanno struggled, especially against Ohtani. Before Friday’s game, Ohtani had faced Kanno twice, collecting four hits, all in key moments. In the game, Ohtani led off with a double, extending his on-base streak to 49 games.
Despite Kanno managing to get Ohtani out later, the damage had already been done. The Dodgers had built a substantial lead by that point.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers and Rockies will meet again on Saturday, with better weather expected. Emmett Sheehan (2-0, 6.60 ERA) is set to take on Ryan Feltner (1-1, 7.30 ERA) at 5:10 p.m. PT.
