There’s nothing quite like an opening day. The buzzing crowd and the players lined up along the baselines—it’s something every fan looks forward to. But picture this for once—the Dodgers take the field and two of their major talents, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, are missing. Yes, it’s not ideally the way you’d want to kick off the season at home, right? After they missed the Tokyo series, their presence at the home opener is still dicey.

Betts is going through a rough patch presently. He couldn’t play in the Tokyo Series because of the lingering stomach virus that hit him so hard he lost 15 pounds. That’s a nightmare for an athlete who relies heavily on speed and explosiveness. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that they’re not really sure what caused it. Unfortunately, dehydration and extreme weight loss can lead to soft tissue injuries. They’re not willing to take any chances with that.

Only a few days are left until the opening day. And there is a hope that Betts can regain enough strength to be ready. Although it’s not merely about entering the field. It’s more about if he’s at his full capacity to make an impact.

On the other hand, when Freeman was gearing up to play in Tokyo, he backed out right before the first game as he started feeling discomfort in his left rib. The team made the right decision by playing it safe and keeping him out as a safety measure. As a result, Roberts expects him to make a comeback for the exhibition series against the Angels.

If things pan out well, Freeman should be good to go when the Dodgers take on the Cardinals at home. His appearance in the lineup is extremely crucial for the team at the moment, not just because of his bat, but also for the leadership he brings to the clubhouse.

The Dodgers are optimistic as of now, but it’s a waiting game. Well, the fans are actively keeping tabs on it, with a hope to see their stars back where they belong—right under the bright lights of Dodger Stadium.

Dodgers 6, Cubs 3: Time to get dramatic!

The way the Dodgers swept the Cubs in the Tokyo series, it’s tempting to jump to conclusions, most importantly after another remarkable victory in game 2. The game had it all, from early scoring to clutch pitching and a garnish of controversy.

Roki Sasaki and Justin Steele both sailed through the first inning. Unfortunately, Steele hit a tough spot during the second, issuing an opening free pass, which led to a two-run Dodgers rally. During the third, Tommy Edman’s solo homer made it 3-0. Then Enrique Hernández slammed a two-run shot in the fourth, pushing the lead to a legit 5-1.

The Cubs did have their chances. They had a bases-loaded situation in the third inning, but Sasaki shut the door with consecutive strikeouts. Shohei Ohtani made things even more interesting during the fifth inning, when he launched a deep fly ball off Nate Pearson. The umpires signaled a home run but replays said otherwise.
Keeping the controversy aside, the Cubs couldn’t take advantage of late scoring opportunities. Ryan Pressly intensified things during the ninth, loading the bases and giving Ohtani another chance. Eventually, the Dodgers held on.

The Dodgers were disciplined, consistent, and dangerous even without Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. But with the home opener hovering, all sights are on whether their two stars will be ready or not. If all works out well, the Dodgers could be back at full intensity just in time for their Dodger Stadium debut.