MLB
Dodgers Dominate D-backs on Opening Day!
Well, if you missed Opening Day yesterday I suggest watching the replay because the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-5. If yesterday is any hint at what the Dodger season will offer then the Dodgers could be looking at reaching their third straight World Series. Before recapping the plethora of offense from the Dodgers’ record-breaking Opening Day, let’s talk about Hyun-Jin Ryu’s beautiful performance.
Stellar Starting Pitching
To start, unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Clayton Kershaw is injured. Because of this, his franchise-record eight consecutive opening day starts came to an end yesterday. Because of this, all the buzz during Spring Training was who was going to be the Dodgers’ opening day starter? At first, it looked like veteran Rich Hill would get the start; however, he became injured as well. Then, a week ago, Dave Roberts announced that Hyun-Jin Ryu would be getting the start. Ryu joked that starting opening day wasn’t even on his radar until he heard he had been named the starter. Well, Ryu should give himself a little more credit than that. In fact, after the two Cy Young Award winners last year, Ryu had the next best ERA of 1.97! Ryu’s stellar 2018 season definitely rolled over into yesterday’s game, because he pitched a gem!
Ryu was straight up on yesterday. He only gave up 1 run in six innings with no walks and 8 strikeouts! Most importantly, he got the win and will be starting off the 2019 season with a 1.5 ERA. Ryu isn’t even the Dodgers’ ace! Think about that. eWhen combined with the other pitchers for the Boys in Blue such as Walker Buehler and Julio Urias in addition to Rich Hill and Clayton Kershaw, plus last year All-Star Ross Stripling and not forget Kenta Maeda, the Dodger starting pitching options are stacked!
Record-Breaking Offense
Moving on to the Dodgers dominating offensive performance! First off, the Dodgers owned Zack Greinke. Although the fans loved him when he was in L.A. they definitely do not like how he left a few years ago. This is why Greinke is now greeted with boos every time he faces the Dodgers. Unfortunately for Greinke, he just was not on. However, the Dodgers offense was more than on and crushed 8 home runs yesterday! That’s right, 8! Which not only tied a Dodger single-game record but also set a new Dodger opening day home run record! Further, the Dodgers set a new MLB opening day record for most players to drop a bomb on opening day with 6!
Joc Pederson led things off from the start and just missed hitting one out when he led off, instead settling for a double. Joc would later crush 2 two-run bombs in the second and sixth innings and would end the day 3-5 and 4 RBIs. Next, fan favorite Kiké Hernandez didn’t waste any time taking advantage of his new everyday role as he drilled 2 dingers as well! He ended up going 2-3 on the day with 3 RBIs and a walk, hitting in the seven spot. In addition, catcher Austin Barnes also stepped up offensively and had a homer as well. Barnes ended up going 3-4 on the day batting in the eight hole. Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Corey Seager each hit dingers as well to be included in the Dodgers’ record-breaking day.
This Dodger team has a great group of young guys with a few veterans mixed in to really give this club a great balance. Yesterday was definitely a great start to hopefully an even better season!
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