The good news is that the Dodgers weren’t no-hit in their 3-0 loss to the Hanshin Tigers at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on Saturday.
The bad news is they went 3-for-28 (.107) at the plate – all singles. They also went 7-for-32 (.219) in their 5-1 win over the Yomiuri Giants on Saturday, during which they did manage to hit a double and three home runs, so there’s that.
But the worst news is that the Dodgers open their 2025 regular season with two games against the Chicago Cubs at that seemingly ill-fated Tokyo Dome on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18 and 19.
Over their 18 innings played in the Land of the Rising Sun on Saturday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts‘ team went a combined 10-for-60 (.167), with one double and those three home runs for those five runs scored.
“I thought we saw some good arms from the Giants yesterday, certainly out of the bullpen,” Roberts said following Saturday’s two-day twin-bill (due to the time difference). “I thought this team (the Yomiuri Giants), they had some players that were… I think both teams were physical. It’s still baseball and, umm, you know, Blake (Snell) was very good for three innings, and he walked the leadoff guy, gave up a hit, and left a fastball up in the strike zone.”
(SportsNet LA)
“And so, it’s one of those things that, you know, when you don’t execute… when you execute, you’re going to get guys out, and when you don’t, you’re going to give other teams opportunities. So, it’s still good to face another team, but it still comes down to playing good baseball,” Roberts added.
To end this piece with some great news, Dodgers future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw was spotted signing many autographs for fans following his rehab workout on Saturday.
(Arash Markazi via X.com)
Play Ball!
* * * * * *