Shohei Ohtani expressed contentment with his at-bats and gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the packed Dodger Stadium crowd on Opening Day. However, amidst all the positive feedback, Ohtani couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret as he was the only player in the superstar trio atop the Dodgers’ lineup who failed to hit a homerun. Both Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman managed to hit homers off the Cardinals’ starter Miles Mikolas during the game.
Despite Ohtani’s inability to hit a homerun on Opening Day, the trio of Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman showcased their dominance in the Dodgers’ lineup. In the first three games of the season, these players are collectively slashing .455/.578/.788, contributing significantly to driving in 13 of the Dodgers’ 23 runs.
Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman making up the top three spots in the Dodgers’ lineup is a significant occurrence in baseball history. It marks the fifth instance in Major League Baseball history where three players who finished within the top three in MVP voting the previous year are on the same team at the start of the following season.
Betts, Ohtani, and Freeman made their presence felt right from the beginning of the game. Betts started with a walk and eventually scored the Dodgers’ first run after Freeman’s single. With Betts hitting a homer, Ohtani drawing a walk, and Freeman hitting another homer, the trio was instrumental in the Dodgers establishing a solid lead early in the game.
Aside from the on-field performance, Ohtani’s week leading up to the home opener was marred by a betting scandal involving significant sums of money transferred from his bank account to a bookmaking operation under federal investigation. This off-the-field controversy added a layer of complexity to Ohtani’s narrative, contrasting with his stellar performance in the game.
While the focus was primarily on Ohtani and the superstar trio, other players on the Dodgers’ roster also made significant contributions to the team’s success. Pitcher Tyler Glasnow pitched six strong innings, and hitters like Will Smith, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernandez, and James Outman provided valuable offensive support, underscoring the team’s depth beyond the star trio.
Freeman, amidst the media frenzy surrounding Ohtani and the Big Three, emphasized the importance of the entire lineup contributing to the team’s success. He highlighted that it’s not just the top of the order but all nine players in the lineup that play a crucial role in securing victories for the team.
While Shohei Ohtani’s presence and performance in the Dodgers’ lineup have been highly anticipated and celebrated, it’s essential to recognize the collective effort of the entire team in achieving success on the field. The blend of star power and team depth will be critical for the Dodgers as they navigate through the challenges of a long baseball season.
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