Cody Snavely
The 2024 MLB season has officially begun after the Dodgers split the two-game series in Seoul, Korea. However, it has been a hectic week for the Dodgers due to heavy controversy and on-field performance from high-profile players.
Dodgers split series in Korea to open 2024 regular season
The 2024 MLB regular season is officially underway, as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres opened a two-game series in Seoul, Korea.
The Dodgers’ historic offseason is officially over, and the much-anticipated debuts of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow all took place in the short two-game set.
Game one belonged to the Dodgers after a late-inning comeback with the help of Jake Cronenworth’s glove after a line drive by Gavin Lux gave the Dodgers the lead in the 8th inning.
The Dodgers’ bats were quiet most of the game after squandering multiple opportunities with men on base. However, Betts and Ohtani powered the Dodgers to a 5-2 win.
Tyler Glasnow pitched through some command issues, going five innings and allowing two runs but surrendering four walks. Glasnow, despite missing location on his off-speed pitches, kept the Dodgers in the game.
Game two was a different story for the Dodgers. The Padres got out to an early 9-2 lead after Dodgers pitchers Yamamoto and Michael Grove were hit around by the Padres. However, the Dodgers’ offense stepped up and kept them in the game.
Betts, the true MVP of the Korea series, went 4/5 with 6 RBI while blasting the first home run of the 2024 season with a no-doubt shot that went 400ft up the left-field bleachers.
While the Dodgers kept it close, Manny Machado sealed off any comeback attempts with his own no-doubter, blasting a three-run homerun off J.P. Feyereisen, giving the Padres a 15-11 win over the Boys in Blue.
Ohtani & Ippei Mizuhara controversy
It wouldn’t quite be a Dodgers season without a massive story coming out of the locker room. Since 2020, Dodgers PR has had a handful to deal with, so if anyone is prepared for this situation, it is them.
If you missed the major news, ESPN reported that Shohei Ohtani’s personal/team translator, Ippei Mizuhara, has stolen millions of dollars out of the two-way starts bank account to cover gambling debts.
However, since it broke Tuesday night, the story has gone through multiple iterations, but the most recent storyline follows.
On Wednesday, lawyers for the Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter said he had been “a victim of a massive theft” after reporters asked an Ohtani spokesman questions about why $4.5 million in wire transfers had been sent from Ohtani’s bank account to a bookmaking operation. The thief was Ohtani’s close friend and translator, Ippei Mizuhara.
Mizuhara’s purported betting came to light when a federal investigation into Southern California bookmaker Mathew Bowyer turned up wire transfers from a bank account under Ohtani’s name.
According to ESPN’s Tisha Thompson, Ohtani was not aware of Mizuhara’s gambling activity and debts until the interpreter addressed the Dodgers clubhouse in Seoul.
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara on Wednesday, and more questions continue to arise, but the short conclusion is that Ohtani seems to have been in the dark during these events.
There will undoubtedly be more scrutiny of the Dodgers this season as the story follows Ohtani and the team. However, here at DodgersBeat, we will only come to conclusions once the truth is uncovered.
But as it stands, Ohtani is not under any league investigation and will continue to play for the Dodgers until told otherwise.
Ohtani himself will address the media later today. He and Dave Roberts confirmed before yesterday’s game.
Yamamoto’s disastrous debut
While the biggest Dodgers debut this past weekend was undoubtedly Shohei Ohtani, a close second is rookie pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Yamamoto, who signed a record-breaking 12-year $325 million deal with the Dodgers in December, was a much-needed addition.
In 2023, the Dodgers’ starting pitching had a collective ERA of 4.26, the highest since 2010. The team ranked in the bottom third in ERA+ and WAR compared to the previous six seasons, when it was ranked in the top two or three.
Yamamoto had a subpar spring training, posting an ERA of 8.83 in 9.2 innings of work. However, he showed flashes of excellence, striking out 14 batters.
Entering game two after a slew of controversies leaked overnight, Yamamoto was ready to make his MLB debut for the team.
However, it could not have gone worse. The young right-handed pitcher could only go one inning, giving up five runs and throwing over 45 pitches in the top of the first. The Dodgers would shift gears to Michael Grove in the second inning, ending Yamamoto’s debut.
The biggest takeaway from Yamamoto’s debut is his lack of command with almost all of his pitches. The ones that were strikes were hit and hit hard by the Padres offense.
While there is no evidence of Yamamoto tipping pitches or an issue with changes in velocity, there is a case to be made that there will be an adjustment period.
I have stated that the best-case scenario for the Dodgers is that it will take Yamamoto around a month to adjust to the mound and the baseball before he feels comfortable.
Max Muncy & Dodgers defense
The first significant storyline to hit the Dodgers so far this season was the left side of the infield defense.
Prior to Betts taking over at SS, Gavin Lux was presumed to be the starting SS, and Max Muncy guarded the hot corner. However, as we all witnessed during spring training, Lux was a defensive liability at the position, leading the Dodgers to shift him back to 2B.
Max Muncy did not fare well this spring or to begin the season, as in the two-game series in Korea, Muncy committed three errors.
While Muncy is the defensive guru of Manny Machado or Nolan Arenado, he makes up for it with his bat, where he has the potential to launch 35 HR and have an above-average base percentage.
In 2023, Muncy set career highs in HR and RBI, and the Dodgers rewarded him for his efforts by signing him to a two-year $24 million extension with a 2026 club option.
Muncy came into camp this year determined to be a better fielder. He worked hard to get in shape, losing around 10 pounds. The coaches and multiple members of the front office noticed his improved physique and applauded him for his effort.
There were a lot of balls where I put myself in a bad position, I know that that’s not the defender that I am.
Max Muncy via MLB.com
Muncy, who ranked 33rd out of 36 3B in OAA (Outs Above Average), hopes to correct the trend, but so far in 2024, it is more of the same.
Dodgers domestic Opening Day
While the Dodgers and Padres each opened up the 2024 season already, they did so a week and a half before anyone else.
The Dodgers opened their last three-game exhibition series with the Anaheim Angels yesterday and will play today and tomorrow before another off day as the team prepares to host the St. Louis Cardinals in a four-game series.
During yesterday’s pregame, Dave Roberts announced the order of the starting rotation, moving Yamamoto back to the third starter, which lines up as six full days of rest.
- Tyler Glasnow
- Bobby Miller
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Gavin Stone
- James Paxton
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
