Dodgers’ big bats lead the way in home opener against Cardinals
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman each hit home runs and those two plus Shohei Ohtani combine to drive in four runs and score six as the Dodgers roll to a 7-1 win. Tyler Glasnow gives up one run on two hits in six innings.
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, is greeted by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 7-1. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts heads for home as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt hits a single against the Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on prior to his first at-bat during the first inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani swings at a pitch during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leaves the batter’s box after hitting a double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was thrown out at third trying to extend the play. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, left, watches his double off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas, right, during the first inning of their home opener on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leaves the batter’s box after hitting a double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was thrown out at third trying to extend the play. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leaves the batter’s box after hitting a double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was thrown out at third trying to extend the play. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani leaves the batter’s box after hitting a double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was thrown out at third trying to extend the play. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani (17) is out at third base as teammate Mookie Betts occupies the base after Ohtani’s double during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani was out trying to extend his double to a triple. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is greeted as he returns to the dugout after trying to extend his double into a triple during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Miles Mikolas of the St. Louis Cardinals pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, center, watches his RBI single during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts is greeted as he returns to the dugout after scoring on an RBI single by Freddie Freeman (not pictured) during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado prepares to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts watches the flight of his solo home run as he begins to run the bases during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts points to the sky as he rounds second base after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a one-run home run against pitcher Miles Mikolas #39 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning on opening day at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts rounds third base after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts, right, is greeted by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani draws a walk during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman watches the flight of his two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman watches the flight of his two-run home run as he runs the bases during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, top left, watches the flight of his two-run home run off of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas, not pictured, with teammate Shohei Ohtani, bottom right, during the third inning on opening day at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, left, looks toward first base coach Clayton McCullough as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits an RBI single during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas stands on the mound as the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, background right, rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Freddie Freeman, right, is congratulated by third base coach Dino Ebel as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, is greeted by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 7-1. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, congratulates Freddie Freeman at home plate after his two-run home run during the third inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, is greeted by teammate Shohei Ohtani after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 7-1. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow throws to the plate during the first inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt (46) celebrates his home run with teammates in the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani walks to the batter’s box during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Andre Pallante, a former UC Irvine standout, throws to the plate during the fifth inning of a game against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani adjust his glove after hitting a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Injured Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, left, and pitching coach Mark Prior watch from the dugout during the sixth inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers fans stand for the seventh inning stretch during the home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts reacts after being knocked down by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O’Brien, not pictured, during the seventh inning of their home opener on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after an inside pitch from St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O’Brien during the seventh inning of their home opener on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, watches from the dugout alongside Manager Dave Roberts during the eighth inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on during his at-bat in the seventh inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches his RBI single as he runs to first base during the seventh inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Mookie Betts congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a single by Max Muncy, not pictured, during the seventh inning of a game against the St. Louis Cardinals catches at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward hits during the eighth inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Jason Heyward hits during the eighth inning of their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts throws to first base during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts (50), Teoscar Hernandez (37), Miguel Rojas (11) and Kiké Hernández (8) celebrate the team’s 7-1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, center, high-fives players as they celebrate the team’s 7-1 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Fans make their way through centerfield plaza prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A Dodgers fan wears a shirt referencing the team’s 1988 World Series title, left, as fans wear Shohei Ohtani jerseys prior to the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans make their way through centerfield plaza prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Art and Terry Navarrette of El Sereno show off their Dodgers fandom prior to the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A young Dodgers fan rests on her father’s shoulders prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans make their way through centerfield plaza prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A fan dressed as Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, poses for pictures prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
A Dodgers fan celebrates in costume prior to the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The grounds crew prepares the field prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Kike Hernandez is introduced prior their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is introduced before the team’s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is introduced prior to their home opener against the Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Fans watch as players warm up on the field before the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is introduced prior to their home opener against the Louis Cardinals on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is introduced before the team’s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani walks on the field during pre-game introductions before the team’s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) shake hands during pre-game introductions before the team’s baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Dodgers players and coaches line up on the third base line for the national anthem before their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Former Dodgers great Adrian Beltre throws the ceremonial first pitch to injured Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw before the home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
A fan dressed as Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, poses for pictures prior to the Dodgers’ home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws in the bullpen before their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium on March 28, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Art and Terry Navarrette of El Sereno show off their Dodgers fandom prior to the team’s home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — If the Dodgers are playing “checkbook baseball,” opposing pitchers are going to find themselves paying the fees.
The top three in the Dodgers’ lineup – Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman – combined for five hits, including two home runs, drove in four runs and scored six as the Dodgers beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 7-1, in their first game of the season on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
Three games into the season, Betts, Ohtani and Freeman have been on base 26 times, scored nine times and driven in 13 runs.
“I think in any discussion, you can argue that they’re the best hitter in baseball,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I think when you talk about those three guys and you lump up another handful or 10 players in baseball, they’re in that conversation. We’re fortunate to have three at the top of the order.
“Certainly, the first word that comes to mind is ‘daunting’ (for opposing pitchers) … when you look at those guys.”
The Cardinals’ season-opening starter, right-hander Miles Mikolas, criticized the Dodgers’ big-spending ways this offseason as “checkbook baseball” and said he hoped the collection of “Midwestern farmers” playing for the Cardinals could “stick it to the Dodgers.”
The big sticks at the top of the Dodgers’ lineup did the plowing against Mikolas.
The first four hitters reached base. Betts led off with a walk and went to third base when Ohtani doubled into the corner. Ohtani didn’t see third base coach Dino Ebel hold Betts at third and ran into the first out of the inning – one of only two Mikolas managed from the first third of the Dodgers’ order.
“I just kind of passed by the bag way too quicker than the lead runner so I wasn’t able to pick up Dino on time,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “It’s a situation that I hadn’t encountered during spring training so I conferred with Dino and Mookie to make the adjustment.”
Ohtani’s foot speed and the expectation that he will be a more aggressive baserunner this season while not conserving energy to pitch was a topic of discussion during spring training. But he has run into two outs in three games so far. In the first game in Seoul, he was doubled off of first base on a fly ball.
“He can run very fast, but he’s got to understand there’s a guy in front of him, too,” Roberts said of Thursday’s mistake. “It was certainly a stand-up triple. But when you’ve got Freddie behind him, you don’t want to make that first out at home plate (by sending Betts). So you’ve got to keep your head up, too.”
Freeman singled in Betts and, after Will Smith singled, Freeman scored on a sacrifice fly by Max Muncy.
Betts led off the third inning with his second home run of the season (he homered in one of the two games in Seoul). Ohtani walked and Freeman dropped a two-run home run over the fence for a 5-0 getaway against Mikolas.
The top three purchases in the Dodgers’ lineup were 5 for 6 with two home runs and five runs scored before Mikolas headed back to the farm in the fifth inning.
“Everyone’s going to make a lot of it. I get it. But you got to give credit to Will, Max, everyone throughout the course of this lineup. We scored runs not just from us at the top,” Freeman said.
“It’s not just the top of the order. There’s nine guys in this lineup. I will deflect that for every single question from here on out. It is nine guys in this lineup. We did a good job today.”
There are nine guys in the lineup – but the first three have combined to score nine runs and drive in 13 in the first three games.
“I don’t know. It seems like we’re just up there doing our jobs, having fun and playing the game,” Betts said. “I think there’s been a lot of expectations on the outside, but internally nobody expects anything more than what Freddie, Mookie, Shohei and everybody down the lineup can do.”
Betts has done a lot. He walked again later in the game and has reached base in 11 of his first 15 plate appearances this season – four singles, a double, two home runs and four walks. He has already scored five runs and driven in eight in the Dodgers’ first three games – all while navigating a difficult position change.
“It’s impressive,” Roberts said. “I learned a lot last year from Mookie when he said that he really separates the offense from the defense. This is talking about going from right field to the dirt (the infield). He obviously had an MVP-caliber season last year, and so this is one of those things again that he just does a good job separating the defense from the offense.
“Clearly (shortstop is) the toughest position to handle on the defensive side, but to not have any drop-off offensively – he’s just a unique player.”
Ohtani has started his Dodgers career by going 5 for 13. Freeman is 3 for 9 with five walks.
“I was the only guy who couldn’t hit a homer,” Ohtani joked of the big three’s big day.
“Overall I had quality at-bats. The last at-bat I wanted to make sure Freddie got his last at-bat. That was something I wanted to do.”
Shohei Ohtani spoke postgame to the media about his #OpeningDay experience at Dodger Stadium and the Big Three at the top of the order. pic.twitter.com/o2VTjrYjlY
