The offseason dust has settled, and the Dodgers are gearing up to chase history. They're aiming to become the first team to three-peat since the Yankees' legendary run from 1998 to 2000.
Fresh off a back-to-back championship, the Dodgers made some savvy offseason moves, bringing in top-tier talent to bolster their roster. Kyle Tucker is set to make his debut in right field, batting second, while Edwin Diaz strengthens a bullpen that struggled last year with a 4.27 ERA.
Kicking off their season at home, the Dodgers face a unique six-game homestand. First up are the Diamondbacks, followed by a rare Sunday off before the Guardians roll into town. The Diamondbacks, hoping to rebound from an injury-plagued 2025, held onto Ketel Marte despite trade talks and added Nolan Arenado, who had a scorching spring with a 1.290 OPS.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto takes the mound for his second consecutive Opening Day start, looking to continue his postseason heroics. Last October, Yamamoto was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a World Series MVP performance.
His regular season was equally impressive, finishing third in Cy Young voting with a 2.49 ERA. Against the Diamondbacks last year, Yamamoto was dominant in three of his four starts, racking up 26 strikeouts over 20 innings.
On the other side, Zac Gallen makes his fourth Opening Day start for the Diamondbacks. Despite a challenging 2025 season with a 4.83 ERA, Gallen chose to return to Arizona on a one-year deal.
He has a mixed track record against the Dodgers but had a standout performance in LA last August. Gallen's repertoire includes a fastball, knuckle curve, and changeup, with a mix of slider, cutter, and sinker.
With Tucker's addition, the Dodgers' lineup sees some shifts. Shohei Ohtani leads off, followed by Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. Miguel Rojas starts at second base, a nod to his clutch homer in last year's Game 7.
The Dodgers' Opening Day roster holds no surprises, with Santiago Espinal stepping in as the lone infielder/outfielder due to injuries to Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez. Alex Freeland made the cut over Hyeseong Kim, and the pitching staff includes Roki Sasaki and Edgardo Henriquez.
In injury news, Brock Stewart is on the mend after shoulder surgery. Before joining the Dodgers, he posted a 2.38 ERA with the Twins. Stewart is nearing a rehab assignment, eager to return to form.
As the season unfolds, the Dodgers are poised to make another historic run, with a lineup and rotation that fans can rally behind.