Takeaways from Game One of the MLB Seoul Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres have traveled to Seoul, South Korea for the first-ever game the MLB has played in South Korea. A presenting partner, Coupang Play has presented this MLB two-game Seoul Series which started yesterday and will end today. The matchup these two teams played yesterday was the first game of the 2024 MLB regular season, with the Dodgers coming out on top with a 5-2 comeback win. This 2024 season will have a lot to offer us baseball fans as this should surely be another classic 162-game battle. Let’s look into what went down yesterday, and what we fans can expect from both the Dodgers and Padres in 2024. 

Los Angeles Billion Dollar Offseason Was Well Spent

This offseason, Los Angeles spent well over a billion dollars, making moves to ensure a perfect roster, and the best shot to win the National League and the 2024 World Series. Los Angeles signed two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, right fielder Teoscar Hernandez, traded for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow, re-signing three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, and many more transactions. Los Angeles made their case clear during game one of the Seoul Series when they came back from a 2-1 deficit to win the game in the late stages 5-2. It’s clear from game one of the regular season, that this Dodgers team can come back, especially in the deeper innings of the ballgame. They have the skilled players, and the roster necessary to win over 100 games this 2024 season.

Ohtani Could Win His Third MVP Award

While we’re only 161 games away from watching the Dodgers complete their 2024 regular season. There’s no doubt that Ohtani is trying to prove his greatness and his value to Los Angeles. At all costs he’s looking to help this team get deep into the postseason, somewhere he’s never seen. While the playoff nerves could get to the two-time MVP, there’s certainly a factor of showing he’s capable of leading this franchise to greatness once again. During yesterday’s 5-2 win, Ohtani went two for five with two singles, a stolen base, and an RBI. With a team loaded with talent, I’m sure Ohtani will get more opportunities at-bat, which means more opportunities to make something happen, whether extending a Dodger lead or bringing Los Angeles back from a deficit.

Are the Padres Truly a Contender?

With losing Blake Snell to the division rival San Francisco Giants, the Padres have a huge hole in their pitching rotation. Yu Darvish pitched great for San Diego yesterday, and while he did get into a few jams, especially a bases-loaded situation in the third inning, Darvish was able to strike out third baseman Max Muncy to end the inning. The Dodger started this game 0-7 with runners in scoring position, and after seven innings they left nine men on base. Yu will have to consistently pitch great, and the Padres offense must score more than two runs if they’re going to have a remote chance in the National League West division, let alone the entire National League.