Yoshinobu Yamamoto opened the Dodgers season in Tokyo
The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially named Blake Snell as their Opening Day starter for the domestic season. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto had the honor of kicking off the Dodgers’ campaign in the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs, Snell will take the mound when the team plays its first game on U.S. soil.
Snell’s Opening Day assignment comes with plenty of intrigue, as he’ll be facing off against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal in a rare showdown between reigning Cy Young Award winners. This marks the only Opening Day matchup this season featuring two pitchers who have claimed baseball’s top pitching honor.
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also revealed that Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki will start the next two games of the series against Detroit, rounding out a highly anticipated trio of starting pitchers for Los Angeles.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, joined the Dodgers in the offseason on a lucrative five-year, $182 million deal. He has previously made Opening Day starts for both the Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres. His track record at Dodger Stadium is promising, with a career 1-0 record, 2.03 ERA, and 1.06 WHIP in seven starts at the venue. Now, he looks to begin his tenure in Los Angeles on a high note, hoping to set the tone for another championship-caliber season.
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As the Dodgers embark on their home opener, all eyes will be on Snell as he takes his first official steps toward making an impact in Hollywood.
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