Opening day 2024: What to watch for as 28 of 30 MLB teams start their season
After the Dodgers and Padres soft-launched the 2024 MLB season with a two-game series in Seoul, South Korea last week, the league's other 28 teams are set to begin the season Thursday
Here's what to watch for on MLB's opening day:
Ohtani already made his Dodgers debut last week in South Korea, but all eyes will still be on the two-way sensation as LA hosts the Cardinals. The $700 million star is trying to play on after the firing of his longtime interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara, who Ohtani said Monday stole money from him to pay off gambling debts. Mizuhara was fired while the Dodgers were in Seoul last week for a two-game, regular-season opener against San Diego.
Ohtani, who won't pitch this season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, was 3 for 10 with two RBIs as Los Angeles split the Seoul Series. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts posited Tuesday that Mizuhara's absence could be good for Ohtani, saying Mizuhara had been a “buffer” between the Japanese star and his new teammates.
