The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their first home series of the year in dominant fashion, sweeping the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. The team showcased a mix of power hitting, stellar pitching, and strong defense, reinforcing their status as early-season favorites.
In Game 1, the Dodgers set the tone with a commanding 7-2 victory. Corey Seager, in his highly anticipated return to Dodger Stadium, wasted no time making an impact, delivering a two-run double in the first inning. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman each homered, while Walker Buehler looked sharp in his season debut, striking out eight over six innings of work.
Game 2 was a closer battle, but the Dodgers prevailed 4-3 in a thrilling finish. A clutch RBI single from Will Smith in the eighth inning gave the team the go-ahead run. Meanwhile, the bullpen locked things down, with Evan Phillips earning his second save of the season. Rookie sensation Bobby Miller impressed with six strong innings, allowing just two runs while fanning nine.
The series finale was all Dodgers, as they erupted for an 8-1 rout to complete the sweep. Shohei Ohtani crushed his first home run at Dodger Stadium, electrifying the crowd. Clayton Kershaw, in vintage form, tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out ten while allowing only three hits. The Tigers struggled to generate offense, with the Dodgers’ defense turning multiple highlight-reel plays.
With this sweep, the Dodgers improve to 6-1 on the season, solidifying their position atop the NL West standings. Up next, they prepare for a key divisional showdown against the San Diego Padres. If this series was any indication, the Dodgers are poised for another dominant campaign.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a statement in their first home series of the year, sweeping the Detroit Tigers in a three-game set at Dodger Stadium. In front of a packed house of enthusiastic fans, the team showcased the dominant form that has made them perennial World Series contenders. From explosive offense to shutdown pitching, the Dodgers fired on all cylinders, leaving no doubt that they are one of the most complete teams in Major League Baseball.
The series opener saw the return of Corey Seager to Dodger Stadium in Dodger blue, and he wasted no time reminding fans why they fell in love with him in the first place. Seager ripped a two-run double in his first at-bat, setting the tone for a 7-2 Dodgers victory. Mookie Betts followed with a solo home run in the third inning, while Freddie Freeman continued his hot start with three hits and two RBIs. Walker Buehler, making his first start of the season, was electric, tossing six innings of two-run ball while striking out eight. The bullpen was lights-out, with Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips combining for three scoreless innings to shut the door.
Game 2 was a much closer contest, but the Dodgers once again found a way to win. The Tigers jumped out to an early lead thanks to a solo home run by Spencer Torkelson, but the Dodgers responded with back-to-back RBI singles from Max Muncy and Chris Taylor in the fourth inning. The game remained tied at 3-3 heading into the eighth inning, when Will Smith delivered the biggest hit of the night—a clutch RBI single to put the Dodgers ahead 4-3. The bullpen took care of the rest, with Daniel Hudson and Evan Phillips securing the final six outs to give the Dodgers their second win of the series.
By the time the third game rolled around, the Dodgers had full control of the series, and they made sure to finish in style. Shohei Ohtani, who had been relatively quiet in the first two games, finally had his breakout moment in a Dodgers uniform. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Ohtani crushed a 440-foot home run deep into the right-field pavilion, his first long ball at Dodger Stadium. The crowd erupted as the Japanese superstar rounded the bases, delivering a moment that fans had been eagerly awaiting. Ohtani’s blast sparked an offensive outburst, as the Dodgers piled on runs in the later innings to cruise to an 8-1 win. Clayton Kershaw turned back the clock with a masterful performance, striking out ten over seven scoreless innings, allowing just three hits. The Tigers looked overmatched, managing just a single run on a late-game sacrifice fly.
With the sweep, the Dodgers improved to 6-1 on the season, establishing themselves as the team to beat in the National League. Their pitching staff looked dominant throughout the series, with strong starts from Buehler, Miller, and Kershaw, while the bullpen continued to show why it’s one of the best in baseball. Offensively, the big names delivered—Betts, Freeman, Seager, and Ohtani all played crucial roles—but the depth of the lineup was also on full display, with key contributions from players like Taylor, Smith, and James Outman.
Perhaps most importantly, the chemistry of this new-look Dodgers team is already evident. With the additions of Ohtani and Seager, combined with their returning core, the Dodgers look as dangerous as ever. Manager Dave Roberts was all smiles after the sweep, emphasizing the team’s mindset moving forward: “It’s a long season, but this was a great way to start things off at home. The energy from the fans was incredible, and the guys really fed off it.”
Up next, the Dodgers will face a bigger test as they prepare for a divisional showdown with the San Diego Padres. The rivalry has heated up in recent years, and the Padres are coming off a series win of their own. But if this opening homestand was any indication, the Dodgers are ready for whatever challenges come their way. If their dominance against Detroit is a sign of things to come, the rest of the league should be on high alert.