The Team Everyone Will Love To Hate Drops Eight Runs In First Inning Of First Game Of Spring Training

The Los Angeles Dodgers sure hit the ground running on Thursday afternoon.

After a massive offseason saw the team sign all-world superstar Shoehi Ohtani, highly regarded starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, trade for Tyler Glasnow and add complimentary players like Teoscar Hernandez and Manuel Margot, expectations in LA are at an all-time high. And while you can't learn too much from games taking place on February 22nd, for Dodgers fans, it's not too early to get excited.

The Dodgers got to San Diego Padres starter Joe Musgrove in the first inning, with a walk, single, hit by pitch and a ground rule double, chasing Musgrove before he recorded an out. Carter Loewen replaced Musgrove, giving up a walk, another ground rule double, two run single and then a massive home run. 

Eight runs on just one out. It's almost impossible to start better than that. And neither of the Dodgers' major offseason additions even participated.

Feb 21, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (left) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto pose for a portrait during media day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dodgers Have Already Clinched The 2024 World Series

Sure, spring training results and statistics may not matter, but based on one inning in the first game of the year, the Dodgers have to be considered runaway favorites to win the World Series. Right?

Obviously the outcome of Thursday's exhibition game doesn't mean much. But this Dodgers lineup enters 2024 with the potential to be one of the best in recent memory. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Ohtani, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Hernandez, Chris Taylor, James Outman, and the return of Gavin Lux…there's depth, speed, power and quality hitting up and down the roster.

Even the pitching staff, which surprisingly was one of baseball's least dependable in 2023, could be elite. Glasnow seems healthy, Yamamoto has impressed in early bullpen and BP sessions, Bobby Miller had a fantastic debut season, Walker Buehler is expected back in May, and Clayton Kershaw is hoping for a late summer return. Emmett Sheehan, Gavin Stone and the potential injury returns of Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin add options for a postseason run.

It's an impressive collection of talent, supplemented by one of the game's best farm systems. And it's starting out exactly as Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts hoped it would. A 14-1 Dodgers victory.