The MLB opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres is set to be an exciting matchup that will kick off the 2022 season with a bang. Both teams are coming off strong performances last year, with the Dodgers making it to the NLCS and the Padres narrowly missing out on a playoff spot.
In terms of prediction picks, many experts are leaning towards the Dodgers as the favorites to win this game. With a strong lineup featuring stars like Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw, they have the edge in terms of experience and talent. However, the Padres are not to be underestimated, with their young core of players led by Fernando Tatis Jr. poised to make a statement this season.
Beyond a couple of carefully-selected Dodgers vs. Padres picks to fuel your betting needs, I go in-depth with a game preview and details of how to claim this can’t miss FanDuel welcome bonus.
The first clash of the two-game Seoul Series opened the MLB season and showcased an international appeal brought to the sport by an increasing lineup of Asian stars led by two-way Japanese star Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the offseason, signing the richest deal ever made by a major leaguer.
Earlier on Wednesday, South Korea police said they had received a report about an email threatening to detonate a bomb during the game to hurt Ohtani.
Ohtani went 2-for-5 in his first game since leaving the Los Angeles Angels for a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. A crowd of 15,952 was on hand to watch at the Gocheok Sky Dome for Major League Baseball's first game in South Korea.
"Just a good night overall for Shohei," Roberts said. "The bigger picture, it's significant because you've got such a generational talent that is on your ballclub in a big market in Los Angeles. There's a lot more eyeballs on the Dodgers and on Major League Baseball."
After a disappointing season in 2023, the Padres parted ways with three-time All-Star Juan Soto, shipping him to the Yankees. Equipped with a new manager and a few new faces, the Padres "Big Three" of Xander Bogaerts, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Manny Machado are a formidable offensive and defensive trio that rivals any in the league.
Ohtani’s stardom has spread worldwide, even as the two-way player has remained largely media-shy. The news of his recent marriage to Mamiko Tanaka shocked fans from Japan to the U.S. While he underwent surgery on his right elbow last September and will not pitch this season, he will be used as a designated hitter and there is a possibility he could play in the field. He went 2 for 5 with an RBI in his first game, the season opener against the San Diego Padres in Seoul.
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