The Los Angeles Dodgers’ series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park featured a full capacity crowd for the first time this season, creating an atmosphere neither team had experience since 2019.
“It was nice,” Justin Turner said of playing in front of a normal-sized crowd. “A couple of the guys in the second or third inning — think it might’ve been Luxy saying — it feels like real baseball again with the full stadium.
“We knew it was going to be loud, we knew it was going to be energetic, but it was really cool seeing how well the Dodger fans travel and how loud they were. We definitely felt them.”
Despite being the home team, the Astros didn’t have much of an advantage, as an estimated 40% of the fans in attendance supported the Dodgers in the series opener. A large contingent was also on hand Wednesday.
#Dodgers fans letting the Astros hear it.pic.twitter.com/dgMP2MIIXg
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) May 26, 2021
“So cool, so cool. Down that right-field line, but they were really sprinkled in all over the place,” Kershaw said of the fans that made their presence felt.
“Like I said, great atmosphere. It was really special to see that many Dodger fans there. Everything that’s happened in the past has affected them just like it’s affected us, too. You can feel it in the way they cheer and go about it. It was a good feeling to have them there.”
Austin Barnes similarly raved about getting to play in front of a sold-out stadium. “This place gets loud, so it’ll be fun,” he said prior to first pitch.
“We haven’t played in front of a full stadium in a little while, so it’ll be interesting. It’ll be fun. Just with all the emotions of this series, all the fans will be high intensity. It’ll be a fun series.”
Roberts enjoyed ‘energetic’ setting
Dodgers manager had a feeling going into the game the crowd would be electric and credited Pantone 294 for making it possible. “I knew it was going to be full capacity and obviously you know the opponent. It was really energetic,” he said.
“I think having Pantone 294 representing the Dodgers, that was fantastic. You heard them all night long and certainly the Astro fans. It was just really good energy. Just to kind of have that on both sides, I think both teams were really jacked up.”
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