For generations, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers have stood as pillars of excellence in baseball. With a storied history rich in championships and legendary players, these two franchises have cultivated a rivalry that transcends divisional lines.
This competition has been particularly fierce in the postseason, where they’ve clashed five times since 2004, each meeting loaded with unforgettable moments, none more so than the 2021 Wild Card Game. That game saw Chris Taylor of the Dodgers hitting a walk-off homer, a thrilling conclusion to their latest playoff battle. As both teams eye another potential postseason face-off, the focus for now is on the early season, starting with a much-anticipated game at Dodger Stadium.
Anticipation Builds: Game Details
The game starts at 1:10 p.m. PT in Los Angeles and will be available on SportsNet LA and AM 570 radio. Cardinals fans in St. Louis can tune in at 3:10 p.m. CT on Bally Sports Midwest or listen on KMOX and the Cardinals Radio Network. According to Casino Poland Online, odds have the Dodgers as heavy -240 favorites on the moneyline, with the o/u at 8.5 runs.
DodgerBlue.com will be live Tweeting the game beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT https://twitter.com/DodgerBlue1958
Starting Line-ups: A Look at the Teams
Dodgers Projected Line-up
- Mookie Betts, SS
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Will Smith, C
- Max Muncy, 3B
- Teoscar Hernández, LF
- James Outman, CF
- Jason Heyward, RF
- Gavin Lux, 2B
Cardinals Projected Line-up
- Brendan Donovan, LF
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Nolan Gorman, 2B
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Willson Contreras, C
- Matt Carpenter, DH
- Jordan Walker, RF
- Victor Scott II, CF
- Masyn Winn, SS
On the Mound: Starting Pitchers
Tyler Glasnow, RHP, marks his second Opening Day start (or third if you count the Seoul Series played last week in Korea) and his first at Dodger Stadium as a Dodger, embodying the team’s ambitious offseason acquisitions. For St. Louis, Miles Mikolas, RHP, steps up as the Opening Day starter, who at age 35 is the oldest Cardinal to do so consecutively since Chris Carpenter in 2010 and 2011.
The Bullpen Battle
Despite injuries to Brusdar Graterol and Blake Treinen, who were both placed on the 15-day disabled list, the Dodgers’ bullpen, featuring Joe Kelly and Daniel Hudson, remains formidable. For the Cardinals, Ryan Helsley will lead the way. St. Louis revamped its bullpen, adding Andrew Kittredge and Riley O’Brien to its lineup of relievers over this past off-season.
Navigating Injuries
Both teams face challenges with key players on the injured list as the season starts, including the Dodgers’ Buehler and Sheehan and the Cardinals’ Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar, which affects their opening strategies.
Players to Watch
Mookie Betts enters the game hot off a strong performance in South Korea, while Freddie Freeman and James Outman look to bounce back from tepid starts. Still, all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, who appears to have put controversy behind him as he plays his first home game for Los Angeles.
Due to injuries, St. Louis will be reshuffling the outfield, with rookies like Victor Scott looking to step up and the team banking on big seasons from sluggers Goldschmidt and Arenado.
Looking Ahead
The Cardinals brace for a demanding schedule against 2023 playoff teams to start the season, with a four-game set against Los Angeles and three games against the San Diego Padres.
The games against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium present an opportunity for redemption after a sweep in 2023, highlighting the ongoing saga of this storied rivalry. This series not only revisits a classic baseball rivalry but sets the stage for a season filled with high expectations, strategic depth, and the pursuit of glory, embodying the rich tradition and competitive spirit that define the Cardinals and the Dodgers.
