Event of the Day: Los Angeles Dodgers versus San Francisco Giants
Our event of the day is the clash between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, part of the Opening Day of the new MLB season. The 89th Major League Baseball regular season marks its earliest domestic start as it was extended to 187 days and will last until the end of the September. The Postseason and the World Series will take place in October. Last term, the Dodgers won the National League dominantly, but fell short to the Houston Astros in game seven of the World Series. This year they’ll try and go all the way, for their seventh World Series title and first since 1988.
The Giants, winners of eight World Series (last time in 2014), aim for a big comeback this season, having shared last place last year with the Detroit Tigers with a 64-98 record, their worst in 32 years. This season, the National League West Division rivals both mark their 61st anniversary in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively; since the franchises’ moved from New York City to the West Coast. The Giants acquired two big players in the shape of third baseman Evan Longoria and outfielder Andrew McCutchen in a trade, and signed outfielder Austin Jackson to make a statement of their ambitions. The Dodgers held onto their championship-calibre lineup and are definitely a favourite to return to the World Series. All 30 teams play on the Opening Day of the new season, with the new chapter of one of the longest-standing rivalries at the Dodger Stadium the most anticipated one.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the AFL game between the Adelaide Crows and Richmond at the Adelaide Oval. In the first round, Adelaide lost 99-87 at Essendon, while Richmond defeated Carlton 121-95. Other MLB fixtures include the clash of the San Diego Padres and the Milwaukee Brewers at Petco Park in San Diego, whilst the Baltimore Orioles take on the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Parks in Baltimore. It’s Day 9 of the ATP World Tour and Day 10 of the WTA World Tour Miami Open at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne, Florida. In the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, while the Golden State Warriors meet the Milwaukee Bucks at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. It’s the first day of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble. In the NHL, the Nashville Predators come up against the San Jose Sharks at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by MLB