Oh boy, the 2024 MLB season is starting with a bang, and not where you’d expect. This Wednesday, the baseball world shifts its gaze to Seoul, South Korea. That’s right. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are kicking things off far from home. And guess what? These games aren’t just for show. They really count.
For the first time ever, MLB’s regular season is making its debut in South Korea. It’s a big deal, considering the last international season opener was back in 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. The Dodgers and Padres are up first with the Seoul Series. Then, it’s back to business as usual with the rest of the league starting the following Thursday, March 28.
Wondering how to catch the action? Here’s the scoop.
Dodgers vs. Padres time, info
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 20. You’ll need to set an alarm, though, because the game starts at 6:05 a.m. ET (that’s 3:05 a.m. PT, yikes). The venue? Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. You can watch it on ESPN, SportsNet LA, or Padres TV. Or stream it on fubo (there’s a free trial). Tyler Glasnow of the Dodgers is going head-to-head with Yu Darvish of the Padres. The odds? LAD -190, SD +158, with an over/under of 8.5. And yes, you can follow live updates.
Storylines
The Dodgers are all in. The Shohei Ohtani era is upon us. After a record-breaking $700 million contract, Ohtani’s ready to hit, though he won’t be pitching just yet. With Mookie Betts, Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ lineup is fierce. And let’s not forget Yoshinobu Yamamoto, making his MLB debut. The Dodgers are showing off in Seoul.
The Padres, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back. Last year was rough, but they’re trimming the fat and focusing on a core trio: Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Xander Bogaerts. With Darvish and Joe Musgrove leading the charge, they’re eyeing a wild-card spot.
Prediction
The Dodgers are set to shine in the Seoul Series opener, thanks to Glasnow’s pitching and, of course, an Ohtani homer. Dodgers 7, Padres 2. Expect drama, folks.
