Dodgers' shock loss vs Tigers ahead of MLB Opening Day vs Cubs leaves fans concerned

MLB: Spring Training-Los Angeles Dodgers at Yomiuri Giants - Source: Imagn — Dodgers' shock loss vs Tigers ahead of MLB Opening Day vs Cubs leaves fans concerned - Source: Imagn

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the team to beat heading into the 2025 season after a busy offseason for the reigning World Series winners saw them sign two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell among others.

However, the star-studded Dodgers squad was defeated by the Hanshin Tigers in the NL West team's final exhibition game in Japan on Saturday. The Dodgers lineup, featuring Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, was blanked on the night in a 3-0 loss.

The shutout loss concerned Dodgers fans as they expected a win against the Japanese team ahead of their two-game Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs to start the season.

"You're an Mlb team wtf."

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"Enough of this traveling around the globe right before the season starts. Spring training gets shorted and we come out like crap. Why is CT3 still a Dodger & Muncy also," wrote another fan.

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"Crazy how we lost," wrote a fan.

The Tigers scored three runs in the game, coming from a three-run home run off All-Star Dodgers ace Blake Snell. Dodgers fans got on the offseason acquisitions' case after his disappointing outing.

"Snell… get ready to learn japanese buddy," wrote a fan.

"LMFAO HES SO BAD," wrote another fan.

The two-time Cy Young winner went 4 1/3 innings, striking out seven hitters and although he was strong for the majority of his outing from the mound, Teruaki Sato's three-run homer undid his good work.

Hanshin Tigers outshine Dodgers lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell

While the Dodgers' Japanese contingent of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki had the fans hyped, it was Hiroto Saiki of the Hanshin Tigers starter who grabbed the limelight over the weekend.

Saiki was dominant from the mound for the home team, going five innings, allowing just one hit to a star-studded lineup featuring Shohei Ohtani. He struck out seven batters in his impressive outing.

"Really good ballclub," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "I thought they played really good defense. They can handle velocity, good with the fastball. The starter [Saiki] had major league stuff. Good command, good split. And then Sato, he looks the part. He's a really impressive baseball player."

It was a second consecutive strong defensive show from the Tigers as they shut out the Chicago Cubs for a 3-0 win a day earlier on the back of ace Keito Mombetsu's five scoreless innings.

It was the Dodgers' last exhibition game as they will now square up against the Cubs on Tuesday to start the 2025 MLB season.

About the author

Chaitanya Prakash is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game.

Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya's curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America's favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya's favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players' self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash