MLB Notes: Dodgers Off to Best Start Since 1955

Leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani is setting the tone as a catalyst on offense for the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. He leads the MLB club in runs (10), walks (seven) and stolen bases (two).

The Dodgers are 7-0 to open the 2025 season, extending their winning streak with a 3-1 home triumph over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, April 1.

Manager Dave Roberts' team is off to its best start in decades. In fact, it's the Dodgers' best start since the team moved to the City of Angels from Brooklyn, New York, for the 1958 season.

The National League franchise has had two longer winning streaks to open the season ― 10-0 in 1955 (when it went on to win the World Series) and 9-0 in 1940.

In LA's latest win, Ohtani went 1-for-4 and scored a run.

Mookie Betts had the big hit in the game, a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Ohtani reached base on a single before Betts' blast to left gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

This season, Ohtani is batting .280 with two homers. He hit one at Tokyo Dome in Game 2 of the season-opening series against the Chicago Cubs on March 19. And he connected for another in the team's home opener against the Detroit Tigers on March 27.

Before the home opener at Dodger Stadium, the team had a ceremony to honor its World Series title in 2024, and players and staff received their championship rings.

In Pursuit of Another MLB Title

All signs are pointing to LA being an MLB title contender once again.

"I believe the unity within the team, as well as with the fans, was elevated after all the players worked to their best and achieved the target," Ohtani said, according to Kyodo News. "We want to have the ceremony again next year, so winning back-to-back is the prime target."

MLB — *Dodgers hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto fires a pitch to a Tigers batter on March 28. (Kirby Lee/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)*

Mixed Results for Yamamoto and Sasaki

Dodgers pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki each made their second start of the season during the team's first homestand of 2025.

Yamamoto (1-0) pitched five solid innings against the Tigers on Friday, March 28, allowing five hits and two runs. He walked two and struck out 10, an MLB career-high total for him, in a no-decision.

Sasaki, meanwhile, continues to struggle with his control as he gets acclimated to pitching in the majors. The former Chiba Lotte Marines standout has issued nine walks in 4⅔ innings.

In his latest start, Sasaki lasted only 1⅔ innings against Detroit on Saturday, March 29. He walked four batters and gave up three hits and two runs in the short stint. Sasaki, who still has a 0-0 record, also struck out a pair of Tigers. Only 52.4% of his pitches were strikes (32 of 61).

MLB — *Dodgers newcomer Roki Sasaki in action against the Tigers on March 29 at Dodger Stadium. (Jonathan Hui/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)*

It's not time to panic, but Roberts acknowledged that Sasaki, who is only 23, is a work in progress.

"He wants to perform," Roberts said, according to Sports Illustrated. "All he's known is success. And so I think that he's certainly upset, disappointed. But you got to be a pro and get back to work. It's not the first time that a starting pitcher has had two bad outings. And so again, this is all the learning curve, and we still got a good ballclub, and we're going to need him."

MLB — *Baltimore Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 30 in Toronto. (KYODO)*

Disappointing MLB Debut for Sugano

Baltimore Orioles veteran pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano lasted four innings in his first MLB regular-season start on Sunday, March 30. He exited the game due to hand cramps while warming up before the fifth inning and was charged with the loss against the host Toronto Blue Jays in Baltimore's 3-1 setback.

Sugano, a 35-year-old former Yomiuri Giants star, gave up two runs in the first inning but didn't allow any more.

What was his best stretch of the game?

Sugano found his rhythm on the mound and retired 10 of the last 13 Blue Jays batters he faced.

He issued two walks and struck out one while allowing four hits.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde doesn't expect Sugano's hand pain to force him to miss his next start.

"He feels much better now after getting fluids and some food," Hyde was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. "[And] he should be in line to make his next start."

MLB — *Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki smacks a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30 in Phoenix. (KYODO)*

Cubs' Suzuki Slugs 1st Homer of the Season

Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki belted his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to center in the sixth inning, in a road game on Sunday, March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Heading into the game, Suzuki was 2-for-21 to open the season, including 11 strikeouts (and 0-for-8 in the Tokyo Series).

It was a satisfying at-bat for the popular player who's hitting .229 with two homers and six RBIs through April 1.

"I wasn't in great shape to start the season, so I just came to the plate wanting to make sure I made a good swing," Suzuki said, according to Kyodo News.

Suzuki also elaborated on his struggles of late.

"I was feeling a little lost, a little lost in my swing, not being able to get my best swing in there, and just kind of upset about myself and just thinking about stuff like that," Suzuki said through an interpreter at Chase Field in Phoenix, the Chicago Tribune reported. "So I'm glad I was able to get my best swing off today."

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.