Recap: Dodgers Defeat White Sox In Cactus League Opener

If you’re a believer that they all count, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 1-0 on the year. The Dodgers took the game on Saturday in their Cactus League opener by a score of 7-6 from the Chicago White Sox.

Let’s take a look at what unfolded at good old Camelback on Saturday afternoon.

The Offense

Joc Pederson has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason. Ironically, the White Sox were the team sniffing around him. Today, Pederson became the first Dodger to homer in 2019.

The first homer of #DodgersST belongs to @yungjoc650! pic.twitter.com/8cf1gxXUUF

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 23, 2019

However, that served as the exclamation point – not the starting point.

Let’s do some Russell Martin nostalgia. In his first appearance in a Dodgers’ uniform since 2010, Martin put the Dodgers on the board with their first runs of the new year and a 2-0 lead.

Oh, we can get used to this. #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/LHRnkEMkZg

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 23, 2019

Equally important, Kiké Hernandez and Austin Barnes tallied multiple-hit efforts. Justin Turner and Max Muncy were on base a couple times each. Alex Verdugo notched an RBI.

A fun time was had by all on day one! It will be interesting to see if this special Martin moment serves as foreshadowing for what’s to come.

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The Defense

Rich Hill was given the start and worked a scoreless first with a strikeout. Then, we got into names like Daniel Corcino, Stetson Allie, and Yimi Garcia. Each of them fired a scoreless inning in relief.

However, the toughest day may have been for Josh Smoker. Smoker allowed four hits, two earned runs, and a home run in his one-inning assignment.

There’s little that can be taken other than the Los Angeles pitchers held the opposition to one less. If you made an observation while watching the game today that you feel is noteworthy, let us know in the comments!

The Final Word

There’s a ton of baseball left to come! We only saw a few Dodgers’ regulars get time today – so as the days wear on you can expect to see more familiarity.

It’s important to keep an eye on the unheralded names right now, too. There’s always that one guy who plays his way into the 25th spot on the roster. I can’t wait to see who emerges to join ‘the family’.