The Los Angeles Dodgers began their United States opening series against the Detroit Tigers on March 27. The Dodgers returned stateside after a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan.
Former Iowa pitcher Jack Dreyer pitched in the second game of the Japan series on March 19. He pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits, and struck out one batter. The Dodgers won both games of the Japan series to begin the season 2-0.
After returning to Los Angeles, the Dodgers started a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers won game one 5-4 after Blake Snell's Los Angeles debut.
The Dodgers won game two 8-5 in 10 innings after a Mookie Betts three-run home run in the bottom of the 10th inning.
In game three on March 29, rookie sensation Roki Sasaki took the mound in his second major league start. In his first major league start in Japan, Sasaki pitched three innings, giving up one earned run on one hit, and struck out three.
Sasaki was wild in his first start, walking five batters in three innings.
Sasaki's first start stateside did not fare much better. He threw 61 pitches and walked four batters in 1.2 innings after struggling to find command.
Sasaki allowed two runs on three hits and struck out two batters. After he struggled with his command and walked two batters in the second inning, manager Dave Roberts pulled him from the game and inserted Jack Dreyer.
Dreyer got out of the jam by striking out Kerry Carpenter on a nasty 88-miles-per-hour slider, and kept the score at 2-1 Detroit.
After the Dodgers tied the game 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning, Dreyer returned to pitch in the top of the third inning. He got Colt Keith to ground out to first base, Manuel Margot to fly out to right field, and Trey Sweeney to fly out to center field for a quick one-two-three inning.
Ben Casparius replaced Dreyer in the top of the fourth inning. The Dodgers went on to win the game 7-3, and are now 5-0 to begin the season.
Dreyer has pitched 2.1 innings, giving up one earned run, and striking out two batters to begin his rookie season.