Dodgers set to host Tigers in home opener Thursday amid high expectations for this season
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- After winning their first two games of the season against the Cubs in Japan, the Dodgers are back at Elysian Park and are ready to take on the Tigers for their home opener Thursday afternoon.
New technology will allow fans to get in without printed tickets, by using facial authentication. The technology is available through the MLB Ballpark app.
Stadium gates are scheduled to open at 1:10 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, with pregame ceremonies starting at 3:30 p.m.
Raising the flag
After winning their second title in a five-year span and eighth overall, the Dodgers lift the World Series flag above Chavez Ravine before the game.
Josh Groban will sing the national anthem, accompanied by a flyover and local firefighters. First pitch is at 4:10 p.m.
Blake Snell, a 2018 and '23 Cy Young Award winner, joined Los Angeles for a $182 million, five-year contract that was part of a spending spree in which the Dodgers committed $458.5 million to nine players. AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal starts for the Tigers, who won 15 of their final 20 games last season, then swept Houston in a Wild Card Series and lost to Cleveland in a five-game Division Series.
Fans who aren't attending the game in person can watch it live on ESPN.
Los Angeles had a 98-64 record overall and a 52-29 record at home last season. The Dodgers pitching staff had a collective 3.90 ERA while averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings in the 2024 season.
Detroit had an 86-76 record overall and a 43-38 record on the road last season. The Tigers slugged .385 with a .685 OPS as a team in the 2024 season.
This is the first time the Dodgers have played an American League team in their home opener. MLB has had interleague play throughout the season since 2013 when the Houston Astros were shifted to the American League to give each league 15 teams and necessitate interleague play throughout the season and not just at designated times.
More information on parking and transportation options to Dodger Stadium can be found at dodgers.com/transportation.
The Associated Press and City News Service contributed to this report.
Eyewitness News at 3 p.m. will be broadcast live from Dodger Stadium! Don't miss the special coverage on ABC7.
