The Los Angeles Dodgers had a grand home debut at Chavez Ravine, with a Hollywood-esque roster and a crowd dressed in Dodger Blue. The St. Louis Cardinals, on the other hand, delivered a disappointing performance, with Miles Mikolas giving up five runs over 4 1/3 innings. The only Cardinal who recorded a hit was Paul Goldschmidt in their 7-1 loss to the Dodgers, reflecting a performance similar to their struggles in 2023. Despite the loss, Mikolas remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the remaining games of the season.
Mikolas struggled in the first inning, facing three consecutive National League MVPs and allowing two runs. The Dodgers extended their lead with a two-run blast from Freddie Freeman in the third inning. The Cardinals managed only three hits, all by Goldschmidt, who hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Tyler Glasnow and Ryan Yarbough held the Cardinals to just three hits and five base runners throughout the game.
Goldschmidt praised Glasnow for his performance, noting that his success hinges on his control. While it’s only the first game of the season and overreactions are common, the Cardinals are keen on improving their performance to fulfill their goal of returning to the playoffs. Opening against a strong lineup like the Dodgers will serve as a valuable lesson for the team moving forward.
The Cardinals faced challenges on Opening Day with key players like Sonny Gray, Tommy Edman, Lars Nootbaar, Dylan Carlson, and Keynan Middleton sidelined with injuries. Rookies Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II were tasked with critical defensive positions, and the team will rely on bounce-back performances from Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. The absence of quality starting pitching on Opening Day highlighted areas of improvement for the team moving forward.
Manager Oli Marmol acknowledged the tough start and emphasized the need for the offense to come together in the upcoming games. Despite the setback on Opening Day, the team remains optimistic about their chances in the remaining 161 games of the season. They will look to learn from their performance against the Dodgers and make necessary adjustments to stay competitive throughout the season. Ultimately, the Cardinals hope to show promise for the future and leave behind reminders of their struggles in the past.
