The Los Angeles Dodgers are getting set for their domestic Opening Day against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The dominant Dodgers lineup won’t be facing the Cardinals’ ace, as right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray is opening the season on the injured list.
With Gray out, it will be the right-handed Miles Mikolas on the mound — and Mikolas had some interesting comments earlier this month.
A few weeks ago, Mikolas called the Dodgers out for playing “checkbook baseball.”
“We’re not exactly a low payroll team, but you got the Dodgers playing checkbook baseball. We’re going to be the hardest working group of Midwestern farmers we can be,” Mikolas said. “It would be great to stick it to the Dodgers.”
Well, Mikolas will have his chance on Thursday, but the Dodgers definitely heard the comments.
And on Thursday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about them.
“I’ve known Miles for a long time. It’s not going to affect our guys,” Roberts said. “‘Checkbook baseball’ — as a player I would think you would want that. Miles can sound off but I don’t think anyone pays too much attention.”
There’s an old adage that goes, “Don’t poke the bear.”
Mikolas did just that.
Let’s see how the Dodgers respond.
First pitch for Opening Day on Thursday is 1:10 p.m.
Dodgers Lineup Opening Day
Mookie Betts, SSShohei Ohtani, DHFreddie Freeman, 1BWill Smith, CMax Muncy, 3BTeoscar Hernández, LFJames Outman, CFJason Heyward, RFGavin Lux, 2B
Tyler Glasnow is getting his second start of the season after pitching Opening Day in Korea against the Padres and allowing two runs across five innings of work.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports