Rattlesnake vs Dodgers Opening Game Preview: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Faces Gallen, Defending Champion Pursues Three Straight Titles

The Arizona Rattlesnake last entered the playoffs when they were defeated in the World Series. After that, they have been absent from the postseason for two straight years, always harboring unfulfilled ambitions. The Los Angeles Dodgers are striving for a historic feat: in Major League Baseball history, only the Yankees and Athletics have accomplished a three‑peat; the Dodgers hope to be the third.

Last year when the Dodgers sought to defend their title, manager Dave Roberts gave the team a message: be hunters, not prey. This year’s message is similar but focuses more on blocking out distractions during the three‑peat journey. His chosen metaphor: be a greyhound.

“Look ahead,” Roberts said. “There will be distractions, but we need to put on blinders, ignore who’s beside us, ignore who’s chasing us.”

The Rattlesnake eliminated the Dodgers in the 2023 Division Series and hope to keep close pursuit this year. To achieve that, they must withstand a tough schedule in the first two months of the season. If the gap doesn’t widen by then, they will welcome ace Corbin Burnes back from TJ surgery around the All‑Star break, while co‑closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez are also expected to return from elbow surgery at some point during the season.

Here is everything you need to know about the opening game:

Game Time and Viewing Channel

The game will start at Dodger Stadium at 8:30 AM Beijing time on Friday.

Expected Starting Lineup

Rattlesnake

1. Geraldo Perdomo, Shortstop
2. Ketel Marte, Second Base
3. Corbin Carroll, Right Field
4. Gabriel Moreno, Catcher
5. Nolan Arenado, Third Base
6. Carlos Santana, First Base
7. Pavin Smith, Designated Hitter
8. Jordan Lawlar, Left Field
9. Alek Thomas, Center Field

This is essentially the starting lineup for the opener, but manager Torey Lovullo kept the batting order confidential, only indicating that the top three spots will be some combination of Carroll, Perdomo, and Marte. After trading away Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor at the deadline, the Rattlesnake lost some power, but scoring without them in the final two months gave Arizona confidence in their offense.

Dodgers

1. Shohei Ohtani, Designated Hitter
2. Kyle Tucker, Right Field
3. Mookie Betts, Shortstop
4. Freddie Freeman, First Base
5. Will Smith, Catcher
6. Teoscar Hernández, Left Field
7. Max Muncy, Third Base
8. Andy Pages, Center Field
9. Miguel Rojas, Second Base

The Dodgers may possess the most dangerous lineup in MLB; Tucker’s addition brings another heavy bat to the front. Pages, who hit 27 homers last year, likely slots near the bottom, illustrating the depth of this lineup. Rojas is more likely to start against left‑handers during the regular season, but considering his heroic World Series performance and this being his final season before retirement, he is expected to start in the opener.

Starting Pitchers

Rattlesnake: Right‑handed Zac Gallen

Previous Opening Game Starts: 2023, 2024, 2025 seasons
2025 Season: 33 starts, 13 wins, 15 losses, ERA 4.83

Merrill Kelly was initially designated as the opening starter, but a back issue early in spring training slowed his progress, prompting Lovullo to turn to Gallen. This 30‑year‑old right‑handed pitcher declined a qualifying offer last fall but signed a one‑year contract with the Rattlesnake four days after spring training began.

Dodgers: Right‑handed Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Previous Opening Game Starts: 2025 season
2025 Season: 30 starts, 12 wins, 8 losses, ERA 2.49

Yamamoto emerged as the Dodgers’ ace starter in 2025, the only pitcher in the rotation who did not miss any starts. He ranked third in NL Cy Young voting, behind unanimous winner Paul Skenes and second‑place Cristopher Sánchez. But what truly shone was his postseason—he pitched consecutive complete games in NLCS Game 2 and World Series Game 2. He earned three wins in the Dodgers’ four World Series victories and captured the World Series MVP.

Bullpen Setup

RattlesnakeThe bullpen was a weakness for the Rattlesnake last year, but 2026 promises improvement. Paul Sewald regained velocity this winter, and the team signed him to a one‑year deal after spring training camp opened. With impressive spring training performance, Sewald is likely to get the first closer opportunities, though Lovullo hasn’t officially announced it. Kevin Ginkel, Jonathan Loáisiga, and Ryan Thompson could serve as bridges to him.

DodgersPrepare for the trumpet sound at Dodger Stadium: new addition Edwin Díaz will handle closing duties in relief situations. The Dodgers hope locking down the ninth inning will create a ripple effect for the entire bullpen that struggled last year. Tanner Scott will serve as the setup man, which should give him more favorable matchups. The Dodgers expect him and Blake Treinen to rebound from last year’s downturn, joining Alex Vesia in the winning group to form a more reliable bullpen.

Injury Status

RattlesnakeKelly will join Burnes, Puk, Martinez, and others on the injured list starting the new season, posing challenges for the pitching staff. However, outfielder Carroll recovered quickly after a right hamate bone fracture early in spring training and appears ready for the opener, allowing Arizona to avoid a major setback.

DodgersThe opening‑day injured list is already substantial, including starters Blake Snell and Gavin Stone; relievers Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips, and Brusdar Graterol; and utility players Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. Only Hernández and Phillips begin the season on the 60‑day injured list; others could return within the first two months.

Hot and Cold

RattlesnakeLawlar has been hot this spring training: 16 hits in 48 at‑bats, batting .333, with 4 home runs, while adapting to outfield defense. Thomas also performed well, showing strong play against Brazil in the Classic. Carroll had only 2 hits in 19 at‑bats, batting .105, possibly affected by his hand injury, but his form improved toward the end of spring training.

DodgersHernández, whose performance declined last year, and Pages, who had a postseason OPS of only .211, requested extensive playing time this spring and became one of the team’s hottest hitters in camp. Ohtani had 4 hits in 13 at‑bats, batting .308, but his Classic performance indicates he isn’t cold. Alex Freeland had a mediocre spring: 6 hits in 48 at‑bats, batting .125, but the Dodgers trust his better advanced metrics and still placed him on the opening roster.

Other Highlights

• Legendary left‑handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw will return to Dodger Stadium—this time as a commentator, not a pitcher. He will join Bob Costas as an analysis guest on the live pre‑game show.

• The Dodgers will raise the 2025 World Series championship flag on Opening Day, with the ring ceremony taking place the following day.