Dodgers Overcame ‘2 Intestine Punches’ to Win Tokyo Sequence, Says All-Star

The Los Angeles Dodgers are again in North America after successful the primary two video games of the 2025 MLB season in opposition to the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan.

There was a lot to cheer for amid the fanfare and pleasure, however a key All-Star on the roster talked about probably the most tough components of the journey.

Extra information: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Offers Enormous Replace on Freddie Freeman’s Damage

Earlier than the workforce even boarded the aircraft to the Tokyo Sequence, there was doubt surrounding celebrity Mookie Betts.

An sickness stored him out of the workforce’s ultimate two Cactus League matchups and, upon arrival to Japan, out of the 2 exhibition video games performed on the Tokyo Dome. After dropping shut to fifteen kilos, Betts was on a aircraft again house earlier than Opening Day.

As that Opening Day sport neared, so did the second intestine punch.

An damage an identical to one of many few he was battling in October, Freddie Freeman cited rib discomfort hours earlier than the primary pitch was thrown to open up the MLB season. He was out of the lineup for each contests.

All-Star third baseman Max Muncy informed The Orange County Register’s Invoice Plunkett how superb the journey was for the workforce, however how missed their two pillars had been within the lineup.

“We simply performed two video games with out two star gamers,” Muncy stated. “We get informed that Mookie’s not going to have the ability to go, he’s not going to be right here, he’s going to fly again house. Then we get informed proper earlier than the (first) sport that Freddie can’t play.”

In traditional Dodgers style, Muncy additionally defined how the 2 main negatives had been became a optimistic.

“Man, right here’s two intestine punches earlier than the season even begins. ‘Grasp with ’em guys. The Cubs are a very good workforce. You’re going through two actually good pitchers.’ I feel guys form of stepped up. As a lot of a intestine punch because it was, lots of us simply stated, ‘Alright, let’s exit and win a sport.’ We all know after we get again, we’ll have these two guys. However proper now, now we have to do it with who now we have.”

The mentality to win even via damage is one thing that the Dodgers used for a lot of final season, in the end leading to a championship. Hopefully, there might be much less illnesses to battle via in 2025, however the workforce has proven a small pattern of what they will do down two MVPs.

Extra information: Roki Sasaki Admits He Was Nervous in Dodgers, MLB Debut in Japan

Picture Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities

Have you ever joined our Discord Channel but? Be part of the last word Dodgers Nation neighborhood and get VIP Nation Entry! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers speak, call-in entry to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content material, unique interviews, giveaways, and extra!