MLB Network to Broadcast Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers Home Debut
Two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will make his official Los Angeles Dodgers debut overseas, when his new team takes on the San Diego Padres in a two-game series in Seoul on March 20 and 21. Fans will have to wait a week later to see Ohtani make his Dodger Stadium debut as a member of the home team—and now, they know where to watch.
MLB Network will broadcast the Dodgers' home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on March 28 as part of its first "Showcase" telecast of the season. Since its 2009 launch, MLB Network has produced season-long weekly packages with its own production crew. Bob Costas will serve as play-by-play announcer, with SI's Tom Verducci as analyst and Jon Morosi reporting.
"As always, there are a number of compelling and intriguing storylines as a new season begins. But Ohtani joining the Dodgers is at or near the top of that list," Costas said in a statement. "In baseball, single games generally don't mean all that much. But in this case, the sense of excitement and anticipation that is always there on Opening Day goes up a notch or two."
After six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Dodgers, opting to move to Southern California's National League franchise.
“There are thousands of games on a baseball calendar but only a handful are tentpole events. This is one of those rare must-see blockbusters," Verducci said. "I could not dream of a better start to our fantastic MLB Showcase Game schedule ... I can’t wait. This is the most anticipated home opener I can remember since 2005, when the curse-busting Red Sox got their championship rings at Fenway [Park] while the Yankees watched.”
First pitch for the Dodgers-Cardinals game is scheduled for 4:10 ET.