In a packed stadium that now has a new name, the Los Angeles Dodgers opened the defense of their back-to-back championships with a balanced and convincing performance Thursday evening against the Arizona Diamondbacks, whom they defeated 8-2 before a full house in a very festive atmosphere.

Andy Pages, the Cuban player whom manager Dave Roberts mentioned in a conversation with La Opinion as the player he wants to see take off in 2026, delivered the most important hit of the game: a three-run homer to turn the game around in a four-run fifth inning for Los Angeles. Arizona had no answer after Pages' blast off the Snakes' ace, Zac Gallen. And later, the world champions put together another four-run rally to secure their first victory. With no response from the visiting team, Roberts was able to rest his new star closer, Puerto Rican Edwin Diaz, who did not see any action. Championship celebration and a good start from Yamamoto. Before Game 1 of the 162 scheduled for the season, the Dodgers celebrated with their fans the title they won last year against Toronto. The ceremony at what is now called UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium, following the agreement with the Japanese clothing brand, included Jaime Jarrin and Steve Garvey unveiling the franchise's ninth championship banner, as well as a convertible tour of the past World Series trophies held by Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas. Later, Yoshinobu Yamamoto kicked off the season in Los Angeles, and the Japanese pitcher, MVP of the previous Fall Classic, responded with a very solid performance, even though the leadoff batter, Ketel Marte, made him work with 10 pitches before striking him out. Three pitches later, the first challenge of the year in Los Angeles arose regarding ball and strike calls. Umpire Andy Fletcher called a called strike on batter Corbin Carroll, but the replay showed that Yamamoto's ball had been high, so the strike and strikeout were nullified.The Dodgers' starter dominated Carroll anyway and later caught Geraldo Perdomo, who hit a single, attempting to steal a base. Perdomo, however, opened the scoring in the fourth inning with a two-run homer off Yamamoto, an unstoppable blast to right field. That was all the damage the right-handed ace allowed, pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 hits, 2 runs, striking out 6, and walking 0. The Dodgers' two big rallies: In the fifth inning, the powerful Dodgers lineup exploded. Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez led off with singles, and Andy Pages followed with a 400-foot blast over the left-center field fence on a 1-2 count. The pitch wasn't bad, but the Cuban slugger made a perfect connection with the Diamondbacks' ace's low and inside throw to make it 3-2 in the blink of an eye. The Dodgers loaded the bases and got rid of Gallen, who has pitched very well against them throughout his career. Will Smith made it 4-2 with an infield single down the first-base line, driving in Miguel Rojas. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Dodgers sealed the game with four more runs. Rookie Kyle Tucker, one of the club's two star signings, debuted with a double down the right-field gap to drive in Shohei Ohtani, who had been hit by a pitch from reliever Taylor Clarke. Mookie Betts followed with a single to make it 6-2, and two batters later, Smith, the man of the World Series-winning home run, hit his first homer of the year to cap off the 8-2 score with a runner on base. Three Dodgers relievers (Blake Treinen, Will Klein, and Tanner Scott) combined for three innings of one-hit ball, while Pages, the man of the day, made a spectacular catch in center field, sliding after a long run behind the infield. Developing story.The Dodgers loaded the bases and got rid of Gallen, who has pitched very well against them throughout his career. Will Smith made it 4-2 with an infield hit down the first-base line, driving in Miguel Rojas. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Dodgers sealed the game with four more runs. Rookie Kyle Tucker, one of the club's two star signings, debuted with a double down the right-field gap to drive in Shohei Ohtani, who had been hit by a pitch from reliever Taylor Clarke. Mookie Betts followed with a single to make it 6-2, and two batters later, Smith, the man of the World Series-winning home run, hit his first homer of the year to cap off the 8-2 score with a runner on base. Three Dodgers relievers (Blake Treinen, Will Klein, and Tanner Scott) combined for three innings of one-hit ball, while Pages, the man of the day, made a spectacular catch in center field, sliding after a long run behind the infield. Developing story.The Dodgers loaded the bases and got rid of Gallen, who has pitched very well against them throughout his career. Will Smith made it 4-2 with an infield hit down the first-base line, driving in Miguel Rojas. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Dodgers sealed the game with four more runs. Rookie Kyle Tucker, one of the club's two star signings, debuted with a double down the right-field gap to drive in Shohei Ohtani, who had been hit by a pitch from reliever Taylor Clarke. Mookie Betts followed with a single to make it 6-2, and two batters later, Smith, the man of the World Series-winning home run, hit his first homer of the year to cap off the 8-2 score with a runner on base. Three Dodgers relievers (Blake Treinen, Will Klein, and Tanner Scott) combined for three innings of one-hit ball, while Pages, the man of the day, made a spectacular catch in center field, sliding after a long run behind the infield. Developing story.