For the first time since the 2023 World Series, there will be baseball in America.
No, it’s not the regular season yet, but Thursday marks the official start of the 2024 spring training calendar.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the San Diego Padres in Arizona, at Peoria Stadium.
The Padres published their first lineup of the spring season, and it’s a very talented one, at least at the top.
HAPPY GAME DAY TO ALL THOSE WHO OBSERVE pic.twitter.com/WkNkQvOjsi
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) February 22, 2024
Fernando Tatis Jr. opens the batting order, followed by two talented infielders: Xander Bogaerts (who will play second base this year) and Jake Cronenworth.
Catcher Luis Campusano figures to have a big role on the 2024 Padres, and Ha-Seong Kim was recently anointed the starting shortstop.
He is coming off a career season in which he surpassed the 5.0 WAR threshold.
This lineup is still missing a few stars, most notably Manny Machado.
This is the exact matchup that will officially open the 2024 regular season in MLB.
That one will take place on March 20, and will be part of the Seoul Series at the international level.
The Dodgers are probably the most talented team in the whole league, after adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and James Paxton to an already incredible core.
The Padres, even though they traded Juan Soto and lost key arms in free agency, intend to compete in 2024 and, if things break right, might have a chance at a Wild Card spot.
The relatively recent rivalry will signify the return of baseball, both in spring training and, a few weeks from now, the regular season.
The post Padres Share First Lineup Of The 2024 Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.