Is there any sound in sports better than that CRACK as baseball meets bat followed by those involuntary oohs and ahhs as fans track a long fly ball to see if it is triumph or disappointment?
Triumph or disappointment: That is what fans of the Dodgers and Angels are thinking about going into the 2022 baseball season that begins this week.
For Dodgers fans, the expectation is always triumph as they are again the best team on paper in the league. Will it lead to another World Series championship like that pandemic-shortened 2020 season or will it be a disappointment like last season, when the team fell short of its hype by losing to the eventual champion Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series. Walker Buehler was named as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher for the season opener (Friday, 1:10 p.m.) against the Rockies in Colorado.
For the Angels, it is about ending nearly a decade of disappointment after the team has failed to reach the postseason since 2014, the only time superstar Mike Trout has played in a playoff game. Shohei Ohtani will start on the mound for the Angels on Opening Day (Thursday, 6:38 p.m.) at Angel Stadium against the Houston Astros.
Although the season is starting later than originally planned after an offseason lockout, a full 162-game slate will be held after teams had an abbreviated spring training in Arizona and Florida. Here are 10 of the biggest changes for the sport as a result.
DODGERS
Dodgers are World Series favorites again but know ‘on paper’ means little
The 2022 Dodgers, position by position
What a healthy Clayton Kershaw means for the Dodgers’ rotation
Freddie Freeman finds a new home in Dodger blue
Dodgers coaches see Cody Bellinger making progress
Dodgers’ Brusdar Graterol has the look of a closer — someday
Dodgers’ Gavin Lux willing to ‘bounce around’ again to be part of lineup
Dustin May making progress toward return
Dave Roberts still mulling Dodgers’ rotation order
Dodgers prospect Bobby Miller impresses in Freeway Series finale
2022 Dodgers regular-season schedule
ANGELS
Tales of Shohei Ohtani’s greatness demonstrate why Angels believe he can repeat magical season
Angels once again hoping for improved pitching to end playoff drought
The 2022 Angels, position by position
Michael Lorenzen leaves his two-career days behind in a new start with Angels
Angels weighing options for how to handle first base against left-handed pitchers
Angels could bounce David Fletcher around the infield this season, even within the same inning
Angels manager Joe Maddon thrilled with bullpen upgrades
Angels approve of new anti-sign-stealing technology
Angels’ good news for Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh is a positive sign
Angels’ Anthony Rendon says his health is ‘like night and day’
2022 Angels regular-season schedule
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Alexander: Don’t believe all 2022 MLB predictions – just this one
Hoornstra: New MLB rules change the sights, sounds of the game
2022 MLB Predictions: SCNG staffers call their shots