After a rollercoaster of emotions in Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series, baseball lovers were up early getting donuts in Inglewood and eager to share their thoughts with the news on Sunday’s matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani stole the show in his highly anticipated playoff debut, crushing a game-tying three-run homer with two outs in the second inning and finishing 2 for 5 with three RBIs, two runs scored and two strikeouts.
The Padres didn’t go down easy though, going up 3-0 early and reestablishing a 5-3 lead before the Dodgers rallied with three runs in the fourth inning, eventually coming out on top 7-5.
Some Dodgers and Padres fans were out and about early Sunday morning grabbing coffee and donuts at Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, and many of them were happy to speak to KTLA 5’s Omar Lewis and give their thoughts on Saturday night’s game and Sunday night’s matchup.
“Having somebody in L.A. come through in a big moment when it matters most, it’s something that we’ve been longing for for a little while now,” said Frank Martinez, a proud Dodgers fan who believes the Boys in Blue will “absolutely” win Game 2. “Jack Flaherty, hometown hero, he’s going to come through big, and I think the offense is going to score enough so we can end it down in San Diego.”
Others, like Jon Runkle, think otherwise.
“Let’s be honest…the Dodgers are incredibly talented,” Runkle, a New York Mets fan, told KTLA. “But it seems that the Padres have a little more momentum, a little more ‘oomph’ right now.”
-
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto pauses on the mound during the third inning in Game 1 of baseball’s NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) -
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen reacts after striking out San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado for the final out of the ninth inning in Game 1 of baseball’s NL Division Series, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) -
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, steals second base against San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth, left, during the third inning in Game 1 of baseball’s NL Division Series Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
When it comes to why people root for the Dodgers, Lewis found that some are simply rooting for their hometown team, while others are looking out for the best dressed players.
“If you look good and you play well, you’re winning, hello?” one woman said as she was enjoying a donut in her car.
The man she was with, an East Los Angeles native, has a take on baseball that may not go over well with Dodgers fans.
“I live in Texas, so I have to root for the [Houston Astros] … the Rangers are okay, but the Astros are the champions, and I know they’re not very popular over here in L.A.,” he said, but clarified that he believes his hometown team will take the series.
Regardless of who you root for, Game 2 of the NLDS starts at 5:03 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. The Padres’ Yu Darvish will be pitching against the Dodgers’ Walker Buehler.
Game 3 will take place in San Diego at Petco Park on Tuesday.