Dodgers aim for World Series repeat as MLB season starts

The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for Opening Day as they aim to win the World Series for a second consecutive year. Major League Baseball's season will officially begin on Thursday with celebrations across the league. The Dodgers want to be the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees in 2000. They are set to face the Detroit Tigers in their home opener. The Dodgers have a strong roster, featuring superstar Shohei Ohtani, and recently improved their pitching staff with new signings, including two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell. Despite their success, the team's spending has faced criticism. Some commentators claim that the Dodgers are negatively impacting the sport by making it harder for other teams to compete. However, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred defended the Dodgers, stating they follow the rules and are providing fans with a top-level team. Dodgers players seem unfazed by the criticism. New pitcher Kirby Yates remarked that "haters are going to hate." First baseman Freddie Freeman emphasized the excitement among fans, noting that the organization invests in the team to create a winning atmosphere. The Dodgers have already started their season on a positive note with two victories over the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo. Meanwhile, they will need to keep an eye on the New York Mets, who recently strengthened their lineup by signing Juan Soto. The Yankees also made moves to improve their team but have faced challenges after star pitcher Gerrit Cole was ruled out for the season due to injury.