The Dodgers complete a sweep of the Tigers in their opening home series of the season!
In a stunning display of skill and dominance, the Los Angeles Dodgers have swept the Detroit Tigers in their first home series of the 2025 MLB season, marking an impressive start to their campaign. The series, which took place at Dodger Stadium, saw the Dodgers win all three games against the Tigers, who were left struggling to keep pace with the defending NL West champions. Each game of the series told its own unique story, but together they painted a picture of a team that is firing on all cylinders, with both their offense and pitching staff putting together exceptional performances.
The sweep was not only a testament to the Dodgers’ strong roster, but it also demonstrated their depth and ability to perform in key moments. As the season unfolds, the series served as a reminder that the Dodgers are a force to be reckoned with in the National League, and perhaps even in the larger MLB landscape.
Game 1: A Masterclass from the Pitching Staff
The series opener was an absolute clinic for Dodgers pitching. The game saw a stellar performance from starting pitcher Julio UrÃas, who picked up the win in a 4-1 victory. UrÃas was in complete control from the start, mixing his fastball, slider, and changeup to keep the Tigers’ hitters off balance all night. He allowed just one run on six hits, striking out eight batters over seven strong innings. His command was impeccable, and he had the Tigers’ lineup guessing from the first pitch to the last.
UrÃas’ ability to work both sides of the plate and change speeds effectively rendered the Tigers’ offense nearly impotent. Detroit’s only run came in the fifth inning on a solo homer by Tigers’ slugger Javier Báez, but that would be the extent of the Tigers’ scoring for the game. From that point forward, UrÃas was nearly untouchable, allowing just one hit over the next two innings before handing the ball off to the bullpen.
In relief, the Dodgers’ bullpen continued to shine. Brusdar Graterol, who has become one of the most reliable setup men in the league, threw a scoreless eighth inning, and Evan Phillips closed out the game with a perfect ninth, earning his first save of the season. The Dodgers’ pitching staff, as a whole, showcased their ability to stifle opposing offenses and prevent any kind of momentum from building.
Offensively, the Dodgers did just enough to take control of the game early. Mookie Betts, who has continued to be one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, led the charge with a two-run double in the second inning that gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead. Freddie Freeman added an RBI single in the third, and Will Smith chipped in with a solo home run in the seventh. Although the offense wasn’t explosive, it was more than enough to back up the exceptional pitching performance from UrÃas and the bullpen.
Game 2: A Comeback Victory
The second game of the series proved to be a much tighter affair. The Tigers came out with a renewed sense of urgency, hoping to avoid being swept early in the season. After falling behind 3-0 in the first two innings, the Tigers mounted a comeback and tied the game in the fifth inning, capitalizing on some shaky pitching from the Dodgers. However, the resilience of the Dodgers’ lineup and their ability to come through in high-pressure situations were on full display, as they battled back to win the game 6-4.
The game started off strong for the Dodgers, as Clayton Kershaw took the mound for his first start of the season. While Kershaw showed flashes of brilliance, he was not as sharp as usual, allowing three runs through the first four innings. The Tigers’ offense took advantage of some mistakes, with a pair of singles and a key double driving in runs. Kershaw’s typically pinpoint control was slightly off, and the Tigers were able to capitalize, putting the Dodgers in a vulnerable position.
However, the Dodgers’ offense was quick to respond. In the bottom of the fifth inning, they exploded for four runs to take a 4-3 lead. The big hit came from Max Muncy, who blasted a three-run home run off Tigers’ starter Eduardo RodrÃguez. The Dodgers also took advantage of a key error by the Tigers’ defense, with a misplayed ball in the outfield allowing Chris Taylor to score from second base.
Despite a shaky start, Kershaw was able to find his rhythm in the later innings, striking out five of the final six batters he faced. He finished the game with 6.2 innings pitched, allowing four runs on eight hits while walking just one and striking out nine. The performance was vintage Kershaw, demonstrating his ability to settle down and regain control of a game, even when things don’t go perfectly early on.
The Dodgers’ bullpen continued to prove its worth, with Phil Bickford and Caleb Ferguson combining for 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the game. Bickford, in particular, has been a pleasant surprise in the early going of the season, showing increased velocity and improved command. His fastball-slider combination was nearly unhittable, and he was able to retire the side in order in the eighth inning to set up the save opportunity for Phillips.
Offensively, the Dodgers were led by Muncy, who finished with three RBIs on the home run and a walk. Freeman added an RBI single, and Betts continued his strong play with a double and a run scored. The Dodgers’ ability to remain patient at the plate and take advantage of the Tigers’ mistakes proved to be a crucial factor in the victory.
Game 3: A Dominant Win to Complete the Sweep
The final game of the series was a blowout, with the Dodgers defeating the Tigers 8-1 to complete the three-game sweep. This time, the offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up runs in almost every inning, while the pitching staff was once again dominant, holding the Tigers to just one run on five hits.
The starting pitcher for the Dodgers in the series finale was Tony Gonsolin, who looked to continue his strong start to the season. Gonsolin did not disappoint, throwing six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and striking out seven. His performance was a perfect example of the depth the Dodgers have in their starting rotation, with Gonsolin stepping up and giving the team exactly what they needed in a game where the offense was expected to carry the load.
Gonsolin’s fastball had great life, and his curveball was exceptionally sharp, keeping the Tigers off balance all afternoon. The Tigers’ best scoring chance came in the second inning when they had two runners on base with one out, but Gonsolin was able to escape the jam by striking out Báez and getting Spencer Torkelson to ground out to end the inning. From there, Gonsolin cruised through the next four innings, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters he faced.
Offensively, the Dodgers were explosive. Mookie Betts once again led the charge, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. His home run, a two-run blast in the fourth inning, put the Dodgers up 4-0 and effectively put the game out of reach for the Tigers. Freeman continued his hot start to the season, adding two hits, including a double, and driving in a run. Meanwhile, the newly acquired J.D. Martinez contributed an RBI single, further demonstrating the Dodgers’ deep and balanced lineup.
In the later innings, the Dodgers piled on with more runs, as the bottom of the order also got involved. Austin Barnes hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, and David Peralta added a double and an RBI to round out the offensive output. The Tigers, meanwhile, were unable to get anything going against the Dodgers’ pitching staff and were held to just one run, which came off a solo home run by Tigers’ catcher Eric Haase in the seventh inning.
As the final out was recorded, the crowd at Dodger Stadium erupted in cheers. The Dodgers had not only swept the Tigers, but they had done so in dominant fashion, proving that their pitching depth and offensive firepower would make them a tough opponent for any team in the league this season. With the sweep, the Dodgers improved to 6-1 on the season and firmly established themselves as one of the early favorites to make a deep playoff run.
Looking Ahead
The sweep over the Tigers sets the tone for the rest of the Dodgers’ season. It shows that, despite a few questions surrounding the health of certain players in the offseason, the team is in top form and ready to compete for another NL West title and potentially a World Series championship. The early-season performances from players like Betts, Freeman, and Gonsolin, coupled with the consistent excellence of their pitching staff, make the Dodgers a formidable force.
As the Dodgers move forward, they will look to continue building momentum and maintaining their high level of play. With games against tough division rivals like the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres coming up, the Dodgers will need to keep their foot on the gas. But if this series against the Tigers is any indication, the Dodgers are well-equipped to handle any challenge that comes their way.
For the Tigers, the sweep is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s still early in the season. They will look to bounce back as they head home for a series against the Cleveland Guardians. While the Tigers’ performance against the Dodgers was disappointing, they have plenty of time to make adjustments and turn their season around.
