Talk about a scorcher in LA! Saturday’s National League Division Series Game 1 between the Dodgers and Atlanta Braves kicked off with a blistering 100-degree first pitch at Dodger Stadium. Yeah, you read that right.
October Heatwave: A Historical Fry-Up in LA
That insane temperature makes this showdown the second-hottest postseason game in the history of Dodger Stadium. Official scorer Ed Munson clocked it at 100 degrees, though the left field scoreboard was flashing an even more intense 103. Either way, it was straight-up furnace conditions. Braves reliever Brent Suter, who actually has a degree in environmental science and public policy from Harvard, wasn’t mincing words. He said, “One hundred degrees in October in LA, that’s definitely not normal.” He even pointed to “Super El Niño” as a big factor. Suter emphasized the struggle ahead, saying it’s “going to be a challenge for both sides to stay hydrated, especially the position players.” You gotta wonder how these guys manage it day in and day out.
Players Battle the Burn, From the Mound to the Dugout
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows a thing or two about playing in the heat. He was there for the hottest-ever Dodgers postseason game: Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, which hit 103 degrees at first pitch. The Dodgers won that one 3-1, so maybe it’s good luck? Roberts said it was “hot, it was hot” and stressed staying hydrated, but also “not let it get to us.” He plans to keep an eye on catcher Will Smith, but expects him to be fine. Dodger starter Tarik Skubal, speaking Friday, was pumped, saying “I’m excited, though,” despite the heat. He’s planning to drink a ton of water. When asked about bathroom breaks, Skubal just laughed it off: “You’re just not going to the bathroom because you’re probably sweating it out.” Even Shohei Ohtani, who was involved in the all-time hottest Dodgers game (a 108-degree first pitch in Anaheim back in 2018 when he was a rookie, a game the Dodgers lost 3-2 in a walk-off), isn’t changing his routine. He said Friday, through interpreter Will Ireton, that pitchers will have a tough time, adding, “I’m wishing all the best for Skuby.” The Fox broadcast even showed temps “off the scale” right there on the field.
With conditions like these, hydration is no joke. Every pitcher, every position player, every fan in the stands is battling that heat. It’s wild to think about what this kind of weather means for the rest of this series.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
Leave a Reply