Seoul Series Takeaways as Padres, Dodgers Split Series: Mookie Betts, Manny Machado, Tyler Glasnow, Jake Cronenworth, Will Smith and More

The Seoul Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres unofficially got the MLB regular season underway. 

Even though it was just a two-game series, there were plenty of fantasy baseball talking points. Let’s get into them now to help us pass the time before the start of the official regular season (March 28).

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Dodgers 5, Padres 2

The first game of the Seoul Series saw the Dodgers put together a four-run eighth inning to rally past the Padres.

Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani each had two hits and an RBI to lead Los Angeles at the plate. Jason Heyward and Enrique Hernandez also drove in a run each. Teoscer Hernandez scored a pair of runs. Max Muncy, Freddie Freeman and James Outman all walked two times, as the Dodgers drew nine walks as a team.

Tyler Glasnow made his Dodgers’ regular season debut and went five innings. He allowed two runs on two hits and four walks, while striking out three batters. Daniel Hudson got the win after tossing a scoreless inning. Joe Kelly worked a scoreless eighth inning to get a hold, while Evan Phillips earned the save after a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Xander Bogaerts led the Padres at the plate with two hits and an RBI. Tyler Wade and Manny Machado scored the team’s runs. 

Yu Darvish started, but only went 3 2/3 innings. He allowed an unearned run on two hits and three walks, while striking out three batters. Jhony Brito was tagged with the loss after allowing a pair of runs in the eighth - Wandy Peralta gave up an earned run in the frame, while Adrian Morejon surrendered an unearned run.

Padres 15, Dodgers 11

The Padres earned a high-scoring win on Thursday, tallying 17 hits and walking six times in the contest.

Jake Cronenworth led San Diego with four hits, four RBIs and two runs, while Luis Campusano had three hits and two RBIs and runs scored. Bogaerts drove in two runs on two hits, walked once and scored three runs. Fernando Tatis Jr. got on base three times and scored two runs, Jackson Merrill collected his first big league hits and also scored twice and Machado got on base three times and scored twice.

San Diego had five extra-base hits, with Campusano doubling twice and Machado clubbing a three-run homer. The team was 10-of-24 with runners in scoring position.

Starter Joe Musgrove was roughed up, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings - he had just two strikeouts. Michael King earned the win despite allowing three runs over 3 1/3 innings - he struck out five batters while allowing four hits and three walks. Stephen Kolek and Tom Cosgrove also allowed runs in relief of Musgrove. Robert Suarez earned a save after striking out a pair of batters over 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Los Angeles had 16 hits in the contest. The Dodgers also drew six walks.

Betts had a huge game, driving in six runs on four hits. He also walked once and scored two runs. Betts belted a two-run homer and had four two-out RBIs on the day.

Will Smith doubled among his four hits, drove in two runs and scored once for LA. Heyward, Muncy and Gavin Lux all collected two hits, with Heyward scoring three times, Lux twice and Muncy once. Freeman got on base three times, while Teoscar Hernandez drew two walks.

Heralded international star Yoshinobu Yamamoto was rocked in his MLB regular season debut, allowing five runs on four hits and a walk in one inning of work. He did strike out two batters to escape further damage.

Michael Grove allowed four runs (three earned) over two innings. Kyle Hurt and Alex Vesia each gave up a run, while J.P. Feyereisen was tagged for three runs over an inning.

Fantasy Takeaways

These were two very different baseball games, and should be an example to fantasy owners to not overreact to a single game or series. 

There will certainly be some fantasy owners that say Musgrove, Yamamoto and Darvish are in for long seasons, but this series was a big change from a regular MLB spring training/regular season opener. MLB players are used to a strict routine every spring, and when things get scrambled around, these poor outings can result. 

Don’t panic and trust that the MLB veterans will get things turned around. Up-and-down results were expected for Yamamoto in his first MLB season. You might want to only start him in favorable matchups for the time being, but I fully expect him to be the MLB star everyone has touted him to be at some point this season.

Those that spent a high pick on Betts and Smith have to be thrilled with the early production at the plate. Freeman didn’t have standout numbers in the most notable stats, but a .545 on-base percentage is a great sign.

This Dodgers’ lineup is stacked, so guys like Heyward, Lux, Muncy, Hernandez and Outman are going to have chances to produce. These are all guys that should be heavily considered in deeper leagues, and could be streaming options in standard leagues at points this season.

Ohtani was relatively quiet at the plate, and now has an off-the-field distraction. It’s something to take note of, because these kinds of things could definitely affect a player’s performance on the field. 

I liked how Glasnow looked in game one. He hasn’t got in a full season of starts in awhile, but if he can, Glasnow could be among the better fantasy SP in the game in 2024. 

The Dodgers’ bullpen will work itself out over time, but Evan Phillips has a firm grasp on the closer role, and should be one of the better fantasy relievers because of how many games the Dodgers are likely to win. Brusadar Graterol will likely be the eighth inning guy once he returns from the injured list.

It was a strong start to the season for Cronenworth, who has struggled with his average the past couple seasons. He’s a guy to keep an eye on because he typically plays every game and should have some position flexibility.

Bogaerts, Machado and Tatis got off to solid starts, and should put up good fantasy numbers most of the season. Campusano was a solid backup fantasy catcher most of draft season and also looked good in the first two games.

Merrill is a top-100 prospect that started in center field both games of the series. He should be owned in every dynasty league, and should also be heavily rostered in deep leagues now. Standard league owners should keep a close eye on Merrill in case he immediately settles in at the MLB level.

Ha-Seong Kim had a quiet couple games, but will be counted on by a ton of fantasy owners this season. He’s another guy with some position versatility, so even a few struggles at the plate shouldn’t make fantasy owners want to move on from him.

One San Diego reliever that I didn’t mention was international star Yuki Matsui. He pitched in both games and could be a heavily used reliever this season. Even if he doesn’t get any save opportunities, his usage alone could make him a solid fantasy asset.

Suarez looked solid in his first outing and should retain the closer role this season if he avoids any prolonged struggles.

All in all, it’s fun to be able to talk about meaningful baseball again! The rest of the league will be underway shortly, and the season will be off and running. Be sure to check back to FantasySP often, as the site’s experts will keep you updated on everything you need to know to win your fantasy leagues this season.