Diamond Leung of The Press Enterprise reported some schedule changes by the Dodgers, most of which acommodate either ESPN or Fox for national broadcasts. However, the opening series in San Diego is changing as well:
The Dodgers will open the regular season with four-game series against the Padres at Petco Park rather than a three-game series. The two teams, previously and oddly scheduled for an off day right after opening day, will now play April 7 at 7:05 p.m.
To make the change, the two teams will no longer play on Oct. 1. The series between the two teams in September will now be a two-game set, giving the Dodgers an off day right before they host the Rockies for a potentially critical final regular-season series.
Here is the updated schedule for April:
| April | ||||||
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
| 12 @ Ari 1:10 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
|
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
|
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
||
This will affect the need for a 5th starting pitcher. Previously, there were enough off days such that four starters could start on normal rest until April 25, the 17th game of the season. Now, the Dodgers will presumably need a 5th starter in their 5th game.