Who Won Today's Dodger Game? What Most People Get Wrong About January Baseball

Who Won Today's Dodger Game? What Most People Get Wrong About January Baseball

So, you're looking for the score. It’s Saturday, January 17, 2026, and you want to know if the Boys in Blue pulled off another win.

The short answer? Nobody.

I know, it sounds like a bit of a letdown if you were hoping to see a box score with Shohei Ohtani's latest moonshot or a lights-out performance from the rotation. But the reality is that the Los Angeles Dodgers didn't play a game today because, well, the MLB season hasn't actually started yet.

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If you look at the calendar, we are deep in the "Hot Stove" season. This is the part of the year where the "wins" happen in the front office, not on the dirt at Dodger Stadium. While fans are itching for that first pitch, the players are still in their final weeks of individual training before reporting to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona.

Who Won Today's Dodger Game: The Offseason Reality

When people ask who won today's Dodger game in the middle of January, they’re usually either checking for Caribbean Series updates, winter league scores, or they’ve just lost track of the grueling 162-game schedule. Honestly, it happens to the best of us. The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, but "today" wasn't a gameday.

Instead of a final score, the Dodgers "won" today by continuing one of the most aggressive offseasons in recent memory. Just yesterday, news broke about the team officially securing Kyle Tucker. That's a massive move. Adding a bat like Tucker's to a lineup that already features Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman is basically like playing a video game on easy mode.

The Dodgers are currently coming off a 2025 World Series championship—their second in recent years—and they aren't slowing down. If you’re keeping score on who’s "winning" the winter, it’s definitely Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' front office.

When do the Dodgers actually play?

If you’re tired of checking for scores and seeing "No Games Scheduled," mark your calendar for February 21, 2026. That’s when the Dodgers take the field for their first Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

  1. Spring Training Opener: Feb 21 vs. Angels.
  2. First Home Spring Game: Feb 23 vs. Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch.
  3. The Big One: Opening Day is March 26, 2026.

That Opening Day matchup is going to be something special. The Dodgers are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. It’s a night game, 8:30 PM local time, and it’ll be on NBC. This is the "banner raising" game. If you want to see a real win, that's the one you can't miss.

The Kyle Tucker Factor and the 2026 Roster

People are losing their minds over the Kyle Tucker deal. It’s understandable. The Dodgers are spending money like it’s going out of style, but it’s calculated. By landing Tucker, they’ve basically built a defensive and offensive fortress in the outfield.

Think about it. You've got Ohtani likely returning to the mound at some point this year, though the focus remains on his historic bat. You've got Clayton Kershaw gearing up for one last ride, including a stint in the World Baseball Classic.

The depth is staggering. It’s why everyone is constantly searching for who won today's Dodger game even in January. The hype train for this specific roster is moving faster than a 100-mph fastball from Brusdar Graterol—who, by the way, just avoided arbitration and is ready to go for the spring.

Why January matters for the Dodgers

January isn't about the scoreboard; it's about the physical prep. While we’re sitting here wondering about scores, the pitchers and catchers are prepping to report on February 13. That's less than a month away.

The "win" today is that the roster is healthy. Unlike previous years where we were tracking surgeries and rehab stints, the 2026 Dodgers look surprisingly sturdy heading into camp.

Most fans don't realize that January is when the coaching staff, led by Dave Roberts, finalized the "Non-Roster Invitees" (NRIs). These are the guys you’ll see in late February—the young prospects and veterans on minor league deals trying to catch lightning in a bottle.

Actionable Steps for Dodgers Fans

Since there wasn't a game today, here is what you should actually do to stay ready for the 2026 season:

  • Check the Spring Training Schedule: If you’re planning a trip to Arizona, tickets for games at Camelback Ranch are already on sale. They go fast, especially for the weekend matchups against the Giants or Cubs.
  • Update Your Gear: The 2026 "World Series Champions" gold-trimmed jerseys are the big item this year. If you’re going to Opening Day on March 26, you’ll want that gear early.
  • Follow the World Baseball Classic: Keep an eye on the Dodgers players participating. It’s the closest thing to "real" competitive baseball you’ll get before the MLB season officially kicks off.
  • Sync Your Calendar: Download the official 162-game schedule. The Dodgers have a lot of holiday home games this year, including Mother’s Day and the Fourth of July.

The quest to find out who won today's Dodger game will have a much more exciting answer in about five weeks. For now, the victory is in the roster building and the anticipation of what might be the most talented baseball team ever assembled.