Dodgers on opening day will play their earliest US game ever

With a longer regular season the 2018 campaign opens on a Thursday this year and opening day at Dodger Stadium will be the earliest on the calendar that the Dodgers have played domestically.

The March 29 start to the season is a byproduct of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, which called for more rest days dispersed throughout the regular season. That means a 187-day “championship season” instead of the old 183 days on the baseball calendar.

That gives us a Thursday start day rather than a Monday, or Sunday start to the season.

Date Opponent Result Date Opponent Result Mar 31, 1998 at Cardinals L, 6-0 Mar 31, 2003 at D-backs W, 8-0 Mar 31, 2008 vs. Giants W, 5-0 Mar 31, 2011 vs.…