The defending National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers will kick off the 2018 season on Thursday, March 30, at 4:08 p.m. against the San Francisco Giants, with Opening Day ceremonies presented by Bank of America in front of a sold-out Dodger Stadium crowd.

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will make his eighth consecutive Opening Day start for the Dodgers, who will also battle the Giants on Friday (7:10 p.m. – sold out), Saturday (6:10 p.m.) and Sunday (5:37 p.m.) in the season-opening four-game series.

Just as he has done for the past seven Opening Days, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will break a franchise record set by Dodgers Hall of Famers Don Drysdale and Don Sutton when he makes his eighth consecutive Opening Day start on Thursday afternoon. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The Dodgers will celebrate their 60 years in Los Angeles during pregame ceremonies, with a special salute to the 30th anniversary of the 1988 World Champions and a ceremonial first pitch by Kirk Gibson. 

Throughout the season, the Dodgers will donate the proceeds from the new Kirk Gibson Seat 88 in the Right Field Pavilion to the Kirk Gibson Foundation, and on Opening Day, the team and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation will also contribute the proceeds from the LADF 50-50 Raffle. Additionally, LADF will hold an online auction from April 9-30 for 88 limited-edition, Gibson-autographed bobbleheads and the Dodgers’ game-worn jerseys from the Friday, March 30 game with proceeds benefiting the Kirk Gibson Foundation. Gibson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015.

The new Kirk Gibson Seat, located in Section 302 / Row-D of the Right Field Pavilion, indicates where his historic home run ball landed in Game-1 of the 1988 World Series. The Dodgers are donating $200 of the seat’s $300 ticket price (which includes a companion seat) to the Kirk Gibson Foundation for the research and treatment of Parkinson’s disease. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In addition to the Gibson first pitch, tomorrow’s pregame ceremonies will feature American Idol Season 10 contestant Pia Toscano singing the national anthem, participation by over 100 active local service members in the flag ceremony, the U.S. Marine Corps. Color Guard from the Los Angeles Recruiting Station and a flyover by T-38C Talons from the 25th Flying Training Squadron at the Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. With March 29 marking National Vietnam Veterans Day, the Dodgers will honor Vietnam veteran and retired U.S. Marines Corps. Sergeant Joseph Getherall as the club’s Military Hero of the Game.

Auto and Stadium gates open at 1:00 p.m. and the Dodgers encourage fans to arrive early, with batting practice beginning at 1:10 p.m. and pre-game ceremonies starting at 3:30 p.m. Fans that arrive early will enjoy hours of entertainment starting at 1:00 p.m., including Dodger features on DodgerVision and live music throughout the stadium leading up to the start of on-field ceremonies.

The Dodger Stadium Express will start operating at 1:00 p.m., and more information on parking and public transportation options to Dodger Stadium can be found online at www.dodgers.com under the Dodger Stadium tab at the top of the page.

Opening Day Thursday (4:08 p.m.) and Friday’s games (7:10 p.m.) are sold out, but tickets remain for Saturday (6:10 p.m.) and Sunday’s games (5:37 p.m.) and can be purchased by visiting www.dodgers.com/tickets or by calling (866) DODGERS. With large crowds expected on Thursday (Opening Day), Friday (Kirk Gibson Special Edition Bobblehead presented by Bank of America and Friday Night Fireworks presented by Denny’s) and Saturday (National League Championship ring ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m.), fans are encouraged to plan ahead and arrive early.

Here is a full list of promotions and a schedule for games for the Opening Series presented by Bank of America:

Thursday, March 29, 4:08 p.m. vs. San Francisco

• Ceremonial First Pitch: Kirk Gibson (Proceeds from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s 50-50 raffle to benefit the Kirk Gibson Foundation, which raises money and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease)
• Magnet schedule presented by Bank of America to first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance (Fans are encouraged to arrive early for pregame ceremonies, which start at 3:30 p.m.)

Friday, March 30, 7:10 p.m. vs. San Francisco

• Kirk Gibson Special Edition Bobblehead presented by Bank of America to first 40,000 ticketed fans in attendance
• Postgame Friday Night Fireworks presented by Denny’s

Saturday, March 31, 6:10 p.m. vs. San Francisco

• National League Championship Ring Ceremony (Fans are encouraged to arrive early for 5:30 p.m. ceremony)

Sunday, April 1, 5:37 p.m. vs. San Francisco

• Ceremonial First Pitch: Chloe Kim – USA Olympic Snowboarding Gold Medalist

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)