Michael J. Duarte is a sports writer and reporter with NBCLA. He is known for his sharp wit in sports news storytelling and his detailed sports features, Duarte is the 2019 Southern California Sports Journalist of the Year and currently covers the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and more.
The Latest
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Shohei Ohtani homers, Roki Sasaki shines as Dodgers sweep two-game Tokyo Series 6-3 over Cubs
TOKYO — The moment the ball left Shohei Ohtani’s bat, the Tokyo Dome ceased being a baseball stadium and became something else entirely—a temple of noise, a cathedral of pure joy, a place where history was no longer a concept but something tangible, roaring, it was alive. Ohtani had done it–because of course he did–in front of his home...
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MLB Tokyo Series: Ohtani scores two runs, Yamamoto dazzles as Dodgers beat Cubs 4-1 to open 2025 season
Shohei Ohtani, playing in Japan for the first time as a major leaguer, led the Dodgers’ thrilling 4-1 comeback over the Cubs in the opening game of the 2025 MLB season.
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Dodgers' Japanese trio of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki captivate homeland in MLB Tokyo Series
TOKYO – The moment Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki set foot in Japan, their homeland embraced them like returning heroes. This wasn’t The Beatles, but three former Nippon Professional Baseball players returning to their nation as champions. Nonetheless, the reception they received–and continue to receive–is that of a global rock band. The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t just...
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Dodgers finalize roster for Tokyo Series against Cubs, and it features two sensational starting pitching matchups
The Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized their 31-man travel roster for the upcoming Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs, set to take place at the iconic Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. This event not only marks the beginning of the 2025 MLB season but also underscores baseball’s expanding global footprint. The 31-Man Travel Roster The Dodgers’ roster for…
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LA Rams sign plethora of free agents, plan to release WR Cooper Kupp
The Los Angeles Rams continue to stay busy this offseason. Less than 24 hours after signing wide-receiver Davante Adams to a two-year deal, the team announced that they agreed terms with wide-receiver Tutu Atwell and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo . Atwell has spent his NFL career proving that size doesn’t measure heart. Over 54 regular-season games—23 of them as a starter—he’s…
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Los Angeles Dodgers extend manager Dave Roberts to new four-year, record-breaking deal
The reigning World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers have spent the offseason assembling baseball’s version of the Avengers. The most formidable roster in baseball now contains four former MVPs–including a three-time unanimous MVP and reigning award winner–as well as two-former Cy Young Award winners, and a whopping 16 former All-Stars. We know the Dodgers have talent on the field,...
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MLB Japan Series: A baseball fan's guide to Tokyo for Cubs vs. Dodgers on Opening Day
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
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Lakers rally to beat Knicks in overtime 113-109 for 8th straight win
The Lakers flipped the script in the second half of their showdown against the Knicks, storming back to force overtime before sealing a gritty victory.
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LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford surprises Pasadena High School football team with new uniforms after wildfire loss
The Pasadena High School football team walked into their annual banquet Wednesday night expecting an evening of reflection and celebration. They had just completed a dream season, capturing the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 13 championship in 2024, their first title in 91 years. But what they didn’t expect was a moment that would leave an imprint far beyond the…
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Watch: Shohei Ohtani's dog Decoy becomes the real winner of prank war with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts
If laughter is the secret ingredient to a winning clubhouse, the Los Angeles Dodgers might just be setting themselves up for their best season yet. In between grueling workouts and fine-tuning their craft at Camelback Ranch, reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts have been locked in an escalating prank war that has turned the...
