The Dodgers considered shutting down Mookie Betts to begin the year after dropping 20 pounds due to a stomach virus. That would've been foolish.

Mookie Betts watched his drive sail over Dodger Stadium's left-field fence late Friday night, and the emotions spilled out of him as if he had delivered a walk-off in October, not March. An emphatic raised finger was followed by a forceful fist bump then an emphatic toss of his helmet and a deafening roar as he pranced toward his teammates at home plate.

The Dodgers remain unbeaten and unfazed as they ride the high of their World Series title a year ago. On Ring Night, Betts’ home run cemented their first 4-0 start since the now-52-year-old Roberts was sitting in his third-grade class in North Carolina in 1981.

Mookie Betts missed the Los Angeles Dodgers first two games in Tokyo last week because he was fighting an ongoing stomach illness. The former MVP said he lost 15 pounds. Betts' availability for the home opener against the Detroit Tigers was unknown throughout the week,

Earlier this week, it looked like Mookie Betts might not play this weekend at all. The Dodgers are sure glad he did, thanks to two go-ahead home runs in the final three innings, the latter a three-run walk-off shot in the 10th to cap a five-run rally and give the Dodgers a stunning 8-5 win over the Tigers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Mookie Betts hit two home runs, including a walk-off, three-run home run in the 10th inning to lift the Dodgers to an 8-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers.