The Rangers lost 8-7 to the Dodgers in the series-opening game, with the team's starting pitcher, Brandon Leiter, surrendering two home runs, a single and a walk in a 30-pitch first inning, leading to a 6-3 deficit. The loss was the result of Leiter's poor performance and poor command and execution. The team's manager, Rick Stepp, warned of the potential risk of using too much early on to the bullpen too often due to the workload of their own starting pitchers. The Rangers lost to the two-time defending champions' lineup, with Stepp attributing his performance to a combination of bad command and poor execution. Alexander, who had built up in Spring Training to handle longer outings, said his first six appearances of the season had all been three outs or fewer.