I will be posting a game summary after each game this weekend. Tonight’s will be on the first of this four-game series with the Braves, scores from contenders will also be posted.
The Dodgers Achillies heel is definitely their starting pitching. Landon Knack got knocked around in the first and second innings. He allowed 3 hits in a row for a run in the first. In the second, he allowed a walk, a 2-run homer to Urshela a single to Merrifield, a fly out by Harris and then another 2-run homer to Soler. Ozuna singled, Olson struck out, d’Arnaud walked and Laureano grounded out.
The pitchers cannot keep putting them in deep holes. Grove did a good job keeping the Braves bats quiet. Rojas gets his 5th homer for LA’s first run, a Teo double and a single by Edman, drives Teo in. That would end the scoring for the Dodgers for the game. Grove, Graterol, Hudson, and Honeywell finished the game.
The bullpen did a very good job holding the Braves until Honeywell gave up a run in the eighth. The top five in the Dodger lineup went 1-19 with a walk and 7 strikeouts. You are not going to win many games with a lack of production like that. Will Smith was the only Dodger with 2 hit, and they only had 5 as a team.
The news before the game was not very good either as Glasnow felt discomfort in his elbow before he was scheduled to throw a simulated game. It is just another setback for the Dodgers and their frustrated fans. The good news was that Graterol looked pretty good in his one inning of work, and Michael Grove also pitched well. But as things stand now, the Dodgers are going to have to hope that Buehler and Miller can get much better very quickly.
OKC was up 4-1 going into the 4th inning, riding a 3-run homer by Ryan Ward, his 30th of the year. Ben Harris, who had a clean inning in the third, walked 5 in the top of the 4th. Tacoma then scored 5 runs off Harris and Gowdy in the 4th and added 3 more off of Harris in the 5th. They would end up winning 10-5. Tacoma had 9 hits and 10 walks. Outman, 13, and Ward had homers, Outman and Avans had 2 hits. Dreyer and Little struck out 8 between them in their 4.1 innings of work.
Tulsa was never in their game with Wichita. They were shut out until they scored 1 run in the 9th inning. Wichita had scored all of their runs by 6th inning leading 9-0. Knowles got the loss, but Benitez gave up 6 runs in his 2.1 innings of work. Young had 2 of Tulsa’s 4 hits.
Around the League
Jacob deGrom was activated by the Rangers so he could start. He went 3.2 innings allowing 4 hits, no runs and he struck out 4. Francisco Lindor slid awkwardly into second and strained his back. He is currently day to day. Cubs claimed RHP Jimmey Herget off of waivers from the Braves. Giants optioned Luis Matos and called up Donovan Walton. Walton was called up because Tyler Fitzgerald is experiencing back tightness. Aaron Judge ended the longest homerless game streak of his career with a grand slam in the 7th inning of the Yankees 5-4 win over the Red Sox. Rangers have extended GM Chris Young. Logan Webb is doing his best to convince Blake Snell to sign a long-term deal with the Giants.
The Dodgers starting pitching options as of today are Yamamoto, Flaherty, Knack, and pray for rain. There is no timetable for the return of either Kershaw or Glasnow. Buehler is starting on Sunday. Miller is scheduled to open the series in Miami on Tuesday. It is possible that Gonsolin will be able to be used as an opener in a piggyback situation. There has been no update on Stone for several days. It is also possible that they could call up Ben Casparius. He could also be a piggyback option. They signed LHP Zach Logue who has started and relieved and he or Wrobleski could be used in an emergency start if needed.
Arizona is playing the Brewers in Arizona. Edouardo Rodriguez faced off against Willy Peralta. The Brewers ended up beating Az 2-1, so the Dodgers lead over the D-Backs stays at 5 games. Mets defeated the Phillies 11-3. Braves stay a game back of the Mets in the wild card race. The Padres are playing the Giants in San Francisco. If they maintain their lead, 4-0 in the top of the 9th, they will be 4.5 games back of the Dodgers.
In one other bit on news, there have been reports and speculation that the Dodgers could possibly use Ohtani out of the bullpen in the playoffs. Myself, I find that idea a little far-fetched. But it is a rumor that has gained some steam in the last 24 hours.
Padres up 5-0 going into the bottom of the 9th in San Francisco. Dodgers will most likely have a 4.5 game lead after tonight. They face Sale tomorrow. Flaherty is going to have to be on his game.
Padres beat the Giants 5-0. Cease over Webb. Lead is 4.5 with 15 games to play. OKC only has 8 games left as does Tulsa that could be used as rehab games for pitchers.
Gonsolin will go on Sunday for OKC. Dodgers are at a point where they have to pray and hope that he might be an option for the rotation.
If they can stretch him to 4-5 innings he might be able to make the next start with the Dodgers.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree. Yet they talk about Ohtani making a comeback and The Catman is way ahead of him.
100% agree
For the times, they are a-desperate
Catman to the rescue?
That would be nice to see…
I believe Tulsa is done this Sunday
You are correct Tulsa has 2 games left.
The Glasnow news certainly is deflating.
Elbow discomfort after all the rest he had not a good sign. They wlll give him an MRI over the weekend and I would not be surprised one bit if the result is TJ surgery. Would be his second one. And we all know how few pitchers have come back successfully from a second procedure. Buehler being the latest example.
Starting pitching could be the Dodgers downfall yet again this year. Just too many severe injuries. Its a miracle and testimony to the unparalleled depth of this organization that they still lead the division by 4.5 games.
But in the postseason depth is not enough. Need your top players available.
Maybe Bobby Miller turns his season around somehow and steps up ?
Dodgers really, really could use him at the top of his game.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He hasn’t had an MRI yet?
If he hasn’t this is ridiculous. It seems it’s the same old song. “He is sore he should be back after a stint.” Well no a setback then a week later after 3 weeks or more oh he needs Tommy John. They took forever on Sheehan. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear Miller has been injured this whole time. They did it with Gonsolin. Kershaw a bone spur he has been dealing with for years. The first I’ve heard of it. This is either the most wimpy pitching staff ever or the whole medical staff should be fired.2 years in a row 1 healthy starting pitcher Flaherty who came from another team. Not counting Yamamoto who has been injured most of the season.
Agree. Medical and training staff should be fired.
Miller already has said he is dealing with a knee injury for some time now.
Go Rams!!!!!!!!
Who should fire them? The guy who traded for Glasnow and then signed him for a huge contract knowing he has a long history of injury. The guy who could see Miller was not ironed willed and didn’t trade him when he had value?
I said this a long time ago. AF is wearing blinders. Lazy. Money does that to you.
Could be? It’s their downfall every year.
“I don’t know if we have margins anymore. It’s unfortunate.” Mark Prior on Tyler Glasnow.
I don’t know what that means but I’m pretty sure it ain’t good.
If Glasnow is not available Yamamoto better be. Flaherty, Yamamoto, flip a coin and away we go.
There cannot be offensive let downs like yesterday. Ohtani, Betts, Freeman 0 for 11. Shades of last year’s playoff series against the dbacks.
Knack may be running out of gas. Miller, Buehler and Kershaw are next on the depth chart. Gulp.
I think we can expect the better teams will score 6 every day against this staff. No matter where this team lands in the playoffs, the offense will need to turn it on. There just cannot be games like yesterday.
It sounds like some of you are giving up on Knack already, after one bad start. Buehler and Miller have had multiple bad starts. And don’t rule out the Catman!
You can’t honestly believe starting Knack in a playoff series is a good thing for us. Imaging pitching against the mighty bats of Arizona….gulp! We would probably going to the bullpen when he begins pitching his second time around.
i feel best about Yamamoto being available…..no one else.
Like I’ve been saying….we’re doomed this year….have the golf clubs ready. Maybe next year we can have good health with our SPs. Oh, one more thing….certainly LA knew acquiring GLASNOW was risky based on his resume….well, guess what, that riskiness has come to life and is biting us big time. Sorry to be a Prophet of Doom and Gloom, but I’m pretty good at making inferences from my observations. -TM
No I don’t think it is a good thing, I never said that. But the discussion is who might be next up out of necessity. If you remember,they have lost May, Gonsolin, Sheehan, River Ryan, Glad now and Stone and Kershaw might not return. That only leaves Yamamoto , Flaherty, Buehler, Miller, Knack, Wrobleski and maybe Gonsolin.
It is true. All thoughts of Knack starting a postseason game just vanished.
If we did start him and Roberts saw a baserunner reach in the 3rd, he’d be ready to make a switch.
Maybe need some multi-inning bulk guys this postseason.
Not giving up, I just do not trust him to go more than 4 innings. He has about 1 bad inning a start and you cannot do that in the playoffs.
Seems like match-up bullpen games are a real possibility in the playoffs for this team — and it feels like that might actually be preferable to our really shaky options.
Gotta say, my expectations for this team in the postseason are super-low, so I take some refuge in the knowledge it will be nearly impossible for them to “underperform.” But you never know, right? The offense could get hot and win a bunch of “Badger games” — games in which the Dodgers score at least 8 🙂
Not having 4 capable starting pitchers in the post season has been an organizational flaw for the past 12 years.
That is sooo true. They hung kershaw out to dry in his prime. Grienke was the only time they supported him. Mb they can sign B Anderson before it is too late.
How can this team possibly win a World Series with damn near their entire starting staff on the IL? I’m waiting for word on Knack going on the IL any day now. All that talent at the beginning of the season has either been injured or has underperformed.
This has been a complete organization failure. I don’t want to hear “yeah, but the pitching injuries are happening all over baseball”. It may be true, but not to the degree that the Dodgers have dealt with this season. I thought they were so far ahead of other teams when it came to player development and health. Yeah for analytics and advanced training methods! Every pitcher that started the season on the starting staff has been on the IL at least once and some multiple times.
I think you have to look at who they draft/sign. Seems like pitchers with prior TJ surgeries or injury histories are not a big worry for the front office. Because they have Mark Prior on hand to make things all better. And workload management to keep the arms fresh. Case in point, Glasnow, a guy with a history of arm problems and low innings pitched. The Dodgers ignore this and throw tons of money at him. We all know how that’s working out.
Good point.And can be backed up by more facts than just Glasnow.
Next guy could be Sasaki who has had arm troubles this season.
However I am all for signing him cause he will be cheap getting only international signing bonus money if he decides to come over this winter.
Looking back at the trade deadline there was talk about trading for Skubal(including me) but the Dodgers not weilling to part with Miller , Ryan, Rushing etc.
How good would a trade like that look now ?
Go Dodgers”!!!!!!!!
Not up to him. He is still under team control. Sasaki can only be signed if his team decides to post him this winter.
Gavin Stone will begin throwing today. Kershaw is throwing off of a portable mound, but still has some discomfort in his toe.
Maybe he wound up getting a good rest and his arm will be fine.
If they would let him use a portable mound in the game he might could be effective. Move it up to 50’ 6”. He could pitch, then just fall down.
Here is a Plan B. Win the first two games of a playoff series and make Kike’ a pitcher who would start the 3rd game and go 7 regardless of the score.
Solid plan Bum. Flaherty, Yamamoto and a cloud of Kiké dust. But they will probably go with the Broken Wing Plan. Hopefully Stone and Miller/Buehler can go 5.
I’d go with Kershaw, Bobby Miller and Lance Lynn.
Oh wait, we did that.
Sounds like Glasnow is about to be shut down for the year
He threw 134 innings this year, a personal best. I mean, should the Dodgers be surprised that he can’t go any longer? They really need to do a better job of signing pitchers that don’t already have one foot in the IL. Just my opinion.
I think they believe they were taking it easy on him. I think I would have tried harder. As I mentioned a while ago, 6 innings, 90 pitches, whatever came first. He went over 90 pitches 16 times. The result? He’s done.
Braves favored by 1.5. 7.5 O/U.
Rojas, Kike, & Yamamoto.
So Glasnow is out for the season. And apparently so is Kershaw, though perhaps that was to be expected.
Ugh…
I didn’t think it was possible, but now the idea of Shohei riding to the rescue of the pitching staff is getting a lot more appealing.
It would be a helluva story!
And it would sure be nice if Stone makes progress.
Man the lifeboats!
And this one is getting out of hand early. Get the bullpen lined up. 80 pitches and he isn’t out of the third yet.
Flaherty should not come out for the 4th. His pitch count is way too high and we don’t need another tender elbow.
Good call
Ugly baseball. Teo with a baserunning blunder in the first; Mookie with a misplay in right in the third. It would appear this team is going to slug or go home.
Yep.
You know your season is going in the wrong direction when the guy who used to be your best reliever gives up 5 runs in 1/3 inning and your shortstop gets the side out in 4 batters, just giving up a single and throwing at about 50 mph.
If MiggyRo can avoid TJ after tonight, I think we have our answer to pitching injuries. Tell all of our guys to keep it to no more than 50-60 mph. And if AF should inquire, I am available for strategy consultations.
And now Kike retires the side in order. 😂
We definitely cannot pitch Miggy or Kike again during the regular season. We need to save them for the playoffs.
9 of our remaining games are against the Marlins and Rockies. We should be fine. As for the playoffs? We slug or we lose.