Buehler vs Musgrove. Rojas will miss the game due to some tightness in his groin. Austin Barnes was reactivated off of the IL, Ben Casparius was recalled, Hunter Feduccia was optioned and Brusdar Graterol was placed on the 15-day IL. Just prior to the game, Banda was activated, and Honeywell was placed on the 15-day IL.
The game was scoreless until the top of the 5th inning. Buehler had managed to pitch around some traffic in the first and second innings. He had clean innings in the third and fourth. Meanwhile, Musgrove kept the Dodger offense quiet giving up a single to Betts in the first, a Freeman double in the fourth, a Lux double in the fifth and Ohtani’s single in the sixth. The Padres scored 1 in the fifth on a walk to Peralta, a double by Higashioka, an infield out by Arraez scored the run. With Phillips pitching in the sixth, Profar singled, Machado doubled. Merrill bunted them over, and a sac-fly by Bogaerts got the second run home. Banda came in and got the side out. An Ohtani single was all they got in the sixth.
Banda got the Padres out in order in the seventh. Muncy walked leading off the bottom of the seventh and then Will Smith hit his 20th homer to dead center field tying the game at 2. Edman struck out and Scott entered the game replacing Musgrove, who still has not beaten LA during the regular season in his career. Kike PH for Lux. Kike singled to left field. Pages with 2 strikes, was awarded first on catcher’s interference. Ohtani singled to right, scoring Kike, Pages took third on an error by Tatis Jr. Ohtani to second. 
Betts singled to right scoring Pages and Ohtani. LA leads 5-2. Freeman grounded out to second with Betts going to second. Freeman grabbed his ankle after stumbling on the play and limped off of the field. Teo was intentionally walked. Muncy grounded out to end the inning. Dodgers will hold their breath until they find out how bad the injury to Freeman is. At least he walked off of the field.
Treinen took over in the 8th. Massive replacements in the game, Taylor moved to second base, Pages to left, Kiermaier to second, Kike went to first base. Tatis walked to leadoff the Padres 8th. Profar popped out to Muncy. Machado flied out to Pages in left. Tatis steals second base. Merrill lined out to second baseman, Chris Taylor. Hoenig replaced Scott for the Padres. Smith led off the Dodger eighth and grounded out. Edman then grounded out to Machado. Kike singled to left. Kike went to second on a wild pitch. Andy Pages then homered to left field, 7-2 LA. Padres removed Hoenig from the game. Matsui replaces Hoenig. Ohtani doubled to left. Betts was walked intentionally. Taylor at the plate. That double gives Ohtani 400 total bases for the year. He is only the second Dodger, Babe Herman is the other, to reach that plateau. Taylor strikes out.
Kopech in to pitch the 9th inning. Kopech gave up a double to Bogaerts to lead off the inning but retired the next three for the win. LA wins the West for the 11th time in 12 years. Waiting to hear any report on Freeman. Braves and Mets will have to play a double header on Monday. There probably will not be a report on Freeman tonight. Friedman did say, they do not need to play him this weekend in Denver. 
https://x.com/fabianardaya/status/1839531011174179216?s=46&t=rboqW7M9WOLWwdbEjkCBDw
Thanks for sharing… Nice piece.
Woo-Hoo!! NL West champs.
Watching the celebration in the clubhouse. Freeman was in the treatment room and did not join the team for the champagne toast.
Actually, he came out and stood in the doorway to the locker room but was on crutches and had a boot on his foot.
Actually, I just saw Freddie on the field with his family. He was smiling, a lot.
Per Ardaya
X-rays were negative on Freddie Freeman’s ankle, per Andrew Friedman. Won’t play this weekend, but they’re “not too worried.”
Watching Freddie roll his ankle gave me flashbacks of Max hyperextending his elbow, and missing the playoffs. Hoping for a happier outcome.
That was my first thought too when it happened.
Fingers crossed FF will be good to go in the playoffs but it did not look good.
Great to hit those Madres back in the face back to back games after that triple play knockdown on Tuesday. and in the division vs them in our house.
Bazooka with shoulder inflammation though is not good news.
I wonder if the Dodgers will bring back Bobby Miller to make one of the starts over the weekend. And what about Rushing now to step in for FF ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No one is going to stop us from contending in the WS even though our starting pitching is absolutely atrocious. If they are not broken, they are worn out. Debating whether to use Buehler or Knack makes no difference at all. They are not going to win the games for us. They Can make it easier for our hitters by not giving up HRs and big leads. Let Ohtani & Co. do their thing. Is there a better bet than this that I don’t see? No one is shutting us down, not even the Phillies. I’m preparing for an Ohtani/Judge showdown. How much fun will that be!
rule question:
If a player goes on the IL now, can he return for the playoffs or does he have to stay on the IL like during the regular season ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dodgers could sent Rojas to the IL retroactive to the 25th and so he would be eligible to return for the first playoff game.
Can see Casparius taking down the bulk innings today at COL and then being optioned to make room for Bobby Miller so he can start tomorrow. Yamamoto on Sunday for his last tune up before postseason play.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The player is still eligible for the playoffs, but the same IL rules apply as the reg season.
thanx for the info.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
A very encouraging performance by Buehler. He gave his best outing of the season in a very important game!
I really dislike the Friars, so good for the Dodgers to assert their will over them!!
Yeah, big game Buehler stepped it up again. Not overpowering but lots of weak contact.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Walker is learning to be a pitcher, he can’t just blow it past them anymore. He’s always seemed to be able to match intelligence with his physical attributes, now he is combining them with a new angle. He has learned that the opposition was actually teeing off on his fastball, I don’t know the stats on his use of the fastball but I would bet it is way down, he is using his fastball to now set up his other pitches for outs. I hope he can keep it up and if that is the case the Dodgers resign for next year.
I’m glad Mookie was listening to me and reappeared this game. Now the trick for Roberts and the boys is to stay sharp (and mend) for the next 7 days. Rojas is a very very important need for a good playoff run.
Go Blue!!!
The NLDS actually does not start until Saturday, the 5th of October. So, they have 8 days to prepare.
Thanks, I think (okay not really)
Freeman is not going to travel with the team to Colorado. He is remaining behind so he can receive more treatment. Miggy Ro will need surgery on his abductor in the offseason.
It took a while, but the Dodgers finally showed up. And when they do, they can beat anybody.
They have the 1 seed at the moment. Do they want to keep it?
You try to win every game and let the chips fall where they fall.
Go Dodgers°°°°°°°°°!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, but, Chris Taylor and Keirmaier could use some at bats, Smith might could use some rest, the bullpen maybe could too. Try to win all three, secure home field throughout the playoffs and risk another Freddie Rojas incident?
Yeah. I guess so.
Ardata has a really lovely, well reported column on the team, the meaning of this specific div title and some new info: ($$$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5798758/2024/09/27/dodgers-clinch-nl-west-2?source=user-shared-article
It’s rare for dominance of a division to become an annual tradition, but that’s what these Dodgers have built. For the 11th time in 12 seasons, they could not be topped.
“We like high expectations,” Friedman said. “We relish them. It beats the s–t out of the alternative. People care, they’re passionate about the Dodgers. They have high expectations. So do we. We think that’s a great thing. And for us, this is step one.”
Cool story.
I’m really struck by how much emotion Shohei is showing as the playoffs approach. Of course he never had this experience with the Angels, and he’s obviously loving it.
I’m hoping that Shohei can pad his stats a bit in Colorado… but I also think he could use some time off. First-world problem.
First-place problem!
Hey Duke, what makes you think Ohtani needs some time off? He’s in a groove and I personally want him to continue that; the more at bats, the better before he’s forced to sit for a few days. If he played in the field, I might feel differently. Indeed a First-place problem
Grit: “courage and resolve; strength of character”. This team has it in spades.
They are also a club that has heart on the diamond. (see what I did there?)
Spade me.
Great win for the Dodgers! To wrap up the division at home and win the series against the Padres is awesome.
Ohtani has carried the team the last two weeks with an amazing performance in the clutch. He has exceeded my expectations and been great all year.
Buehler was gritty and effective in the biggest series of the year. He pitched better than all of the Dodger starters this week, and they were not winning this game without his contribution. A lot of fans had written Buehler off this year several times, but he has battled back from two TJ surgeries to help the team at a crucial point. Walker could have played it safe and pocketed his $8 million salary while rehabbing and becoming a free agent this winter. But he loves to compete and has put his team first throughout his career. He is still not the same pitcher he was in 2021, but he was there when the Dodgers needed him most. Hats off to Buehler!
Walker Buehler came thru big time.Could it be that he has learned to adapt. He still has the talent.
It was nice to see the Dodger super stars step up the last two games. Before the start of the series I checked out the Padres’ starting pitching and their bullpen. The I looked at what the Dodgers had available for the three games. I was not optimistic. Hopeful, but not optimistic. The offense definitely needed to carry the team in order to win the series and the division. Badger’s 5-8 run rule was going to be required. And, also, the bullpen was most likely going to be called on and overextended as it has all season. A lot had to go right for the Dodgers in order to complete their goal of another division title.
After the first game’s unusual ending, I thought it might be an omen of what lie ahead for the Dodgers. Well, the team really came through in a big way. They continually grinded down on Cease and got him out after five innings. They were able to add the winning run against the Padres bullpen and our bullpen stepped up to shut down the Padres.
Last night’s game proved to be more of the same for the Dodgers. Musgrove held them in check until the seventh when he began to lose his control of his pitches and the Dodgers took advantage. Five runs later it looked like a done deal. It was very encouraging to see Smith, Ohtani, and Betts show some real emotion in that seventh inning. It could be a tangible aspect that might make a difference in the postseason. Having to fight the Padres right until the end of the season has given the Dodgers a sense that the division is not a given. Nor is the World Series.
Although it’s a long season, now is the time each player needs to step up for the next month and like a distance runner, give that final kick to be the first to reach the finish line. It’s going to take a total team effort (including Roberts) to win a championship this year.
Going into the playoffs with Flaherty, Buehler, Yamamoto, and Knack as potential starters each game is going to be, most likely, a high wire act. Other than Buehler’s start yesterday, none of them have have done well in their last start. Only Buehler has any postseason success. Flaherty has been OK in his 25 innings with an ERA of 3.60. He pitched for Baltimore last year, but only two innings. Of course, both Knack and Yamamoto are rookies so they have a chance to establish their playoff success. I think the starters are going to be the key to any success. I would think the Dodger starting staff has to be the weakest of all the teams in the playoffs. Let’s see who steps up. My money is on Buehler and maybe Yamamoto.
Recently, both Bear and I observed that Ohtani wasn’t doing his job with runners in scoring position and when slumping was swinging at uncompetitive pitches when striking out. Some here and at other blogs thought the criticism was unjust and outrageous. First, it wasn’t a criticism, it was an observation. You know, it’s a blog where opinions are shared. What’s the problem with pointing out something that might make the player even more productive? Well, someone had must of let him know about our “observation”. He went from the best player in baseball to other worldly. He has stopped chasing bad pitches and that has resulted in him being 11 for 12 with men in scoring position. That is unbelievable! I think is he so pumped for the playoffs right now. There is no telling what kind of results may happen. Your welcome (sarcasm).
As mentioned above, I too, thought of Muncy when Freeman went down with the sprained ankle. It’s good to have him stay in LA for treatment. The layoff may actually benefit the Dodgers this year in allowing Freeman (and Rojas) to heal up and give the bullpen some much needed rest because they are most likely be called upon to provide some major innings
It’s a bummer about Rojas’ injury. Along with Freeman’s injury that’s two starters that could be limited or out for the Dodgers. It’s a reflection of the whole damn season. I can’t remember anything like it. And, that’s just the position players! The pitching staff is another thing altogether. Now, Graterol, is again, on the IL. He, like May, could be finished as part of future Dodger pitching staffs. The most important part of being a professional athlete is availability. Both Graterol and May have had too many injuries to be depended on. They are both very talented and it’s sad to see happen. They are both entertaining to watch pitch.
With nearly a week off after the end of the season I hope Roberts has everyone playing and pitching in Colorado. They should play the games like they are important. And they are. The hitters seem to be in a competitive mode and know the urgency of situation. They can’t lose that in Colorado.
I’ve gone on way too long here. I’m taking the rest of the day off.
Carry on
Congratulations to the Dodgers.
Hats off to Walker Buehler. What a great performances against the Padres. We all knew he was improving outing by outing, but it’s been easy for the skeptics to wait for the other shoe to drop. Well, it wasn’t Thursday. I knew he was still capable of this stuff. He edged closer every outing. I hope this is the moment he is finally back physically and now mentally. No more stinkin thinkin.
I’m sometimes a critic when I think a starter gets the hook with a low pitch count and then hear complaints about an overworked bullpen? But I was in agreement with Doc pulling Buehler after 5 innings and 71 pitches. Good conversation between the two; good for Walker wanting to continue. And good for Doc taking him out. Let him finish his evening on a big positive.
Pregame I wanted 4 or 5 innings for Walker and no homers. That’s all we needed. Our bullpen has been super. And that’s what we got. I liked the move.
Sadly, Phillips came in and pooped his pantalones. That’s not Doc’s fault.
*Musgrove was great.
Wow, 7th inning started off interestingly. Musgrove appeared to pitch around Muncy to face Smith. We didn’t chase his breaking balls off the plate forcing him into in the strike zone. 95, center cut to Will and it’s 2-2.
Musgrove was gone at 85 pitches. I’ll take my chances with their bullpen.
*As I said, a couple of hits by Mookie, and all’s forgotten.
*Pages closed the deal in the 8th. Good for this kid.
*Hopefully Freddie has a basic sprained ankle and he can have 8 days to rehab.
*The Padres are an aggressive lot. They’re stealing 2nd in the 8th down 5-2.
*I lovde Doc going to Kopech in the 9th with a 5 run lead. Close the deal. No questions. And win the Division with Kopech on the bump.
*Tell me I didn’t read the Graterol didn’t go to the IL with a shoulder? And Honeywell on the IL with a cracked fingernail.
*I want to see Casparius get a start.
Big Game Walker Buehler – I have been waiting to write that again. Can I write that he is back? Admittedly, as Badger reminded me, I was a little premature with that one. Last night we got a glimpse of the pitcher we have been waiting to return. Many had given up on Walker and wanted him gone, but not the Dodgers. Does last night’s game portend for 2024 clutch playoff wins? We will have to wait and see, but I sure feel better about that scenario today more than last week.
Buehler wasn’t perfect. He did allow a run on 5 hits, 1 BB, and only 1 K. SD does not strike out much anyway. Without the walks and strikeouts, Buehler was efficient and threw 77 pitches in 5.0 innings. Could he have gone more? Undoubtedly. But I agree with the speculation that Doc wanted Buehler to come away with a feeling of success. Once again, the bullpen did not let up after the run against Evan Phillips in the 6th.
Joe Musgrove continued his dominating pitching until he issued his first and only BB to Max to open the 7th. Will Smith then took him deep to tie the game. After Musgrove got Tommy Edman on strikes, Tanner Scott entered the game. Hitting for Gavin Lux was Kiké Hernández, who singled. Perhaps the most consequential AB of the game followed when Andy Pages reached 1st on catcher’s interference.
Shohei Superman followed with a single, his 11th hit in his last 12 WRISP. His hitting is more than impressive, but his exuberance and excitement is what is turning this team. If Shohei can act like a little kid in a candy store after his efforts, perhaps that gives the team permission to have fun. Have we ever seen a bat flip by Will Smith before? I can’t remember one, and he has had some memorable HRs. The look at Mookie when he followed with a line drive single to RF to plate 2 more and a 5-2 lead was priceless. This was Mookie’s 2nd hard single of the night. Is he back? Maybe. I am going with he never left, just momentarily stalled.
The top of the order was 6-13 with a BB. That is .500 OBP. With Lux and Kiké going a combined 3-4 including 2 doubles, and the two run no-doubter from Pages off the righthander, Bryan Hoeing, the bottom of the order set the table and turned the lineup over.
The team now has their 2nd LHRP, as Anthony Banda returned and retired all four batters he faced. Blake Treinen entered in the 8th and was scheduled to face the same three he dominated the night before…Tatis Jr., Profar, and Machado. He walked Tatis Jr., but retired the next three on weak contact outs.
Michael Kopech again shut down the Pads in the 9th. He gave up a leadoff double to Xander Bogaerts, but he needs his stress so he can then dominate.
On his 8th inning single, Shohei reached yet another milestone; 400 total bases.
Will Shohei get two more HR’s in Colorado this weekend?
This year it was not inevitable with the way San Diego had been playing and the state of the LAD starting pitching, but the Dodgers did win the NL West for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons. 12th straight playoff appearance. Only NYY (14) and Atlanta (13) have accomplished that more times. This one felt different. This had more meaning for me. Maybe the struggle down the stretch. Maybe beating SD and shutting up their fans for a bit. Maybe the presence of Shohei Ohtani.
Will we see Bobby Miller and/or Tony Gonsolin this weekend? Maybe Sunday will be Landon Knack, Miller, and Gonsolin. Yoshinobu Yamamoto will get the start on Saturday for that rebound game after his last outing against Colorado. Tonight’s game was always going to be a bullpen game. I would expect Ben Casparius to be the bulk pitcher in this one. Will Austin Barnes start one or two games this weekend? I am going with two.
The one negative for the night was the turned ankle from Freddie. He was in a walking boot after the game, but everyone gave the impression that Freddie will be ready when the NLDS starts a week from tomorrow, in LA. They won the Division, and got the much needed bye.
Finally, last night:
LAD WRISP – 3-10SD WRISP – 0-10
Only one other Dodger has ever had 400 or more total bases, Babe Herman in 1930. Babe finished with 416. I wouldn’t put it past Ohtani to at least match that.
For once, I am excited and happy to see a bullpen game tonight. Send Casparius out there and let him toss 3 innings. Then go to Gonsolin, or Zach Logue, bring in Bobby for some innings. Do another one tomorrow. Sunday can be another bullpen game with a bulk guy.
Rest everyone. Put a triple A lineup on the field. I want to see Hunter Feducia, and Chris Taylor getting reps.
Great win all around. Couldnt be happier. For once, I can’t complain about anything.
Now let’s get that ring.
Thanks. I would throw today but I just donated blood via my left arm, and I’m a leftie. I’m likely out for the entire playoffs.
Then you are a true Dodger. lol
Bummer Bobby. We were counting on you.
I too am on the shelf. I have a hangnail on my left bird-finger and I’m a RHP. It’s taken another 10 mph off my fastball.
He went 4.1. 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned. He walked 2 and struck out 6. He was credited with the win.
If you need simple, go back to the comments after game one of the Padres series.
The most recent Padres series, of course
Why do the Dodgers not put Max at first when FF is out and put Kike at 3rd? Isn’t Kike a better 3rd baseman than Max?
They don’t want a repeat of the injury that Max suffered at first base knocking him out of the playoffs
On Baseball Prspectus’ future projection podcast they discuss the return for Busch:
Hope and Ferris.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-projection/id1555299031?i=1000670918529
I listened. Thanks.
Hope. Exit velocity 108.5. Contact ability. Speed. Qick hands. No chase Can’t wait to see what he can do at AA, which won’t happen for a while. And Ferris could very well be a next guy up pitcher.
Pretty much a meaningless game tonight. We have the division and at least the #2 seed locked up. Only thing left on the line is the battle for the #1 seed. Not sure how much that means to the Dodgers. #2 seed might be a better spot. Biggest things is to stay healthy and not get anyone hurt.
It’s never a bad thing to have the 1st seed and home field advantage.
Exactly – esp. since the Dodgers have been much better at home than on the road this year. So the #1 seed affords them a better chance against the Phillies.
Dodgers magic number to be the #1 seed is 1. But be careful what you ask for. LA is 1-5 against Philadelphia this season. 1-2 at home. Their winning percentage at home is .642. On the road, .552. Their only losing month was July when they went 11-13, This month they are 13-10.
Pages definitely on the playoff roster. He seems more relaxed. Of course this is not the postseason. But, his ability to go deep separates him from others. If the Dodgers win tonight they will probably get the top seed. The Phillies are losing big. I’m hoping Arizona has to play San Diego or a SanDiego/Atlanta matchup if Atlanta gets in.
Never seen Casparius pitch before, I love that motion with the shuffle on the rubber.
his stuff has nice movement, even up in Denver
If it comes down to him or grove for the playoff roster I choose him.
Ohtani with his game tonight, now has 408 total bases. He is 8 away from Babe Herman’s record. He needs 1 homer for 55. He has 130 RBIs. He is hitting .309. Doubtful he can win the triple crown since Arraez went 3-5 and is at .314. But he is second since he passed Ozuna tonight. Ozuna is at .308.