The Dodgers Finally Look Like the Dodgers Again
I know sweeping the Pirates in late August isn’t the same thing as lifting the trophy in October. I get it. But honestly, I don’t even care that much right now.
The Dodgers desperately needed a stretch like this after losing 11 of 16 games, and after sweeping Pittsburgh at Dodger Stadium, they finally look like a dominant baseball team again.
With three straight wins over the Pirates, the Dodgers pushed their winning streak to six games and became just the second team in MLB to reach the 80-win mark this season.
Dodgers Open the Series With a Dramatic Extra-Inning Win
Friday’s series opener was easily the most stressful of the three because, apparently, the Dodgers bullpen refuses to let us have a normal, stress-free night.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto started and was absolute money, going 6.1 innings with nine strikeouts and allowing just two runs. LA had a comfortable 4-2 lead heading into the 8th, but Oneil Cruz hit a game-tying two-run homer. Thankfully, Tommy Edman saved the day with a clutch walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th to secure the 5-4 win. Shoutout to Max Muncy too; his two-run blast in the first inning was his 26th homer of the year and set the tone early.
Tarik Skubal Settles In as the Dodgers Win Their Fifth Straight
Saturday was a totally different type of drama. Tarik Skubal got hit hard in the 1st inning, giving up three quick runs. It looked like the win streak might be ending. But then Skubal basically decided Pittsburgh was done scoring for the rest of the night. He locked in for 7.0 innings, giving up just those three early runs while racking up 11 strikeouts. That might have been my favorite pitching performance of the weekend.
The offense eventually heated up. Teoscar Hernández and Alek Thomas helped the Dodgers tie the game, and Kyle Tucker came through with a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth. The Dodgers held on for a 4-3 win.
Kyle Tucker Finally Breaks Through
Also, can we talk about Tucker finally getting that hit? He had gone 0-for-26 before the two-run single. That’s brutal. When you are one of the biggest names in the lineup, people are obviously going to notice when you disappear offensively. Seeing him break through was a great moment. Hopefully that hit gets him going because the Dodgers need him. You can’t have key hitters become automatic outs in October.
Blake Snell Dominates as the Dodgers Complete the Sweep
Sunday was easily the calmest game of the series.
Blake Snell started and looked amazing again. He threw six scoreless innings, allowed only two hits, and struck out six. He also walked three, but Pittsburgh never really threatened him. The Dodgers won 4-0 and finished the sweep. This is now three straight strong starts from Snell since returning in August, allowing only two total runs across 18 innings.
I know people will focus on the opponent here. Yes, it was the Pirates. But I think that misses the point. The biggest thing I took away from this series was the starting pitching. Yamamoto, Skubal, and Snell combined for 19 innings, 26 strikeouts, and only five earned runs. This is how you win championships.
Tyler Glasnow Makes an Already Scary Rotation Even Better
And if you thought this rotation was already terrifying, get ready. Tyler Glasnow is officially back off the 60-day IL and takes the mound tonight against the Braves. Adding Glasnow back into a rotation with Snell, Skubal, and Yamamoto is very exciting.
The Dodgers lineup will have bad days. Every lineup does. Even with Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Muncy, and everyone else, there will be games where they score three or four runs. Good starting pitching makes those games winnable. We saw that all weekend. The Dodgers won 5-4, 4-3 and 4-0. They didn’t need some ridiculous offensive explosion to sweep the series; they pitched well, got important hits and played clean baseball.
These Are the Wins That Matter in October
And maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but I actually like these wins more than when they score 12 runs. Friday went to extras. Saturday started with the Dodgers down three runs. They still won both. Then on Sunday, they finally gave everyone a game where our heart rates could stay somewhat normal. Thank you, Blake Snell.
Some things still worry me. I am not going to pretend that six wins suddenly erased every problem from the season. Some hitters still need to become more consistent. The bullpen can still make games way more stressful than necessary. The Dodgers also have to prove they can keep playing like this against better teams.
The Dodgers Are Finding Their Rhythm at the Perfect Time
But this is the first time in a while that it feels like everything is starting to connect.
The starting rotation looks scary. Snell looks healthy. Skubal showed exactly why the Dodgers wanted him. Yamamoto continues to give them quality innings. The offense is finding ways to score without relying on one guy to do everything.
That is the version of the Dodgers I have been waiting to see.
It does not have to be perfect. Honestly, I do not even want perfect baseball right now. I want them playing their best baseball when October gets here.
Six wins in a row is a pretty good place to start, but getting fully healthy right before September is everything. The Dodgers are finding their rhythm at the exact right time, and I’m so ready for October.
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Categorized:Dodgers