The Dodgers are 82 and 54 and are the only team in baseball with a winning percentage over .600 (.603). There are 24 games left in the season. Trying to predict the playoff roster is silly and simply not possible. If Joe Kelly gets hot down the stretch, he will be on the roster. If he sucks, he will not! This is why they play the game. Will Kershaws’ big toe keep him out, or will he be fine after an IL stink and rest? You don’t know, and neither do I. A shot of cortisone may or may not help. There is a lot left to be decided, but I will tell you this: The Dodgers’ depth is superior to any team in baseball, and they simply have more choices and options is Plan A, Plan B or Plan C fail.
The Diamondbacks are better than I thought, but the Dodgers are what I thought they were, and they have spanked the Snakes. If they sweep them today, they just might break their spirit! The Dodgers are just hitting their stride. Check this out:
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic described the last two games as follows:
Welcome to chaos in the National League West, where franchise history is short-lived, leads are, too, and yet — once again — the Los Angeles Dodgers are finding separation in the division as the calendar flips to September.
— Fabian Ardaya
Little has seemed logical for these Dodgers since they returned this weekend to Chase Field, the site of last October’s disappointment and a rejuvenated environment from what, in years past, was a sea of blue in the empty warehouse. They lost Clayton Kershaw after just one inning Friday with a bone spur in his left big toe and rode a bullpen on fumes to an unlikely victory. They teed off against Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly on Saturday, making history for the 141-year-old franchise by slugging three consecutive home runs to lead off the game — only to cough up their early advantage before rookie starter Gavin Stone could record an out in the first inning. Their fried pitching staff gave up their advantage thrice, yet they still managed to hold on for an 8-6 win on Tommy Edman’s go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the ninth.
They’ve won in preposterous fashion on consecutive nights. Little has been normal. The intrigue surrounding this race entering the season’s final month has bled onto the field.
“It’s just a brawl,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It really is. All these teams we play within the division, it’s an all-out brawl.”
Their lead is now six games. The margin hasn’t been this wide since July 28. It took just about everything.
Their pitching was worn thin for consecutive nights, reaching down to their penultimate available arm Friday night and leaving Evan Phillips alone in the ninth Saturday night as the last man standing. The baseball has been enthralling and heart-stopping.
“This,” Miguel Rojas said, “is really important for us to have.”
Tommy Edman was reborn in LA, and Lux and Muncy continue to step up. Kevin Kiermaier is the man on the playoff roster bubble. Andy Pages… or maybe Dalton Rushing may make the September 1 roster and one of them could supplant KK. Tommy Edman is also Gold Glove Caliber in CF… the Dodgers do not need both, but there is that injury factor… so we watch it play out. We haven’t seen a playoff race for a couple of years, so this is really fun!
Justin Wrobleski goes for the Dodgers today. If he can empty the tank in 3 or 4 innings, it would be awesome. Ben Casparius showed he is also ready. The Dodgers have so much depth with Graterol coming back and even Grove. So, all I can say is: “There is nothing as constant as change.” Watch these final 24 games… and learn! The roster will sort itself out. Carry on!
Discussion (16)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Totaly get why they sacrificed the kid today, lose a few battles to win the war., tomorrow the bullpen is rested with Flaherty going, we move on, nothing to see here.,
Oh well. Dodgers were kind of primed for a blowout… but of course we all hoped for something better from Wrobleski.
Maybe it would have been a competitive game if Knack had been available.
Love reading about the progress of Freeland and Henriquez. While I don’t think Henriquez will be called up, a few more injuries could put him in the mix. (I fondly recall how young rookie Francisco Rodriguez was called up by the Angels and then he helped them win the WS.)
Speaking of relievers, the Dodgers staff is probably monitoring the progress of the Angels’ Ben Joyce, with velocity up to 104. The Angels traded their very good veteran closer, Estevez, to the Phils for two pitching prospects–and Joyce has taken a nice step forward.
Today’s fun baseball news: Dusty Baker’s son Darren got called up by the Nationals and collected his first hit. Fans first became aware of Darren when his dad was managing the Giants and Darren, a bat boy that day, ran toward the plate with a play in progress. JT Snow scored and quickly scooped young Darren out of harm’s way.
Well at least the bullpen got another day of rest:)
USC is doing better than I thought against LSU.
Miller looks very good.
I’m watching the Sunday game right now. All I can say is, Wrobleski is not yet ready for prime time. The kid can hardly throw a strike and when he does…it gets hammerd. C’est la vie!
Anyone know of a Roku hack or workaround for today’s game?
09/01/24 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned RHP Ben Casparius to Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
09/01/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled RHP Michael Grove from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
09/01/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled OF Andy Pages from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
09/01/24 Los Angeles Dodgers recalled LHP Justin Wrobleski from Oklahoma City Baseball Club.
4:10 PM ET
Dodgers (82-54)
Diamondbacks (76-60)
SP Justin Wrobleski L
1-1 4.68 ERA
SP Brandon Pfaadt R
8-7 4.31 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
2B Gavin Lux L
SS Tommy Edman S
3B Max Muncy L
CF K. Kiermaier L
C A. Barnes R
In Domed Stadium
From the Dodgers’ Official Page:
“Graterol faced hitters in a “live situation” on Aug. 31, manager Dave Roberts said. If the big right-hander comes out of that feeling good, he is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 3.
Graterol sustained a right hamstring strain after throwing just eight pitches in an Aug. 6 loss to the Phillies. The injury initially appeared to be season-ending after he had to be carried off the field, but scans revealed a Grade 1 strain, the least severe type of injury”. (Last updated: Aug. 31)
Joe Kelly on IL with shoulder issue. Per CBS sports
The Dodger brass, that I worship. Sarc. wanted Kelly this year. I don’t care if he makes the playoff roster. I just want 26 men that contribute to a championship. No sarcasm is needed in any of my takes unless….belittling a comment is brilliant and spot on. Sarc.
Book em
today would be wonderful day to get a series win. lefty rodriguez tomorrow. no muncy, no lux. … shouldn’t see tyler anderson in the angels series, pitched last night. let’s get a win today, and then get greedy and win tomorrow, take 2 from the halos, and guess what? 100 still in play!! how about that?
Triple-A: Outfielder James Outman returned to the lineup last night after the birth of his daughter.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Glasnow (elbow) could return to Los Angeles’ rotation in mid-September in a “best-case scenario,” per MLB.com.
“Glasnow landed on the injured list for the second time this season Aug. 16 due to right elbow tendinitis. The right-handed hurler played catch both Friday and Saturday and said after the latter session that he is “confident” he will return to the Dodgers’ rotation before the end of the season, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Roberts previously stated that Glasnow will require a minor-league rehab assignment prior to a potential activation, and the ace pitcher’s timeline suggests that, at maximum, he could pitch in three more regular-season games ahead of the playoffs”.
Doesn’t sound promising.
Win 1 out of the next 2 and we win the season series and have the tie-breaker just in case there is a tie for the Division with the Snakes.
2 more! not 22! my bad!
told you Tommy Edmam would be a factor! love that pickup! back to back to back! that’s the plan all along! Top 3? best in baseball! Gavin battled. that’s all you can ask for. …. except for the base on balls, honeywell did a great job. Ben C. ? excellent job! Evan Phillips? Money! (my oldest son’s middle name is Evan)!!!! …. Now it wasn’t all perfect . Just me, but i didn’t like pinch hitting kiki for max. Bases loaded and i’ll take max every time! he works the count as well as anyone. i know lefty righty matchups, but you know another right handed pitcher is coming. It all worked out so i’ll shut up! If that’s all we’ve got to bitch about, i say yay! Friars 7 out loss column! Goodbye johnny hustle! 22 more with the D-backs. stomp their asses!