The LA Dodgers took down the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday and Sunday, improving their division lead over the San Diego Padres to three games.
With just two months left in the regular season, Los Angeles is still trying to figure out their ever-changing pitching rotation. River Ryan, who made his big league debut earlier this year, is out for the season and will undergo Tommy John surgery. The young star let up very few runs, primarily by forcing ground and fly outs with his dynamic arsenal.
Tyler Glasnow joins Ryan on the injured list with elbow tendinitis and would like to avoid visiting Tommy John for the second time in his major league career. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been out since June and is yet to play in a minor-league rehab game. His high speed fastballs and devastating breaking balls was a backbone for the Dodgers, and he quickly garnered six wins early in the season.
The Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks are two of the other teams that make up the dominant NL West, and they are clearly visible in the Dodgers’ mirror. The pressure is on LA to keep winning games, but by playing their stars night after night, the team has been riddled with injuries.
Game 1 was a high-scoring affair, as Los Angeles came out on top 7-6. Kevin Kiermaier, who was traded to the Dodgers just before the deadline earlier this season, had a solid performance with four RBIs and his first home run in the blue and white.
The Cardinals got the best of the Dodgers in Game 2, falling 5-2. Los Angeles was outhit 11-4, and managed just seven bases in the game. LA’s Shohei Ohtani hit a home run, which was one of the few bright spots for the Dodgers. LA first-baseman Freddie Freeman left the game early after bruising his finger on a ground ball, but luckily his X-rays showed no fracture and he won’t be out long.
The Dodgers’ pitching held down a 2-1 win in Game 3. LA starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw had been disappointing up until Sunday, but he’s now headed in the right direction after two combined great starts. His six-inning, 70-pitch display showed that he is both on a pitch cap and a strict-inning cap. Ohtani also added another homer on top of his Game 2 bomb, moving his season total to 39.
Dodger fans still dream of a truly healthy squad. If all the stars align correctly, the team may be at full strength come October.
As far as pitchers go, reliever Blake Treinen is working his way through a rehab stint in Double-A. He faced three batters this past Saturday, striking out all of them. Another reliever, Brusdar Graterol, is set to throw a bullpen session soon. After returning to the Major Leagues earlier this month, he quickly reinjured himself with a hamstring strain. Starting pitchers Glasnow and Yamamoto will return at an undisclosed time later this season, which will fill any gaps left in the starting rotation.
There are numerous position players who are returning soon as well. Shortstop Tommy Edman will be activated from the IL within the next few days. The former Cardinal will provide great depth in the field and be another powerful hitter.
Third-baseman Max Muncy will join the squad very soon as well. His oblique injury, which put him on the 60-day IL, has since been dealt with and he hopes to jump back into the lineup. Muncy has been a threat in the batters box every year for LA. The added support to Ohtani and Freeman will easily make LA’s lineup the best in the league. Known for his playoff performances as a Dodger, Chris Taylor is still going through his rehab assignment for a groin injury last month. Although he struggled early this season, he is still a great asset to the team when it comes to postseason time.
The Dodgers now face a top-pitching squad in the Seattle Mariners.