Dodgers 7, Marlins 1: Josh Beckett is … good?

beckett_2014-03-08Remember in spring training when Josh Beckett (and his contract) was a burden on the Dodgers and he would surely be cut? Yeah, me either. He pitched the Dodgers to a 7-1 victory on Tuesday night.

Beckett has been, arguably, the Dodgers’ second- or third-most consistent starting pitcher on the club this season. After a fantastic outing against the Marlins (6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 101 pitches, 62 strikes, 9/2 GO/AO), he lowered his ERA to 2.38, which ties him with Zack Greinke (and not counting Clayton Kershaw). It was his first win since Sept. 30, 2012.

The resurgence of Beckett has stabilized the rotation — a rotation that has been in a constant state of flux since Day 1.

Oh, and Beckett got some help from his friends. Yasiel Puig went 2-for-3 with a double, single, a team-leading 18th walk and an RBI on his bobble head night. Hanley Ramirez got the Dodgers on the board in the sixth inning with a two-run double. Adrian Gonzalez followed with a run-scoring double, Matt Kemp had an RBI single in what would be more than enough runs on this night.

And for any reason you deem fit, here is Puig imitating Gonzalez scoring from second base on Kemp’s RBI single.

Pure gold.

The Dodgers (22-19) go for a series sweep of the upstart Marlins (20-20) on Wednesday. Fortunately for the Dodgers (and unfortunately for everyone else who even cares about baseball), they won’t have to face Jose Fernandez, as he’s likely destined for Tommy John surgery. Paul Maholm, in what could be one of his final few starts with the Dodgers, faces off against Anthony DeSclafani , which I’m sure is a made up name. It’s his Major League debut, so I’m sure he’ll throw six scoreless innings, because baseball. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Pacific.

About Dustin Nosler

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Dustin Nosler began writing about the Dodgers in July 2009 at his blog, Feelin' Kinda Blue. He co-hosted a weekly podcast with Jared Massey called Dugout Blues. He was a contributor/editor at The Hardball Times and True Blue LA. He graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with his bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in digital media. While at CSUS, he worked for the student-run newspaper The State Hornet for three years, culminating with a 1-year term as editor-in-chief. He resides in Stockton, Calif.