Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
The Dodgers (96-55) need a win in Philly and a D-backs loss in San Diego to clinch their fifth straight National League West title. Should L.A. stave off the series loss to the Phillies (60-91) on Wednesday, their champagne celebration will have to wait until the Arizona-San Diego game concludes (6:10 PM PT start time). Although clinching at home would be ideal, they need to wrap it up and get it done at this point.
|
Dodgers
|
Phillies
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4:05 PM PT
|
Philadelphia
|
|||
|
CF
|
Taylor |
2B
|
Hernández | |
|
SS
|
Seager |
SS
|
Galvis | |
|
3B
|
Turner |
CF
|
Herrera | |
|
1B
|
Bellinger |
1B
|
Hoskins | |
|
RF
|
Puig |
RF
|
Altherr | |
|
C
|
Barnes |
3B
|
Franco | |
|
LF
|
Granderson | 1B | Joseph | |
|
2B
|
Forsythe |
C
|
Knapp | |
|
P
|
Wood (L) |
P
|
Thompson (R) |
Alex Wood (15-3, 2.69, 3.23) will try to lower the Dodgers’ magic number to 1 and give the Dodgers a reason to stick around the clubhouse after the game to watch the D-backs and Padres. Since returning from the disabled list, Wood’s velocity hasn’t been where it was during the first half of the season, a span of dominant pitching for the left-hander. Nevertheless, Wood has been an integral part of the Dodgers’ success this year and looks to be a contributor in October whether he starts or pitches out of the bullpen. Last time out against the Nationals, Wood pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight in the 7-0 Dodgers win.
Jake Thompson (2-2, 4.46 ERA, 5.91 FIP) has only faced the Dodgers once in his young career. Last season, the right-hander lost to the Dodgers in his third major league game in Philadelphia. He allowed five runs on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks in five innings. Adrian Gonzalez, Justin Turner and Curtis Granderson have hit home runs off Thompson.
——
Pedro Baez, public enemy #1, will not be pitching for the next few days. He’ll be with Dave Roberts in the dugout in order to “clear his head.”
Dave Roberts said he told Pedro Baez to stay in #Dodgers dugout with him for next couple days to clear his head, relax
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 20, 2017
Hyun-Jin Ryu is still in consideration for a NLDS roster spot and will pitch this weekend against the Giants.
Rich Hill, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Clayton Kershaw will start for #Dodgers this weekend vs #Giants
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 20, 2017
Should the Dodgers celebrate clinching the division despite losing 15 of their last 20 games? Absolutely. It’s been a long arduous journey, and this team has done something special despite the bumps in the road along the way that comes with every baseball season.
Not losing a series is a good thing, but clinching is even better. I hope to be watching the Boys In Blue pop some bottles later tonight with you.
