Podcast: ‘Dugout Blues’ episode 247 – First place, playoff push, Ryu, Urias

On this episode of “Dugout Blues,” Jared and I recap a week that saw the Dodgers move back into first place and increase their playoff likelihood immensely.

The week started off great, as the Dodgers swept the Rockies in a 3-game series that was — at the time — the biggest series of the season. They won in a few different ways: via blowout, via walk-off (Chris Taylor) and via late-game heroics by the pinch-hitting Yasiel Puig. The pitching showed up in each game, and it was highlighted by Walker Buehler‘s 12-strikeout performance in Game 3.

With the sweep, the Dodgers moved 2 1/2 games ahead of the Rockies. Colorado went to Arizona and swept over the weekend while the Dodgers took 2-of-3 from the Padres. Friday’s game was very 2018 Dodgers, as they couldn’t get things going against Eric Lauer (who has half his career victories against LA). They won the other two games by a combined score of 21-2 — also very 2018 Dodgers.

Hyun-Jin Ryu is, as Jared says, a beast. He’s pitching like the guy he was in 2013-14 and has clearly separated himself from the non-Buehler and Clayton Kershaw class of starting pitcher on the roster. He good af.

Julio Urias opened some eyes with a 2-inning relief outing that saw him hit 97 MPH on the radar gun. It seems the arm strength is back and it’s going to be tempting for the Dodgers to put him on the postseason roster (should they make it). I think they should hold off because having him fully healthy for 2019 should still be the goal.

To end, a strong Q&A despite the later than normal recording time. Thank you for the questions. Please keep them coming.

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Look for new episodes of “Dugout Blues” every Monday. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and review us on iTunes. We want to make this the best podcast we can so we’re always looking for suggestions and ways to improve.

If you have questions you’d like us to answer or certain topics/players you want to hear more about, feel free to email us ([email protected]) or send us messages on Twitter (@JaredJMassey or @DustinNosler). You can also “Like” the podcast on Facebook. We always welcome audience participation.

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.