Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Going into the final game of the 2018 season, the Dodgers had a chance to win the division if they got help from the Nationals against the Rockies, but either way they controlled their own destiny in the NL West against the Giants. They definitely came to play today, as stellar pitching paired with fireworks from the bats made this one a laugher early on, and the Dodgers prevailed 15-0.
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The bats exploded in Game 162 for the Dodgers, finishing the year with 14 runs on 15 hits, including five doubles, a triple, and dongs from Brian Dozier and Max Muncy. They also walked five times and got a hit by pitch, all while striking out just four times.
Strike first. ✔️ pic.twitter.com/uuAcdbrZrr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2018
Let's recap the third inning, shall we?
Groundout, HBP, 2B, 1B, 1B, 2B, 1B, HR, flyout, 2B, groundout. pic.twitter.com/ALdJCYA3Ui
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2018
Splash hits. pic.twitter.com/zWXpCl7c0v
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2018
Meanwhile, Rich Hill made sure the bats didn’t even need to do that much. He cruised through seven shutout innings on just 75 pitches, striking out seven batters, walking none, and allowing only two singles.
Brilliant? #HillYes pic.twitter.com/wE5mHUhwK2
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2018
JT Chargois took over for him in the 8th, getting a 1-2-3 frame with two strikeouts. Julio Urias finished things in the 9th, striking out two in a 1-2-3 frame, and touching 95 mph.
Tomorrow is gonna be something.
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The Dodgers finish up 2018 at 91-71 … at least in 162 games. The Rockies thumped the Nationals as well, meaning the NL West finishes in a tie, and Game 163 will be played to determine who wears the NL West crown.
Game 163.
The one-game playoff will be played at Dodger Stadium tomorrow at 1:09 p.m. PT! The game will be exclusively on @espn, @AM570LASports, KTNQ 1020AM. Get your tickets now at https://t.co/yUznNr0Zmt! pic.twitter.com/GOTOEnS7V3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2018
As for who gets that game, one could argue for going to the pen game and saving Walker Buehler, but I think starting him makes the most sense.
https://twitter.com/ChadMoriyama/status/1046515639555317760
If they win the NL West, they are at home against the Braves and are setup as normal for a playoff series.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 30, 2018
I mean if you're in the Wild Card game, it's basically always a pen game anyway unless you're starting like … say, Max Scherzer.
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) September 30, 2018
We shall see.
Update
They did it.
Walker Buehler will pitch game 163.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 30, 2018
