Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
This should be a game thread about how Clayton Kershaw has a chance to clinch the Dodgers’ first World Series title in 32 years. Instead, last night’s debacle has evened up the series and Kershaw is tasked — once again — with saving the Dodgers’ season.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 5:08 p.m. | Arlington | ||
| RF | Betts | 1B | Diaz |
| SS | Seager | DH | Arozarena |
| 3B | Turner | 3B | Brosseau |
| 1B | Muncy | LF | Margot |
| DH | Smith | RF | Renfroe |
| CF | Bellinger | 3B | Wendle |
| 2B | Taylor | SS | Adames |
| LF | Pederson | CF | Kiermaier |
| C | Barnes | C | Zunino |
| P | Kershaw (L) | P | Glasnow (R) |
That might be a tad dramatic, but things feel really dire.
And yet, the series is tied 2-2. The Dodgers are still in a good position tonight and for the rest of the series. Kershaw goes tonight, some amalgam of pitchers go tomorrow and, if necessary, Walker Buehler in Game 7.
First thing’s first, though, the Dodgers have to hit Tyler Glasnow again. They got to him in Game 1 and made him throw a career-high 112 pitches. We’ll see if that has any impact tonight. He’ll probably still throw really hard, but the command/control is something to monitor.
The offense has relied, heavily, on scoring with two outs. They’ve scored 57 runs with two outs this postseason. All seven of their runs last night came with two outs. That isn’t a great formula to rely on, so I would suggest scoring before there are two outs in an inning.
Mookie Betts had a few opportunities to add to the Dodgers’ lead last night. He didn’t come through. He’s been so good in this postseason — more on defense than at the plate — but it’d be great if he showed up today, given the opportunities. A quick start could be huge for the offense and Kershaw.
After Kershaw, I’m guessing we’ll get a steady dose of Brusdar Graterol (14 pitches the last two nights), Victor Gonzalez, Joe Kelly, Jake McGee and maybe Dylan Floro. I highly doubt we see Pedro Baez, Blake Treinen and, especially, Kenley Jansen — as much as it pains me to write it. Let’s just hope Dave Roberts doesn’t shit all over himself again.
Cody Bellinger is back in center field after being the DH last night because of a sore back. That allows the Dodgers to DH Will Smith and have Austin Barnes in to catch Kershaw. At this rate, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the Dodgers started Barnes behind the plate the rest of the series.
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Last night’s bullshit aside, if the Dodgers win the World Series, Game 4 will be nothing but a hilarious footnote. But if things go south, well, I don’t even want to think about it.
So, here’s to Kershaw going out and shoving again. The Dodgers really, really need it.
