Dodgers Series Recap — Homestand Sweep / Pitching Dominance
April 13–15/ Series 4of 52/ Games 11, 12, & 13 of 162
Both series this homestand were played similarly by the Dodgers. Got just enough offense to win every game and dominant pitching from top to bottom. They outscored both Washington and Colorado 31–12, sweeping both series. As baseball goes, the box score rarely reflects every performance accurately. In Trevor Bauer’s case, it reflected it perfectly.
Bauer dominated Colorado over seven, one-hit innings while striking out nine. He was entertaining, as usual, needing to pump himself up on the mound because the offense supplied him with seven runs of support, with four homers from Seager, Taylor, Muncy and Betts. Mookie played for the first time in front of fans at Dodger Stadium, starting two of the three games. He would play the 9th inning of game three, the same time David Price would take the mound to record the series sweep clinching save, the first regular-season save of Price’s career. Price gave up two singles, scary with just a two-run lead, but then struck out Trevor Story and Garrett Hampson. The third out would come from a weak grounder off the bat of Ramiel Tapia.
Price, Jimmy Nelson and Scott Alexander each built off their previous performances. They were used in high-leverage situations against the Rockies and pitched very effectively. Price gives the team yet another option to close games out of the bullpen. Knebel and Jansen deserve kudos for their dominant appearances as well. Just an overall outstanding performance for the pitching staff as a whole this homestand. With Dennis Santana, Alexander and Price pitching Thursday evening, this leaves the big boys rested for the upcoming series in San Diego.
Dustin May started game two of the series against Jon Gray. May, despite striking out six batters didn’t get out of the fifth inning. Along with those six strikeouts were seven hits and a walk. He probably could have continued at 71 pitches, but Dave Roberts didn’t like what he was seeing from May and made the wise decision to bring in Victor Gonzalez who continues to pitch well. There’s no reason to expose May this early in the season, especially if he isn’t dominating against a weak Colorado offense.
Game two was close and the Rockies pitched their best relievers to keep the game within reach. Can’t fault them for going all out to win every game. This strategy would backfire in game three as Yency Almonte and Tyler Kinley would blow a late lead, wasting a solid effort by Austin Gomber. The struggles of the Rockies’ pen would supply the Dodgers with their most exciting win of the season so far. They were down 5–3 in the seventh when Max Muncy hit a two-out, three-run dong. Justin Turner continued his uncharacteristic early-season power surge with a three-run dong of his own in the third.
https://twitter.com/MadChoriyama/status/1382914603479306241
This was an overall dominant, impressive series by the Dodgers. Beating up on the bad teams is of utmost importance in a baseball season and is easier said than done because baseball is weird. A sweep of the Rockies is what is expected of this team, but for them to execute it without Bellinger and a fully healthy Betts and starting Matt Beaty, Edwin Rios and Luke Raley just shows how deep this team is. Still, baseball will happen and a poor defensive play after a missed third strike call cost Urias a couple of runs. And Justin Turner hit a nacho dinger.
https://twitter.com/MadChoriyama/status/1382533566899257345
All of baseball is looking forward to the Dodger’s next series against the Padres. Bellinger still being hurt is a bummer. The Padres are expected to activate Fernando Tatis Jr., his health will be something to watch. The pitching matchups are marquee-worthy, with Kershaw vs. Darvish on Saturday and Bauer vs. Snell on Sunday. This will be a heated, fun weekend of baseball. Keep an eye on Betts’ health and if the bullpen can continue its dominance, namely Jansen and Knebel.
