Two days after I published a column about how the starting pitching was responsible for most of the team’s recent success, the offense of the Dodgers erupted for a whopping 18 runs over the final two games of a weekend set to secure both the series and season sweep against a battered Pirates squad.
For the entire three game series, the Dodgers outscored the Pirates 28 runs to 11.
Corey Seager and Joc Pederson each hit solo home runs in the finale on Sunday while rookie utility-man Matt Beaty slugged a career-high four RBI to highlight the 11-7 Los Angles victory.
With Sunday’s win, the Dodgers have now won 17 of the last 19 games against the Pirates, including the last 10 contests.
The series finale was seemingly messy at times, especially for the Pirates. The Pittsburgh staff walked eight Dodger batters and hit another three. Los Angeles pushed six runners across the plate in a sixth inning that featured back-to-back hit batsmen which resulted in two runs scored.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, catcher Austin Barnes was lifted for veteran backstop Russell Martin after Barnes complained of soreness in his groin. By game’s end, no further reports were provided on the seriousness of the injury.
Sunday’s game took nearly four hours to complete after the middle game on Saturday began 1-3/4 hours late after a lengthy rain delay.
Justin Turner was given a day off on Saturday and responded by going 5-for-5 with five singles and three runs scored in the finale. It was the first five-hit game in Turner’s career. His effort elevated his season average to .304.
Freshly reinstated of the injury list, Kenta Maeda got the start for the Dodgers on Sunday. The righty threw 81 pitches over five full innings, surrendering three earned runs on five hits and no walks while striking out four. He was credited with his sixth win of the year.
Lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson threw the sixth inning, allowing three more earned runs of his own on four hits and a walk.
Pedro Baez and Yimi Garcia held the Pirates scoreless in the seventh and eighth innings. Ross Stripling gave up one run in the ninth after allowing an earned run on two hits, one of which was a double to center field off the bat of Gregory Polanco.
With a 35-18 record, Los Angeles far and away has the best mark in the National League. The team returns home on Monday to begin a four-game set against the New York Mets.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Looks like the Will Smith era could start much sooner than we thought depending how bad Barnes is hurt. If it’s just a 10 day thing they will bring Rocky Gale up but if it’s going to be a few weeks it’s going to be Smith.
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I wouldn’t mind seeing Smith.
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You could be right Alex. And the Dodger’s may indeed have their all star catcher this year!
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Ok so I may have pumped Barnes up a little but he’s still not having a terrible season. With our offense the catcher’s bat is far behind what he can do with the glove and the pitching staff and by all accounts he’s been terrific handling the staff.
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I wonder if when Barnes recovers from his groin injury he’ll be able to pitch as well as Ryu. 🙂
I know everyone (including yours truly) is anxious to see what we have in Smith, but I’d still rather have Barnes back sooner and have Smith stay in OKC a while longer. Next year can be Mr. Smith’s coming out party.
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Bullpen problems solved: The Dodgers have reportedly reached a minor league agreement with Yujo Kitagata of the Independent Challenge Baseball League in Japan.
Kitagata, 25, is a right-handed reliever who has reached 99 on the gun.
Only one question – how many levels below MLB is the Independent Challenge Baseball League of Japan?
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Stetson Allie has reached 101 on the gun in Triple-A, but it has yet to do him any good. 🙂
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Dennis, the reason Stetson hasn’t had much success this year is that he hasn’t had the benefit of competing in the Independent Challenge Baseball League of Japan.
By the way, our old favorite (and I must admit I’d kind of given up on him) Shea Spitzbarth has come to life again this season. He may yet find his way to Dodger Stadium.
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I’m really happy to see that Matt Beaty finally got a chance. That guy has completely busted his tail from his first day in the organization. Classy dude.
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The guy can hit. I expect he’ll have a decent MLB career, just not sure it will be as a starter or with the Dodgers.
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Do we find a diamond in the rough every year? Where has bear been? I hope all is well with him. From one bucco to another!
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I am here Rich. Visiting relatives in California, and my brother has been on vacation, so I have been kept busy and have not been on here. I also have been watching every game. Going to Saturday’s Dodgers-Phillies game. It is alumni night, so that game is at 5 and then the regular game at 7:10. Also is Steve Garvey bobblehead night and his induction into the Legends of Dodger Baseball. A couple of things. Kike needs to quit trying to hit everything to the moon. He has been pulling off of the ball like he did in 2017. Taylor. despite having some bursts where he looks like he is going to break out and he did have 2 decent games in this series, is still striking out way too much. Belli has as many walks as he does K’s. Smith is not on the 40 man roster, but the way the OKC team is playing, a few days with the big club might be a welcome change. He is at .290 right now with 8 dingers and 28 ribbies. Ruiz has gotten his average up to .285. Not showing much power, but his contact has been better. Kendall is having a HORRIFIC season at Rancho. Under the Mendoza line. I think he is over matched down there, and despite the hype, I doubt he will ever make an impact with the Dodgers. Looks like Friedman’s type of management is NOT WORKING yet for the Giants. Farhan DFA’ d another of the Giants so called premier prospects when they did that to Williamson. Giants going through outfielders like a hot knife through butter. They called up Yastrzemski’s grandson. He got his first hit in MLB today. 28 years old….Kemp signed with the Mets, and Puig looks to be healthy again, but still not hitting too much.
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Glad you’ll have a chance to go to the old-timers game (sorry, alumni game) Bear. Always fun to see the guys who brought glory to the Blue in olden times. Enjoy your bobblehead. Please explain to your relatives that you need a few minutes on here every day. It’s been way too cheerful around here without you. We need someone to bring us to our senses when we get carried away with the current team. 🙂
Someone told Kike they thought he might be trying too hard. Loved his response. He said he’d rather be known as the guy who tried too hard than the guy who didn’t try hard enough. Hope he pulls out of this, because his personality really helps keep the team loose.
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Oh I can remedy that…just let them play like crap for a week and I will be all over it! LOL….this week they have a real challenge. These two pitching staffs better than what they faced the last 3 series.
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Just checked Kendall’s stat page. In the last 28 days he’s hitting .000 with an OBP of .444. You don’t see that every day. He’s 23. He should be clobbering A+ pitching. I wonder what’s wrong? Is he injured?
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Here’s an interesting stat: the average major league reserve or platoon outfielder hit .283/.357/.439 in his minor league career. After 738 plate appearances Kendall is slashing.221/.309/.369. Gulp.
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Hearing it’s gonna be Will Smith who takes Barnesy’s roster spot today.
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I seriously doubt that Kendall will be in the Dodger organization next year. I think they’ve just about run out of patience with him. They took a shot, it didn’t work out. Maybe he’ll find his way some day, but it won’t be with the Dodgers.
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Tough to give up on a first round pick but those are ugly numbers. Is anyone else concerned that our young pitching studs are having a rough go of it this year in the minors? Glad that you’re enjoying your time in Cal with your family bear and getting in a few games
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Alex, I know I’ve given you a bad time about Barnes but I like him too and I’m rooting for him. I’m also the guy who said we should have traded Verdugo for Realmuto. NOT! Verdugo could be ROY and Smith and Ruiz look like the real deal. Certainly one of them should be a top of the line catcher for us for years to come.
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Toles has reportedly left Camelback Ranch and gone home to be with family and get away from the game. No doubt he will be put back on the restricted list. I think and honestly believe that Toles will not wear the Dodger uni again. If they call up Smith he has to be put on the 40 man roster first.
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You look at the stats of the AAA team and you cannot be impressed with anyone. None of the pitchers are lighting it up and the hitting is abysmal. Even their top guys are playing terrible. Rios is down around .230. Only Smith is hitting very well at all. Garlick is not really a prospect. AA Tulsa on the other hand has a bunch of guys playing very well including Lux, Estevez. DJ Peters seems to be overmatched so far. Not much power and BA is down. The pitching there has been encouraging too. Cingrani had another set back and was shut down. Do not expect him back soon. I would think with Kelly coming off of the bereavement list today that Fergie will be sent down. Makes sense since he has not been effective his last few outings.
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Will Smith on his way to Dodger Stadium. Best thing they can do is put him in the starting lineup immediately, don’t give him time to think about it. Good luck kid.
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With CK on the mound???? I doubt that. Martin will be back there. Kid might catch Buehler, but not CK. Former Dodger Bill Buckner died today at 69. He was suffering from dementia.
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You’re damn right with CK on the mound. No better way to swim than being thrown in the deep end. He’s not your average rookie behind the plate. This guy is already elite defensively and has been since he was at Louisville.
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Roberts will never do that. Whether he is average or above has nothing to do with it. It is about game experience and knowing what weaknesses the opposition has and how to call a game. Spring training is one thing, actual game in season much different. There has to be a trust between the catcher and the pitcher. Martin has that. Smith not at that point with CK yet. But he has caught Buehler in the minors, so there is a rapport between them. Think with your brain and not your heart….This kid is not starting tonight, and especially not against a pitcher like deGrom.
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It’s probably Kershaw’s call.
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