Another series, another Dodgers sweep. That’s a total of seven series sweeps so far, six of three games or more, for those of you keeping track at home. That number is best in the majors. And it’s now just the beginning of June.
Looking around the NL, the 41-19 Dodgers have the best record by seven games over the Milwaukee Brewers, and a nine game lead in their own division over the suddenly red-hot Colorado Rockies. After a very slow start out of the gate, the Rockies are 9-1 of their last ten and currently sport an eight game winning streak.
Per the Dodgers’s resident stat guy Rick Krajewski, over the last 23 games, the Dodgers pitching staff has seven shutouts, and have allowed only 3.17 runs over that same time span. Some other stats for this incredible start to this season (courtesy of Joe Davis and Krajewski on Twitter)
– Hyun-Jin Ryu has allowed a run in one of his last 45 innings
–Cody Bellinger is number one in OPS so far. David Freese is number four
-Rookie Alex Verdugo is hitting .354 against left-handed pitching
– and this one, best left explained in its original tweet by Jon Weisman
While we are all pining for a good bullpen and a world championship, it’s good to take stock of the amazing team that we have at the moment.
And that amazing team is now heading out on an eight game road trip against two NL West foes, and the crosstown rival Anaheim Angels.
First off the Boys in Blue take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in Chase Stadium for a three game series. The Dodgers have not seen the Snakes since the very first series of the year, in which they took three-of-four from them at home. Once close behind the Dodgers in the standings, the Diamondbacks have slipped to fourth place with a record of 30-30, 11 games out of first place.
Arizona is lead offensively by Eduardo Escobar who leads the team with 15 homers, and is tops in hits, RBI and OPS, just to make a few. Ketel Marte has been pretty good in his last seven games, with three homers and a .656 slugging. Outfielder Adam Jones got two home runs against the Mets on Saturday.
Pitching matchups start Monday evening with Walker Buehler and Robbie Ray, who routinely shuts down the Dodgers, and leads the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff with 82 strikeouts. Tuesday’s game will see National League Pitcher of the Month. Hyun-Jin Ryu taking on Taylor Clarke. The righty has only pitched in four games so far this season, and is 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA and only eleven strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched.
And lastly, Wednesday’s afternoon matinee will be Kenta Maeda and Jon Duplantier. The 24 year old righty is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 17 innings pitched. Both Monday and Tuesday’s games are slated to begin at 6:40 Pacific time.
It’s good to be a Dodger fan right now! If only we could watch them play!
Sorry Rich, I get to watch every game……good to be a fan, but sometimes they do not make it easy on us. especially this bullpen
Just watch the first 7 innings!😂
Belli not in the starting lineup which is full of righty’s. Verdugo in RF and Pederson is starting and hitting low in the order. Taylor, Kike and Turner 1-2-3 followed by Freese.
Old friend Andre Ethier taking batting practice with the team tonight. One of my all time favorites. He had the smoothest swing I may have ever seen.
So far we’ve drafted a college third baseman (Kody Hoese) and a college 2b/1b/OF (Michael Busch). MLB tv was comparing Busch to Muncy. Video of Hoese was very impressive. I think he’ll turn out to be a much better selection than Kendall has been.
Your right Alex. Ethier’s swing always reminded me of Fred Couples golf swing. Easy power!
Great performance by Buehler. Clutch 3 run shot by Corey. Turner and Verdugo with 2 hits. Over all a great game. Just one hiccup for Buehler.
If the bullpen could ever come close to the level of our starters then the WS is ours!
3rd pick was a college pitcher. Do not know anything about the kid. I got put in facebook jail again and I did not even make the post! I just replied to one. And you might not believe this, but I was totally civil.
Actually you’ve seemed a lot more civil since you’ve been out here in SoCal Bear. Maybe it’s the weather. Or maybe it’s how the Dodgers have been playing. Once you get back to Colo and the team goes on a losing streak I’m sure we’ll see the Nasty Bear again. I kinda miss him. 🙂
You are probably right there Jefe. I have been staying at my sister’s place, and they are just not into anger. I am sure one of these guys will do something and the ol cork will pop and boom, there it is. The pitcher they picked was actually a high school kid. My bad…..