The Dodgers are rolling right now. With their latest victory over the Mets by a score of 4-1 last night, they are now only 2-½ games back of the division-leading Giants.
The Blue Crew have won seven in a row and have won 11 out of their last 12 games. They’ll have Walker Buehler going on the mound Friday who has the league’s lowest ERA at 2.09. Buehler is certainly among the favorites to land the National League Cy Young Award.
At one point, the Dodgers were as far back as five games, but they have successfully gained ground for two consecutive days.
As we all know, the Dodgers only have three healthy starting pitchers at the moment, and much credit needs to be given to the bullpen. Los Angeles had yet another bullpen game Thursday and held the Mets to one run. It was their third bullpen game in just four days.
The bullpen has stepped up big time all year. During the last ten games, the relief crew has pitched nearly 50 innings with an ERA of 1.45. Different relievers have embraced different roles. In the past couple of days, the Dodgers have had stellar performances from arms such as Andre Jackson, Mitch White, and Evan Phillips.
They’ve done a nice job of bringing up guys from Triple-A and the waiver market to contribute in a timely manner.
In other news, Mookie Betts may also be inching closer to returning to the Dodgers.
Certainly, the Dodgers do not want to rush Betts at this point in the season. However, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said Betts is expected to take part in a simulated game Sunday, and then the next step would be a rehab assignment.
Betts said he was feeling no pain at all and felt like it was the start of Spring Training again. He has had a lingering hip issue for some time now this season.
Trevor Bauer’s domestic violence restraining order hearing finished on Thursday, when the court rejected a new restraining order and the petitioner’s order. The Pasadena Police are still investigating the allegations of sexual assault but haven’t charged him with any crimes yet. His paid leave was extended through Aug 27, and MLB is also conducting its own investigation
Several fans throughout social media asked if Bauer would ever pitch for the Dodgers again. I’m almost certain the answer to that is no.
As the weekend rolls in, most fans will be scoreboard watching. The Giants are set to play a crosstown series against the Oakland Athletics, who are in a pennant race of their own, being only 2-½ games of the first-place Astros. The Padres, who seemingly look to be falling off a cliff since the All-Star break, begin a series at home with the Phillies. San Diego is now only game up on the Reds for that second Wild Card spot.
On Friday, the Dodgers will face Mets right-hander Carlos Carrasco whom they faced last Sunday. The Dodgers previously tagged Carrasco for six runs in just two innings in route to a 14-4 win. Carrasco in four starts this season has posted a 10.32 ERA in just over 11 innings. He will face Buehler, who will be looking for his13th win on the season.
Friday’s first pitch is scheduled at 7:10 p.m. Pacific.
As I have posted here We have daughters and lots of female nieces and cousins and we are very aware of all the different types of abuse that goes on against females hourly in our country.
That said as I have seen how the justice system works and read the testimony I think Bauer gets off very lightly and the Dodgers will be forced to play him and/or pay him. Bauer has a contract and the Players Union will probably fight any type of suspension of that contract. Money is the ultimate get out of jail free card in this country and the world in general.
I think Baseball may suspend him for the rest of the year but he will be available next year. The Bauer promotion team will make a lot of noise about him going to anger management, culture sensitivity. etc, etc and he may all of a sudden find a god and convert! But somehow he will be back in uniform before you know it.
If this is reasonable or not is not my call. It’s the way it works. Even if the Pasadena DA accuses him of battery it will be a light sentence will no time served and he can do some personal appearances.
Totally agree tmaxster . In fact he has to be charged first, which might not happen then he has to be convicted which also might not happen. Be difficult to suspend him with no legal action. This could get messy. V ery messy no matter what. Dodgers only hope is a charge and conviction.
He may get charged with a misdemeanor but it all depends on the decisions of the MLB and Union. As Bauer has a contract It will be, as you say, very messy if the Dodgers decide not to bring him back to play once he is eligible. There are Millions in play.
As far as baseball I am very glad the Dodgers are getting healthy and starting to roll. Knebel, Vesia, Bickford, Treinen, Gonzalez, Graterol even Phillips pitched a masterful game. Props to White the other night for a heroic 7 plus innings to help save the bullpen.
Glad McKinney has been able to hit a couple of balls and helped the team win. When Betts returns what a line-up they have!
Looking forward to Urias’s return.
Knebel, vesta, bickford, Philips. You must be thinking of another team.