After surprisingly being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Los Angeles Dodgers are back in the win column after a 2-0 win against the New York Mets in the series opener on Thursday.
The series between the Dodgers and Mets is considered a NLCS preview by some fans, as the teams have the two best records in the National League. However, it is still really early and anything can happen this season.
Tony Gonsolin continues to be excellent this year, as he went six full innings, allowing no runs. Through ten starts, he leads the NL in ERA at 1.59. Despite having Buehler, Urias and a great pitching staff, Gonsolin is slowly becoming the Dodgers most reliable pitcher.
If he continues this great stretch Gonsolin could be the among the NL All-Star pitchers in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers also could be getting Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney back soon. Heaney has been out since April with shoulder soreness. The left hander pitched in a simulated game earlier this week, and is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City this weekend.
Heaney is expected to make a couple rehab starts before he rejoins the big league roster. He had a great start to his Dodger career not allowing any runs in 10 ⅓ innings and recording 16 strikeouts.
Kershaw also had enjoyed great success starting his 2022 campaign. At the time he went on the injured, list he was 4-0 and had a 1.80 ERA with 32 strikeouts. The veteran left hander threw several bullpen sessions this week and is currently on rehab assignment with the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
The Dodgers have been hit by the injury bug quite often this season, but if they are able to get back both pitchers soon, it just adds to their already dominant pitching. The Dodgers are still first in team era with 2.81.
Max Muncy may also be on his way back to the bug league club. Muncy, although recording the most walks in the league, had a batting average of .150 when he was placed on the injured list. The 31-year-old was still recovering multiple elbow injuries at the end of the 2021 season, and re-aggravated the injury this season. Muncy is also scheduled to begin a rehab assignment this weekend.
It is likely that Dodger fans won’t see Kevin Pillar anytime soon. The veteran outfielder was placed on the injured list this week, and surgery is likely. Pillar described it as the shoulder socket basically breaking in half. Pillar will target a late-season return.
Dodgers look to win two in a row against the Mets on Friday and at least guarantee themselves a two-game split in this four game series.
Tyler Anderson gets the start, as he is currently tied along with nine other pitchers for the lead in MLB wins at six. He can put himself at the forefront tonight with a seventh win. Anderson is 6-0 with a 2.90 ERA this season in multiple roles.
In his last start, he pitched six scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt gets the start Friday night, as the 33-year-old is 4-2 this season with a 3..66 ERA.
First pitch is scheduled at 7:10 p.m. Pacific.
The thought of the possibility of having two Dodger pitchers on the All Star squad and having those two guys be Tony Gonsolin and Tyler Anderson is really mind blowing.
Hard to believe that if Pillar’s shoulder socket actually broke in half that he would be ready to return at any point this year. Really feel bad for him. Has it been determined that he broke it on that diving catch the other day?
What odds could you have gotten that the two pitchers on the Dodgers with the most wins after 51 games would be Anderson and Gonsolin?
Feel bad for Pillar. What horrible luck.
I hope Muncy and that soft-headed/hearted Roberts are sure Muncy’s elbow is OK so as to not impede his offense. Players want to play it. It’s in their DNA. Managers are supposed to do what is best for the club. But I am confident Roberts does not do that. He played Muncy the first part of the year despite knowing his elbow was affecting his swing, Muncy admitted it. Muncy said his elbow would probably be at best 80% this season at the start of the year. Did a miracle happen?
Will Roberts have a backbone and bench him if he can’t hit? Muncy is not exactly a Gold Glove-level second baseman. Keeping Bellinger playing despite his problems can be explained due to his gold glove defense in center, barely. Keep Muncy on the IL until he is close to 100%.
If Heaney and Kershaw come back what do they do with Anderson who is leading the team in wins?
The dynamic threesome at the top of the order is amazing. Do they decide to break it up and not offer T Turner a contract? Lux is showing his maturity and having professional at-bats every game. Do they decide to use him as the SS in 2023 and save a $ 300-plus million contract that T Turner will command?
Dodgers are going to have to find a place for Vargas and possibly Busch in 2023. Vargas after a small adjustment is tearing up OKC as he has hit at every level the kid can hit!!! Busch was promoted to OKC. Rios has shown impressive power do they plan to play him in 2023 or trade him? Good problems to have. Do they re-sign JT? Rios and Vargas can play 3rd or 1st and Freeman has 1st tied down fo rthe next 6-7 years? SO?
U sign trea turner.He is one of the top players in the game.Our players are prospects.Bring the guys up and give them some at bats.If they are good enough we can find a position for everyone.
Hey Dennis I wrote the article above on my computer direct to the WordPress site. It did give me the edit function the day you talked about it. But it no longer gives me the edit opportunity. Software is so much fun. I am so glad I don’t nave to mess with it anymore///