MidValleySports.Com

By Those Deferred BenchWarmers

The Dodgers stretched their winning streak to seven games before faltering 4-3 in the series finale against the Braves. The top 5 hitters produced well, the bullpen was stellar, and the starters did their job. We’re still not in panic mode, but more production and consistency from the bottom four guys (bottom three with a healthy Edman) is needed.

The Weekend in Review
Headline for the Weekend: Dodgers Outlast Rain and Braves in first stretch of Road Trip

Results: The Dodgers won a pitcher’s duel 2-1 on Friday, exploded for 10 runs (thanks to the top 5 in the batting order) on Saturday, and then had their comeback fall short on Sunday Night Baseball.

Pitching Analysis:
Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered another 6 strong innings Friday night, setting the tone for the Dodgers 2-1 win.

In game 2, Roki Sasaki got his first major league win, getting through 5 tough innings. Braves hitters battled Sasaki all night, forcing him to throw 98 pitches (52 strikes) and facing 24 hitters in just 5 innings of work. Sasaki was largely effective and limited his walks by throwing strikes to 15 of the 24 batters he faced. He finished strong by retiring the side in order in the fifth, his only clean inning. Overall, Sasaki allowed 3 runs on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts.

Dustin May could not make through the sixth again, but held every Brave relatively in check except for Austin Riley, who hit a pair of two-run home runs that proved to be the difference in game 3.

The bullpen had a solid series, giving up only one inconsequential run, in game 1. Together, the ‘pen threw 9 and a third innings of 1 run ball, giving up eight hits, walking two, and striking out eight during the three game series.

Hitting Analysis:
Andy Pages’ hitting streak ended with his o for 3 effort in game one, and he struggled throughout, going one for 12 in the series. Max Muncy went one for nine this series, although he drove in two and walked twice. Overall, a disappointing series for both players who seemed to have turned a corner during the homestand.

The top 5 of the Dodger lineup (Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Hernandez, Smith) provided all the offense in games one and two, but were held in check in game three.

In game 2, the Dodgers hit starter Spencer Schwellenbach hard for 6 runs in 3 ⅔ innings. In the fourth inning, Schwellenbach retired the first two hitters before the top of the lineup tagged him for three straight hits which led to the three runs. In the eighth, Freddie Freeman put this game to sleep with a 3-run bomb to put the Dodgers ahead 10-3.

Takeaway for the Weekend: The bottom of the lineup needs to produce. The line-up fluctuates, but the combination of Muncy, Pages, Conforto, and whoever plays second base needs to start providing some support. Obviously the loss of Edman hurts the length of the line-up, but those first three guys mentioned need to start to provide something. From our vantage point: we expect Muncy to turn the corner, Pages is fine as a Mystery Box 7-8 hitter, and we’re confused by Conforto. It’s still too early to call for drastic changes, but the ticking of the clock can be heard.

Burning Question (And Attempted Answer):
Will Hyeseong Kim get an at-bat on this road trip?

Are there more urgent issues? Yes. There definitely will be conversations about Conforto’s role, but with the anemic production from hitters 6-9 so far, it’s time to give Kim opportunities. A three game set with Miami provides a great chance.

Around the MLB:
The Seattle Mariners’ six game winning streak was snapped Sunday as they lost the Rangers for the first time this year, 8-1. The Mariners have a 2 game lead over the A’s in the AL West and are a game back of Detroit for best record in the AL.
The Kansas City Royals, ranked dead last in the Majors with only 18 homeruns in 34 games, crushed a franchise-record seven homers in Sunday’s 11-6 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Injury Reports: Red Sox 1b Triston Casas is out for the year after knee surgery, and the Cubs Shota Imanaga left his most recent start after injuring his hamstring.

Next Series’ Preview:
Matchups: The Dodgers now travel to Miami, who followed up getting swept by the Dodgers with losing two of three at home to the Athletics.

Analysis: The Dodgers will start the series with a bullpen game, followed by Tony Gonsolin’s second start. The Marlins counter with Sandy Alcantara and Cal Quantrill in games one and two. Alacantara could not get out of the third inning earlier this week against the Dodgers, giving seven runs and walking five. Quantrill did slightly better, as he at least made it into the fourth, giving up only four runs. The Marlins bullpen did not fare well against the Dodgers, giving up 18 runs in 15 innings of work.

What to Look For: Andy Pages tore through Marlins’ pitching and Max Muncy seemed to get back on track as well. This seems like a good series to try to get Michael Conforto going, but he went 0 for 12 against the Marlins last week. After making his major league debut in the field Saturday night, Hyeseong Kim will likely get some extended run this week against the Marlins.