MidValleySports.Com

Those Deferred BenchWarmers

It’s great to have Dodger Baseball back in our lives, especially with the excitement of Ring Ceremonies, Comeback wins, and Walk-off Homeruns. So far, it’s been especially great, as the Dodgers have started 5-0 for the first time since 1981, and joined the 1985 Tigers (5-0), 1934 Giants (6-0), and 1933 Yankees (7-0) as the only Defending Champions to start their title defense 5-0.

The Week in Review
Headline for the Week: No World (or Tokyo) Series Hangover For Dodgers

Results: The Dodgers completed a three game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, but it wasn’t easy. They came back from a 2-1 deficit to win 5-4 in game 1, a 5-3 deficit in the 10th in game 2 to win 8-5, and a rough Roki Sasaki outing and 2-0 deficit in game 3 to win 7-3. This Post sums up the series very well.

Pitching Analysis:
The Dodgers got great outings by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell, and the bullpen (mostly) looked solid. Yamamoto looked the part of old-school Dodger Ace: He struck out a career high 10, including inducing a career high 18 swings and misses, and he left trailing 2-0! We had to check our calendars because it felt like it was the early 2010s again.

The two main areas of concern: Tanner Scott was hit well in both his appearances, including in a blown save, and Roki Sasaki’s still is exhibiting a lot of nerves and lack of control. Scott’s average velocity was down two MPH from last year, which is definitely something to monitor moving forward. Sasaki was forced out in the 2nd inning (61 pitches, 32 strikes, including 41 pitches in the first inning).

We might need to include a Defense Analysis moving forward, as we did see a flashback of last year’s World Series Game 5 when Luis Garcia failed to cover first on a ground ball to Freddie Freeman, and Tommy Edman was a monster at second base during game 2. He second handedly saved the Dodgers in the 9th: For the first out, Edman made a fantastic pick at second on a poor throw from Max Muncy. Then, for out #2, Edman made a great play up the middle to steal a hit and an out. And finally he threw out Manuel Margot at home (after review) to keep the game tied and end the inning.

Hitting Analysis:
The bats stayed hot and hit 3 HRs in each game against the Tigers, with Mookie Betts having the biggest one of them all. There was a lot of worry on Twitter (X) regarding Betts’ health and much of the broadcast’s focus on Mookie was his recovery from illness, but he quieted everything with his game 2 performance. He went 3 for 5 with 2 homeruns, 3 runs scored, and 4 RBIs, including the go-ahead HR that barely cleared the wall in the 8th, and the walk-off three run home run in the 10th.

The hits were timely and everyone contributed. Scary to think that this wasn’t close to what their best can be.

Takeaway for the Week:

Even when down, the Dodgers never felt out of it the game and it just felt like something was going to happen. Sweeping the Tigers, one of, if not the, baseball’s hottest team in the second half last year is a feat in itself, but the way it was accomplished was more impressive: The Dodgers won in a variety of different ways with contributions from everyone. The Dodgers’ energy and vibes from last season are back for this season.

Burning Question (And Attempted Answer):
What is the plan for Sasaki if he continues to struggle?

Answer: His next scheduled start will be his true road debut… in Philadelphia. The Phillies scored 7 and 11 runs in their first two games, before Mitchell Parker and the Nationals shut them down yesterday. If he does continue to struggle, the Dodgers may skip his spot in the rotation a few times and help him get acclimated and comfortable with everything outside of baseball. It’s important to remember he’s only 23.

Around the MLB:
Tyler O’Neill did it again! He has homered in six straight opening days.

Several Yankees are using the “torpedo” barrel bat. This design places more wood in the area where a hitter is likely to make contact, with a skinnier top at the end creating a bigger sweet spot. At the time of this writing, the Yankees have slugged 15 home runs, the most in Major League Baseball.

Nestor Cortes was rudely welcomed back to Yankee Stadium as the Yankees roughed him up for eight runs in two innings, including back-to-back-back home runs by the first three batters of the game…on three straight pitches. Are these the biggest one-pitch home runs Cortes has ever given up??

Next Series’ Preview
Matchups:
The Dodgers welcome the Braves to Chavez Ravine for a three game set. They will face the reigning NL Cy Young award winner Chris Sale in game 2. Sale will be looking for a better outing after giving up three earned runs on six hits in five innings on opening day against the Padres.

Analysis:
The Dodgers look to continue their good play vs the Braves as they have gone 13-7 since acquiring Freddie Freeman. The Braves need to bounce back after getting swept by the Padres.

What to Look For:
Dustin May is scheduled to make his first start since May 17, 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and surgery for a torn esophagus in July 2024.