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[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Teoscar Hernández home run completes Dodgers comeback over Phillies in Game 1

Game 1 of the National League Division Series lived up to the hype, with an excellent starting pitching battle between two of the best teams in baseball. Teoscar Hernández atoned for an early misplay on defense with a three-run home run that gave the Dodgers a 5-3 win over the Phillies on Saturday night at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Down a run in the seventh inning, Andy Pages singled and Will Smith was hit by a pitch from David Robertson to open the frame before Matt Strahm got two outs. That set up Hernández, who hit a ball into the right field seats for a game-turning three-run home run.

TEOSCAR HERNÁNDEZ. pic.twitter.com/m9yiRwPmrh

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 5, 2025

Hernández’s third home run in three games this postseason completed a comeback from an early 3-0 deficit.

The first three Phillies reached against Shohei Ohtani in the second inning, including a hit by JT Realmuto into the right field gap that was played horribly by Teoscar Hernández into a two-run triple.

TWO-RUN TRIPLE FOR J.T. REALMUTO!

THE @PHILLIES STRIKE FIRST! #NLDS pic.twitter.com/xXmCURKk5r

— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2025

The misplay by Hernández — who was tied for 106th with minus-12 Outs Above Average among 110 qualified outfielders this season — and laborious backup by Andy Pages put Realmuto on third base with no outs, leading to a third run in the inning even as Ohtani retired the next three hitters.

The blip didn’t faze Ohtani on the mound, as he retired 15 of his final 17 batters faced to get through six innings without allowing anything else. Ohtani in his six innings struck out nine and allowed those three second-inning runs. Hernández’s home run put him in line for the win.

Cristopher Sánchez dominated the Dodgers for most of the night with eight strikeouts, and didn’t allow any runs until the sixth inning. A walk and single with two outs kept the inning alive, then Kiké Hernández lined a double into the left field corner to score both Freddie Freeman and Tommy Edman, getting the Dodgers to within a run.

Sánchez in his previous two starts against the Dodgers this season threw his changeup only 22.6 percent of the time, but unleashed it 40.4 percent of the time in Game 1, and got 12 of his 18 swinging strikes on the pitch, keeping the Dodgers off balance most of the night. The double by Hernández came on a slider, Sánchez’s final pitch.

Kiké Hernández has five hits in 12 at-bats (.417) in the first three games this postseason, with two doubles and three runs batted in.

With Ohtani out after six innings and 89 pitches, the Dodgers turned to arguably their greatest strength — more starting pitching. In came Tyler Glasnow, who pitched three innings in the previous 13 days, and with a potential Game 4 start still five days away. That set the stage for an extended outing for Glasnow, and he did get five outs. But two singles and a walk in the eighth loaded the bases with two outs, ending any hopes of a three-inning save.

The Dodgers had to settle for a regular save opportunity, and instead brought in actual reliever Alex Vesia, who got righty pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa to fly out for one giant exhale, and a lead preserved.

Roki Sasaki came into a clean ninth and worked around a one-out double to record his first professional save. Starting pitchers got 26 of 27 outs in Game 1

Things got a little messy at times, but the Dodgers found a way to win. Now they’re up 1-0 in the best-of-5 NLDS.

NLDS Game 1 particulars​

Home run: Teoscar Hernández (3)

WP — Shohei Ohtani (1-0): 6 IP, 3 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts

LP — David Robertson (0-1): 1/3 IP, 1 hit, 2 runs

Sv — Roki Sasaki (1): 1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout

Up next​

Blake Snell makes his second start of the postseason in Game 2 in Philadelphia on Monday night (3:08 p.m. PT; TBS, truTV, HBO Max), in a battle of left-handers against Jesús Luzardo for the Phillies.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...rnandez-home-run-dodgers-phillies-nlds-game-1

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

How to make sure True Blue LA shows up in your Google search

As many of you are likely aware, Google searches are … different these days.

When you search for a Shohei Ohtani home run or his latest record set, or if you’re trying to find highlights of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, often times you’ll see an AI result at the top of the page, then a series of results that aren’t quite what you’re looking for. That’s not what you want.

The good news is Google is offering a solution for folks who like to get their news from specific sources. If you want to help True Blue LA — while also streamlining all your Google searches — there is now a way.

Simply click on this link and add True Blue as one of your “Source preferences.” That’s all there is to it!

Back in August, the tech giant debuted a feature called “Preferred Sources.” It’s a way for Google to prominently feature the results from websites you trust, like True Blue LA:

“With the launch of Preferred Sources in the U.S. and India, you can select your favorite sources and stay up to date on the latest content from the sites you follow and subscribe to — whether that’s your favorite sports blog or a local news outlet. …

When you select your preferred sources, you’ll start to see more of their articles prominently displayed within Top Stories, when those sources have published fresh and relevant content for your search.“

As some of you might know, AI searches are hurting outlets around the world and in all spaces. We’ve worked hard at True Blue LA to build a brand you can trust and rely on for Dodgers coverage. Our goal is to serve you, the fans.

If you’re a fan of our work and want to get the best Dodgers coverage possible, this is an excellent win-win to improve your Google searches while helping True Blue LA out.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/general/...e-true-blue-la-shows-up-in-your-google-search

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers Notes: Roki Sasaki, Clayton Kershaw, Alex Vesia

Roki Sasaki had a tough start with the Dodgers this year. He managed shoulder injuries, velocity issues, and the usual hiccups of transitioning to a new league, but the team’s staff stuck with him. Now, they’re being rewarded.

In September, Sasaki and Dodgers director of pitching Rob Hill and other pitching staff for an in-depth meeting all about Sasaki’s routines, challenges, and even past pitching advice, according to Jeff Passan at ESPN. They left with an agenda: develop a collaborative and personalized plan for mechanical adjustments and get Sasaki back on track.

“It can happen quick if you just align the joints in the right way, especially with a guy who’s already produced a crazy amount of velo in his life,” Hill said.

And as it turns out, that’s all it took. The team figured out that Sasaki’s pelvis was rotating too early and suggested he try out out a new set position for his back leg that would stabilize his body and maximize energy transfer. The results were nearly instant, and Sasaki quickly reached up to 97 mph on his fastball in bullpen sessions—a welcome sight given his previous decline in speed. That velocity has only improved since then, topping 100 mph in recent outings.

Now, Sasaki is making one more change, entering the bullpen for the postseason. He took the mound for his first relief outing with Triple-A Oklahoma City on September 18, striking out two, then pitched in relief back in the majors twice in three days. After striking out four, he’s become the Dodgers’ unofficial closer.

“The fun part about relieving,” Sasaki said, “is the opportunity to be able to contribute to the game, to the team every day.”

Dodgers Notes​

Clayton Kershaw is finishing out his career in the bullpen, and he’s not the first Dodger to do so, writes Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times. Greg Maddux did the same thing — coincidentally, during Kershaw’s postseason debut.

No MLB team has won consecutive World Series since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000, and there have only been 14 instances total of that feat happening, writes Dayn Perry at CBS Sports. The odds are against the Dodgers, but maybe they can pull it off.

It’s a high-tech world, and pitchers are feeling the added pressures of digital eyes everywhere. Andy McCullough, Dennis Lin, and Cody Stavenhagen at The Athletic took a deep dive into the subtleties of spotting and preventing pitch tipping, including how the Dodgers spotted Alex Vesia’s quirky tell.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...-notes-roki-sasaki-clayton-kershaw-alex-vesia

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

One big inning was just enough to win Game 2

After two games of Divisional Series play, three teams hold a commanding 2-0 lead: the Blue Jays, Brewers, and Dodgers. The comparisons between these clubs reveal entirely different paths, as the Blue Jays and Brewers have more thoroughly thumped the Yankees and Cubs, respectively, while the Dodgers have gotten on the winning end of some closely contested matches, overcoming all kinds of adversities. Out of the many aspects to highlight as Los Angeles was able to take this second game for a commanding series lead over the Phillies, you have this team’s innate ability to pounce when the opportunity arises—the so-called big inning, which made the difference in both wins.

From a very rudimentary point of view, anyone who was able to watch the first two games in their entirety would not dispute the argument that the Phillies’ starting pitcher has dominated the Dodgers’ lineup. Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo did all that could be expected out of them, and then some, putting up nothing but zeroes through five innings. This was particularly alarming as contrary to the Dodgers, the Phillies’ bullpen didn’t necessarily enter this series as an accident waiting to happen. Although it’s had more than its fair share of bumps along the way, a primary issue for the Phillies’ relievers has been the fact that they’re being put in difficult situations.

Momentum is a tough thing to quantify, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the Dodgers have seized it in both games. After scoring all five of their runs in Game 1 across a couple of innings, the Dodgers were even more concise, stacking four runs in one frame in Game 2. Los Angeles even went about it in a very similar way, getting to the opposing starter late in their performance and then pouncing on a bullpen with its back against the wall, trying to limit the damage.

Jesús Luzardo was absolutely cruising through six, and if you remove yourself from the stakes of a scoreless tie, down 1-0 in a five-game series, it’s incredibly feasible to argue he should’ve stayed out there with 82 pitches, particularly when you account for how dominant Luzardo usually is the third time through the order. However, unlike Roberts, who is basically forced into riding his starters over a lack of trust in the bullpen, the Phillies have options.

In the end, and here is where the whole argument of opportunity meeting readiness comes into play, the Dodgers were able to capitalize on that situation, even if, in theory, the Phillies’ bullpen did a remarkable job to potentially get out of the frame. When Orion Kerkering came into the game, the Dodgers had a ridiculous chance to score one, if not multiple runs, with runners at second and third and no outs. Very nearly, they scored none. It was a Teoscar Hernández good baserunning play, combined with a less-than-ideal throw from Trea Turner, that made the difference in the whole inning.

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For as much as we can praise Teoscar Hernández’s ability to get around the tag, he should’ve been out with a better throw from Trea Turner, and he still should’ve tried to score, this being a calculated risk. Obviously, it’s not an easy play, but if you flip the script, this game was filled with noticeable defensive efforts from the Dodgers at different levels that helped secure the victory. Even beyond the crucial wheel play to get Nick Castellanos out at third in the ninth, Freddie Freeman put on a defensive clinic in that frame. There was the Max Kepler forceout at second, in which it’s questionable if they get him at first with the way Alex Vesia came off the mound and where that ball took Freeman. You had the Freeman scoop at first after a low throw for the final out. All of these required a decent level of difficulty, and making every single one of them was the difference in helping the Dodgers win. Turner couldn’t make it when it was his turn for the Phillies.

To further highlight the impact of that moment, in a world where the Dodgers don’t do anything different, but Philly completes that play as it had to, the Phillies realistically could’ve gotten out of the inning because the Will Smith two-run knock didn’t come until there were two outs in the inning. No one is a fan of this type of revisionist history, and who knows what actually happens if Hernández is called out. Still, the truth of the matter is that there is very little reason to have expected a better outcome from Pages against Kerkering in what would’ve been a situation of much greater pressure than the one he popped out in.

Circling back to what did happen, while the run scored by Hernández was massive, the lack of an out there was even bigger, as it allowed for Will Smith’s turn to come in the ninth hole (Smith had already entered the game as a pinch-hitter earlier on). Smith prevailed, and then Ohtani, the hitter, had his first moment in the series, getting to Matt Strahm to make it 4-0. As it turns out, Los Angeles needed every bit of those four runs to secure a Game 2 win.

A part of being a great team is getting a break and taking advantage of it. The Phillies caught a break when Dave Roberts inexplicably went to Blake Treinen over Roki Sasaki in the ninth. Maybe they caught one when Roberts gave Sheehan one more inning, which saw him pitch crucial at-bats against Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper over a lefty like Alex Vesia. One could even say the little squibbler from Kiké Hernández was a mini-break, given he is the postseason star we’ve come to know and love. Other than pounding on Treinen, they couldn’t quite capitalize, while the Dodgers made the most out of their sole opportunity.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...ers-offense-teoscar-hernandez-win-game-2-nlds

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers have the NLDS for the taking in Game 3; don’t let it slip

The Dodgers have to win Game 3. This is a weird statement for a team leading 2-0 in a best-of-five, but there are reasons behind it other than simply wanting the series wrapped up as soon as possible. While the comfort of getting three shots at winning just one game is soothing, the way this series has lined up, the next game is undeniably the most manageable one, and the degree of difficulty will only increase.

First and foremost, the pitching matchup in Game 3 is not only the most favorable for either side across any potential duel in this series but also one of the more favorable ones in the entire postseason landscape. Out of all their elite starters, none had a better year for the Dodgers than Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who finished the year strong (0.67 ERA in September) and pitched quite well against the Reds in the Wild Card round. On the other side, for a reason we can only speculate on, the Phillies decided to use Aaron Nola and his 6.00+ ERA over the highly more productive Ranger Suárez, who also happens to have far superior postseason numbers (Suárez: 1.43 ERA in 37.2 IP, Nola: 4.02 ERA in 53.2 IP). Asked about it, Rob Thomson pointed out that Suárez will probably get in the game, and Nola feels more comfortable starting, as some of the reasons behind this decision. While that’s plausible, you’d also figure you’d just go with your best starter this year, as any margin for error is long gone. Nola has enough of a track record that you wouldn’t be stunned if he had a terrific outing, but certainly surprised.

If you’re on the Dodgers side, let’s assume you lose that game, and then all of a sudden, things get a bit trickier with Cristopher Sánchez being able to start on regular rest. We even discussed here the benefit of an off-day between Games 1 and 2 to give Shohei Ohtani a breather after his start. The impact of that doesn’t even touch Philly’s gain in having the ability to move up their ace in what’s yet another do-or-die game.

The extra day off in a five-game series heavily favors a team with two outstanding starters. For the Dodgers, with legitimately four aces, their gain is minimized. Now, you could argue Ohtani could be used here, but not only has Los Angeles been ultracareful with him, it’s Glasnow we’re talking about. The primary benefits Los Angeles had from this setup were less obvious, like the Ohtani off-day, the ability to use Glasnow out of the bullpen in Game 2, and maybe even Snell out of the bullpen in an emergency Game 5 situation. These are all noticeable, but we can’t overlook how massive it is for Philly to be able to count on Sánchez in Game 4 and Luzardo in Game 5. Under a normal scenario, Philly would need to win two in Los Angeles with Nola and Suárez each starting a game.

Also to be highlighted is the downside of a prolonged series in terms of bullpen exposure. The Phillies manager said that one of the reasons why he bunted in the ninth inning of Game 2 was that he felt comfortable playing for the tie, liking his relief options over the Dodgers’.

Between a pitching advantage that, if not disappears, at least diminishes in the following two games, the ability to limit looks against your top relief options, and killing any thought of negative momentum, the Dodgers have many reasons to treat Game 3 with more urgency than you’d expect from a team in such a comfortable situation.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/105419/dodgers-favorable-game-3-matchup-nlds

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers-Phillies bullpen usage heading into NLDS Game 4

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers’ first scramble game of the postseason used four pitchers to cover the final five innings of Game 3 of the National League Division Series, and now come into Game 4 one day later on Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers are carrying eight relievers in this series, not including Tyler Glasnow, who got five outs out of the bullpen in Game 1 on Saturday and will start Game 4 on Thursday.

Emmet Sheehan threw 27 pitches in two innings in Game 2 on Monday, which probably put his availability in question for Game 3, considering he’s a starting pitcher by trade. Roki Sasaki and Alex Vesia weren’t used as the Dodgers were trailing.

That leaves five other active relievers who were likely available in Game 3, and four were used. Anthony Banda and Jack Dreyer each pitched scoreless innings, then Clayton Kershaw escaped the seventh inning with no runs on the board. At that point the Dodgers trailed only 3-1, and Kershaw was torched in his second inning for five runs, turning this game into a blowout.

“You make mistakes, you pitch behind, that’s what’s going to happen,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You’ve got to make pitches against those guys.”

Considering the Dodgers punted games multiple last postseason, limiting usage of high-leverage relievers in games they were trailing, it’s hard to say Game 3 didn’t fit into that rubric, especially considering how erratic Kershaw was in his first inning of work in what was still only a two-run deficit.

A mitigating factor here was the unavailability of Tanner Scott, who was not at Dodger Stadium for Game 3 for personal reasons, Roberts said. No other information was given, so it’s unclear what Scott’s availability will be for Thursday or if he’s replaced on the roster.

That left Blake Treinen as really the only reliever left to use in the ninth inning of Game 3.

Here’s how things look for the Dodgers bullpen, and their Division Series usage to date.

Pitcher	Sat.	Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.
Sasaki	1 IP, 11	1/3 IP, 2
Vesia	1/3 IP, 3	2/3 IP, 9
Treinen	0 IP, 12	1 IP, 10
Dreyer	1 IP, 19
Banda	1 IP, 10
Sheehan	2 IP, 27
Kershaw	2 IP, 48

Usage in innings, pitches thrown

The real crusher for the Dodgers in Game 3, besides the loss, was the big eighth inning meant the Phillies didn’t need to use their closer Jhoan Duran, whom they planned to get the final six outs. Duran also pitched in each of the first two games in Philadelphia.

Instead, Orion Kerkering, Taijuan Walker and Tanner Banks split the final two innings, saving Philadelphia’s best weapon for potentially an extended outing in Game 4 on Thursday.

The Phillies have used 10 of their 12 active pitchers in this series, including starter Aaron Nola in more of an extended opening role in Game 3 before Ranger Suárez picked up the ball for the next five frames. The only Phillies pitchers not yet used are left-hander Tim Mayza and old friend Walker Buehler.

Here’s how the Phillies bullpen usage looks heading into Thursday.

Pitcher	Sat.	Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.
Jhoan Duran	1 IP, 16	1 IP, 26
Orion Kerkering	1 IP, 10	2/3 IP, 15	1 IP, 11
Tanner Banks	1 IP, 8	1/3 IP, 1
David Robertson	1/3 IP, 15
Matt Strahm	1 IP, 15	1/3 IP, 4
Taijuan Walker	2/3 IP, 18

Usage in innings, pitches thrown

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...5517/dodgers-phillies-bullpen-division-series

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers vs. Phillies NLDS Game 4 overflow thread

Keeping the conversation going here.

NLDS Game 4 info​

• Teams: No. 3 seed Dodgers vs. No. 2 seed Phillies
• Los Angeles leads best-of-5 series, 2-1
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
• Start time: 3:08 p.m.
• TV: TBS (Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur)
• National radio: ESPN Radio (Dave O’Brien, Jessica Mendoza)
• Local English radio: AM 570 (Stephen Nelson, Rick Monday)
• Local Spanish radio: KTNQ 1020 AM (Pepe Yñiguez, José Mota, Luis Cruz)

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-game-threads/105564/dodgers-phillies-nlds-game-4

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers NLDS postmortem: Starting pitching, Roki Sasaki, Alex Call

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani had one hit in 18 at-bats with nine strikeouts. Andy Pages was one for 15. The Dodgers as a team hit .199/.280/.277 as a team. But they beat the 96-win Phillies in four games anyway, because there are many different ways to win a baseball game.

Like on the first walk-off error to clinch a postseason series in MLB history, for instance.

The Dodgers only scored in seven of the 38 innings during the NLDS, but the Phillies only scored in six innings.

Ohtani, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki pitched 28 of the Dodgers’ 38 innings (73.7 percent), and put up a 1.93 ERA with a 30.3-percent strikeout rate. An extra scheduled off day made it easier to consolidate pitching usage, and adding in Emmet Sheehan and Clayton Kershaw, starting pitchers accounted for 33 of 38 innings during the series, in various roles.

Glasnow got five outs in relief in Game 1 before his brilliant Game 4 start, Sheehan has been used in relief all postseason, and Kershaw got the 2024 Landon Knack role by soaking up two innings while the Dodgers trailed in Game 3. But the breakout star of the series was Sasaki, who has thrived in a new role.

Sasaki, a starter his whole life, has only been pitching in relief for three weeks, but he has yet to allow a run including 5 1/3 innings in the postseason, retiring 16 of his 17 batters faced. He also hasn’t walked anyone in relief since getting activated off the injured list on September 24.

“I felt like my fastball velo was back to where it used to be, and the command of the fastball was where I wanted it to be as well. So I think that really helps with the off-speed,” Sasaki said Thursday, through interpreter Will Ireton. ”Because of that, I do really feel confident to be able to attack in zone.“

Sasaki entered a tied Game 4 in the eighth inning and pitched three perfect innings, getting the Dodgers through the 10th inning.

Six up, six down for Roki! pic.twitter.com/33bMiW9SsV

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 10, 2025

“You’re talking about one of the great all-time performances out of the ‘pen, that I can remember,” manager Dave Roberts said.

Of all the Dodgers postseason relief appearances longer than two innings, Sasaki’s Game 4 ranks third by win probability added:

1. Mike Garman, 1977 World Series Game 1 (.413 WPA): 3 scoreless innings from the ninth through 11th inning at Yankee Stadium
2. Jay Howell, 1988 World Series Game 4 (.402 WPA): final 7 outs to close out the “Kill Costas” game in Oakland
3. Roki Sasaki, 2025 NLDS Game 4 (.384 WPA): 3 scoreless innings from eighth through 10th innings

The Phillies starting pitchers were excellent as well, which contributed to that anemic Dodgers batting line. Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, Ranger Suárez, and Aaron Nola combined for a 2.03 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings, in a variety of roles.

Sánchez was particularly stingy, allowing only three runs in 12 innings. Outfielder Alex Call only played in two of the four games in the NLDS, both starts against Sánchez, and he reached base all five trips to the plate against the left-hander with two singles, two walks, and a hit by pitch.

The Dodgers acquired Call at the trade deadline as another right-handed option against left-handed pitching, against whom he hit .286/.328/.448 with a 113 wRC+ this season, with a career 108 wRC+ against southpaws. This postseason, Call has reached base all six times he’s batted, including a single against Reds lefty Brent Suter in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the wild card series.

“Alex, he’s a winner. He’s sort of on the periphery, but the guys love him. He’s a baseball player. He’s prepared. Whatever situation I ask of him he’s ready,” Roberts said of Call. “So just learning him at the deadline, he’s a great teammate and very prepared. And him getting hit-by-pitch, the hit, he’s always doing something to help you win baseball games.”

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-news-notes/105639/dodgers-nlds-roki-sasaki-alex-call

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Mookie Betts hard-earned walk that helped clinch a spot in the NLCS

It is the belief of many sports fans that to be a professional athlete, one needs an, if not unwavering, certainly uncommon degree of self-confidence. On a very rudimentary level, the belief in your abilities trumps so many obstacles to even get to the point of playing at the highest level that it becomes a natural part of your process. When Mookie Betts came up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning after an intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers trailing 1-0 and the bases loaded, one wouldn’t fault him for at the very least using that as a bit of extra fuel for the competitor in him. Overall, Betts has always said all the right things when asked about this recurrent situation, but for a future Hall of Famer, it’s got to feel a bit weird.

This obviously wasn’t the first time a team consciously made the choice not to pitch to Ohtani and instead faced their chances against Betts. Even dating back to last season, when Mookie put up far superior numbers, many teams were still very willing to do that. As recently as ahead of this series against the Phillies, Betts had the following to say on the matter of potential Ohtani intentional walks in certain situations: “I wouldn’t let Shohei swing either. I understand. I expect the Phillies to do it. I expect for the rest of the postseason for it to happen.”

What’s different about this specific moment in Game 4 is that the two-way star Ohtani hit like your usual starting pitcher in this series against the Phillies. Before receiving that intentional walk, Ohtani had been 1 for 17 in the NLDS, with eight strikeouts. Granted, it was a righty on the mound in Jhoan Duran, and one whom Ohtani had taken deep earlier in the year. The Phillies basically said it didn’t matter that Ohtani couldn’t hit water off a boat in this series; they’d rather put him on and get to Betts. And for Mookie, there was no memorable play; a walk isn’t as captivating as any ball put in play, but Betts did just enough by taking what was given to him and tying this game.

It’s not inconceivable for a pitcher to lose command for a bit, especially if he is put in a pressure spot like this, but that was far from the case, which only enhances Betts’ accomplishment. Duran gave Mookie all he could handle, and the Dodgers’ shortstop earned every bit of that free pass.

That first pitch splitter right below the zone at 98.8 MPH was a written invitation for a swing-and-a-miss and a 0-1 count. Betts refused to offer. Duran doubled down, and Betts laid off it again. Subsequently, Duran went all heaters trying to avoid the walk, and Mookie swung at the two in the zone with no success, but more importantly, he was able to spit on the two just off the plate.

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Considering how the rest of that game went until the Dodgers walked it off on an error in the 11th inning, it’s reasonable to speculate they probably would have lost the game if not for this walk. Following it, the Phillies bullpen retired eleven in a row, including stranding the bases loaded in the seventh with a Teoscar Hernández strikeout, all before Los Angeles walked it off in the 11th.

This NLDS Game 4 clinching win has plenty of heroes, the majority of them on the mound. It was Betts, though, who was the biggest factor on the hitting side in helping Los Angeles avoid a do-or-die Game 5 in Philadelphia, doing just enough in an afternoon where most hitters did next to nothing.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/105621/dodgers-betts-walk-game-4-nlds

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers notes: Roki Sasaki present & future, Kyle Schwarber

The Dodgers don’t play again until Monday evening, so we have some time to wait, like seeing who wins between the Brewers and Cubs on Saturday night (5:08 p.m. PT, TBS) to determine the NLCS opponent. Or, we could peruse a few other baseball stories.

More on Roki Sasaki in the short term from Mirjam Swanson at the Orange County Register: “With this unflappable version of Sasaki in the bullpen, the Dodgers have found their closer for at least the rest of the postseason, the missing piece as they strive to become the first team in 24 years to win consecutive World Series titles.”

On Sasaki in the longer term, Dylan Hernández at the Los Angeles Times says the 23-year-old right-hander is showing why he’ll be the ace of the Dodgers rotation in the future, while also providing insight into Sasaki’s September rehab in Oklahoma City.

Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register wonders whether the Dodgers have cleared their toughest hurdle by beating the Phillies.

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I really enjoyed the headline in the print edition of Friday’s Los Angeles Times:

Incredible headline in the LA Times this morning

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen.bsky.social) 2025-10-10T14:00:57.430Z

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Kyle Schwarber’s massive home run in Game 3 of the NLDS was deemed to have hit the top of the roof and over the right field pavilion, which earned him a commemorative plaque behind the pavilions at Dodger Stadium, along with other balls hit “out of the park.” Sonja Chen at MLB.com has more.

Power-hitting third baseman Munetaka Murakami, who turns 26 in February, will be posted by the Yakult Swallows this offseason, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Patrick Dubuque at Baseball Prospectus took issue with the incessant Google Cloud commercials that are seen during baseball broadcasts: “This is the modern internet: uncurated, unhelpful, infinite. Its humanity is buried beneath a million layers of human-engineered meaninglessness, and when you do find something actually created, more often than not, it’s an intentional lie. Or, more specifically, advertising.”

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-links/105652/dodgers-roki-sasaki-kyle-schwarber

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers NLCS schedule begins Monday, October 13

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers on Thursday defeated the Phillies to capture the National League Division Series, and are back in the National League Championship for the seventh time in the last 10 years. The Dodgers’ next game will be played on Monday, October 13.

The Brewers beat the Cubs in five games in the NLDS, meaning the NLCS will begin Monday at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Major League Baseball thus far announced the start times for the first two games of the LCS round. Games 1 and 2 of the NLCS will both start at 5:08 p.m. PT.

Dodgers-Brewers NLCS schedule​

Game 1: Monday, October 13 in Milwaukee, 5:08 p.m. PT
Game 2: Tuesday, October 14 in Milwaukee, 5:08 p.m. PT
Game 3: Thursday, October 16 in Los Angeles
Game 4: Friday, October 17 in Los Angeles
Game 5*: Saturday, October 18 in Los Angeles
Game 6*: Monday, October 20 in Milwaukee
Game 7*: Tuesday, October 21 in Milwaukee
*if necessary

Like both NL Division Series, the NLCS will be televised by TBS, with simulcasts available on truTV and HBO Max.

The Brewers finished with 97 wins, the best record in baseball, and beat the Dodgers in all six games they played, all during a two week span in which Milwaukee outscored Los Angeles 31-16.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-schedule/105477/dodgers-nlcs-schedule

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers bullpen’s biggest test is yet to come

That the bullpen is not a particular source of strength for this roster is a foregone conclusion. What exactly does that mean, and how big of an issue could it present moving forward? These are far more interesting questions. Its representation as a weak link is unquestionable in a big part due to the quality of this team’s other position groups: an offense that embodies the word menacing despite its shortcomings against the Phillies staff and a starting rotation comprised entirely of front-line aces.

Regardless of how one rates this collection of relievers, the Dodgers have needed their bullpen in specific key situations to get to this spot. From now on, while one could argue about the merits of the Phillies or Brewers as the toughest opponent, it’s an entirely different ballgame for the Dodgers’ bullpen, and this should be illustrated whenever the NLCS roster is announced.

During the NLDS, in part due to the schedule of that series with an extra day off, the Dodgers opted to carry two fewer pitchers than they were technically allowed (one of the many perks of having Shohei Ohtani as a two-way player is that he doesn’t count towards your pitchers’ total). That also had to do with an extra caution when it comes to Will Smith compelling LA to carry three catchers. Now that he has played in all four NLDS games, the Dodgers figure to cut a catcher for the next round, likely Dalton Rushing.

Unlike the NLDS, the Championship Series won’t have an off day between the first two games, making it two fewer than in the previous series. Not to mention the likely sequence of three straight matchups, barring a surprising sweep on either side.

One season ago, we saw this team show an extremely pragmatic side in being unafraid to “punt” certain games for the long-term play, and there’s a very good chance this will repeat itself in 2025. Only this time, not because the highly talented bullpen is taxed, but rather because a particular starting pitcher didn’t deliver, and you can’t waste your few great options in a game that’s close but not close enough.

After six games across a pair of postseason series, we have a general picture of where this bullpen stands, and here’s how you could divide it into groups.

Circle of trust: Roki Sasaki and Alex Vesia​

As our good friend Eric Stephen astutely pointed out in the last edition of the Three Innings Save podcast (check it out if you haven’t yet), Roki Sasaki had one of the three biggest relief outings by wPA (0.384) in the history of Dodger postseason baseball. Sasaki achieved this when he threw three perfect innings in the Game 4 clinching win over the Phillies.

The level to which Sasaki is pitching right now is unmatched by anyone in the Dodgers bullpen and only a handful of relievers in all of baseball. Alex Vesia doesn’t come close to it, but he’s also been the one guy trusted to either bridge the gap between the rotation and Sasaki or follow right after him in most Dodger wins.

While he wasn’t necessarily able to replicate last season’s numbers, Vesia once again had a great year in 2025, striking out 80+ batters and allowing a WHIP under 1.00 for the second straight campaign. Furthermore, dating back to last season’s playoffs, the left-hander has allowed an earned run in only one of 12 appearances.

In-between arms: Emmet Sheehan, Anthony Banda, and Jack Dreyer​

Here you have a group of pitchers that has earned some trust throughout the postseason for very specific roles. While at the same time, that doesn’t stop you from raising an eyebrow if they’re given an opportunity in a big spot, out of necessity or simply as a calculated risk. Blake Treinen officially removed himself from this tier after the nerve-wracking events of Game 2.

With far more aggressive splits than Vesia, Banda’s role is to get lefties out, and we saw that paying off tremendously when he inherited traffic against the meat of the Phillies order in Game 3.

On top of noted current team closer Sasaki, the Dodgers are carrying two starters in their bullpen, one for higher leverage spots (Emmet Sheehan) and one for lower leverage spots (Clayton Kershaw). For those moments in which you envision likely needing more than an inning, these are the two preferred choices for each scenario.

The “we might punt a game” group: Justin Wrobleski, Clayton Kershaw, Blake Treinen, Ben Casparius…​

While Justin Wrobleski will feasibly continue to fill in for Tanner Scott, who won’t be eligible to return until the World Series, the other choices for the 12th and potentially 13th man in this bullpen are yet to be announced. We don’t know even know if Los Angeles will carry 13th arms, while at least 12 feels extremely likely. Among the potential choices, Ben Casparius is one of the likeliest candidates to earn a spot on the active roster.

The possibility of so many names that could be put in this category, with one or two options open to debate, is the ultimate indication of the problem at hand. The presence of these pitchers in a playoff game could be viewed as Roberts keeping the big picture in mind more than the best alternative to win that particular matchup. Sure, there’s a chance Treinen still finds himself to the point of earning a more important role. They obviously felt confident enough in him to try to earn a save against the Phillies. Moreover, Kershaw did have a very good regular season for where he is in his storied career; maybe against a Brewers lineup that doesn’t slug as much as the Phillies, he’d find some success.

What does it all mean?​

It’s up to the starting pitching to cover as many innings as possible and allow for the high-end options to be put in positions to succeed. At the same time, the lack of enough of these trusted high-end options, coupled with the stress and fatigue of a longer series, means Los Angeles will definitely have one, maybe even multiple games, in which it is forced into some tough pitching decisions with no great answer.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...s-bullpen-roki-sasaki-alex-vesia-nlcs-brewers

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Blake Snell brilliant as Dodgers take NLCS Game 1

Blake Snell was brilliant, and he had to be in a tense, low-scoring Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers left-hander struck out 10 in eight scoreless innings in a 2-1 squeaker over the Brewers on Monday night in Milwaukee.

Snell allowed a leadoff single to Caleb Durbin in the third inning, but one out later picked him off first base. Snell retired his final 17 batters in a row to finish off his night, facing the minimum 24 batters. It’s the longest postseason start by Clayton Kershaw in 2020 of the Game 2 wild card series, also against the Brewers.

Snell struck out nine in his two previous starts this postseason, making him just the second Dodgers pitcher with three starts with at least nine strikeouts in the same postseason, along with Sandy Koufax in the 1965 World Series.

That gives Snell 21 innings, two runs allowed, and 29 strikeouts in his three postseason starts, and three wins. His gem was one of only four scoreless starts in Dodgers postseason history with double-digit strikeouts:

• Sandy Koufax, 1965 World Series Game 5 (9 IP, 10 K)
• Sandy Koufax, 1965 World Series Game 7 (9 IP, 10 K)
• Clayton Kershaw, 2020 wild card series Game 2 (8 IP, 13 K)
• Blake Snell, 2025 NLCS Game 1 (8 IP, 10 K)

Brewers pitching was more of a group effort, with usual starter Quinn Priester getting the bulk of the outs with four scoreless innings. But in all, Milwaukee used six pitchers on the night.

The Dodgers threatened in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth innings with runners in scoring position, but none of those rallies saw any fruition, including a bizarre bases-loaded fly ball by Max Muncy in the fourth inning that hit off the center field wall but somehow ended up with two outs and no runs on the play.

Freddie Freeman started the scoring in the sixth with a solo home run off Chad Patrick, before another rally that couldn’t plate another run.

At the time Snell through his 103rd and final pitch, he had a 1-0 lead. But the Dodgers added insurance in the top of the ninth with a bases-loaded walk by Mookie Betts.

Roki Sasaki had his first rough sledding in relief for the Dodgers, allowing a one-out walk and double to put the tying run in scoring position. A fly ball brought home one run and, then Sasaki issued his second walk, putting the winning run on base with two outs, ending his night.

Blake Treinen, whose relief struggles have been well-documented, walked William Contreras to load the bases but struck out Brice Turang to escape with a win.

NLCS Game 1 particulars​

Home run: Freddie Freeman (1)

WP — Blake Snell (3-0): 8 IP, 1 hit, 10 strikeouts

LP — Chad Patrick (0-1): 1/3 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 walk

Sv — Blake Treinen (1): 1/3 IP, 1 walk, 1 strikeout

Up next​

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the mound for the Dodgers in Game 2 on Tuesday night (5:08 p.m. PT, TBS), with Freddy Peralta starting for the Brewers.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...97/blake-snell-scoreless-dodgers-brewers-nlcs

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Game 2 chat

After the Dodgers won their third straight Game 1 this season, they will try to win their third straight Game 2 tonight in Milwaukee.

REMINDER: There will also be an overflow game thread that goes up at 7:07 p.m. PT.

Game 2.

Tonight's #Dodgers NLCS lineup at Brewers: pic.twitter.com/hRRfMEtWZG

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 14, 2025

NLCS Game 2 info​

• Teams: No. 3 seed Dodgers vs. No. 1 seed Brewers
• Los Angeles leads best-of-7 series, 1-0
• Ballpark: American Family Field, Milwaukee
• Start time: 5:08 p.m. PT
• TV: TBS (Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur, Ron Darling)
• National radio: ESPN Radio (Jon Sciambi, Doug Glanville)
• Local English radio: AM 570 (Stephen Nelson, Rick Monday)
• Local Spanish radio: KTNQ 1020 AM (Pepe Yñiguez, José Mota, Luis Cruz)

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-game-threads/105865/dodgers-brewers-nlcs-game-2

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers beat the Brewers at their own game

How do five runs sound to you? In the context of the postseason right now, that number gets a massive boost and might as well represent an insurmountable goal when the Dodgers’ starting rotation is pitching as it has. Well, five runs was what the Dodger offense could muster against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the NLDS, and they did it in a way that resembles what the game plan was for Milwaukee against the Dodger pitchers.

Playing away from home, the game can more easily speed up on you, and if there is one thing this team has thrived at, it’s killing opposition momentum on the road. Game 2 was another example, as quickly after the Brewers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a Jackson Chourio leadoff homer, the Dodgers answered. Los Angeles took the lead in the second with a Teoscar Hernández homer and later an Andy Pages RBI knock.

Never looking back after that moment, Los Angeles avoided the stress of a close affair in the late innings by executing what Milwaukee planned to do against them. The Dodgers made Freddy Peralta work in a game where Milwaukee desperately needed length, having used everyone at their disposal the night before, already coming from an exhausting series against the Cubs that went down to the wire.

Under normal circumstances, Peralta probably would have been out of the game after five, but Pat Murphy pushed the envelope with his back against the wall. In the end, the Dodgers got to him a bit more near the finish line, with Max Muncy hitting the only other home run in the game in the top of the sixth.

Facing a legitimate frontline ace, the Dodgers didn’t light the world on fire, but they prevented him from going deep into the game by grinding out at-bats, running into a couple, and, most importantly, getting to the bullpen in the game as soon as possible.

While the Brewers’ bullpen is a more reliable unit, you must emphasize the stress it’s been under with essentially two bullpen games since Saturday, including some bulk work from Jacob Misiorowski and Quinn Priester.

After forcing Peralta out of the game, the Dodgers consistently created opportunities against virtually any reliever that Milwaukee put out there. Despite not capitalizing on many of those chances, Los Angeles did enough to add a couple of insurance runs, enough to generate an entirely different outlook at the end of the game. With the ay Yamamoto was pitching, a four-run lead felt like double its actual size. This type of performance either requires one player lighting the world on fire, which Los Angeles didn’t have, or what they did have in an effort from one through nine. Everybody reached base safely at least once, eight with one or more base hits, and this team’s two most struggling hitters came through, driving in one run each (Pages and Shohei Ohtani).

A lot will be said about the dominant performances from Snell and Yamamoto, and deservedly so. And it’s not as simple as these guys are ultratalented, and it makes sense they’d perform like this. Postseason baseball is filled with aces, and way more often they pitch like Peralta did in Game 2 against the Dodgers than whatever Snell and Yamamoto cooked up. Now, the level of lineups they were facing is different, but the greater point still stands. The way that not only this game but this whole postseason could have gone south rather early for the Dodgers was with performances from their starters, such as this one from Peralta, and we’ve seldom seen them.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-.../dpdgers-offense-clicking-nlcs-game-2-brewers

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers offense needs to start scoring earlier

LOS ANGELES — Things are going well for the Dodgers, who are up 2-0 in the National League Championship Series and have the next three games scheduled at home in Dodger Stadium. Their starting pitching is on an all-time heater and they’ve won seven of their eight games this postseason.

But, things could be a little bit better.

The Dodgers offense did well to tack on runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings in Game 2 in Milwaukee, helping to clear and pave the road as Yoshinobu Yamamoto smoothly glided to the end of his complete-game win. But the offense has been a bit sluggish of late, scoring exactly two runs in each of the previous three games before Tuesday. The Dodgers pitching was so good that they still won two of those games, but it’s time for the bats to carry a bigger load.

They can start by getting off to a better start in games.

Shohei just hit one out of Dodger Stadium during BP. pic.twitter.com/08GVFjMWHz

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 16, 2025

The Dodgers haven’t scored in the first inning in their last seven games, and their two runs in the second inning on Tuesday was the team’s first time scoring during that frame in this postseason. After a quick start to their postseason with an 18-run barrage in the two-game wild card sweep the Reds, the Dodgers have since scored 20 runs in six games since.

Against the Phillies and Brewers, the Dodgers have scored three total runs in the first five innings over six games, hitting .155/.243/.262.

They’ve done the bulk of their damage in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring 13 runs over six games in those 12 total innings.

Getting Shohei Ohtani going would help, as he’s mirrored the Dodgers’ collective path offensively. He homered twice and was 3-for-9 with a walk in two games against the Reds, but in six games since is just 2-for-25 with 12 strikeouts. One of those hits was an RBI single in the seventh inning on Tuesday in Milwaukee to snap an 0-for-15 skid.

“I think the contribution is not just by batting average, either. Certainly [Ohtani] being in the lineup, posting, I think getting the walks, allowing for Mookie to have opportunities to drive runs in, that’s contribution,” manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. “So for me, I think the first two games in Milwaukee his at-bats have been fantastic. That’s what I’ve been looking for. That’s what I’m counting on.”

Ohtani during Wednesday’s workout at Dodger Stadium even took batting practice on the field, something he very rarely does, trying to get back on track. As Ohtani approached the plate, DJ Severe played Ohtani’s at-bat music — Feeling Good, by Michael Bublé — which elicited cheers from Dodgers players and coaches. Ohtani during BP hit a home run that bounced off the top and over the roof in the right field pavilion.

“During the regular season and postseason, my approach is pretty much the same: Swing at strikes and not swinging at balls. As a result of that, then you just see the strikeouts or the walks,” Ohtani said Wednesday, through interpreter Will Ireton. “My focus, number one, is to make sure that I have quality at-bats.”

Notes​

Mike Scioscia and Steve Sax will throw ceremonial first pitches before NLCS Game 3 on Thursday (3:08 p.m., TBS). Keith Williams Jr. will sing the national anthem. The Blue Jays’ win Wednesday in Seattle ensures there will be no sweep in the ALCS, and that Game 5 will be played on Friday. That locks in NLCS Game 4, also on Friday, to a 5:38 p.m. PT start time at Dodger Stadium.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange.../106001/dodgers-offense-scoring-shohei-ohtani

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers news: Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki

Is it any surprise that all the names in today’s headline are pitchers? The Dodgers struggled with their rotation last year and decided that they were never going to have rotation issues again, then ended up with so much depth that they could comfortably move a contingent of their starters to the bullpen. What a team, man. Today’s game can’t come soon enough.

Dodgers Notes​

Blake Snell pitched for the San Francisco Giants last year, and he credits teammate Logan Webb with teaching him how to go the distance, writes Alex Simon at SF Gate. After watching Webb routinely go into the seventh inning of games, Snell asked him how he did it—then pitched all nine innings of a no-hitter in August.

Repeating as World Series champions isn’t easy, but the Dodgers are making it look that way, writes Bill Shaikin at the Los Angeles Times. Despite a few hiccups along the way, the team is 7-1 this postseason, setting them up for a historic finish—and their stellar starting rotation was part of the plan all along.

Those starters are tossing their way into the history books so far, with two incredible starts to kick off the NLCS. Now, it’s Tyler Glasnow’s turn, and he’s hoping some of that magic rubs off on him when he starts on Thursday, writes Andrés Soto at MLB.com. “Starters sort of want to feed off each other, compete against one another, push each other,” manager Dave Roberts said. “And that’s what we’re sensing from our staff. It’s going to be hard to top Blake and what Yoshinobu did, but I’m sure Glas is going to try to put his mark on this [series].”

Roki Sasaki is adding to the Dodgers’ postseason success from a new perch in the bullpen, and so far, so phenomenal. “For him to start the season how he did and then come back now — it’s one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen,” Glasnow said of his teammate to ESPN’s Alden González. Also in the running for the Most Improved award is Mookie Betts, who also gets high marks from González when it comes to postseason contributions after an ugly summer.

Have you heard of Milwaukee’s haunted hotel? The elegant, historic Pfister Hotel has been the home base of choice for teams visiting the Brewers, but not everyone enjoys the free ghosts allegedly included in each stay. Betts has stayed at an Airbnb instead for a few years now, and Teoscar Hernández opted for alternative digs for his wife’s sake during the NLCS, writes Chuck Schilken at the Los Angeles Times.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-ange...dodgers-blake-snell-tyler-glasnow-roki-sasaki

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

How to watch Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Game 4

LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers have a chance to win the pennant on Friday night in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, up three games to none over the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Dodgers have been judicious as to when Shohei Ohtani has pitched down the stretch, as this will only be his second start this postseason. Heading into Game 4, Ohtani has only pitched twice in the last 30 days, but when he’s pitched he hasn’t been limited, throwing six innings in each of his last two starts.

“The century mark isn’t like a ceiling on pitches. I think it’s just kind of contingent on how he’s throwing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. “He’s waited for this moment, and I think with the rest that he’s got going into is that game, he’s going to be ready to go.”

In those previous 30 days, counting the regular season and postseason, Ohtani is hitting .218/.307/.577 with seven home runs in 19 games, including an RBI single and RBI triple in the last two games in this series.

Left-hander Jose Quintana will pitch in some capacity for the Brewers, though it’s not yet known whether he will start or follow an opener.

NLCS Game 4 info​

• Teams: No. 3 seed Dodgers vs. No. 1 seed Brewers
• Los Angeles leads best-of-7 series, 3-0
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
• Start time: 5:38 p.m. PT
• TV: TBS (Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur, Ron Darling)
• National radio: ESPN Radio (Jon Sciambi, Doug Glanville)
• Local English radio: AM 570 (Stephen Nelson, Rick Monday)
• Local Spanish radio: KTNQ 1020 AM (Pepe Yñiguez, José Mota, Luis Cruz)

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...ers-brewers-nlcs-game-4-television-start-time

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers-Brewers Game 4 – will it be sweep or delayed satisfaction?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are just one win away from returning to the World Series. Just like that. Three games into the NLCS. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

After the regular season that the Dodgers had, the postseason has been relatively stress-free. Yes, there have been some bullpen snafus, and a relative lack of offense, but overall, there has just been incredible pitching from all teams involved and the Dodgers continue to end up on top.

Of course this is what this team was built for. The big bad monsters we’ve talked about previously. The team ruining baseball. Whatever. I have sat through too many soul-crushing playoff games to care about any of that narrative right now.

This is fun playoff baseball! What a concept.

So, we find ourselves at Game 4, in which the Dodgers can complete a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers and move on to the World Series. And if they complete that task, it will be behind Shohei Ohtani on the mound.

Ohtani has not been a big part of the playoffs so far. He has only pitched in one game. Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed three earned runs in six innings of work, but even though they were ‘earned’ runs, the defense didn’t help him out at all. Regardless, after that he zoned in, and struck out nine Phillies on the way to the team win.

Shohei will look to continue the Dodgers’ pitching dominance in this series, and the playoffs as a whole. So far, the Brewers have a .101 batting average as a team against the Dodgers. They have scored one run per game. They have just nine hits total, with four of them being for extra bases, and one homer. For the pitching staff that spent way too much time on the injury list this season, they are healthy and peaking at the exact right time.

The Dodgers, and Ohtani specifically, also haven’t been a juggernaut at the plate. But they’re doing enough to get it done, and from players up and down the lineup. So far it hasn’t mattered that Ohtani hasn’t hit his stride there yet.

But that’s why you build an all-around solid team, so that when one of your stars isn’t shining as brightly as he should be, the others can step up and keep the whole thing moving in the right direction. Too many times in past postseasons has the whole thing depended on one guy or only three pitchers to get 11 wins. Now’s it a lovely full team effort.

The Dodgers may not win tonight, and that’s ok. Last season there were times when the team had to ‘punt’ the game to be in a better situation for the next. The Dodgers have only had to do that once, not unironically, on the back of Clayton Kershaw, the victim of so many past postseason wrongs. They may lose tonight, but in no way am I worried that the Brewers will somehow win three more games before the Dodgers win one.

NLCS Game 4 info​

• Teams: No. 3 seed Dodgers vs. No. 1 seed Brewers
• Los Angeles leads best-of-7 series, 3-0
• Ballpark: Dodger Stadium
• Start time: 5:38 p.m. PT
• TV: TBS (Brian Anderson, Jeff Francoeur, Ron Darling)
• National radio: ESPN Radio (Jon Sciambi, Doug Glanville)
• Local English radio: AM 570 (Stephen Nelson, Rick Monday)
• Local Spanish radio: KTNQ 1020 AM (Pepe Yñiguez, José Mota, Luis Cruz)

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...ers-brewers-game-4-sweep-delayed-satisfaction

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Shohei Ohtani wins 2025 NLCS MVP

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani had arguably the greatest individual game in the history of Major League Baseball to clinch the pennant for the Dodgers, hitting three home runs to go with six scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts on the mound in Game 4. That signature performance earned the superstar two-way player the National League Championship Series MVP.

Ohtani has largely struggled this postseason, with four hits in 33 at-bats over his previous eight games. But two of those hits came in Games 2 and 3 against the Brewers. Ohtani in the four-game series was 5-for-14 with three home runs, a triple, and four walks, hitting .357/.500/1.143 with four runs scored and four runs batted in.

Going into Game 4, the series MVP likely would have landed in the hands of a starting pitcher, as both Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto set the tone with two dominant starts on the road to set the tone.

Snell faced the minimum 24 batters in his eight scoreless innings in Game 1 on Monday, allowing only a single with 10 strikeouts. Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed a home run on the first pitch of Game 2, but responded by pitching the Dodgers’ first postseason complete game in 21 years.

But in the end, Ohtani’s two-way performance was too big to ignore.

Player	Pos	Year	Opponent
Dusty Baker	OF	1977	Phillies
Steve Garvey	1B	1978	Phillies
Burt Hooton	SP	1981	Expos
Orel Hershiser	SP	1988	Mets
Justin Turner & Chris Taylor	3B & CF/SS	2017	Cubs
Cody Bellinger	OF	2018	Brewers
Corey Seager	SS	2020	Braves
Tommy Edman	SS/CF	2024	Mets
Shohei Ohtani	DH/SP	2025	Brewers

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/los-angeles-dodgers-awards/106108/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-nlcs-mvp