NFL
By George Lopez
The Los Angeles Dodgers begin the NLDS on Saturday against division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks advanced to the Division series after sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round 2-0. In both games, the Diamondbacks rallied from early multiple-run deficits. The Dodgers finished the regular season with a record of 100-62 and are looking to erase the bitter taste in their mouth from last season’s early playoff exit. In their head-to-head matchup, the Dodgers won 8 of 13 versus Arizona.
The Dodgers have not officially announced their roster for the division series, so it is not known if they will carry 12 or 13 pitchers. Questions the Dodgers will need to answer is which pitchers will be on the roster. Clayton Kershaw has already been announced as the game 1 starter and rookie Bobby Miller is slated to start game 2. The Dodgers have not committed to a game 3 starter, leaving the status of Lance Lynn in question. Kershaw finished the season with a record of 13-5 with a 2.46 E.R.A. Since his return from the injured list, Kershaw has seen a drop in his velocity, and his command has not been as sharp as Dodgers fans are accustomed to seeing.
Kershaw has not pitched more than 6 innings and has had his pitch count limited. Look for manager Dave Roberts to continue this approach with Kershaw. With the Dodgers expected to limit Kershaw to no more than 6 innings, Roberts will be faced with a decision as to who he will bring in from the bullpen. The smart money is on Emmet Sheehan or Ryan Pepiot to relieve Kershaw.
This season, the Dodgers did not have the pitching staff they envisioned in spring training. Walker Buehler has been out all season as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery. Three starters the Dodgers had penciled into the starting rotation(Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Julio Urias) are not with the team due to season-ending injuries in the case of May and Gonsolin and Urias being placed on Administrative leave. They have had to rely on young arms more than they anticipated this season. Bobby Miller has done a tremendous job in his rookie season, finishing the season 11-4 with a 3.76 E.R.A. Miller will enter the playoffs with no limitations in regards to pitch count. The 24-year-old has shown remarkable poise, reminding fans of a young Walker Buehler in 2018.
If the Dodgers decide not to start Lance Lynn in game 3, they will look to go with a bullpen game. Throughout the season, Caleb Ferguson has been Roberts top choice to begin a begin a bullpen game. Ryan Yarbrough, who has experience as a starting pitcher, is an option for Roberts to use as he can eat a bulk of innings. Ryan Pepiot is the likely choice if the team make the decision to use 4 starting pitchers in this series. With this being a best-of-5 series and days off following games 1 and 2, the Dodgers do not seem likely to use 4 starters, which would add Pepiot to the bullpen.
The back end of the bullpen is expected to include Joe Kelly, Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier, and Evan Phillips. Graterol has been on a tear for the Dodgers. Since the middle of June, Graterol has posted an E.R.A of 0.26. Since joining the L.A., Brasier has posted a 0.74 E.R.A in 36 appearances. Phillips has assumed the closer’s role. Down the stretch, Phillips has struggled, though in his last 5 appearances, has allowed only 1 run. They will look to Kelly, Graterol, Brasier, and Phillips to anchor the back end of the bullpen.
Throughout the season the team has been led by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Betts finished the season batting .307 with a career high 39 homers and 107 RBI’s. Freeman finished the season batting .331 with 29 home runs, 102 RBI, and 59 doubles. Freeman and Betts were two of four players with 100 RBI’s for the Dodgers, with Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez completing the foursome. For the Dodgers to advance past Arizona, they will need more than Betts and Freeman producing.
A player who could have a breakout series is rookie James Outman. In spring training, Outman was not expected to make the big club. His production made it impossible for Roberts not to have him in Los Angeles all season. Outman finished his rookie season batting .248 with 23 home runs and 70 RBIs. Outman has played stellar defense in centerfield. When they face a right-handed pitcher, look for Betts to play 2nd base and Jason Heyward to start in right field. The Dodges will need Outman, Muncy, and Martinez to be productive in this series. If they are not, the Diamondbacks will be able to pitch around Betts and Freeman.
Facing a division rival, there should be no surprises from either team. This series will come down to with pitching staff can execute their pitches and keep the other team from having big innings and which offense will be able to get the clutch hit with runners in scoring position and take advantage of the opportunities that will present themselves. Look for the Los Angeles to win this series in 4 games and advance to the NLCS to face the winner of the Braves/Phillies series.
