The Dodgers did a lot of things right last week.
They won five of their six games, ending the week with a sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. But the Dodgers completed the sweep by reminding their fans exactly who they are.
The Dodgers had a 9-1 lead against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, but gave up six runs in the eighth inning and the Diamondbacks cut the lead to one run. The Dodgers held on precariously to win 9-8.
The Dodgers bullpen continues to be the team’s Achilles heel.
Thank goodness the Dodgers starters are the team’s strength.
Dodgers starter Walker Buehler took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Diamondbacks on Saturday and improved to 7-0.
The Dodgers didn’t make many bad moves last week. They have won 10 of their past 12 games and put some distance between them and the San Diego Padres in the National League West standings.
However, despite the recent streak of good games, the Dodgers are still in second place, 1.5 games behind the surprising San Francisco Giants, who have won eight of their past 11 games.
The Dodgers starters continue to keep them in contention. There is no doubt that Buehler, Trevor Bauer, Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urias are carrying the team. It’s hard to pick an ace in this group.
Buehler definitely outshined them all last week with his start against the Diamondbacks on Saturday night. He struck out 11, walked two, and didn’t give up his first hit of the game until the eighth inning.
He ended up surrendering two earned runs and has a 2.38 ERA.
Bauer was equally impressive on Friday night against the Diamondbacks, pitching seven shutout innings, striking out eight and giving up only three hits. He improved his record to 7-5 and lowered his ERA to 2.45.
Kershaw struck out nine in six innings, but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, on Wednesday night. It was the only blemish on an otherwise prosperous week.
Buehler is having a breakout season. He is in the early conversation for the Cy Young Award. After the first 65 games of the season, New York Mets starter Jacob DeGrom is the favorite for Cy Young. It’s hard to argue against his 0.54 ERA and 0.51 WHIP. It’s also hard to explain how he lost two games this season. He is 6-2 with 111 strikeouts and only eight walks.
Buehler’s numbers are almost as good. He has a 0.90 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 90⅔ innings. He has only given up 19 walks.
As good as the Dodgers starters have been, Steven Souza found a way to steal the spotlight. He had the feel-good story of the season, hitting the go-ahead home run for the Dodgers in the 3-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday night. Souza, while playing for the Diamondbacks, missed the entire 2019 season after tearing his ACL slipping on home plate in an exhibition game on March 25, 2019, against the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers gave Souza another chance in the bigs, and he delivered in a big way against his old team.
The Dodgers starting pitching power rankings are the tightest they’ve been all season.
- Walker Buehler
- Trevor Bauer
- Clayton Kershaw
- Juilo Urias
- Tony Gonsolin
The Dodgers take a three-game winning streak to San Diego to start a three-game series against the Padres on Monday. The Dodgers (44-27) end the week with a four-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs.
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