by Megan Garcia
Five days ago, Tyler Glasnow finally debuted as a postseason pitcher for the Dodgers. Now is the big deal for the big right-hander — starting for the first time as a Dodger in the postseason with the chance to help send his team to the National League Championship Series.
Glasnow’s second season as a Dodger was interrupted by shoulder inflammation that kept him out of action for two months.
When he returned in early July from the injury, he also returned with improved mechanics and improved results.
He had a 2.86 ERA down the stretch and allowed just 44 hits in 72 1/3 innings.
“I know he’s been really looking forward to a reason why he’s excited about being a Dodger and pitching in games like this,” said manager Dave Roberts. “I think that he’s a very mechanical person, self-admitted.
“But I think that getting him to the point of just being in compete mode and trusting his stuff, knowing that he’s the best option out there. I think this is the moment that we’ve been waiting for. I expect him to pitch well and deliver for us.”
The Dodgers’ loss in Game 3 spotlighted the dangers in the Phillies’ lineup.
Their best three hitters in Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper were relatively quiet in the first two games. They were 2-for-21 until Wednesday, when they went 7-for-13 and had five RBI.
There’s already familiarity between Glasnow and Philadelphia’s Big Three in the series.
He faced eight Phillies batters in Game 1 through 1 2/3 innings as a reliever. He struck out two and walked two hitters. Turner walked, Schwarber struck out and Harper singled in the eighth.
Those are the first three hitters he will face today.
“It’s important to set the tone,” Roberts said. “It is. I think for Tyler, it’s really important. But as we saw from last night, it’s not just the first inning, it’s beyond, right?
“So it’s important for him to just attack these guys with his four-pitch mix and be aggressive and not run from these guys. … I really believe in him (today).”
This is Glasnow’s first postseason start since Game 1 of the 2023 AL Wild Card with the Rays.
“I expect a good start. He’s got good stuff,” catcher Will Smith said. “Expect him to go out there, give us five or six innings and just dominate, and put us in a good spot to win the game.”
Scott injury leads to roster change
Tanner Scott sustained an injury that required a minor procedure on Wednesday. Major League Baseball approved a roster substitution to replace Scott with left-hander Justin Wrobleski.
“As I understand it, it was an abscess excision, some type of lower body, minor procedure,” Roberts said. “I do know that he’s recovering well, and it took place last night.”
Scott will be eligible to return to the postseason roster if the Dodgers appear in the World Series.
2025 NLDS: Glasnow gets the call against the Phillies was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.