Last time we talked, I proposed that these first three series would do a lot to telling much about how the Los Angeles Dodgers’ second half of the season would go. So far, so good. Currently, the Dodgers are two games above both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants for first place in the division.
The Dodgers started by taking two of three from the New York Mets, and then two of three from the AL East leading Orioles in Baltimore. (I was in attendance for two of those games. Highly recommend going to Camden Yards if you are able).
Now the Boys in Blue return to the site of their World Series win, Globe Life Field. They start a three game series against the Texas Rangers, who are also in first place in their division.
If the Dodgers could manage to also take the series from the Rangers, it would be one successful road trip.
Aside from the finale against the Mets, the offense has not had too much of a problem scoring runs. They scored five or more in those remaining games. The only real issue with those games was the Wednesday afternoon outing by Julio Urías, who gave up all eight runs in that game. It was the first time in his career that he allowed that many runs.
Unfortunately Urías has not been a steady force at the top of the rotation. He looked incredible against the Mets in his first start, allowing a lead off double and then nothing else for the next five innings.
“Julio as a ballplayer has nothing to do with our thoughts on the Deadline. I know that certainly,” Manager Dave Roberts told MLB’s Juan Toribio. “But with our ballclub and the fate of our ballclub, for him to pitch like a top-end guy as he has in his career is definitely needed for us.”
Overall, if they don’t flounder like some other postseasons, the Dodgers offense probably has enough to power through games. The starting rotation really is the weak link of this team right now, with the rookies and the inconsistency of Urías’s starts.
There are 10 days left until the trade deadline of August 1. The most smoke still seems to be surrounding a trade with the Chicago White Sox possibly including Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, and perhaps another pitcher like Kendall Graveman. Anderson has been playing more second base as of late, and has had a hot start to the second half at the plate.
Rumors also continue around Shohei Ohtani and if he actually would be traded, and if Arte Moreno would trade him to the Dodgers. Both seem to be actually possibilities but are far from probable.
Quick notes before Friday’s opener in Arlington –
Mookie Betts is making his first start in right field since July 8
Max Muncy has finally been moved out of the top half of the order, batting sixth
Clayton Kershaw threw another bullpen session before the game
Ryan Pepiot had another rehab outing in Triple-A Oklahoma City. He allowed two home runs and a total of four runs on four hits, going 2.2 innings. His fastball touched 95 and his change was in the zone more that 50% of the time.
Noah Syndergaard started Friday for Oklahoma City for his first rehab start.