This ESPN post on Twitter (X.com) says everything Dodgers fans need to know about their team’s embarrassing 16-0 shutout loss to the Chicago Cubs in front of a sold out Dodger Stadium crowd of 53,887 on Saturday afternoon:
Whereas, the Cubs amassed 21 hits (that’s not a typo) that included four home runs, the Dodgers tallied only six, all of which were singles. In fact, the Dodgers had only one runner reach third base; this from the team that many have predicted will reach their second consecutive World Series, having won the last one.
But wait, there’s more!
The one highlight of that worst shutout in franchise – and MLB – history was an outstanding leaping over-the-wall catch by struggling Dodgers centerfielder Andy Pages (and his dismal .149/.273/.298/.571 slash line) to rob Cubs first baseman (and former Dodger) Michael Busch of what would have been a grand slam home run.
So, instead of scoring what would have only been four runs because of Pages’ slam-saving catch, the North Siders would instead go on to score only 15 more.
“For me, right now, it’s a mindset of trying to forget this one and win a series,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame in his best politically correct voice. “Obviously, it got really ugly toward the end, but we saved our pitching, so I feel really good about tomorrow with (32-year-old Dodgers right-hander Tyler) Glasnow taking the mound and having a fully stocked ‘pen behind him,” Roberts added.
To be brutally honest, Roberts might have fared better had he used Freddie Freeman‘s nine-year-old Charlie to pitch the sixth and seventh innings instead of 26-year-old Dodgers right-hander Ben Casparius. The Westport, CT native and Dodgers fifth-round draft pick in 2021 out of the University of Connecticut allowed six runs on seven hits in his 1.2 innings of relief. You gotta admit, young Charlie looked pretty good throwing out the ceremonial first pitch on his dad’s bobblehead night on Friday evening.
It is also worth noting the excellent start by 23-year-old Dodger right-hander Roki Sasaki, who pitched a career-high 5.0 innings in his fourth start of the season on Saturday. The Rikuzentakata, Japan native allowed only one of those 16 Cubs runs, while striking out three and walking one on 81 pitches of which 50 were strikes. Unfortunately for the hard-throwing right-hand, his teammates gave him zero run support – literally. He absolutely pitched well enough to win, but instead is now an undeserving 0-1 on the season with a 3.29 ERA over his combined 13.2 innings pitch thus far this season.
Play Ball!
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