The Los Angeles Dodgers are doing their best to stay hot, just like the weather in California right now. After losing the first game, the Boys in Blue ended up taking two-of-three from the San Francisco Giants.
As such as the weather was so incredibly warm, the balls were flying out of Dodger Stadium. 16 home runs were hit in total, and all but two of the totals runs scored were plated by the long ball.
Clayton Kershaw had another good outing on Wednesday since returning from the injured list. Other than allowing a two-run homer to David Villar in the top of the fifth, Kershaw scattered five hits, allowing no walks, and striking out eight. He threw 86 pitches, 68 of which were strikes.
After the game, Kershaw commented on his current health to reporters.
“I feel great. It’s really been good the last two starts and I’ve been bouncing back good. Thankful for that and ready for the next one.”
Someone who himself is extremely hot is Max Muncy. Always one to play well against the Giants, Muncy went six-for-nine with three home runs, five runs scored and six RBI in this Giants series. Muncy had an OPS of .908 in August, and so far in September, he has a .983 OPS. Muncy also laid down a beautiful bunt against the shift, trying to move the runner to second but gathering himself a base hit in the process.
Blake Treinen had another relief appearance on Monday. He went 1.0 innings, walked one and struck one in a scoreless frame of work.
Also in Wednesday’s game, Joey Gallo was hit by a pitch, and ended up leaving the game with right elbow contusion. Gallo said that he had been hit on the funny bone, and it stung, and lead to tingling in his fingers. He was then removed from the game. After the game, Gallo had an X-ray, which was negative.
One player who is not hot is Chris Taylor. Typically steady at all parts of the game, Taylor is striking out a lot and not making good contact. In the last two games, Taylor is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts, and left eight runners stranded. He’s hitting just .144 in his last 30 games, and fans are left wondering if he will find himself before the playoffs.
After an off day on Thursday, the Dodgers will head down the coast to face the San Diego Padres again. With their Magic Number at six, the earliest they can clinch the division is Sunday.
Probable pitching matchups for the three game series are Friday, Dustin May and Mike Clevinger; Saturday, Julio Urías and Blake Snell; and Sunday, Andrew Heaney and Joe Musgrove.