Games at Dodger Stadium and MLB ballparks will look a bit differently next year, as MLB has instituted the new on-field play rules for the 2023 season.
MLB hopes to improve the pace of play and create more game action. First up is the pitch clock. One person who may not be happy is Pedro Baez. Pitchers have 15 seconds to throw a pitch if the bases are empty, 20 seconds with runners on, and hitters only get one timeout per plate appearance.
We’ll also see the size of bases increase from 15 inches to 18 inches. So maybe more bases for Trea Turner to steal? I hope it’s in Dodger Blue next season.
And lastly, the good old shift is gone. It is gone but never forgotten, especially when the Dodgers pulled off that four-person infield on the right side. It looked absurd, but it worked to perfection. Now, rules will require two infielders to be on both sides of second base, and all four infielders need to have both feet within the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber.
RIP
pic.twitter.com/bBfLDDgIFT
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) September 9, 2022
Quite intriguing to see the shift gone just like that after it’s been a big discussion and part of the game in recent seasons. But if one man is happy, it must be Joey Gallo.
It also seems like, for the first time in a long time, we may have a rainout in Southern California. Even if the game does begin, the Dodgers may want to push Dustin May’s start back if they have him warmup only to sit back down due to a rain delay.
This is the second-to-last series the Dodgers have with the Padres as they’ll face them again later this month. If the Dodgers sweep San Diego this weekend, they’ll wrap up the division.
Pitching matchups have already been set for the weekend, but everything is tentative due to the Friday night weather forecast.
The Dodgers are sending out Dustin May, Julio Urias, and Andrew Heaney. The Padres will send out Mike Clevinger, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove.
Interestingly, after being snubbed from the All-Star team, Urias now has the lowest ERA in the National League at 2.29, quite the underrated year. Unfortunately, signs still point to Sandy Alcantara winning the CY Young, but Urias deserves his credit.
We’ll see if there is a game, but barring any delay or postponement first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.