Renee: Tommy Edman, two strikes, two outs, bottom of the tenth, and he delivers a walk-off single to lift the Dodgers past the Pirates 5-4. That was last night, and honestly, I'm still not over it.
Joel: That was a classic. And it sets up a huge opportunity today, because the Dodgers can clinch a series win and keep rolling in the NL West.
Renee: Welcome back to Beatline, the only daily podcast that brings you the Dodgers from every angle. I'm Renee, and as always, the brilliant Joel is right here with me.
Joel: Happy Saturday, Dodgers fans. Let's get into it.
Renee: Here's what's on tap today. First, we'll break down the series so far and the pitching matchup we're about to see. Then, we'll look at the hitters and the bullpen, plus the injury news that's shaking up the roster. And finally, we'll give you the keys to the series and a bold prediction.
Joel: And we've got a lot to cover, so let's not waste any time.
Renee: So Joel, last night's game was a nail-biter. The Dodgers walk it off in extras, but the Pirates are a scrappy team. They're 63-67, fourth in the NL Central. They're not going to roll over.
Joel: Exactly. And the Dodgers are 78-51, first in the NL West. They're winning the games they need to, but they're not blowing teams out. That's a concern, but it also shows they can grind out wins.
Renee: Well, they're leading the series 1-0, and they have a chance to sweep today. What do we know about the pitching matchup?
Joel: The big news is Tarik Skubal is on the mound for the Dodgers today. He's been the ace they needed, and he's been dominant all season. He'll face the Pirates' offense, which is middle of the pack. That's a favorable matchup for L.A.
Renee: And what about the Pirates? Who are they throwing?
Joel: We don't have the official starter listed yet, but it's likely a bullpen game for them. They've been struggling with injuries, especially in the rotation. Mitch Keller is on the 60-day IL, and that hurts their depth.
Renee: So the Dodgers should have the advantage on paper. But we all know games aren't played on paper.
Joel: Right. The Pirates are dangerous because they're playing loose. They have nothing to lose. The Dodgers need to jump on them early and not let them hang around.
Renee: Last night, the Dodgers won 5-4. That's a one-run game. These are the games that can come back to bite you if you're not careful.
Joel: Exactly. And that's where Skubal comes in. He's been a strikeout machine, and he can shut down a lineup. If he goes deep into the game, the bullpen is rested and ready. That's a recipe for a win.
Renee: Alright, let's talk about the hitters and the bullpen, because there's a lot to unpack there.
Renee: Joel, the big story coming out of last night isn't just the walk-off. It's Andy Pages fracturing his hand after getting hit by a pitch. Dave Roberts says it's not season-ending, but that's a blow to the outfield.
Joel: It's a tough break, no pun intended. Pages was having a solid season, and now he's day-to-day. The Dodgers have depth, but you don't want to lose a center fielder. Guys like Alex Call and Teoscar Hernandez will have to step up.
Renee: And speaking of stepping up, Kyle Tucker is in a brutal slump. The headlines say he's 'grinding' to find his swing. That's not what you want to see from a key bat in the middle of the order.
Joel: It's concerning, but he's a proven hitter. He'll get through it. The important thing is that the rest of the lineup is producing. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, they're all hitting. Even Tommy Edman came through in the clutch.
Renee: That walk-off was huge. And it was a two-strike hit, which shows his plate discipline. He's not just swinging for the fences.
Joel: Exactly. That's the kind of at-bat that wins championships. And the bullpen? Evan Phillips, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, they've been solid. But there are some concerns.
Renee: Like what?
Joel: Well, the injuries are piling up. Blake Treinen is on the 60-day IL, Tyler Glasnow too. And Bobby Miller is out. That's a lot of arms missing. The bullpen is relying on some younger guys like Jack Dreyer and Paul Gervase. They've been okay, but you never know in a high-leverage spot.
Renee: And we saw last night how quickly a game can slip away if the bullpen isn't sharp. The Pirates tied it up in the late innings, and it took extras to win it.
Joel: Right. But the Dodgers have the depth to absorb these injuries. That's why they're in first place. They just need to keep grinding.
Renee: Alright, let's look ahead. What are the keys to winning this series and keeping the momentum going?
Renee: So Joel, the Dodgers have a chance to sweep the Pirates today. What do they need to do to make it happen?
Joel: First, they need to get to the Pirates' bullpen early. If they can score a few runs off their opener or whoever they throw, they can force Pittsburgh to use their relievers in uncomfortable situations.
Renee: And what about Skubal? He's been outstanding, but the Pirates have seen him before.
Joel: He's got the stuff to dominate any lineup. He needs to pitch to his strengths, keep the ball down, and let his defense work. If he can go six or seven innings, that sets up the bullpen perfectly.
Renee: And on offense, they need to stay patient. The Pirates' pitching staff is banged up, so they might give up some free passes. Taking walks and getting on base will be key.
Joel: Exactly. Plate discipline wins games. And they need to avoid hitting into double plays, which has been an issue at times. But overall, I like their chances.
Renee: So here's where we make our bold prediction. Yesterday we said Mookie would hit a walk-off homer in the series. He didn't, but Tommy Edman did the job. So what's our prediction for today?
Joel: I'm going to say the Dodgers win 6-2 behind a strong start from Skubal. He'll go seven innings, strike out eight, and the offense will break through with a couple of home runs.
Renee: And I'm going to say Kyle Tucker breaks out of his slump with a three-hit game, including a home run. That's the kind of performance that can turn a season around.
Joel: That would be huge. And if he does, the Dodgers are in great shape heading into the next stretch.
Renee: Alright, that's our show for today. Quick recap: the Dodgers are riding high after a walk-off win, they've got Skubal on the mound, and they're looking to sweep the Pirates. We'll be back tomorrow with all the action.
Renee: Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with your fellow Dodgers fans. And as always, let's go Dodgers!
Joel: Let's go Dodgers! We'll see you tomorrow.