Renee: Tarik Skubal just punched out 11 Pirates and the Dodgers are one win away from a sweep. But the real story? Shohei Ohtani threw 30 pitches in live batting practice yesterday. And we have the inside scoop on what that means. You are not gonna want to miss this.
Joel: That's right, Renee. And we're not just talking about the win. We're breaking down the series finale, the pitching matchup, and whether the Dodgers can complete the sweep this afternoon.
Renee: Welcome back to Beatline, the network that brings you the best daily sports talk. I'm Renee, and as always, I'm joined by the sharpest mind in baseball, Joel. Dodgers fans, we are live and locked in.
Joel: Let's get into it. Today we've got three big things: first, the series recap and today's pitching probables. Second, the bullpen questions and key injuries, including the latest on Ohtani. And third, our keys to the series and a bold prediction you won't want to miss.
Renee: Stick with us through all three segments. We've got a lot to cover, and Joel's got some numbers that might surprise you.
Renee: Alright, Joel, let's start with yesterday. Skubal was shaky early, gave up three in the first, but then he flipped a switch. Eleven strikeouts, first win as a Dodger. What did you see?
Joel: It was vintage Skubal. After that rough first inning, he just started attacking the zone with that fastball and mixing in the slider. He had the Pirates off balance all day. Eleven strikeouts is no joke, especially against a team that's fighting for a wild card spot.
Renee: And the offense bailed him out. They rallied from that 3-0 hole to win 4-3. That's the mark of a championship team, right?
Joel: Absolutely. The bats came alive when they needed to. And that walk-off win the night before, Tommy Edman with that two-strike single in the tenth, that set the tone for the series. These guys are finding ways to win.
Renee: So now it's the series finale today. The Dodgers are up 1-0 in the series? Wait, actually they won Friday and Saturday, so they're up 2-0. Today they go for the sweep. Who's on the mound for the good guys?
Joel: We don't have the official probables yet, but I'm expecting Roki Sasaki to take the ball. He's been solid lately, and he's got the stuff to shut down this Pirates lineup. On the other side, they're going with someone from their bullpen or a spot starter, so the Dodgers should have the advantage.
Renee: Before we move on, I gotta ask about the ABS challenge system. We talked about it yesterday, and it's been a hot topic around the league. Did it come into play in yesterday's game?
Joel: I didn't see any big challenges yesterday, but it's always lurking. The Dodgers have been pretty selective with their challenges, and that's smart. You don't want to burn them early.
Renee: Alright, let's get to segment two. We've got some bullpen concerns, and of course, the big injury news. Joel, give it to us straight.
Joel: Well, the bullpen has been a bit of a roller coaster. They've got Tanner Scott and Evan Phillips at the back end, but there are some question marks in the middle. And with guys like Blake Treinen on the 60-day IL, they need someone to step up.
Renee: And what about the rotation? Glasnow and Miller are still on the 60-day IL. That's a big hit.
Joel: Absolutely. But they've got Skubal, Snell, Yamamoto, and Sasaki. That's a solid top four. The depth is tested, but they're managing.
Renee: And now the big one. Shohei Ohtani threw 30 pitches in live batting practice yesterday, facing Will Smith. What did you make of that?
Joel: It's a huge step. He's been DHing all season, and getting him back on the mound would be a game-changer. But there's no timeline yet. They're being cautious, and they should be. If he comes back, he could be a weapon out of the bullpen or even a starter in October.
Renee: So no definitive timeline, but it's promising. Alright, let's move to segment three. We need to talk about the keys to this series and our bold prediction.
Renee: Alright, Joel, let's dive deeper into the bullpen. We mentioned the question marks, but who are the guys that need to step up?
Joel: I'm looking at guys like Jack Dreyer and Edgardo Henriquez. They've been getting some high-leverage innings lately. And Alex Vesia, when he's on, he's a lockdown lefty. But they need consistency.
Renee: And what about the offense? We saw Kyle Tucker come alive yesterday. He had a big series so far. What's the key for him today?
Joel: Tucker has been locked in. He's seeing the ball well, and he's driving the ball to all fields. The key is to keep that approach against whatever pitcher they throw out there. If he gets good pitches to hit, he'll do damage.
Renee: Mookie Betts was quiet yesterday, but he had that big series earlier. You predicted he'd hit a walk-off homer in this series. That hasn't happened yet. Any chance it comes today?
Joel: I'm not backing off that prediction. Mookie is due. He's been squaring up balls, just hitting them at people. Today might be the day. If it's a close game, watch out.
Renee: So we've got the bullpen questions, the injury updates, and now the keys to the series. Joel, what's your number one key for the Dodgers to complete the sweep?
Joel: It's simple: get ahead in counts. The Pirates have some young hitters who will chase, but if you fall behind, they can hurt you. The Dodgers need to attack the zone early and let their defense work.
Renee: And what about the offense? They've been a little inconsistent. What do they need to do?
Joel: They need to be patient. The Pirates are going to throw a lot of off-speed stuff, especially early. If the Dodgers can work deep counts and get into that bullpen, they'll have a big advantage.
Renee: Alright, let's get to the bold prediction. You've been right before, and you've been wrong. What are you calling for today?
Joel: I'm calling for a walk-off. This series has been decided by one run in both games. I think it happens again. And I'm going to say Mookie Betts hits a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. That would be poetic.
Renee: Bold. I love it. But what if it doesn't go that way? What's your backup?
Joel: Then I'll say the Dodgers win by two or more, and Kyle Tucker has another big game. He's been on fire.
Renee: Alright, we'll hold you to that. Stick with us, because after the break, we're going to wrap this up with our final thoughts and a look ahead.
Renee: Welcome back. We're in the final segment, and we've got to talk about the bigger picture. The Dodgers are 79-51, first in the NL West. They're rolling. What does a sweep today mean for the division race?
Joel: It would extend their lead, and more importantly, it would send a message. They're the two-time defending champs, and they're playing like it. Sweeping a team that's fighting for a wild card spot is exactly what you want to see in August.
Renee: And what about the postseason picture? How are they looking?
Joel: They're in great shape. The rotation is solid, the bullpen is a question mark, but if they can get Ohtani back, that changes everything. And the offense is deep. They've got a real shot at a three-peat.
Renee: Before we go, we need to give a shoutout to Tommy Edman. That walk-off on Friday was clutch. And Skubal's performance yesterday was a masterpiece. Applause for those guys.
Joel: Absolutely. Edman has been a sparkplug, and Skubal is settling in. That's a good sign for October.
Renee: Alright, final thought, Joel. What's the one thing you're watching for in today's game?
Joel: I'm watching how the bullpen handles the middle innings. If they can get through the sixth and seventh without giving up the lead, I like their chances. And of course, I'll be looking for Mookie to do something special.
Renee: That's all for today's episode, folks. We covered the series so far, the bullpen concerns, the Ohtani update, and our bold predictions. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline, and share this episode with your fellow Dodgers fans.
Joel: And if you're at the game today, or watching from home, enjoy it. This is a special team.
Renee: Let's go, Dodgers! We'll see you next time.