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Splat! Humiliated Dodgers swept into next season
Sweep. Weep. Wow.
The rich and talented and tormenting Dodgers have done it again, taking barely a step into the postseason before falling flat on their faces, shaking the foundations of franchise history with the resulting splat.
Last October, it was a first-round humiliation by the San Diego Padres.
This October, it is even worse.
The Arizona Diamondbacks. The Arizona Diamondbacks? The Arizona Diamondbacks!
Another 100-win Dodgers season ends with a shocking NLDS loss
PHOENIX — Nine Dodgers stood frozen in disbelief.
Around them, 40,000-plus people at Chase Field erupted in cheers.
Facing elimination in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday night, their backs against the wall following two home losses to start the postseason, the Dodgers crumbled for good in pitiful and, given their seasonlong pitching problems, predictable fashion.
In a jarring six-batter stretch during the bottom of the third, starting pitcher Lance Lynn gave up four solo home runs, the most in an inning in MLB postseason history.
What had been a scoreless contest suddenly turned into a four-run deficit.
The Diamondbacks beat the Dodgers, 4-2, to complete a stunning sweep
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2 — FINAL
And just like that, the Dodgers’ 2023 season is over.
For the second straight year, the Dodgers entered an NLDS heavily favored over an NL West foe. And for the second straight year they were bounced after a 4-2 loss at Chase Field on Wednesday.
The Dodgers’ championship hopes were officially dashed when Kiké Hernández flied out to left field against Arizona closer Paul Sewald with Will Smith at first base. With the win, Diamondbacks advanced to the NLCS to face either the Philadelphia Phillies or Atlanta Braves.
This year, unlike last season’s debacle against the Padres, the 100-win Dodgers didn’t even win a game against the 84-win Diamondbacks. They were swept in a playoff series for the first time since 2006 — the last time the Dodgers reached the postseason before Clayton Kershaw’s major league debut.
Kershaw would have started Game 4 for the Dodgers had they forced one, which would’ve given him a chance to rebound from his Game 1 nightmare. But that won’t happen. The Dodgers’ season is over.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman come up empty in a big spot again
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2 — End of the eighth inning
The Diamondbacks handed the Dodgers a prime opportunity to save their season in the eighth inning. The Dodgers stunningly fumbled it.
With the top of the order looming, Arizona right-hander Kevin Ginkel walked pinch-hitter Kolten Wong on four pitches to lead off the inning. It should’ve cost Ginkel. Mookie Betts was up. Freddie Freeman was next. Arguably the best one-two punch in Dodgers history this season, the MVP candidates were due to snap out of their playoff slumps.
That didn’t happen. Both players struck out before J.D. Martinez flied out to move the Diamondbacks within three outs of a shocking series sweep.
Betts and Freeman are now a combined 1 for 21 in this series. The only hit was Freeman’s infield single in Game 2. Betts is 3 for 38 in the postseason going back to 2021. And if the Dodgers don’t score two runs in the ninth inning, neither player will have a chance to get back on track.
Dodgers get on the board, trail 4-2 in the seventh inning
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 2 — Middle of the seventh inning
The Dodgers’ offense finally woke up in the seventh inning.
Four consecutive two-out singles from Max Muncy, Will Smith, Chris Taylor, and Kiké Hernández produced two runs, slicing the Diamondbacks’ lead in half. The Dodgers had the opportunity to add more after Hernández’s RBI single scored Smith, but Austin Barnes, pinch-hitting for David Peralta, grounded out on the first pitch to squash the rally.
Barnes, who hadn’t taken an at-bat since Sept. 30, was inserted after the Diamondbacks put left-hander Andrew Saalfrank. Dodgers manger Dave Roberts was playing the matchup. Barnes is a right-handed hitter. Peralta bats left-handed.
The two-run margin remained intact after Brusdar Graterol got out of the bottom of the inning with a double play. So far, the Dodgers’ bullpen has logged 4 1/3 scoreless innings after starter Lance Lynn’s meltdown in the third inning.
But while the Dodgers have some life, their two superstars remain quiet.
For the Dodgers to have any chance to win the World Series, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman need to produce. They are the Dodgers’ best players, stars who are expected to finish in the top four of the NL MVP race.
But that hasn’t happened in this series and the Dodgers’ offense has been a disappointment as a result.
After Freeman’s groundout to lead off the seventh inning, the two All-Stars are now a combined 1 for 19 in the series. The only hit was an infield single by Freeman in Game 2. Betts’ postseason struggles extend further than this series; he’s 3 for 37 going back to the 2021 playoffs.
The Dodgers have nine outs to save their season
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 0 — End of the sixth inning
The Dodgers’ bats were quiet again in the sixth inning, going down in order against Joe Mantiply and Ryan Thompson.
Through six innings, Diamondbacks pitchers have faced one batter over the minimum. The Dodgers have mustered just two hits — a single from Kiké Hernández in the third inning and a double from Will Smith in the fifth — and no walks.
Hernández was wiped away after his single by David Peralta’s double. Smith is the only Dodger to reach scoring position.
In all, the Dodgers have generated just four runs through 24 innings in this series. They need at least another four runs over the final three innings to extend this game into extra innings.
Dodgers chase Brandon Pfaadt but remain scoreless
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 0 — End of the fifth inning
Will Smith’s one-out double in the fifth inning chased Brandon Pfaadt from the game, but it didn’t lead to any runs for the Dodgers.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo chose to replace Pfaadt with left-hander Joe Mantiply, prompting Dave Roberts to substitute Jason Heyward, a left-handed hitter, with Chris Taylor, a right-handed hitter. The switch for the better matchup didn’t work; Taylor struck out.
Kiké Hernández then launched a flyball to the warning track in left field, missing a two-run home run by a few feet, for the third out. The Dodgers now have 12 outs to erase the deficit.
The Diamondbacks had a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the inning against right-hander Michael Grove. Corbin Carroll led off with a walk before stealing second base. He took third base when Ketel Marte grounded out.
Grove then issued back-to-back two-out walks to Christian Walker and Pavin Smith to load the bases. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior, with the game possibly on the line, made his third mound visit of the inning before Grove faced Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Grove managed to wiggle free unscathed, getting Guerriel to ground out to extinguish the threat.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman continue to struggle
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 0 — End of the fourth inning
The Dodgers had a chance to respond to the Diamondbacks’ home-run blitz with the top of their order in the fourth inning. It was an opportunity for All-Stars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to make an imprint on the game — and the series.
Instead, Betts lined out, Freeman grounded out, and the Dodgers went down in order against Brandon Pfaadt after J.D. Martinez struck out swinging.
Betts and Freeman, two of the top four projected NL MVP finishers, are a combined 1 for 17 in the series. The one hit was an infield single from Freeman. Betts is 3 for 36 in the postseason going back to 2021.
Their struggles have hindered an offense that heavily relied on them during the Dodgers’ 100-win regular season. The Dodgers have scored just four runs through 22 innings this series, marking the second straight year (at least for now) that their bats have disappeared in the playoffs.
Lance Lynn pulled after giving up four home runs in the third inning
Diamondbacks 4, Dodgers 0 — End of the third inning
Lance Lynn had a significant home run problem during the regular season. It got worse in jaw-dropping fashion here tonight.
Lynn surrendered not one, not two, not three, but four solo home runs in the third inning. The onslaught prompted Dave Roberts to pull the veteran right-hander with two outs in the inning. It was the first time a club hit four home runs in an inning MLB postseason history.
In the end, Lynn, who led the majors in home runs allowed this season, gave up four runs on six hits across 2 2/3 innings. He threw 48 pitches. The outing represents the longest for a Dodgers starter in this series.
The barrage began with Geraldo Perdomo, who showed bunt to begin the at-bat and finished it with a home run to center field. Two batters later, Ketel Marte delivered one. Two batters after that, Christian Walker joined the party. Then came the dagger.
Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno thought he had hit Arizona’s fourth home run down the right-field line just inside the foul pole. But the call was changed after Moreno jogged around the bases and into the Diamondbacks’ dugout.
It didn’t matter. Moreno smashed the next pitch over the left-center field wall to ignite Chase Field for the fourth time and chase Lynn. Caleb Ferguson replaced the veteran starter and retired Lourdes Guerriel Jr. to end the nightmare inning for the Dodgers.
Lance Lynn escapes a jam in the second inning
Dodgers 0, Diamondbacks 0 — End of the second inning
Lance Lynn played with fire but didn’t get burned in the second inning.
After retiring the first two batters, Lynn yielded back-to-back singles to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Alek Thomas. Lynn then fell behind 3-1 to Evan Longoria with the runners at first and second, but he rebounded to strike out Longoria swinging.
The Dodgers’ aggressive approach at the plate continued in the top of the frame. And again they couldn’t capitalize on pitches Brandon Pfaadt left over plate.
This time, Max Muncy grounded out, Will Smith flied out and Jason Heyward grounded out to end the frame. Pfaadt is through two perfect innings on 18 pitches. The rookie right-hander entered tonight having given up 10 runs (nine earned) in 8 2/3 inning across two starts against the Dodgers this season.
The Dodgers avoid falling behind in the first inning
Dodgers 0, Diamondbacks 0 — End of the first inning
For the first time in this series, a Dodgers starting pitcher avoided trouble in the first inning.
Lance Lynn needed just six pitches to retire the Diamondbacks’ side in order to begin the game. It’s an encouraging development after Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller combined to give up nine runs in games 1 and 2.
The bad news for the Dodgers is Brandon Pfaadt was nearly as efficient as Lynn.
The Dodgers were aggressive against Pfaadt, a rookie right-hander who finished the regular season with a 5.72 ERA in 19 games.
The strategy didn’t work. Pfaadt needed just seven pitches to retire Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez in order. Freeman and Martinez both flied out on the first pitch. Betts, who grounded out, is now 0 for 8 in this series.
Diamondbacks fans have shown up to Chase Field in a big way
The Diamondbacks almost never enjoy a true home-field advantage when the Dodgers come to town. But tonight is different.
The crowd is heavily on the Diamondbacks’ side. I’d call it a 70/30 or even 80/20 split in Arizona’s favor.
As our Bill Shaikin reported, the Diamondbacks didn’t attempt to keep Dodgers fans out like the Padres did last year. It turns out that they didn’t need to.
Dodgers prepare for elimination game in their home away from home
The Arizona Diamondbacks have not played a postseason home game in six years. When the playoffs finally return to Chase Field on Wednesday, with the home team one victory from eliminating the Dodgers, the ballpark will be rocking.
With Dodgers fans, probably.
The San Diego Padres were not about to put up with Dodgers fans last October, at least to the extent they could control it. Fans could see the Padres play a postseason game at Petco Park for the first time in 16 years, and the Padres wanted to maximize the home-field advantage.
Bob Costas still believes the Dodgers can turn around series
Bob Costas thinks there’s still hope for the Dodgers, down two games to none in the best-of-three National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That’s if starting pitcher Lance Lynn can hold his own Wednesday night for the Dodgers in Game 3 in Phoenix.
And if Clayton Kershaw can return to form in Game 4 after a disastrous outing to open the series.
And if the Dodgers can somehow force a Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.
Clayton Kershaw to start Game 4 for the Dodgers — if there is one
The Dodgers’ pitching plan for Game 4 hasn’t changed.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Wednesday that Clayton Kershaw would start Game 4 against the Diamondbacks on Thursday if his club avoids elimination in Game 3.
Kershaw, who is dealing with an unspecified left shoulder injury, surrendered six runs and recorded just one out in his Game 1 start Saturday.
“I believe in Clayton until the end,” Roberts said. “I think that his track record, the recency of what he’s done — certainly it was the worst outing of his career, but I still believe that there’s a good one in there.”
Kershaw emphasized that he felt “fine” after the disastrous outing. Roberts, however, has hinted over the past month that Kershaw isn’t 100%.
The Diamondbacks swiftly chased Kershaw out of Game 1 by taking an extremely aggressive approach. Roberts indicated an adjustment would be necessary for Kershaw.
“I think a change in approach [is required],” Roberts said. “And I think there’s a little bit of execution that wasn’t there either. I think that for me he’ll be prepared to address both those things.”
The Diamondbacks would counter Kershaw with right-hander Merrill Kelly, who held the Dodgers scoreless over 6 1/3 innings in Game 1. Kelly had entered that outing 0-11 with a 5.49 ERA in 16 career appearances against the Dodgers.
Nothing beats reliable starting pitching in October. Just ask the Diamondbacks
At the worst possible time for the Dodgers, the Arizona Diamondbacks have turned into the Dodgers.
Not the 2023 Dodgers. The Diamondbacks have pulled off a contemporary twist on the classic Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ parades through the streets of Los Angeles were powered by powerful arms, from Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale to Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser.
In October, nothing is as good as a good starter.
“I don’t think there’s a manager out there that wouldn’t want a guy that you can hand the ball to and go seven innings with,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
Dodgers collapsing for second straight postseason? Unbelievably, believe it
Two straight collapses, two straight years, too much to believe?
No, it’s happening. It’s really happening.
Debacle times two. Disaster squared.
Remember that first-round playoff wreck against the San Diego Padres last season? After a wretched Monday night at Chavez Ravine, these Dodgers are unbelievably careening toward the same inconceivable ditch.
Brusdar Graterol and the rest of Dodgers’ bullpen continue to offer hope
Brusdar Graterol had never pitched across three innings in any of his 181 big-league appearances over five seasons. Ryan Brasier had not thrown more than two innings in any of his 39 games with the Dodgers this season. Joe Kelly had not retired more than four batters in any of his 42 games this season.
But desperate times call for desperate measures, and the Dodgers were knee-deep in quicksand early in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Monday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks tagging starter Bobby Miller for three runs in the first inning and threatening again with two on and two outs in the second.
Manager Dave Roberts promised after Saturday night’s lopsided Game 1 loss that he would manage Game 2 “like it was Game 7,” so he sent out an immediate SOS to a bullpen that has been the strength of the pitching staff for 3½ months, with a major league-best 2.28 ERA since June 20.
Dodgers make lineup changes for do-or-die Game 3
Facing elimination, the Dodgers, after scoring four runs through the first two games of this NLDS, will field a different lineup for Wednesday’s Game 3.
Kiké Hernández will replace James Outman in center field and bat seventh. Designated hitter J.D. Martinez, meanwhile, will move up in the batting order from fifth to third, switching with catcher Will Smith.
The Diamondbacks will have the same lineup they had in Game 2 against veteran right-hander Lance Lynn, who led the majors in home runs allowed and owns a 5.28 career postseason ERA.
Outman went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts and a walk at the plate over the first two games of the series. In the field, his blunder to start the series ignited the Diamondbacks’ sixth-run first inning against Clayton Kershaw.
The Dodgers preferred to have Outman in the lineup over Hernández because he hits left-handed and the Diamondbacks’ starters are right-handed. But his struggles were enough to make a change even with right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on the mound for Arizona.
Hernández entered Game 2 as a pinch-hitter. He delivered an RBI infield single and hit a hard lineout out off Arizona closer Paul Sewald in the ninth inning.
Martinez moves up in the order after going 2 for 3 with a home run and a walk in Game 2.
What happened to Mookie Betts? Dodgers need a leader, not an 0-for-7 role player
There was a moment after the 4-2 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night when Mookie Betts actually sounded like a leader.
Betts and Freddie Freeman were a combined one for 13 in the best-of-five National League Division Series, which the Dodgers now trail two games to none. Betts acknowledged what was obvious, that he and Freeman had to produce.
“For me and Freddie, it’s kind of our role,” Betts said. “We’re not doing it. I take ownership in that. So we’ve just got to figure out a way, man. There’s no excuses.”
The more specific the questions, however, the less accountable Betts was.