Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 7.50) vs. Slade Cecconi (1-1. 3.27).
Clayton Kershaw looked like he was off to a promising start last week against the Mets, when a rain delay cut short his outing (2.0 IP, ) ER, 1 BB and 1 K). Rain is in the forecast for Wednesday in Cleveland (thanks to SoSG reader karen for that headsup!). Let's hope Kershaw can continue his progression back from injury today, without Mother Nature getting in the way.
Dustin May (2-4, 4.09) vs. Tanner Bibee (4-4, 3.57).
Last night, out of the spotlight of nationally-broadcast television, felt like the type of road game the Dodgers should be playing: solid pitching that goes relatively deep with efficiency (Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB and 7 Ks across 88 pitches); power hitting (Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith solo HRs) as well as timely hitting (4-for-8 with RISP, including a nice two-out rally in the sixth with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman RBI singles); and only one error (this time, not from Max Muncy!).
The Guardians are solid: behind the Tigers in the AL Central, but in the first wild card position in the American League. Tanner Bibee has also been solid for the Guardians, while Dustin May has shown flashes of brilliance in 2025 but a lack of consistency between starts. Let's see how today plays out.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (5-3, 1.86) vs. Gavin Williams (4-2. 3.94).
Finally, we are out of the nationally-televised game spotlight, and I think that's a Groot thing for the Dodgers, who seem to put their worst foot forward on the big stage. Sunday's debacle in New York was another example of this, with the 3-1 defeat showing an inept offense throughout the game, not to mention four errors defensively.
The worst error of which came from Max Muncy, who cost us a run Sunday and almost cost us the game on Friday against the Mets as well (obstructing the vision of the runner on third on a sacrifice fly). Muncy is now batting .210 with a woeful .670 OPS, and it's time to really consider options at third base. I'm sure Muncy is looking at the recent departures of Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor and has a keen understanding that we can't wait much longer for him to play to his potential. It would be awesome to see him turn it around on this road trip, starting with tonight's game in Cleveland.
Fri 9.6 7p: TBD Landon Knack vs. Matthew Boyd
Sat 9.7 6p: TBD Ryan Brasier vs. Alex Cobb
Sun 9.8 1p: TBD Jack Flaherty vs. Gavin Williams
We know most Dodger fans don't keep up with the American League, let alone the sleepy AL Central--so let's recap this year. The Guardians weren't expected to be very good following the 2023 retirement of manager Terry Francona, yet here they are, leading the AL Central by four games (over Minnesota, who has climbed over the Royals by a half-game), not to mention only a half-game behind the Orioles for the best record in the league. New manager Stephen Vogt has a lot to do with the team's great performance this year, not to mention the on-field production from Stephen Kwan (batting .292) and Jose Ramirez (34 HR).
But the Dodgers haven't lost a series since August 5-7 against the Phillies. And since then, we've faced off against the leaders in the NL Central (Brewers) and the AL East (Orioles), not to mention the Cardinals, Mariners, Rays, and Diamondbacks, and we've done pretty well in that span--increasing our lead in the NL West (5.0 games ahead of the Padres, and 5.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks).
Sure, we don't have a starting pitcher named by Thursday evening (when I am writing this GT). But I'm hoping the day off following that drubbing by the Angels has given us time to recover for this weekend's series.
UPDATE 9.6 5p: Gavin Stone to the IL. Geez.
Tue 22 4p: Bobby Miller vs. Noah Syndergaard Wed 23 4p: Clayton Kershaw vs. Xzavion Curry Thu 24 10a: TBD vs. Gavin Williams
Hot off two victories in a rain-altered doubleheader, and then followed by a two-day respite while Hurricane Hilary barreled through Southern California, the Dodgers face the Baby Groots in Cleveland. And though this series may not carry the level of drama like a space-age fantasy saga, a return sighting of Dodgers discard Thor Syndergaard, followed by a guy with strange consonant strings like a Superman villain, make this a weird series indeed.
As of Sunday night, the Dodgers had a 11.5-game lead over the second place Giants in the NL West. Cleveland is likely out of the playoffs at this stage (6.0 games behind the Twins in the NL Central, and 10.5 games out of the AL Wild Card). But crazy things happen in these Guardians episodes, so who knows?!
Fri 6.17 7p: Clayton Kershaw (4-1, 2.12) vs. Plesac (2-4, 4.70) Sat 6.18 4.15p: Julio Urias (3-6, 2.80) vs. Quantrill (4-3, 3.38) Sun 6.19 1p: TBD vs. Justin Bieber (Baby, Peaches, Love Yourself)
Two wins, and almost a no-hitter by Tyler Anderson, over the Angels earlier this week. But remember, this was a team that recently lost 14 in a row. And even with those wins, the Dodgers' idle Monday and Thursday still had us fall behind the first-place Padres, who swept the Cubs at Wrigley and now lead us by a half-game entering play today (Padres play the Rockies, so that's another three wins for San Diego).
The Cleveland Guardians' first visit to Dodger Stadium could present another series-winning opportunity for the snakebit Dodgers...if we can get Gamora of the same from Will Smith (a three-run HR on Wednesday) and Mookie Betts (a key insurance solo HR on Tuesday).
Cue up the Awesome Mix! This is happening!
