Jeff Birney
With just 34 games now left, the Dodgers post-season hopes took a major blow this week. After a spectacular pitcher’s dual between rookies Walker Buehler and the Cardinal’s Jack Flaherty, who took a non-no against L.A. through five, the Dodgers bullpen gave up two long balls to score three, sealing their fate in the 3-1 loss and sweep.
Joc Pederson got the lone run for L.A. in the sixth, going yard on Flaherty to break up the no-hit bid.
Buehler set the table for a close win, going seven scoreless innings and striking out nine, yet reliever Scott Alexander gave up an HR in the top of the 8th allowing St. Louis to tie the game, 1-1.
Kenley Jansen came in during the ninth, and with one out gave up a single to Jedd Gyorko. With Gyorko on base, Paul DeJong homered to bring the Cards up, 3-1. The Dodgers went down in order to the flame-throwing Jordon Hicks in the ninth.
Can L.A. put the pieces together with just a month of baseball left? The obvious issues must be solved – bullpen and getting hits with RISP. Strikeouts are also way up, and even if L.A. does manage to secure a playoff berth, do they have what it takes to battle teams all hungry for a title?
L.A. is currently 4.5 games out of first in the West, and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race.
The Dodgers start a three-game series against the Padres Friday, with Rich Hill set to take the mound.
Game time is 7:10 pm, PST.
