Dodgers Interview: Dustin May Sets Tone in Dodgers’ Series Win Over D-backs
"Being able to go six is huge."
LOS ANGELES — After a few up-and-down outings and still working back into full rhythm following a long recovery from surgery, Dustin May looked every bit like the frontline starter the Dodgers believe he can be. On Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, May tossed six strong innings in a 3–1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, outdueling Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes and helping the Dodgers clinch the series with authority.
“It’s always good to go out and give the guys in the bullpen a break,” May said postgame, fresh off his eighth start of the season. “Being able to go six is huge. And keeping a few runs off the board is always good, too.”
The outing was vintage May—electric fastballs, sharp sinkers, and a sense of command that had been building over his last few appearances. He credited his success to establishing the fastball early, saying his sweeper was particularly effective moving in and out of the zone. More importantly, he was able to land his pitches in big spots and stay ahead in counts.
“I just felt way more in tune with myself and was able to execute more throws,” he said. “Physically, I felt much better today than my last outing.”
The Dodgers’ offense didn’t explode, but they made their moment count. In the sixth inning, Teoscar Hernández broke through with a towering three-run homer—something May said gave the entire dugout a jolt of energy.
“It was a huge morale boost,” he said. “Teao came up huge and hit the three-run homer, and we played really good defense behind me. Just a good team win.”
May was especially pumped about escaping his final inning with only one run allowed, striking out Pavin Smith in a critical moment.
“That was huge for my mental [game],” May said. “To come off with only one and give the guys a better chance… that meant a lot.”
When asked if he feels like he’s finally getting back into the rhythm of a regular season, May admitted it’s been a while since he’s made this many starts consecutively—but now, he’s starting to settle in.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve thrown eight starts,” he said. “But I’m getting back into the spots I feel like I need to. Being able to come in every day, get my work in, and replicate things on the mound—that’s what it’s about.”
Despite the game’s intensity—against a division rival and a lineup that’s given him problems in the past—May downplayed the stakes. He treats every opponent the same.
“I look at every start the same. Doesn’t matter who I’m facing. I’m just trying to give my best,” he said. “They’re a really good team, but I go out there with the same mindset every time.”
In back-to-back games, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Dustin May gave the Dodgers 13 combined innings of dominant pitching, providing much-needed rest for a bullpen that had been overworked in recent weeks.
“I take a lot of pride in backing up Yamamoto,” May said. “He went seven last night, I went six tonight. I would’ve liked to go back out there, but I understand the decision.”
The Dodgers head into an off-day and a tough road trip with their rotation clicking, their bullpen reset, and their confidence high.
And Dustin May? He looks like he’s all the way back.
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