Dodgers Preview: Ohtani & Raleigh Square Off in Final Regular Season Series

SEATTLE, WA—Rejoice, Dodgers fans, as the regular season is finally approaching its end with the Los Angeles Dodgers yet to play their final three games against the American League West champion Seattle Mariners.

The Dodgers are coming off the heels of clinching their 12th National League West division title in the last thirteen seasons, and with the number two seed in the National League out of reach, the Dodgers will host the three-game Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium this upcoming Tuesday.

So, this three-game set versus Seattle has little impact for Los Angeles, as their seeding is all but set; all they’re waiting for now is their opponent, which could be either the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, or Arizona Diamondbacks.

As for the Mariners, the team has already secured a top two seed in the American League, but they’re just one game back of the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees for the top seed and homefield advantage throughout the postseason.

So, they’ll have a bit more to play for than the Dodgers this weekend.

Still, the Dodgers would like to end the season on a high note, and they’ve been playing great baseball as of late, winning six out of their last ten games played, securing a postseason berth, and winning the NL West crown.

Still, the team is just two games over .500 this month with a record of 12-10, but their next battle over the weekend is sorting out the bullpen, staying healthy, and lining up their starting rotation/pitching staff for Tuesday’s Wild Card series.

Despite not much being in play for both teams, it’ll be a great series of two likely MVP favorites in two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani in the National League and switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh in the American League.

The Dodgers will be doing their fair share of scoreboard watching this weekend as they wait for the winner of the number six seed in the NL to determine their matchup in the postseason.

Game One: Emmet Sheehan (6-3, 2.86 ERA) vs George Kirby (10-7, 4.42 ERA)

Game Two: Tyler Glasnow (4-3, 3.30 ERA) vs Logan Gilbert (6-6, 3.43 ERA)

Game Three: Clayton Kershaw (LHP) (10-2, 3.52 ERA) vs Bryce Miller (4-5, 5.53 ERA)

Game Times

Game One: 6:40 PM PT, SportsNet LA, ROOTNW

Game Two: 6:40 PM PT, SportsNet LA, ROOTNW

Game Three: 12:10 PM PT, SportsNet LA, ROOTNW

Who’s in & Who’s Out?

Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Dodgers placed veteran right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates on the 15-day injured list due to a lingering hamstring strain, likely ending the 38-year-old’s season.

Yates being placed on the IL opened up a spot for 23-year-old rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki, who tossed a scoreless frame in Wednesday’s win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sasaki had been out since mid-May, and with the starting rotation full of arms, he and Clayton Kershaw will work from the bullpen this October.

All eyes are on Dodgers All-Star catcher Will Smith, who was placed on the 10-day injured list for a right-hand injury suffered in early September.

After another round of scans, it was revealed that Smith had a microfracture in his upper right hand, which was causing the lingering pain.

The Dodgers hope Smith can play in the first round of the postseason this upcoming Tuesday, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his status is uncertain.

Right-handed pitcher Brock Stewart is another arm the Dodgers were expected to activate during the Diamondbacks series, but it appears he’s suffered another setback due to his right shoulder injury.

Stewart had continued throwing, but Roberts stated he’s still feeling soreness, which is why the team is hesitant to activate him. It remains unlikely he’ll pitch during the regular season, and his status for the postseason is doubtful.

Day-to-day (00):

10-day Injured List (1): Will Smith

15-day Injured List (1): Brock Stewart

60-day Injured List (7): Tony Gonsolin, Brusdar Graterol, Michael Grove, Gavin Stone, River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Evan Phillips

As the Mariners enter the final three days of the regular season, their roster is relatively healthy, and they’ll have extended rest after clinching a top-two seed in the American League.

However, one arm the Dodgers won’t see this weekend is right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo, one of the Mariners’ most dependable arms in their starting rotation.

Woo has been the model of consistency, pitching into the sixth inning or later in nearly every start this season.

The right-hander is dealing with pectoral tightness and missed his scheduled start on September 25th. Woo won’t be placed on the 15-day injured list, but it’s unlikely he will appear again in the regular season.

Right-handed pitcher Gregory Santos is also nearing a return to the major league roster after missing the entire season due to right knee surgery.

Santos has tossed four innings while on rehab assignment and could be activated this weekend or added to the Mariners’ postseason roster if Seattle needs a fresh bullpen arm.

Right-handed pitcher Logan Evans is also inching toward a return after being placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Evans began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on September 16th and tossed one inning with one walk and one strikeout in a scoreless frame.

Day-to-day (1): Bryan Woo

10-day Injured List (00):

15-day Injured List (2): Logan Evans, Jackson Kowar

60-day Injured List (3): Ryan Bliss, Gregory Santos, Trent Thorton

Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!