Jake Dicker
Game 5.
Although “Game 5” doesn’t hold the same weight that “Game 7” (best two words in sports) does, the stakes are the same.
Win or go home.
In order to advance in the 2019 Postseason, the Dodgers will need to crack Stephen Strasburg who quieted the Dodger offense earlier in this series. In his Game 2 start, Strasburg gave up one run and three hits while striking out ten batters over six innings of work. The Dodgers failed to put a runner aboard until Will Smith singled with two outs in the 5th. Strasburg was dominant, and was followed by Nationals ace Max Scherzer. Scherzer struck out the side in what seemed to be an effortless 7th inning. Because Scherzer threw 109 pitches yesterday, it is incredibly unlikely that he makes an appearance in Game 5. Patrick Corbin threw out of the bullpen in Game 3, and struggled, to be blunt. Corbin gave up six earned runs while recording only two outs. Corbin is a definite possibility to relieve Strasburg, but considering he has thrown 142 pitches this week, he should be very limited at best. The Dodgers should be salivating at the sight of any reliever coming out of Washington’s dumpster fire they call a bullpen.
The Dodgers are in a much better situation when it comes to pitching. Walker Buehler is taking the mound, and he was just as, if not more dominant in Game 1 than Strasburg was in Game 2. Buehler was electric. Over six innings, he gave up only one hit while punching out eight. He did not give up a run. The Dodgers are going to squeeze all they can out of Buehler, but will not be hesitant to hand the ball of to the bullpen. Both Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu are available out of the bullpen tomorrow. If Buehler finds himself in trouble early, Kershaw is almost guaranteed to make an appearance. I would be surprised to see Ryu, but he is available. Regardless, with the off day between games 4 and 5, the bullpen should be ready to roll. It is all hands on deck.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has announced that Will Smith will start behind the plate tomorrow, but has remained quiet on all other lineup issues.
For those upset that it will not be Russell Martin behind the plate, it is important to note that Martin has only caught Buehler for nine innings all season. In those nine innings, Walker has given up nine earned runs. I don’t really think there is much correlation between the catcher and Buehler’s numbers, but the last thing the Dodgers want is Buehler uncomfortable on the mound.
First pitch is at 5:37 PST. To quote Greg Bergman of ESPN LA and Blue Review, #DodgersWinOnWednesday. Go Dodgers.
