One of the many goals for MLB teams in this final stretch of the season is to head into the postseason in peak form, fully clicking to chase glory in October. And it seems the Los Angeles Dodgers can intimidate any opponent with the recent performance of their pitchers.
Dave Roberts must be thrilled, and understandably so-his starting pitchers are performing at their absolute best.
The incredible performance of the Dodgers’ pitchers
Over the last five games, the Dodgers‘ starting pitchers have combined for 49 strikeouts, limiting opponents to a .091 batting average-meaning just one batter reaches base for every 10 at-bats against them. According to OptaSTATS, this marks the only time in the modern era that an MLB team has recorded at least 45 strikeouts while holding opponents to a batting average below .100 over a five-game span.
This streak began when Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched 8.2 innings against the Baltimore Orioles, striking out 10 batters while allowing just one earned run-a home run by Jackson Holliday-and breaking up a no-hitter. That loss was the only blemish in this historic five-game stretch, as the very next day, Clayton Kershaw secured a win with 5.2 innings, eight strikeouts, and two earned runs allowed.
Tyler Glasnow followed with a standout performance, recording 11 strikeouts and allowing just one earned run. The hot streak continued against the Colorado Rockies, thanks to the outings of Emmet Sheehan (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 K) and Blake Snell (6 IP, 0 ER, 11 K), who secured additional wins for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have now won four consecutive games, and Dave Roberts must be more than pleased, though he himself noted that the team now needs “the offense to step up.”
The Dodgers are looking to widen their lead over the San Diego Padres, who have closed the gap in the National League West. As mentioned, the pitchers’ strong momentum comes at the perfect time, heading into a postseason where they aim to repeat as World Series champions.
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