The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, and in doing so remained undefeated since the All-Star break.
The Dodgers have looked like a different team since play resumed last Friday. They had dropped six of their last seven games heading into the All-Star break, which included being swept by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the club was simply fatigued and needed a reset, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I think for us, we just ran out of gas,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of the 1-6 finish to the first half. “But even in that last game, there was a chance. We should have still won the series. But we just ran out of gas against the Tigers over there. And Philly, I think we just didn’t play well. I thought we were just outplayed there.”
Gavin Lux, who has been swinging a hot as of late, also believes the Dodgers benefited from the time off:
Lux called the four-day break “a good mental re-set” for everyone.
“Obviously … that week before the break wasn’t great so I think we all just had a nice little reset and we’ve been playing good team baseball top to bottom and it’s been fun the last five days,” he said. “Baseball is about momentum so try to keep it rolling off these wins.”
One key to the Dodgers’ turnaround has been improved starting pitching, which Roberts highlighted:
“It’s been a huge part,” Roberts said. “I think if you look at the stretches where we win baseball games, we’re getting quality starts. Maybe not by the letter of the law quality starts (six innings, three runs or fewer) but we’re getting good starts. And when we don’t, we go through those kind of ruts, we’re just not getting quality starting pitching.”
Dodgers starting pitchers have allowed just five earned runs in 24.2 innings during the five-game winning streak (1.82 ERA).
The team has received solid starts from the likes of Justin Wrobleski, Landon Knack and River Ryan at a time when many notable pitchers are on the injured list.
However, reinforcements are on the way as Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw return this week. Furthermore, the Dodgers figure to acquire at least one starter before the July 30 trade deadline.
Clayton Kershaw eager to return to Dodgers rotation
Kershaw, who is set to make his 2024 debut on Thursday against the Giants, is excited to rejoin the Dodgers rotation and plans to be a positive addition.
“I never expected just to try to come back and not help or contribute,” Kershaw said after a second rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
“I wanted to come back and be a part of something special and contribute. Regardless of if we have eight starters or what we have now, I want to be a part of it and be one of the best five guys that we have.
“Go out there and pitch every fifth day and be good. That’s always been my mindset, regardless of what’s going on. But obviously right now we’re in a little bit of dire straits and we need to hold on a little bit. Like I said, if they need me now, I’ll be ready.”
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