The Los Angeles Dodgers performed well enough during the 2024 regular season to earn the best record in Major League Baseball. With that come a set of perks that include home-field advantage through the World series, along with a postseason bye into the National League Division Series.
A sticking point with being one of the top-two seeds in the postseason is the layoff period between the end of the regular season and start of the NLDS. Several teams who have been in this position have bowed out early, including the Dodgers, failing to get themselves off to hot starts.
Simulated games, live batting practice and cage work are all helpful tools, but the Dodgers joined a majority of teams to incorporate the use of the Trajekt Arc machine that mimic a pitcher’s exact arsenal.
Manager Dave Roberts touted its use as invaluable due to helping even the playing field a bit, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“It’s a great tool,” manager Dave Roberts said. “A lot of those guys are in there all the time. It just gives you that real live look at a pitcher.”
Will Smith noted the benefit of using the Trajekt Arc, even though it isn’t perfect:
“Obviously, it’s still a machine,” Smith said. “You’re not actually seeing [the ball come out of] the hand.”
Yet, Smith noted, “it’s the best option out there.”
In a game scenario, there won’t be times when players can just adapt on the fly. Chris Taylor likened it to being a hitter’s way of getting ahead of the battle:
“Pitchers have all these [tools] they use,” Taylor said. “So it’s nice for us to be catching up a little bit.”
To Taylor, Trajekt pitches sometimes feel “firmer and quicker” than facing a real pitcher. As a result, “guys have said when they get in the game, it slows the ball down,” Taylor added.
The Dodgers’ NLDS matchup is with the San Diego Padres, whose roster features pitchers with some of the nastiest stuff in the league.
Having to increase their intensity is what the Dodgers have worked toward doing before the NLDS, and the Trajekt Arc tech is likely playing a role in their day-to-day plan.
Dodgers NLDS schedule
Saturday, Oct. 5: Game 1, 5:38 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Sunday, Oct. 6: Game 2, 5:08 p.m. PT, Dodger Stadium, FS1
Tuesday, Oct. 8: Game 3, Petco Park, TBD
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Game 4*, Petco Park, TBD
Friday, Oct. 11: Game 5*, Dodger Stadium
*if necessary
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