Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers headed into New York for one of those series everyone marks off on their calendars. Dodgers versus Yankees always feels bigger than a typical regular season matchup. It doesn’t matter what month it is. The energy is simply different. Every game feels like it means a little more, and this weekend definitely delivered.
Blake Snell Begins His Rehab Assignment
Before the first pitch was even thrown, there was already a reason to get hyped. Blake Snell officially started his rehab assignment. I won’t lie, I was probably more excited than I should’ve been. I love Blake Snell, so seeing him get one step closer to returning totally made my day. The Dodgers have dealt with more than enough pitching injuries over the past few seasons. Hopefully this is the start of getting one of their biggest arms back on the mound.
If you were expecting Dodgers versus Yankees to turn into a home run derby, Friday’s 2-1 game definitely wasn’t that. Honestly, I kind of loved it. It was one of those gritty games where a single mistake could have changed everything, making every pitch feel incredibly important.
Roki Sasaki looked way more comfortable in Yankee Stadium than I expected. It’s not exactly an easy place to make a start, but he never looked rattled. Throwing five innings, allowing just one run, and striking out five is a pretty good day against a lineup like New York’s. It was another reminder of why there is so much excitement around him. He kept his composure in a loud, high-pressure environment, which is a tough thing to pull off.
While the offense didn’t have a huge night, Max Muncy came through with a game-changing home run. Muncy always seems to find a way to deliver a timely hit even when people start questioning him; he usually answers back sooner or later.
Rain Delays Saturday’s Matchup
Then came Saturday, and nobody even got to watch baseball because the game was postponed. Rain delays are just part of baseball, but they are still annoying. You get ready to watch, check the lineup, and then spend the rest of the day refreshing your phone waiting for updates. The postponement meant Sunday turned into a doubleheader, which is always fun for fans but definitely much tougher on the players.
Yamamoto Leads the Dodgers on Sunday
Game one of the double header on Sunday was probably the Dodgers’ best performance of the weekend. They won 8-2, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto was absolutely incredible. Honestly, this might have been one of my favorite starts from him this season.
Yamamoto was incredible. He went the distance, pitching all nine innings while giving up just four hits and two runs, and striking out seven. Complete games are rare these days, which made it even cooler to watch. Everyone already knows how talented he is, but performances like this remind you why the hype is so real. One thing I really admire is that he always looks ready for whatever challenge is in front of him. You can tell he wants to give his team everything he has every time he pitches, and seeing him throw a complete game against the Yankees made the win even better.
The Dodgers’ offense backed him perfectly, staying aggressive, putting pressure on New York early, and never really letting them back into the game. Scoring eight runs against the Yankees is never something to complain about.
Dodgers Split Sunday’s Doubleheader
The second game, however, looked completely different.
Since it was the back half of a doubleheader, the Dodgers went with a bullpen game. Will Klein got the first inning, allowing one run on three hits while striking out one. Bullpen games are always unpredictable. Sometimes they work perfectly, and sometimes they turn into a challenge because so many different pitchers have to step up and contribute.
The Dodgers ended up losing 2-1, but honestly, splitting the doubleheader after already winning Friday still meant they took the series. You are not going to win every game against a team like the Yankees, so taking two out of three on the road is a successful weekend.
Tommy Edman provided the biggest offensive highlight for the Dodgers in game two with a home run. One thing I appreciate about Edman is that he never tries to do too much. He just plays solid baseball, makes smart plays, gives good at-bats, and somehow always seems to be in the middle of something positive. He has become one of those players you notice more and more every week.
Looking Ahead
Looking back at the series, my biggest takeaway is still the pitching. Sasaki gave the Dodgers a quality start on Friday. Yamamoto completely dominated on Sunday afternoon, and even in the loss, the bullpen kept the game close enough to give the offense a fighting chance. It also stands out how this team keeps finding different ways to win. Whether it’s decided by lights-out pitching, an offensive breakout, or staying competitive during a bullpen game. That balance is a huge reason why the Dodgers are such a difficult team to beat over the course of a long season.
The news about Snell beginning his rehab assignment makes everything even more interesting. If he comes back healthy, the Dodgers could add another huge piece to a rotation that is already showing signs of getting stronger, which is probably the most exciting part moving forward.
Overall, this was a really entertaining weekend of baseball. We got a close opener, a frustrating rainout, a dominant complete game from Yamamoto, and a competitive finish to cap it off. The Dodgers left New York with a series win, which is really all you can ask for when playing one of the best teams in baseball on the road. If this weekend showed anything, it is that this Dodgers team keeps finding ways to put itself in a good position. With injured players slowly working their way back, there is still plenty to be excited about.
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Tags: Blake Snell LAXSN Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy MLB Roki Sasaki Tommy Edman Will Klein Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Categorized:Dodgers