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Opening Day 2022: Mile High Smile! Dodgers Defeat Rockies

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You know they say it can take a mile to make a smile. The Dodgers were all smiles in the mile high after their 5-3 win over the Rockies on Opening Day. It only took getting their first come from behind win of the season.  Notching their first win in the Freddie Freeman era wasn’t easy in that god awful ball park but the Dodgers had one big inning putting five runs on the board in the top of the fourth to erase a 3-2 deficit. It was Gavin Lux, my new whipping boy who came through with the game-tying hit in that frame. Lux’s two-run knock up the middle tied the game. For what it’s worth he reached base three times (two walks) and scored a run. How about that?! An RBI double from Mookie Betts, and a two-run ground ball single from Trea Turner brought in the rest of the runs (one scored on a wild pitch) for the boys in blue.

Starting pitcher Walker Buehler tossed five effective innings, holding Colorado to two runs on four hits with five punch-outs and two walks. He ran into trouble early when he allowed an RBI single to Jose Iglesias and an RBI ground out from Randall Grichuk scored the second run. It was good enough to earn the win. Opposing starter Kyle Freeland flummoxed the Dodgers early on with a flurry of off-speed stuff, but the Dodgers knocked him out of the game in that wild fourth inning. He still tallied six strikeouts. The Dodger bullpen took it the rest of the way.

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Four relievers Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Daniel Hudson and new closer Craig Kimbrel threw four innings of one-run ball allowing just three hits and striking out five. Yes I know Kimbrel allowed a meaningless run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but he still got the save, his first as a Dodger. I know there are a lot of people who don’t like him for whatever reason, but I think we should give him a chance. I’ll miss AJ Pollock too, but Kimbrel is a Dodger now and we must support him.

 

Freddie Freeman’s first game in Dodger Blue was a success. He was 1 for 3 with a single, walk, and scored a run. Chris Taylor recorded two hits and the Dodgers were 2 for 8 with runners in scoring position while leaving nine men on base. All things considered it was a successful opening day. Here’s to a successful season. Go Blue in 2022

Scott Andes

Scott Andes: Longtime writer and Dodger fanatic

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Scott Andes
Scott Andes: Longtime writer and Dodger fanatic
https://ladodgerreport.com

9 thoughts on “Opening Day 2022: Mile High Smile! Dodgers Defeat Rockies

  1. A great Opening Day!

    The potential of this lineup is scary, as they still show evidence of wiping off the cobwebs, due to short spring. No excuses, as all teams had to deal with the lockout. Just have to be patient, and this team will soon be firing on all cylinders. DR must find the lineup combination that works the best, and stick with it. The only negative right now is the struggling Bellinger. With AJ gone, the Dodgers need Belli’s glove in the lineup…. Just got to get his bat going.

    I still am worried about the rotation. Much will depend on a healthy Kershaw, so I see the Dodgers having a 2 1/2 – 3-Man rotation right now. I still have very little faith in the 4th and 5th starters, so middle relief will have to be able to carry the load until the Dodgers establish a legitimate rotation. DR has to be careful, not to burn out his pitching staff, so he needs to lengthen his leash on both starters and middle relievers. Kimbrel can prove to be a viable replacement for Kenley, as long as DR does not burn him out with non-save, or 6-out save situations. Treinen can hold his own as a the set-up man for Kimbrel.

    I see a big roster move coming soon. Probably another starter. Until then, GO Dodgers!

  2. Well, Dodgers lackadaisical play results in a series loss to the Rockies.

    Should we be worried? Damn right, we should.

    I know, Colorado is not the most friendly place to open up the season, but I am done with these lame excuses, and finger pointing. Both teams had to deal with the same issues, regarding weather, altitude, stadium size, etc. Sure, Urias struggled, but he definitely got no help from his teammates, a victim of sloppy defense and blown scoring opportunities. Who doesn’t struggle in Colorado? Sorry, you can’t blame Urias this time. Same old Dodgers. Off to a slow start, as usual. Did the Dodgers take the shortened Spring seriously? I wish the Dodgers would not appear to approach Spring Training as a vacation or picnic, and then make excuses for their shortcomings.

    Tyler Anderson and Mitch White did commendable jobs in their mop up efforts. Gonsolin gave me what I expected. I do not think he has it, especially as the #2 starter of the series. Urias was basically a victim of lack of support by a no-show offense, and sloppy defense. I have no doubt Julio will bounce back. Who knows what we will get from Kershaw or Heaney. Poor Mitch White, always gets thrown into the fire, as he inherits RISP, and no outs. he gets Dodgers out of the jam, and then pitches 3.2 strong innings. Then the Dodgers might play the “Mitch White Rule” and before he can take a shower, they send him back to OKC…. “Thanks, but No Thanks, Mitch”.

    Can the Dodgers survive with Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, Gonsolin, and Heaney? Probably not, especially if any of the top three (Buehler, Urias, or Kershaw) cannot remain healthy, they currently have no Plan B. I have absolutely no faith at all, in Gonsolin or Heaney.

    The potentially potent Dodger offense is struggling to find its’ identity, as DR continues to roll the dice, to find the right winning batting order and combination. The “Big Bats” failing to get the ball in play when scoring opportunities arise.

    Then, last but not least, a scheduled day off for CT3 in only the second game of the season? Seriously, DR? Taylor just went 2-4 in game one! Then Taylor comes off the bench and goes 2-3, but cold defensively in game 3, pulling splinters out of his a**, and makes costly mistakes in the outfield. Could have used CT3’s bat in game 2 for sure!

    Oh well, still early in the season, but no room for excuses.

    1. Worried about pitching? “Damn Right”

      Heaney down for the count (no surprise here). So, down to just three legit starters… Kershaw, Buehler, and Urias, with Buehler still searching, starting pitching still praying for early run support. Kershaw’s great start of season…. Can he keep it up?
      IMHO, Gonsolin still on the fence, Price is washed up (now down with COVID). Anderson better at middle relief. Treinen to IL with sore arm?

      Worried about Mookie, JT, and Muncy? “damn Right”

      Luckily, this lineup is stacked. Cannot expect “all” to be firing in sync, but RISP is still an Achilles Heel. Late inning rallies are nice, but early inning stagnant offense is a strain on the starting pitching. Good to see Belli just going for contact and putting ball in play…. The HR’s will come, as evident. With Humidors, the balls are dead, and the Dodgers have to forget launch angle, and just put ball in play.

      This is a powerful team offensively, if they just use their heads. Pitching is suspect, especially starting rotation.

      1. You’re right Scott. With Heaney down, the Dodgers are down to 3 starters, and Gonsolin. Gonsolin is a good pitcher, don’t get me wrong. But he expends way too many bullets, and puts a strain on the bullpen. Without 5 solid starters, the bullpen will be out of gas before the all-star break (Treinen already experiencing arm problems). Great to see Buehler “allowed” to pitch a gutsy complete game shutout (just dominated the struggling D-Backs, though). I hope Kershaw and Urias can stay healthy.

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