In Globe Life Field, the Dodgers knew the Rangers had assembled a team that was built to outslug opponents, and with Jacob DeGrom on the mound, the Rangers probably had some confidence coming into this game. Yoshinobu Yamamoto had other ideas and not only outpitched Degrom but kept the Rangers off the board during his outing. Yoshi has cemented his status as the ace of the Dodgers ‘ pitching staff, which is quite an accomplishment considering the area in the Dodgers ‘ rotation. Tommy Tanks continued his power surge and opened the game with his seventh home run of the season which now leads all of the majors and the game stayed 1-0 until the ninth when who other but Tommy Edman gets his third hit of the nig. With a wild throw to Rangers first baseman Burger, Edman heads into second. Freddie Freeman was intentionally walked, and Chris Taylor came in to pinch run. Teoscar Hernandez comes up big with a line drive to right that brings Edman home. After a walk by Michael Conforto, Chris Taylor is brought home on a sac fly from Will Smith to make the game 3-0, Dodgers. The ninth inning got a little entertaining as Tanner Scott came in to try and get the save after a stellar shutout eight innings by Kirby Yates. Former Dodger Corey Seager leads off the inning with a line drive single, and Kevin Pillar grounds into a force out with Seager out at second. Adolis Garcia lines a single to the left, putting Kevin Pillar on second. What follows is a fantastic finish to the game as Rangers Jonah Heim grounds to third baseman Max Muncy who gets it to Edman who then turns it to Kike and the game ends on the double play.
It was a tight game throughout, though you never felt like the Dodgers were going to lose, as Yoshi just demonstrated that calm and cool attitude on the mound, and watching the game, you knew he would shut out the Rangers as the night went on. Kirby Yates continues to be lights out, and even though the ninth got a little tight on the basepaths, Tanner Scott stayed calm and collected and finished the game out, and the boys in blue open up their three-game series by getting the first win. This is a battle between the last two teams to win the World Series, but what was surprising is that Globe Life Field seemed like Dodger Stadium, Texas edition. I want to say half the crowd were wearing Dodger blue, and even chants of Freddie Freddie broke out during the game. There is no doubt that the Dodger fanbase travels well and has always been well represented, but knowing from experience, I know that my home state of Oklahoma is starting to bleed Dodger blue thanks to OKC and Tulsa being the minor league teams of the Dodgers. Quite a few made the trip down to Texas to watch the Dodgers.
As Roki Sasaki takes on the Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi, tomorrow should be a fun game. Shohei Ohtani was placed on paternity leave today and did not travel with the team to Texas due to the upcoming birth of his first child. He will most likely not be making the start tomorrow, but Sunday may be possible. The offense should look to attack Eovaldi fast and early tomorrow, as he likes to get ahead with his fastball and then unleash his slider and curveball to rack up strikeouts. Roki will need to pitch his game and continue to build off his starts as he is learning the league for the first time, and use that to his advantage as the league will have to adjust to him as well. The fact that Yoshi continues to improve each time he is out is just downright impressive. Stopping the Rangers and their sluggers is something to hang your hat on. The bullpen continues to impress, and you have to feel good when the starter hands the ball over, knowing that when they have the lead, they will keep it. Let’s see tomorrow if even more Dodger fans show up for a Saturday game down in Texas, and maybe a chant of Mookie Mookie can break out tomorrow. The Dodgers have won four in a row, and let’s see if they can make it five tomorrow. Until next time, keep bleeding blue.
Clay Gregory
Growing up and living in Oklahoma I fell in love with the game of baseball from an early age from playing T ball through High School. I have always had an admiration for the Boys in Blue with how the Dodger Way is the right way to play the game. Tommy Lasorda is my favorite manager of all time and my all-time favorite players are Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Sandy Koufax, Pedro Guerrero, Mike Piazza and Clayton Kershaw. I am enamored with Dodgers history from the Brooklyn days when they were Dem Bums to the days of Fernandomania to Mannywood and beyond. Vin Scully will always be the best announcer the game has ever seen and it will always be time for Dodger baseball. I am married to the love of my life Melissa who gave me the inspiration to actually take on this crazy idea of writing about the Dodgers and without her support I would not be able to do what I love. My cousin Zach Chase and uncle John Chase for being a Dodger encyclopedia and sharing their knowledge with me. I will bring my perspective and love for the team to readers and I will most likely have spelling errors from time to time but I promise ill do my best on it. I want to bring you a unique perspective on your favorite team and also throw some humor along the way. I love to talk about baseball with anybody who will listen and I look forward to the Dodgers going back-to-back in their quest for another World Series Championship. Dodger Blue through and through.
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