The Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason pitching excellence hit historic levels Sunday in a Game 1 win over the New York Mets in the NLCS.
The Dodgers mauled the Mets in a 9-0 drubbing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif.
Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty was completely locked in for the series opener. He shut out the Mets’ hitters, giving up just three hits across seven innings pitched. The Dodgers’ bullpen kept the scoreless streak going over the final two innings.
Dodgers pitching entered Sunday’s game with 24 straight scoreless innings, extending to the team’s NLDS matchup against the San Diego Padres. After another nine spotless innings against the Mets, the Dodgers’ pitching staff tied the 1966 Baltimore Orioles for the longest run of scoreless innings in MLB postseason history.
The @Dodgers pitchers are on an unbelievable run 👏 pic.twitter.com/6UCLcGQzF1
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2024
The @Dodgers close out Game 1 and tie the #postseason record with 33 consecutive scoreless innings! pic.twitter.com/2pkeSSV02O
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2024
The feat is all the more impressive given the abundance of injuries that have plagued the Dodgers’ rotation throughout the year. Top-end starters Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, and Gavin Stone have all been ruled out for the rest of the season. The Dodgers also lost one of their top relievers to injury in Game 5 of the NLDS against the Padres.
The Dodgers are going with a bullpen game for Monday’s Game 2. Whichever pitcher Dave Roberts opts to go with for the first inning will have a chance to make MLB playoff history.
