The Los Angeles Dodgers are on the brink of elimination. Manager Dave Roberts is banking on a team effort from his pitching staff to keep their season alive.
The Dodgers lost to the Padres 6-5 Tuesday in Game 3 of their NLDS matchup at Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.
The Padres did their damage in the bottom of the 2nd, scoring all six of their runs against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler in the half-inning. Sloppy defense from the Dodgers allowed it all to happen, which later had Buehler raging in the dugout.
Buehler was charged with seven hits and six earned runs in the loss.
After the contest, Roberts informed reporters of his plans to ride the team’s bullpen in Game 4. The veteran skipper decided against going back to Game 1 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto on short rest.
#Dodgers are going with a bullpen game tomorrow. Manager Dave Roberts didn’t say who would get the first inning.
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) October 9, 2024
The Padres announced that former Cy Young runner-up Dylan Cease would be on the mound for Game 4.
Both Yamamoto and Game 2 starter Jack Flaherty would be available if the Dodgers are able to force a Game 5.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was stellar during the regular season with a 3.53 ERA that ranked fourth-best in the majors. Los Angeles’ bullpen pitched four shutout innings in the Game 3 loss. The team’s relievers entered Tuesday with a 4.26 ERA through three 2024 postseason games.
The Dodgers’ rotation has been decimated by injuries this season. With their season on the line, health issues have come back to haunt the team.
