Dodgers, Buehler secure NL West title
The Los Angeles Dodgers locked up the NL West with their 7-2 win over the San Diego Padres, and now the question is whether they will prevail in the playoffs.
Walker Buehler had one of his best outings of the season and now appears to be the most logical choice to be the third starter in the postseason. He gave up one run over five innings and kept the Dodgers in it on a night when the bats were asleep early.
He only had one strikeout on the evening, but it was big. In the third inning, Buehler got a first-pitch slider by Fernando Tatis Jr. for a swing-and-miss to start the at-bat. After nearly hitting Tatis on two consecutive pitches, he returned to the slider for another swing and miss, followed by a strike three looking.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was the driving force in leading the team to the NL West Division title in 2024. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
He seems to have found his confidence in the slider that made him so deadly before the injury.
"He pitched great in a time that we needed him. He stepped up, took the ball, and gave us a great chance to win, and then the bullpen came in and really shut it down for us," said Mookie Betts. "Walker was amazing, and he knows we are going to need him coming down the stretch."
Will Smith woke up the offense in the seventh inning with a two-run homer that evened the score at 2-2. From there, it once again became the Shohei Ohtani show. The NL MVP knocked in Kike Hernandez to take the lead and then came around to score on a Betts single. The narrative from the beginning of the season that Ohtani is not clutch was a myth.
"This is the first step, winning the NL West. There are a bunch of good teams. Beating the Padres is great, and it feels really good to celebrate," said Smith.
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Despite currently having the best record in all of baseball, it has felt like a struggle to get to the finish line. The regular season has in no way been perfect, but they have done just enough to enter the postseason as the odds-on favorite to win the World Series.
The offense should not be an issue for Los Angeles. They are second in the league in on-base percentage and runs scored while hitting the third most home runs. Ohtani and Betts are two of the best hitters in the sport, and the rest of their lineup is comprised of studs. From top to bottom, they are the most feared lineup entering October.
Often the Achilles heal in years past for the Dodgers, the bullpen has been top tier this year and is cooking at the perfect time. Alex Vesia, Evan Philips, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda, and flamethrower Michael Kopech (acquired at the trade deadline) have given Dave Robert four pitchers he can have complete confidence in to shut it down at the end of games. All four have been lockdown, with Joe Kelly and Daniel Hudson also being solid options in a pinch.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts looks to connect on a pitch. Photo credit: Dennis J. Freeman/News4usonline
The Dodgers starting pitching will determine how far the team can advance. It has been a struggle both in terms of health and performance. It looked to be a strength coming into the year, but it has turned into an extremely worrisome situation.
Their two wins leaders, Tyler Glasnow (9) and Gavin Stone (11), are likely done for the year. Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA) and Bobby Miller (2-4, 8.52 ERA) have massively disappointed, and Clayton Kershaw is a long shot to get back to full health.
A lot is riding on the shoulders of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jack Flaherty. They have been excellent and will give Los Angeles at least two quality starters at the front end of the rotation.
Buehler and Landon Knack are in line to be the third and fourth starters. Knack had a promising beginning to the season but has given up nine runs over his last eleven innings pitched. The rookie likely does not give the team much confidence if he is forced to start a crucial playoff game.
The old Walker Buehler is in there somewhere, and he popped his head out tonight. If he has something more to give in 2024, the postseason would be a great time to make it happen.
Returning to form after elbow surgery is different for every player, and it takes time. We might not see the guy this year who was considered one of the best younger pitchers in the game from 2018-2021, but for three or four starts when the adrenaline is the highest, it is possible we do.
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The Dodgers have one more series to play before what will hopefully be a deep playoff run. They have as good of a shot as ever to raise a trophy and keep the celebration rolling.
"I am hoping to continue to be able to pop more champaign," said Ohtani. "It stung a little bit in my eyes, but hopefully, it didn't cause too much damage."
Top Image Caption: LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22),Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (21) and his teammates after clinching the West Division crown after winning the MLB game between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 26, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)
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