Sports
Dodgers’ pitching might be even better than their hitting: Takeaways from Padres series
To this point this season, the Dodgers offense has been underneath the brightest highlight.
With former MVPs and perennial All-Stars dotting the batting order, that group has seemingly acquired essentially the most consideration in the course of the staff’s 11-4 begin to the season, which now consists of 4 consecutive sequence victories after the Dodgers took two of three from the San Diego Padres this weekend.
Certainly, the Dodgers bats have been productive. They rank eighth within the majors in batting common (.245), sixth in on-base-plus-slugging share (.737) and fifth in dwelling runs (17). They’ve been the perfect staff in baseball with runners in scoring place, batting .305 in such conditions.
Most essential, they’re averaging 5.47 runs per sport, greater than some other staff within the huge leagues.
“That is the craziest lineup I’ve been a part of,” Cody Bellinger stated.
And but …
By way of two weeks, the Dodgers pitching has been simply pretty much as good — if not higher.
Getting into Monday, the staff ranked first in MLB in earned-run common (2.22), walks and hits per inning (0.95) and batting common in opposition to (.191). They’re thirteenth in strikeouts however have issued the fewest walks, amounting to the perfect strikeout-to-walk fee within the majors (3.91). And in most video games, they’ve been stifling, holding opponents to 3 runs or fewer in 13 of 15 video games thus far.
Listed here are 5 takeaways on that and extra because the Dodgers head right into a three-game sequence in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks this week.
Finest on the mound
There have been few bother spots from any a part of the Dodgers pitching employees thus far.
Their rotation has been terrific, with solely Walker Buehler — the opening-day ace and arguably essentially the most gifted arm on the staff — at the moment proudly owning an ERA above 3.00.
Their bullpen has been lights out, blowing just one late-inning lead so far (in a sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds the Dodgers went on to win by six runs anyway).
The underlying numbers have been stellar as effectively, with the Dodgers giving up the bottom fee of “onerous hit” balls and lowest common exit velocity, in keeping with Baseball Savant.
This weekend was maybe their greatest displaying on the mound but.
Julio Urías gave up one run in 5 innings in opposition to the Padres on Friday.
(Mike McGinnis / Related Press)
In opposition to a banged-up however strong Padres lineup, Julio Urías gave up one run in 5 innings Friday. Tyler Anderson crammed in for the injured Andrew Heaney on Saturday with a 4 ⅔-inning, two-run outing. Clayton Kershaw continued his robust begin to the marketing campaign Sunday, pitching 5 innings whereas giving up just one run.
The relievers have been even higher. Regardless of lacking Blake Treinen due to an harm, dropping David Worth on Sunday to a constructive coronavirus take a look at and calling upon nearer Craig Kimbrel for just one inning on the finish of Sunday’s blowout, the group mixed to surrender just one earned run in 13 innings throughout the sequence.
Bullpen depth rising
Even earlier than the ultimate two video games of this week’s sequence, supervisor Dave Roberts had a declaration to make about this 12 months’s bullpen.
“It’s the deepest bullpen we’ve had since I’ve been right here,” he stated.
Certainly, in the course of the first couple of weeks, the Dodgers have acquired manufacturing from virtually each reliever who has taken the mound.
Kimbrel and fellow newly acquired veteran Daniel Hudson have settled in properly. Kimbrel has transformed all three of his save alternatives. Hudson additionally has a save and hasn’t but given up a run.
Brusdar Graterol has proven indicators of improvement. Due to early consistency along with his 100 mph two-seamer and elevated reliance on a complementary cutter, the 23-year-old right-hander can be scoreless by six appearances.
Alex Vesia and Phil Bickford have so far backed up their breakout performances from 2021 with flawless ERAs of their very own.
Evan Phillips and Justin Bruihl, in the meantime, look primed to turn into the subsequent surprising success tales on the again finish, every incomes Roberts’ belief to pitch in higher-leverage roles.
“We’re all the time on the lookout for guys like that, and also you take a look at our bullpen, it’s constructed [with] about 4 or 5 of these guys that … have taken benefit of some alternative,” stated Roberts, who has extra bullpen reinforcements in Tommy Kahnle, Caleb Ferguson and Victor González all due again from harm within the coming weeks.
“You’re all the time gonna need to faucet into these guys. High to backside now we have plenty of good arms.”
Kershaw’s calculated workload
For the reason that day he re-signed with the staff this spring, Kershaw has made it clear his focus this season is on profitable a championship — particularly after an elbow harm stored him out of the playoffs.
Consequently, the left-hander’s workload has been rigorously managed thus far this 12 months, with he and the staff holding his long-term well being entrance of thoughts after a lockout-shortened spring.
The most recent instance got here Sunday. Kershaw navigated 5 innings with out a lot stress, and felt as if he was “gaining some momentum” along with his pitch depend solely at 75.
Nonetheless, Roberts determined to finish his day there, going to the bullpen at the beginning of the sixth. Afterward, Kershaw stated he felt as if he may have stored pitching however stated he was supportive of the choice.
“This was type of a bigger-picture factor,” he stated.
It adopted a sample from his first couple of begins, when he was pulled six outs shy of an ideal sport in his season debut earlier than throwing 87 pitches over five-plus innings in his earlier outing.
Not over-exerting himself out of the gate, Kershaw hopes, will assist him be capable to contribute as much as, and through, October. He stated Sunday that he expects he and the staff will proceed to be conscious of his workload by at the very least the top of the month (he’s scheduled for yet another begin in April).
“The restrictions come off in Could, can be my guess,” Kershaw stated. “However for now, with the build-up the best way it was [during a shortened spring training], it was the precise resolution.”
Lineup discovering consistency
After one in all his staff’s uncommon off nights on the plate in Saturday’s 3-2 loss, Roberts stated he was on the lookout for extra consistency from his group — which had excelled at producing huge innings however was nonetheless vulnerable to mid-game lulls too.
They responded in Sunday’s 10-2 win, scoring in 5 of the primary six innings en path to their first double-digit run complete of the 12 months.
“It was actually the primary time all 12 months we tacked on runs,” Roberts stated.
Along with dwelling runs from Cody Bellinger and Freddie Freeman, it was a few the staff’s beforehand slumping hitters who helped.
Mookie Betts hits a house run in opposition to the San Diego Padres in the course of the ninth inning April 22 at Petco Park.
(Mike McGinnis / Related Press)
Mookie Betts completed a roller-coaster weekend on an upswing. After getting into the sequence as arguably the membership’s coldest hitter, he hit two dwelling runs in a cathartic efficiency Friday, struck out 4 occasions in a irritating show Saturday, however then bounced again on Sunday by reaching base thrice (a single and two walks) and scoring three runs.
Justin Turner, who has been mired in a well-recognized April hunch, discovered some much-needed manufacturing on Sunday as effectively. He had a sacrifice fly in his first at-bat, noticed 11 pitches earlier than lastly hanging out in his second, then hit singles within the fifth and sixth innings to complete two for 4.
Success on the bases
One thing else the Dodgers have been good at this season: stealing bases, tied for first within the majors with 13 swiped baggage.
Lately, the Dodgers haven’t been one in all baseball’s extra aggressive base-stealing groups. And even Roberts acknowledged their excessive complete so far is “very stunning.”
“I’m pleased with it,” he added. “However I don’t assume that’s gonna maintain for very lengthy.”
It’s a reflection of the Dodgers’ robust baserunning instincts, although, which Roberts praised once more on Sunday. They won’t hold getting ample possibilities to steal because the season goes on, however Roberts is assured the group can profit from taking further baggage on fly balls, and going first to 3rd when alternatives come up, to assist manufacture runs.
“We do an excellent job of valuing the stroll, taking 90 ft and working the bases,” Roberts stated. “I’ve stated this all 12 months — we run the bases in addition to now we have since I’ve been right here.”
The NFL is down to its final eight teams and historically this weekend’s games are viewership powerhouses. Last year, the NFL’s divisional round, led by a mega-matchup between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, averaged a whopping 40.0 million viewers, the highest audience number on record, dating to 1988. Kansas City’s win at Buffalo led the way with 50.4 million viewers, the most-watched divisional round game on record.
There are plenty of stories at The Athletic projecting what might happen this weekend. On the media front, Tom Brady will once again find the spotlight as Fox’s lead NFL analyst, but this week presents something that hits at the crux of Brady’s juggling between his analyst duties and minority ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Last week NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been recruited by Brady to interview with the Raiders for the club’s head coach opening.
“Thanks in part to the involvement of Brady, who sources say personally vouched for Johnson and implored him to take the interview through his agent, Johnson spoke with them,” Rapoport wrote.
“Essentially, Brady recruited Johnson to interview.”
Rapoport also reported that “Brady was influential in the decision to fire (head coach Antonio) Pierce and (general manager Tom) Telesco, seeking alignment from him to the GM to the coach.”
(The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed have essential additional reporting on the Raiders’ coaching and GM searches, both being informed — and influenced — by Brady.)
Lions OC Ben Johnson says he spoke with Tom Brady on the field before the Packers game. First time he’s met him.
Brady will be calling the Commanders-Lions game this weekend for Fox, while helping the Raiders find a new head coach and GM.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) January 15, 2025
Fox is airing the Lions-Washington Commanders game Saturday (8 p.m. ET, also on Fox Deportes) with Kevin Burkhardt and Brady in the booth. There is no other NFL broadcast with this kind of working conflict, but we already knew that. The conflict has already been written about, including here several times, and as we have reported, Fox has no issues with it, given it is happy to be in the Tom Brady business.
But viewers deserve transparency at a minimum, and what Fox Sports should do out of respect for the audience is have Brady and Burkhardt discuss — on-air — that Brady has been part of the process involving Johnson.
I expect the broadcast to address it in some form (Fox Sports brass knows this is all out there, and its top NFL team has a lead producer and director who are immensely respected across the industry), but how deep they address it, we’ll see.
From my perspective, it should not simply be gloss over it with a 45-second discussion. If you are going to own the conflict, at least be transparent with the audience.
A substantive acknowledgment and discussion of what’s going on would help Brady with viewers who might naturally believe his recruitment of Johnson will have an impact on how he discusses the Lions.
Beyond Brady’s analysis of Johnson and the Lions, what will this year’s divisional round bring as far as viewer interest?
We bring back the Watchability Index for another week, which rates viewer anticipation as well as predicts expected viewership.
Josh Allen and the Bills were part of the most-watched NFL divisional round playoff game in 2024. His 2025 playoff matchup with Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson could top that. (Elsa / Getty Images)
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
6:30 p.m. ET Sunday
CBS, Paramount+
Watchability: 10 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: The NFL has always marketed its sport through the quarterbacks — Manning vs. Brady! — and this game has the two leading contenders for the league MVP honors — the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Buffalo’s Josh Allen. You can’t ask for more as far as entertainment if you are neutral.
The two teams ranked second (Bills) and third (Ravens) during the regular season. The Ravens are particularly lethal on the ground — they averaged 187.6 yards per game. Highmark Stadium is loud and cold, a perfect setting for football.
Everything about this game feels massive and it’s why the NFL placed it in its most optimum television window.
Odds: Ravens (-1)
Viewership prediction: 47 million viewers
Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles
3 p.m. ET Sunday
NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo
Watchability ranking: 8 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: Hard not to embrace the Rams given the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp are a collective force, and when Matthew Stafford is on, he’s fun to watch. L.A. looked like a juggernaut against the Minnesota Vikings with a postseason-record nine sacks.
The Eagles have the top-ranked defense (we’ll see how the loss of Nakobe Dean affects that), an all-time asset in Saquon Barkley and “Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life” working for them.
Lincoln Financial Field is a nightmare for opposing teams given Eagles fans are boisterous and belligerent. A late afternoon game in a great sports city. How can you not watch?
Odds: Eagles (-6)
Viewership prediction: 39 million viewers
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions
8 p.m. ET Saturday
Fox, Fox Deportes
Watchability ranking: 7.5 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: The Athletic’s projection model gives the Lions a 24 percent chance to advance to the Super Bowl, the best percentage among all the remaining teams. The model has them scoring the most points over the weekend, which makes sense given they led the league in points scored (33.2 points) and were second in total yards per game (424.9 yards).
Detroit is fun to watch, it has an uber-aggressive coach and has an America’s Team feel to it given how many people seem to list it as their second favorite team.
It’s great to see the Commanders fans get this playoff run after all the years of living under the Dan Snyder regime. Jayden Daniels is a lock for Rookie of the Year and plays like a seasoned vet. Plus, how can you not love a doink to win a wild-card game?
Favorite: Lions (-9)
Viewership prediction: 35 million viewers
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
4:30 p.m. ET Saturday
ESPN/ABC, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Watchability ranking: 5 out of 10
Why it’s watchable: Start with Patrick Mahomes, the standard-bearer for winning. The Chiefs have been the NFL’s viewership bell cow over the last couple of years (for good reason) given their excellence. (Taylor Swift probably helped juice the numbers, too.)
The weather is expected to be chilly and Arrowhead Stadium is chaotic when filled.
The Texans seem to live in the early Saturday afternoon slot, which tells you how the NFL broadcasting department sees them against other teams. Houston has the lowest expected points in our projection model, and the Chiefs’ starters have rested since Christmas Day.
Favorite: Chiefs -8
Viewership prediction: 34 million
(Top photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
Sports
Ohio State's Will Howard vows to continue to 'trust in the Lord' even in the midst of life's highs and lows
Ohio State has looked dominant throughout the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
After knocking Tennessee out in the first round, the Buckeyes blew out the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals. Ohio State then defeated the Texas Longhorns in the semifinal to advance to Monday’s championship game.
Quarterback Will Howard will be under center when Ohio State meets Notre Dame in the highly-anticipated title game.
Howard spent four seasons at Kansas State. However, he entered the transfer portal in 2023. In Jan. 2024, he revealed his intentions to make the move to Ohio State. Howard went on to have the best regular season of his college career in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard, #18, leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Jan. 10, 2025. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
The 23-year-old has thrown for a career-high 3,779 yards and 33 touchdowns against 10 interceptions during his first year at Ohio State. Howard has also used his legs this season, rushing for seven scores.
EX-NOTRE DAME STAR FUELS NATIONAL TITLE GAME HYPE WITH HARSH CRITIQUE OF OHIO STATE’S WILL HOWARD
This year’s Buckeyes roster features multiple players, including Howard, who are outspoken about their personal faith. Howard’s on-field interview after Ohio State’s aforementioned commanding win over Oregon at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day was one of many moments in which the quarterback put his beliefs on full display.
“First and foremost, I gotta thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for giving me this opportunity to be on this stage in the Rose Bowl,” Howard said. “Younger me would be in awe right now.”
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, #18, passes against Texas during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Shortly after the Buckeyes were upset by their top rival Michigan in late November, Howard referenced his faith as he was asked to share his reaction to the defeat.
“I sat back and thought the opportunity that I have here and what I’ve gone through this year, the ups and the downs, everything has been for my own good,” he said via Columbus news station WCMH, before reaffirming his unwavering faith. “I know that God is putting those obstacles in front of us to grow us and there’s a reason for it. I’m going to just trust the plan.”
Will Howard, #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on Nov. 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
He added that having an unshakable “trust in the Lord” has proven to be beneficial in his life.
“We got to trust in the Lord and lean on Him no matter what, through the ups and the downs,” he told NBC4. “I tried to just get into my Bible and pray a little bit. Just come back to the Lord and say, ‘I need You.’”
“When you come to Him in a humble way, it changes your perspective. I lay it down for Him and say, ‘God, I trust You. I don’t know why this happened but it happened for a reason. I’m going to trust it.’”
Howard and several of his Buckeyes teammates arrived at preseason workouts wearing “Jesus Won” T-shirts.
The College Football Playoff National Championship game kicks off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
When Patrick Vargas was a 5-foot-4 starting quarterback for Garfield High in 2008, the Bulldogs stunned City Section power Birmingham 29-28 in their season opener.
Now, at age 32, Vargas is taking over as Garfield’s new football coach, replacing Lorenzo Hernandez, and he’s embracing all the lessons learned about overcoming obstacles and understanding the tradition of excellence at Garfield.
“It’s a dream come true for me, being a kid from East L.A.,” he said. “Garfield has always been the place I wanted to be, first as a football player, then as a coach. What coach Hernandez did was change the program for the better. What I want to do is continue with that leadership and do my best to take it to the next level.”
He’s also going to inherit a new turf football field under construction. …
For the third straight year, Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura has been named the Gatorade state player of the year in girls cross country.
This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
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