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Dodgers takeaways: Mets show they can be a real obstacle on road to World Series

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Dodgers takeaways: Mets show they can be a real obstacle on road to World Series

Nothing mirrored the differing realities of the Dodgers and the New York Mets this week than two late-game bullpen choices throughout their sequence at Citi Discipline.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers had been clinging to a one-run lead within the ninth once they summoned Jake Reed for the save — a way-down-the-pecking-order right-hander who had been referred to as up from the minor leagues that day.

On Thursday, the Mets referred to as upon All-Star nearer Edwin Díaz, who got here trotting out of the bullpen within the eighth inning — even with the staff nursing a three-run lead.

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Certainly, the Dodgers are feeling little stress proper now, with a Nationwide League West title locked up and their grasp on the league’s high playoff spot all however safe as they return residence for a three-game sequence in opposition to the San Diego Padres starting Friday night time.

The Mets are in a special spot, making an attempt to carry off the Atlanta Braves of their division and grasp on to the league’s different first-round postseason bye.

That’s why, though the Mets received two of three video games (and 4 of seven total between the groups this season), no alarms had been going off within the Dodgers clubhouse afterward.

“If we do face them within the playoffs, nobody goes to care what occurred within the common season,” first baseman Freddie Freeman stated. “I don’t suppose you need to learn something into it.”

Added supervisor Dave Roberts: “I don’t suppose it means something.”

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That doesn’t imply the sequence didn’t reveal something, although, serving up a reminder that the Mets are an actual impediment — possibly the Dodgers’ greatest — on the highway to the World Collection.

On the finish of the staff’s East Coast journey, listed here are 4 takeaways on the place the Dodgers stand.

The Mets can pitch — even in opposition to the Dodgers

The Dodgers scored three runs within the third inning of their first sport in New York.

After that, they had been held to simply 5 over the ultimate 24 frames.

It’s what a pitching workers such because the Mets’ is able to doing, particularly when getting contributions from its workers ace (Jacob deGrom pitched seven robust innings Wednesday), one other top-end starter (Chris Bassitt went six innings Thursday) and its high relievers (Díaz and Adam Ottavino mixed for 4 innings of one-run ball within the ultimate two video games).

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“It’s going to be like that if we do face them within the playoffs,” Freeman stated. “Often within the playoffs, you’re not scoring eight to 10 runs. You’ve obtained to win the one-run video games.”

It was a pertinent level.

Whereas the Dodgers have made a behavior of steamrolling opponents within the common season, even one of the best offenses can run into robust matchups in October.

It’s what makes the playoffs unpredictable, and sometimes retains one of the best groups from profitable.

The Dodgers’ hope is to study from their matchups this week, file away the knowledge for a possible rematch and discover methods to create extra constant offense if these golf equipment do meet once more.

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However the concept that the Dodgers can overpower opponents at will definitely took successful.

“I believe we’re two evenly matched ball golf equipment,” Roberts stated. “I believe total, they performed higher protection and performed nicely sufficient to win the sequence.”

Booed once more in N.Y., Joey Gallo adjusting with Dodgers

Joey Gallo knew he had few followers within the Bronx. However even he was stunned by the reception he obtained from the orange-and-blue clad crowds in Queens.

Earlier than every of his at-bats, the previous Yankees outfielder, who struggled mightily throughout elements of two seasons with the Mets’ crosstown rival, was noticeably booed throughout his first journey again to New York since final month’s commerce to the Dodgers.

“I imply, I didn’t even play for the Mets, so I don’t know why the … they’re booing me,” Gallo stated. “I don’t know. Yeah, New York. They boo lots of people, although.”

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Roberts additionally took observe.

“I believed that these Mets followers ought to be cheering him, as a result of he didn’t play nicely for the Yankees,” Roberts stated. “So I’m type of somewhat confused by the boos.”

Actually, it solely made the 28-year-old slugger extra grateful for his new residence with the Dodgers — and extra desperate to snap out of a current stoop that has adopted his scorching begin with the staff.

After hitting three residence runs, accumulating 9 RBIs and posting a 1.010 OPS in his first 14 Dodger plate appearances, Gallo has slipped into an 0-for-16 stoop. The stretch has included eight strikeouts to solely two walks. And it has regarded paying homage to his play with the Yankees, whilst he’s labored on making modifications to his swing.

“I believe I really feel fairly good,” Gallo stated. “This final week, I haven’t had good outcomes and whatnot, however have been placing up good at-bats and swinging at strikes. Hits will come. However I’ve been feeling fairly good since I’ve been right here.”

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Gallo didn’t play Thursday, even in opposition to a right-handed pitcher, with Roberts saying Gallo and fellow slumping left-handed hitter Cody Bellinger “want a day.”

How did Roberts suppose Gallo dealt with the return to New York?

“Rather well,” the supervisor stated. “Simply speaking to him, seeing him. I believe there was somewhat little bit of some sort of emotion coming again into the town. The outcomes haven’t been there …. However I believe so far as simply type of seeing his demeanor, he’s high quality.”

Is Miguel Vargas a playoff possibility?

A brand new face was within the Dodgers clubhouse Thursday as extremely touted prospect Miguel Vargas joined as a September call-up.

The 22-year-old rookie appeared in simply two video games throughout his first huge league stint final month, however figures to get an extended look now that rosters have expanded to twenty-eight gamers.

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Roberts stated Vargas, who hit .304 with 17 residence runs and 82 RBIs in triple A, will get alternatives at third base, in left area and as a chosen hitter.

“It’s one other good piece to have,” Roberts stated. “He confirmed nicely whereas he was right here briefly, and this can be a good expertise, a superb alternative for him and us to see how he reveals once more in September.”

The larger query: Is there a pathway for him to make a contribution in October on the membership’s playoff roster?

“Positive, completely,” Roberts stated. “That also comes with not having stress, simply going out and enjoying. However yeah, it’s a performance-based enterprise and if he performs nicely, and issues break the appropriate approach, completely. He ought to be within the dialog.”

It received’t be simple. The Dodgers have had a set group of 13 hitters for the reason that commerce deadline. They’ve depth on the appropriate aspect of the plate, as nicely, with Trayce Thompson and Hanser Alberto.

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But when the Dodgers resolve to hold an additional hitter in a shorter playoff sequence, or want to vary course based mostly on accidents or poor efficiency down the stretch, Vargas may have a gap.

He’ll need to play nicely this month, although.

“I don’t need to say it’s an audition,” Roberts stated. “I simply encourage Miguel to … be himself and take good at-bats, play good protection. The whole lot else goes to work out the best way it should.”

Evan Phillips’ (close to) excellent month

Set-up reliever Evan Phillips won’t ever pitch an ideal sport in his present function. However throughout a stellar efficiency in August, the right-hander had a near-perfect month.

In 12 appearances, Phillips not solely was unscored upon, but in addition retired 35 of the 37 hitters he confronted. Over his final 10 outings, he recorded 27 outs in a row — the equal of 9 consecutive clear innings.

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In consequence, his already immaculate ERA has dropped to a minuscule 1.22. On Thursday, Roberts referred to as him the staff’s most improved pitcher this season. And as October nears, he’s cemented himself as one in all their most vital arms, too.

“It’s a type of stretches the place, I step up on the mound and simply all the pieces is clicking the best way it must for me to succeed,” Phillips stated. “It hasn’t been tremendous overpowering, I’d say, however my pitches have simply been situated the place they must be. The form of all the pieces with the sinker and the cutter and the slider, all the pieces has been full circle of the purpose we’ve been making an attempt to get to all season.”

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Travis Kelce spotted dancing in star-studded group at Taylor Swift's Paris show

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Travis Kelce spotted dancing in star-studded group at Taylor Swift's Paris show

The “City of Love” was the latest sighting of Travis Kelce at a Taylor Swift concert, and he had some A-list celebrities dancing alongside him to his significant other’s chart-topping hits. 

The Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight end was seen at Paris La Défense Arena in Paris where Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid were next to him to enjoy Swift’s 87th Eras Tour show. 

Coincidence on the number, anyone?

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are shown at Coachella. (Gilbert Flores)

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Videos have circulated on social media of Kelce dancing to Swift songs, including “… Ready for It?” “Lover” and the classic “You Belong with Me.”

It’s significant that Kelce has been spotted at this show as he hasn’t been seen since she went back on tour. Swift has been in Paris for three nights prior to this fourth and final show, where Kelce was spotted.

TRAVIS KELCE HOSTING ‘SNL’ MADE CAST MEMBER FEEL ‘VERY PROTECTIVE’ OF HIM

Of course, this isn’t the first time Kelce has reciprocated the love and support Swift showed during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl-winning season last year. During the Chiefs’ bye week, Kelce was seen in Buenos Aires for one of Swift’s Eras Tour dates. 

They will clearly go the extra mile to support each other; Swift famously flew from Japan to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl after a tour date across the Pacific.

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And fans, whether it was of Kelce first or Swift, have fallen in love with the couple throughout the process as they continue to be one of the world’s power couples.

Taylor Swift looks lovingly up at Travis Kelce in his red Chiefs uniform after the Super Bowl

Taylor Swift celebrated with Travis Kelce on the field after his Super Bowl win. (AP Photo/John Locher)

While love isn’t something to rush, many are clamoring to know if Kelce has any thoughts of proposing to Swift to take their relationship to the next level. 

Recently, Chiefs long snapper James Winchester said on the “Like a Farmer” podcast that he thinks his teammate will be engaged at some point because he sees “they’re very similar in a lot of ways.”

“Being around Trav for the last nine years, I mean, I think they’re more similar than you would think. I wish the best for them,” he added.

Other than supporting Swift, Kelce has had a great offseason thus far. The Chiefs made him the highest-paid tight end in the game with a new contract extension that’s worth $34.25 million over two years, with $17 million fully guaranteed for the upcoming 2024 campaign. 

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Travis Kelce smiles

Travis Kelce attends American Express Presents CARBONE BEACH on May 5, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for American Express Presents CARBONE BEACH)

So, personally and professionally, Kelce had a lot of things to dance about in Paris with some of his friends while watching Swift kill it onstage.

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Column: Dave Roberts does his job: Protecting Shohei Ohtani from himself

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Column: Dave Roberts does his job: Protecting Shohei Ohtani from himself

Shohei Ohtani thought he could have played on Sunday. He was looking forward to facing Japanese compatriot Yu Darvish.

Dave Roberts didn’t let him.

Ohtani was never able to plead his case. On the morning of the Dodgers’ series finale against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park, Roberts told interpreter Will Ireton that Ohtani wouldn’t be in the lineup, and that was that.

A day after he was forced out of a game early by a stiff back, Ohtani didn’t play in the 4-0 loss to the Padres.

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Ohtani is expected to return on Monday for the start of a three-game series in San Francisco, Roberts said.

The way Roberts managed Ohtani marked a promising start to one of the most important relationships in the organization — a relationship that figures to grow in importance when Ohtani resumes pitching next season.

The manager was the manager. The player was the player.

This simple division of labor can be complicated when a player of Ohtani’s caliber is involved, but the Dodgers were able to do what the Angels often failed to do last year: They protected Ohtani from himself.

“I think he understands that it’s for his benefit and the team’s benefit,” Roberts said.

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When Ohtani played for the Angels last year, what was most beneficial to the team was for him to play almost every game.

So he did.

The Angels were in no position to stop him, or even persuade him to undergo a MRI examination after he was removed from a start after only four innings because of a finger cramp.

The result?

A torn ulnar collateral ligament and a second Tommy John surgery.

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The Angels couldn’t ask Ohtani to look at the bigger picture because there was none. October wasn’t guaranteed for them, as it is for the Dodgers, who entered Sunday with a 6½-game lead in the National League West.

The Dodgers have a talented roster.

They have a track record.

They have realistic championship ambitions.

Asked if the promise of playing in October made it easier for him to accept Roberts’ decision, Ohtani wouldn’t say.

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“Regardless” of the condition of his back, Ohtani said in Japanese, “there was thought of a day off.”

The Dodgers just started a 13-day stretch in which they will play 13 games. Ohtani described the injury as minor — he said he initially felt discomfort in his back working out before the game on Saturday — but Roberts wasn’t inclined to take any chances at this stage of the season, even for a game against a division rival.

“He obviously knows his body really well,” Robert said. “Right now, with the 13 in a row, I just wanted to make sure we were a little more cautious.”

Taking the decision out of Ohtani’s hands was a small but critical move by Roberts. As the Angels learned last year, once the terms of a relationship are established, they are difficult to undo.

How Dodgers management communicates with their star player will be more consequential later in the season and even more so next year when Ohtani makes his anticipated return to the mound. Ohtani will be coming back from a second elbow reconstruction.

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Of course, the team entered its relationship with Ohtani with more leverage than the Angels ever had.

In retrospect, it looks as if Ohtani chose to break into the major leagues with the Angels because of how powerless they were. As a non-contending club, they didn’t have any competitive reasons to deny him the opportunity to be a two-way player.

That’s not to say the Dodgers aren’t being rewarded for having Ohtani on their team. Of course they are. As a one-way player this season, he’s still the best player in the game. He sells merchandise.

Yet Ohtani needs the Dodgers as much as they need him. They’re offering him something he desperately wants that few other organizations can: A legitimate chance to win.

Roberts said he will ask Ohtani for input in the future when figuring out his playing schedule. Roberts should. Ohtani deserves that much. However, the Dodgers can’t afford for their relationship with Ohtani to be as lopsided as that of the Angels. Sunday was a sign that it might not be.

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Deontay Wilder scared for Mike Tyson's well-being in Jake Paul fight: 'He’s too old for this'

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Deontay Wilder scared for Mike Tyson's well-being in Jake Paul fight: 'He’s too old for this'

From one former heavyweight title winner to another, Deontay Wilder fears 57-year-old Mike Tyson might end up in a coma after fighting Jake Paul. 

Tyson shocked everyone when he agreed to fight Paul, which was commissioned by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations as a professional fight, on July 20. 

What was initially an exhibition match has turned into a highly anticipated bout, but Wilder doesn’t think anyone truly cares about Tyson’s well-being. 

Mike Tyson’s fight against Jake Paul in Texas this summer has been sanctioned as a competitive boxing match, making the rounds shorter and the gloves heavier. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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“I think it’s bad the commission has licensed Mike Tyson because he hasn’t been active in 20 years, so they should not just license him because of who he is, that’s how people get hurt – God forbid he gets hurt,” Wilder said to Sportsbook Review. 

“People can get hit in the wrong place and at the wrong time, there’s lots of examples where guys have been hit into a coma. It’s easy to do. He’s too old for this.

“At the end of the day, no one gives a f— about Mike.”

MIKE TYSON VS. JAKE PAUL BOXING MATCH OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED, WILL COUNT FOR PROFESSIONAL RECORDS

Wilder continued by saying he doesn’t care that Tyson underwent tests to deem this a professional fight. 

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“As long as you’re willing to suffer the consequences if something bad goes wrong,” Wilder said. 

Deontay Wilder shadowboxes

Heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder shadowboxes during a media workout at UFC APEX on Sept. 22, 2022 in Las Vegas.   (Steve Marcus/Getty Images)

After the fight was sanctioned, Paul recently said he is “super respectful” of Tyson, but “All is fair in love and war.”

“I love the guy, but as soon as it turned into a pro fight, one of us has to die,” the YouTube star-turned-boxer said. 

Videos of Tyson working out for the fight have shocked many with how fast and powerful he still looks at his age. But Wilder, again, doesn’t care what videos show or what Tyson even says about his well-being. 

“His power may not have left completely, but you still need to set it up, your stamina needs to be a certain way, or it’s going to look like a clown show. I don’t want to see it to be honest,” he explained.

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Jake Paul, Deontay Wilder, and Mike Tyson side by side

Former heavyweight belt holder Deontay Wilder is genuinely scared for Mike Tyson in his fight with Jake Paul. (Getty Images)

“I don’t want the last thing I remember of him is him getting knocked out by a YouTuber. The last thing you do, that’s what people remember you by.”

While Paul and Tyson prepare for their fight, Wilder will be fighting Zhilei Zhang on June 1. 

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