Dodgers Week 3: Keeping pace

The Dodgers were missing Mookie Betts’ bat for three games last week, and were without the services of Corey Seager for nearly three games. They had two games in which they were no-hit into the sixth inning, and hit .198 for the week.

But the Dodgers also averaged five and a half runs per game, and managed to win two series against the Padres and Giants. That’s four straight series wins for the Dodgers, who ended the week at 11-5, on pace for the same 41-19 start they had to 2019.

“We pile it on late in certain games. I think for the most part I can look at the pitching and defense as being very consistent,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But I think overall, from pitch one to the last pitch, we can get considerably better.”

Batter of the week

Mookie Betts only batted in three games last week but he homered in two of them, and added a double for good measure. Betts has an extra-base hit in seven of his last nine starts.

Pitcher of the week

Dustin May was dazzling on Tuesday in San Diego, striking out eight in six innings in the longest start of his young career. He also struck out Manny Machado in the first inning on a pitch about which Dave Roberts said, “I couldn’t imagine a better pitch on the filth-meter.”

Week 3 results

4-2 record
33 runs scored (5.50 per game)
22 runs allowed (3.67 per game)
.677 pythagorean win percentage

Season to date

11-5 record
87 runs scored (5.44 per game)
46 runs allowed (2.88 per game)
.762 pythagorean record (12-4)

Standings: 2nd place, NL West, a half-game behind Colorado

Miscellany

Defensive play of the week: It might be tough to beat this in the three-quarters of the season that remain. Clinging to a one-run lead with one out and runner on the corners in the ninth inning Wednesday in San Diego, Kenley Jansen induced a medium fly ball to left field by Manny Machado. a Chris Taylor caught it, and with momentum carrying him forward unleashed a strong (93.3 mph, per Statcast) throw home on one bounce to nail Trent Grisham for the final out of the game.

Taylor’s play was tied for the seventh-highest win probability added on a game-ending double play by an outfielder since 1980, and was the first game-ending double play by an outfielder in MLB since May 14, 2016 per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.

(Going) deep thoughts: For the first time in 48 career starts against the Giants, Clayton Kershaw allowed three home runs to the Giants. Austin Slater and Mike Yastrzemski also gave San Francisco their first time with two home runs in an inning against Kershaw. For good measure, Slater added another home run in the fifth, the first Giant with two home runs in a game against Kershaw.

Record setter: By getting plunked in the shoulder on Tuesday night in San Diego, Justin Turner was hit by a pitch for the 74th time as a Dodgers, surpassing Zack Wheat for the most HBP in franchise history.

Treys are wild: Walker Buehler got a no-decision Monday in San Diego in his five innings. He allowed three hits, three home runs, three runs, had three walks and three strikeouts against the Padres. The only other starting pitcher since 1901 to put up all those threes was Denny McLain for the Tigers on April 30, 1966.

Transactions

Wednesday: Utility man Zach McKinstry was recalled for the final game of the road trip, and pitcher Victor Gonzalez was optioned.

Thursday: McKinstry and pitcher Adam Kolarek were optioned as the active roster limits lowered from 30 to 28 players. The current roster split is 15 pitchers and 13 position players. McKinstry and Mitch White (up for a day last weekend) for now reside in the Mike Antonini club, players who were called up to the majors but did not get to play. Josh Sborz was also called up this season and didn’t pitch in his three days in the majors, but he already got his MLB debut out of the way in 2019.

Game results

• Monday: Padres 5, Dodgers 4
• Tuesday: Dodgers 5, Padres 2
• Wednesday: Dodgers 7, Padres 6
• Friday: Dodgers 7, Giants 2
• Saturday: Giants 5, Dodgers 4
• Sunday: Dodgers 6, Giants 2

Previous reviews: Week 1 | Week 2

The week ahead

The Dodgers run the Ruppert Jones gauntlet, finishing up their homestand with four against the Padres followed by three games in Anaheim against the Angels. The Dodgers have played the first three of a 17-day stretch without a day off. For now, the rotation for the San Diego series remains as is. “That’s the plan for now,” Roberts said Sunday.

But at some point in the 17-game stretch, they might slot in Tony Gonsolin for another spot start just to give everyone in the rotation an extra rest day. Through Tuesday, no Dodgers starter will have pitched on fewer than five days rest this season, but that would change if Julio Urías starts Wednesday as planned.