Dodgers Week 21: Inching closer in the NL West

We tend to think of a baseball season as a long haul, and with good reason, where things percolate and get done gradually over the course of several weeks. The Dodgers made up some ground last week, lopping a game and a half off their divisional deficit, but it could have been better.

The Dodgers did their part, sweeping the Pirates then winning the first three games against the Mets in a 6-1 week, after starting the week four games back of the Giants in the National League West.

Entering Saturday, the Dodgers were just 1½ games back, then LA beat the Mets, one of four one-run wins for the Dodgers last week. San Francisco trailed by a run in the ninth inning on Saturday, but Lamont Wade Jr. hit a two-run game-winning home run. Then on Sunday, Wilmer Flores hit a two-run shot in the eighth inning in Oakland to give the Giants another comeback win.

Instead of a half-game back, the Dodgers find themselves 2½ games back.

“We’ve got to take care of business and win ball games,” manager Dave Roberts said. “Our fate is still in our own hands.”

Batter of the week

Trea Turner was a spark plug at the top of the lineup with four multi-hit games and four extra-base hits. He worked early, too, with four hits, including a home run and two doubles, in the first inning.

He said his approach was focused on driving the ball, and hitting the ball hard the other way. On the week, he had 12 hard-hit balls (with an exit velocity of at least 95 mph), five of them up the middle or to the right side.

“I feel like in the last four or five games, I’ve been more consistent,” Turner said Saturday. “Obviously the hits have been there, but I feel like I’m executing what I want.”

Pitcher of the week

Mitch White redefined the term “bulk guy” on Wednesday against the Pirates. Following an opener in the second inning, White pitched the final 7⅓ innings to finish off a sweep, allowing only two singles two walks, and no runs, striking out six. It was not only the longest outing of White’s pro career, but also the longest relief appearance by a Dodger since Burt Hooton pitched eight innings on September 12, 1984.

Week 21 results

6-1 record
28 runs scored (4.00 per game)
17 runs allowed (2.43 per game)
.714 pythagorean win percentage

Year to date

78-47 record
647 runs scored (5.18 per game)
443 runs allowed (3.54 per game)
.667 pythagorean win percentage (83-42)

Miscellany

Welcome aboard: Andre Jackson impressed in his major league debut on Monday against the Pirates, pitching four scoreless innings of bulk relief. He was the 16th Dodger to pitch at least four scoreless innings in a major league debut, and the first since Kenta Maeda in 2016. Jackson worked around four walks thanks in part to a changeup that he threw 30 times, and finished off three of his five strikeouts with the pitch.

“The changeup for me is just my bailout pitch,” Jackson said. “Whenever I need to throw a strike or make a big pitch, it’s kind of what I go to.”

The counter rises: Jackson was the 34th Dodgers pitcher used in 2021, extending the franchise record for most pitchers used in a season. Evan Phillips, who got the win as the second of seven pitchers in Thursday’s bullpen game, was the 35th Dodgers pitcher. Monday call-up Neftalí Féliz on Sunday became pitcher No. 36, and was followed by Friday signee Shane Greene, the Dodgers’ 37th pitcher of the season.

Transactions

Monday: Reliever Evan Phillips was claimed off waivers from the Rays.

Monday: Andre Jackson was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his major league debut, and veteran reliever Neftalí Féliz was also called up from OKC. Darien Núñez and Edwin Uceta were optioned to Triple-A.

Monday: Cole Hamels was placed on the 60-day injured list, ending his season before it began.

Tuesday: Gavin Lux was activated off the injured list after missing 25 games, and Phillips was added to the active roster. Jackson and reliever Conner Greene were optioned.

Thursday: Mitch White was rewarded with his excellent outing by getting optioned, with reliever Victor Gonzalez getting activated off the injured list.

Friday: Shane Greene was signed to a one-year deal and activated. Evan Phillips was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain, and pitcher Conner Greene was designated for assignment.

Game results

• Monday: Dodgers 2, Pirates 1
• Tuesday: Dodgers 4, Pirates 3
• Wednesday: Dodgers 9, Pirates 0
• Thursday: Dodgers 4, Mets 1
• Friday: Dodgers 3, Mets 2
• Saturday: Dodgers 4, Mets 3
• Sunday: Mets 7, Dodgers 2

Previous reviews: Apr. 1-4 | Apr. 5-11 | Apr. 12-18 | Apr. 19-25 | Apr. 26-May 2 | May 3-9 | May 10-16 | May 17-23 | May 24-30 | May 31-June 6 | June 7-13 | June 14-20 | June 21-27 | June 28-July 4 | July 5-11 | July 12-18 | July 19-25 | July 26-Aug. 1 | Aug. 2-8 | Aug. 9-15

Up next

The Dodgers start with their first off day in two weeks, then run the Jon Vander Wal gauntlet by playing the Padres in San Diego then the Rockies back home in Los Angeles. The opposing pitching matchups are educated guesses. Yu Darvish is expected to be activated at some point against the Dodgers. Julio Urías will likely be activated to start Tuesday for the Dodgers.