Dodgers Bullpen Game vs Mets Will Look Very Different Than Last One Against Padres
Ryan Brasier will start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series for the Dodgers, but rookie Landon Knack is expected to get the majority of outs in Monday’s matchup with the Mets.
#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Landon Knack will take down “most of the outs” in today’s bullpen game
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) October 14, 2024
Knack last pitched in Game 4 of the NLDS when the Dodgers routed the Padres in an 8-0 triumph. The rookie right-hander pitched a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game.
Ahead of the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts noted that the Dodgers couldn’t utilize the bullpen the same way in a best-of-seven series.
“There’s certainly a possibility of a bullpen game or two,” Roberts said. “But with that we’re going to have to ask innings from other guys. That’s just the reality.”
I don’t think that in a seven-game series we have the luxury to max out guys like we did from the pen in a five-game series.”
Jack Flaherty certainly did his part by pitching seven scoreless innings Sunday night in his Game 1 start. The Dodgers will look to Knack to pitch the bulk of the game on Monday.
There was speculation that the rookie would get the start in Game 4 of the NLDS, but the Dodgers chose to have a bullpen game. Several baseball analysts believed the Dodgers were making a mistake going with the bullpen, but relievers kept the Padres scoreless through nine innings.
The trend continued into the final game of the NLDS as San Diego scored no runs in the elimination matchup.
The Dodgers have now pitched 33 consecutive scoreless innings after a 9-0 win over the Mets. Roberts believes the team camaraderie has helped them reach the milestone.
“I think it’s just a collective effort,” Roberts said. “Certainly the players that were involved in all those scoreless innings have been fantastic. I think defensively we’ve been very good defensively, converting outs when we need to.
I think the coaches have done a great job of relaying the information and making it tangible and allowing for our pitchers and catchers to do a great job of sequencing, catching the ball the right way. And the front office, just the information we get. I just think that how we’re preventing runs, it’s a complete team effort, collective effort.”
Photo Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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