The Dodgers continued their undefeated season with a 6-1 win final night time over Atlanta. Tyler Glasnow tossed 5 shutout innings, and apart from well being concern for Freddie Freeman and one other run allowed by Tanner Scott, issues appears to be going fairly effectively in LA. Atlanta then again, yikes. They’re 0-5 for the primary time since 2016 once they began the season with 9 straight losses. They adopted that up with 4 straight wins earlier than one other eight sport shedding streak. They completed 68-93 that season and fired supervisor Fredi Gonzalez after a 9-28 begin. They didn’t have Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider returning in 2016, so issues ought to find yourself higher for them this season. Tonight may very well be a chance for his or her first win, as their reigning Cy Younger winner squares off towards a man that hasn’t pitched in a Main League sport since Could 17, 2023.
 |
 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:10 P.M. | Los Angeles | ||
| CF | Harris II (L) | DH | Ohtani (L) |
| 3B | Riley | SS | Betts |
| 1B | Olson (L) | 2B | Edman (S) |
| DH | Ozuna | RF | T. Hernández |
| 2B | Albies (S) | C | Smith |
| C | Baldwin (L) | 1B | Okay. Hernández |
| RF | De La Cruz | 3B | Rojas |
| LF | Kelenic (L) | CF | Pages |
| SS | Allen | LF | Taylor |
| P | Sale (L) | P | Could (R) |
Dustin Could makes his return to the bump after almost two years value of accidents. Could had surgical procedure on his flexor tendon in 2023 that stored him sidelined for roughly a yr. He was in line to start out a rehab task final season, however suffered a torn esophagus whereas consuming a salad and almost died. So yeah, it’s been a protracted street again for the previous highly-touted prospect. Could appeared like a possible candidate to start out the season within the bullpen, however a Tony Gonsolin again harm gave Could the quantity 5 spot within the rotation to start out the yr. Could had a reasonably good Spring, permitting 4 runs in 10 innings over 4 outings. He struck out 12 however did stroll six, which some command points have been in all probability anticipated after his prolonged absence.
Could has pitched in elements of 5 Main League seasons. His solely “full” season got here within the covid yr, and he posted a 2.57 ERA in 56 innings and got here in fifth in Rookie of the 12 months voting. His 2021 was robust however lower quick by Tommy John surgical procedure, and he returned in 2022 and struggled in 30 innings late within the season. His 2023 season was off to a powerful begin with a 2.63 ERA in 9 begins, however one other arm harm ended his season early once more. It’s robust to parse an excessive amount of out of Could’s Savant web page given the small pattern sizes yearly, however velocity has at all times been his prime device. Could has averaged 96 MPH or quicker on his sinker in every of his 5 Main League seasons and throws two different varieties of fastball (4 seamer that averages a tick increased and a cutter that’s a typically few MPH decrease). Could’s velo was down throughout the board in 2023 (presumably resulting from harm), averaging “solely” 96.6 on the sinker and 97.3 on the 4 seamer. Regardless of what ought to be overpowering stuff, Could has by no means been a lot of a strikeout pitcher. He’ll get some strikeouts the place he makes hitters look completely silly, however has solely posted increased than a 23 p.c strikeout fee as soon as in 5 years.
Chris Sale will get the ball for Atlanta and is coming off an unbelievable season of beating the washed allegations. Sale posted a 4.30 ERA over 20 begins in 2023 for the Pink Sox, who traded him within the offseason to Atlanta for Vaughn Grissom. Grissom posted a .758 OPS in AAA final season, and Sale received the NL Cy Younger award with a 2.38 ERA/2.09 FIP and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Sale allowed two or fewer runs in 26 of his 29 begins and accomplished seven or extra innings 13 instances. He solely allowed 9 homers complete and allowed a .588 OPS (for reference, Chris Taylor OPS’d .598 final season). Amongst certified pitchers, Sale had the best strikeout fee (32.1 p.c) and Twelfth-lowest stroll fee (5.6 p.c) in baseball. His 86.5 MPH common exit velocity towards was tied for the sixth lowest amongst pitchers with over 350 batted balls towards and solely three pitchers had a greater arduous hit fee than Sale’s 31.2 p.c. The Dodgers noticed Sale in September in Atlanta and scored a run and 5 hits over six innings. Sale obtained the Opening Day begin final week in San Diego and allowed three runs over 5 innings and struck out seven.
Sale threw his slider 40.3 p.c of the time final season and solely allowed a .171 common off it. He solely allowed 14 further base hits off the slider and solely a type of left the park. It additionally got here with a 42.7 p.c whiff fee, which appears good. He threw a four-seamer 38 p.c of the time, a changeup 14.7 p.c of the time and a sinker 6.9 p.c.
Freeman stays out of the lineup with Enrique Hernandez getting one other begin at first. Miguel Rojas begins at third for Max Muncy, and Taylor will get his first begin of the season.
——
Freeman is aiming to play tomorrow, however may very well be given one other time without work and return Friday in Philadelphia.
Freddie Freeman was clearly pissed off about re-injuring his ankle slipping within the bathe this weekend, however he mentioned he’s already feeling higher and goes to undergo a full day of labor right this moment
He’s hoping to play tomorrow, however mentioned the workforce may push his return to Friday
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 1, 2025
Issues we’ve discovered on this thread. Showers are harmful and salads are harmful.
——
First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM PT and will likely be proven on SportsNet LA.
