NL West Roundup
Dodgers Rookies See Success; Mat Latos Gets Designated For Assignment
As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to gain ground on the San Francisco Giants in the NL West, it seems that the Dodgers are finally feeling comfortable with their position and are starting to try different things.
Recently called up infielder Corey Seager has seen more playing time in order to rest Jimmy Rollins, and outfielder Scott Schebler has gotten extended action due to Yasiel Puig’s hamstring injury.
While many expected Corey Seager to have instant success in the majors, Scott Schebler has been quite the surprise. Since being called up at the beginning of September, Schebler has knocked three home runs and four RBI’s in just 12 games, proving to be to a nice addition thanks to the recent September call ups.
The Dodgers have gotten great production from Seager and Schebler, but haven’t had as much luck with pitcher Mat Latos, who they acquired at the 2015 trade deadline. Two days after Latos, making an appearance out of the bullpen, gave up the go ahead run in an extra innings battle against the Rockies on Tuesday, the Dodgers designated Latos for assignment. His only win in the Dodgers pitching rotation came in his first game with the team, when he faced off against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
With the move, the Dodgers were able to bring Carlos Frias back off the disabled list and into the bullpen. Additionally, Mike Bolsinger will likely become a fixture in the rotation as the season winds down.
Giants Deficit in the West Becomes Giant; Arizona Continues Winning Ways Against San Francisco
In non-Giants-September-like fashion, the San Francisco Giants just haven’t been themselves since getting swept by the Dodgers. The Arizona Diamondbacks, a team that first place Los Angeles seems to be able to handle, seem to have San Francisco’s number this year, winning four games out of their last six against the Giants coming out of this weekend’s season series finale. The Giants ended the weekend having only won the final game of the series, and were shut out on Friday and Saturday in the first two games.
While excuses don’t matter much in September, the Giants have been without outfielder Hunter Pence, and first baseman Brandon Belt left Friday’s game early due to lingering concussion-like symptoms stemming from a base path collision early last week against Cincinnati.
Playoff Picture
Finally, in case no one is keeping track, if the season ended after yesterday, the Dodgers would happily be taking on the New York Mets, and not the St. Louis Cardinals, who they haven’t been able to match in the last two postseasons. Baseball fans would have a treat on their hands in that scenario, with arguably the best rotation in the National League taking on Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke of the Dodgers.
The Giants, on the other hand, would miss the playoffs; they currently sit nine games back of the Chicago Cubs for the second wild card spot. If this holds up, it would allow the NL Central to claim three playoff spots.
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