If the Los Angeles Dodgers are able to clinch the World Series title against the formidable New York Yankees in Game 4 on Tuesday night, they will achieve this historic feat marked by their innovative approach to pitching throughout the playoffs.
Per @CodifyBaseball on social media:
No team has ever won a World Series while relying on at least 4 pitchers in every game. The Dodgers have already deployed 6, 5, and 7 pitchers in the first three games, making tonight’s matchup another bullpen game for LA. #WorldSeries
No team has ever won a World Series while using at least 4 pitchers in every game. The Dodgers have already used 6, 5, and 7 pitchers in their first 3 games, and tonight is a bullpen game for LA. #WorldSeries
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) October 29, 2024
While the concept of “bullpenning” has gained traction in baseball over the last decade, the Dodgers have taken this strategy to an unprecedented level during the postseason, driven more by necessity than intention.
The rampant injuries plaguing the Dodgers pitching lineup this season have forced them to continually adapt their strategy. Shohei Ohtani has been sidelined all season due to Tommy John surgery, while Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin have also spent the year on the injured list.
Clayton Kershaw has missed the majority of the season, contributing to the team’s pitching challenges, alongside the absences of Emmett Sheehan and Gavin Stone. Additionally, Tyler Glasnow has been ruled out for the remainder of the year due to his own injury woes.
Currently, the Dodgers can count only on three healthy starting pitchers: Jack Flaherty, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Walker Buehler. However, both Yamamoto and Buehler have also dealt with significant injuries and have missed considerable time on the field this season.
Game 4 is set to kick off at 8:08 p.m. ET on Tuesday, with the Dodgers striving for their first championship title since their victorious campaign in the 2020 season.
Continue to follow our Fastball On SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
