The Los Angeles Dodgers entered their series against the Mets with a battered pitching staff, a grueling schedule ahead, and little margin for error. They left Citi Field at nearly 2 a.m. with a marathon 7–5 win—but not without more wear on an already overworked rotation and bullpen.
“This stretch could be defining,” manager Dave Roberts admitted ahead of a 29-game run exclusively against winning teams. It’s a test of depth, stamina, and resolve, and the early returns suggest the Dodgers will need every ounce of each.
Dodgers’ Road Gauntlet Begins with Taxed Arms and Midnight Triumph
Friday night’s rain-delayed, 13-inning win over the Mets—lasting four hours and eight minutes—was a war of attrition. Clayton Kershaw, making just his second start off the injured list, was pulled after only 26 pitches due to a 98-minute rain delay. What followed was Roberts in “playoff mode,” as Matt Sauer, Ben Casparius, and Luis García covered 11 innings with only one fresh arm left unused by night’s end.
“Obviously it’s not the way we envisioned it,” Roberts said. “Both pens were taxed. Used everyone essentially available… But to come out with the win, it feels a lot better.”
The Dodgers are missing Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. Their bullpen has been gutted, with Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Kirby Yates all on the IL. That left Tanner Scott—on his third appearance in four nights—to try and close. He blew his fourth save of the season, sending the game to extras.
Yet, they survived, thanks to a five-man infield and Luis García’s late-inning heroics. “The mindset was, don’t let that guy score,” García said. He didn’t.
The Dodgers are surviving the storm. But they’re doing so on fumes, with no help in sight and little rest ahead. They will play 2 more games against the Mets before a series against the 28-22 Cleveland Guardians, then back home to take on the New York Yankees and another series against the Mets.