Dodgers Pitcher Struggles in Postseason Debut #

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ right-handed pitcher faced difficulties in his first postseason appearance during Game 1 against the San Diego Padres. The game, which ended in a 7-5 victory for the Dodgers, saw the pitcher allowing a run within the first three batters and putting his team into early deficits.

The Dodgers’ manager suggested that the opposing team might have been aware of what pitches were coming. He mentioned that there were issues with the pitcher’s glove potentially giving away his pitches, especially when runners were on second base. The team plans to address this internally.

The pitcher, who signed a record-breaking contract with the Dodgers (12 years, $325 million), only lasted three innings and allowed five runs. This performance continued a pattern of struggles against the Padres, who have scored 13 runs against him in nine innings this season.

Pitch-tipping had been identified as a concern during spring training, visible through television cameras. The team had attempted to work with the pitcher on his glove positioning, which may have affected his command in earlier games.

During Saturday’s game, the pitcher faced challenges from the start. The Padres quickly loaded the bases, leading to a two-run home run that gave them a 3-0 lead in the first inning. After a clean second inning, the pitcher allowed more runs in the third, including a double that brought in two runners.

The pitcher acknowledged the difficulties, stating that his usual pitching strategy wasn’t effective once runners were on base. He expressed his intention to review the game and make improvements for future outings.

The decision to start this pitcher in Game 1 was influenced by the schedule, as he has not thrown on regular rest all season. This arrangement potentially allows him to be available for a Game 5 if necessary, although the manager did not confirm whether he would definitely start such a game.