The Los Angeles Dodgers got back on track with a 5-0 shutout win over the San Diego Padres in what was another dominant performance by the pitching staff.
James Paxton turned in his best start of the season, allowing just four hits over six innings of work. Gus Varland, Ryan Yarbrough and J.P. Feyereisen then followed him with scoreless outings of their own to cement the victory.
According to Sarah Langs of MLB.com, Dodgers pitching has allowed four runs or fewer in a franchise-record 18 consecutive games.
The last MLB team with a single-season streak this long was the 2017 Cleveland Indians, when they allowed four runs or fewer in 25 straight games.
The Dodgers’ streak of allowing four runs or fewer began on April 21, which also marked the start of their turnaround. Since then, the team has won 15 of their last 18 games while expanding their lead in the National League West.
Over that span, Dodgers pitching ranks first in ERA (1.66), walks per nine (2.2) and home runs per nine (0.7), and second in FIP (3.27) and FanGraphs’ WAR (3.2).
The Dodgers rotation has been led by Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with Walker Buehler recently returning and Gavin Stone and Paxton finding success as well.
The bullpen has also thrived despite key contributors Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly and Evan Phillips recently landing on the 15-day injured list.
Dave Roberts: Dodgers’ recent play ‘as good as he’s seen’
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said that the team is playing as well as they ever have under his leadership. “I think in a complete game sort of frame, it’s as good as I’ve seen it,” he began.
“I think that over a stretch in recent years we’ve played some great baseball at times. But this is, from all facets, it’s as good as I’ve seen. It’s hard to beat what we’ve done.”
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