The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, the battle for part of second base between Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland, how Santiago Espinal played his way onto the roster, Jack Suwinski found his power stroke, and how good Shohei Ohtani looked in his first spring outing.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also, a look back at Ohtani’s signature game in the 2025 NLCS clincher, plus a few questions regarding Dodgers camp in Arizona.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Evan Phillips is back on a one-year deal, so is Kiké Hernández, though both are expected to be out until midseason after surgeries. Also, Max Muncy signed another extension that will keep him in Los Angeles through 2027 and maybe 2028, and Jack Suwinski was claimed off waivers. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was lost on waivers again, this time to the Mets, and Anthony Banda was traded to the Twins.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Andy Ibáñez signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers in January and three weeks later was claimed off waivers by the A’s. Plus, outfielder Michael Siani got claimed by the Dodgers for a second time. Also, more on new closer Edwin Díaz and a look at recent Los Angeles closers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We also take a look at what is probably remaining for the Dodgers to add to the roster in the two-plus weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Tucker, who turned 29 on Saturday, was considered the top free agent on the market, and he stabilizes a Dodgers outfield that struggled to produce in 2025, especially in the corners. He joins Andy Pages as the only Dodgers regular position players younger than 30 years old.

Tucker has two opt-outs in the deal, but not until 2027, meaning the Dodgers lineup (and starting rotation) are nearly completely all signed for at least the next two seasons (except for third baseman Max Muncy, who is a free agent after the season).

The cost is exorbitant, but the Dodgers have been comfortably in that space now for multiple years running. Efficiency isn’t necessarily the goal of each deal, as the Dodgers in signing both Tucker and closer Edwin Díaz opted for the easiest route, signing the best player available because they had the financial wherewithal to do so.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Andy Ibáñez signed a one-year deal and figures to see time at second and third base, adding some insurance with Tommy Edman coming off ankle surgery and Max Muncy playing only 173 total games over the last two seasons. 

Four players eligible for arbitration signed one-year deals with the Dodgers before Thursday’s salary exchange date. Brusdar Graterol signed for $2.8 million after missing all of the 2025 season rehabbing from shoulder surgery, left-hander Anthony Banda signed for $1.625 million, outfielder Alex Call signed for $1.6 million, and right-hander Brock Stewart signed for $1.3 million.

The Dodgers also claimed utility man Ryan Fitzgerald off waivers from the Twins. We look at the position-player side of the 40-man roster and what might be left this offseason.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, questions on the current free agent market, what’s left for the Dodgers, and looking back at Clayton Kershaw stats.

Related holiday recipes:

Bo Ssam

Wassail Punch

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also, former Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent made the Hall of Fame, and we catch up on a month’s worth of roster minutiae.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Seven Dodgers became free agents on November 2, the morning after the World Series, including Kiké Hernández, Miguel Rojas, and a retiring Clayton Kershaw.

Max Muncy ($10 million) and Alex Vesia ($3.65 million) had their club options exercised by the Dodgers. Tony Gonsolin was designated for assignment as he recovers from his second major elbow surgery.

First baseman/outfielder Ryan Ward and left-handed pitcher Robinson Ortiz were added to the 40-man roster before they could become minor league free agents. Justin Dean, the late-inning defensive specialist who played 13 postseason games for the Dodgers but did not bat, was claimed off waivers by the Giants. Michael Grove, who missed all of 2025 after shoulder surgery, was also sent outright to the minors, off the 40-man roster.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto started and won Game 6, then got the final eight outs of Game 7 to win World Series MVP. Will Smith hit the game-winning home run in the 11th inning of Game 7, after his 73 innings behind the plate were the most by any catcher in World Series history.

There was also the Kiké Hernández alert double play to end Game 6, with a throw that was expertly scooped at second base by Miguel Rojas for the final out of the game. Rojas then hit the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 to send the series finale into extras.

The Dodgers are the first MLB team to win consecutive titles since the New York Yankees in 1998-2000. A championship parade is coming Monday in downtown Los Angeles, plus a celebration at Dodger Stadium.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the star of Game 2, pitching his second straight complete game. Both games were close into the middle/late innings, while the Blue Jays took advantage with a nine-run sixth inning to win Game 1.

Plus, notes on Alex Vesia away from the team, a healthy Will Smith’s resurgence at the plate, Tommy Edman’s ankle keeping him out of center field, and the struggles of Andy Pages.

Now the series heads back to Dodger Stadium for three games, beginning with Tyler Glasnow vs. Max Scherzer in Game 3 on Monday night.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani hit three home runs in Game 4, a game in which he also pitched six scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts, the best individual performance in baseball history, to cement his NLCS MVP award.

Dodgers pitching – Ohtani included – was the other main story of the NLCS, allowing a single run in all four games, and five straight games dating back to the Division Series. The Dodgers set franchise records with four runs and only 14 hits allowed in a postseason series.

Related reading: Molly Knight on the NLCS at her newsletter The Long Game.

Up next is the World Series, which starts on Friday against either the Seattle Mariners or Toronto Blue Jays.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Snell in Game 1 was the first MLB pitcher to face the minimum in eight or more innings in the postseason since Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Yamamoto in Game 2 pitched the first MLB postseason complete game in eight years, and the first by a Dodgers pitcher since José Lima in 2004.

Also, Max Muncy broke the Dodgers all-time postseason home run record.

Now the series returns to Los Angeles with the Dodgers in command. Tyler Glasnow starts on the mound in Game 3, and Shohei Ohtani in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.
The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We talk Roki Sasaki, Dodgers starting pitching, Tanner Scott, return of the postseason punt, and waiting to face either the Brewers or Cubs in the NLCS.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell continued the Dodgers’ hot starting pitching run, the Dodgers offense took the lead in the seventh inning in each game. They escaped a squirrelly ninth inning in Game 2 thanks in large part to a well-executed wheel play on a bunt that helped neutralize the Phillies rally.

Plus a look at Dodgers bullpen usage so far (lots of starters in relief), Teoscar Hernández having a hot start at the plate this postseason, updates on Will Smith and Miguel Rojas, plus looking ahead to Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Aaron Nola in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto each shined in their starts against the Reds. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández each homered twice in Game 1, then Mookie Betts had four hits, including three doubles in Game 2.

Will Smith is back active but isn’t catching yet, Michael Conforto was the odd man out in the wild card round and might face a similar fate against the lefty-heavy Phillies rotation. Plus, Tommy Edman’s ongoing right ankle management, Roki Sasaki standing out, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts Game 2 for the Dodgers, it's likely Max Muncy and Tommy Edman will be back in the lineup on Tuesday after missing time last week. Will Smith took batting practice on Monday night's workout at Dodger Stadium, and could be active after missing most of the last three and a half weeks. And Dave Roberts said he expects Roki Sasaki will be on the Dodgers roster in the bullpen.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, looking back at some statistics from the season, and more. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, Shohei Ohtani broke his own home run record, Freddie Freeman had a strong finish to his season, Landon Knack fulfilled his final-day purpose, and a brief glimpse at the upcoming wild card series against the Reds.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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More on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s excellent season and his sublime September, and getting his most run support of the season on the day the Dodgers clinched the division. Plus, Shohei Ohtani tied his own Dodgers home run record and broke the modern team record for runs scored, Freddie Freeman homered twice, appreciating 12 division wins in 13 seasons, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The loss marred great games by Shohei Ohtani (six scoreless innings) and Teoscar Hernández (home run, triple, three RBI). More on Dave Roberts comments after the game about pitching scared, plus a look ahead to Wednesday and the rest of the week.

Related listening: Eric Stephen on Slate's Hang Up & Listen podcast, on Clayton Kershaw

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We talk about the pending returns of Roki Sasaki and Brock Stewart to the Dodgers bullpen, and the Dodgers possibly hosting either the Mets, Reds, or Diamondbacks during the wild card round at Dodger Stadium. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Will Smith has a hairline fracture in his right hand, Emmet Sheehan has pitched great but will likely be used out of the bullpen in the postseason, Blake Treinen is in a huge slump out of the bullpen, Michael Kopech’s regular season is over, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Among the questions are how will Shohei Ohtani be used as a pitcher, which struggling bullpen arms will figure it out, and how healthy are catchers Will Smith and Dalton Rushing, among other things.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, Max Muncy returned from the injured list, and the Dodgers are expected to get back Alex Vesia on Tuesday and Tommy Edman on Wednesday.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one out away from a no-hitter on Saturday in Baltimore, but instead the Dodgers bullpen suffered a second walk-off loss in a row. Also last week, both catchers got injured, two starting pitchers were scratched, plus more on the offense struggling for over two months, 40-man roster decisions coming, plus pending returns of Max Muncy, Alex Vesia, and Tommy Edman from the injured list.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, more on the timeline for Will Smith and his right hand contusion, Ben Rortvedt getting called up and into the fire right away, and Kendall George stealing his 100th (and 10st) base of the season for Great Lakes.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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But more importantly, catcher Will Smith was hit on his right hand by a foul ball and left the game with a right hand contusion. Shohei Ohtani had two hits, including a double, but didn’t make his scheduled pitching start, pushed back to this weekend in Baltimore because he was feeling under the weather.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, Tommy Edman started his rehab assignment, updates on Roki Sasaki, Kendall George, and more. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Teoscar Hernández got a “two-day reset,” Emmet Sheehan is getting skipped this time through the rotation, plus updates on Hyeseong Kim, Michael Kopech, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and Alex Vesia.

Plus, the Dodgers connection to the movie ‘Caught Stealing.’

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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In all, Dodgers pitchers set a team record for a nine-inning game with 19 strikeouts, plus the team finally solved Nick Lodolo with a four-run fourth inning. Also, Freddie Freeman suffered a neck stinger and sat out Wednesday, and injury updates on Alex Call and the soon-to-be returning Hyeseong Kim, Michael Kopech, and Max Muncy.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, banter on Freddie Freeman and the batting order, performances by rookie relievers Jack Dreyer and Ben Casparius, and of course chips and dips.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Alex Vesia on Tuesday was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain, the same area that kept him out of last year's NLCS. Plus injury updates on Alex Call, Michael Kopech, and the 2026 schedule is out.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, and Kiké Hernández have been activated in the last four days. Hyeseong Kim and Michael Kopech are expected to follow soon. Max Muncy could be back as early as next week, then Tommy Edman at some point in September. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Two solo home runs by rookie Alex Freeland provided the only scoring for the Dodgers in losses on Friday and Saturday, and it was more of the same on Sunday for most of the game. But Freddie Freeman homered twice, Dalton Rushing hit a go-ahead three-run home run, and Shohei Ohtani homered as well.

Plus more on the returns of Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates from the injured list, and pending returns of Kiké Hernández, Michael Kopech, and Hyeseong Kim, and the roster maneuvering expected over the next few days.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages homered on Thursday, the latter snapping a bizarre streak for Pages hitting his previous 16 home runs at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw improved to 7-2 after a loss this season, including wins in such games in all four August starts, with a 1.90 ERA so far this month.

The Dodgers are 24-9 against the NL West, and will put that to the test against the Padres this weekend at Petco Park in San Diego. The Dodgers have won all three series against the Padres this season and take a one-game divisional lead into the weekend. Blake Snell starts the opener Friday night for the Dodgers, facing Yu Darvish for San Diego.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani, who allowed five runs on nine hits in the loss, was already getting a planned day off Thursday in Colorado, and told reporters in Denver he plans to be in the lineup against the Padres on Friday in San Diego.

Plus, more on the Dodgers baffling play of late, and updates on rehabbing Dodgers Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Kiké Hernández, and Roki Sasaki with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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In this episode, we talk about Teoscar Hernández's defensive woes in right field and Dave Roberts' comments on Monday. Plus, Mookie Betts likely not moving off shortstop, Alex Call's big night Tuesday, and Shohei Ohtani piling up numbers at an impressive rate, such that he'll get a rare day off on Thursday.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Will Smith kept throwing out Padres runners, Max Muncy injured his oblique, and Buddy Kennedy is the 2,000th player in Dodgers history.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Whitfield hit a memorable pinch-hit home run on August 15, 1985 off Bruce Sutter to beat the Braves at Dodger Stadium. Whitfield played 10 major league seasons and three more in Japan, and also invented a soft-toss batting practice machine called the “Terry Toss.”

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus the Dodgers lost a wild game in extra innings to the Angels, dropping to 0-5 against the Halos this season. The loss dropped the Dodgers into a first-place tie with the Padres in the National League West.

Plus, Shohei Ohtani homered and continues to pile up runs scored, Michael Conforto continues to struggle, and a former Dodgers minor leaguer (Justin Hagenman) got a FOUR-inning save (close enough!) for the Mets on Tuesday night.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus injury rehab updates on Kiké Hernández, Hyeseong Kim, Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed six runs, his most allowed in 41 major league starts, and the Dodgers trailed 7-0 before Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy homered in the eighth inning to pull within three runs. Old friend Kenley Jansen picked up his 487th career save, but for the Angels.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, Shohei Ohtani gets to 40 home runs and then some. Mookie Betts talks about his lost season and has a strong few games, Max Muncy returned to the lineup with a bang, Justin Dean made his major league debut, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Tyler Glasnow was fantastic in his seven strong innings and has been a godsend since returning to the rotation, Tommy Edman was placed on the injured list for the second time with a right ankle injury, and the Dodgers claimed power-hitting first baseman Luken Baker off waivers and sent him to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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More on the Dodgers winning road trip, Freddie Freeman finding his swing again with the help of the Coldplay kiss-cam meme (read Jack Harris in the Los Angeles Times for more), the debut of Alex Freeland, Max Muncy close to returning from the injured list, and Tommy Edman spraining his right ankle.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, more on Alex Freeland's major league debut, Freddie Freeman hitting his first home run in a month, Blake Snell pitching Saturday in Tampa, and everything you wanted to know about MLB Rule 9.16(h)(1).

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, notes on Tyler Glasnow's five walks but the bullpen saved the day with five scoreless innings. Alexis Díaz got four outs amid boos from his former home crowd in Cincinnati to earn the win. Alex Vesia struck out two in the ninth and is the third different Dodgers pitcher to earn a save in the last five days.

Alex Freeland got his first call-up to the majors and though he didn't play on Tuesday, he'll make his major league debut starting at third base on Wednesday. Speaking of the hot corner, Max Muncy started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, just four weeks after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee.

Hyeseong Kim was the corresponding roster move for Freeland. Kim was placed on the injured list with right shoulder bursitis.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Walker Buehler got his ring, Teoscar Hernández is swinging the bat better of late, Shohei Ohtani has already scored 100 runs, and slowly but surely key pieces of the roster (Blake Snell and Max Muncy) are getting closer to returning. Also, Alex Freeland could be on his way this week to help the infield.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers eked out a series win over the Twins thanks to a ninth-inning comeback culminating in a two-run, walk-off single by Freddie Freeman.

Plus information on the upcoming series against the Red Sox, Ben Casparius suffering a calf cramp but avoided the injured list, and how the Dodgers roster will look very different the next time they play at home in a week and a half.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Rich Hill is back in the majors. The 45-year-old former Dodgers pitcher was called up on Tuesday to start for the Royals, his 14th major league team to tie Edwin Jackson, also a former Dodger, for the most teams by any player in MLB history.

Also, with the Phillies beating the Red Sox on walk-off catcher's interference on Monday night, it marked just the second such occurrence in MLB in the last 105 seasons. The last one was by the Dodgers, against the Reds on August 1, 1971, with Manny Mota daring to steal home and Johnny Bench behind the plate. Old friend Bob Timmermann wrote about bases-loaded catcher's interferences back in 2007 at The Griddle.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Related reading: Diamond Baseball Holdings’ ever-expanding minor league empire, at Defector; and media capitulation of MLB holding the All-Star Game in Atlanta, four years after pulling the game, at The Objective.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus Freddie Freeman got hit by a pitch on his left wrist (X-rays were negative), Mookie Betts is now hitting second, the team is struggling offensively and defensively. But there are positive signs, like Shohei Ohtani finding his power stroke, Tyler Glasnow looking good in his return from the injured list, and Blake Snell nearing his own return.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, Clayton Kershaw gets to 3,000 strikeouts and is named an All-Star, for the latter joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also, injuries to Teoscar Hernández, Evan Phillips, and Tommy Edman.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, thoughts on Mookie Betts’s defense at shortstop, managing Will Smith’s workload at catcher, plus a look back to 1995, the 30th anniversary of Hideo Nomo’s debut.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Yoshinobu Yamamoto won National League pitcher of the month for April, then opened May with another scoreless start. Roki Sasaki got his first major league win, and his fastball has been a work in progress. Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic wrote about the Dodgers’ plan to get the most out of Sasaki and the growing pains that come with it.

Also, Tommy Edman lands on the injured list with ankle inflammation, Michael Conforto is in an 0-for-29 slump, Matt Sauer got his first major league win, and Hyeseong Kim made his major league debut.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus we track a few more three-inning saves in the Dodgers minors, plus how the major league teams plays the Marlins a lot in the next two weeks.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Andy Pages led a strong week for the offense, hitting .650 with six extra-base hits to win National League player of the week.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Within we discuss the great pitching duel between Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Jacob deGrom on Friday night, Shohei Ohtani becoming a dad, Eddie Rosario being a Dodger for two days (and starting both games), Blake Treinen landing on the injured list, Evan Phillips returning, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also, we recap the week which included a sweep of the Braves at home, including a 5-0 comeback ending with a Shohei Ohtani walk-off home run, then dropping two of three games to the Phillies in Philadelphia in a weekend of close games between playoff favorites.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus we look ahead to Dustin May, who is back on the major league mound for the first time in nearly 23 months, and what to expect from the Dodgers right-hander.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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There were standout performances by a now-healthy Mookie Betts, the Dodgers bullpen, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Plus Blake Snell made his Dodgers debut, and Roki Sasaki struggled with control for a second straight start. The Dodgers swept the Tigers and are 5-0 on the season.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We go over news and notes from the Freeway Series, including Mookie Betts’ weeks-long battle with a stomach illness, and looking ahead to the first weekend of the domestic regular season schedule ahead, including Blake Snell vs. Tarik Skubal in a battle of Cy Young Award winners. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers Japanese star players all made an impact. Shohei Ohtani had three hits, including a home run. Yoshinobu Yamamoto started and won on opening day. Roki Sasaki made his major league debut and struck out three in three innings, though was pulled after five walks.

Even without Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in the two games, the Dodgers offense found ways to score, more with patience in the first game and sheer power in the second game, including three home runs and three doubles on Wednesday.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, with Dave Roberts now signed through 2029, a look back at some trivia about his career.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We look at the final days of spring training and the Dodgers’ reception and two exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome, recount the various pitching injuries, and the final roster decisions.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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In nine years on the job, Roberts has won four pennants, two World Series, and his .627 winning percentage is the best in National League/American League history, averaging over 101 wins per 162 games. His Hall of Fame credentials are established. And now he’s paid accordingly. 

At $8.1 million per year, Roberts broke Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s record for average annual salary. Roberts was set to earn $4 million in 2025 on his previous contract, and his salary is now doubled.

Related reading: Stephanie Apstein at Sports Illustrated on Roberts

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Bill has covered baseball for four decades, including as a Dodgers and Angels beat reporter for a number of outlets. Currently he covers the Dodgers for the Southern California News Group.

Plunkett’s book chronicles Ohtani’s first season in Los Angeles, a whirlwind beginning with his free agency, to South Korea, to fraud and gambling debt by his longtime friend and former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani overcame that, even in a season in which he did not pitch, he won his third MVP award with the first 50-homer, 50-steal campaign in baseball history, and helped the Dodgers to a World Series championship in his very first taste of the postseason.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, we review the position player battle in camp, whether Hyeseong Kim starts the season in Triple-A, what to expect from Andy Pages and James Outman, who plays center field, and the hot start of non-roster invitee David Bote.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We take a stab at picking the opening day roster, factoring in various injuries and potential position battles

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, thoughts on spring training at Camelback Ranch with the opening of camp, Baseball Reference turns 25 years old, and robust beans talk.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, news and notes on the first few days of camp, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto and possibly Roki Sasaki pitching in the two games against the Cubs in Japan, relievers Evan Phillips and Michael Kopech behind schedule with injuries, Farhan Zaidi returning to the organization, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Gilliam played for the Dodgers from 1953-66, spanning their time in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, winning National League Rookie of the Year and playing in seven World Series. Gilliam was also a longtime coach with the Dodgers, and the first Black base coach in major league history.

Dittmore's book delves into Gilliam's upbringing, his early life, time in the Negro Leagues, and his decades in baseball. The book features several interviews of former players and teammates of Gilliam, and the Foreword to the book is written by former Dodgers general manager Fred Claire.

Related reading:

• How to buy 'Jim Gilliam: The Forgotten Dodger'
• Steve Dittmore's website
• From 2021, Dittmore on why Gilliam and Willie Davis deserve more consideration for the Hall of Fame.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, a note about Dave Roberts and his likely contract extension, Super Bowl talk, MLB free agency, and a look back at the 1985 team.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, injury updates on Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Tyler Glasnow, Kirby Yates’ contract finalized, Ryan Brasier getting designated for assignment, and Alex Vesia avoiding arbitration.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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2025 will be the fourth straight year a former Dodger is inducted to Cooperstown, with Dick Allen posthumously getting the call in July. That streak will be tested in 2026, batting a strong push by Jones. The most notable player eligible for his first time on the ballot next year is Matt Kemp.

Plus trivia related to the Dodgers and the Hall of Fame, questions about Dave Roberts, Dalton Rushing, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Among the highlights of the press conference for Sasaki, who signed for a signing bonus of $6.5 million, were his wearing number 11, previously worn by Miguel Rojas, and how the Dodgers might help him regain velocity on his prodigious fastball.

Also, notes on the Dodgers’ signing of Tanner Scott, their interest in adding Kirby Yates, the status of Michael Kopech’s elbow, and how Clayton Kershaw was part of the recruitment of Sasaki.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Scott had a 1.75 ERA, 2.96 xERA, and 22 saves in 67 games for the Marlins and Padres in 2024. The Dodgers got a good look at the left-hander down the stretch and in the NLDS. He struck out Shohei Ohtani in five of their six at-bats against one another over those few weeks in September and October.

We take stock of where Scott puts a very deep Dodgers bullpen, plus we sort through what the roster might look like come opening day.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers beat out the Blue Jays and Padres for the 23-year-old Sasaki, signing the right-hander for a reported $6.5 million bonus. "It was a very difficult decision, but I will do my best to make it the right decision when I look back after my baseball career," Sasaki wrote in an Instagram post on January 17, announcing his signing with the Dodgers.

Also on Friday, the Dodgers traded two minor league outfielders for international bonus pool space, to help bolster their offer to Sasaki, sending Dylan Campbell to the Phillies and trading Arnaldo Lantigua to the Reds.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The team avoided arbitration with four pitchers by signing one-year deals for Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and Anthony Banda. We dug into the salary figures exchanged by Vesia and the team, plus the Dodgers history in salary arbitration.

Catcher Diego Cartaya, who was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on January 3, was traded on January 9 to the Twins for minor league right-hander Jose Vasquez.

Also, spring training dates and news and notes regarding Heyseong Kim, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Outfielder Zyhir Hope was rated the top Dodgers prospect by BP, but as Paternostro notes on this episode, he is very close in ranking to another Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula, both of whom are ranked in the top 10 on the Baseball Prospectus top-101 prospects in baseball.

We talked about the Dodgers minor league system, potential major-league-ready prospects, and others who caught Paternostro's eye. You can find Jeffrey's work at Baseball Prospectus, and can follow him on Bluesky at @jeffreypaternostro.bsky.social.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Windhorn in his four major league seasons played for the Yankees, Dodgers, A’s, and Angels. He also played 12 years in the minors – including briefly retiring as a Dodgers minor leaguer in 1960 to run a bowling alley in Danville, Virginia – and finished up his playing days with six seasons for the Hankyu Braves in the Japanese Pacific League.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The signing of Kim gave the Dodgers a bit of an infield glut, which was cleared by moving Lux, who was pretty much limited to second base. But the Dodgers still might add position-player depth this offseason.

From Cincinnati, the Dodgers received outfielder Mike Sirota, a third-round pick of the Reds in 2024 and 16th-round 2021 draft pick of the Dodgers out of high school. The Dodgers also got the Reds’ Competitive Balance Round A draft pick in 2025, which will be somewhere in the 35-40 pick range. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Hernández, who settled for a one-year contract last offseason, got the three-year deal he wanted this time around, with a guaranteed $66 million. There’s a club option in 2028, a hefty signing bonus, and some deferred money as well, a fashion similar to the Dodgers’ recent pacts with Blake Snell and Tommy Edman.

Kim was a three-time Golden Glove Award winner, at shortstop and second base, for the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, and played the Dodgers in an exhibition game in Seoul last March. The Dodgers signed the lefty-hitting soon-to-be 26-year-old for three years, $12.5 million plus a two-year option for 2028-29. Kim is expected to play all over the field for Los Angeles.

We look at what signing Hernández and Kim means for the now-full 40-man roster, the payroll implications of this latest Dodgers move, what it might mean for Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux, Andy Pages, and others.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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From the first Dodgers pinch-hit home run, to which teams would make the playoffs, to guessing contracts, number of pitchers used, number of players to hit a home run, and much more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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With Blake Snell and Tommy Edman already signed, the next Dodgers signing might very well be outfielder Teoscar Hernández returning to Los Angeles. We look at what might be next for the Dodgers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We look at how Snell fits the rotation, plus highlights from his press conference at Dodger Stadium, thoughts on the Dodgers payroll, and all those deferrals.

Tommy Edman was going to be a free agent after 2025, but they signed the infielder/outfielder to a five-year deal to keep him through 2029. Those two deals alone make this the most money the Dodgers have added prior to the winter meetings than the first 10 offseasons of the Andrew Friedman-led Dodgers front office combined.

Also, Freddie Freeman had surgery on the sprained right ankle that hampered him during October, until winning World Series MVP.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani is the only MLB player ever with more than one unanimous MVP win, and he’s done so in three of the last four years. He joined Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both the American League and National League.

We also look at the Dodgers making some roster moves in the last week, which featured deadlines to set reserve lists for the Rule 5 Draft and to tender contracts to players on the 40-man roster. And Chris Woodward will be the first base coach in 2025, replacing Clayton McCullough who left to manage the Marlins.

Left-hander Jack Dreyer was added to the roster after strong numbers in Triple-A and Double-A this season. Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May, both of whom missed all of 2024 after elbow surgery, avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to terms on contracts for 2025. 

Postseason cult hero Brent Honeywell and left-hander Zach Logue were non-tendered, making them free agents. Both pitchers are out of options, as is Connor Brogdon, who was sent outright to Triple-A but opted for free agency instead. We analyze the Dodgers 40-man roster, which now has 36 players, including 22 pitchers and 14 position players.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Since the season ended, three Dodgers had surgeries: Shohei Ohtani to repair a torn labrum after dislocating his left shoulder in the World Series, Clayton Kershaw had procedures on his left foot and left knee, and Brusdar Graterol had left shoulder surgery to repair his labrum.

Austin Barnes and Miguel Rojas are back after their options were picked up. Plus we talked about free agents like Teoscar Hernández and Walker Buehler, plus the intrigue surrounding when Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki will be posted to MLB.

For more on Sasaki, informative pieces were written by Daniel Brim at Dodgers Digest and by Jim Allen.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We answer trivia about the season and postseason, plus look at Dave Roberts’ legacy, the rivalry with the Padres, and much more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We recap the final three games at Yankee Stadium, which began with a Walker Buehler win in Game 3 in New York and ended with a Walker Buehler save two days later.

In between was a study in bullpen management and game theory, plus a stunning comeback in Game 5 with the Dodgers erasing a 5-0 deficit to win their second championship in five years.

Freddie Freeman electrified Dodger Stadium with his walk-off grand slam in Game 1, and homered in each of the first four games of the series. He delivered a two-run single in the Game 5 comeback, and finished with 12 RBI, tying a record on his way to winning the World Series MVP award.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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From Freddie Freeman hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history in Game 1 to Yoshinobu Yamamoto having an ace-like start in Game 2, plus Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández, and even Ice Cube, there were plenty of storylines in the first two games.

Now the series shifts to Yankee Stadium in New York.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Jack Flaherty on the mound in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium against Gerrit Cole. Yoshinobu Yamamoto against Carlos Rodón in Game 2.

We preview the matchup of so many potential Hall of Famers, like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Freddie Freeman, Giancarlo Stanton, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers deployed a bullpen game in Game 6, relying on all high-leverage relievers to cover all nine innings. Four pitchers recorded more than three outs, and Blake Treinen closed out the win in the final two innings. Bulk reliever Brent Honeywell was an unsung hero as well, eating innings in Games 2 and 5 to keep the others fresh.

LA’s offense provided the cover with another double-digit outburst, led by surprise NLCS MVP Tommy Edman, who tied Dodgers records with 11 hits and 11 RBI during the series. Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy each set Dodgers records by reaching base 17 times. As a team, the Dodgers walked more in the NLCS than any team in postseason series, and had the highest-scoring series by any National League team ever.

Now, it’s on to face the Yankees in the World Series, which will begin Friday at Dodger Stadium.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Every game of the NLCS has been decided by four or more runs, and the Dodgers were on the positive side of that in big wins in Games 3 and 4 at Citi Field. Max Muncy reached base in 12 consecutive plate appearances to set a major league record for one postseason. Mookie Betts had a 4-hit, 4-RBI game in Game 4, and the Dodgers got effective starts by Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Jack Flaherty could not repeat his Game 1 performance in Game 5, and was blasted for eight runs in three innings. The game got away in a five-run third inning, in which Dave Roberts had to navigate when to use high-leverage relievers versus saving them for back home for Game 6 (with more rest) and potentially Game 7.

Those are the kind of decisions a team can make when up 3-1 in a series, but now the Dodgers are up 3-2. But most importantly, they still lead the NLCS, and have two chances to win one game at Dodger Stadium to get back to the World Series.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Game 1 was a blowout for Los Angeles, with Jack Flaherty pitching seven strong innings in a 9-0 blowout win. That tied the Dodgers with the 1966 Orioles for the longest scoreless streak in postseason history at 33 innings.

In Game 2, the Mets jumped out early, including a grand slam by Mark Vientos off Landon Knack that gave New York a 6-0 lead in the second inning. The Dodgers clawed back and got the tying run on base or to the plate in two late innings but couldn’t complete the comeback.

Now the NLCS shifts to Citi Field in New York for three games.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers will face the Mets beginning Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, with Jack Flaherty on the mound in Game 1 for Los Angeles and Kodai Senga starting for New York.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We recap the decisive Game 5 win for the Dodgers, which was their second straight shutout to close out the series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto recovered from a bad Game 1 start to pitch five scoreless innings. The Hernándezes (Kiké and Teoscar) each homered to provide the only offense the Dodgers needed.

After 24 consecutive scoreless innings to close out the NLDS, the Dodgers move onto the NLCS to face the Mets. More on that soon.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Mookie Betts snapped an 0-for-22 postseason skid that dated back to 2022 with a pair of two-hit games at Petco Park, including a first-inning home run in each game. After a one-run loss to the Padres in Game 3, the Dodgers used a bullpen game to shut out San Diego in Game 4.

That sets up a winner-take-all Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, and the Dodgers bullpen will figure heavily again in the final game of the series. The question is how much, or will Yoshinobu Yamamoto figure into Game 5.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Starting pitching remains an issue for the Dodgers, who are constantly trailing early in games. The offense did enough to come back to win Game 1, but Game 2 featured fans throwing objects onto the field at Padres outfielders, and San Diego hit six home runs to romp on Sunday.

Now the series shifts to Petco Park in San Diego, where the Dodgers need to win at least once to keep their season alive.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, updates on Freddie Freeman’s sprained ankle and Miguel Rojas’ torn adductor/groin. Both are expected to start in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers beat the Padres two out of three times to clinch the division at Dodger Stadium, giving them three NL West titles in a row and 11 in the last 12 years. By the time the season ended, the Dodgers had the best record in MLB and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Ohtani won NL player of the week in each of the final two weeks of the regular season and was named NL player of the month for September, and finished his likely MVP season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus, we talked about delicious chocolate chip cookies.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The superstar clinched 50-50 on the same day the Dodgers clinched a playoff berth, the first of Ohtani’s career. On that day in Miami, Ohtani has six hits, two doubles, three home runs, two stolen bases, and 10 RBI in one of most ridiculous single games in baseball history.

Then he kept going during the next series, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning in a win over the Rockies, in a game in which Ohtani already stole two bases. He enters the season’s final week with 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Tyler Glasnow has a sprained elbow that effectively ended his season. Gavin Stone has shoulder inflammation, which leaves his October very much in doubt. Those two are the top two Dodgers in starts and innings on the season.

The good news is that Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned with an abbreviated yet still triumphant outing in his first game back. But even with that, the Dodgers had one of their worst starting pitching weeks of the season in dropping four of six games against the Cubs and Braves.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Kershaw is another unknown along among Dodgers starting pitchers with Tyler Glasnow, who is throwing again but still not close to returning from elbow tendinitis. There are less than four weeks remaining in the regular season.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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More on the series, including a rested Freddie Freeman finding his power stroke, and Shohei Ohtani running wild as he closes in on a 50-50 season.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The lineup is complete with Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Tommy Edman back. The bullpen is at its fullest strength all season. Now it’s just a matter of sorting out the starting pitching, and hoping that Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto get healthy in time for October.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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That was part of a winning week for the Dodgers, who won five out of six games after getting their lineup back at full strength with Max Muncy and Tommy Edman activated off the injured list. Muncy had five extra-base hits in his first week back.

Jason Heyward was designated for assignment, but hit a game-winning three-run home run as his final act with the Dodgers.

The Dodgers this week got discouraging news on Tyler Glasnow, whose return from elbow tendinitis will be a slow process, questioning his eventual availability for the postseason. On a positive pitching side, Gavin Stone had a great week and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch in a rehab game this week, making his potential return more tangible.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We also catch up on the progress of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who threw a simulated game last week in St. Louis and will likely throw a few more. He could conceivably pitch a few times in September as a possible October tuneup.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Freddie Freeman jammed his finger, Mookie Betts returned from a broken hand and had a solid first week back.

The Dodgers also got Walker Buehler back from the injured list but he didn’t pitch well in his first game back, and the Dodgers cycled through rookies Landon Knack and Justin Wrobleski before calling back a struggling Bobby Miller to fill in for a few starts.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Mookie Betts, Walker Buehler, and Ryan Brasier are back this week on the road trip, with Max Muncy and Tommy Edman due back next week on the homestand. Yoshinobu Yamamoto looms as he nears a rehab assignment, too.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Teoscar Hernández is on fire, Tyler Glasnow is pitching like an ace, and we try to figure out what obstruction means.

Also, brutal injuries for River Ryan and Brusdar Graterol, and a triumphant and emotional return for Freddie Freeman. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani is the first primary DH in MLB history with a 30-30 season, and he tied Jose Canseco among all 30-30 seasons as the fourth-fastest to reach the milestone, at just 111 team games into the season. We take a look at how high Ohtani’s numbers might go.

Also, Anthony Banda joined the save club, the 10th different Dodger to record a save in 2024. We look back at recent LA history with obscure game savers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Plus we recap a very up-and-down week, losing both games to the Padres in San Diego, including a blown 5-0 lead in the opener. The Dodgers were 2-3 on the week, with wins in the final two games in Oakland. Jack Flaherty pitched six scoreless innings in his Dodgers debut, and fellow newcomer Michael Kopech struck out four in two perfect innings of relief. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers got Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw back this week, but are in the market for a starter. We look at Garrett Crochet and Jack Flaherty.

The Dodgers also lost Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor to the injured list, and Mookie Betts is still a few weeks away, and the shortstop trade market is thin. Luis Rengifo could make sense for the Dodgers in the infield.

In the outfield, we looked at Luis Robert Jr. and Randy Arozarena as potential Dodgers targets, but this was recorded before Arozarena was traded to the Mariners.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Hernández is also starting the All-Star Game along with Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday in Texas. Freddie Freeman and Will Smith are the other active Dodgers on the National League roster as reserves. To that end, we look at recent All-Star trivia and history.

Also, a look at the growing list of Dodgers pitchers, plus who might join the list later in the season.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Shohei Ohtani hit two memorable home runs last week: a three-run shot in the All-Star Game, the first by a Dodger in the midsummer classic in 28 years; and a 473-foot blast on Sunday that very nearly cleared the entire right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium.

Against the Red Sox, the Dodgers trailed in the eighth inning on Friday, then trailed in the ninth and 10th innings on Saturday. But they persevered and won all three games anyway, thanks to contributions from up and down the lineup. Gavin Lux had four extra-base hits in a row and offered some nice perspective on his trying season. Backup catcher Austin Barnes has a nine-game hit streak, and hit his first home run of the season on Sunday.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The club’s thinning pitching staff took more hits and the burden created by the starting rotation finally made the bullpen crack. And that’s before considering the underperformance from a large number of hitters. With Mookie Betts and Max Muncy not due back until August, the Dodgers basically are running two thirds of a lineup out there in nearly every game.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Hernández is also starting the All-Star Game along with Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday in Texas. Freddie Freeman and Will Smith are the other active Dodgers on the National League roster as reserves. To that end, we look at recent All-Star trivia and history.

Also, a look at the growing list of Dodgers pitchers, plus who might join the list later in the season.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The MLB Draft starts Sunday and runs for three days. The Future Game is Saturday, and the Home Run Derby is Monday before the All-Star Game itself on Tuesday in Texas. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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D-backs first baseman Christian Walker hit five home runs in three games at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers split six games against Arizona and Milwaukee, and Justin Wrobleski made his major league debut with a spot start on Sunday.

Plus rehab updates on Clayton Kershaw and Joe Kelly, and more.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Randolph played 18 years in the majors, including 13 years with the Yankees, and was part of four World Series teams and two championship teams in New York. The six-time All-Star played with the Dodgers in 1989-90, and was traded to Oakland for former Dodgers Rewind subject Stan Javier.

Related reading: Willie Randolph’s SABR bio, written by Nancy Snell Griffith.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, trivia regarding Gavin Stone’s shutout last week, and questions regarding the Dodgers and acquiring starting pitching at the trade deadline.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, an appreciation for the magnificent season Miguel Rojas is having both offensively and defensively. Plus how Chris Taylor has broken out of the doldrums and will get a runway at third base to see if something clicks.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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In the last week-plus, the Dodgers lost Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Buehler, with the latter more of a reset as Buehler works through kinks in his mechanics and delivery. They got back Bobby Miller and inserted Landon Knack for now in the rotation.

We look at the run of off days on the schedule and what that might mean this week for the pitching staff, plus the Dodgers playing it cautious with Clayton Kershaw, who started a rehab assignment of his own.

Also, a look at the weird schedule this week which includes the Dodgers and Angels having Sunday off after a two-game series. Plus loads of Dodgers trivia about the Angels and Rockies.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani hit four home runs last week, and has an extra-base hit in seven straight games, but was also joined by others in the lineup around him, including a productive 7-8-9 group that has struggled all year with a rotating cast of characters.

Plus an update on Max Muncy, who is “stir crazy” waiting for his oblique to heal and will be out until at least the All-Star break.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, a look at the weird schedule this week which includes the Dodgers and Angels having Sunday off after a two-game series. Plus loads of Dodgers trivia about the Angels and Rockies.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, a look at the top of the Dodgers lineup, which now has Will Smith batting second to break up left-handed hitters Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman.

Miguel Rojas will take over the bulk of the time at shortstop, and we look at how the rest of the roster will adjust, including more time for Chris Taylor in the infield and Miguel Vargas in left field against left-handed pitching.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Both are expected to miss several weeks, if not months. Craig Goldstein at Baseball Prospectus shared data from the site's injury recovery database, showing recent pitchers with a rotator cuff strain miss an average of 64 days, while a broken hand averages 53 days away.

We'll dig into more details on what's next for the Dodgers on our next episode, but for the coming week ahead at least, Miguel Vargas will be called up from Triple-A to take Betts' roster spot, Miguel Rojas will see the bulk of time at shortstop with a smattering of Kiké Hernández, Bobby Miller will return from his own long injured-list stint on Wednesday, and Landon Knack might make a spot start next weekend against the Angels.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Biggio has struggled at the plate, but the bottom of the Dodgers lineup is used to that. His numbers compare favorably to Kiké Hernández and Chris Taylor, and Biggio bats left-handed, unlike those two right-handers.

Biggio’s addition gives the Dodgers a left-handed option at third base with Max Muncy still out with a strained oblique. Plus Biggio can play second base and corner outfield spots if needed. This wasn’t a needle-moving trade by any means, but he fits a specific Dodgers need in the moment.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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This week brings the return of Corey Seager to Dodger Stadium for the first time since he signed with the Rangers. Plus we look back at the Dodgers’ history in interleague play, dating back to 1997.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yankee Stadium saw a great game by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, some stellar patchwork relief by the taxed Dodgers bullpen, and Aaron Judge continued to be a menace for New York. In all the Dodgers won two of three games.

Plus updates on the bottom of the Dodgers lineup, including a home run by Kiké Hernández and a three-hit game by Gavin Lux. Bobby Miller is getting closer to a return to the rotation, and what might the Dodgers do once he returns?

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Downing also famously allowed Henry Aaron’s 715th home run, in 1974, but Downing had a distinguished career, pitching 17 seasons in the majors, including seven years with the Dodgers and nine years with the Yankees.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The offense has been struggling in a relative sense, even Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman at the top of the lineup. The situation has been exacerbated with Max Muncy out since mid-May. His oblique injury will likely linger well into June.

Evan Phillips is back off the injured list, adding more stability to the bullpen. Plus updates on rehabbing pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, we look back on the first third of the 2024 season, what went right and what went wrong, plus thoughts on struggles from hitters in the bottom third of the lineup.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The offense has struggled for most of May, having a hard time getting production outside of the top 6 hitters in the lineup. And since Max Muncy has been out with an oblique strain, it’s only a top 5 in the lineup now.

Also, we go over the constant churn through Dodgers pitchers and how that bubble burst over the last week, contributing to the losing streak.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Mikkelsen had the first four-inning save in Dodgers history, in 1969, when he closed out the final win of Don Drysdale’s legendary career. Mikkelsen pitched in nine major league seasons for the Yankees, Pirates, Cubs, Cardinals, and Dodgers.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Walker Buehler struggled in his first two starts back after missing nearly two years recovering from Tommy John surgery, which was to be expected. Several high-leverage relief pitchers are injured, including Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly. But the pitching staff rolls on, allowing four or fewer runs in 19 straight games, the longest stretch in franchise history.

Teoscar Hernández had several clutch hits last week and Freddie Freeman found his power stroke, but the Dodgers offense struggled recently, with just nine runs on 13 hits over their last four games. Still, they won two of those games thanks to strong pitching.

Before the Dodgers lost a road series to the Padres, they swept the Marlins at home, giving Los Angeles three winning weeks in a row. Up next this week, a road series in San Francisco before returning home to face the Reds.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The last week for the Dodgers included a game delayed nearly two hours by bees in a stadium that has a roof, Shohei Ohtani gave Dave Roberts a toy car then hit three home runs in two days, Max Muncy hit three home runs in a game, and LA got fantastic starting pitching.

The rotation gets a boost on Monday with the return of Walker Buehler from Tommy John surgery and flexor tendon repair, making his first MLB start in 696 days.

Also, we talk about how the Dodgers bullpen will be used in the next few weeks with closer Evan Phillips on the injured list and Blake Treinen back.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers and Braves met in back-to-back NLCS in 2020 and 2021, with each team winning a championship in those years. Both teams have won 100 or more games in the last two seasons too, but both were bounced in the Division Series.

In 2024, both teams are strong again, but also dealing with pitching injuries and while the overall offensive numbers are good for both the Dodgers and Braves, both are dealing with struggles in parts of the lineup. Here's a look ahead to what should be a fun weekend series in Los Angeles.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers won five out of six games on the road last week, sweeping the Nationals then taking a series against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Mookie Betts stayed ridiculously hot, both at the plate and on the bases. Shohei Ohtani hit two memorable home runs, including one that tied him with Dave Roberts. 

The team also got great pitching, including the best start of April by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow continuing to pitch like an ace, Gavin Stone setting a career high in innings in a game, and Landon Knack earning his first major league win.

Andy Pages impressed as a rookie, and will get a long leash to continue to do so with Jason Heyward progressing slowly from his back injury. Plus, rehab updates on Walker Buehler, Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol, and Kyle Hurt.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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There were troubles with runners in scoring position, and especially so with the bases loaded, too many strikeouts for the hitters, and the continued issue of having the bottom of the lineup produce. The bullpen has struggled as well, and the team just hasn’t been in sync for the last two weeks or so.

Among the positives though last week was Shohei Ohtani passing Hideki Matsui for the most home runs in MLB by a player born in Japan, and the Dodgers had three major league debuts – outfielder Andy Pages, plus pitchers Landon Knack and Ricky Vanasco – all in the same series.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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McCullough has covered baseball for over a decade, including covering the Dodgers for the Los Angeles Times, and currently writes at The Athletic, and also co-hosts The Roundtable podcast about MLB as well. You can follow Andy on Twitter at @ByMcCullough.

In this interview, McCullough details how the Kershaw book came about, his process of researching and writing the book, plus various highlights along the way, and McCullough's perspective along the way.

You can pre-order 'The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness' from Hachette Book Group, before its wide release on May 7.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani and the Dodgers say they want to move on and focus on baseball, and Ohtani for the most part has, going on an extra-base barrage that included tying Hideki Matsui for most home runs in major league history by a player born in Japan.

We also take stock of the Dodgers pitching staff with Bobby Miller landing on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, and Walker Buehler nearing a return from his rehab assignment (even though Buehler took a ball off his middle finger in his last minor league start).

All that, plus so much rain in Los Angeles that the Dodgers have had three rain delays at Dodger Stadium in a 16-day span, including two in a row this weekend against the Padres.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Related reading:

• Remembering Zachry at True Blue LA
• Zachry’s SABR bio, written by David Skelton
• Obituary at the Waco Herald-Tribune
• Jay Horwitz of the Mets remembers Zachry’s time in New York
• Obituary in the Cincinnati Enquirer

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers have used their bullpen an awful lot in the early part of the season, and in doing so added and subtracted several members along the way.

Nabil Crismatt got a win in his one day on the roster, and Dinelson Lamet pitched three times and recorded the first professional save of his 11-year career. A week and a half ago, neither were on the Dodgers 40-man roster, and they aren’t now either, because both have since been designated for assignment.

The Dodgers traded for left-hander Nick Ramirez, who is now in Triple-A. They also traded for right-hander Connor Brogdon, who will join the team in Minnesota this week. Lefty Matt Gage was released while on the Triple-A injured list, but has reportedly returned on a minor league contract.

Plus, the Dodgers ran a planned bullpen game last week rather than have two starters pitch on four days rest, and they moved Brusdar Graterol to the 60-day injured list, which means he’s out until mid-May, and Blake Treinen is at least “weeks away” from returning from his own injured list stint. Hence the patchwork nature to the LA bullpen so far.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Mookie Betts started the season on fire, including hitting a home run in four straight games. Will Smith is also hot at the plate, fresh off signing a new 10-year contract. Similar for Teoscar Hernández, who homered three times and doubled twice against St. Louis.

Dodgers starting pitching was excellent over the weekend, headlined by Bobby Miller striking out a career-high 11 batters in six scoreless innings on Friday. Yoshinobu Yamamoto was also great in his Dodger Stadium debut, with five scoreless innings, disrupted only by rain.

Also in this episode, we look at the Dodgers’ lack of left-handers in the bullpen, Shohei Ohtani’s timing at the plate just a bit off even though he’s hitting the ball hard, Walker Buehler starting a minor league rehab assignment and getting closer to a return, and Emmet Sheehan out until at least late May.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Smith is now signed through 2033. He bats cleanup for the Dodgers, behind Mookie Betts (signed through 2023), Shohei Ohtani (signed through 2033), and Freddie Freeman (signed through 2027). All four also share another trait, in that they have a lot of deferred salary in their contract, totaling $902.5 million. For Smith, like Ohtani, those deferrals will be paid annually from 2034-2043.

The contract for Smith puts the Dodgers payroll at roughly $320 million for competitive balance tax purposes. The Dodgers are already in the fourth and highest tier, such that for anything over $297 million in 2024 they will pay a 110-percent tax. At the moment, they are estimated to pay roughly $67 million in competitive balance tax for this season alone.

Related reading:

• Dodgers deferred salaries, at The Athletic
• Smith contract details and reaction, at MLB.com
• More Smith reaction, from the Los Angeles Times
• Smith annual salaries, from MLB.com

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani during a press conference at Dodger Stadium read a statement, though did not take questions. In that statement, Ohtani said he has never bet on baseball or any sport, nor has he ever had dealings with a bookie. Ohtani also accused Mizuhara of stealing from him and lying to him, and said he did not know of Mizuhara’s gambling debt nor any payment made from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker in Orange County – totaling at least $4.5 million per ESPN – until a Dodgers team meeting on March 20 after the opening day win in South Korea.

Major League Baseball is investigating the Ohtani and Mizuhara situation, though Ohtani is expected to remain active as the investigation is ongoing.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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That belonged to Shohei Ohtani, whose interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday amid a report of ties to an illegal gambler, and accusations of "massive theft" from Ohtani's attorneys. As of now, Major League Baseball has no plans to investigate Ohtani just yet, but the story is still developing. More on that soon, as well as what's ahead for the Dodgers

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The low-scoring affair featured the Dodgers hitless in their 14 at-bats with runners on base through seven innings before breaking through with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman combined to reach base eight times in 15 plate appearances, including two hits apiece by Betts and Ohtani, who each had run-scoring singles in the decisive eighth inning.

Plum more on the opening day roster, including Blake Treinen and Brusdar Graterol on the injured list, as well as Spectrum offering in-market streaming of Dodgers games for Spectrum internet and mobile customers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We go over the Dodgers’ frenzied reception at Incheon International Airport, including Shohei Ohtani with his now-revealed wife Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player. Ohtani will also begin a throwing program once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles, following his elbow surgery in September. We look at what that means, and what it doesn’t regarding 2024.

To date, the Dodgers have played two exhibition games against Korean teams at Gocheok Sky Dome.

Leading into opening day Wednesday morning (a 3 a.m. PT start time), in which Tyler Glasnow will start and Ohtani will make his Dodgers debut, we look at some roster things from the last week, including non-roster invitee Daniel Hudson making the team, Gavin Stone winning the fifth-starter battle, and Miguel Vargas getting optioned. 

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That was Neidlinger’s only season in the majors. Acquired from the Pirates in a trade in 1988, Neidlinger pitched 11 seasons professionally and now coaches baseball at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. 

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There’s also the matter of manager Dave Roberts saying Betts to shortstop was “permanent, for now,” which is a hilarious phrase. We look at what might happen beyond this initial move of Lux to second base and how patient the Dodgers might be during his throwing struggles.

Also, a look at some roster news, like Emmet Sheehan starting the year on the injured list, Brusdar Graterol not making the trip to South Korea, and Blake Treinen suffering a bruised lung.

Also, we discuss non-roster invitee Daniel Hudson likely making the team, and possibly non-roster lefty Justin Wilson too, plus the Dodgers acquiring utility infielder Andre Lipcius from the Tigers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Related reading: Javier’s SABR bio, written by Richard Cuicchi

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, we take a look at the potential Dodgers opening day roster, based on developments from the first few weeks of spring training. And discuss the Dodgers debut of Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well as the return of Kiké Hernández to Los Angeles, facilitated in part by the trade of Manuel Margot to the Twins, all last week.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We talk about the Dodgers' whirlwind offseason, adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and more, plus the strengths and weaknesses of the team, and the depth of the pitching staff.

You can read Ginny Searle's work at Baseball Prospectus, and you can follow her on Twitter or Bluesky as well.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We review the Dodgers’ first four games, which included Tyler Glasnow’s debut with the team. Also, we have a date on Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers debut, coming this Tuesday against the White Sox. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to pitch in his debut on Wednesday.

Plus, we look at new deals for various old friends, as well as two other old friends – Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier – back in the organization working as special advisors now for the Dodgers.

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Related reading:

Bordagaray’s SABR bio, written by Norm King

The New York Times obituary of Bordagaray

Bordagaray at the Baseball Reference bullpen wiki

Los Angeles Times obituary of Bordagaray

Previous Dodgers Rewind (2022) of Eddie Basinski, who like Bordagaray was a violinist who played for Brooklyn

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Ohtani keeps hitting home runs in batting practice and draws a huge crowd everywhere he goes. Likewise for Yamamoto, was “incredible” in facing hitters for the first time.

Plus, details on Kershaw’s contract that could take him through 2025, a look at the spring training schedule ahead, how the Nike/Fanatics uniforms are garnering complaints across MLB, and other various Dodgers news and notes.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Kershaw had elbow surgery in November and isn't expected to pitch until after the All-Star break, but he remains with the only professional organization he's ever known in returning to a loaded Dodgers team.

Also this week, the Dodgers re-signed reliever Ryan Brasier and traded left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees in a bullpen reshuffling of sorts.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We talk about highlights and moments from FanFest, the general vibe at Dodger Stadium, plus some news about the team. That includes Walker Buehler starting the season on the injured list as he’s being slow-played to open the year after Tommy John surgery and will be on an innings limit in 2024.

Pitcher Nick Frasso, who was added to the Dodgers 40-man roster this offseason, had shoulder surgery in November to repair a torn labrum. He likely won’t pitch in 2024.

Shohei Ohtani is coming off elbow surgery in September that will keep him off the mound in 2024, but he’s expected to hit. He said Saturday that he expects to be fully ready to hit by opening day on March 20 in South Korea. Gavin Lux is “absolutely” the Dodgers shortstop heading into the year, and said he will be ready for opening day after missing last season with a torn ACL.

The Dodgers are also keeping in touch with free agent Clayton Kershaw, and have made it known they want him to return.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Paxton returned from Tommy John surgery to put up a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts for the Red Sox in 2023, though he missed time last year with both a hamstring strain and knee injury, the latter giving a bad ending to an otherwise promising start to his season.

Injuries have always been an issue for the 35-year-old Paxton, who has never qualified for any rate leaderboards and has topped 150 innings only twice in his 11 major league seasons. But he’s usually been very good while on the mound, which could benefit the Dodgers come October.

Also, third baseman Adrián Beltré was elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, giving the Dodgers a Cooperstown inductee for a third consecutive year.

Related reading:

• Details of the signing at True Blue LA
• An “unspecified health issue” drops Paxton’s guarantee from $11 million to $7 million, per The Athletic
• How Paxton might need to improve his secondary pitches, from Baseball Prospectus
• Paxton has a chance to help the Dodgers in the postseason, from FanGraphs
• Dodgers bullpen could use another reliever, at True Blue LA
• Non-roster invitees to Dodgers spring training, at True Blue LA
• Adrián Beltré elected to Hall of Fame on the first ballot, at True Blue LA

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Michael Busch, whose path to playing time with Los Angeles was narrow at best, was traded along with reliever Yency Almonte to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of intriguing minor league prospects. The Dodgers have added four prospects in trades this offseason in moves that were essentially made to clear space on the 40-man roster. 

One of those 40-man spots went to outfielder Teoscar Hernández, who was signed by the Dodgers to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. We talked about that move on the podcast last week, a transaction which essentially completes the active roster position-player set, and Hernández is the latest to join the group of Dodgers with deferred salary.

More clarity came with the Dodgers reaching agreements on 2024 contracts with all 10 players eligible for salary arbitration, avoiding a hearing for a fourth consecutive season. This group included catcher Will Smith, starting pitcher Walker Buehler, back-end relievers Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol and many others. In all, the Dodgers are looking at the highest tier of the competitive balance tax with an estimated payroll of $300 million.

And they might not even be done adding this winter.

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We got some right, and got some wrong. Like Eric picking the Padres to win the National League West, for instance. But this is a look back at all the various questions from Craig Minami throughout last year that pur our predictive powers (or lack thereof) to the test. 

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Hernández adds a right-handed-hitting power hitter who averaged 28 home runs and 31 doubles over the previous three seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Hernández especially excels at hitting left-handed pitching, to the tune of a 136 wRC+ in his career, including a 164 wRC+ against southpaws since the start of 2021 that ranks fifth in the majors. He fits the exact need stated by Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman in an interview earlier Sunday on MLB Network Radio, giving the Dodgers another right-handed batter to go along with a lefty-heavy lineup that includes Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, James Outman, and Gavin Lux.

We look at the impact of Teoscar Hernández on the roster, with essentially the 13 position players already set, and likely more time in the minors for Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas, if they aren’t traded for pitching. 

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Yamamoto hit the perfect storm in free agency, as a star who won the last three MVP awards and Eiji Sawamura awards (the latter for top starting pitcher) in Japan, and is only 25 years old, with all the big-market MLB teams interested in his services.

The Dodgers won out, beating out the Mets and Yankees with a 12-year contract for Yamamoto, adding to a stunning December that saw them also add Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow.

What a way to have our last podcast episode of 2023. 

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, with questions from Craig Minami. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Everything last week pretty much revolved around Ohtani, the global superstar, in some way or another. First, his heavily-deferred contract broke some brains in how to properly interpret this deal, and how it can be worth $700 million or $461 million depending on your point of view.

Ohtani was also heavily involved in the recruitment of star free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, his teammate on Japan in the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani even recorded a video to help woo Glasnow to reach a five-year, $136.5-million contract extension that finalized the Dodgers’ trade with the Rays.

In addition to Glasnow, the Dodgers got outfielder Manuel Margot from Tampa Bay, in exchange for pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca. 

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Jeff wrote a book chronicling Ohtani entitled Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played, which was written after the 2021 season and the paperback edition was updated after the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Jeff provides great insight to Ohtani's success as a player, what makes him tick, and what the Dodgers might expect going forward.

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Ohtani’s deal shattered records for both total value and average annual salary in both baseball and North American Sports. His agreement with the Dodgers came after speculation that he might sign with the Blue Jays, plus flight tracking of a plane to Toronto that was actually carrying someone from Shark Tank.

We recap the week that led up to Ohtani picking the Dodgers, including Dave Roberts daring to plainly state the obvious in an otherwise secretive situation. So now Ohtani joins an offense that includes Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, giving them a formidable trio atop the lineup. Those three also have a similar contract structure, it seems.

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The first four weeks of the offseason have been mostly quiet. Jason Heyward is coming back to Los Angeles after a nice bounce-back year. Lance Lynn signed with the Cardinals. Yency Almonte avoided arbitration, and Ricky Vanasco found his way back to the 40-man roster.

Shohei Ohtani is the big prize of the offseason, and the Dodgers will certainly be in the mix. But mystery surrounds him. Plus we look at potential pitching additions like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell at the top of the free agent market plus potential trade candidates Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease.

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On November 2, the day after the World Series, 12 Dodgers became free agents, headlined by shoulder-surgery-recoverer Clayton Kershaw and J.D. Martinez. We go over the Dodgers roster at the start of the offseason, plus Max Muncy’s new 2-year contract, various club option decisions and important dates upcoming.

We also look at the volatile nature of postseason performance, personified by Corey Seager, who found the upswing again with another World Series MVP, this time with the Rangers, and Mookie Betts, who had two straight bad playoff performances.

Plus, Betts comments on Trevor Bauer, Dodgers trivia, offseason questions, and more.

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Game 3 at Chase Field in Phoenix went much like the first two games in Los Angeles. Arizona took an early lead with four solo home runs in the third inning against homer-prone Lance Lynn. Dodgers starting pitchers in the NLDS allowed 13 runs and recorded 14 outs in the series.

Those four runs proved too much for an inept Dodgers offense, who scored only two runs in the seventh inning of Game 3, and scored exactly two runs in every game of the series, with a dismal .498 OPS. The Dodgers had their fourth-worst OPS in a single playoff series, but not quite as bad as the 1920 Brooklyn team in basically the end of the dead ball era.

Now, the season is over, so we take a brief look at how the Dodgers will start the offseason, with many decisions ahead, including whether Clayton Kershaw will return.

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Clayton Kershaw had the worst start of his career, allowing six runs while recording only one out in Game 1. Bobby Miller recorded only five outs in his postseason debut in Game 2. The Dodgers trailed by several runs before they batted in both games.

The offense could not pick up the slack, scoring only twice each in the first two games, mostly shut down by D-backs starters Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen. The Dodgers aren’t giving themselves many chances with runners in scoring position (13 PA in two games), and they aren’t coming through when they do (two hits).

Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have just one hit in 13 at-bats in the first two games, but they aren’t alone. The Dodgers scored a combined four runs on 10 hits in the first two games. Now, they have to win three straight games to keep their season alive, the first of which is Game 3 at Chase Field in Phoenix, with Lance Lynn starting on the mound.

The Dodgers face an uphill battle, to say the least.

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Arizona swept the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card round, giving the Dodgers their fourth straight NLDS against a divisional opponent, and fifth in the last seven years dating back to 2017.

We look at the matchup, including the Dodgers’ strong performances against D-backs starters Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt this season, plus how Dodgers pitchers have curbed stolen bases as the season wore on.

Plus, we look at notes from three days of Dodgers scrimmages at Dodger Stadium, plus guessing the potential NLDS roster, and pitching plans beyond Clayton Kershaw and Bobby Miller starting the first two games.

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We briefly look back at the regular season, including amazing campaigns by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. And we also look ahead to Clayton Kershaw set to make his 12th career Game 1 start on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

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The Dodgers have clinched a bye past the wild card round and into the Division Series, which means they will have five days off between their regular season finale and Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, October 7. We know Bobby Miller and Clayton Kershaw will start the first two games, but the order remains to be seen.

At least for the NLDS, there aren’t many roster battles at all, if any. The Dodgers are locked into the No. 2 seed in the National League, which means playing the winner of the series between the NL Central-winning Brewers and the third wild card team.

We also look at some statistics in play in the last week of the regular season, including 60 doubles and 100 RBI for Freddie Freeman, 40 home runs for Mookie Betts, 100 RBI for J.D. Martinez, 100 wins for the Dodgers, and more.

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Despite a starting pitching staff that was decimated, and growing pains for several rookies along the way, the Dodgers cruised to yet another division title. How they managed the pitching in the last two days in Seattle against the Mariners is a potential preview of how the team might deploy its pitchers this postseason. Over the weekend, hard-throwing right-handed rookies Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone followed left-handers Clayton Kershaw and Ryan Yarbrough, respectively, with great success.

The playoffs will be a mix-and-match scenario for the pitchers, though Bobby Miller will figure prominently at or near the top of the Dodgers rotation. Manager Dave Roberts already said Miller would start one of the first two games in the National League Division Series.

Also in this episode, Stone got a 10-out save, Mookie Betts ties leadoff home run and RBI records, Jason Heyward continued his incredible resurgent year, plus we remember the time Duaner Sanchez threw his glove during a play, and debate ice cream toppings (or not).

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Julio Urías was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball. While not official yet, given the timing and his pending free agency, this effectively ends his time with the Dodgers in ignobility.

Mookie Betts fouled a ball off his left foot and left the stadium in Miami and crutches, which made everyone panic and for good reason. But it turned out to be a bone bruise and he only missed two games.

Freddie Freeman broke the Dodgers doubles record, Bobby Miller continued to pitch his way into a more prominent role in October, Ryan Pepiot flirted with a perfect game, and the Dodgers had three rain delays in three days in Washington D.C.

Also, pitcher Ryan Yarbrough joined the new Dodgers dads club, after the birth of his daughter he's the seventh player on the team to go on paternity leave this season. Scott Miller in the New York Times wrote a great article about the Dodgers dads.

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We recorded this episode on Sunday night, before news of Julio Urías getting arrested in Los Angeles on felony domestic violence charges. Urías will not accompany the team on their road trip to Miami and Washington D.C., and an MLB investigation is pending.

Also in this episode, the Dodgers bullpen needs more right-handers but none of the injured pitchers are particularly close to returning. Starter Walker Buehler did start a rehab assignment though, and his return nearly 13 months after Tommy John surgery suddenly looks more real and possible than before.

Mookie Betts and James Outman won awards for August, the Dodgers optioned Ryan Pepiot for some reason, and we guess if and when Betts might break the record for leadoff home runs in a season.

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This series has arguably the top four contenders for NL MVP in Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, and Matt Olson, and the two teams will likely send the top four pitchers in their starting rotation to the mound in the four games in Los Angeles.

This should be an exciting series, and potentially a preview of the National League Championship Series, which if it happens would be the third time in four years the Dodgers and Braves met in the NLCS. They also played each other in the 2018 NLDS, so there's lots of history between these two teams.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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This surgery likely knocks Gonsolin out for 2024 as well, so we look at the Dodgers rotation for next year, with fellow surgery-recoverer Dustin May out until midseason himself, and free agency looming for Julio Urías and Clayton Kershaw. Also, a look at how Gonsolin's contract structure gave him a perverse incentive to continue pitching while hurt this season.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch and produced by Brian Salvatore. We are part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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Betts is on such an incredible hot streak, dating back two months, that he might now be the favorite for National League MVP. There’s still five weeks left in the season to decide this award, and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves will have a lot to say about it. So will Freddie Freeman, who already broke the Los Angeles Dodgers record for doubles in a season with more than a month left to play.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Also, Tony Gonsolin reached the end of his rope after pitching hurt for two-plus months, landing on the injured list with elbow/forearm inflammation and unlikely to pitch again this season.

The Dodgers had a 23-year rainout streak snapped thanks to the first tropical storm in California in 84 years. J.D. Martinez reached on catcher’s interference twice in a game, the first Dodger to do so in 87 years, so it was a big week for rarities.

We predict the 2023 playoff teams as well, so be sure to yell at us at our inevitable wrong answers.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Yarbrough, one of five players acquired by the Dodgers before the trade deadline, has impressed in a hybrid bulk relief role since joining Los Angeles, and has helped "save" the rest of the bullpen with his extended outings.

For Yarbrough to get his three-inning save -- like Andre Jackson twice and Emmet Sheehan's four-inning save before him -- multiple factors played into the opportunity. First, starter Bobby Miller was fantastic in his six innings, retiring his final 18 batters faced. And the Dodgers offense had to cooperate with a five-run rally in the sixth inning to take the lead, just as Yarbrough entered.

It was Yarbrough's first career save of any kind, and fourth save of at least three innings by a Dodgers pitcher in 2023.

Also, a look at the current Dodgers bullpen, which added Gus Varland and could add Shelby Miller within the week as they await returns of Joe Kelly and Yency Almonte from the injured list.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Clayton Kershaw returned for the first time in over six weeks, and Lance Lynn continued to ride his fastball to success since getting traded to the Dodgers. Fellow deadline acquisitions Kiké Hernández (131 wRC+) and Amed Rosario (130 wRC+) have boosted the offense as well, especially against right-handed pitching.

The Dodgers have won 12 out of 13 games before their first off day of August, and after one of the worst starting pitching months in franchise history in July, the LA rotation has a 2.25 ERA in August, stabilizing the staff. In the bullpen, manager Dave Roberts introduced the term "trust tree" this week, to our delight.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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We talk about Roebuck’s 11-year major league career, his tirade about manager Walt Alston after getting traded to Washington, Roebuck’s legendary prowess with the fungo bat, how he overcame major shoulder injuries to last, plus his longtime scouting career.

Sources include: SABR bio of Roebuck, written by Paul Hirsch; Roebuck’s obituary, by Bill Shaikin in the Los Angeles Times; Dodgers trade Roebuck to Washington, True Blue LA.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Emmet Sheehan pitched a perfectly-timed four-inning save (no, we are not changing the podcast name), and the Dodgers won five out of six games against the A’s and Padres, losing only thanks to a nightmare eighth inning by the bullpen in San Diego on Saturday. The players the Dodgers did trade for factored in, with Lance Lynn winning both starts, Amed Rosario homering twice, and the Dodgers as a team tattooing left-handed pitchers of late, facing a ton of them in the last week and a half.

Also, Clayton Kershaw is likely going to return to the rotation this week.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Dodgers did get a head start on the MLB trade deadline by making three deals. They brought back Kiké Hernández and traded for Amed Rosario to bolster the right-handed options among position players. Plus they got Rosario for pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who was on the outs in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers also got starting pitcher Lance Lynn and reliever Joe Kelly from the White Sox, a trade that on its surface doesn’t look like a huge upgrade. The team still needs pitching help, and have about a day and a half left until the trade deadline to make more deals.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Sent to Boston in the trade were Triple-A relievers Nick Robertson and Justin Hagenman, with the Red Sox paying $2.5 million of the roughly $3.7 million remaining on Hernández's salary in 2023. A look at what this means for the Dodgers in the short term -- Hernández will face lefties, provide more versatility -- and that it doesn't necessarily rule out the Dodgers from trading for another hitter.

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The Dodgers have a top-five record, too, and have cemented their usual perch atop the National League West. Freddie Freeman went supernova, which overshadowed a surreal week by catcher Will Smith and contributions from just about everyone on offense.

But the starting pitching struggled, with nearly a 9.00 ERA this last week, and blow-up starts by Julio Urías and Emmet Sheehan, accentuating the Dodgers’ need to acquire starting pitching at the trade deadline, which is a little over a week away.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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In addition to his excellent years with the White Sox, the six-time Gold Glove winner Ventura also played with the Mets and Yankees. For the Mets, Ventura famously hit a walk-off grand slam single in Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS, on a ball he hit over the wall in right field but never actually rounded the bases during the celebration and only got credit for a single.

The Dodgers acquired Ventura from the Yankees in 2003, and he played with Los Angeles for the final season and a half of his career.

The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore.

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Kershaw is on the injured list with shoulder soreness and has been prescribed rest, and won’t join the Dodgers rotation until at least the first week of August. But he also talked about his upcoming offseason in an interview with USA Today, at the very least retirement is on the table.

After five days off during the All-Star break, Dodgers pitchers looked rested and allowed only three runs to the Mets, winning two of three games. Mookie Betts remains on fire at the plate, putting together what Dave Roberts is touting as an MVP campaign.

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Clayton Kershaw is on the injured list but will be back soon, but the Dodgers got terrible pitching news last week. Dustin May will have elbow surgery, out until midseason 2024 at least. Daniel Hudson returned after missing a year for his left knee, then suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee.

Still, the Dodgers won five out of six to move into first place in the National League West.

The MLB Draft started Sunday and the Dodgers took four high school players in their first 10 rounds, an aggressiveness thanks to a larger signing bonus pool this year compared to recent years.

Also, Mookie Betts’ mom was right about the Home Run Derby, and three Dodgers in a row batting in the National League All-Star lineup.

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Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and J.D. Martinez were voted by fans to start for the National League, the first time the Dodgers have had three starting position players in the All-Star Game since 1980.

Clayton Kershaw made his 10th All-Star Game and catcher Will Smith made his first.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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After getting swept at home by the Giants and a week of bullpen woes, Dodgers pitching was at the forefront in winning four of five against the Angels and Astros. We take stock of where the Dodgers roster stands, plus the pending returns of Julio Urías, Max Muncy, and Daniel Hudson from the injured list.

Also, we pour one out for Andre Jackson, the patron saint of the three-inning save with the Dodgers, who was traded to the Pirates for cash.

This week’s food topic is figuring out which pizza toppings work for us, and we find out why Jacob doesn’t really eat popcorn.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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In the last week alone, Noah Syndergaard reached the end of his rope, unable even to eat innings during his turn in the rotation. He was placed on the injured list, nominally for the blister in his finger, but also for a major reset to figure out how to recapture any of his former self on the mound. And just when Julio Urías was set to return, his left hamstring flared up again, pushing him back a few more weeks.

The Dodgers are asking a lot of the starters they have, but the burden on the entire staff as a whole showed itself with three walk-off losses in four days, and the need of a bullpen game to finish off the series against the Phillies. We look ahead at how the Dodgers might manage their pitching staff for the remainder of June, which is helped somewhat by four off days in an upcoming 15-day stretch.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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Miller, the Dodgers top pitching prospect, is the ninth different starting pitcher the Dodgers have used this season amid a season of injuries, and even his own year was delayed by shoulder soreness in spring training. But so far, Miller has allowed only two runs in 17 innings, including shutting out the Yankees for six innings. He’s been the best pitcher on the Dodgers since joining them two weeks ago.

Also this week, Freddie Freeman won National League player of the month, J.D. Martinez has caught fire since returning from the injured list, a trio of relievers – Evan Phillips, Brusdar Graterol, and Caleb Ferguson – have emerged atop the bullpen hierarchy, and Jonny DeLuca is now in the major just three weeks after playing in Double-A.

The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network.

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Dustin May injured his elbow and will miss at least 4-6 weeks, Julio Urías is out two weeks with a strained hamstring, and the Dodgers had a spate of short starts for a full week plus a 12-inning game that put tremendous strain on the pitching staff.

The Dodgers brought up four different pitchers in a four-day span, and jettisoned two of them the next day because they needed another fresh arm. And that doesn’t even include Justin Bruihl, who pitched three straight days, got optioned, but returned the next day.

Also in the last week, The Phil Bickford Game, a walk-off walk by streaking Trayce Thompson, and Freddie Freeman reached the 300-home-run club.

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The series features the teams with the two best records in the NL, but both are juggling pitching injuries at the moment. Perhaps the Dodgers and Braves will have to rely more on their offenses, scoring the most and second-most runs per game in the league. It should be a fun series between two teams who played against each other in the postseason three times in the last five years.

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May suffered a flexor pronator strain in his right elbow, and is expected to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection, per multiple reports. Wednesday was his 15th start since returning from Tommy John surgery.

Gavin Stone seems likely to replace May in the short-term, but there's more to deal with on the Dodgers pitching staff.

Noah Syndergaard is dealing with a blister on his right index finger, and hasn't pitched well enough or deep enough into games. The Dodgers bullpen was unusually taxed this week, throwing 21 innings in three games against the Twins, with several relievers pushed to their limits. We discuss the roster fallout on this podcast.

Plus, an update on Walker Buehler, who aims to return from his own Tommy John surgery by starting in September, just over a year after his procedure. That timetable was deemed aggressive, but Buehler also talked about his rehab and the nature of his surgery.

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The Dodgers beat the Padres in a series for two straight weekends, including a sweep in Los Angeles over Mother’s Day weekend to open up a seven-game lead in the National League West over third-place San Diego only about a quarter into the 2023 season.

Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman are heating up, and both Will Smith and J.D. Martinez are back in the lineup, putting the Dodgers formidable offense back at full strength.

With Tony Gonsolin back in the rotation, Dodgers pitching has stabled somewhat, including Clayton Kershaw, Julio Urías, and Dustin May, plus a bullpen that started slow but had pitched well the last few weeks, specifically the higher-leverage pitchers.

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With catcher Will Smith and third baseman Max Muncy back in the lineup, the Dodgers won seven of their first eight games back together to streak into first place.

A look at accolades for Clayton Kershaw and James Outman for their strong Aprils, Gavin Stone making his major league debut, our expectations for the 2023 Dodgers, and more.

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Max Muncy had a breakout week with a pair of two-home-run games, and the Dodgers scored nine and 10 runs in wins in San Francisco. But they were also shut out by the Giants and scored only six runs in three games against the Cubs at home, for a 3-3 week.

Catcher Will Smith took a handful of foul tips off his face mask against the Giants then missed all three games against the Cubs after experiencing concussion symptoms. Smith was placed on the concussion injured list, the first roster move since opening day for the Dodgers, who signed catcher Austin Wynns as a temporary backup to Austin Barnes behind the plate.

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The Dodgers are back to .500 at 5-5, and the pitching was terrible over the weekend, with Clayton Kershaw giving up back-to-back home runs to lose on Friday, then bad and short starts from Noah Syndergaard and Michael Grove.

LA’s bullpen has also been shaky to open the season, striking out batters at a low rate, in the lower third of the league. The bad pitching overshadowed what has otherwise been a pretty good Dodgers offense, especially from Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, James Outman, J.D. Martinez, and Jason Heyward.

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What better way to start the Three-Inning Save podcast than with a three-inning save, this one by designated three-inning saver Andre Jackson, who has pulled off the feat three times in his eight major league games, dating back to 2021. Not bad for someone who didn’t even know three-inning saves existed when he first got one.

The Dodgers offense was up and down in the first weekend, combining for 18 runs in the two wins, and falling 2-1 in both losses. Trayce Thompson hit three home runs and drove in eight in one game, and Will Smith was the offensive hero on opening day, driving in four.

Dodgers pitching was excellent, allowing only seven runs in four games. But two late blips by the bullpen contributed to both losses. We go over the first four games of the weekend, plus thoughts from the series and highlights from opening day.

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Come get to know hosts from the Dodgers podcast (Three Inning Save), Rockies podcast (Rocky Mountain Rooftop), Giants podcast (Giants Chroncast), and Padres podcast (Talking Friars), all available RIGHT NOW on the brand new Fans First Sports Network (FFSN).

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The final pieces of the roster are set in place, with rookie James Outman making his first opening day roster by forcing himself onto the team with a strong spring training, after a strong 2022. Rookie Ryan Pepiot won the fifth starter spot, taking over for Tony Gonsolin, who is out with a sprained ankle. Rookie Andre Jackson won the final bullpen spot.

Julio Urías gets the first opening day start of his career, on the mound for the Dodgers on March 30 against the D-backs. Urías will be followed in the rotation by Dustin May, Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, and Pepiot to begin the season.

Also on this episode, we make some predictions for the season, including how many wins for the Dodgers and where they’ll finish in the National League West. We also look at some over/unders for specific players.

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If those names sound familiar to you, it’s because we podcasted about the team for over 10 years at True Blue LA. It will be more of the same on the new network, including questions from Craig Minami, plus Dodgers rewind episodes every so often.

On this episode, we take a look at the dwindling decisions left for the Dodgers to finalize their opening day roster. Tony Gonsolin will open the season on the injured list with a sprained left ankle, leaving a competition between Ryan Pepiot, Michael Grove, and Andre Jackson for the final spot in the starting rotation. 

Outfielder Jason Heyward, a non-roster invitee in spring training, is likely to make the Dodgers. With recent roster cuts, the Dodgers only have healthy 13 position players on the 40-man roster. Adding Heyward essentially means that the final position player roster spot is between outfielder James Outman and infielder Yonny Hernández. Outman has been impressive all spring, and played well enough to earn a roster spot, but it’s in question whether he will make the opening day roster.

In the bullpen, Daniel Hudson will open the season on the injured list with ankle tendinitis, though he’s not expected to miss too much time. Jimmy Nelson, signed to a major league deal after missing the last year and a half due to Tommy John surgery and flextor tendon repair, hasn’t found his command this spring, walking eight of his 17 batters faced, with no strikeouts. We do know at least two left-handers will be on the opening day roster, with Dave Roberts saying Alex Vesia and Caleb Ferguson will be on the team, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

This week’s questions from Craig look back at Dodgers Cy Young Award winners, and St. Patrick’s Day food traditions.

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