Three-Inning Save: A Los Angeles Dodgers Podcast

Previewing the Dodgers 2024 campaign with Ginny Searle, an editor for Baseball Prospectus, who wrote the season preview for Los Angeles last week at BP. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we have actual spring training games to talk about. That, and MLB uniform quality, and concern over the pants. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Frenchy Bordagaray, an outfielder and third baseman who had two stints with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1930s and 1940s, and held the distinction as the last mustachioed MLB player for more than three decades until the 1970s. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we unpack the first week and a half of Dodgers spring training, including Clayton Kershaw returning, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto making first impressions, and more. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Kevin Pasley, who played in parts of three seasons for the Dodgers in the 1970s, and was the last Dodger to wear number four before it was retired to honor Hall of Famer Duke Snider. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed Clayton Kershaw for what would be his 17th season, and potentially longer with a reported player option. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, a recap of DodgersFest at Dodger Stadium, at which Shohei Ohtani was understandably the star attraction. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed veteran pitcher James Paxton to a one-year contract to seemingly round out their starting rotation. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take a look at the Dodgers roster and payroll for 2024, which has become clearer in the last week. 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. 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

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch give a full accounting of our various predictions about the 2023 Dodgers. 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. 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

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to the Dodgers signing outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. 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. 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

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to Yoshinobu Yamamoto signing a record-setting $325 million contract with the Dodgers. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch recap a monumental week for the Dodgers, in which they finalized a 10-year contract for Shohei Ohtani then traded for pitcher Tyler Glasnow. 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. 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 podcast covers the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this week we interview Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, who covered the newest Dodger, Shohei Ohtani, in his first six years in the major leagues with the Angels. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we are stunned at the enormity of Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take stock of the Dodgers ahead of the winter meetings. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we usher in the official start of the MLB offseason. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we lament the Dodgers getting swept in three games by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we dissect the Dodgers implosion in the first two games of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we preview the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers won 100 games for the fourth full season in a row, and will play either the Brewers or Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers have less than one week left to go in the regular season, with their October path now fairly clear. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap the Dodgers clinching their 10th division title in 11 years. 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). The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap a very eventful week for the Dodgers, the good, the bad, and the despicable. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take stock of the good, bad, and the ugly of the Dodgers losing three out of four games to the Braves. Bobby Miller impressed on Sunday with seven strong innings, making a strong case to move up in the pecking order in the October postseason rotation. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Three-Inning Save podcast, we preview the series at Dodger Stadium between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves, the two best teams in the National League (and maybe even the major leagues). Kris Willis from Battery Power joins us for insight on Atlanta. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at pitcher Pete Richert, who pitched for the Dodgers at the start (1962-64) and near the end (1972-73) of his career. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The frustrating 2023 season of Tony Gonsolin officially comes to an end, with news that the Dodgers right-hander will undergo Tommy John surgery on Friday, September 1. Gonsolin started the season on the injured list with an ankle injury, and was pitching at a diminished capacity for the bulk of his 20 starts, though the team insists he didn't risk further injury while pitching. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, Mookie Betts continued one of the best hot streaks in Dodgers history, and returned to Boston for the first time since getting traded by the Red Sox. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we look back at another winning week for the Dodgers, led by a scalding-hot Mookie Betts and a resurgent Austin Barnes, among others. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers punctuated their ninth consecutive win by living up to our podcast name, with Ryan Yarbrough collecting a three-inning save. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch discuss the juggernaut Dodgers, who have won eight straight games and now have a commanding 8½-game lead in the National League West. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at pitcher Ed Roebuck, the former Dodgers reliever who was a rookie on the 1955 Brooklyn team that won the first World Series in franchise history, and was used heavily down the stretch as the Dodgers lost the pennant to San Francisco in 1962. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch give a final recap of the Dodgers trade deadline, including the deal for Eduardo Rodrigez that fell through and adding Ryan Yarbrough. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back on last week’s plea that the Dodgers very clearly needed to trade for starting pitching, then they went out and proved it by having a terrible week on the mound. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at pitcher Mike Harkey, the former Cal State Fullerton pitcher who ended his playing career down the stretch with the Dodgers in 1997, who came on our radar thanks to Immaculate Grid. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dodgers made their first and almost certainly not last deal of trade deadline season, acquiring old friend Enrique Hernández from the Red Sox, trying to revitalize the utility man who is having a down year at the plate. 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. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, with hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, the Dodgers had a wildly successful road trip, winning all three series including taking four of six games against the Orioles and Rangers, two first-place teams among the top-five records in the majors. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at third baseman Robin Ventura, who was acquired by the Dodgers at the 2003 trade deadline. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, with hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, Clayton Kershaw is at front of mind, both regarding his shoulder injury and timing of his 2023 return, as well as his pending decision this offseason. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, with hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, we talk the first-place Dodgers and the very busy All-Star and MLB Draft week. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, with hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch, we talk about the Dodgers selected to the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at infielder Billy Grabarkewitz, who was a surprise All-Star in 1970 at third base for the Dodgers, but injuries slowed him down in other years. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch catch up on a rollercoaster two weeks of Dodgers baseball. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on the Three-Inning Save podcast, we look back at the longest save in Dodgers history, a five-inning save in 1970 by Charlie Hough, pitching in only the second game of what would be an illustrious 25-year career. Plus, Eric tells the story of his favorite spring training game ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch celebrate yet another three-inning save by Andre Jackson, and try to navigate the tough road ahead for a Dodgers pitching staff taxed to its limit. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A look back at left-handed pitcher Kemp Wicker, one of only eight players in major league history to play for only the Dodgers and Yankees. Wicker pitched four years in the majors and his teams made the World Series each time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch are amazed at how good Bobby Miller has been in his first three major league starts for the Dodgers. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A look back at Wayne Belardi, a power-hitting first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the early 1950s who was stuck behind Hall of Famer Gil Hodges on the depth chart. Belardi hit a memorable grand slam in 1953. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch recap one of the most taxing weeks for Dodgers pitching in recent memory. 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. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices