Lourdes Gurriel Jr. sets MLB record with home run off 103.9-mph pitch
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. took his time.The Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter didn’t swing at the first two pitches he saw from San Diego Padres reliever Mason…
Things are finally turning around for Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki
Between now and October, the Dodgers will be evaluating their increasingly healthy pitching staff, trying to identify the best 13 arms for their World Series…
Dodgers can’t overcome horrific first inning in loss to Brewers
MILWAUKEE — Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one pitch away from a clean first inning Monday night.Instead, it devolved into a sudden, unstoppable nightmare.In the shortest start of his…
How a three-pitch mix has Clayton Kershaw on cusp of 3,000 strikeouts
The transformation happened quickly in May 2009.Early into his second year in the majors, a young Clayton Kershaw was enduring a sophomore slump with the…
‘More animated’ Shohei Ohtani shows Dodgers different side on mound
With his arm forming a 90-degree angle at his elbow, Shohei Ohtani clenched his right hand like an umpire signaling an out.The actual home-plate umpire,…
Dodgers will finally get the complete Shohei Ohtani experience
On the field, he’s produced the first 50-50 season in baseball history and won a World Series. Off it, he’s sold everything from unsweetened green…
Dodgers hope simple adjustment will get Tanner Scott back on track
Three times in the ninth inning last Friday night in New York, new Dodgers closer Tanner Scott made the same simplistic, save-blowing mistake.In an inning…
Roki Sasaki’s declining fastball velocity is a problem. Can the Dodgers fix it?
In the Tokyo Dome in March, you could almost hear the zip of the ball.101 mph.The pop of the catcher’s mitt sounded like a gunshot.100…
Shohei Ohtani homer caps wild rally in Dodgers’ win over Arizona
PHOENIX — One pitch. One swing. One pure, unmistakable sound. On a night the roof was open, the air was hot and the Dodgers were engaged in…
Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominates again in Dodgers’ win over Rangers
ARLINGTON, Texas — One of the starting pitchers Friday night has won two Cy Young Awards.The other is making an early case to win one of his…
Jack Dreyer is Dodgers’ Rubik’s Cube master, and potential bullpen arm
PHOENIX — It took some four hours of work, roughly 1,200 Rubik’s Cubes, and years’ worth of knowledge with the six-side, 54-panel puzzle.Ever since high school, minor-league…
Roki Sasaki’s first official Dodgers outing is a rousing success
PHOENIX — It all came as advertised.The 99-mph heat. The late-diving, hard-biting splitter. The overwhelming, if still raw, stuff that many expect will make him a future…
After nearly dying, Dustin May thrilled to be pitching for Dodgers
PHOENIX — Dustin May screamed into his cap after blowing a 95-mph fastball by Oscar Gonzalez for an inning-ending strikeout on Sunday, and when the Dodgers right-hander…
What is ceiling for rookie Roki Sasaki? ‘Inside, I’m really nervous’
PHOENIX — Which Los Angeles newcomer will have a better season, Roki Sasaki or Luka Doncic?“Being biased,” Dave Roberts said with a hearty laugh, “I hope it’s…
Kenley Jansen agrees to deal with Angels, returns to Southern California
Kenley Jansen is returning to Southern California, the veteran closer agreeing to terms on Tuesday to a one-year, $10-million contract with the Angels pending a…
How Dodgers bullpen saved them from Mets rally in NLCS Game 4
NEW YORK — Most fans from a sold-out crowd of 43,882 had filed out of Citi Field by the eighth inning Thursday night, the Dodgers pulling…
How the Dodgers aim to be ‘the ones attacking’ opposing pitchers
Four times last year, the Dodgers saw Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly in the regular season.On almost every occasion, they had their way with the…
After a ‘long funk,’ has Will Smith finally rediscovered his swing?
DENVER — Will Smith has hardly been a bad hitter for the Dodgers during the past two seasons.But as his offensive production has declined at the…
Former Dodger Luis Cruz amazed by Shohei Ohtani’s accomplishments
Whenever he stepped into the batter’s box, the crowd at Dodger Stadium used to chant, “Cruuuuz!” He was a role player on the Dodgers for…
How Evan Phillips regained command of his pitches, and Dodgers’ trust
Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips caught too much of the plate with a full-count fastball to Junior Caminero on Saturday night, and the Tampa Bay slugger…