Dodgers: Three Takeaways From the Dodgers' Weekend Series in Frisco

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 09: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates as he trots around the bases after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 9, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers’ weekend got off to a disappointing start with a loss on Friday. Despite the loss, LA ended up winning two of three to take the series.

The Dodgers began their series with the Giants in a bit of a slump; they had lost their previous game after a seven-game win streak. While that’s sarcasm, it certainly feels that way this season as the Dodgers have gotten off to a scorching start, putting the entire National League in their rearview mirror. Still, the Dodgers never seem to play their best in San Francisco no matter how bad the Giants are.

Although the Dodgers took two of three this past weekend, the series was anything but easy for the blue. A one-run loss and one-run victory started and finished the series. Even the middle game in which the blue won 7-2, was a one-run game until the Dodgers broke out for four runs in the eighth inning thanks to a couple of bases-loaded walks from the Giant’s bullpen. Here are three takeaways from the weekend series in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 09: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is congratulated by Cody Bellinger #35 after Muncy hit a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 9, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers-Giants Rivalry is alive and well

The last few years it seems like any arguments between the Dodgers and Giants were focused on Yasiel Puig and Madison Bumgarner. Yasiel Puig would unload on a Bumgarner pitch and let off one of his signature bat flips. In return, Madison would become irate and yell at Puig as he rounded the basepaths.

On Sunday a similar scene occurred, although this time it was an epic splash bomb off the bat of Max Muncy. Despite his usual nonchalant bat flip and a very quick glance at the ball, Bumgarner seemed bothered by Muncy and began walking towards him and shouting at Max. This could just be classified as MadBum being MadBum, AKA mad over giving up a home run.

The home run was a big one as it became the winning run as it was the only run scored between the two teams. It also helped prove that the Dodgers-Giants rivalry is alive and well. Even without Yasiel Puig, the rivalry seems to be brought out whenever Madison Bumgarner is on the mound. The Dodgers could face Bumgarner in the postseason if he is traded to a contender.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 08: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI single scoring Joc Pederson #31 against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the third inning of a Major League Baseball game at Oracle Park on June 8, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Corey Seager is Back

It took a few months, but Corey Seager is finally back to his pre-surgery form. As expected after two surgeries, it took Seager a little time to get back into the swing of things. In April he hit just .240 and his power was absent with just one home run and a .354 slugging percentage. This series, Corey went 7-12 including a 4-5 game on Saturday.

In the month of June, Seager is hitting above .400 with a slugging percentage of .688. He has also hit noticeably better against left-handed pitching which has been a signature of his career. Earlier this season when things weren’t going right for Corey, he was struggling worse against southpaw pitching. Now he has turned the corner and is slugging well no matter who is on the mound.

Cody Bellinger has “cooled off” lately and the Giants had no problem intentionally walking Cody to get to Seager. With Seager’s bat back to life, pitchers will have to think twice in picking their poison. The Dodgers’ lineup has yet to reach its full potential due to slow starts and a few injuries, but that could change with Seager back.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Joe Kelly #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in relief during the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Less bullpen, better results

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The Dodgers’ bullpen was lights out this weekend as they combined to pitch seven innings over the three-game series with just two hits allowed. A big factor into their performance was the fact that the Dodgers’ starting pitching ate up most of the innings. The long game they didn’t was Saturday’s win as Rich Hill lasted just five innings.

Julio Urias made up for the short outing from Hill and pitched two shutout innings allowing just one hit in one of his better outings since returning from the administrated leave he was placed on. Joe Kelly also pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts for one of his better outings of the season.

In Sunday’s game, the Dodgers used their current late-inning formula of Pedro Baez in the eighth followed by Kenley Jansen to close out the game and the results were shutout innings to preserve the victory for Walker Buehler and the Dodgers. There is no doubt the Dodgers should look for at least one reliever, but until then they are fine with a late-inning combo of Baez and Jansen.

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The Dodgers’ bullpen is still not one that many fans have trust in but with the rotation pitching deep into most games as of late, the bullpen has responded by pitching better in the shorter stints they are asked. The bullpen still possesses the talent to at least not be the weakest link on the team, but they have the next month to prove it or else help will be pursued.

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