Dodgers – Marlins

USA - MLB

Towards the end of July, the Dodgers' rotation seemed on the verge of triggering alarm bells. The starting staff, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the Dodgers during their decade of dominance, concluded July with a disheartening 6.18 ERA, marking the worst performance in a month with a minimum of 15 games since the team's relocation to LA.

However, the narrative has taken a complete turn in the 16 games of August. Spearheaded by Lance Lynn's impeccable seven scoreless innings, the Dodgers' supremacy this month has persisted. This was showcased once again on Thursday with a 1-0 victory over the Brewers at Dodgers Stadium, propelling their winning streak to a season-high 11 games.

During Thursday's match, Lynn maintained control for most of the evening. The most critical juncture came in the sixth inning when the Brewers managed to position runners at the corners with no outs, putting the heart of their lineup to the test. Lynn's veteran prowess shone as he navigated this pressure situation without flinching, displaying remarkable composure.

In a remarkable turn of events, Lynn coerced Contreras to ground out, using this opportunity to get Taylor ensnared in a rundown between third and home plate, effectively recording an inning-ending out on the dirt. He then induced Santana to line out to Freddie Freeman and coaxed Frelick into a popout to the shortstop, conclusively quelling the threat.

Following his impressive seven-inning performance, Lynn's resurgence since his transition from the White Sox to the Dodgers is evident. The seasoned player boasts a 4-0 record with an outstanding 1.44 ERA across four starts, spanning over 25 innings of play.

Offensively, the Dodgers faced considerable challenges against former National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes for most of the night. Despite the absence of J.D. Martinez, who was sidelined due to a recurring groin injury, the Dodgers failed to score against Burnes over seven innings.

However, the tide turned in the eighth inning when they managed to deliver the crucial hit they were seeking. Barnes, who had faced struggles at the plate throughout the season, delivered a solo home run off Joel Payamps, marking his first of the season.

Given the recent stellar pitching performance by the Dodgers, Barnes' home run proved to be enough to secure the sweep. Across the three-game series against the Brewers, which culminated in the team's third consecutive sweep, it was evident that the Dodgers' starters were leading the charge.

The starting rotation conceded a mere two runs across 18 innings of play. In total, the Dodgers' pitching unit limited the Brewers' offensive output to a mere three runs throughout the three-game series. Over their last eight games, the Dodgers impressively held their opponents to two or fewer runs on seven occasions.

Now, the Dodgers are poised to face the Marlins in the opening game of the series. It remains to be seen if their pitching prowess can stifle Miami's team.