La Dodgers vs Tampa Bay Rays Picks and Predictions August 25th 2024

Dodgers Aim to Secure Series Win Against Rays with Ohtani Leading the Charge

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to close out their three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday afternoon, with Shohei Ohtani continuing his historic quest for baseball’s first 50-50 season. This series finale comes after a nail-biting Saturday game where the Dodgers narrowly missed victory, falling 9-8 in extra innings.

Ohtani’s Historic Season

Shohei Ohtani has been the talk of the town, showcasing his unmatched two-way talent. In the series opener on Friday, Ohtani stole a base and crushed a walk-off grand slam, becoming just the sixth player in MLB history to achieve a 40-40 season—40 home runs and 40 stolen bases. On Saturday, he added another highlight with a go-ahead home run in the fifth inning, further solidifying his MVP-caliber season. Despite Ohtani’s heroics, the Dodgers saw their five-game winning streak snapped in a tough 10-inning loss.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the impact Ohtani has had on the team, noting, “You see the at-bats, one through nine in the lineup, are much more competitive.” The Dodgers have won 11 of their last 15 games, maintaining a three-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.

Dodgers’ Pitching Challenges

On Sunday, Los Angeles will send rookie right-hander Gavin Stone (11-5, 3.44 ERA) to the mound. Stone, in his first full season as a starter, struggled in his only start against the Rays last season, giving up seven runs on 10 hits in just two innings. He’ll be looking to turn things around and help the Dodgers finish the series on a high note.

The Dodgers have been dealing with some pitching challenges lately, with their top two starters, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, on the injured list. Despite these setbacks, the team has managed to stay competitive, thanks in large part to the momentum generated by Ohtani’s stellar performances.

Rays Seek Series Win

The Tampa Bay Rays, who are 3-3 on their current 10-game road trip, will counter with left-hander Jacob Lopez (0-0, 8.44 ERA) on Sunday. Lopez, making his first appearance since May, has yet to face the Dodgers in his career. He was 4-6 with a 4.08 ERA in 17 appearances (15 starts) with Triple-A Durham this season.

Lopez may be followed by right-hander Shane Baz (1-2, 3.48 ERA), who is returning from Tommy John surgery. Baz earned his first win of the season on Tuesday, pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings against the Oakland Athletics. “It felt good,” Baz said about his performance. “I felt that I attacked well. Got ahead of a lot of guys, and that always helps.”

Saturday’s Game Recap

In Saturday’s game, the Rays staged a comeback to win 9-8 in 10 innings. Junior Caminero tied the game in the ninth with a solo home run, and Jose Caballero delivered the go-ahead runs in the 10th with a two-run blast. Caminero has now hit two home runs in this series, both coming in the last two games.

The Rays also jumped on Dodgers veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw early, scoring four runs in the first inning and tagging him for five runs over five innings. Former Dodgers Jonny DeLuca and Garrett Cleavinger were crucial in the Rays’ victory, with DeLuca delivering a clutch two-run single and Cleavinger securing the save despite facing the dangerous Ohtani.

Dodgers and Rays Ready for Series Finale Showdown

As the Dodgers and Rays face off in the series finale, both teams have plenty on the line. The Dodgers are looking to extend their lead in the NL West, while the Rays aim to close out their road trip with a series win. With Shohei Ohtani leading the charge and Gavin Stone seeking redemption, the Dodgers hope to finish strong against a resilient Rays team that has battled hard throughout the series.