La Dodgers Dodgers vs Colorado Rockies Picks and Predictions September 20th 2024

Dodgers Look to Stay in Celebratory Mood in Series Opener Against Rockies

The Los Angeles Dodgers will open their last homestand of the time on Friday against the Colorado Rockies, and the group will do as such with the gleam of festivity actually waiting subsequent to securing a season finisher spot. Adding to the celebratory climate, Shohei Ohtani conveyed a notable execution on Thursday that has the whole baseball world humming.

Ohtani, who got the initial 50-homer, 50-take season in MLB history, put on a staggering showcase against the Miami Marlins, driving the Dodgers to a 20-4 win with quite possibly of the most momentous hostile presentation throughout the entire existence of the game. His six-hit game included three grand slams, two takes, and 10 RBIs, setting another single-game RBI record for the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Game

Ohtani’s historic day also included five extra-base hits and 17 total bases, making it only the 16th double-digit RBI game in MLB history and the first since Mark Reynolds did it in 2018. His performance on Thursday etched his name into the record books and further solidified his case as one of the greatest players to ever step on the field.

“If I’m being honest, it was something I wanted to get over with as soon as possible,” Ohtani said, referencing the growing attention surrounding his historic pursuit, including the use of specially marked baseballs to track the momentous achievement.

For Ohtani, the night was about more than just personal milestones. The victory also clinched a postseason spot for the Dodgers, marking Ohtani’s first-ever trip to the playoffs. After playing his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani is now focused on performing well in high-pressure, postseason situations.

“Obviously I changed teams this year and my goal has always been to make it to the playoffs,” Ohtani said. “It’s something I have really worked hard at and I’m really happy to have been able to make it and now my goal is to perform well in playoff situations.”

Dodgers’ Playoff Push Continues

While the Dodgers have already clinched a postseason berth, their goals don’t stop there. They now lead the National League West by four games over the San Diego Padres, with nine games left to play. The Dodgers and Padres are set to meet for a crucial three-game series in Los Angeles next week, but for now, the Dodgers will focus on maintaining their momentum in this series against the Rockies.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed excitement about Ohtani’s achievement and its significance beyond just the team’s performance.

“This was a win for Major League Baseball,” Roberts said. “I know people all over the globe were watching this game and we’re excited they got a chance to witness history. This game has been around a long time and he’s one of one.”

Currently tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the best record in the major leagues, the Dodgers are in prime position as the postseason approaches. While they have not named a starter for Friday’s game, Roberts has suggested it could be a bullpen game, with the team expected to add a fresh pitcher to the active roster.

Rockies Look to Avoid 100-Loss Season

The Rockies (59-94) will send left-hander Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.89 ERA) to the mound on Friday as they look to play spoiler. Freeland has been pitching well as of late, posting a 2.35 ERA over his last five starts, during which he has thrown 30 2/3 innings. In his most recent outing, Freeland allowed three runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs.

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Freeland has struggled against the Dodgers in his career, holding a 5-10 record with a 4.75 ERA in 23 career starts. However, the Rockies have been playing better baseball recently, winning two of three games at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Despite their late-season surge, the Rockies are still at risk of suffering back-to-back 100-loss seasons. With nine games remaining, they need four more wins to avoid that fate. Rockies manager Bud Black, who became the winningest manager in franchise history earlier this week, has been encouraged by his team’s recent play.

“I think our defense has been solid, we’ve gotten some timely hitting and we still have to hit a little more,” Black said. “But collectively, the pitching staff has hung in there.”

Key Players to Watch

• Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers): Ohtani’s record-breaking performance against the Marlins has the baseball world buzzing, and all eyes will be on him as he continues to make history. Can he carry his momentum into the final homestand and keep the Dodgers on track for the postseason?
• Kyle Freeland (Rockies): Freeland has been one of Colorado’s best pitchers down the stretch, but he’ll face a tough challenge against a potent Dodgers lineup. Freeland’s performance could determine whether the Rockies can avoid a blowout and remain competitive in this series.
• Dodgers’ Bullpen: With no official starter named for Friday’s game, the Dodgers will likely lean on their bullpen. How the bullpen manages the workload could play a key role in the outcome, especially if Freeland is able to keep the Rockies close.
• Rockies’ Offense: The Rockies have been inconsistent at the plate, but their recent stretch of success shows they have the potential to deliver timely hits. If the Rockies want to keep up with the Dodgers’ firepower, they’ll need contributions from their entire lineup.

Conclusion

As the Dodgers open their last homestand of the time, the group is enjoying some real success on the energy of Shohei Ohtani’s memorable exhibition and their securing of a season finisher compartment. With the postseason in sight, the Dodgers will hope to remain sharp and keep fabricating their case as one of the top choices heading into October.

For the Rockies, the objective is to play spoiler and stay away from a second back to back 100-misfortune season. Kyle Freeland will have the extreme undertaking of holding the Dodgers’ setup within proper limits, however the Rockies will areas of strength for require from both their pitching staff and offense assuming they desire to hold the Dodgers back from celebrating further.

This last homestand vows to be a personal one for the Dodgers and their fans, as they hope to end the standard season on a high note and convey their energy into the playoffs.