Miller appears to be like postseason-ready as LA’s magic quantity drops to 2

SEATTLE — The Dodgers aren’t within the postseason but, however they’re already fascinated about how issues are going to line up in October.

Prior to Friday evening’s series-opening 6-3 win over the Mariners, Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts was requested if his starter, Bobby Miller, could be his man on the hill for the primary sport within the Dodgers’ upcoming National League Division Series that’s slated to start Oct. 7.

Roberts mentioned Miller would pitch one of many first two video games, after which the rookie right-hander went out and lived as much as his skipper’s confidence, battling via 5 2/3 innings in a charged ambiance at T-Mobile Park, giving up three runs and hanging out seven. 

After the sport, Roberts was requested if Miller’s effort was yet one more profitable prep for his upcoming playoff remaining exams. 

“It was, absolutely,” Roberts mentioned. “In the sixth, the pitch count was good. He was efficient. Then there became some stress, and I think for me, personally, I want to see it, and I want him to be able to manage and see how he navigates.” 

Miller navigated effectively sufficient to earn his tenth win of the season. The greatest pitch of his evening got here with no one out within the sixth and runners on the corners. He received Mariners slugger Eugenio Suárez, who had homered in his earlier at-bat, to floor right into a 5-4-3 double play. One run scored, however the Dodgers saved the Mariners off the scoreboard for the rest of the sport.

“I thought the double play was huge,” Miller mentioned. “My goal on that pitch was to get a double play.”

Miller ended up with a line of three runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson wiggled out of the jam within the sixth to protect the one-run lead, and relievers Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier and Evan Phillips completed off Seattle. 

Miguel Rojas’ two-out, two-run residence run off Mariners righty George Kirby within the fifth inning gave the Dodgers the lead, and Max Muncy added an RBI within the sixth on his first triple of the 12 months. The Dodgers added one other run within the sixth when J.D. Martinez singled in Muncy, and Martinez singled in one other insurance coverage run within the eighth. James Outman hit a solo homer within the ninth for the Dodgers’ sixth run.

Martinez mentioned it was gratifying to see the 3-4-5 hitters contribute so prominently to a win since quite a lot of the heavy lifting has been carried out this season by 1-2 hitters Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. On Friday evening, the Dodgers’ prime two hitters went a mixed 1-for-7 with 4 strikeouts.

“Tonight was one of those things where [Betts and Freeman] pretty much didn’t carry the load for once and we were able to get the job done,” Martinez mentioned.

In the clubhouse after the sport, the Dodgers began to surprise out loud what must occur Saturday night for them to formally make the postseason with their tenth National League West title in 11 seasons.

They knew that their magic quantity was 2.

They knew that a few Giants losses in San Francisco’s doubleheader coupled with a D-backs loss to the Cubs would hand the Dodgers the division title even when they lose.

They additionally knew that one Giants loss and a Dodgers win would do it.

Oh, and so they had been fairly conscious that they’ve Clayton Kershaw on the mound Saturday in what may very well be a clincher.

Freeman mentioned they’ll be able to social gathering if all of it works out, and Roberts reiterated that when the actual social gathering begins at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 7, he expects Miller to have the big-game expertise the rookie will want for the treacherous waters forward.

“That was a test,” Roberts mentioned. “I feel this atmosphere, on the highway, it was a little bit bit extra hostile. Your adrenaline begins to form of seep via. And how do you handle feelings?

“And so that’s something that I wanted to see.”