Dodgers' pitcher Tony Gonsolin delivers a standout performance in his recent return to the mound, contributing to the team's fifth consecutive victory in 2023.
Loosen Up, Let's Talk Baseball!
Boy, oh boy, the Dodgers sure are making waves in Major League Baseball with their rotating lineups, eh? This team goes global in search of top-notch pitchers, be it Japan, South Korea, or right here in the good ol' USA. Mind you, they're not just paying big bucks for any old arm – no, they want experienced, seasoned pitchers to toe the rubber every day.
But here's the kicker, amigos: the best-laid plans often go awry for these boys from L.A. Just take a gander at their current rotation, where you'll find the likes of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow on the injured list. Yep, you guessed it – they're forced to rely on greenhorns. Kudos to Jack Dreyer and Matt Sauer for stepping up to the plate recently, but joining a list that includes the likes of Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski, and Ben Casparius ain't exactly the ticket to the Hall of Fame, now is it?
Let's talk about the latest addition to this unenviable club – Tony Gonsolin, a homegrown Dodgers' talent if there ever was one. Tony was drafted in 2016 and spent some time on the DL due to Tommy John surgery and a sprained ankle. But fear not, folks, as he made a stunning comeback this week against the Marlins, proving yet again that the old adage "good things come to those who wait" ain't just hot air.
Gonsolin dominated the Fish for six mesmerizing innings, striking out a whopping nine and allowing just three earned runs. His four-seam fastball sat at 94 mph, his slider at 88, and his splitter dropped like a stone. If you were at the game, you might have heard the organist playing a "meow" sound effect after each strikeout – a nod to Tony's affinity for felines.
As for his record, Tony boasts a sparkling 35-11 (cat lovers rejoice!). He's got that It Factor, just apparently not when it comes to avoiding injuries. But hey, even cats have nine lives, right?
Now, where else can we turn for some decent pitching on this team? Well, we've got Dustin May, another homegrown Dodgers' ace. May's still rehabbing from his Tommy John surgery, but when he's ready to pitch, he'll be a valuable asset to a tired rotation.
With a brutal stretch of 19 games in 20 days coming up, the Dodgers will need all the reinforcements they can get – May and Gonsolin should be key pieces. Let's hope the boys in blue can hold it together for this daunting stretch. They've proven time and time again that they can deliver offense like nobody's business, but pitching consistency has been a challenge.
There you have it, folks. The ups and downs, the twists and turns, the heartbreak and the heartache – it's all part of being a Dodgers fan. But look on the bright side: they're playing ball, and that's what matters. Until next time, stay tuned for more Dodgers' drama!
P.S. In case you missed it, Tony Gonsolin delivered a winning performance against the Marlins, earning his 36th victory in the process. Keep an eye on this cat!
Resources:
- https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35680940/tony-gonsolin-happy-to-be-back-dodgers-after-injury-surgery
- https://www.mlb.com/player/tdgonsolin/gamelog/2022
- https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-04-28/dodgers-tony-gonsolin-roki-sasaki-yoshinobu-yamamoto
- https://www.baltimorebaseball.com/2022/05/07/snell-glasnow-out-for-months-as-dodgers-battle-injuries/
- https://www.espn.com/mlb/team/_/name/lan/los-angeles-angels
- Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers' homegrown talent, delivered an impressive performance against the Marlins, striking out nine and allowing only three earned runs in six innings, boosting his record to 36-11.
- Despite the Dodgers' struggles with injuries, they have relied on young pitchers such as Jack Dreyer, Matt Sauer, Bobby Miller, Landon Knack, Justin Wrobleski, and Ben Casparius to fill in the gaps left by the injured Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
- Dustin May, another homegrown Dodgers' ace, has yet to return from Tommy John surgery but is expected to be a valuable asset to the team once he recovers.
- Albeit, the Dodgers have been plagued by injuries this season, their star-studded lineup featuring players from California, Japan, South Korea, and other parts of the USA continues to make waves in Major League Baseball.
- With a tough stretch of 19 games in 26 days ahead, the Dodgers will need all the help they can get from pitchers like Gonsolin and May to keep them competitive in the MLB.
- Los Angeles Dodgers fans have come to embrace the ups and downs, the twists and turns, and the challenges that come with supporting their favorite team, proving that their love for the team goes beyond the wins and losses.
