Dodgers Week 20: Trade Deadline Moves and Road Trip Recap
The Dodgers’ newly acquired pitchers, who were added during the trade deadline, made an impressive combined performance this week, delivering eight scoreless innings and recording 11 strikeouts.
Player of the Week Kiké Hernández narrowly edged out Teoscar Hernández for the honor this week. Both players had three extra-base hits, but Kiké’s six-hit performance during the weekend series against Oakland, which included three doubles, was particularly notable. He even took the mound, pitching a scoreless inning.
Kiké Hernández of the @Dodgers is the only MLB player in the modern era to have 3+ hits at the plate and pitch in relief in a shutout victory. pic.twitter.com/tEBrrpcmbY
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 4, 2024
Pitcher of the Week The Dodgers brought in starter Jack Flaherty from the Tigers just before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Flaherty, a former local high school star, expressed his excitement about playing for his hometown team. In his debut for the Dodgers, Flaherty was outstanding, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out seven, generating 16 swinging strikes. This marked just the second quality start for the Dodgers in their last 30 games, which ranks second-to-last in the majors since June 27.
An honorable mention goes to Michael Kopech, another trade deadline acquisition, who faced six batters this week, retiring all of them and striking out four.
Week 20 Results
- Record: 2-3
- Runs Scored: 24 (Average 4.80 per game)
- Runs Allowed: 22 (Average 4.40 per game)
- Pythagorean Win Percentage: .540
Year-to-Date
- Record: 65-47
- Runs Scored: 552 (Average 4.93 per game)
- Runs Allowed: 456 (Average 4.07 per game)
- Pythagorean Win Percentage: .587
Additional Highlights
- 30-30 Club: Shohei Ohtani joined the exclusive club of players with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season, tying for the fourth-fastest in MLB history to achieve this milestone. He also became the first designated hitter to accomplish this feat, surpassing Bobby Bonds.
- Kershaw’s Tough Outing: In his second start back from the injured list, Clayton Kershaw had a rough game, giving up seven runs (three earned) in 3⅔ innings against San Diego. Notably, Kershaw did not record a strikeout for the first time in his 424 career regular-season starts.
- Welcome Aboard: Hunter Feduccia made his major league debut this week, though he was soon optioned back. He’s the eighth Dodger to debut this season, the most since 2021.
Transactions The Dodgers were active at the trade deadline, making several moves to bolster their roster:
- Monday: Traded Ricky Vanasco to the Tigers for cash considerations.
- Monday: Acquired Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech in a three-team trade, sending Miguel Vargas and minor leaguers to Chicago.
- Monday: Amed Rosario returned to the Dodgers, with Michael Flynn heading to Tampa Bay.
- Tuesday: Ryan Yarbrough was traded to the Blue Jays for Kevin Kiermaier.
- Tuesday: Acquired Jack Flaherty from the Tigers in exchange for minor leaguers.
- Several roster moves followed to accommodate these trades.
Game Results
- Tuesday: Lost to the Padres 6-5 (10 innings)
- Wednesday: Lost to the Padres 8-1
- Friday: Lost to the A’s 6-5
- Saturday: Defeated the A’s 10-0
- Sunday: Defeated the A’s 3-2
Upcoming Schedule The Dodgers will return home for a series against the Phillies and Pirates.
