LIVE: D-backs vs. Dodgers NLDS Game 2 on TBS
LOS ANGELES -- The D-backs delivered an early haymaker. It wasn't a knockout.
Arizona's stunning nine-run victory in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday night sets up a wildly unpredictable Game 2 on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Think you know where this series is headed? Think again.
¡°We¡¯ve got to do it all over again,¡± said D-backs first baseman Christian Walker. ¡°This is just the beginning.¡±
For all of their Game 1 tribulations, the Dodgers can get right back into the series by winning Game 2. Meanwhile, the D-backs send ace Zac Gallen to the mound with a chance to take a commanding series lead.
Opposite Gallen, the Dodgers turn to rookie Bobby Miller for Game 2. By definition, it¡¯s not technically ¡°must-win¡± for Los Angeles. But it sure is close. In the history of best-of-five postseason series, teams taking a 2-0 lead have gone on to win 78 of 88 times (89%).
¡°You¡¯ve just got to throw this one away as fast as you can,¡± said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. ¡°11-2, 2-1, they¡¯re all losses in the playoffs. It doesn¡¯t matter how you lose, it¡¯s still a loss. We¡¯ve got to come back on Monday.¡±
Here¡¯s what you need to know about Game 2:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 2 is Monday at 9:07 p.m. ET/6:07 p.m. PT & MST at Dodger Stadium on TBS.
All series are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games are available live internationally (except in Canada). Full game archives are available approximately 90 minutes after the game ends.
Who are the starting pitchers?
D-backs: RHP Zac Gallen (17-9, 3.47 ERA)
Gallen is the D-backs' ace, and after finishing fifth in the Cy Young voting last year, he figures to finish in the top 5 again this year. The right-hander faced the Brewers in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series and struggled in the first, allowing a pair of runs before shutting the Brewers out for the next five innings.
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Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (11-4, 3.76 ERA)
Miller has been the Dodgers¡¯ top pitching prospect for a few years now, and his rookie campaign did not disappoint. The power right-hander has passed a lot of tests this season, but his first postseason start of his career will come in as close to a must-win situation as it can be for the Dodgers. Miller says he feels ready for the postseason lights -- and the stage will be set on Monday.
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What are the starting lineups?
D-backs: With a right-hander going for the Dodgers, the D-backs put Ketel Marte back in the second spot with Corbin Carroll leading off. The pair flipped in Game 1 with lefty Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
- Corbin Carroll, RF
- Ketel Marte, 2B
- Tommy Pham, DH
- Christian Walker, 1B
- Gabriel Moreno, C
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
- Alek Thomas, CF
- Evan Longoria, 3B
- Geraldo Perdomo, SS
Dodgers: With another right-hander on the mound in Gallen, the Dodgers are sending the Game 1 lineup back out for Game 2, hoping for better results.
- Mookie Betts, 2B
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Will Smith, C
- Max Muncy, 3B
- J.D. Martinez, DH
- Jason Heyward, RF
- David Peralta, LF
- James Outman, CF
- Miguel Rojas, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
D-backs: The D-backs did not use any of their plus relievers since they had such a big lead in Game 1, so they have a fully gassed up bullpen. Lovullo has not been as aggressive in going to his bullpen with either Merrill Kelly or Gallen on the mound.
Dodgers: With the Dodgers hoping to avoid an 0-2 hole in the series, manager Dave Roberts will be extra aggressive in using his high-leverage relievers, who didn¡¯t get any action in Game 1. Ryan Brasier, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips will be used in the pivotal moments of the game.
Any injuries of note?
D-backs: None
Dodgers: None.
Who¡¯s hot, who¡¯s not?
D-backs: The entire D-backs lineup appears to be hot at the moment. They¡¯ve scored 22 runs in three games with the opposing starters being Corbin Burnes, Freddy Peralta and Kershaw. The D-backs ride waves offensively, and right now they are riding high.
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Dodgers: Despite the blowout loss in Game 1, the Dodgers came away encouraged with the at-bats Smith had, going 2-for-4 with a two-RBI triple in the eighth inning. Smith is one of the Dodgers¡¯ most important pieces in the lineup, but struggled in the second half of the season. If the All-Star catcher can get back to his usual production, the Dodgers feel confident in their ability to score runs.
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Anything else fans should know?
D-backs: The D-backs have homered in 14 consecutive postseason games dating back to Game 3 of the 2007 NLCS against the Rockies. That ties them with the 2020-21 Dodgers and 2017-18 Astros for the second-longest such streak in history.
Dodgers: The Dodgers are the 16th team to lose Game 1 of a postseason series by nine or more runs. They¡¯re looking to become just the seventh team to come back and win a series following the lopsided Game 1 loss.