Reaction to the Dodgers beating the Padres 5-2 on opening day at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, in MLB's first-ever regular season games in SOuth Korea. The low-scoring affair featured the Dodgers hitless in their 14 at-bats with runners on base through seven innings before breaking through with a four-run rally in the eighth inning. Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman combined to reach base eight times in 15 plate appearances, including two hits apiece by Betts and Ohtani, who each had...
Mar 20, 2024•30 min•Season 24Ep. 13
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, opening day is finally here and we look ahead to the Dodgers and Padres playing two early morning games in Seoul, South Korea. We go over the Dodgers’ frenzied reception at Incheon International Airport, including Shohei Ohtani with his now-revealed wife Mamiko Tanaka, a former professional basketball player. Ohtani will also begin a throwing program once the Dodgers return home to Los Angeles, following his elbow surgery in September. We look at...
Mar 20, 2024•52 min•Season 24Ep. 12
Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at Jim Neidlinger, who made 12 starts for the Dodgers in 1990. That was Neidlinger’s only season in the majors. Acquired from the Pirates in a trade in 1988, Neidlinger pitched 11 seasons professionally and now coaches baseball at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...
Mar 13, 2024•27 min•Season 24Ep. 4
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we discuss the latest position switch for superstar Mookie Betts, who is now the Dodgers shortstop after Gavin Lux’s throwing problems created an untenable situation in the infield. There’s also the matter of manager Dave Roberts saying Betts to shortstop was “permanent, for now,” which is a hilarious phrase. We look at what might happen beyond this initial move of Lux to second base and how patient the Dodgers might be during his throwing strugg...
Mar 11, 2024•54 min•Season 24Ep. 11
Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at outfielder Stan Javier, who played for the Dodgers from 1991-93. Related reading: Javier’s SABR bio, written by Richard Cuicchi The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 08, 2024•29 min•Season 24Ep. 3
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we revel in Shohei Ohtani’s first Dodgers (spring training) home run as well as his surprise revelation that he is now a married man. Also, we take a look at the potential Dodgers opening day roster, based on developments from the first few weeks of spring training. And discuss the Dodgers debut of Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well as the return of Kiké Hernández to Los Angeles, facilitated in part by the trade of Manuel Margot to the Twins, all last we...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 24Ep. 10
Previewing the Dodgers 2024 campaign with Ginny Searle, an editor for Baseball Prospectus, who wrote the season preview for Los Angeles last week at BP. We talk about the Dodgers' whirlwind offseason, adding Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and more, plus the strengths and weaknesses of the team, and the depth of the pitching staff. You can read Ginny Searle's work at Baseball Prospectus, and you can follow her on Twitter or Bluesky as well. The Three-Inning Save is part of the ...
Feb 28, 2024•29 min•Season 24Ep. 9
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we have actual spring training games to talk about. That, and MLB uniform quality, and concern over the pants. We review the Dodgers’ first four games, which included Tyler Glasnow’s debut with the team. Also, we have a date on Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers debut, coming this Tuesday against the White Sox. Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to pitch in his debut on Wednesday. Plus, we look at new deals for various old friends, as well as two other old frie...
Feb 26, 2024•59 min•Season 24Ep. 8
Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Frenchy Bordagaray, an outfielder and third baseman who had two stints with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1930s and 1940s, and held the distinction as the last mustachioed MLB player for more than three decades until the 1970s. Related reading: Bordagaray’s SABR bio, written by Norm King The New York Times obituary of Bordagaray Bordagaray at the Baseball Reference bullpen wiki Los Angeles Times obituary of B...
Feb 22, 2024•29 min•Season 24Ep. 2
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we unpack the first week and a half of Dodgers spring training, including Clayton Kershaw returning, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto making first impressions, and more. Ohtani keeps hitting home runs in batting practice and draws a huge crowd everywhere he goes. Likewise for Yamamoto, was “incredible” in facing hitters for the first time. Plus, details on Kershaw’s contract that could take him through 2025, a look at the spring training sche...
Feb 19, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 24Ep. 7
Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at catcher Kevin Pasley, who played in parts of three seasons for the Dodgers in the 1970s, and was the last Dodger to wear number four before it was retired to honor Hall of Famer Duke Snider. The Three-Inning Save podcast is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Produced by Brian Salvatore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 08, 2024•19 min•Season 24Ep. 1
On the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed Clayton Kershaw for what would be his 17th season, and potentially longer with a reported player option. Kershaw had elbow surgery in November and isn't expected to pitch until after the All-Star break, but he remains with the only professional organization he's ever known in returning to a loaded Dodgers team. Also this week, the Dodgers re-signed reliever Ryan Brasier and traded left-hander Caleb Ferguson to the Yankees in a bullpen reshuffl...
Feb 07, 2024•20 min•Season 24Ep. 6
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, a recap of DodgersFest at Dodger Stadium, at which Shohei Ohtani was understandably the star attraction. We talk about highlights and moments from FanFest, the general vibe at Dodger Stadium, plus some news about the team. That includes Walker Buehler starting the season on the injured list as he’s being slow-played to open the year after Tommy John surgery and will be on an innings limit in 2024. Pitcher Nick Frasso, who was added to the Dodgers...
Feb 05, 2024•54 min•Season 24Ep. 5
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers signed veteran pitcher James Paxton to a one-year contract to seemingly round out their starting rotation. Paxton returned from Tommy John surgery to put up a 4.50 ERA in 19 starts for the Red Sox in 2023, though he missed time last year with both a hamstring strain and knee injury, the latter giving a bad ending to an otherwise promising start to his season. Injuries have always been an issue for the 35-year-old Paxton, who has never...
Feb 02, 2024•56 min•Season 24Ep. 4
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take a look at the Dodgers roster and payroll for 2024, which has become clearer in the last week. Michael Busch, whose path to playing time with Los Angeles was narrow at best, was traded along with reliever Yency Almonte to the Cubs in exchange for a pair of intriguing minor league prospects. The Dodgers have added four prospects in trades this offseason in moves that were essentially made to clear space on the 40-man roster. One of those 40...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 24Ep. 3
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch give a full accounting of our various predictions about the 2023 Dodgers. We got some right, and got some wrong. Like Eric picking the Padres to win the National League West, for instance. But this is a look back at all the various questions from Craig Minami throughout last year that pur our predictive powers (or lack thereof) to the test. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted b...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr•Season 24Ep. 2
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to the Dodgers signing outfielder Teoscar Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract. Hernández adds a right-handed-hitting power hitter who averaged 28 home runs and 31 doubles over the previous three seasons with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Hernández especially excels at hitting left-handed pitching, to the tune of a 136 wRC+ in his career, including a 164 wRC+ against southpaws sinc...
Jan 08, 2024•26 min•Season 24Ep. 1
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch react to Yoshinobu Yamamoto signing a record-setting $325 million contract with the Dodgers. Yamamoto hit the perfect storm in free agency, as a star who won the last three MVP awards and Eiji Sawamura awards (the latter for top starting pitcher) in Japan, and is only 25 years old, with all the big-market MLB teams interested in his services. The Dodgers won out, beating out the Mets and Yankees with a 12-year c...
Dec 23, 2023•43 min•Season 23Ep. 41
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, hosts Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch recap a monumental week for the Dodgers, in which they finalized a 10-year contract for Shohei Ohtani then traded for pitcher Tyler Glasnow. Everything last week pretty much revolved around Ohtani, the global superstar, in some way or another. First, his heavily-deferred contract broke some brains in how to properly interpret this deal, and how it can be worth $700 million or $461 million depending on your point...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 39Ep. 41
The Three-Inning Save podcast covers the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this week we interview Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, who covered the newest Dodger, Shohei Ohtani, in his first six years in the major leagues with the Angels. Jeff wrote a book chronicling Ohtani entitled Sho-Time: The Inside Story of Shohei Ohtani and the Greatest Baseball Season Ever Played, which was written after the 2021 season and the paperback edition was updated after the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Jeff p...
Dec 14, 2023•27 min•Season 23Ep. 40
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we are stunned at the enormity of Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani’s deal shattered records for both total value and average annual salary in both baseball and North American Sports. His agreement with the Dodgers came after speculation that he might sign with the Blue Jays, plus flight tracking of a plane to Toronto that was actually carrying someone from Shark Tank. We recap the week that led up to Ohtani ...
Dec 10, 2023•51 min•Season 23Ep. 39
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we take stock of the Dodgers ahead of the winter meetings. The first four weeks of the offseason have been mostly quiet. Jason Heyward is coming back to Los Angeles after a nice bounce-back year. Lance Lynn signed with the Cardinals. Yency Almonte avoided arbitration, and Ricky Vanasco found his way back to the 40-man roster. Shohei Ohtani is the big prize of the offseason, and the Dodgers will certainly be in the mix. But mystery surrounds him. ...
Dec 02, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 23Ep. 38
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we usher in the official start of the MLB offseason. On November 2, the day after the World Series, 12 Dodgers became free agents, headlined by shoulder-surgery-recoverer Clayton Kershaw and J.D. Martinez. We go over the Dodgers roster at the start of the offseason, plus Max Muncy’s new 2-year contract, various club option decisions and important dates upcoming. We also look at the volatile nature of postseason performance, personified by Corey S...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 23Ep. 37
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we lament the Dodgers getting swept in three games by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS. Game 3 at Chase Field in Phoenix went much like the first two games in Los Angeles. Arizona took an early lead with four solo home runs in the third inning against homer-prone Lance Lynn. Dodgers starting pitchers in the NLDS allowed 13 runs and recorded 14 outs in the series. Those four runs proved too much for an inept Dodgers offense, who scored only two runs i...
Oct 14, 2023•53 min•Season 23Ep. 36
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we dissect the Dodgers implosion in the first two games of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw had the worst start of his career, allowing six runs while recording only one out in Game 1. Bobby Miller recorded only five outs in his postseason debut in Game 2. The Dodgers trailed by several runs before they batted in both games. The offense could not pick up the slack, scoring only twice each in the first two games...
Oct 11, 2023•47 min•Season 23Ep. 35
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we preview the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona swept the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card round, giving the Dodgers their fourth straight NLDS against a divisional opponent, and fifth in the last seven years dating back to 2017. We look at the matchup, including the Dodgers’ strong performances against D-backs starters Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Pfaadt this season, pl...
Oct 06, 2023•43 min•Season 23Ep. 34
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers won 100 games for the fourth full season in a row, and will play either the Brewers or Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series. We briefly look back at the regular season, including amazing campaigns by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. And we also look ahead to Clayton Kershaw set to make his 12th career Game 1 start on Saturday at Dodger Stadium. The Three-Inning Save is part of the Fans First Sports Network. Hosted by E...
Oct 03, 2023•54 min•Season 23Ep. 33
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers have less than one week left to go in the regular season, with their October path now fairly clear. The Dodgers have clinched a bye past the wild card round and into the Division Series, which means they will have five days off between their regular season finale and Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, October 7. We know Bobby Miller and Clayton Kershaw will start the first two games, but the order remains to be seen. At least for the NLD...
Sep 30, 2023•58 min•Season 23Ep. 32
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap the Dodgers clinching their 10th division title in 11 years. Despite a starting pitching staff that was decimated, and growing pains for several rookies along the way, the Dodgers cruised to yet another division title. How they managed the pitching in the last two days in Seattle against the Mariners is a potential preview of how the team might deploy its pitchers this postseason. Over the weekend, hard-throwing right-handed rookies Emme...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 23Ep. 31
On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap a very eventful week for the Dodgers, the good, the bad, and the despicable. Julio Urías was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence and was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball. While not official yet, given the timing and his pending free agency, this effectively ends his time with the Dodgers in ignobility. Mookie Betts fouled a ball off his left foot and left the stadium in Miami and crutches, which made everyon...
Sep 11, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 23Ep. 30
