On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we recap a rough homestand for the Dodgers, who lost three series in a row at Dodger Stadium. There were troubles with runners in scoring position, and especially so with the bases loaded, too many strikeouts for the hitters, and the continued issue of having the bottom of the lineup produce. The bu…

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we interview Andy McCullough about his new book, 'The Last of His Kind: Clayton Kershaw and the Burden of Greatness.' McCullough has covered baseball for over a decade, including covering the Dodgers for the Los Angeles Times, and currently writes at The Athletic, and also co-hosts The Roundtable po…

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we marvel at the details of the criminal complaint against Ippei Mizzuhara, who was charged with bank fraud and stealing over $16 million from Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani and the Dodgers say they want to move on and focus on baseball, and Ohtani for the most part has, going on an extra-base barrage that i…

Today on The Three-Inning Save podcast, Eric Stephen and Jacob Burch look back at Pat Zachry, a right-handed pitcher who relieved for the Dodgers in 1983-84 and died on April 4 at age 71. Related reading: Remembering Zachry at True Blue LA Zachry’s SABR bio, written by David Skelton Obituary at the Waco Herald-Tribune Jay Horwitz of the Mets rememb…

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, we banter about Shohei Ohtani’s first home run as a Dodger, and the hubbub surrounding the aftermath regarding Dodger Stadium security and the fan who caught the ball. The Dodgers have used their bullpen an awful lot in the early part of the season, and in doing so added and subtracted several membe…

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers re-opened the regular season with the home opener and a four-game weekend series against the Cardinals, of which they won three games. Mookie Betts started the season on fire, including hitting a home run in four straight games. Will Smith is also hot at the plate, fresh off signing a ne…

The Dodgers signed Will Smith to a 10-year contract worth $140 million, wiping out the final two years of salary arbitration for the All-Star catcher, plus another eight years after that. The deal was finalized on March 27, the day before the home opener at Dodger Stadium and the day before Smith's 29th birthday. Smith is now signed through 2033. H…

On this episode of the Three-Inning Save podcast, the Dodgers are back stateside but the biggest story in the sport involves Shohei Ohtani and fired interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani during a press conference at Dodger Stadium read a statement, though did not take questions. In that statement, Ohtani said he has never bet on baseball or any sport,…

The Dodgers lost a wild game to the Padres to close out the Seoul Series in South Korea, but that wasn't the biggest story of the day. That belonged to Shohei Ohtani, whose interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday amid a report of ties to an illegal gambler, and accusations of "massive theft" from Ohtani's attorneys. As of n…

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, Shoh…

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 basketba…

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 …

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 hilario…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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 “incr…

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. Produ…

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 loade…

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 …

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 …

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. T…

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 throu…

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 J…

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 o…

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-de…

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 Ba…

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 …

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…

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 contr…

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…

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 Dod…

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 …

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 Kersh…

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 o…