Hurston Waldrep to start Thursday vs. Cardinals

It sounds like he’d given it a go tonight if absolutely necessary, but since it clearly isn’t, he’s going to rest the next two days. If that holds up, Simpson’s season will end with a .306/.333/.456 line in 612 plate appearances. He’s second in the AL in average and first with 46 steals, though he also tops the majors with 14 caught stealings.

Hernández’ home run was his fourth of the season. No longer a regular for the Dodgers, Hernández has 16 home runs and a .486 SLG in 103 career postseason games. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he has another clutch hit for the Dodgers next month.

Wilkinson threw five scoreless innings against the Dodgers in his last start. If we combine the starts, he’s allowed one run in eight innings against the Dodgers. Wilkinson had a 3.58 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in his first 27 2/3 innings at the MLB level. It’s a small sample size and his 4.97 xFIP suggests we need to see more before buying in anyway.

Treinen has alternated shoulder and elbow injuries these last five years, pitching a total of 108 innings in the regular season since the beginning of 2022. He had a 3.64 ERA in 29 2/3 innings this year after missing much of the summer with elbow inflammation. He’s 38 now and a free agent at season’s end, so if this new injury proves significant, he could call it a career.

Betts’ home run was his 23rd of the season. He hit a solo shot off Matt Wilkinson in the third inning. Betts has been on fire in September, going 30-for-87 (.344) with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 22 games. After going 16-for-70 (.228) with no home runs and eight RBI in 17 playoff games last year, Betts is looking for better results this October.

Lopez seemed to be hurt while stepping on the bag at first base on a bunt attempt in the third. Cody Freeman took his spot against the Twins.

He’s the first official captain in franchise history. This is some interesting time for such a move, given that his decline this year presents questions about his future as a regular. Yelich, who turns 35 in December, has been a modest liability for most of the season; he’s hit .226/.309/.371 in 101 games since returning from a groin strain in mid-May, and he hasn’t played in the field since Apr. 7. He’ll make $26 million each of the next two years before probably becoming a free agent after 2028 (he has a mutual $20 million option with a $6.5 million buyout for 2029).

Scott’s save was his 25th of the season. After he struggled last season, the Dodgers brought in Edwin Diaz in free agency. With Diaz struggling to stay healthy this year, Scott has saved 25 games, giving him 48 saves since joining Los Angeles two years ago.

Snell was solid for four innings in what amounted to a playoff tune-up start. He made his first start since mid-September due to groin tightness. The results have been good when he’s healthy, but Snell has made just 20 starts and thrown 104 innings in two years since joining the Dodgers.

Harris is putting the finishing touches on an excellent season. He’s hitting .294 with 26 home runs, 12 steals, 87 RBI and 79 runs scored. While his stolen bases are down from previous years, he’s at or near a career-high in the four other rotisserie categories.