Andy Pages' HR lifts Dodgers over Giants 5-4. Now, rookie Ben Casparius makes a surprise start vs. the Padres on June 16. Can he handle the pressure?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when you think you've seen it all at Chavez Ravine, the Dodgers find a new way to keep us on the edge of our seats. Fresh off a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Giants, sealed by the booming bat of rookie sensation Andy Pages, the team threw a curveball for Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres. Instead of the anticipated Shohei Ohtani, it'll be rookie right-hander Ben Casparius taking the mound in a crucial divisional matchup.
Since May 24, Andy Pages has been on another level, batting .313 with four home runs and 17 RBI in his last 21 games.
Let's rewind to Sunday afternoon, because you can't talk about Monday without talking about Andy Pages. With the Dodgers trailing the Giants 3-2 in the fifth, Pages stepped up and delivered the kind of moment that defines a season: a towering three-run homer, his 13th of the year, that flipped the script and secured a 5-4 win. The blast was the exclamation point on a day that also saw Shohei Ohtani collect three hits and Tommy Edman go deep. Pages isn't just having a good week; he's been one of the team's most reliable bats for a month, solidifying his place as a key offensive weapon.
Riding the momentum of that win, the Dodgers turn their attention to the Padres, but with a different arm than expected. The club announced that Ben Casparius, not Shohei Ohtani, will get the ball for the series opener. The rookie right-hander has been quietly impressive, posting a 4-1 record and a sterling 2.86 ERA. Throwing him into the fire against a potent Padres lineup featuring Fernando Tatis Jr. is a major vote of confidence from the front office. This comes after Dustin May gave the team a solid six-inning effort on Sunday, and it gives the rotation a different look as they enter this critical series.
This series is more than just another three games. The Dodgers (43-29) sit atop the NL West, but the Padres (39-31) are lurking just behind. The contrast in styles is stark: the Dodgers lead the league with 112 home runs and a .264 team average, showcasing their offensive firepower. The Padres, while less powerful with 60 homers, are a scrappy bunch who can manufacture runs. With Mookie Betts leading the charge for LA and Tatis Jr. coming off a 4-hit game for San Diego, the star power is off the charts. Every game in this rivalry feels like a playoff preview.
With a two-game lead in the division, the Dodgers are in a strong position. But as we saw today, they aren't afraid to trust their young talent in the biggest moments. All eyes will be on Ben Casparius tonight to see if he can follow Andy Pages' lead and deliver another rookie-led victory. This Padres series promises drama, and it could set the tone for the rest of the summer.
