Dodgers Nation Podcast Network

On this Friday night edition of Dodgers Dougout Live, Doug McKain reacts to the Dodgers beating the Giants 8-2, Kyle Tucker continuing his hot streak, Josue De Paula making a big impact early, the latest on Shohei Ohtani and more!

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DODGERSNATION10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Register and learn more at https://www.bajablasthomeruns.com Subject to complete offer terms & restrictions. Offer activates at 9 AM ET for 24 hours the day after at least one 420 ft home run is hit. Limited to 1 offer per day and 5 redemptions per person all season. Ends 9/26/26 or when 500,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first.

Download the Fanatics Sports & Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.

Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DODGERSNATION10
Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Register and learn more at https://www.bajablasthomeruns.com
Subject to complete offer terms & restrictions. Offer activates at 9 AM ET for 24 hours the day after at least one 420 ft home run is hit. Limited to 1 offer per day and 5 redemptions per person all season. Ends 9/26/26 or when 500,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first.

Download the Fanatics Sports & Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.
Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures.

Join our Dodgers Nation Fancave Series: https://dodgersnation.com/fancave/

The Dodgers now have 24 division titles (most since 1969 realignment), ahead of the Braves (23) and Yankees (21) — and 13 division wins in 14 years.

Kyle Tucker highlighted as a surprise late-season standout: 3-for-3 with a two-run homer, RBI double, and a triple shy of the cycle, snapping out of a rough season with a mechanical swing adjustment ("no roll swing").

Breakdown of Tucker's swing fix from hitting coach Aaron Bates: flattened bat path keeps the barrel in the zone longer; stats show 11 hits, 4 homers, 9 RBI over his last 8 games.

Clubhouse celebration clips: Tarik Skubal (soon a free agent target) and Blake Snell share a moment, with Skubal calling Snell his "little brother"; players discuss chasing another World Series. President of Baseball Ops Andrew Friedman reflects on the team's depth and organizational effort, noting deepening relationships with players year over year.

Injury/status roundup: Blake Snell (groin tightness, expected to make one more start), Edgardo Henriquez (low-grade back strain, targeting October return), Edwin Díaz (neck inflammation, expected back Sept. 18), Andy Pages (likely back Sept. 18–24), Roki Sasaki (finger blister, targeting Padres series Sept. 22–24), Shohei Ohtani (swing progression underway, earliest return Sept. 23), and Will Smith (right elbow, won't catch again this season).

Game recap: Tucker 4-for-5, Freeman 2-for-3 with 2 runs, Miguel Rojas 2-for-5 with a homer; Justin Wrobleski/Landon Knack pitched well, offense scored 8 runs on 12 hits.

The Walk Off: Closing walk-off segment features Freddie Freeman reflecting on his 10th career division title and thanking fans, while nodding to Shohei Ohtani ("DH") to get healthy for October.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DODGERSNATION10
Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Register and learn more at https://www.bajablasthomeruns.com
Subject to complete offer terms & restrictions. Offer activates at 9 AM ET for 24 hours the day after at least one 420 ft home run is hit. Limited to 1 offer per day and 5 redemptions per person all season. Ends 9/26/26 or when 500,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first.

Download the Fanatics Sports & Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.
Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures.

Join our Dodgers Nation Fancave Series: https://dodgersnation.com/fancave/

Follow Ava Brand:
https://www.instagram.com/avaonbrand/
https://www.tiktok.com/@avaonbrand
https://twitter.com/avaonbrand/
https://www.youtube.com/@avaonbrand

Follow Noel Sanchez:
https://www.instagram.com/noisebynoel/
https://www.tiktok.com/@noisebynoel
https://twitter.com/noisebynoel/
https://www.youtube.com/@noisebynoel1224

Follow Nelson Espinal:
https://twitter.com/nelson__espinal

Recap of the clinching win over the Reds and the clubhouse celebration; The crew single out favorite moments (Mookie Betts thanking fans, Tarik Skubal-style bonding between Blake Snell/Glasnow, Dave Roberts' speech praising the whole roster) and note Dave Roberts' 11-year run with 10 division titles.

Playoff-seeding talk: Dodgers trail Milwaukee by two games for the No. 1 seed but have a first-round bye either way. The panel discusses potential NLDS opponents (Padres/Braves winner) with hosts split on whether the top seed is truly out of reach. Biggest in-season concern flagged as poor hitting with runners in scoring position (e.g., 1-for-7, 1-for-11 stretches over the prior three games), seen as a major postseason risk given tougher pitching ahead.

Bullpen depth questioned: Last year's dominant rotation masked bullpen issues; concerns raised about Tanner Scott's fatigue, Edwin Díaz's uncertain return, and kris Bobic's strong recent outing as a possible lefty weapon.

Shohei Ohtani health update: Shohei Ohtani could return as early as Sept. 23 for the final 5 regular-season games (15–20 at-bats), but hosts debate whether he should rest instead and let a two-way workload plan evolve into next season.

Edwin Díaz rehab update: Edwin Diaz's activation is likely, expected to pitch low-leverage innings to rebuild trust after a 12.46 ERA since his IL stint; hosts debate whether he can reclaim a postseason bullpen role.

Blake Snell left his last start early with groin discomfort but plans to make his next turn; If unavailable, Roki Sasaki (recently a reliever) could be needed to fill a rotation spot, complicating bullpen/rotation plans.

Sign-off with Nelson thanking President of Baseball Ops Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts for the sustained era of success, and previewing continued Dodgers Nation coverage through the postseason.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this Wednesday edition of Dodgers Dougout Live, Doug McKain breaks down the Game 1 starter debate between Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LA sitting Josue De Paula vs the Reds, the latest on Shohei Ohtani's return from injury and more!

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DODGERSNATION10 Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Register and learn more at https://www.bajablasthomeruns.com Subject to complete offer terms & restrictions. Offer activates at 9 AM ET for 24 hours the day after at least one 420 ft home run is hit. Limited to 1 offer per day and 5 redemptions per person all season. Ends 9/26/26 or when 500,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first.

Download the Fanatics Sports & Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.

Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
for information about our collection and use of personal data for
advertising.

Use our code for 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/DODGERSNATION10
Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount

Register and learn more at https://www.bajablasthomeruns.com
Subject to complete offer terms & restrictions. Offer activates at 9 AM ET for 24 hours the day after at least one 420 ft home run is hit. Limited to 1 offer per day and 5 redemptions per person all season. Ends 9/26/26 or when 500,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first.

Download the Fanatics Sports & Casino App now, the new all-in-one app for sports fans, bringing together ways to bet, trade, or play in one experience.
Disclaimer: 21+ only. Availability differs by state. Terms apply. See app for details. Sportsbook: GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, CT call (888) 789-7777, MA call (800)-327-5050, NY call (877) 8-HOPENY, MD visit mdgamblinghelp.org. Markets: Event contract trading is offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered futures commission merchant and NFA member. Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. See app for important disclosures.

Join our Dodgers Nation Fancave Series: https://dodgersnation.com/fancave/

RHP Edgardo Henriquez placed on the 15-day IL with lower back discomfort; his regular season is over, but the Dodgers haven't ruled him out for October — awaiting advanced imaging before assessing postseason chances.

Edgardo Henriquez had a breakout year: 2.85 ERA, 60 IP, 71 K, 25 BB, a 2.47 xERA that led the bullpen, and elite Statcast marks (99th-percentile hard-hit, barrel, whiff rate). Bobby Miller and Paul Gervase were called up to fill the roster spot.

Who will be the Dodgers' Closer? Edwin Diaz continues to struggle in his rehab assignment (walks, hit batters), leaving the Dodgers thin on trustworthy relief arms just as Henriquez goes down. Roki Sasaki threw multiple simulated innings on September 9 and is targeted to return during the Giants series at Dodger Stadium (September 18–20) after a finger blister. Roki Sasaki will become an essential as a bullpen weapon given last year's dominant postseason run (1 run in 10⅔ IP).

Upcoming Pitcher Lineup*:Rotation is set up so Yoshinobu Yamamoto lines up for a potential Game 1 NLDS start (with games 1–2 back-to-back this year), followed by Glasnow, Snell, and Skubal/Ohtani options, giving the Dodgers a deep, flexible starting five.

Tarik Skubal threw a dominant outing vs. the Reds: 7 IP, 0 runs, 3 hits, 9 K, 1 BB on 90 pitches; over his last 4 starts he owns a 1.73 ERA and ranks as the 3rd-best pitcher in MLB (by fWAR) since the trade. Skubal credited efficient pitching, trust in his catcher's pitch-calling, and improved chemistry with the Dodgers' pitching/catching staff for his recent turnaround, saying earlier struggles were "me versus me."

Kyle Tucker's two-run homer (416 ft off a 98 mph fastball) helped power a 4-3 win over Cincinnati; Tucker homered 3 times in his last five games despite a still-modest overall season line.

Standings check: Dodgers are 91-59, 9 games up in the NL West (clinched 14th straight postseason berth), 2 games back of the Brewers for the best record, and 3.5 up on the Braves for the No. 2 seed — important since the Braves hold the tiebreaker.

Dave Roberts' postgame scrum: Doc praised the team's consistency ("14 straight" is an MLB record), emphasized the club "hasn't played its best baseball yet," and confirmed Henriquez will get scans on his back/side with hope for a postseason return.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.