The 53,000+ Dodgers fans that packed Dodger Stadium Friday and Saturday were treated to a bountiful serving of PTSD.

Both sides of the losing spectrum, against L.A.’s current fiercest American League rival, is cause for some serious pain.

A grueling 2-1 loss last Friday, that started off with a thunderous bang, thanks to Joc Pederson’s first inning homer, ended with a reminder that not landing Justin Verlander last summer was the likely difference in hoisting the World Series trophy between these two excellent clubs.

The Untitled Jellings And Powell Sports Podcast – August 1st, 2018

Verlander shook off the Pederson bomb to toss 14 strikeouts in a gem. The Astros picked up two in the second with one coming off an error. A loss by the smallest of margins.

Then came the disastrous Saturday. A combined three-hit shutout for the Astros. Fourteen runs on thirteen hits. The 14-0 loss marking the worst shutout loss at home in over 80 years. Whether they liked it or not, the mood surrounding the team was one of dejection.

But having a short memory in a 162 game season is a necessity, and the Dodgers already appear back on track.

After avoiding the sweep against Houston on Sunday, Los Angeles followed up with a strong team performance against the Oakland A’s last night in a 4-2 road victory.

Rich Hill was solid in five and one-third innings of work; even more impressively, the Dodgers’ offense scored four runs without going deep. Manufacturing runs is something that has plagued the club over the last couple of seasons.

The Dodgers sit just a half game up on the Arizona Diamondbacks and only two and a half ahead of Colorado. As we get closer to September with neither team letting up, the race for the National League West banner heats up more.

Three-time NL Cy Young winnger Clayton Kershaw heads to the mound tonight to face Mike Fiers of Oakland.

First pitch is at 7:05, and be sure to listen to all the action on your Dodgers station for the Santa Clarita Valley, KHTS FM 98.1.

NEWS: Shortstop Corey Seager underwent a procedure Tuesday on his left hip. This following his Tommy John Surgery in May. The Dodgers expect him to be ready for spring training in 2019.

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