Dodgers right-hander Mike Bolsinger has now made three starts with the team. In those three starts he is 2-0 with an outstanding 1.04 ERA. He has allowed only two runs on 13 hits while walking six and striking out 14 through 17.1 innings of work. In Sunday’s 1-0 win over the Colorado Rockies, Bolsinger all but guaranteed himself a permanent spot in the Dodgers starting rotation – and he gives full credit to Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal.

“That’s the big reason for my success in all three starts this year, me and [Grandal] have just been on the same page,” Bolsinger said after the game. “When he knows what I want to throw it takes a lot of that out of your head when your pitching, so you really just go up there and just throw the pitch that he’s calling. You don’t have to think about what to throw.”

Bolsinger considers himself a ground ball pitcher – a fact which he proved on Sunday afternoon when he induced six ground outs compared to two fly outs. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Bolsinger said that he is amazed at how Grandal often knows exactly what pitch he wants to throw – almost as though Grandal is reading his mind.

“There are times when I’m gripping the ball and I’m already gripping a curveball and he calls it because he knows that’s what I want to throw,” said Bolsinger. “So that tells you a lot about his character and the way he likes to have relationships with all of his pitchers and it shows in the field with all the guys pitching, everyone’s doing really well. I think all of the credit goes to the catchers in that one.”

In addition to the comfort and confidence that Bolsinger and the other Dodgers pitchers have with Grandal behind the plate, the 26-year-old backstop has been swinging a hot bat lately – including on Sunday afternoon when his fourth-inning single drove in the lone run of the game. Since May 1, Grandal is 18 for 40 (.450) with three home runs, three doubles and 15 RBIs. He has also thrown out three of nine would be base stealers in May (33.3%) and has a .996 fielding percentage on the season.

Grandal’s RBI single would be all the offense the Dodgers could muster on Sunday afternoon. Fortunately it would be all they would need. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Bolsinger also received some outstanding bullpen help on Sunday from Yimi Garcia, Chris Hatcher and recently returned closer Kenley Jansen. The trio each pitched perfect 1-2-3 innings with Jansen picking up his first save of the season since returning to the team on Friday night. Garcia and Hatcher each struck out two while Jansen added one strikeout to the four that he recorded in one inning on Friday night – one of only seven pitchers in Dodgers history to accomplish that rare feat.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has struck out five of the seven batters he has faced since returning to the team on Friday night. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

When asked if Bolsinger would remain in the Dodgers rotation with Hyun-jin Ryu out indefinitely and Brandon McCarthy lost for the season to Tommy John surgery, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly gave every indication that he would – without actually saying so.

“Guys come in, they have opportunities and this is an opportunity for him,” Mattingly said. “He’s pitched good three times now and all of the games have really been similar. He’s maybe given up a run or two but he’s been effective, he’s not in a lot of trouble all of the time, he’s walked a guy here and there but he’s not walking guys all over the ballpark. He’s been effective.”