August 22nd, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There are some, many in fact, who believe in the age-old superstition that if you utter the words ‘no-hitter’ while one is in progress, you have just jinxed it and it will soon end. So strong is this superstition that lifelong friendships – even marriages – have ended over it. Fortunately for those who believe in such superstitions (or at least have respect for those that do), there is no such superstition when it comes to winning streaks.
The Dodgers won their ninth straight game on Saturday afternoon, this one in game three of a four-game series against the New York Mets by a score of 4-3 in front of a Dodger Stadium crowd of 44,783.
It’s no secret that the Mets are having an awful 2021 season; so awful, in fact, that despite their respectable 36-23 (.610) record at Citi Field, they are a dismal 24-40 (.375) on the road. They are also 3-for-47 (.064) with runners in scoring position against the Dodgers this season. But make no mistake about it, the Mets and their fans receive zero sympathy from the Dodgers and their fans.
As is usually the case, there is a story within the story of the Dodgers 42nd win (of 62 = .688) played at Dodger Stadium thus far this season, with 19 home games remaining.
On the second pitch in the bottom of the first inning, Dodgers leadoff batter – extremely popular newcomer Trea Turner – slugged his 19th home run of the season, a 374-foot shot that just cleared the wall in left-center field. It was the 29-year-old Boynton Beach, FL native’s first home run as a Dodger.
Two batters later following a Max Muncy flyout, very beloved 41-year-old Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols slugged his 10th home run as a Dodger, a towering 406-foot shot to center field.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
“When he’s up to bat, I love looking at the scoreboard,” Trea Turner said of Tio Albert postgame. “They usually put career numbers up there – guys got 100, 200, 500 hits or whatever it is – and he’s got almost 3,300. And the RBIs and runs scored, he’s done so much in this game. It’s fun being his teammate.”
As is often the case when a team is leading in a tense and tight game, there were some lighter moments. SportsNet LA cameras happened to catch struggling Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger getting snubbed of a high-five in the Dodgers dugout following a brief run-scoring celebration between Turner and Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Turner later tweeted out an apology to the former NL MVP that it was unintentional.
But all that glittered was not gold on Saturday afternoon. The NL West-leading San Francisco Giants pulled off a ninth-inning come-from-behind win over the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum to maintain their current 1.5-game lead over the Dodgers. While the Dodgers are enjoying their current nine-game winning streak, The Hated Ones have won seven of their last 10 games … so there’s that.
Play Ball!
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Good luck to the Dodgers and Price against Stroman and the Mets today. It could be tough.
The Dodgers are planning on reinstating Mookie Betts from the injured list on Thursday, per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. The outfielder has been dealing with hip pain all year and is currently in the midst of his second IL placement this season because of it. Despite the nagging hip situation, Betts has still been tremendously valuable when on the field. In 87 games this year, he’s hitting .277/.378/.521, for a wRC+ of 143. Getting him healthy will be a huge boost to the Dodgers as they attempt to chase down the Giants and make up the 2 1/2 games that separate them in the race for the NL West crown.
The Dodgers could also welcome Joe Kelly back into the fold this week, per Castillo. Kelly was placed on the IL without explanation on August 10th, but a source of Castillo’s confirmed that it was because of a positive COVID test. The righty has seemingly recovered, given that he started a rehab assignment on Friday. He’s done some quality work this year, throwing 29 2/3 innings of 3.34 ERA ball. The bullpen could use his fresh arm, since it’s recently put Garrett Cleavinger and Evan Phillips on the 10-day IL, as well as Jimmy Nelson going under the knife for season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this month.