The 2022 Dodgers have several future Hall of Famers, several outstanding players, and the rest (just) exceptionally good players on their current 26-man active team roster. On Sunday afternoon in front of a Dodger Stadium crowd of 47,505, 15 members of that current NL West first place Dodgers roster (nine position players and six pitchers) combined for a very impressive 7-4 win over the NL West third place San Francisco Giants to complete a four-game sweep of their most disliked (by Dodgers fans) division rivals – and it was every bit a team effort, with eight of their nine position players getting one hit and four of them two hits.

“I thought all day long we took good at-bats, and we got contributions from everyone up and down the lineup,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “Really really good to see, just a team offense, a will to win, and solid defense, big hits.

“Obviously, a lot of our damage came with two outs, and to continue to try to build an inning with two outs is hard to do and put hits together, but I thought up and down the order we did a great job,” the Dodgers skipper added.

“I think we’re just playing really good team baseball, everybody’s pulling for each other, I think that’s been the biggest key,” said Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux, who went 2-for-4 with two RBI. “We’re playing really good team baseball, doing the little things right – getting guys over, two-strike hitting, two-out RBIs – just little things that go a long way. We’re playing really good team baseball.

“One through nine I think everybody’s gonna give you a good at-bat, grind at-bats, run the pitch-count up,” Lux added. “It’s a really good lineup, and then guys off the bench, everything, can kind of match up with anybody, it feels like. So, I think one through nine you’re gonna get a tough at-bat from us throughout the whole order.”

“It’s awesome, man,” Dodgers designated hitter Jake Lamb answered, when asked about the depth of the Dodgers lineup. “You know, I get on and Luxie drove me in every time I got on, and then Trea (Turner), (Max) Muncy took great swings today. I mean, top to bottom, it seems like we’re doing a really good job, so, it’s been a lot of fun. No matter who comes up, it’s like everyone can get the job done.”

Dodgers future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger were the only Dodgers who struggled a bit on Sunday. In his 4.1 innings pitched, Kershaw allowed an uncharacteristic four earned runs on five hits (including a home run), while walking two and striking out six; and Bellinger was the only Dodgers position player without a hit on Sunday, although he did draw a five-pitch walk in the bottom of the seventh inning. But even with his un-Kershaw-like outing, the Dodgers lefty also had high praise for his team’s potent offense.

“I think we’re playing really well,” Kershaw said postgame. “Obviously the way that you hit, the way that you pitch, you’re going to have bad days every once in a while. But I think for the most part, we just have good players. And that’s what’s showing right now. … I think this is probably what we’re capable of.

“Our offense has been really impressive, really the last month probably. Got big contributions up and down the lineup,” Kershaw added. “Obviously, we got our big four or five guys up in the front, but Lamber (Jake Lamb) is swinging the bat, Trayce, all the way down it’s been really fun to watch.”

Yes, it has.

…and don’t stop now, guys.

Play Ball!

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