Glasnow Resets on West Coast, Delivers Bounce-Back Start for Dodgers

Tyler Glasnow delivered a six-inning, two-run, 10-strikeout performance on Friday, quieting concerns after an unusual travel plan and a reset at home helped the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher find his rhythm against the San Francisco Giants. This outing followed a concerning four-inning, four-run start in Miami the previous Saturday, which had left him battling mechanics, back discomfort, and a diminished sense of confidence.

Instead of continuing with the team to Cincinnati, Glasnow traveled back to Los Angeles immediately after his start against the Marlins. This deviation from the team's road trip allowed him to return to Pacific Standard Time, sleep in his own bed, and avoid further travel. "He got back on Pacific Standard Time, in his own bed, one leg of travel versus the two," manager Dave Roberts said. "He threw his bullpen a few days ago. That went great. So he’s dialed in."

Despite the improved outing, Glasnow acknowledged that more refinement was needed. He surrendered a home run on a hanging curveball in the second inning and allowed another run in the third after losing his feel pitching from the stretch. However, he was able to recover, and his performance was supported by the Dodgers' offense, which hit five home runs, including four in the eighth inning, in an 8-2 victory.

Glasnow expressed that he felt better, both physically and in his delivery. He believes this step in the right direction is more beneficial than feeling consistently good for an extended period before the playoffs. "Today, I think it was a step in the right direction. I think it’s better than feeling really good for a long time before [the playoffs]. I’d rather kind of feel it, work through some stuff and have a good one right before playoffs. So I think I’m in a good spot right now," he said.

This approach is not unfamiliar for Glasnow, who experienced a similar pattern last season. He felt his mechanics click in the final weeks before the playoffs, subsequently posting a 1.69 ERA in six postseason appearances. "It is just making sure he’s feeling good, he’s healthy, which he is," Roberts commented. "So now it’s just letting him go do what he does and bet on the talent to perform."

Roberts had previously expressed concern about Glasnow's physical state before his start last week, noting that the pitcher "didn’t feel great coming into the game as far as kind of overall body." This revelation amplified concerns given Glasnow's history of injuries, including a back spasms issue that had sidelined him for over three months this season. His absence from the Cincinnati leg of the trip made Friday's start a crucial test.

"This is an important start," Roberts had stated before the game. "He knows it."

Following the game, Roberts characterized Glasnow's performance positively, highlighting his ability to make necessary pitches, generate swings and misses, and retire 10 of the final 11 batters he faced over 98 pitches. Glasnow himself downplayed lingering health concerns, attributing his previous struggles partly to cross-country travel and the general fluctuations of a long season. "It wasn’t anything crazy," he said. "But I definitely feel better now than I did then."

The Dodgers are relying on Glasnow to be a key contributor to their rotation in the postseason. "Right now, I feel pretty good," Glasnow concluded. "We worked on some stuff after that last start. Just tried to keep for this start, take it in the next start. And then hopefully everything is feeling good for playoffs."