Down to their final three outs, fighting to stave off a sweep, the Dodgers played some of their best baseball on Thursday night -- and perhaps, in their three-game series at PNC Park -- in the ninth inning.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has been removed from Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with an apparent hand injury. During the bottom of

With the Orioles sitting at 64-76, the Dodgers are facing another team in which it should be easier for them to beat. But as shown in many previous series against such teams, they don’t always seem to do that. They mostly seem to get up to play tougher teams, so yay for not playing bad teams in the playoffs?

Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series at the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night after Tyler Glasnow was scratched due to back stiffness.

Ohtani was in line to make his 12th start on the mound for the Dodgers on Wednesday, but has instead been scratched in favor of Emmet Sheehan, per L.A.'s lineup announcement. Ohtani will instead serve as designated hitter and bat first in the Dodgers' lineup.

In response, the Dodgers called up catcher Ben Rortvedt to the active roster, optioned infielder Alex Freeland, and unexpectedly designated former All-Star closer Alexis Diaz for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.