Kopech will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher for Game 6 of the NLCS against the Mets on Sunday, Noah Camras of DodgersNation.com reports.
Ryan Brasier served as the opener the last time the Dodgers went with a bullpen day in Game 2, but after suffering a 7-3 loss in that contest, Los Angeles will go a different route Sunday. Kopech's lone appearance in the NLCS came in Game 3 on Wednesday, when he scooped up a win while striking out one batter over one scoreless inning. He's appeared in five postseason games this season, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out six batters across 4.1 scoreless innings.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Secures 15th save
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Kopech picked up the save over the Padres on Wednesday, allowing one walk over a scoreless ninth inning while striking out one.
Kopech relieved Blake Treinen to open the ninth and retired the first two batters on five pitches before surrendering a walk to Jake Cronenworth. The right-hander was then able to strike out Donovan Solano for the final out to lock down his 15th save of the campaign and his third in the month of September. Kopech has now allowed at least one baserunner in five-consecutive appearances and at least one free pass in four of his last five. However, he's also converted each of his last seven save opportunities, with his last blown save coming back on July 7 against the Marlins.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Grabs 14th save
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Kopech allowed one run on one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn the save in Friday's 6-4 win over the Rockies.
Kopech allowed a solo home run to Michael Toglia in the ninth inning, the first long ball he's given up since July 7. The Rockies couldn't build off it though, allowing Kopech to secure his fifth save as a Dodger, all of which he's earned since Aug. 16. The right-hander is at a 3.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 84:33 K:BB over 64.2 innings with 14 saves between the Dodgers and the White Sox, but he's been dominant with a 1.29 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 25:9 K:BB across 21 innings since he was dealt to Los Angeles.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Picks up win
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Kopech (6-8) got the win over Atlanta on Sunday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.
Kopech pitched the bottom of the eighth with the game tied 2-2 and kept things tied despite allowing two baserunners. The Dodgers would then go on to score seven runs in the top of the ninth to put Kopech in line for the win. The 28-year-old righty has pitched scoreless outings in seven of his last eight appearances but has also allowed at least one baserunner in five of those. For the year, Kopech sports a 3.59 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 83:32 K:BB in 62.2 innings.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Walks three in 13th save
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Kopech picked up the save over the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing one run on three walks over one inning while striking out one.
Kopech entered the contest with a three-run lead in the ninth and proceeded to walk three consecutive batters before then allowing a sacrifice fly to Isaac Paredes. Fortunately for the right-hander, Seiya Suzuki would get thrown out trying to steal third before Kopech was then able to retire the final batter by way of strikeout. It marked the first time that Kopech has walked multiple batters in an appearance since July 7 against the Marlins after not allowing a free pass through his first three appearances in September. He's now converted each of his last four save opportunities, while Wednesday marked his 13th save overall on the campaign.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Fans two for 12th save
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Kopech picked up the save over the Orioles on Wednesday, striking out two over a perfect ninth inning.
Kopech entered the contest with a 6-4 lead in the top of the ninth and retired the first two batters on strikes before getting Adley Rutschman to pop out to second for the final out of the game. The save was the right-hander's 12th of the season and the third in his last six appearances. Kopech has only allowed one run in 12.1 innings (12 appearances) this month, posting a 0.76 ERA in August to go along with a 16:3 K:BB. He's also recorded two strikeouts in back-to-back appearances and in three of his last four overall.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Secures save Sunday
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Kopech threw a scoreless inning to earn a save against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Kopech threw seven of 12 pitches for strikes and finished the game on a double-play ball after a runner reached base on an error. He's now turned in 9.1 consecutive scoreless innings to begin his Dodgers career and earned two saves during the weekend series against St. Louis. With Daniel Hudson (8.64 ERA over his last nine appearances) and Evan Phillips (no saves since July 23) seemingly falling out of favor, the Dodgers may use Kopech in the ninth inning more often. Kopech owns a 3.91 ERA with a 72:25 K:BB through 53 innings this season.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Gets first save with new team
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Kopech struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals.
Kopech continues to excel with the Dodgers -- he's yet to give up a run over 8.1 innings with the team while posting a 13:1 K:BB in that span. Evan Phillips and Joe Kelly served as the bridge over the seventh and eighth innings before Kopech got the save opportunity, while Daniel Hudson didn't pitch after his blow-up versus the Brewers on Thursday. For the season, Kopech has 10 saves and five holds while pitching to a 3.98 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB through 52 innings between the Dodgers and the White Sox. The Dodgers' bullpen depth means it's unlikely Kopech is ever the clear-cut closer, but he should continue to get plenty of high-leverage chances.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Thriving with Los Angeles
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Kopech earned a hold against the Brewers on Monday, walking one batter and striking out two in a scoreless inning.
Kopech handled the eighth frame and worked around a two-out walk to keep Milwaukee off the scoreboard. He earned his fourth hold in six appearances since joining the Dodgers on July 29. Kopech has yet to allow a run over 6.1 innings with his new team, and he's surrendered just one hit while posting a 10:1 K:BB. The righty reliever has quickly become Los Angeles' top setup man, but it's unclear if he'll get any save opportunities after working as the White Sox's closer for most of the season prior to being dealt.
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Dodgers' Michael Kopech: Traded to Dodgers
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The Dodgers acquired Kopech, right-hander Oliver Gonzalez and utility player Tommy Edman (wrist) on Monday in the three-team trade involving the White Sox and Cardinals, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The White Sox received infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas, infielders Alexander Albertus (undisclosed) and Jeral Perez and a player to be named later or cash considerations, while the Cardinals acquired Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Kopech has offered a mixed bag in a full-time move to relief in 2024, striking out 59 across 43.2 innings but also walking 24 and posting a 4.74 ERA. The Dodgers will hope to fix his control and home-run issues, and if they can, he has the potential to be a dominant late-inning weapon. Kopech is also under team control for 2025. John Brebbia should be the favorite for saves in the White Sox's bullpen for now, though he could also be traded ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Immaculate inning for ninth save
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Kopech earned the save in the opening game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.
Kopech struck out Brooks Lee, Matt Wallner and Max Kepler on nine pitches, recording an immaculate inning while securing his ninth save this season. The 28-year-old Kopech has turned in consecutive scoreless appearances after giving up six runs in his previous 2.2 innings. While he can be dominant, as illustrated Wednesday, Kopech has struggled to find consistency in the ninth inning for the White Sox this year. Overall, his ERA sits at 5.18 with a 1.43 WHIP and 55:23 K:BB across 40 innings.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Crumbles in ninth
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Kopech (2-8) allowed four runs on two hits and two walks against Miami on Sunday. He was charged with a blown save and a loss.
Kopech entered the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead but quickly gave it up on a Josh Bell RBI double. Two batters later, Jake Burger would crush a walk-off three-run homer. Kopech hadn't blown a save chance since June 13 but is now just 8-for-13 in opportunities this season. His ERA jumped to 5.45 with a 51:23 K:BB through 38 innings. John Brebbia could begin to push for more ninth-inning work; he threw a scoreless eighth inning Sunday and has given up just two runs over 16.1 frames since the start of June.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Collects eighth save
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Kopech gave up a run on two hits and a walk over 1.1 innings Friday to record his eighth save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Marlins. He struck out one.
With two on and two outs in the ninth inning, Kopech gave up an RBI single to Bryan De La Cruz, but he then got Josh Bell to ground out to escape the jam. Kopech isn't exactly locked in right now, stumbling to a 6.91 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 19:7 K:BB over his last 14.1 innings while blowing three of six save chances, but the White Sox seem content to deploy him at the team's closer for now, perhaps in an effort to increase his trade value.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Takes loss against Guardians
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Kopech (2-7) allowed one hit and one earned run across 0.2 innings and took the loss Tuesday against the Guardians.
Kopech entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied at 6-6. He allowed a leadoff single and threw a wild pitch to put the runner on third base before allowing a sacrifice fly to bring in the game-winning run for Cleveland. Kopech has each of the White Sox's last two saves and should remain the team's primary closer despite a 4.50 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 36 innings this season.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Strikes out two in scoreless inning
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Kopech struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Rockies. The game was tied at the time, and the White Sox would go on to lose in 14 innings.
Kopech made his third appearance in four days after recording back-to-back saves June 27 and June 28. The right-hander delivered Sunday, retiring the side in order while striking out two batters on just eight pitches. The 28-year-old now owns a 2.25 ERA with two saves over his past eight innings, solidifying himself as the White Sox's closer.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Earns sixth save
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Kopech struck out one while not allowing a hit or a walk during the ninth inning Thursday to pick up the save against Atlanta.
A fielding error is all that prevented a 1-2-3 outing from Kopech, who collected his first save since May 15 after having blown his previous three opportunities. Kopech carries an impressive K/9 rate of 13.0, collecting 48 strikeouts over 33.1 innings. However, he's also allowed 48 batters to reach base (1.44 WHIP), including allowing 1.9 homers and 5.1 walks per nine innings. Kopech is a piece the White Sox will strongly consider selling at the trade deadline and will look for more performances like he provided Thursday to help them maximize the return they might get for him.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Records final outs in win
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Kopech allowed one hit and walked one while striking out two across a scoreless ninth inning Saturday against the Tigers.
Kopech entered the game with a four-run lead and allowed consecutive batters to reach base with two outs. He managed to escape to turn in his second consecutive scoreless appearance, though he's still allowed eight earned runs across his last 8.1 frames. Those struggles have called Kopech's role as closer into question, though he did enter Saturday's game after John Brebbia.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Blows save chance Thursday
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Kopech (2-6) blew a save but earned the win over the Mariners on Thursday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out two batters over one inning.
Kopech was summoned in the ninth inning to try to protect a one-run Chicago lead but served up a one-out, game-tying solo shot to Julio Rodriguez. To his credit, Kopech bounced back to retire the next two batters and send the game to extra frames, and he was credited with a win as a result of the White Sox pushing across a run in the 10th. Kopech hasn't been very effective in a closing role for Chicago -- he hasn't notched a save since May 15 and is just 5-for-9 in save opportunities this season. He has a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 29.1 innings, though his 13.2 K/9 is characteristic of what most teams look for from a closer.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Bounces back
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Kopech struck out two and walked one without allowing a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Mariners.
Kopech imploded to allow three earned runs and blow a lead in an appearance Monday, but he managed to bounce back in this outing. He entered the game with the score tied at 1-1 and turned in just his third scoreless effort in his last five appearances. Kopech remains the White Sox's primary closer, though his last save came on May 15.
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White Sox's Michael Kopech: Tagged for walk-off blast
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Kopech (1-6) allowed a solo home run to the only batter he faced, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Cubs.
Kopech was taken deep by Mike Tauchman as the Cubs won in walk-off fashion. It's been tough sledding for Kopech lately -- he's allowed five runs (four earned) over his last 2.2 innings, taking the loss in three of his last four appearances. The right-hander is now at a 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 25.2 innings while adding five saves, a hold and two blown saves. If he continues to struggle, Kopech could eventually lose his high-leverage role, though the White Sox's poor play overall has made it difficult for any of the team's relievers to put up saves.
