Tag: Starting pitching reigns supreme

Going into the postseason, the big question mark for the Dodgers was their bullpen. It looked like it might be their Achilles’ heel. The Dodgers seem to have figured out the problem: just do not use the bullpen. Blake Snell went 8 innings, giving up just one hit in game one. Last night, Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete game. He gave up a leadoff home run and only 2 more hits the rest of the way. The last hit the Brewers got was in the bottom of the 4th. The last 17 batters were all retired, with the exception of one walk. In 17 innings, the starting pitching of the Dodgers has given up 1 run and 4 hits. It was the bottom half of the Dodger batting order that did most of the damage. They hit 2 home runs and drove in 4 of the 5 runs. The Dodgers now have a 2-0 lead in the series as they head back to L.A. For the first time in Championship Series history, the visiting team has won the first two games in both leagues. The sweep is in play in both series. Tonight, the Mariners host the Blue Jays. Tomorrow night, the Dodgers will host the Brewers. Both No. 1 seeds have to win the next game, or these series are essentially over. I don’t see a Red Sox miracle happening here. However, if either or both can pull out game 3, then the series will take on a whole different vibe. There is no question the Dodgers have been the most impressive team so far. They just seemed to be coasting during much of the regular season. Everyone expected them to run away with the division and win over 100 games. Instead, they barely won over 90 and had to play a wild card round. They had many pitchers on the shelf with injuries during the season. Oddly, this seems to have given them an advantage. Many members of the staff are well-rested and strong because of not pitching that much during the season. After such an exciting first two rounds of the playoffs, it is hard to believe that the Brewers and the Blue Jays could be swept. I have a feeling this will not happen, but it would not be shocking if it does. The Blue Jays will be the first to try to get back in the series. Here is my only advice to both teams that are down 2 games to none: Don’t lead off the game with a home run. After that, everything seems to go downhill from there. Lead off trying to bunt for a base hit. Let’s hope they do.