Steve Webb
As a devoted Los Angeles Dodgers fan, I have to say: what in the world is happening? An alarming 80% of sportswriters interviewed by The Athletic have picked the San Diego Padres to win the NLDS against our boys in blue! Seriously? What are these so-called experts smoking? Have they forgotten who we are?
Stephen J. Nesbitt from San Diego kicked off the madness by declaring, “The Dodgers rotation is suspect. There, I said it! Deeply suspect!” It’s as if he thinks our lineup and experience mean nothing. Yes, our rotation has faced challenges, but how about the depth and talent we bring to the table? Our starting pitchers, while not perfect, have shown their worth when it matters most. The disrespect is staggering!
Andy McCullough from Los Angeles tried to sprinkle some optimism, saying, “The Padres may have the more complete team, but the Dodgers have star power. Specifically: Shohei Ohtani.” Thanks for acknowledging our superstar, Andy, but isn’t that enough to put us over the top? Ohtani isn’t just a big name; he’s a game-changer who can turn the tide of a series single-handedly. The writers seem to forget that he thrives in high-pressure situations.
And let’s not overlook the “expert” predictions. Andrew Baggarly bluntly stated, “Padres in 4.” Really? Four games? If that doesn’t reek of bias, I don’t know what does. We’re talking about the Dodgers, a team that has proven itself time and again. Did these writers not watch the season unfold? We overcame adversity and are prepared for the challenge.
Zack Meisel has the audacity to say, “A short series and a bunch of off-days is a perfect setup for a loaded Padres pen.” While I appreciate the analysis, he completely disregards the Dodgers’ resilience and ability to adapt. We’ve fought through injuries and maintained our winning ways, proving our mettle time and again.
Perhaps the most astonishing quote comes from Kaitlyn McGrath, who admitted, “I’m choosing the Padres for vibes only.” Vibes? Is this what it has come to? Are we now basing predictions on feelings rather than stats and performance? This isn’t a middle school dance; this is the NLDS! If that’s the criteria for predictions, it’s no wonder the media has lost credibility.
While the Padres had a good season and are undoubtedly talented, let’s not forget that the Dodgers are a team built for October. Jen McCaffrey even noted, “The Dodgers have been beat up all year and still found ways to win.” Isn’t that the heart of a champion? We’ve proven we can rise above, and that’s what makes us dangerous.
So here’s a message to all the so-called experts: doubt us at your own peril. The Dodgers are ready to shock the world, and when we do, I can’t wait to remind everyone who picked against us. It’s time to rally behind our team and show the world what Dodgers baseball is all about.
Let’s go, Dodgers! Show them why we’re the division champions and deserving of respect!
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