Jeff Birney
Dodgers Looking for Pennant, World Series Win
Well it’s been an exciting first ½ of the season, and as we’re about to head into an 18’ WS matchup with the Red Sox, here’s a few words about the season so far:
The Boys in Blue have absolutely dominated after a hot start right out of the gate. On track to easily go over 100 wins, the wheels would absolutely have to fall off for any team in the West to have even a glimmer of hope to best L.A. – they are in fine shape to take their 7th (7th!!!) National League West title. Obviously favored to go all the way once again, what can we say about this team that’s different than 2017 & 2018?
2018 is easy – the Dodgers limped into the World Series. Having to play a game 163 just to take the West, the Dodgers simply did not have the fire and tenacity to beat Boston. But let’s not talk about 18’ anymore shall we? That wound is still just a bit tender.
2017 – that’s a bit of an enigma (that stretch of 16 losses in 17 games?) I won’t dwell on that losing streak that started in late August, but I can’t help but look at L.A.’s 17’ record and see that that skid started with a series loss to Milwaukee. They hadn’t lost more than two in a row since early June, and had only lost two in a row once after (Atlanta took two in late July 17’.) It’s eerily similar to the series loss to SD just prior to the ASB.
But the 2017 Dodgers had the WS just in grasp – blame Yu Darvish, blame Dave Roberts, blame whoever you want for the Game 7 loss (I tend to look at the anemic, hot/cold offense before the previous two…)
Why would I bring all this up? Is it even relevant? Perhaps, but perhaps not (but this is what we do in baseball prognostication). There’s definitely some dents in the blue armor coming into the ASB – along with all those walk-offs, the Dodgers have been hovering around .500 when looking at just the last few weeks prior to the break.
So that segues us into 2019. Let’s just assume the Dodgers are going to take the West. Let’s also assume this little rough patch leading up to the ASB is as bad as it’s going to get and we’re going to be firing on all cylinders against the Sox tonight. Who do we see as the biggest challenge for the pennant? The NL Central is really anyone’s at this point. Chicago is hanging on to a .5 game lead over Milwaukee but is just a few games over .500 at writing.
Atlanta is looking poised to run away with the East and there’s a lot of names in the mix for the wild card. But let’s keep in mind it’s barely mid-July.
So what do the Dodgers need to take it all this year? The roster is so deep they could likely field two contending teams when you consider rookies like Matt Beaty, Edwin Rios, Kyle Garlick and Will Smith. With Corey Seager, A.J. Pollock (meh) and David Freese all set to return, it really just comes down to who Doc wants to play and when.
Pitching: the starting pitching has been fire. Enough said. The bullpen struggles were painful there for a stretch, especially with the big flat tire named Joe Kelly, yet they are inconspicuously the 2nd best bullpen in MLB (3.82 ERA as of writing).
So again, what do the Dodgers need to take it all the way this year?
You tell me in the comments below!
Go Dodgers!
