The Dodgers have yet to allow an earned run in this division series, winning the first two games by a combined score of 9-0. The vintage Clayton Kershaw returned in game two to pitch eighth shutout innings and the Dodgers hit two more home runs (Manny Machado, Yasmani Grandal) against opposing starter Anibal Sanchez and the Boys in blue have a chance at a sweep as the series shifts to Atlanta.
Honestly the Braves didn’t put up much of a fight. It appeared as if they had totally given up, and going up against Kershaw in game two seemed to be the nail in their coffin. The Dodgers will give the ball to Walker Buehler for game 3 looking for the knockout blow. The Dodgers have already hit five home runs in the first two games and the Braves have not scored a run. With Buehler on the mound for game three, they may not score again. Well, let’s hope. In the meantime check out some of the highlights from game 2 as we await the start of game three.
Braves decide to switch starting pitchers for game 3 and Newcomb gets the start. He almost no hit the Dodgers in his first start against them. What it means is a lineup change. Kemp will be in left field. Muncy will not get the start, and Dozier will be in the lineup. But Buehler is still the Dodgers choice. Newcomb has an ERA over 5 his last 10 starts. So hopefully the Dodgers get to this guy early.
Looks like Yankees-Red sox is going to be a slugfest. They played each other pretty even during the year. NY has 3 dingers tonight already. Sanchez’s last blast went 479 feet. Wow. Can’t wait for tomorrows game. Should be a good one.
So many similar articles being posted here. Hard for community exchanges to get going.
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What is the thinking behind the posting schedule?
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https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baseballs-top-staffs-have-come-around-on-the-high-spin-fastball/
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Since 2015, Clayton Kershaw has seen his velocity decline while his raw spin has remarkably increased.
Interesting story on Dodgers web site on why the 2018 team is better suited to win. They gave 4 reasons. 1. Better starting pitching. They do have a point. Even when the Dodgers had Greinke, they did not have anyone behind Kershaw and Zack. Now they have a lot of good pitchers behind Kersh. 2. Bench. The Dodgers can run some pretty good bats off the bench from either side, something they never had before. 3 They are battle tested. They had to scratch and claw all season long. Time and time again they came back with their last stand and won, including winning their last 4 games to win the division. Any one of those games a loss, and they were in the wild card. Reason #4. Manny Machado. Last year the Dodgers lost Seager for the NLCS and he was at less than full strength for the series. It showed. Even though Charlie Culberson did a bang up job in the NLCS, the Dodgers missed the steadiness of Seager. Machado kills lefty’s and is a defensive presence. Even though his time as a Dodger will be limited, Manny means to make his mark. We will see if he does it. So far he has 1 hit in the playoffs. Granted it was a big one, but real super stars can take over a short series. He has not shown the same kind of numbers in LA that he did in Baltimore.