I know I haven’t been as active as I normally am over here. I apologize for the lack of stories this season. I’ve been super busy with non-Dodgers related things. As I’ve said before, sometimes life gets in the way of Dodger Baseball. I’ll be back to cover the postseason on Wednesday when the real games begin. In the meantime the Dodgers wrapped up an excellent 2020 regular season with a 5-0 win over the Angels at Dodger Stadium. The win gave them a nice clean sweep of the Halos to end the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
The win gives the Dodgers a 43-17 record to finish the 60-game pandemic shortened season. The boys in blue finished 21-9 at home, and recorded a .717 winnings percentage en route to their eighth consecutive National League West division title. Mookie Betts, and Corey Seager carried the bats, both posting MVP caliber campaigns. Even with Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy struggling all season and Joc Pederson disappearing, the Dodgers still finished with the best record in baseball.
On the pitching side, Clayton Kershaw was their best starter. Kershaw turned in a very good season, and while he probably won’t win the NL Cy Young award, a 2.16 ERA should place him in the top ten at least. Walker Buehler battled blisters, and the Dodgers relied heavily on rookies and youngsters to fill out their pitching staff such as Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, Julio Urias, Victor Gonzalez, and the injured Caleb Ferguson. Franchise veteran closer Kenley Jansen had another up and down year, and other guys like AJ Pollock, Will Smith, Jake Mcgee, Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, and Edwin Rios all contributed solid campaigns. There was no all-star game this season and no fans in the stands.
The postseason begins on Wednesday night for the Dodgers. The American League playoffs start on Tuesday. The Dodgers will play the Milwaukee Brewers in the best two of three Wild Card series which will play all games at Dodger Stadium. If the Dodgers win, they’ll go into the bubble advancing to the NLDS, which will be played in Arlington Texas, at Globe Life Stadium. We also found out that Walker Buehler will be opening the first game of the series against Milwaukee, while Kershaw will pitch in game two. If there is a game three, we’ll see. The real games start on Wednesday. Strap yourself in everyone. Please win the World Series this year Dodgers. It’s beyond time.
Always great to read your stories, Scott. COVID really took a toll on MLB, as well as LADodgerreport. I’m sure we all had plenty of more important personal matters to address during these difficult times, other than Baseball. Everybody, hang in there.
Well, the Dodgers managed to Waltz to another NL West title. Even with two of their offensive workhorses, Belli and Muncy sputtering, the “Team” managed to carry the bulk of the offensive load. Once again they relied on a barrage of HR’s (5 with 12+, 3 with 8), as their RISP numbers continue to haunt them. The positive is that Belli and Muncy have seemed to have awoken from their offensive comas, at the right time. Amazing that even with their offensive woes, Belli and. Muncy still managed to clout 12 HR’s a piece.
Injuries will be key. Betts (sore hip), JT (hamstring), and Buehler (blister) are desperately needed. Luckily, the Dodgers have been fortunate to have avoided any major injuries this year. Betts and JT are needed to stabilize the offense and defense, and Buehler is needed to compliment the sparse starting rotation.
Yes, Pitching is certainly another key area of concern. The Dodgers have managed to survive without any marque starter(s), other than Kershaw, who is not the dominating Kershaw we all once knew. The rotation lacks the ability to eat innings, and places much of the burden on the taxed bullpen, who are without a legitimate closer. The bullpen has had to eat about half the innings, and even called upon to pitch some bullpen games. Will the bullpen have enough gas left in the tank to survive the October gauntlet…. especially a 7-game World Series with no days off? Who will step up and take on the “Closer” assignment? Can we trust Jansen?
I am leery of the Dodgers chances in the playoffs, But I cross my fingers that they can finally bring the World Series Championship back to LA. Anything is possible.
Go Blue!
Game to watch: Kenta “Maeken” Maeda (6-1, 2.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, 80 K’s in this shortened season) and the AL Central Division Champion Twins vs. the”Cheating” A$$tros, on Tuesday 11AM PT. Maeda the apparent “Ace” of the Twins staff…. Who Knew? The Dodgers certainly didn’t. If Maeda was still with the Dodgers, he’d be in the bullpen, again. Good Luck Maeda! Beat those Cheatin’ A$$tros. Maeda should at least earn a Cy Young mention. Definitely would have been an All-Star Game invite in a normal year.
BTW….
Hyun Jin Ryu, 5-2, 2.69 ERA, 72 K’s, leading the Brooklyn Blue Jays into the playoffs. Maybe would have been an All-Star Game invite?
Yu Darvish, 8-3, 2.01 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 93 K’s, leading the Cubbies into the playoffs. At least worthy of a Cy Young mention. Definitely would have been an All-Star Game invite.
Just sayin’…
I hope all three do well!
The three game series is super tough. Top big of an invitation for luck and randomness.
Let’s hope the Dodgers win, what else can you do?
Just Hope. That is all we can do.
We cannot swing the bat for them.
We cannot pitch for them.
We cannot play defense for them.
We cannot even cheer for them.
They make plenty of money to do it for themselves. If they fail, it is on them, not us.
Hope for the best. Expect the worst.
Poor Maeda…. probably thought he was still with the Dodgers,, with no run support.
A$$tros luck out and take lead on an unearned run…. now 3 run lead…. inning should have been over. That sucks, doesn’t it?
If he were still with the Dodgers, he’d be a reliever now.