110, or Bust!

I hear some Dodger fans write or say that the Giants are just having their way this year, that the Giants are just lucky, that they have the Dodgers number. I hear that some don’t trust Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, or several other pitchers. I say that they are a bunch of Negative Nellies, to which they say “No, that is not true. I am positive… that I am negative.”

The Giants won the Division by 1 game! One stinking game… but they won… fair and square, I would not call them lucky, but sometimes the Baseball Gods just smile on a team for a time. They may not be the best team, but they act like it… for a time. I think it happened in 1988, when the ragtag Dodgers minus the MVP won it all. On paper, the Mets and Athletics were the better teams, yet the Dodgers won and their best player had just one at-bat. In case you have forgotten, here is that at-bat:

Well, the Giants are this year’s “Ragtag Team” but they are pretty dang good… even if they don’t look the part on paper. The fact of the matter is that one of these two teams will end up with 110 wins and go to the NLCS and the other one will go home with a mere 109.

Here’s what I know: The Dodgers could lose… but I don’t think they will. On any given day, one team can beat another one. If they do lose, so be it! I will just move on and wait until next year. One game may end the Dodgers season, but it does not define it! It won’t change my outlook on this team. I believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best organization in baseball, from top-to-bottom. Look no further than the “Dodger Alumni Tree” which is producing Executives for other teams at an unprecedented rate. The Dodgers could again lose several executives and coaches this year. Possibilities to be hired by other organizations include Josh Byrnes, Jeff Kingston, Brandon Gomes, Brant Brown, Aaron Bates, Clayton McCullough, Conner McGuiness, and/or Billy Gasparino. They won’t lose them all, but they could lose a few, as other items want to hire people from successful organizations.

That said, the Giants are tough, but I also know that the Dodgers are great at adjustments… however, so are the Giants. Logan Webb was dominant against the Dodgers earlier. They will adjust… will the Giants re-adjust? Farhan Zaidi is building another great organization and he is doing a great job, but this is a magical year. The question is “will the magic run out today?” I think it will, but win or lose, this is my team. One game does not define you, but it can end your season.

We had Dodger fans quit after losing to the Asstericks. We had Dodger fans quit after losing to Boston. We had Dodger fans quit after the 2019 loss to the Nats… and we even had Dodger fans quit after the latest World Championship – they had met their goal. Whatever! You are free to do whatever you want and spin it however you want, but I will be watching the Dodgers tonight and rooting for them, and win or lose, life will go on. Don’t forget: It’s a game.

We know that Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger will be in the lineup. We don’t know where… exactly. Seager, Betts, and both Turners will be there. What about Albert at 1B in this Championship Game? It’s worth consideration. Yeah, I know about the “splits.” Sometimes you have to go with your gut. Sometimes experience can win out.

Craig Counsell is a Bum

At least that is what many Milwaukee fans and the national press are saying. A few weeks ago, he was one of the best managers in baseball. It’s amazing how stupid you become when your players do not execute. Dave Roberts can attest to the same thing.