A Win for the Ages

Every Dodger fan knows that when you score more than four runs for Max Scherzer his record is something like 103 -2. Well, last night was a strange one, because the Dodgers scored five early runs for Max and he promptly gave them all back, plus one. Actually, the defense gave him plenty of help in giving back runs. But while the Padres were busy dancing and smiling when they went up 9-6, the Dodgers were having none of it.

In the eighth inning, Muncy and Pollock homered, and then Cody Bellinger (ever heard of him?) hit a home run to tie the game. Next, Justin Turner hit a pinch-hit double, and the 2020 World Series MVP jacked one out to give the Dodgers an 11-9 lead. Tim Neverett pronounced that the Dodgers had won… forgetting that the Padres had one more inning. But, when Kenley Jansen came out in the 9th, it really was over. Kenley Jansen smoked Fernando Tatis, Jr., Trent Grisham, and Jake Marisnick on just 10 pitches in the 9th… striking out the side!

A few weeks ago, I decided it did not make me any difference if the Dodgers won the NL West or not. Of course, I wanted to have that consecutive streak of winning the Division kept alive, but this team is capable of winning it from the Wild Card, and they are especially dangerous if Cody Bellinger is back. While pronouncing him back will take some time, last night was a nice first step for him with his new stance and new hair!

After Gavin Lux ate the CF wall in the 5th inning, Cody played CF the rest of the way. Gavin Lux has a future in CF if the Dodgers want, but it would surprise me if Cody Bellinger is not the Centerfielder the rest of the way. Gavin Lux may be on the shelf for a few days with neck and/or shoulder injuries. A large portion of success in hitting is confidence and Cody got a big shot of it last night! Take that Belli Bashers!

Max Scherzer was clearly without his best stuff and control last night. I chalk it up to “one of those nights.” There is no pattern here so, he should be ready for the Wild Card Game. It does not appear that the Giants will fold, even though I am certain that they are doing it with “smoke and mirrors.” It’s working… but the playoffs are a different animal. Tonight, the Dodgers close out the series with Catmandu versus Vince “Scrap Heap” Velasquez. There are only four games left, so there’s not much likelihood of overtaking the Giants… but until the fat lady sings, it’s not over.

Odds & Ends

• The Bazooka is pitching (if you call that pitching) himself off the playoff roster. Someone needs to sit down with him and explain that what a pitcher (a real pitcher) does, is actually get people out. Triple digits only mean something when you are talking IQ’s not fastballs! Hummm… maybe that’s the issue!
• If Scherzer pitches the Wild Card, Austin Barnes will be the catcher… I’m just sayin’…
• Where would the Dodgers be without AJ Pollock?
• It turns out that CT3 and Kike were the same player. Well, minues the strikeouts (CT3 struck out 50 more times in the same number of at bats) and the lack of defense. CT3 was looking good for half the year, but he has been worse than Bellinger over the past 60 days. He was on track to get a $60+ Million deal. I’d say it’s in the $30 million range now. I do not think the Dodgers will even pay that!
• Have you noticed that when the Dodgers win Dave Roberts is a genius? He’s only an idiot when they lose! Go figure…
• Name a better bullpen for the playoffs than this (you can’t):
  • Treinen – 2.02 ERA
  • Jansen – 2.26 ERA
  • Vesia – 2.35 ERA
  • Bickford – 2.57 ERA
  • Knebel – 2.59 ERA
  • Kelly – 2.74 ERA
  • Gonsolin – 3.00 ERA
  • Bruihl – 3.12 ERA
  • White – 3.74 ERA
  • Price – 3.84 ERA

(Photo by Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)