Just Win This Game!

The Dodgers are up 2-0 on the Cubs but it has been a tough series.  Except for 2 or 3 key plays it could just as easily be 0-2.  But that is the difference in this team… they are better, deeper and more experienced.  Think about this, last year the Dodgers relied on Adrian Gonzalez, Andrew Toles, Josh Reddick, Yasmani Grandal and Chase Utley to step up in the playoffs.  Gonzo and Toles have been injured most of the year.  Chase Utley is 39 years old, and right now is clearly a limited role player, and Yasmani Grandal is losing his grip on the starting catcher position.

When one man falls another needs to step up:

• A-Gon injured his back – in stepped his replacement who was actually a huge upgrade over the aging Adrian;
• Andrew Toles blew out a knee – Chris Taylor burst on the scene;
• Utley was Chased by Logan who is on a Run (get that?);
• Yasiel Puig took back right field with a vengeance from Josh Reddick who is doing very good in Houston (thank you very much) and ironically, may face the Dodgers in the World Series;
• Austin Barnes has demanded playing time from Yasmani Grandal – It wasn’t “given” to him – He did it the old fashioned way:  He Earned it;
• Yu Darvish, Tony Cingrani, Tony Watson and Brandon Morrow were not even on the team earlier this year and Kenta Maeda was a starter;
• Alex Wood was a good reliever who became a dominant starter; and
• Clayton Kershaw is not as dominant due to injury, I believe.  But the team has so much depth that he doesn’t have to be.

These guys have become skilled in the art of picking each other up.  Right about now, they are feeding on Yasiel Puig’s incredible talent and energy and Justin Turner is leading the charge, carrying the torch until Corey comes back next series – the World Series!  Cody Bellinger has the demeanor of a grizzled vet and Joc Pederson even showed he can bunt!  How about that?  But right here, right now, Yu Darvish just needs to take the ball and go as long as he can, then the Tony’s, Brandon, Kenta and Kenley will slam the door.

Just win the next game… that’s all they can focus on.  One game at a time.

After all, these are Destiny’s Dodgers!