One-Third of the Way to the NLCS
Rant & Rave Sunday GAME 1 WIN IN PHILLY. pic.twitter.com/mnjX9qlveM — Nate (@dodgernate) October 5, 2025 It wasn’t pretty, but it was poetic. The team that led the league in Comebacks came back! Ohtani did not have his best stuff, and Glasnow’s control was suspect, but it was…
Rant & Rave Sunday
- It wasn’t pretty, but it was poetic. The team that led the league in Comebacks came back!
- Ohtani did not have his best stuff, and Glasnow’s control was suspect, but it was enough!
- Cristopher Sanchez has quietly become the Phillies’ Ace – he is an outstanding pitcher.
- I was excited to see Robertson come into the game, and then Matt Strahn looked like a deer in the headlights.
- The Hernandez Brothers (yes, I know that they are not blood brothers) each got a big hit to drive in all five runs. It will be someone else’s turn tomorrow.
- Will Smith is still obviously not 100%, but I am sure Doc wants to see how he feels after a day of rest.
- The Possibility exists that Conforto could be added to the Roster in the NLCS.
- Sasaki is the closer… for now. Scott will be used in lower leverage situations… for now.
The Athletic:
Hitting coach Aaron Bates spent the hitters’ meeting earlier in the day reinforcing the danger that a Red October in this building could bring. At one point, Bates cautioned the players that the crowd of 45,777 would reach a frenzy. He told them it would be up to the Dodgers’ offense to drop the decibels.
— Fabian Ardaya
“There are certain places where it’s hard to play in October,” Bates said. “So you just have to really stick to whatever your plan is that day, and kind of have tunnel vision. … Just build momentum for yourself.”
“Something’s going to happen in this game that the crowd’s gonna go wild, but that doesn’t matter,” Max Muncy said. “What matters is what happens at the end, and when we silence the crowd, it’s gonna be an amazing feeling.”
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Discussion (43)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I wanted to post this when Mark had posted something on the Padres GM:
“How does the Padres farm system rank among the 30 teams?
The San Diego Padres farm system is ranked among the bottom tier of MLB teams as of late 2025. Bleacher Report reports the Padres’ farm system as 30th after September call-ups. ESPN’s August 2025 rankings placed them at 30th as well. This ranking marks a significant drop from previous years where the Padres were known for having one of the league’s top farm systems.
This decline can largely be attributed to the team’s strategy of trading away numerous top prospects to acquire established Major League talent, particularly around the 2025 trade deadline. For instance, they traded away shortstop Leo De Vries, who was ranked as high as the #3 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, according to MLB.com. Other top prospects like Braden Nett, Boston Bateman, Cobb Hightower, and Ryan Bergert were also traded away.
However, the Padres’ farm system isn’t entirely devoid of talent. Catcher Ethan Salas is the top prospect, despite facing a drop in production and a stress reaction in his back in 2025. Left-handed pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft, the team’s first-round pick in the 2025 draft, and other young arms like Humberto Cruz and Kash Mayfield, still offer promising upside for the future.
The Padres’ aggressive approach to acquiring veteran players has boosted their Major League roster and positioned them as contenders, including leading the NL West for a time in 2025. But this success has come at the expense of a diminished farm system. Only time will tell if their strategy of prioritizing current success over prospect depth will pay off in the long run”.
From AI.
Thank God Teo comes up big when needed in the Playoffs:
Teo hernandez Dodgers defensive metrics
Teoscar Hernández’s defensive metrics for the 2025 MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers are generally considered below average.
Here are some of his key defensive statistics for the 2025 season:
Statistic Value
Outs Above Average (OAA) -8
Fielding Run Value (FRV) -9
Range -10
Arm Value -1
Context:
Hernández has primarily played right field for the Dodgers in 2025. He played primarily left field in 2024.
His -8 OAA in 2025 places him low among qualified right fielders.
His defense in right field has been noted as a potential liability.
Note: While Hernández’s defense has been an area of concern, his offensive production, including a 3-run home run in the recent NLDS Game 1 against the Phillies, has been significant for the Dodgers.
From AI.
I don’t see Scott pitching in ANY game that we have the lead or are close behind. Especially with days off between games
so who starts at catcher tomorrow? does it really matter? Ben R. has been fantastic for the team! maybe doc lets Ben start again, do most of the heavy lifting, and then pinch hits will again. Worked yesterday. i guess we’ll see tomorrow. … Teo? it’s too late now to move him out of right field! it’s also crazy to even consider benching him. That bat might just lead the dodgers to another championship! Doc will handle it inhouse. … Now lots of fans will be happy with a split in philly. NOT ME!! this philly team is too good to believe they can’t win 2 games in Dodger stadium! they have already done it! Doc won’t manage it that way either! i believe the day off between games 1 and 2 benefits the dodgers more than the phillies. Sasaki was money! Doc probably wouldn’t have used him back to back games. Biggest concern? who takes Glasnow’s role tomorrow if dodgers have the lead going to the 7th? Trienan? maybe 1 inning. he still worries me. Dryer? maybe. Vesia? possibly. Scott? Nope!!!!!! Once again, jump on Luzardo early. Snell can be a monster! They need to clean up the outfield lackadaisical play. Adjust at the plate. And continue to pitch just as ohtani did last night! Dodgers in 4!!!!
You can see why Sanchez is special. Throwing breaking pitches for strikes. especially on first pitch