and 2 straight shutouts. We couldn't ask more Kershaw tonight. Machado finally gets a big one in a big game. Love to see them show up for Bueller in game 3.
Everything just "feels" right for a pennant run right now. The team is gelling at the exact right moment after such an up and down season. Pitching is dominant. Much more so than last year. Ryu / Kersh / Bueller + Hill as 4th starter is more than enough for any series. Kenley seems to be back on track. The power hitting is overwhelming with 7-8 guys that can go yard. My only concern is whether we get too reliant on the long ball once we run into a hot pitcher.
Very rough 2nd inning for Walker, he had no command at all. 4 ball walk to the pitcher, who apparently is one of the worst hitters in MLB, was hard to watch. Should've been another 4 ball walk to Acuna, but the ump gave him a strike and he gives up a grand slam right after. Braves pitchers are also having a tough time with command. Edit: Seems like both pitchers have found a bit of consistency in the 4th. Edit2: from 0-5 to 5-5 in the 5th. Dongers by CT3 and Max!!!
we gotta win one in the 9th.. not our strong suit this year. Joc starts with that lead off single... JT up
JT Walks... The big boy Max comes up. He has proven himself over and over again. This is what Championship teams do make these plays. 2 on 0 outs.
Machado's at bat was awful. At least Max made him work. Dozier was bad too. Was there anyone left on the bench who could have hit for Dozier? He's not exactly the guy we want up in leverage situations right now.
Three things surprised me at yesterdays game... -Kemp going on contact to try and score that run. It was extremely desperate move. I really didn't understand the need to gamble that early. - The first pitch homer we gave up (can't think who gave it up right now). That is just bad luck. - Max's 9th inning K. I would have figured he would of put the ball in play. Was shocked he didn't. Good at bat but still surprised. Wasn't surprised Machado didn't get a solid hit. Dozier I wasn't here or there on.
So much for Manny not showing up in big games! Freese was also so clutch with that hit to put the team in the lead.
Man great bounce back. These guys get the hits and we win. Big at bats by Manny too. I'm hearing the Brewers are too stacked for us though.
I'll take us against anyone right now, but they're a very good team. Always great to have the MVP on the roster too in Yelich.
Yea Yelich is the real deal. Kid carries that team. The Dodgers big issue will be trying to come back in the last 3 innings if they are down. We haven't done great at that but the brew crew are running 11 straight games right now and their bullpen (apparently) is no joke. We hit. We win. Period.
So far, I really like our relief pitching rotation. It's been strong. Between Madson, Baez, and Maeda, they've been excellent at giving our bats the chance to play with less pressure. I've always felt that depth has always been missing for the Dodgers every year, but this year going into October, has been solid. It's going to be our x factor. The Brewers have been pitching lights out lately, but I feel our bats can handle it. If our pitching can match theirs, we can give them a run for their money.
Freese and Machado hitting in clutch moments at the right time is all that was left. They have everything. They have to win it all or it's lost.
Key to the NLCS is whether we can score runs vs. their starters early, which will force them to use their stacked bullpen. If that happens, we'll get to see their bullpen more times, wear them out, and their effectiveness will decrease. I wonder how Doc will organize the starting rotation. Kersh is going Game 1, but the rest has not been decided yet. Hill is apparently very good at MIller Park while Ryu has been much better at home than away. Buehler might be better suited to pitching at home vs away to give him less pressure. I think it would make sense to go with Kersh, Hill, Ryu, and Buehler in that order.
