MidValleySports.Com

By Those Deferred Benchwarmers

With the wacky MLB Schedule, the Dodgers have played exactly one game since our previous article, and it was a good one. We’ll take a quick look back and take stock of the other Division Series. 

Dodgers vs Phillies

Results: Thanks to Teoscar Hernandez and Kiké Hernandez, the Dodgers stole game one in Philadelphia. The Dodgers have quietly won eight in a row and 12 of their last 14. 

Pitching Analysis: Shohei Ohtani was great, delivering a quality start with nine strikeouts in his playoff pitching debut. He gave up three runs, which might have been mitigated by better play in right by Teoscar Hernandez. Hernandez let a JT Realmuto gapper roll to the wall, turning a single (maybe a double) into a triple. Tyler Glasnow was solid in his first relief outing since he was a Pittsburgh Pirate, although he needed Alex Vesia to get him out of a jam in the eighth. Roki Sasaki was again dominant in earning his first career save. Overall, the Dodgers have to be pleased with the overall pitching performance in game one. 

Hitting Analysis: The Hernandez duo was clutch, as Kiké continued his October magic and Teoscar made up for his defensive miscue. The Dodgers scored all five runs with two outs, going 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position Saturday night.  A Dodger playoff victory where Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman went a combined 1 for 12 is a good sign. Will Smith made his long-waited return, going 0 for 2 with a hit by pitch and run scored.

Monday Preview: The Phillies send Jesus Luzardo to the mound in game two. Luzardo dominated the Dodgers in Philadelphia in April, throwing seven shutout innings. He struck out eight and only allowed two hits. It is tied for Luzardo’s best start according to game score (79), a score he matched in his most recent start, against Miami near the end of the regular season. In September in LA, Luzardo again went seven innings, allowing home runs to Freeman and Ohtani in a 5-0 defeat.

The Dodgers counter with Blake Snell, who started opposite Luzardo in that September game. Snell tossed a gem, going seven shutout innings, allowing two hits, and striking out 12. That start was Snell’s best of the season, according to Game Score (83).

A Glance at the Other Division Series Matchups:

Blue Jays-Yankees

Current Series: Blue Jays Up 2-0

Our Prediction: Yankees over Blue Jays, 3-2

The Blue Jays have mashed Yankee pitching, but the Yankees found some life in the 7th inning on Sunday. The series shifts back to New York, where the Yankees have a lot of work to do to make our prediction correct. 

Mariners-Tigers

Current Series: Tied, 1-1

Our Prediction: Mariners over Tigers, 3-1

Both games have been nailbiters, as the Tigers took the first game in extras and the Mariners briefly blew a 2-0 lead before winning 3-2 in game two. It was the Mariners first home playoff victory in 24 years.

Brewers-Cubs

Current Series: Brewers Up 1-0

Our Prediction: Brewers over Cubs, 3-1.

This has a similar look as Yankees-Blue Jays, blowouts among divisional rivals. The Brewers look inevitable right now and a sweep seems likely.