Monday, September 16, 2024

Post-Game 150 Thread: Jekyll and Hyde

DODGERS 9, BRAVES 0

I honestly don't know what to think about the Dodgers after this series. The first two games had the Dodgers getting smoked like a pork shoulder, losing 6-2 and 10-1 in Atlanta, the latter of which came with our only surviving ace, Jack Flaherty, getting outdueled by likely NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale. Things looked bleak.

And then, late in the nationally televised game on Sunday night, the Dodgers opened up a crazy seven-run ninth inning to put the Braves away in a 9-2 victory. And then, one day later, the Dodgers opened up another can of whup-ass on the Braves, watching Yoshinobu Yamamoto tightrope his way out of jams to spin four scoreless innings, setting us up for the shutout victory.

This weekend, we also noted that regular season ace Tyler Glasnow is likely done for the season with an elbow strain, not to mention Austin Barnes is likely headed to the IL with a fractured toe, meaning his attempt to try to lead the league in catcher's interference calls (five this season) is probably done. (Barnes has five errors in 43 games, fifth most of any catcher with 43 games or fewer in the majors.)

So are we a good team? Are we a bad team? It's hard to tell. We certainly have more than our share of injuries, and I credit manager Dave Roberts for stringing together the lineup as best as he can given the circumstances (the Dodgers still are up 3.5 games on the Padres with 12 to play, and fangraphs has us at a 95% chance to win the division and a 100% chance of making the playoffs). We also are one game back of the Phillies for the best record in the majors.

This should be good, right? Why do I feel so conflicted?!

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