Brimming with confidence after a Game 1 drubbing, the Dodgers came out for the afternoon NLCS Game 2 and wasted no time getting behind the eight ball. Ryan Brasier gave up a run to the first batter (a solo HR by Francisco Lindor), putting an end to that record-tying 33 consecutive scoreless postseason innings streak. And then, in short order, Landon Knack gave up a grand slam to Mark Vientos in the second, putting the Dodgers in a 6-0 hole from which we could not claw back.
Not that we didn't have opportunities, and I'm particularly looking at Kiké Hernandez, who hit into an inning-ending double play in the bottom of the sixth, squashing that rally (Tommy Edman's 2-RBI single brought us within three runs, 6-3). And then Kiké came out again in the eighth inning, with two RISP, and weakly popped to right to end that inning as well. It's tough to get on Kiké Hernandez just yet, though, given his heroics in NLDS Game 5.
And it's tough to get on Landon Knack, who ceded the big blast but also, as a rookie, shouldn't even be in the mix in the first place. But with all the injuries to the rest of the pitching staff, Knack is there. Sure, maybe he shouldn't have been inserted in that slot in the game. But we didn't pitch Michael Kopech, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen, or Evan Phillips today (or yesterday, for that matter)--so I'm not questioning Dave Roberts' bullpen decisions at all (and certainly not after his mastery in NLDS Games 4 and 5).
It's not tough to point the finger at Will Smith, though: batting .087 this postseason, including an 0-for-4 day today. Mookie Betts is also subpar this postseason: 0-for-4 today with a run scored, but three Ks (one of three strikeouts to Edwin Diaz in the ninth). And even Shohei Ohtani, 0-for-3 today, is only batting .222 (and I don't recall a huge Ohtani hit since NLDS Game 1).
The Dodgers were 1-for-9 with RISP today, with 10 total left on base.
We need to get these bats going here. Three games at Citi Field means we may not even play another home game this year.
Get it together, Dodgers!
6 comments:
other than knack giving up the grand slam i can't say the bullpen game was not a success. 3 runs in 8 innings work is good enough even for a normal starting pitcher. I'm confident in another bullpen game. Bats need to be consistent though.
Yeah you’re right, Spanky, rest of the bullpen was great!
Our 1-5 hitters were a combined 0 for 19 and 0 for 5 RISP. Doesn't matter how good our pitching is, that just won't win games.
Spanky is spot on with the bullpen. This shows why Knack was only given the 9th inning in that bullpen game against the Pods. Tough spot for a playoff debut.
Cleveland's going to rollover for the Yanks.
i dont think Knack pitches if Vesia doesnt get hurt. oh well.
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