Dodgers Dugout: Is it better to play the Mets or Padres?

Hi, and welcome to any other version of Dodgers Dugout. My identify is Houston Mitchell, and in spite of everything, what we’ve all been looking ahead to: the postseason.

A large number of lovers are nervous as a result of the Dodgers were in just a little of a hunch offensively the previous couple of video games and that it manner they aren’t able for the postseason. Much ado about not anything. A learn about of baseball historical past tells us there were many groups that experience slumped their manner into the postseason and gained it all, and groups which have been red-hot going into the postseason and misplaced in the first spherical.

The postseason is a beast of its personal. And regardless of protestations differently, it is handiest human nature to let up a little bit whilst you clinch the entirety you’ll in the common season and are looking ahead to the playoffs to start.

Of route, I were given equivalent considerations final season when the Dodgers had to play arduous in each sport whilst attempting to overtake the Giants. People mentioned it would purpose burnout, and pointed to their loss to the Braves as evidence. But correlation does now not equivalent causation.

There’s simply no manner to know what’s going to occur. The playoffs final a month, and at the finish one workforce can be topped the very best in baseball. But, it’s good to get started the playoffs in every single place once more the day after the World Series ends and almost certainly get a special consequence.

The Dodgers want to win 11 extra video games to win the World Series. I imagine they’re going to do it. But they might additionally get knocked out in the first spherical.

There has been debate as to if the common season turns into meaningless if the Dodgers don’t win the World Series. And whilst meaningless is just a little too harsh, the reality is that the season can have a disappointing finishing in the event that they don’t win the World Series.

Sports lovers who got here of age in the Eighties have been spoiled by way of the Showtime Lakers and the Tommy Lasorda-led Dodgers. Magic Johnson mentioned annually that the season is useless if the Lakers don’t win the NBA name. Lasorda talked time and again about the function being to win the World Series and not anything else issues.

It doesn’t imply there weren’t nice moments in the season. There have been. It doesn’t imply you shouldn’t have loved the trip, you will have to. But when you waited six months to cross to Disneyland, expecting it every day, and when your folks drove you there it was once closed, it would in the long run be disappointing. It doesn’t imply the anticipation or the automobile trip wasn’t a laugh although. But “all that buildup just for it to be closed?” isn’t an effective way to finish your commute. And sure, I’m stealing the plot of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” for that analogy.

Questions replied

Time to give our Dodgers beat creator, Jack Harris, an opportunity to chime in along with his ideas as we head into the postseason.

Q. The Dodgers will face both the Mets or Padres in the NLDS. The Mets are the better workforce on paper, however the Padres can be further fired up to do away with the Dodgers. Which workforce can be preferable?

Harris: If I’m the Dodgers, I without a doubt need to see the Padres. They didn’t lose a unmarried collection to San Diego this 12 months. They’ve been just right in opposition to Joe Musgrove, and feature a minimum of gotten Blake Snell out of video games early. It would additionally make for more straightforward trip, which unquestionably wouldn’t harm in a extra condensed postseason.

While the Mets have seemed human of overdue, they’re nonetheless a 100-win workforce. They nonetheless have most likely the very best top-three rotation in the majors (although they almost certainly gained’t be in a position to line it up completely popping out of the wild-card collection). I believe they nonetheless have a extra flexible lineup, too, particularly if Starling Marte is again by way of the NLDS (although that’s no given).

Q. The most-asked query I were given in the final month was once: Why didn’t the Dodgers give James Outman any other glance? He hit neatly in his temporary time with the workforce, and endured hitting neatly at Oklahoma City. Why didn’t they provide him any other shot?

Harris: Two primary causes: They already had a plethora of left-handed sluggers (particularly in the outfield with Cody Bellinger and Joey Gallo). And Outman wasn’t somewhat a completed product, evidenced maximum significantly by way of a 27% strikeout price in the minors, and 7 punchouts in 13 MLB at-bats.

The 25-year-old certainly raised his organizational inventory this 12 months, going from double A all the manner to a short lived debut in the majors. He confirmed up at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, as neatly, as a part of the workforce of gamers who will keep scorching right through the postseason in case of accidents.

Next spring, he’ll for sure be an enchanting identify to watch. But this 12 months, the membership didn’t appear to assume he was once somewhat able for a full-time MLB function.

Q. Many Dodger lovers don’t seem to be overjoyed with Joey Gallo and will’t imagine he’s going to be on the postseason roster. So why is he?

Harris: The brief solution: Because the Dodgers haven’t deserted the hope he’s going to hit house runs, attracts walks and play better protection in the postseason than a few of their more youthful inner choices.

Obviously, Gallo wasn’t excellent down the stretch this season.

After a cast couple weeks with the workforce following his industry from the Yankees, he went simply six for 53 with 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 28 strikeouts to handiest 8 walks over his ultimate 20 video games. Roberts stated the slugger was once running via some swing-and-miss struggles, as neatly.

Still, the Dodgers went out and bought him for a reason why. They assume he nonetheless has worth — and doable — in a part-time function in the playoffs. And if he hits a key house run or two this October, that could be greater than sufficient to validate the determination.

Q. Do you look forward to any surprises on the NLDS roster?

It almost certainly is dependent upon when you imagine Craig Kimbrel a wonder.

Right now, I believe there are 11 locks on the pitching workforce: Julio Urías, Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Anderson and Tony Gonsolin in the rotation; Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, Brusdar Graterol, Tommy Kahnle, Chris Martin, Yency Almonte and Andrew Heaney in the bullpen.

After that, it depends upon the well being of Blake Treinen and Dustin May. If one or each aren’t wholesome, then Kimbrel, Caleb Ferguson and David Price are the different choices.

Kimbrel has the worst numbers of that workforce, but when the Dodgers really feel the want for any other right-hander in a position to getting a strikeout, then he would make the maximum sense. We will have to have a better concept relying on who participates in the workforce’s simulated video games over the week.

On the place participant aspect, Miguel Vargas is the one wild card, with the doable to unseat application infielder Hanser Alberto on the bench. However, the rookie struggled in restricted enjoying time in September. Also, given Chris Taylor’s neck harm, Alberto’s defensive versatility in the infield — specifically as another choice at shortstop — almost certainly makes extra sense for the NLDS.

Who’s subsequent?

The Dodgers will open the NLDS on Tuesday in opposition to both the New York Mets or San Diego Padres. The Mets are closely preferred to beat the Padres, however who will have to Dodger lovers be rooting for? The Mets are better on paper and have the combo of Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. But the Padres can be in point of fact fired up to defeat the Dodgers, similar to the Dodgers have been further motivated to beat the Giants final season. The Dodgers have been 14-5 in opposition to the Padres this season and 3-4 in opposition to the Mets.

So, who do you wish to have to win, the Padres or Mets? Click right here to vote in our ballot.

The Dodgers ended the common season with 111 wins, the maximum in franchise historical past. Freddie Freeman ignored profitable the batting name by way of share issues after going 3 for 4 on Wednesday. He completed at .32516 whilst the Mets’ Jeff McNeil, who sat out Wednesday’s sport, completed at .32645. Of route, it’s somewhat lame to take a seat out the season finale when you find yourself in the batting race and know your opponent has to cross 4 for 4 to beat you. But we gained’t point out that.

Freeman and Trea Turner completed the season with 100 RBIs. A listing of seasons wherein a minimum of two Dodgers had a minimum of 100 RBIs, since 1901:

2009
Andre Ethier, 106
Matt Kemp, 101

2001
Shawn Green, 125
Gary Sheffield, 100

2000
Gary Sheffield, 109
Eric Karros, 106

1999
Eric Karros, 112
Gary Sheffield, 101

1997
Mike Piazza, 124
Eric Karros, 104

1996
Eric Karros, 111
Mike Piazza, 105

1977
Steve Garvey, 115
Ron Cey, 110

1974
Steve Garvey, 111
Jim Wynn, 108

1962
Tommy Davis, 153
Frank Howard, 119

1955
Duke Snider, 136
Roy Campanella, 107
Gil Hodges, 102

1954
Gil Hodges, 130
Duke Snider, 130

1953
Roy Campanella, 142
Duke Snider, 126
Gil Hodges, 122

1951
Roy Campanella, 109
Gil Hodges, 103
Duke Snider, 101

1950
Gil Hodges, 113
Duke Snider, 107
Carl Furillo, 106

1949
Jackie Robinson, 124
Gil Hodges, 115
Carl Furillo, 106

1945
Dixie Walker, 124
Luis Olmo, 110

1930
Babe Herman, 130
Glenn Wright, 126
Del Bissonette, 113

1925
Jack Fournier, 130
Zack Wheat, 103

Julio Urías gained the ERA name with a 2.16 mark. Other Dodgers to win:

Hyun-jin Ryu, 2019, 2.32
Clayton Kershaw, 2017, 2.31
Zack Greinke, 2015, 1.66
Clayton Kershaw, 2014, 11.77
Clayton Kershaw, 2013, 1.83
Clayton Kershaw, 2012, 2.53
Clayton Kershaw, 2011, 2.28
Kevin Brown, 2000, 2.58
Alejandro Pena, 1984, 2.48
Don Sutton, 1980, 2.20
Sandy Koufax, 1966, 1.73
Sandy Koufax, 1965, 2.04
Sandy Koufax, 1964, 1.74
Sandy Koufax, 1963, 1.88
Sandy Koufax, 1962, 2.54
Johnny Podres, 1957, 2.66
Dazzy Vance, 1930, 2.61
Dazzy Vance, 1928, 2.09
Dazzy Vance, 1924, 2.16

Postseason roster

A predicted postseason roster. Note, I are expecting a roster annually and at all times get one participant fallacious. Who will it be this season?

Position gamers

Catchers (2)
Austin Barnes
Will Smith

Infielders (6)
Hanser Alberto
Freddie Freeman
Gavin Lux
Max Muncy
Justin Turner
Trea Turner

Outfielders (5)
Cody Bellinger
Mookie Betts
Joey Gallo
Chris Taylor
Trayce Thompson

Dave Roberts mentioned previous this week that Gallo can be on the roster, which leaves the ultimate spot for Alberto or Miguel Vargas.

Pitchers

Starters (5)
Tyler Anderson
Tony Gonsolin
Andrew Heaney*
Clayton Kershaw
Julio Urías

*-Heaney will almost certainly pitch out of the bullpen.

Relievers (8)
Yency Almonte
Caleb Ferguson
Brusdar Graterol
Tommy Kahnle
Chris Martin
Evan Phillips
Blake Treinen
Alex Vesia

On Wednesday, the Dodgers mentioned they anticipated Dustin May and Treinen to be on the NLDS roster. That manner a just right reliever or two can be left off for no less than the first spherical. I’m going to bet that they finally end up now not hanging May on the NLDS roster, as a result of it can be tricky to depart off any of the above relievers. They can let Heaney be the lengthy man, and produce May again for the NLCS, which lasts seven video games and it’s possible you’ll want multiple pitcher who can come up with a couple of innings out of the bullpen. So, my roster leaves off May, Craig Kimbrel and David Price.

NLDS breakdown

We will preview the NLDS in Tuesday’s e-newsletter. In the intervening time, take those following few days to simply now not be troubled about the postseason. Go out and get some contemporary air. This a part of the season is meant to be a laugh.

What Vin Scully intended to you

Chip Miller: My dad took me and my neighbor and very best buddy Jim Barr (later a tumbler with the Giants and Angels) to a Dodger sport at the Coliseum and we noticed Vin out of doors the stadium ahead of the ball sport (we’d get there very early to watch infield and BP). A couple of days prior we watched a Dodger sport from Candlestick and a thick fog rolled in after the 3rd inning, it was once so thick it’s good to now not see the outfielders. In the ones days on KTTV, they didn’t cross to one thing else, they simply stored telecasting the Dodger sport and Vin stored the target market completely entertained by way of simply speaking I don’t take into accout how lengthy, I used to be handiest 10, however it will have to were over an hour. Eventually the fog lifted sufficient for the sport to proceed.

My dad approached Vin to inform him how a lot he favored the process he did right through that lengthen. They talked for a couple of mins and Vin requested who the two boys have been and my dad offered us to him. Vin rubbed the peak of my head and informed me to “take care of your dad, Chipper, he is a good man”. Years later, my draft quantity got here up, now not baseball draft sadly, the army draft. As a consequence, I enlisted in the Air Force. Here is the place Vin did one thing particular for my dad and I. I used to be married right through my 2nd 12 months in the Air Force and we had a son, Jeff. I used to be then stationed at Wurtsmith AFB in Michigan. We took an image of Jeff at six months previous, propped up in a sofa dressed in a Dodgers cap and uniform maintaining an overly small whiffle bat. We despatched the image and the unfavorable to my other people again in California. My dad, as a wonder birthday provide to me, despatched the image, blown up to 5×7, to Vin in conjunction with a letter as though written by way of our son telling the place we have been and why and requested if Vin may just get a couple of Dodgers to autograph it. To display what a lovely particular person he was once, Vin took it down to the clubhouse and had Walt Alston, Don Drysdale, Manny Mota, Willie Crawford, Maury Wills, Bill Singer, Ken Boyer, Bill Russell, John Miller, and Jim Lefebvre signal it and Vin signed it additionally, “Much Love, Vin Scully”. That photograph is considered one of my prized possessions. A focal point, when my Dad communicated with him, Vin informed him he recalled the dialog with some him years ahead of out of doors of the Coliseum and that he remembered assembly Jim and me that day.

Glen Riley of Germantown Hills, Ill.: Vinny was once instrumental in that by way of his persona, he helped me to turn out to be a nicer and extra respectful particular person and now not to be judgmental. He taught me to be a better baseball fan and recognize the gamers that wouldn’t have “Dodgers” on the entrance in their uniforms. I don’t assume that I’ve ever met (and I had the excitement a couple of occasions) someone who led a extra exemplary lifestyles than Vinny.

Phil Smithka of Port Charlotte, Fla.: Sometime in the early Nineteen Nineties I attended a spring coaching sport in Vero Beach. While strolling towards the box, I realized a automobile ready in line. Behind the wheel was once Vin Scully. I boldly walked up to him and informed him I used to be an established Dodger fan who favored his contributions to the Dodgers and to baseball typically. Vin checked out me with appreciation and mentioned, “How kind of you. I really appreciate your compliments.” I can at all times take into accout the heat and sincerity of his feedback to me, a complete stranger.

This almost certainly typifies the guy: An chic, humble massive of an individual using a nondescript automobile and patiently ready in line for a parking position like the remainder of us mere mortals.

Up subsequent

Tuesday: Mets or Padres at Dodgers, Time TBD, Fox or FS1
Wednesday: Mets or Padres at Dodgers, Time TBD, Fox or FS1
Friday, Oct. 14: Dodgers at Mets or Padres, Time TBD, FS1
*Saturday, Oct. 15: Dodgers at Mets or Padres, Time TBD, FS1
*Sunday, Oct. 16: Mets or Padres at Dodgers, Time TBD, FS1

*—if important