Dodgers: Positives From the Dodgers Game Three Loss

The Dodgers lost a tightly contested game last night 6-5 but they still lead the best of five series two games to one.  Although they lost there were still some positives from the game.

The Dodgers will be playing game four today after dropping a thrilling game by a 6-5 score last night.  Although the Dodgers were unable to close out the series, there were still some positives that came out of their game three loss.  Here are the positives to come out of yesterday’s game:

Buehler Showed Veteran Poise

Sunday was not Walker Buehler’s best outing as he completely lost control in the second inning.  After walking opposing pitcher Sean Newcomb with the bases loaded, Buehler gave up a grand slam to Ronald Acuna.  Buehler did not let that rattle him and he ended up pitching five innings leaving with the game tied 5-5.

Most young pitchers would have been rattled but Buehler showed veteran poise fighting back and keeping his team in the game.  We all know Buehler can handle the pressure as he was lights out on Monday in what was essentially a playoff game for the NL West.  I’d expect Buehler to be much better in his next outing.

The Offense Fought Back

No Dodger fan wants to relive game seven of the 2017 World Series but the Dodgers fell down 5-0 and they never really showed fight to battle back and make it a game.  Last night the Dodgers fell down 5-0 and they still looked like a confident bunch who knew they could scrape their way back into the game.

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With their high powered offense, all it took was a couple home runs by Chris Taylor and Max Muncy and the game was tied.  Justin Turner also knocked in two runs with a base hit but most of the damage came via the long ball.  The Dodgers will benefit from last night’s game and have more confidence should they fall into another deficit.

Rich Hill gets a Start

The Dodgers are going to send Rich Hill to the mound later on today and in the long term view of things, it will definitely help both the Dodgers and Rich Hill that he gets to make a start.  If the Dodgers would have won and closed out the series last night, then Hill would not have pitched until game four of the NLCS which doesn’t even begin until Friday.

While Hill could have pitched a simulated game, it’s still nothing compared to a playoff game.  Hill last made a start on Sunday September 30th, so he would have gone more than two weeks in between starts if he did not get a start today.  As long as the Dodgers come out victorious today, it will be beneficial that Hill got a start in the NLDS.

The Dodgers dropping a game was tough but they still control the series with a 2-1 series lead.  If the Dodgers close out the series today they will still get three days of rest and be able to line up their rotation heading into the NLCS.  Go Dodgers and let’s wrap up the series today.