Dodgers: July and August Trade Pickups Propel Dodgers to the NLCS

The Dodgers got mixed results from their trade pickups this season but on Monday afternoon, three of their trade acquisitions came up clutch.

The Dodgers had gotten mixed results from their trade deadline acquisitions this season.  In the regular season, Manny Machado was above average but he never seemed to come through in the big spots until the last weekend in San Francisco.  Ryan Madson posted an ERA of 6.48 with the Dodgers.

John Axford and David Freese were the other two pickups for the Dodgers this season.  Axford was a disaster in his first outing for the Dodgers and then fractured a bone in his leg.  David Freese was solid for the Dodgers this season and was everything the Dodgers expected him to be.  He was mainly acquired for his known ability to come up clutch in the postseason.

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Yesterday, the Dodgers received big contributions from Machado, Freese, and Madson.  It started with Ryan Madson coming into the game with the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Madson made the postseason roster because of his extensive playoff experience with the Phillies.  Ryan Madson recorded two outs and kept the bases loaded to keep the Dodgers down just 2-1 entering the sixth inning.

David Freese pinch hit in the sixth inning with two runners on and two outs.  After a wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, Freese delivered a 3-2 pitch up the middle into center field to give the Dodgers a lead that they would never relinquish.  The Dodgers knew Freese had both a reputation and track record of delivering big postseason hits.  On Monday he added to the collection and proved why the Dodgers made a shrewd addition.

Manny Machado hit a homer in game two of the NLDS but he came into Monday’s game with an abysmal .083 batting average.  Machado delivered with a three run shot to left field and gave the Dodgers all the insurance runs they would need.  Although the game two home run was a big moment, yesterday’s home run was the moment we were all waiting on from Manny Machado.  Hopefully this ignites his bat and picks up his confidence heading into the NLCS.

The front office got a good return on their trade investments this season in the NLDS.  Madson helped turn momentum around and keep the Dodgers in game four.  David Freese delivered the base hit that gave the Dodgers the lead, and Manny Machado put the game away with his three run homer.  If the Dodgers are going to make it to another World Series, they will need Freese and Machado to keep delivering big hits in the NLCS.