Dodgers Have Plenty to be Optimistic About Despite Losing Game One

The Dodgers were defeated 6-5 last night to fall into a 1-0 series deficit in the best of seven NLCS.  Despite their loss there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

The Dodgers were dealt the first blow of the 2018 NLCS as the Brewers beat them 6-5.  Although the Dodgers lost, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic going forward into game two today.  For one, the Dodgers got a bad start from Clayton Kershaw as he lasted just three innings and allowed five runs.  Hyun-Jin Ryu and Walker Buehler should be able to give the Dodgers better starts in the next two games.

The Dodgers defense was also terrible last night as they committed four errors including two passed balls by Yasmani Grandal that put two runs into scoring position for the Brewers.  Chris Taylor misplayed a ground ball in the outfield, and Justin Turner was unable to field a ground ball he fields 99% of the time.  The chances of the Dodgers helping the Brewers out again by making four errors is slim to none.

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Another reason for optimism is the way the Dodgers battled back at the end of the game against Corey Knebel, Joakim Soria, and Jeremy Jeffress.  The Dodgers were down 6-1 to begin the eighth inning and got the tying run to third base, just ninety feet away from tying the game.  The Dodgers got two runs on Soria and one run on Knebel.  Despite three scoreless innings by Josh Hader, the rest of the Brewer bullpen did not seem intimidating.

In addition to getting to the back of the Brewer bullpen, the Dodgers also made the Brewers burn their Hader card.  Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell said after the game that Josh Hader will be unavailable until Monday’s game three.  That means the Brewers are going to need innings from Wade Miley tomorrow, who the Dodgers should be able to knock around for 3-4 runs at least.

Despite scoring five runs last night, the Dodger offense was definitely not at it’s finest.  Justin Turner went 0-5 with four strikeouts.  Although one came on a terrible strike three call, it’s unlikely that JT has another 0-5 game.  Bellinger went 0-4 although he nearly went deep a couple times but he just got under the ball.  The Dodger offense will look to breakout in game two and even up the series.

The Dodgers have a chance to tie the series today and regain home field advantage heading to Los Angeles for three games.  A win today would make the series a best of five series with three games in LA.  What is not to like about their odds with three straight home games?  A win today would flip the series on it’s side and give the Dodgers a new home field advantage.