Dodgers: Three Reasons the Dodgers Still Have a Chance

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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 24: Kenta Maeda #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers is removed from the game during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The Dodgers are down, facing a 2-0 World Series deficit but even with the odds against them there is still hope for the boys in blue.

The Dodgers have been here before, not only historically, but this year’s squad, for the most part, has faced World Series adversity as recent as last year. Now the Dodgers will potentially play three games at home looking for a chance to at worst head back to Boston trying to force a game seven. If they could push it to a game seven, anything could happen.

There have been ten teams in World Series history that were down 2-0 and came back to win the World Series. Three of those ten teams are Dodger clubs. The 1955, 1965 and 1981 Dodger clubs were all trailing two games to none in the fall classic and they came back to win the title. It would certainly take a big turnaround but they just need to take it one game at a time. Here are three reasons why the 2018 Dodgers have a chance to make history.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 17: Los Angeles Dodgers fans cheer during the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Five of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Home Field Advantage

The Dodgers have been a much better team at home in the postseason. Despite a less than stellar regular season record at home, the Dodgers are 4-1 at home this postseason. Ever since Kiké Hernandez called out Dodger fans, the Ravine has been rocking and been as loud as it’s been in recent memory. The Dodgers need all you fans to go out and cheer as loud as you can, the players thrive off that energy.

With the familiarity of Dodger Stadium and no ballpark gimmicks, the Dodgers will play with much more confidence over the next three games. Walker Buehler and Rich Hill will pitch better at Dodger Stadium especially Buehler who was rattled when he pitched in Atlanta. The Dodger bats should also heat up back in warmer weather as they were unable to produce in the cold temperatures of Boston.

LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 16: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers singles in the eighth inning off Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers (not pictured) in Game Four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Left-Handed Power

Despite the narratives that try to suggest the Dodgers struggle against left-handed pitching, the Dodgers actually fared well against southpaws towards the end of the season. Despite that, the playoffs have been a different story. The Dodger lineup was held in check by Chris Sale and David Price failing to deliver the big hits when needed. Kiké Hernandez and Brian Dozier were unable to record a hit in the first two games, but both will see the bench with two right-handers up next.

Facing off against Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi will mean that the power bats of Max Muncy, Cody Bellinger, and Joc Pederson will once again be back in the lineup for the Dodgers. That means the three players responsible for 85 of the Dodgers’ home runs this season will be in the lineup for the next two games.

Last October we saw the kind of heroics that Joc Pederson can provide and last round Bellinger helped deliver the Dodgers to the World Series. Look for the lineup to be much more productive the next two games. If the starting pitching holds up then we could be looking at a tie series heading into Sunday’s game.

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits into an RBI fielders choice during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The best is yet to come

The Dodgers have lost two close games to begin the World Series but they were in both games up until the very end. The Dodgers have not even played their “B” game, let alone put together their “A” game yet. This series feels a lot like the NLCS where the Dodgers began the series slow and then played better up until the end of the series with the exclusion of game six.

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In the World Series, the Dodgers have recorded just eleven hits in two games and five of those hits have come from Manny Machado and Justin Turner. The rest of the Dodger lineup is destined for improvement. Look for Max Muncy and Joc Pederson to ignite the Dodger offense over the next two games and help position the Dodgers to knot up the series.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Red Sox have played about as perfectly as they could play and the Dodgers still gave them a run for their money. The Red Sox have hit .333 with runners in scoring position and a ridiculous .500 with runners in scoring position with two outs. The Red Sox bullpen has also been perfect. If the Dodgers could close out innings better this would be an entirely different series.

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The other added advantage that the Dodgers will have playing with National League rules for the next three games is that the Red Sox will have to play JD Martinez in their outfield and he is not a very good fielder at all. The Red Sox will also have to play Mookie Betts at second base and while he has played there before, Betts is a gold glove type outfielder. The Dodgers have their work cut out for them but they still have a shot to overcome their 2-0 series deficit.

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