Dodgers: Three Reasons the Dodgers Still Have a Chance

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)
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)
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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.

Schedule