Dodgers: Three Reasons the Dodgers Still Have a Chance

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.

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.

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.