Dodgers: Takeaways from a game one victory in the NLDS
The Dodgers were victorious in game one of the National League Division Series. Here are some takeaways from the Dodgers’ game one win.
Thursday night the Dodgers took a 1-0 series lead by beating the Washington Nationals 6-0. The game was much closer than the final score as it was a 2-0 game as late as the seventh inning. Here are some takeaways from LA’s series opening victory:
Buehler ready to be LA’s ace
In case it wasn’t already clear, Walker Buehler showed that there is no stage too big for him. He was counted on to be the Dodgers’ ace this postseason and he delivered allowing just one hit over six innings. Buehler became the first NL pitcher to record back-to-back starts with six or more innings pitched and two hits or fewer.
Buehler did not have his best command and walked three batters which lead to one bases loaded jam in the fourth inning but Walker worked out of it by getting Asdrubal Cabrera to ground out. It just shows how scary Buehler will be for opposing teams when his command is on. Buehler will be ready to go for game five of the NLDS or game one of the NLCS in his next start.
Dodger bullpen shines and gets off to a strong start
Entering the postseason, most Dodger fans were worried about the club’s bullpen. In game one the bullpen was excellent combining for three innings while allowing just one hit. The pen also struck out five Nationals while not allowing a single walk. Adam Kolarek got things started in the seventh inning and struck out Juan Soto on three pitches while holding a 2-0 lead.
Kenta Maeda followed Kolarek and pitched 1 2/3 innings while not allowing a single hit and struck out two. Kenta also pitched very efficiently throwing just 19 pitches and that could make him available for a shorter outing in game two if he is needed. Not only was Maeda sharp but his fastball played up out of the pen reaching 94 miles per hour.
Joe Kelly finished up the game by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. Kelly did allow a double but he was able to strand Trea Turner at third base to end the game. Joe looked postseason ready after missing most of September with a lower body injury that was never disclosed. Kelly hit 100 MPH on the gun and froze Juan Soto on a 98 MPH two-seam fastball to end the game.
The Dodgers did not use Pedro Baez, Julio Urias, or Kenley Jansen in game one which will bode well for game two.
Left-handed sluggers will fuel the Dodger offense this series
Patrick Corbin shut down the Dodgers’ lineup and most of the damage against him was self inflicted by issuing too many walks including a walk to Max Muncy with the bases loaded. A.J. Pollock, David Freese, and Justin Turner combined to go 1-12 in the series opener but the left-handed sluggers on the team broke the game open late.
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Max Muncy was the primary catalyst for the Dodgers drawing first blood with an RBI walk in the first inning. He drove in three runs for the Dodgers on Thursday. Joc Pederson and Gavin Lux both delivered home runs in their only at-bats and they were the hardest hits of the game.
Joc’s home run went 114.9 MPH while Lux’s homer went 108 MPH. Lux also became the youngest Dodger ever to homer in a postseason game. Both Lux and Pederson should be in the lineup for the next two games as the Dodgers will face two right-handed starters in Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer.
The Dodgers won what will likely be their worst match-up of the series against the lefty Corbin who has had their number since his Diamondback days. Now the Dodgers will face right-handed starting pitching which plays into the strength of their lineup which is their left-handed sluggers.
Tonight the Dodgers will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead behind the arm of Clayton Kershaw and the bats of Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Joc Pederson.