Dodgers Play Second Elimination Game in a Week
Published on October 12, 2021 October 15, 2021 by Jose G. Quevedo
The Los Angeles bats once again fell asleep, this time being shut out Monday in a 1-0 defeat to the San Francisco Giants in Game 3 of the National League Division Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will now play their second elimination in a week. If the Dodgers want to have a chance to advance, they will need to beat the Giants two games in a row.
Dodger pitching was outstanding last night only allowing one run, but the offense was absent. Although there was a wind factor that did play a huge part in the game, you can not really blame the wind, when you are 0-for-9 with RISP.
Earlier, I said I was not worried about the pitching, but the offense gets really complacent at times and cannot produce runs. Other than Game 2, the Dodgers have scored three runs throughout three playoff games.
At the time I am writing this, the Dodgers still have not announced a starter for Game 4, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, "Everything is on the table." The most likely candidate to start would be Tony Gonsolin, but he will probably be on a short leash. It seems like every arm except Max Scherzer will be available, Roberts also alluded that Walker Buehler pitching on short rest was on the table.
The Giants announced they will hand the ball to right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. He went 0-3 with a 7.33 ERA in six starts against the Dodgers this season. However, he did pitch six shutout innings the last time he faced the Dodgers. If you remove all of DeSclafani's stats against the Dodgers, he'd have a 2.21 ERA.
The Dodgers will have to dig into some of that October magic to hopefully make their way to another World Series championship. Let's not forget that just last year the Dodgers were down 3-1 to the Braves in the NLCS before ultimately coming back.
I believe a short series favors the Giants more than it does the Dodgers, but with all that said the Dodgers have their backs to the wall today. They will need to get to DeSclafani early before he gets in any type of groove.
In case any of you are wondering, also according to the weather forecast, it appears the wind will not be as heavy as yesterday at only 5mph around the first pitch.
The last time the Dodgers came back from down 2-1 in an NLDS was in 2016 against the Nationals. They were essentially in the same spot with a Game 4 at home and going into a Game 5 on the road.
Honestly, it does not feel like the end of the road for the Dodgers is today. Since this series became official, it just seemed like it would go five games. My original prediction was Dodgers in five and I am sticking with it.
The most important game of the season to this point tonight. First pitch is at 6:07 p.m. Pacific.
Categories Dodgers Game Previews•Tags 2021 NLDS, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants
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2 thoughts on "Dodgers Play Second Elimination Game in a Week"
I wonder if there is any chance that Lux gets a start in left field tonight, based on Pollock's mediocre play on offense so far and Lux's almost heroics last night. I guess we'll know in a little while. Just for the record, I'm going to say Lux is in the starting lineup.
The other question is who starts at first, Belli or Beaty? I'm going to say Belli.
DeSclafani is starting and surprise, Buehler for the Dodgers in a win or go home situation. I think Lux gets the start in LF, but Bellinger will be back in there. Most likely at 1st. That sets up Urias to pitch game 5 if they win tonight.