The National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres is tied at a game a piece. With these two rivals so evenly matched, each team looks for any advantage they can. Here are four keys to an eventual Dodgers victory in the NLDS.
Four Keys to Dodgers Winning NLDS
Remove Mookie from the Milk Carton
In the 2020 postseason, Mookie Betts was the definition of clutch. He made several game-saving catches in right field and drove in pivotal runs in both the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves and the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Thus far in the postseason, he is 2-for-9 with a couple of walks. Granted, he would have had a home run, were it not for a sensational catch by Jurickson Profar in Game Two of the current series. However, before a home run in a strikingly similar spot to open the scoring in Game Three, he was in an 0-for-22 slide, and has only four hits in the postseason (4-for-45) going back to the 2021 postseason.
The start of Game 2 vs. Game 3 for Mookie Betts pic.twitter.com/H3w2LE6JGr
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 9, 2024
Mookie has to be better, especially given Freddie Freeman‘s ankle injury, which caused him an early exit in Game Two. If Betts continues to struggle, the Padres will pitch around the presumable Most Valuable Player in the National League, Shohei Ohtani. It’s imperative that Mookie wakes up.
Dodgers Must Get Out in Front
The Padres jumped out to early first-inning leads in the first two games of this series. The Dodgers are at the top of Major League Baseball with come-from-behind wins at 22. They were able to overcome a 3-0 deficit in Game One, thanks to an Ohtani homer. However, they were not able to do the same one night later. It is almost imperative that the Dodgers score first. The earlier the better. It would take some of the pressure off the Dodgers’ starting rotation who have struggled this year to be perfect.
This was illustrated by Walker Buehler‘s rough second inning in Game Three, which continued his recent trend of surrendering early runs. Prior to his last start of the regular season against the San Diego Padres, he has given up 15 runs on 23 hits in the first inning. This means he has a 9.00 ERA with a batting average against of .354.
Setting the Table For Shohei
The bottom of the Dodger order, consisting of Tommy Edman, Gavin Lux, and Miguel Rojas must find ways to get on base in front of Shohei Ohtani. Since September 19th, Ohtani is 14-for-17, with 6 home runs, 2 doubles, and a walk. Of course, this includes the game where he went 6-for-6 and broke the 50/50 barrier against the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers may have to ride the probable MVP if they want to win this series.
Channel Emotions Positively
Game Two did not end well for the Dodgers or their fans. The Padres are very good at using emotions, good, or bad, to get themselves ready to play the Dodgers. The Dodgers must do the same, in a very hostile environment. They must use energy to fuel their play and not react to petty stunts or behavior.
These things may already be evident, but are crucial if the Dodgers want to have a chance at another World Series.
Photo Credit: © Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
