ARLINGTON, TX – The Dodgers were on their shortened schedule in mid-September when they traveled to San Diego to begin their final road trip of the regular season
Reinvigorated by their GM’s shopping spree on trade deadline, the Padres had closed within 2 1/2 games of the Dodgers It was only 1 1/2 games when the Padres beat the Dodgers 7-2 in the first game of the series
It was more than a loss It was « kind of a punch in the mouth, » Mookie Betts would later say First, the Padres disrespected the Dodgers, Trent Grisham treating Clayton Kershaw like an opponent video game after hitting an unparalleled home run Then they left the Dodgers vulnerable, scoring five times in the seventh inning with a botched defense from the Dodgers
There was new energy in National League West and she didn’t wear blue
« I mean, we were just flat, » Betts said on Monday as the Dodgers and Padres prepared to face each other again, this time in a best-of-five NL Division series « They just seemed like they kept coming towards us the whole game We never got a response There was really nothing we could do but sit there and take it right then
« So we just had a chat between us We were able to come back and play the game we always do »
Mookie Betts # 50 reacts with third base coach Dino Ebel after scoring on an RBI brace by Los Angeles Dodgers # 16 Will Smith in the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres on September 16 2020 in San Diego, CA (Photo by Sean M Haffey / Getty Images)
The Dodgers have won the last two games in San Diego and have won 12 of 14 since that loss at Petco Park with a point differential plus 43 in those games (the Wild Card series included) The Padres, on the other hand, are gone 7-7 since then with only a plus-4 race differential
“Well, yeah, I don’t mind being punched in the mouth,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts “I think everyone’s going to get punched in the mouth at some point but this is how you react Our guys, unsurprisingly, took it and responded very well «
The Padres took their own punch Four innings in Game 2 of their Wild Card series against the St Louis Cardinals, they lost 4-0 and were looking for an elimination before the playoffs started Two innings later, Fernando Tatis Jr and Manny Machado hit back-to-back home runs and the Padres have regained their mojo
« We just have to be the stable selves that we are, » Betts said of that mojo now « I mean… they’ve got a lot of energy, a lot of young guys out there It’s hard to match We don’t need to play their game, we need to play ours »
The Dodgers led the National League in runs scored (349) and hits (118) The Padres finished third in both categories (325 points, 95 homers) Both teams scored a little more half their runs via home runs, which could be tough in a streak played in baseball’s new wet blanket, Globe Life Field
During the regular season, the Dodgers beat their opponents 122-66 in the seventh inning or later, winning with the long ball – a record 37 MLB in the seventh inning (while allowing just 16 in these sleeves)
The Padres also worked late, edging their opponents 124-80 in the seventh set with a 33-18 lead in the circuits
Don’t turn off the games at the start of this series Things probably won’t be over, until they are over
“I can see that,” Roberts said of the potential for late-inning drama. “It’s partly when you’ve got teams that have done it consistently, scoring late, it’s is more like that which just builds that confidence
« It really talks about being able to control the strike zone, because especially late in games with the back guys (in the pickup pen) with really good stuff you really have to control that kick zone. hit and walk, hit a homerun or whatever, an extra base hit, when you get that error But I think that’s gonna be a big part of this streak »
The Dodgers’ pickup box had an NL-low 274 ERA during the mini-season and did not allow a six-end run against the Brewers (counting Julio Urias’s appearance out of the box ) But the landscape has changed significantly in the playoffs with starters Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin available in relief (at least early in the series) and Roberts acknowledging that Kenley Jansen closer might not be his best option in every ninth. handle
The Padres have had a facelift to their enclosure Closer Kirby Yates was lost to injury Trevor Rosenthal was acquired at the trade deadline to replace him with Dan Altavilla and Austin Adams also added to the mix
« It’s really going to show because you’re going to have to count on some sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth clashes, » said Roberts « It will be interesting to see who wins as both teams have shown their ability to win games late and playing until the last withdrawal I know our guys are ready We potentially love games… But again, both infractions can explode on you anytime and especially late »
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With no days off during the five-game series and starters’ annual tendency to shorten during the playoffs, these games could repeat themselves over and over again.
« The more you see part of the pitch, generally, historically, the advantage is greater for hitters, » said Jayce Tingler, manager of the Padres. « With this series, in particular – we have played 10 times There won’t be many secrets »
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San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, National League Division Series, Dinelson Lamet, Mike Clevinger
World News – USA – Dodgers and Padres set to trade blows again fist
