Once again the Dodgers have failed to reach the World Series. Watching the Cubs and their fans celebrate hurts. Although I have empathy for how long their organization and fan base have had to wait to reach the world series. It's still too soon after defeat for me to separate myself from the situation. But I will try not to be a hater.
The more I watched the NLCS the more I realized the Cubs were the better team. While it's hard for me to admit that it's hard to argue against. Comparing the top four starting pitchers it's obvious who has the edge. Lester, Lackey, Arrieta, and Hendricks top the foursome of Kershaw, Hill, Maeda, and Urias.
Look at the lineup I feel the same way. Outside of Seagar, Gonzalez and Turner there isn't a full time starter left. Although they're not the scariest lineup Bryant, Rizzo, Baez, and the rest are a tough group if they get going.
In the end, the Dodgers just didn't have enough quality pitching. That along with guys like Toles who aren't ready to play in an environment like the NLCS and you can see why the Cubs were, and are the favorite. Roberts was playing the analytics when he had Kike Hernandez start against Jon Lester. In game one it actually worked too. But there's a big difference between one plate appearance and consistently getting on base throughout a series. With a rotating platoon in left and right field the Dodgers never had one guy that they could depend on night after night. With Toles and Kendrick in left field defense lacked considerably. Kendrick misjudging a fly ball because he's a second baseman and Toles dropping a fly ball like a little leaguer because the moment is too big for him. With Reddick, Ethier, and Puig in right field? None of them ever had the opportunity to own the position. Reddick never got comfortable after the trade that brought him here. Puig has trouble settling down but his defense was missed. Ethier, he never had time to get in a rhythm after coming back from an injury. It all led to having many guys who are average players trying to make it to the ultimate destination for all major league players, the World Series.
While the infield is fairly solid Utley is past his prime and definitely does not qualify as a leadoff hitter in the 2016 playoffs! Add to that he also had a huge error where he dropped a ball at second base. Adrian Gonzalez has been a remarkable player for a long time and he's shown moments of greatness in the playoffs but this season you could see his prime decline take effect. Justin Turner has been the missing piece that I believe would have pushed earlier Dodger teams of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier over the hump. It just wasn't enough this time.
The sole positive message for the future of the Dodger offense is Corey Seager. Not only did he carry the Dodgers this year on offense he also showed he could do it in the post season.I believe him and Urias are honestly the only two building blocks going forward. I love Clayton Kershaw but he'll soon be 28 years old and each post season he ends it on a negative. Although he pitched better than he usually does in the playoffs, he still failed to come through in the clutch. Instead, losing to Hendricks in game 6. I believe he can still be a solid player for the Dodgers. But he can't be the only top tier guy if the Dodgers hope to ever make it to another World Series.
The wait will now go to 29 years since I last watched the Dodgers both make it to and win a World Series. At 12 years old I thought my teams would win every year. At 40 I now know nothing is guaranteed until you see them hoist the trophy.
Congratulations Cub fans, players, and organization. Although I felt a few times a couple of your players showed arrogance, I know many Cubs fans and most have been very knowledgeable classy fans. I will be rooting for the Cubs to win the World Series against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians haven't won since about 1947 and the Cubs since about 1908! I probably won't watch much because it'll hurt too much. But I will be happy for either one when they win. I hope to one day watch my Dodgers make it to and win a World Series again in my lifetime. Until then, good luck Cubs Just like I was happy for Cleveland Cavalier fans. I will be happy for all you Cub fans that have waited more than a lifetime to celebrate a championship. Still have to go through Cleveland though.
Isn't that something. No Cleveland team had won any championship for a long time and now the Indians have a chance to win a World Series in the same year the Cavaliers won the NBA championship. It just shows that if you're patient and support your team you will be rewarded.
No comments:
Post a Comment