(East Los Angeles, CA.) October 23, 2020 [From The Editor’s Desk]: Time to take a deep breath, count to 10, and of course, keep the faith, knowing that the Dodgers will maintain their favorite status. The great spotlight in the sky is beaming down on the 2020 MLB Baseball’s World Series, and this is where the Best Meets The Best, so all we have right now is an early phase of a tied, Best of 7 World Series, the 116th Edition. Therefore, all baseball fans from around the nation and the globe are going to enjoy a minimum of at least 3 more games and won’t be treated to a “sweep.” So let’s all sit-back, relax, and enjoy the national pastime to the max.
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(Recap): Game 1 – What else can be said about #22 and his pitching gem to open the Series….let’s try “that was vintage Kershaw.” At present, what a rotation Manager Dave Roberts has at his disposal. As the Dodgers confidently took the field as the home team, and blessed with a luxury of talented frontline pitchers, they were buoyed by their veteran, All-Star ace, Clayton Kershaw, and he did not disappoint. Quick look at his stats: IP-6/Ks-8/H-2/R-1/ER-1/BB-6/ERA-1.50/NP-78. All of this was good for a (1-0) Series record. He was backed up by the tenacious Dodgers defense and their potent offense. Result: A convincing (8-3) triumph with their sights then re-set quickly for a Game 2, which as everyone knows, can’t be predicted very well. Dodger bats were once again in the double digit stat of (10). They managed to pull away from the Rays all in the middle frames when they scored in bunches…(2) in the 4th, (4) in the 5th and (2) more in the 6th. The Rays scored (1) in the 5th and (2) in the 7th on a total of (6) hits. Player stats: Mookie Betts/2-4/1-HR/2-R/2 SBs/1-RBI/1-W; Max Muncy/2-4/1-2B/2-RBIs/2-R/1-W; Chris Taylor/2-3/1-RBI/1-W; Cody Bellinger/1-4/1-HR/2-RBI/1-R; Kiké Hernández (2B)/1-2/1-RBI/ entered game in 5th, pinch-hitting for Joc Pederson.
(FINAL SCORE): Dodgers 8 Rays 3 *(Dodgers Lead Series 1-0)
(Recap): Game 2 – As we said, it’s a Series and there will NOT be a sweep. From our Dodgers fan perspective we may feel that the minimum number of games left to be played is three, implying that they can take the next three-in-a-row and emerge as the World Series Champions, a title not claimed since 1988. But, don’t even mention that to the Tampa Bay Rays. They, like their opponent, are “in it to win it’ as the saying goes. The recently crowned ALCS Champions, noted for their outstanding series that eliminated the Astros, apparently stand in no fear of our Boys In Blue. So, let’s see what happened.
(Result): Early on, as in their half of the first inning, the Rays went out in front on a HR by All-Star 2b and clean-up hitter, Brandon Lowe who ripped, Dodgers starter, Tony Gonsolin’s fast-ball to left-center for a solo shot, his 1st of the game, (1-0). We now move to the 4th and that’s where the trouble began for the Dodgers when Kiké Hernández bobbled the toss on a potential double-play, missing the runner at first. Manuel Margot came up to face reliever Dustin May and singled to right. Joey Wendle then slapped a 2-run double giving the Rays a (3-0) lead. In the 5th, Tampa was aggressive again and added 2 more runs when Wendle bashed a 2-run HR off May for his 2nd 4-bagger of the game, stretching their lead to (5-0). The Rays added their 6th and final run in the 6th stanza. The Dodgers rally and offense got going in their half of the 5th when Chris Taylor hit a 2-run HR for their first hit of the game. In the 6th, Will Smith hit a solo HR and then in the 8th, Corey Seager contributed his solo HR, giving the Blue Crew their final 2 runs. The Big Blue Wrecking Crew simply did not hit the Rays’ relievers very well and left a total of 5 on base and 3 in scoring position, for the game. The glaring difference-maker in the loss could be pointed to the lack of sustained firepower, as the Dodgers bats were kept to a low of just 5 total hits for the game, 3 of which were HRs. The winning pitcher was Nick Anderson (1-0) in relief of starter, Blake Snell, who was throwing a no-hitter through the 4th, but was pulled with 2-out by Manager, Kevin Cash. The Save was credited to closer Diego Castillo. Taking the loss was Gonsolin (0-1).
(FINAL SCORE): Rays 6 Dodgers 4 *(Series tied at 1-1)
(Editor’s Thoughts On Baseball) In general, fans can always choose a winning team, but in specific terms, it’s the way and the style of the game that is played and managed, plus the length of time it takes to finish one, that really matters. That’s why baseball is what it is….one of the greatest combined-skills sport ever for showcasing a player’s athleticism. First, think of the required eye-hand coordination, then go to having both feet firmly planted into the ground while wearing spiked shoes. Now, couple that with the batter’s stance as wrists, arms, and torso all twist and torque in sync. Now, here comes the pitch. In the few seconds it takes to arrive at the hitter, imagine the eventual connection or misconnection with a relatively small, hard sphere traveling towards you at an average speed of 85 mph. Done. Did you take, or did you swing? That’s always been the difference in the game. Now, think how each and every player has to prepare himself for just the “at-bats” part of the game, let alone the defensive skills that are needed to play each and every position. Closing here with yet another tried and true saying, “that’s why they play the games. Not one is ever played the exact same way when you compare it to others.” Now, let’s go play some Dodgers, baseball….Batter Up!!!
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(Next Game): Broadcast: Friday, Oct. 23rd. First pitch 5 pm PST, Channel 11 FOX; Radio: KLAC 570; (Spanish): KTNQ 1020. Starting pitchers: Dodgers, Walker Buehler; Rays, Charlie Morton (RH) 2020 Stats: W-L (2-2)/ERA 4.74/K 42/WHIP 1.39.
