Dodgers: If the bats do not wake up the Dodgers will lose in five

The Los Angeles Dodgers finally face adversary down 2-1 in the World Series. Without the bats, Los Angeles will lose in five games.

As a Dodger fan, the last two games of the World Series have absolutely been infuriating. The team easily should be up two games to one, and arguably could be up three games to zero. However, the argument can also be made that the Dodgers easily could be down three games to zero themselves.

Regardless, Los Angeles has been unable to piece an entire game together this World Series. After walking their way to the Fall Classic, going 7-1 in the process, the Dodgers now have their backs against the wall down 2-1.

Game one was won on key home runs from the Dodgers and a masterpiece from Clayton Kershaw. Game two was lost by bullpen mismanagement, although the bats finally woke up in the late innings to extend the game. Then, in game three, the Dodgers lost behind a weak start from Yu Darvish and the offense’s inability to score any runs.

While Darvish was bad — allowing four runs while recording just five outs — the bullpen masterfully cleaned up the game and allowed just one run the rest of the way. In fact, the one run allowed was unearned after a throwing error from Tony Watson. Thus, the Dodgers lost the contest five to three.

In game one three was enough to win, in game two it should have been. In game three, it obviously was not enough and the Dodgers are proving great pitching can only take you so far; especially against an offense like the Houston Astros.

“The bats need to wake up!”

The bats need to wake up! Offensively, Los Angeles has been nothing short of woeful all three games. If the top of the lineup does not wake up in game four it may be time to look towards 2018.

The top four spots in the Dodgers’ lineup are 5-45 this series. Four of those five were home runs — one from Taylor, one from Turner, one from Seager and one from Culberson. Cleanup hitter Cody Bellinger has gone missing, as he is 0-11 with seven strikeouts.

In fact, Los Angeles has grounded into one fewer double plays than they have hits from the top of the order. The bats have gone missing. Don’t get me wrong, this is a testament to the Astros’ pitching, as they have developed a gameplan to get the Dodgers out.

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However, the Astros do not present a challenge that was not presented prior. Los Angeles beat up great pitching staffs to get where they are. Now, they look like a minor league ball club. The patient approach of the NLDS and NLCS are gone. LA is watching strikes, swinging at balls and striking out far too frequently.

With Charlie Morton on the mound for game four this is the Dodgers’ chance to get back in the groove of things. Morton has been the most “human” pitcher for the Astros this postseason and the Dodgers need to expose that.

In game three the Astros loaded the bases on walks, with no outs, for the Dodgers in the third inning. Two weeks ago, the Dodgers would have come home with at least three runs in the inning. Los Angeles just scored one, as Corey Seager grounded into a double play to end the rally.

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Something is wrong in Tinseltown. The bats have gone missing. And the Los Angeles Dodgers should be offering a huge reward for whoever can find them.

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