Dodgers Beat the Streak: 2016 NLCS blast will be relived — May 29
By Jason Reed
After the best comeback of the young season, the Los Angeles Dodgers enter game two against the Philadelphia Phillies feeling great.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are red-hot. Winners of nine of their last 11 games, the Dodgers are finally beginning to gain momentum after a terrible start to the 2018 season.
On Memorial Day, the Dodgers finally had a 2017 Dodgers-esque win that regained the confidence of every fan that ruled the team out. After allowing four runs in the first two innings and getting no-hit through five, the Dodgers responded with a two-run sixth and three-run eighth to capture the 5-4 victory.
Now, LA currently sits 3.5 games back of the NL West-leading Colorado Rockies and three games under .500. While the team did get lucky that the rest of the NL West got cold, it means nothing without capitalizing.
Monday’s win was not just a great confidence booster but a great showing for out Dodgers Beat the Streak series.
On Monday, I went with Max Muncy, who was starting at first base against right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez. Muncy did not have a big night but did come up with a huge infield single in the eighth inning to tie the game. It was not pretty, but it was enough to tie the game as well as extend my streak.
Sarah went with Matt Kemp, who got the night off in favor of Joc Pederson in left field. That did not matter, though, as Kemp came up with a huge pinch-hit RBI double in the eighth that started the Dodgers’ rally. While the team was still trailing by one at the time, the rest of the rally was not possible without Kemp’s clutch hit.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 3: Chris Taylor
My pick for tonight is CT3. He’s been slumping a little bit recently, but that’s an unavoidable part of this game. He’s a solid leadoff hitter and has really stepped up his defense at shortstop.
Tonight the Dodgers will face Jake Arrieta, a familiar foe. He’s familiar because of his time with the Chicago Cubs. Historically, Arrieta has pitched pretty well against the Dodgers.
The only player who is hitting above .500 against him is Corey Seager, who’s out for the season. In five at-bats against Arrieta, Puig is batting .400, while the only other two Dodgers with an average against him are Grandal (.143) and Utley (.067).
So, statistically I don’t have any evidence for picking Taylor tonight but then again, the statistics didn’t say that Matt Kemp and Max Muncy would be the Dodgers strongest hitters thus far, yet here we are.
Tonight’s game isn’t a must-win, but it’s pretty close. The Dodgers are on an incredible run right now and if they could keep it going, the positive effects could be astronomical. Whatever they do tonight, I think Taylor will be a part of it.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Yasmani Grandal
In 2016 the Los Angeles Dodgers routed Jake Arrieta for four earned runs in five innings of work to come away with the 6-0 victory in game three of the NLCS. While the Cubs ultimately got the last laugh in the NLCS, Arrieta has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four postseason starts following that loss.
The biggest moment of that game was a two-run home run off of the bat of Yasmani Grandal that put the Dodgers up 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Grandal dug a low fastball out from his shins and sent the blast into the right-center bleachers.
Arrieta is a fastball pitcher with movement that fools hitters. This season, Arrieta has returned to his ace form, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.45 ERA. In his career at Dodger Stadium, Arrieta is 1-2 with a 3.60 ERA.
The Dodgers are going to have to be resourceful with the hits the team does get. One of those hits is going to be another blast from Yasmani Grandal, who is a great low-ball hitter.
Next: Everything to know about Matt Kemp's hot start
We are going to see a home run very similar to the one Grandal delivered off of Arrieta in the 2016 NLCS. At the end of the game, that blast very well may be the deciding factor.