Los Angeles Dodgers: What it will take to win Game 3
By Jason Reed
3. Take advantage of not having a designated hitter
Things are very different with and without a designated hitter. On the surface, it really does not seem like one-hitter instead of a pitcher would make that big of a difference in the game.
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However, if you go back to Game 2, you can see how big of a difference there really is. If Game 2 was played at Dodger Stadium, David Price would have been up with two outs instead of Vazquez in the fifth.
With two outs, nobody on and Price throwing good to that point, Alex Cora would have been foolish to burn a pinch hitter. Price would have hit for himself and more than likely would have been out. That two-out rally never happens and we would be having a completely different discussion.
The Dodgers are built like a prototypical National League team. They have the depth and the versatility to make the most of double switches and have enough quality pinch hitters to take a risk early in the game if need be.
Meanwhile, while the Sox have good bench pieces, the bench is not as deep as the Dodgers. Plus, while the bullpen has been great, the Red Sox have only needed to throw the best arms out there.
Playing in the National League will force the Red Sox to use the less-reliable arms in the bullpen. Without Nathan Eovaldi, who will likely start Game 4, the Red Sox suddenly have a much thinner bullpen.
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This is as big of an advantage as the Dodgers can get. If there are two outs and even a remotely close chance of the team scoring, walk someone, make the pitcher hit, make them burn a pinch hitter or sacrifice an out to keep the pitcher in. Play aggressive knowing the pitcher hits ninth.