THE 106-WIN DODGERS ARE HISTORY
The Washington Nationals have done the impossible, they knocked the biggest heavyweight in the postseason. The Nationals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 of the NLDS 7-3 In 10 innings.
The Dodgers had a 3-1 lead in the 7th inning and everything was just about on cruse control for Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, he pitched 6 2/3 innings in game 5. Buehler allowed only 4 hits, 1 earned run, allowed 3 walks and had 7 strikeouts in the game.
Buehler exits the game, then enter Clayton Kershaw, he struck out one batter then his true colors showed and once again he proved how he got the nickname Chokeshaw, he gave up back to back home runs in the 8th. Then enter Kenta Maeda, he pitched one solid inning and struck out three.
Then it was off to extra innings and the Dodgers Bullpen Let them down. Joe Kelly was called upon to try to send the game into the 11th inning. But the Nationals had other ideas, Howie Kendrick made up for his blunders in the field all series and hit a Grand Slam heard all over the world, you could almost hear a pin drop at Chavez Ravine. Dodger Stadium literally fell silent and the fans were heading for the exit.
The Nationals Move on to face the St Louis Cardinals in the NLCS.
Now It's time to point some fingers, I have one already, Clayton Kershaw, Once again he chocked in the clutch when the Dodgers needed him to be on form. Joe Kelly gets most of the Blame, he gave up the Grand Slam to Howie Kendrick in the top of 10th inning.
There is one more person that gets the blame, Cody Bellinger, he was red hot all season and he was Mr. MVP all season, he hit .305 for crying out loud.
Cody Bellinger in the NLDS, 4-19 No RBI's and 7 strikeouts, There's your Mr. MVP for you. He Choked at the plate when the Dodgers Needed Him to be at his best.
Here's My Take..
The Dodgers have been to the postseason for 7 straight years and no World Series to show for it. The Dodgers won 106 ballgames during the regular season and were looking to go back to the World Series for the 3rd straight year, All of that now is gone. Clayton Kershaw was the one that started to unravel late in the game, Kershaw has a 5.77 ERA in the postseason, 2nd worst all-time. When Joe Kelly Gave up the Grand Slam that was the final nail in the coffin for the Dodgers moving on to the NLCS. I feel bad for Walker Buehler, he pitched the best game of his career and has nothing to show for it.
Cody Bellinger also is guilty as charged, he was hitting over .300 all season and has a horrible league division series going 4-for-19.
The 2019 Los Angeles Dodgers join the 2017 Cleveland Indians, the Indians won 102 games and flopped in the first round against the Yankees. Do you remember the 2001 Seattle Mariners, they won 115 games during the regular season and they lost to the Yankees in five game in the ALCS.
But I have to give the Nationals credit for knocking off the heavyweight Dodgers. Stephen Strasburg was on form despite not getting the win. Howie Kendrick making up for his play in the field by hitting the Grand Slam.
Anthony Redon also was a huge hero for the Nationals.
Anthony Redon in the NLDS, 10-for-22 with 2 Home Runs and 7 RBI's. He struggled in the first two months of the season.
My congratulations go out to the Washington Nationals for upsetting the Los Angeles Dodgers. And good luck against the St Louis Cardinals in the NLCS.
BOTTOM LINE..
