Dodgers’ Surprising Run Could Lead to World Series Win
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw’s impressive pitching will lead the Dodgers to the World Series this season. (PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSIE LEPE/BAY AREA NEWS GROUP VIA TNS)
April 29, 2015
During the 2014 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers watched from the sidelines as their rivals, the San Francisco Giants, won the World Series. Few seemed to remember that the Dodgers had won the National League West Division Championship, with their 94-72 win-loss record (MLB), instead of the wild card position as the Giants had. However, this 2015 season, the Dodgers are finally taking back their place.
The Dodgers were currently on a seven game winning streak, until they lost to the Giants on April 21, and have the greatest number of wins in the National League (NL). With the loss of second baseman Dee Gordon, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, closer Kenley Jansen and power hitter Matt Kemp, people are surprised with their multiple wins. However, one reason for their remarkable winning streak could be their newest acquisitions. According to Sports Illustrated, the Dodgers set the Major League Baseball (MLB) record with an Opening Day payroll of $270 million. This is partially due to their additions of Brandon McCarthy, A.J. Ellis, Kyle Jen- sen, Ryan Jackson, Zach Lee, Chris Reed, Scott Schebler and many oth- ers. With the new addition of players and the current pitching staff led by Clayton Kershaw, it is no wonder the Dodgers are on a winning streak. Clayton Kershaw, by being the reigning Cy Young award and NL MVP award winner has become the face of the Dodgers’ bullpen. In an interview with USA Today during spring training, Kershaw said, “for me, you want to make up for everything that didn’t go well in October, but you can’t do that in April.”
The Dodgers’ wins could also be due to their improved comebacks. On April 14, in only eight games, the Dodgers matched their number of comebacks for all of 2014. Their biggest comeback was on April 13 against the Seattle Mariners. By the end of the first inning, the Dodgers were down by two runs and by the top of the fourth they were down by four runs. Luckily, in the bottom of
he fourth they scored three runs; however, at the top of the fifth they were again down by two runs. Lastly, at the bottom of the fifth they tied at 5-5, where they stayed and went into extra innings. It was the bottom of the tenth inning, bases were loaded, and Alex Guerrero stepped up to the plate. He was five pitches in and had one more strike to go. Finally, on the sixth pitch, Guerrero got a line drive single, Andre Ethier scored, and the Dodgers won 6-5 against the Mariners. This was only one out of multiple comebacks that the team has had this season. Manager Don Mattingly even commented to SB Nation that, “the quality of our at-bats have been really good.” This is a positive sign for the team because it shows that the players are resilient and can overcome runs to win games. More so, this is a good indication that the Dodgers will have a successful 2015 season.
Adding to their victories is the fact that the Dodgers lead the National League in home runs. On April 19, the team hit three more home runs that helped them secure a 7-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies and their seventh consecutive win. However, even these home runs are unexpected. In a Los Ange- les Times report that came out during the off season, scouts reported that the Dodgers’ lineup would not have much power because they would no longer have Matt Kemp
and Hanley Ramirez. With the absence of these two power hitters, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, Howie Kendrick, Scott Van Slyke and Joc Pederson have stepped up to the plate.
With their wins, the Dodgers are astonishing everyone. Hopefully, they can continue hitting runs and winning games to have a chance at taking the World Series, which they have not won since 1988.
