It’s never fun watching the Dodgers get no-hit. If there is any solace in being served a “no-no” it has to be that the last two Dodger World Championship teams were also no-hit. In 1981 by Nolan Ryan and then in 1988 when Tom Browning threw a perfect game at them. When we think ’81 and ’88, the two no-hitters really don’t come to mind.
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| Elaine Thompson/Associated Press Photo |
So look at the bright side. We got to watch some history on Friday night. If all things play out right, we’ll see the Dodgers win the final two games of the series and they’ll return home from this grueling 7,200 mile road trip with a winning record and semi-comfortable division lead. I’d take that in a heartbeat.
When the Dodgers left a little over a week ago following that 4-game home sweep to the Brewers, things looked rather dismal. Today, they’re still in possession of the best record in baseball and a rather comfortable 4-game division lead.
Facing the American League has always been a challenge for this club, but I’m confident that this magical Dodger team will break that trend this year. Last night’s loss was an aberration. Probably the result of a 6 1/2 flight back to the west coast and losing three hours on top of that. Also, they were still within a whisker of winning, which is saying something when you’re no-hit by an entire pitching staff.
Like I always say, the great thing about the game of baseball is that there is usually a tomorrow that allows you to redeem yourself. Well it’s already “tomorrow” and redemption is in the way, courtesy of Clayton Kershaw and a nationally televised game. On with the season!
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| Screen shot of the play at first base in the 9th inning. Gordon looks to be safe, but you really can't get picky on this call. It could have gone either way. |
Maybe it's just me but I am definitely not comfortable with 4-game lead, especially when you consider that the Hated Ones have pretty much matched the Dodgers game for game (the Dodgers sure could have used the win last night instead of being no-hit, as the Giants lost).
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that the Dodgers are guaranteed of at least a .600 road trip and possibly a .700 road trip, and that, my friend, is flat out getting it done!
Well, they could have been buried this road trip. And after the sweep against Milwaukee last week, I seriously thought they would surrender the lead on this trip. It's been quite an accomplishment to go into Phily and sweep, holding their lead against the the hated ones who are going through an easy patch of their schedule. With the best record in baseball, it's tough to complain.
ReplyDeleteThere will be ebbs and flows in these final 102 games. I like their position regardless. If they finished the season .500 from hear on out, they'll finish the year with 89 wins. We all would have taken that at the beginning of the year.