The Dodgers Might be Cooked

Time and time again, when the Dodgers need a big win, they turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto. They did that last night, and it did not work. Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ best postseason pitcher, only lasted 2.2 IP. The Brewers scored runs in the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th. The Dodgers also used eight pitchers in the game - never a good sign. William Contreras did the most damage to the Dodgers’ pitching. Contreras was 3-for-4, with a home run and three RBIs. Every time the Brewers needed a big hit, Contreras delivered. The Brewers used five pitchers themselves, but their bullpen was outstanding. They did not give up a hit after the 4th inning. The final score was 7-4, but it felt like a bigger win. The Dodgers now head to L.A. and will try to “get right.” This really applies to the Dodgers’ star, Shohei Ohtani, who isn’t hitting and isn’t healthy. The Dodgers will evaluate if he can even be in the lineup moving forward. What do you think? Should the Dodgers sit Ohtani? If they do, do they have any chance of going back to their third World Series in three years? It was a back-and-forth game at the Trop — until it wasn’t. The Guardians, the team that was supposed to be tired and worn out, took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Rays 7-1 after the 5th inning. Jose Ramirez was 3-for-5, with an RBI and two runs scored. Jo Adell had a huge hit in the 9th that put the Guardians up 7-3. There were few bright spots for the Rays. Their ace Drew Rasmussen gave up 8 hits and 2 ER in six innings of work. He had seven strikeouts. The Rays pulled BBM favorite Cedric Mullins out of witness protection, and Ced delivered an eight-inning homer. Cleveland used six pitchers in the game- a sign of the times (the Rays used six). The final score was 7-3. While the NL travels, Game 2 between the Guardians and the Rays is tonight at 8 PM—Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta.