The Dodgers aren’t invincible, after all. After entering Game 1 of the World Series as the strongest back-to-back championship contender in 25 years, Los Angeles received a painful 11-4 reality check from the Toronto Blue Jays. The loss exposed the Dodgers’ greatest vulnerability: their bullpen.
The Dodgers entered the World Series with an impressive 10-1 record in these playoffs and 20-6 in the last two postseasons. However, it seems the Blue Jays didn’t get the memo.
What was once feared as one of the best bullpens in the Major Leagues took a painful beating from Toronto’s bats on Friday night. The worst part: The damage was concentrated in virtually one inning.
Blake Snell managed to contain the Canadian offense for five innings. But his arm gave way in the sixth, where he allowed three of his five runs in the entire game.
The Dodgers’ fateful sixth inning
Snell left the game early in the sixth with the bases loaded. Emmet Sheehan took over on the mound, but created a mess with just four batters faced, issuing a walk, an RBI to the ninth hitter, and allowing two earned runs.
Anthony Banda’s stint wasn’t much better. The left-hander allowed two hits and three earned runs, but his biggest sin was giving up the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history to Addison Badger.
Justin Wrobleski and Will Klein managed to contain Toronto’s offense in the remaining innings, and Shohei Ohtani narrowed the gap with a two-run homer in the seventh. But it wasn’t enough.
We have to bounce back: Dave Roberts
After the disaster of his two relievers, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was blunt when he said, “They have to bounce back.” He explained, “With the construction of the pen, we’re going to need them.”
He reminded them that they still have a long way to go, but warned that Sheehan and Banda need to improve in their upcoming outings, especially in the absence of star Alex Vesia for personal reasons.
With the series entering its second game, to be played at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, the entire Dodgers bullpen needs to wake up now, or they want to return home in just four games.
Read the full article here
