2017 NLCS Thoughts

Phil Gurnee ♦ October 23, 2017 ♦ 4 Comments

Easier than most expected the Dodgers advanced to the World Series. The NLCS had some big moments that will forever be part of Dodger lore. No earth-shattering thoughts here, just thought I’d jot them down.

• The Dodgers won both games that Kershaw started by a combined score of 16 – 3.
• Rich Hill, Yu Darvish, and Alex Wood were not brilliant but they were enough of a supporting rotation to get the job to the incredible bullpen.
• There was no bullpen implosion in any game.
• The bullpen threw a nine-inning no-hitter from game 1 – 3.
• The bullpen only gave up four hits in five games
• Kenta Maeda is a weapon the Dodgers have never had in the postseason.
• The Dodgers haven’t hit a home run in an NLCS game after the fifth game since game six in 1985.  Still haven’t, because they didn’t need too in 2017
• Six different Dodgers hit home runs in the 2017 NLCS.
• Cody Bellinger was the youngest Dodger to ever hit an NLCS home run
• Andre Ethier and Justin Turner now have hit 3 NLCS home runs with both doing it in back to back seasons.
• If Granderson isn’t in a massive slump, Kiké never gets a chance to bat against Rondon in game five.
• Charlie Culberson was the most unlikely hero of any LAD postseason. Ever.
• Cody Bellinger continued to show off all his skills
• Chase is still hitless in the postseason
• Justin Turner is the Dodgers Big Papi
• Yasiel Puig has finally combined the antics of the wild horse with the production of a Roberto Clemente in prime time.
• Chris Taylor proved all year he was the 2nd biggest steal in a LAD trade in history (Pedro Guerrero being the biggest) and did it again in the NLCS.
• Kenley Jansen is comfort food
• Brandon Morrow is in your face fraudman folk
• Tony Cingrani is in your face fraudman folk
• With Barnes being the starting catcher I’m not that comfortable with Kyle Farmer being our main right-handed pinch hitter in games that a left-hander starts.
• The Dodgers will be playing baseball on October 24th