In the most shocking series of the MLB playoffs thus far, the 111-win Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the San Diego Padres in the NLDS.
No team had higher expectations for this year than Los Angeles.
Their manager Dave Roberts even said before the season to “put it on record” that the Dodgers would win the World Series.
"We are winning the World Series in 2022… We will win the World Series this year, put it on record."
– Dodgers Manager Dave Robertspic.twitter.com/IGxjJ8ZuiQ
— KNBR (@KNBR) October 16, 2022
Roberts deserves his fair share of the blame for the Dodgers’ collapse in the postseason.
But, the players are the ones that have to get it done on the field.
Here are the players that let the Dodgers down in the postseason.
Mookie Betts
One of the best players in the National League in 2022 was Mookie Betts.
But, he struggled in the NLDS.
He batted .143 in the series including only three total bases and one RBI.
That is simply not going to cut it for the leadoff man.
Betts has been a great addition to the Dodgers ever since they got him in 2020.
But, this postseason will be one to forget for the former MVP.
Justin Turner
In a series where the Dodgers had to face lefties such as Blake Snell and Josh Hader, getting production from their right-handed hitters was key.
Unfortunately, Justin Turner was another player that let them down in this series.
The 37-year-old collected two singles in four games and failed to drive in any runs.
As one of the veterans on the team, Turner was expected to step up in the biggest series of the year, but that was not the case.
Dodgers Bullpen
Instead of just picking one member of the Dodgers bullpen, the whole unit let the team down.
In game four, the Dodgers had a 3-0 lead in the seventh inning before Tommy Kahnle and Yency Almonte gave up three and two runs respectively.
In what turned out to be a low-scoring series, every out mattered and the Dodgers bullpen struggled to get the key ones in an elimination game.
Also, closer Craig Kimbrel did not even make the NLDS roster after recording 22 saves during the regular season.
This whole series was terrible by the Dodgers and it will haunt them until next season.
NEXT: Tony Gonsolin Disses Padres Fans Before Game 3