The Los Angeles Dodgers won 100 games in the regular season, losing only 62.
Yet they were unable to log even one victory in the postseason, as they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in convincing fashion.
Yes, the Dodgers might be a better team over a long season, but they looked unprepared to compete with the D-Backs over a short series.
Their pitching depth evaporated to the point that none of their starters made it through the third inning in any of the three games.
Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, two legitimate MVP candidates in the regular season, combined for a single hit in the whole series.
They were just outplayed and outclassed by a hungrier team.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was gracious enough to acknowledge that.
“#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts congratulates the Dbacks: ‘They outplayed us in every facet of the game,'” MLB.com’s Juan Toribio tweeted.
#Dodgers manager Dave Roberts congratulates the Dbacks: “They outplayed us in every facet of the game.”
— Juan Toribio (@juanctoribio) October 12, 2023
It’s true: the D-Backs showcased better pitching, better bullpen play, a much more productive offense and they also wanted it more.
Arizona outscored LA 19-6 in the three games, and made it a point to attack the opposing starter early in the game so they could overtax their bullpen.
Between Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller, and Lance Lynn, the Dodgers’ starters for each game completed a total of 4.2 frames.
On the other hand, Merrill Kelly (Arizona’s Game 1 starter) alone pitched 6.1 innings on Saturday.
Perhaps the extended rest affected the Dodgers.
Maybe the injuries they suffered in their rotation were too much to overcome.
Still, the better team won, and it did it convincingly.
NEXT: The Dodgers Were Let Down By 2 Top Stars
