The Los Angeles Dodgers haven’t been able to solve the Arizona Diamondbacks in the postseason.
They are 0-2 against their division rivals in the best-of-five National League Division Series.
That’s right: the 84-78 Diamondbacks have the 100-62 Dodgers with their backs against the wall.
One more win for Arizona would mean eliminating their bitter rivals and advancing to the NL Championship Series.
Few people expected the Dodgers to be in this position.
Dodgers insider Fabian Ardaya wrote about the team’s struggles to this point and explains there is “no room for error” anymore.
He also talked to star outfielder and MVP candidate Mookie Betts about it.
“There is no help coming. The Dodgers have no room for error and only one way out of another early playoff exit. Play better, writes @FabianArdaya. Easier said than done?” The Athletic tweeted, also including a graphic with a quote by Betts.
There is no help coming. The Dodgers have no room for error and only one way out of another early playoff exit.
Play better, writes @FabianArdaya.
Easier said than done?https://t.co/U94C0SVOo3 pic.twitter.com/vV6APniyOX
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 10, 2023
“Nobody dreams this. But sometimes you have to play the cards that you’re dealt and being down 2-0 is what we’ve been dealt,” Betts said.
The D-Backs scored three runs in the first inning of Monday’s game against young starter Bobby Miller.
As it turns out, that’s all they needed to win because the Dodgers offense crossed the plate just twice.
In the end, the 4-2 victory by Arizona was well-deserved: they look fresher, more athletic, and their pitching is performing nicely.
The Dodgers’ vaunted lineup, a unit that includes Betts, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez, Will Smith, Max Muncy and other talented players, is struggling to put some runs on the scoreboard.
They will get another chance, their last one, on Wednesday.
NEXT: Clayton Kershaw Discusses "Embarrassing" Weekend Performance
