September 17th, 2020 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 Flashback to Monday night, September 14; the Dodgers, with the best win-loss record in Major League Baseball’s cardboard 2020 season, were on the road to play the young, upstart San Diego Padres. The Padres were making a charge to overtake the Dodgers for the lead in the National League West. They had won their last seven games and returned home intent on dethroning the team that had won the division for the previous seven seasons.
In the opening game of the three-game series, the Dodgers wasted a marvelous pitching performance by Clayton Kershaw with shoddy relief pitching and two seventh-inning errors by Max Muncy; one mental and one fielding. The 7-2 Padres victory increased their winning streak to eight games and cut the Dodgers lead to 1.5 games. The boisterous, rude, talented Padres were in position to take the NL West lead by winning the next two games.
The Dodgers desperately needed to take care of their business, so they turned to precocious 26-year-old rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin to start Game-2. Gonsolin responded to the challenge by holding Padres hitters to just four hits and one earned run over seven innings. The bullpen responded with two shutout innings.
But the Dodgers also needed a boost to their sputtering offense, which came from unofficial team captain Justin Turner in his return from the injured list. The veteran was the designated hitter to protect his still-healing left hamstring, and he responded with three singles, driving in one run, and scoring a run in the 3-1 Dodgers victory.
The important rubber game of the series took place on Wednesday afternoon, September 16 – an eventual 7-5 victory by the veteran Dodgers – to take the three-game series and increase their lead over San Diego to 3.5-games. There were no exaggerated bat flips by the Dodgers; no posing after home runs; no dancing in the dugout; no taunting. Instead, the Dodgers delivered a professional, on-field message to the Padres – when they take care of business, they are still the best in the NL West.
With 10 games remaining in the abbreviated 2020 season, this is not the time for the team to coast through the remaining games, as manager Dave Roberts has done in previous years. No more ridiculous experiments like putting future Hall of Famer and four-time Gold Glove right fielder Mookie Betts at second base. And you can remove the “utility player” designation from Chris Taylor; he has earned the right to be in the Dodgers lineup every day. Put Cody Bellinger at first base permanently, as he immediately makes the rest of the Dodgers infield better with his defense.
Bottom line: Take care of business and win the 2020 MLB postseason tournament and bring a much overdue World Championship to Los Angeles.
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Great piece, Jesse!
Gotta admit, I was both extremely pissed and quite concerned after Game-1 of the series. It is unfortunate that the Padres do not have any veteran leadership to ‘splain things to their young players. Yet another example of how the Millennials and Generation Z have taken over the game at EVERY level.
I am not opposed to change, but only if it improves the game. Not change just for the sake of change.
Simon & Garfunkel said it best: “Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?”
Eric Hosmer, Will Myers, Tommy Pham could provide that type of leadership, but I think Manny Machado is the loudest voice on and off the field, and he is not the guy you want leading young anyone on how to play the game the right way. The Padres have some terrific coaches who know how to play the the right way, but the on-field manager is Jayce Tingler who seems to be intimidated by Machado, and afraid to quench the spirit of Tatis. I believe character matters, and the Padres will suffer in the standings from the lack of character.
TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS By Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Should be the Dodgers victory song this year.
Selfishness appears to be ubiquitous these days. Just had a conversation this morning with my nephew about integrity and character. Wish the new kids would learn to respect the game that ultimately puts food on the table… and so much more.
Amen
Things are looking a lot better right now, guys.
Better can change in one game. Bellinger and Muncy must, absolutely must, return to their hitting form — along with improvement in Muncy’s defense
I was concerned over the game 1 loss too, I still am. IF the Dodgers stay serious and take care of business they SHOULD get to the World Series. But this ridiculous 3 game series start is truly hazardous. Even the ‘27 Yankees could potentially lose 2 of 3.
As for the Padres, they’re obviously talented and up and coming. They’ve got Logan White making critical personnel decisions and he’s already proven he’s a force to be reckoned with. But strong competition should bring out the best on both teams. This includes Andrew Friedman and the decisions he makes this offseason and upcoming seasons.
GO GO GO DODGERS!!!!
I am with you 100% about the ridiculous post season tournament. And now Manfred is indicating that this format may continue beyond 2020. SMH!
Really? I haven’t heard/read that yet. That’s outrageous. The owners would want at least a five game first series – more money! If a team like the Dodgers or Yankees get eliminated in a best 2-of-3 series there will be an uproar. Pretty obvious to all the universal DH is here to stay – I’m old fashioned, I prefer no DH but I see the advantages. Also wondering if the extra inning runner @ 2B is here to stay? I’m guessing yes, or will be in the next CBA. With the automated strike zone coming the game is changing in such a way that a lot of the records won’t really be valid anymore. Damn.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he hopes to make the expanded postseason format permanent
“I’m a fan of the expanded playoffs,” Manfred said of this year’s 16-team field. “…I think getting back to that three-game series in the first round is a positive change. I think the initial round could have the kind of appeal you see in the early couple days in the NCAA tournament. It’s going to be crazy — just a lot of baseball in a compressed period of time. We’re going to have a bracket, obviously. People love brackets and love picking who’s going to come through those brackets. I think there’s a lot to commend it. It is one of those changes that I hope becomes a permanent part of our landscape.”
Just another step that virtually makes the 162 game season a series of exhibition games.
I detest the idea a MLB tournament that will more often than not result in the best teams not even playing in the World Series; all in the name of MONEY!