The result of Tuesday night’s long-awaited matchup with fans in the stands between the 2020 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros was not how most imagined. Anyone at the game or watching from home will admit that getting shut out 3-0 was not the expected outcome. The Boys in Blue managed to string together five hits but ultimately left ten runners on base and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position who could have made the difference in the game.

Regardless, win or lose, the fans demanded to be heard. There were 52,692 in attendance for the series opener. It was another sellout and the largest crowd of the season. Chants and boos could be heard well before the game even started. They only proceeded to increase in volume as the stadium filled up for the 7:10 pm start.

“I thought the fans were outstanding tonight. It was great to see a capacity crowd. A lot of energy. I just wish we could have got a win for them,” stated Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the postgame interview.

Fans gathered before the game in the Left Field Pavilion vying for balls from the Dodger’s batting practice. Those same fans later threw back every single ball hit into the stands by the Astros. The field was littered with rejected baseballs to the point that Houston players had to kick them out of the way to continue practicing. It went on throughout the night with no Dodger fan holding onto a game ball hit by the opposing team.

Houston admitted to cheating during the 2017 season that included the World Series they won. Many throughout baseball are still upset that the Astros retained their trophy with practically no repercussions whatsoever. The fallout impacted players’ careers across the MLB as well as postseason outcomes. None more so than the Dodgers – who will never know if they would have won the Fall Classic had it been played under fair conditions.

Much like other stadiums that hosted the Astros, the game was interrupted on multiple occasions when inflatable trashcans and baseballs were lobbed onto the field. Fans were in rare form ensuring that players from the 2017 team could feel their disdain – mostly centered on second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa.

There was some concern about the high emotions and interruptions to clear debris from the field being a distraction. Starting pitcher Walker Buehler refused to use that as an excuse for how the game played out.

“I mean they sustained the noise which is a tip of the hat to our fans. Obviously, there was a few stoppages in the game, stuff going on the field. I get it. The emotion is warranted and there’s not a whole lot we’re going to do to change that,” Buehler said.

Catcher Will Smith agreed that Buehler pitched well. However, he did think the stoppages impacted his pitcher’s normal rhythm.

“It was definitely hard to get Walker in a rhythm. With so many time-outs, clearing the field of debris and stuff. Seemed like every foul ball, there was a ball coming back on the field,” said Smith. “Walker had to deal with it. I thought he did a really good job of not letting it annoy him too much. That does affect the game. Makes it hard for a pitcher to get into a rhythm.”

In any case, Buehler still had a fantastic outing, matching his career-high of 113 pitches, 70 for strikes, while only allowing one earned run in the third inning. It is a shame he did not get the run support the team sorely needed to turn the tide in their favor.

One notable defensive play occurred in the top of the fifth inning by Dodgers’ second baseman Mookie Betts. You read that correctly – he made his second start in as many games at second base. Betts made a spectacular diving catch to rob Astros right fielder Michael Brantley of at least a single. The crowd went wild, but this time in support of their team.

The rest of the night was a mixture of loudly showing support of the Dodgers and booing the Astros at every opportunity.

“It was definitely a lively atmosphere. That’s the type of atmosphere you want to play in,” Smith said. “I mean you could tell fans were still unhappy about all that happened. They were fired up. Made it a fun atmosphere today. Unfortunately, we didn’t come out and win for the fans tonight. We let that one get away. We’ll get back out tomorrow.”

When the teams met up in Houston this past May, they split the series. That is the best outcome fans can hope for at this point. Nonetheless, the stadium will be packed Wednesday with another influx of fans for two reasons. First, to see Max Scherzer in his Dodger debut. And second, to make sure the Astros know their transgression against baseball will not be forgotten anytime soon.

“Cheating is a choice, not a mistake. Loyalty is a responsibility, not a choice.” – Author Unknown

The Astros will have to live with the choice they made. Part of that is dealing with the very loyal and very vocal Dodger fan contingent.

Let’s go Dodgers!

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