May 15th, 2024 at 8:00 am 
by Jesse Pearce Thanking the Padres for taking two of the three games from the Dodgers last weekend (May 11-13) may be a bit snarky, but within the sarcasm is a subtle, but important reminder. In any given series of games (best of three, best of five, best of seven) a team can rise up and defeat a stronger, deeper, perhaps even elite opponent. That has been proven time and again throughout the long, rich history of Major League Baseball. One should never underestimate the grit and determination of an underdog.
(SportsNet LA)
Health permitting, the 2024 Dodgers will win between 2/3 and 3/4 of their 162 regular season games. Arguably, the roster is as deep and talented as any in the history of the Dodgers; Los Angeles or Brooklyn. The manager, Dave Roberts, is adept at using sabermetrics to consistently win at a record pace over the marathon seasons. And, the President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, has the trade capital and payroll flexibility to add additional talent.
Nonetheless, the MLB postseason tournament is a much different test than the regular season. The Playoffs are a progression of short series that culminates in the World Series. Other than their World Championship 2020 season, the Dodgers have failed over the last 35 years to master the short series tournaments. When the goal is to embrace the Commissioner’s Trophy after the final out of the World Series, the Dodgers post season track record has not been good.
In the words of the great Vin Scully:
Since losing those two of three to the Padres, the Dodgers have won their first two of three against the San Francisco Giants, outscoring them 16 to 6 and outhitting them 24 to 15.
(LA Dodgers)
Will 2024 be the year that the Dodgers once again achieve the goal of World Champions?
To be determined!
So, thank you Padres and your fans chanting “BEAT LA, BEAT LA…” for the reminder that the regular season has evolved into a long exhibition season that is altogether meaningless once the postseason tournament begins. That was a wake-up call that anything can, and usually does happen in short series.
GO DODGERS!
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Excellent piece, Jesse.
In every walk of life, a staff, regardless of how successful they are, needs an occasional wake-up call. This is something that a competent staff leader should ALWAYS be on top of.
Having your hat handed to you every now and then, especially by a far lesser opponent, is – or at least should be – such a wake-up call.
The Dodgers clearly have the best offensive staff and one of the best defensive staffs in the game. But they, along with their respectable pitching staff, need an occasional kick in the butt to stay focused – or the unthinkable will happen.