There couldn't have been a more appropriate game for the Dodgers to giveaway headphones, seeing as Dodgers fans needed them to block out what happened on the field before them last night. For the second time in a week and half the Dodgers went nine whole innings without a hit (the first time was in Houston about 10 days ago). This time was different though because there were tens of thousands of Dodger fans watching live every pitch and every inning, and either worst or best of all, I was one of them who saw the Dodgers recap their inconsistent season in just one game.
I am not going to lie, after the third inning or so, I actually was rooting for the no-hitter. Unless the Dodgers could find a way to come back and win the game, I figured it would all be too appropriate for them to get no-hit again. That has become typical of the Dodgers this year, they do not know how to get hits and get on base when they need as well as being able to advance runners. Championship teams get clutch hits and have clutch at-bats. The Dodgers have the month of September to work on their base stealing, bunting and productive at-bat skills.
While most teams experience their fair share of offensive struggles, there are temporary ways to get out of it, especially in the case of preventing a no-hitter. One good example is bunting. Players like Joc Pederson, Jimmy Rollins and Adrian Gonzalez should be practicing bunting because it could greatly help down the stretch. Particularly for Gonzalez, opposing teams put on a shift that includes three infielders on the right side of the field. This leaves the left side of the field largely open and unguarded meaning if Gonzalez can get a bunt down fair that is anywhere close to the third baseline he will make it safely to first base a large majority of the time. For Guys like Pederson and Rollins even bunts that do not end up perfectly placed would result in bunt singles. The Chicago Cubs put the shift on a few times towards the end of the game last night and guys like Rollins and Chase Utley had opportunities to try to bunt for a base hit. It was only a two run game and if either of them got on base the tying run would come to the plate. With the recent phenomena of the shift becoming so mainstream, the Dodgers need to learn to adapt and bunting is the best way to force opposing teams to avoid shifting.
Another change the Dodgers need to make is mostly in the hands of the manager, Don Mattingly. That change is not firing Mattingly, although I am in great support of that. In terms of hitting a left handed hitter is not necessarily worse off against a left handed hitter and vice versa. Mattingly seems to always favor pinch hitting late in games if he has a left handed hitter coming up with a left handed pitcher in. If guys like Andre Ethier are 3-3 in a game it is worth it to leave them in to face a lefty rather than putting in a right handed hitter who has sat on the bench the whole game. If someone is hot it does not matter who is pitching, let them stay in the game. Also with his pitchers, Mattingly takes out a pitcher no matter how well they are doing when a same handed batter comes to the plate. The Dodgers need to go with the hot hand and the hot bat and ride it into the playoffs.
With a month left in the regular season the Dodgers are going to have to outplay the Giants to even make it to the playoffs. There is a lot that can happen between now and then so hopefully the Dodgers get hot at the right time and make it all the way. Then as Dodger fans, we can take off our headphones and live in the glory of a championship team.
