Did the Dodgers play possum all year?

They were expected to dominate all season and potentially run away with the National League. It didn't happen. In fact, while they won their division, they were only the 3rd seed in the National League and had to play the wild card series against the Reds.

They had absolutely no problem dispatching the scrappy Reds. Winning game one 10-5 and game two 8-4. An impressive offensive outburst against a team with good pitching.

If you are bullish on the Dodgers you have to feel good about the offense averaging 9 runs over two games and the starting pitching giving up only 2 earned runs (4 total) over 13 2/3 innings. But the bullpen which has been their weakness all year has been far less impressive giving up 4 runs in 4 1/3 innings. Now granted the Dodgers had big leads in both games by the time the bullpen came in so we might not be getting an accurate sample, and certainly a small one, of what they will be this playoffs. However, if you are bearish on the Dodgers, the bullpen has to be the biggest concern heading into the NLDS against a power hitting Phillies lineup.

Dodgers vs Phillies should be a great series between the two current betting favourites to win the World Series. One thing we know for sure is one of them will be eliminated by the end of next week.

Sats for all, GR