NLDS preview: Nationals, Dodgers search for postseason redemption
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals will square off in a battle of contenders looking to shed the stigma of postseason disappointments.
Dating back to the 2012 season, no two teams have consistently fielded a roster as talented as the Dodgers and Nationals . Yet the results haven’t matched. During that time, the two teams have won less than 86 games only once — the 2015 Nationals — during the regular season, but they’ve yet to advance beyond the NLCS. One team is guaranteed a shot at redemption this postseason. The other, well, it’s going to be another long and miserable winter.
The Dodgers will come into the series the healthiest they’ve been in a long time. It’s well-documented they placed 28 different players on the disabled list this season — a new MLB record — but having Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill back gives them a huge boost. Despite being swept in the final series in San Francisco, they also come in riding the wave of a strong second half, which saw them turn a seven-game deficit into a division championship.
That’s not to sell the Nationals short. After unraveling in 2015, they pulled the cord on the Matt Williams era and moved forward with Dusty Baker. The results were a near wire-to-wire run atop the NL East, as they spent only four days in May without a piece of first place. They have played like a team on a mission. With an ace like Max Scherzer and a well-rounded lineup they will be dangerous.
SCHEDULE
Game 1: Friday, Oct.7, in Washington, 5:38 p.m ET. (Fox Sports 1/MLB Network)
Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 8, in Washington 4:08 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1/MLB Network)
Game 3: Monday, Oct. 10, in Los Angeles, time TBA (Fox Sports 1/MLB Network)
Game 4*: Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Los Angeles, time TBA (Fox Sports 1)
Game 5*: Thursday, Oct. 13, in Washington, time TBA (Fox Sports 1)
*if necessary
PREVIOUSLY
The Dodgers ran away with the season series 5-1, sweeping the Nationals at Dodger Stadium in June before winning two of three in Washington in late July.
PITCHING
Game 1: Clayton Kershaw (12-4, 1.69 ERA) vs. Max Scherzer ( )
Game 2: Rich Hill (12-5, 2.12 ERA) vs. TBD
Game 3: TBD vs. Kenta Maeda (16-11, 3.48)
Game 4*: TBD vs TBD
Game 5*: TBD vs. TBD
Kershaw’s postseason numbers are well known. He’s simply struggled in this environment, posting a 4.59 ERA in 64 2/3 postseason innings, but he did show well last year in two outings against the Mets. If he sets the tone on Friday, that will take a lot of pressure off Hill and Kenta Maeda. On the other side, the ultra-competitive Scherzer hopes to bounce back from a lousy showing in the 2014 postseason. He was knocked around in what turned out to be his final start for the Tigers. He’ll take on added pressure knowing Stephen Strasburg isn’t available, but Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark are capable mid-rotation arms.
THREE KEYS FOR DODGERS
Corey the Crusher: Shortstop Corey Seager has put together a season worthy of NL Rookie of the Year and even consideration in the MVP race. Now he’ll be a key to the Dodgers postseason hopes after hitting .308 with 26 homers, 40 doubles and 105 runs scored. Despite his rookie status, Seager has experience from last year’s playoffs, which certainly helps. Though he struggled then, he should be more comfortable now. Especially since he’s confirmed he’s an impact player.
Rich Hill’s blisters: Hill has missed more than one extended stretch this season because of blisters. He even lost a bid for a perfect game because of them. He seems to be fine going into the postseason, but blister prevention has been almost as important as his results. If they flare up again, it will present another headache for rookie manager Dave Roberts.
Steal one in Washington: It’s cliche, but it’s also true that going home up 2-0 or tied 1-1 is better than being down 0-2. It means a happier flight home. It means a healthier mindset. It presents an opportunity to avoid another cross country trip to Washington. Perhaps more important than any of that, it presents an opportunity to buy Kershaw and Hill extra rest.
THREE KEYS FOR NATIONALS
Stay hot, Trea Turner: Since bursting on to the scene and taking over the leadoff spot in July, Turner has arguably been Washington’s best player. Ignoring his two-game stint in June, Turner has hit .336/.363/.559 with 13 homers, 13 doubles, eight triples and 33 stolen bases in 68 games. Those are huge numbers that highlight the impact he Turner can have.
Ross Report: The loss of Strasburg and the plan to not overwork Scherzer means a fourth starter will have to step up. Right now, that guy appears to be Joe Ross, who missed most the second half with right shoulder inflammation. In three abbreviated starts off the disabled list, he’s allowed three runs to go along with 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 total innings. That shows he can be effective, but also indicates Dusty Baker will lean heavily on the bullpen in Ross’ starts.
Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Harper?: The Nationals haven’t known what to expect from Harper this season as he’s reportedly dealt with several nagging injuries. What they know is they need something much closer to the MVP player he was last season than what we’ve seen this season. Even if he’s not completely healthy now, he’s an essential piece of the offensive puzzle. That’s even more true now with Daniel Murphy less than one-hundred percent and Wilson Ramos lost for the season.
FIVE IMPORTANT NUMBERS
• 45 — The Dodgers stolen bases total for the entire.
• .231 — Bryce Harper’s batting average from April 27 on. He hit .328 in the first 19 games.
• 60 — The number of Dodgers quality starts this season. Only Minnesota had fewer (59).
• 3 — The numbers of teams Dusty Baker has managed to at least one postseason victory (Giants, Cubs, Reds).
• 2,986 — The number of combined strikeouts these two staffs finished with in 2016. The Dodgers were No. 1 in MLB with 1,510. The Nationals were No. 2 with 1,476.
More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:
The StewPod: A baseball podcast by Yahoo Sports
Subscribe via iTunes or via RSS feed
– – – – – – –
Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
