YTD (MLB PLAYOFFS): 9-5 ATS
Man, a lot of love for the padres out there. I mean I guess why not the gap between the two clubs has narrowed and Tatis has been on fire this round, so they look like they're clearly motivated. But it's not easy to win at Chavez Ravine and I spent many many years going to Dodgers Stadium, many of which were almost completely empty. But then the Dodgers turned quite the corner and have been the class of the NL West for some time, though continually failing to win the World Series but for one Covid shortened year.
Those years are all behind us and we find a Dodgers team that is again on the brink of early elimination and that must have Dave Roberts pulling all the strings he can to avoid defeat. With Mookie Betts swinging a hot bat and Ohtani being Ohtani, the only thing they are missing is a Freddie Freeman. The bottom third of their lineup got going finally and that proved to be the catalyst for an 8 run outburst.
But tonight they face Yu Darvish, who has not only been sublime on the road, but has gone undefeated in his lat 5 and pitched to a tune of 2.43 ERA. He will be opposed by fellow Japanese hurler Yamamoto who has been won 4 of his past 5, but not without being hit (5+ ERA over those 5 games). Tonight, if he gets in any trouble, Dave Roberts will be quick to bring in Jack Flaherty who has some experience coming out of the bullpen. So I don't see Yamamoto getting blasted if he gives up any runs. Darvish on the other hand has been sublime of late and on the road since his return and I don't see that changing much tonight.
I expect some tight play out the gate and maybe a few runs by the 5th but I think once the game gets into the late innings, both teams have fantastic bullpens and the pressure will start to weigh on the players. In the end, I think the Dodgers get it done in front of the home crowd but since I have a future on them already, I am going to play:
UNDER 8 (SD/LAD)
Flirted with making this a big play but after that loss on the Indians total yesterday I'll just hope the Dodgers move on for the sake of Ohtani (and Dave Roberts) and that the game is like a 5-1 blowout. Which incidentally I think it might be. As always, tail or fade, good luck to all...
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