1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: It's time for Dodger base. Oh boy, two outs, one 2 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 1: more needed if you're taking shot. Last night at Dodger Stadium, 3 00:00:15,520 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 1: ninth inning, two outs. Oh, look at these sad Brewers, 4 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: sad Joe's Dodgers. One out away from going up three 5 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: games to none in the NLCS. 6 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, Okay, the Dodgers won it. 7 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: How Fracky closes the door. Hello, Dodger blue dreamers. It 8 00:00:41,840 --> 00:00:46,559 Speaker 1: is Friday, October seventeenth, and things are good. The Dodgers 9 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,600 Speaker 1: are up three zero over the Brewers in the NLCS. 10 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: They need one more victory and they're going to the 11 00:00:54,400 --> 00:01:00,320 Speaker 1: World Series. Next game is tonight at Dodger Stadium, where 12 00:01:00,400 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 1: Game three took place after the first two in Milwaukee. 13 00:01:04,520 --> 00:01:08,319 Speaker 1: And the story of this series so far has been 14 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:14,720 Speaker 1: the pitching. The Dodgers pitching. The Dodgers starting pitching has 15 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 1: been incredible, historic, dominant. The team has dealt ace after 16 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: ace after ace in the first three games. Blake Snell, 17 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler glassnow have carried the team to 18 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: three straight victories. And we certainly expect that story to 19 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: continue tonight because we've got yet another ace in the hole. 20 00:01:40,319 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 1: Shohei Otani is going to be on the mound tonight 21 00:01:43,720 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 1: for the Dodgers in Game four, So the Blue crew 22 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: is beating up on the brew Crew. The Milwaukee Brewers, 23 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 1: the self described average Joe's as shucks, who accumulated the 24 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: best record in baseball over the course of the twenty 25 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: twenty five regular season, have been looking more like the 26 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:07,760 Speaker 1: below average Joe's. Job's not finished, but some Dodger fans 27 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:11,640 Speaker 1: are getting pretty cocky. To quote Blake Snell in a 28 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 1: rap that he recorded in twenty twelve at the age 29 00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: of nineteen, you keep it amateur while I keep it pro. 30 00:02:20,440 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 1: In these first three games, that's kind of been the vibe. 31 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 1: You keep it amateur, I keep it pro, and you 32 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 1: don't need to be a weatherman to tell which way 33 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,839 Speaker 1: the wind blow. I say, Dodgers in four, get out 34 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:38,240 Speaker 1: the broom and let's sweep up. So today on the show, 35 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: we're going to recap the first three games of the 36 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:45,079 Speaker 1: NLCS with a focus on our starting pitching, and then 37 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 1: last we're going to play a very special segment that 38 00:02:49,240 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: I produced for KCRW eighty nine point nine FM in 39 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: Los Angeles, the station of my childhood reached out to 40 00:02:57,560 --> 00:03:00,840 Speaker 1: me and asked me to tell this story of the 41 00:03:00,880 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: Dodgers twenty twenty five baseball season in seven and a 42 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: half minutes. And you'll get to hear what I did. 43 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,400 Speaker 1: If you have not been following the season closely this year, 44 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 1: we'll get you caught up real quick. We got you covered. 45 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:20,160 Speaker 1: So strap on in. It's DBD Dodger Blue Dream arm 46 00:03:20,240 --> 00:03:26,400 Speaker 1: Richard Parks. The Dodgers are one win away from going 47 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 1: back to the World Series. 48 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:45,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, stay with us, all. 49 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 1: Right, let's take it back to Game one of this 50 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: NLCS Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday on the mound for the Dodgers. 51 00:03:53,680 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 1: Be to the Snell Snell Zilla. 52 00:03:57,200 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 4: My whole life I've dumped at this moment. 53 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 1: First name, Blake Snell was brought to the Dodgers over 54 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:07,320 Speaker 1: the offseason with a five year, one hundred and eighty 55 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 1: two million dollar contract, and that's a big contract, specifically 56 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: in order to pitch in games like this one, high stakes, 57 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:21,160 Speaker 1: everything on the line. Snell has had an amazing career. 58 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: He's won two Cy Young Awards, and he's pitched in 59 00:04:25,240 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: big games before, most famously in Game six of the 60 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,680 Speaker 1: twenty twenty World Series, when Snell was on the Tampa 61 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 1: Bay Rays and he was facing the Dodgers. He had 62 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,919 Speaker 1: an amazing start that day, and in what has become 63 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: a famously maligned decision, Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled him 64 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:48,479 Speaker 1: after six in accordance with the third time through dictum 65 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:51,600 Speaker 1: that you heard about on our Bullpen episode. The Rays 66 00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 1: bullpen melted down. The Dodgers won the World Series that year, 67 00:04:56,400 --> 00:04:58,919 Speaker 1: which is what they're trying to do this year with 68 00:04:59,040 --> 00:05:02,240 Speaker 1: Blake Snell's help. And Blake Snell has never won a 69 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: World Series. His wife wanted to move to La so 70 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:08,760 Speaker 1: there was that to draw him here, but also he 71 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,039 Speaker 1: wants that ring, as we all do. And if you 72 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: just look at Blake Snell's twenty twenty five season, everything 73 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 1: has been leading up to this moment. He pitched sixty 74 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 1: one and a third innings during the regular season, even 75 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 1: in today's game, where pitchers don't go very deep into 76 00:05:26,040 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 1: games typically, and even with the Dodgers plethora of starting 77 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 1: pitching this year, that is a low number. A workhorse 78 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:37,800 Speaker 1: starter would pitch more like two hundred innings in a year, 79 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:40,279 Speaker 1: and he's at sixty one and a third. He spent 80 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: a lot of the season on the injured list, and 81 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: I think We can use scare quotes when we say 82 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,839 Speaker 1: injured list, because to look at this cynically or realistically, 83 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 1: it seems like the Dodgers have been planning for things 84 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: to go this way. Didn't necessarily need Blake Snell to 85 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:00,800 Speaker 1: help us win the ninety three games that we won 86 00:06:00,839 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: this year to win the nl West, but we do 87 00:06:03,920 --> 00:06:07,360 Speaker 1: want him in peak form at this moment. And so 88 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: as he came back from the injured list scare quotes 89 00:06:10,760 --> 00:06:13,640 Speaker 1: and started pitching again in September, you could see how 90 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:17,720 Speaker 1: this plan was unfolding optimally for the Dodgers, and certainly 91 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 1: it has been working out pretty nicely. In the twenty 92 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:25,120 Speaker 1: twenty five postseason so far, including this Game one, Snell 93 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: has a three to zero record with a zero point 94 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: eight six er, fifty two strikeouts, zero point five to 95 00:06:34,040 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 1: two whip. And this start in Milwaukee was just a gem. 96 00:06:39,160 --> 00:06:42,520 Speaker 1: We told you in our NLCS Starter Pack episode earlier 97 00:06:42,560 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 1: this week that we were going to look closely at 98 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 1: Blake Snell's start because Game one can be such a 99 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: tone setter, and it was. And how Blake Snell went 100 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:58,120 Speaker 1: eight innings, struck out ten, and gave up one hit, 101 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 1: one blop single and quickly picked that runner off at 102 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 1: first and he gave up zero runs. That is insane. 103 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: What a game, What a game. Chopping it up with 104 00:07:13,480 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: Wes Avula, my co host post game. 105 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 5: Super Nerve wracking, you know I hate those games, right. 106 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,120 Speaker 1: I know I was gonna say, you don't like those 107 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,400 Speaker 1: low scoring pitchers duels. 108 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 5: Not at all. But this one was good. Like the 109 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 5: Dodgers had them on. You can tell the Dodgers had 110 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:30,000 Speaker 5: them on the fence a lot of the game, he says. 111 00:07:29,800 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: The Brewers. 112 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 2: Second, here's Cup Snell and free look in the air, 113 00:07:34,280 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: lazy fly ball out to center field and Andy Payez 114 00:07:37,640 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 2: plucks it away and Blake Snell sets up six down. 115 00:07:41,200 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 5: You want your ace to be like the dude, and 116 00:07:43,320 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 5: he was. He was like lights out, dude, that's how 117 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,720 Speaker 5: agree it is. So today he was lights out. 118 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,920 Speaker 2: No action in that bullpen can travers on the ground. 119 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 2: The third month, see gobbles it up and Blake Snell 120 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 2: goes through the seventh hitting, didn't throw it out. 121 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: Here comes Snell, the rings him up. 122 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 2: Blake Snell drops a big curve, caught him guessing they. 123 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 1: Had the one hit nothing and he was striking him out. 124 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 1: And they're not a team that strikes out. We told 125 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: you on our last episode that Blake Snell would have 126 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,840 Speaker 1: to stay in the strike zone and to watch out 127 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:25,360 Speaker 1: for walks because that's causing problems in the past. He 128 00:08:25,480 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 1: did not walk a single Brewer. We told you Snell 129 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: would have to control the running game against the Brewers. 130 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:33,520 Speaker 1: That's been an issue for him in the past. And 131 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: the Brewers are super aggressive running team. Well, it's hard 132 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 1: to control the running game when you don't allow any runners. 133 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: And Snell did allow one runner, one only and that 134 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:47,720 Speaker 1: runner Snell Zilla pipped him off. 135 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,200 Speaker 2: And out till the first and he's got Dervin pick Cook, 136 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,760 Speaker 2: snap roeby free of the second base and out. 137 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: We told you the Brewers make a lot of contact, 138 00:08:56,040 --> 00:09:00,560 Speaker 1: and they do, but they didn't. Snell had his changeup 139 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: going so good, they just couldn't connect. He struck out 140 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: ten on two, three, four. 141 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 3: Look who crept up in this dough? 142 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: How good was Blake Snell for the Dodgers In Game one, 143 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,720 Speaker 1: he faced the minimum over eight innings, something that hadn't 144 00:09:15,760 --> 00:09:20,120 Speaker 1: been done in a postseason game since Don Larson's perfect 145 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 1: game in the nineteen fifty six World Series. After that, 146 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:27,480 Speaker 1: one single in the third inning, Snell didn't allow another 147 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:30,400 Speaker 1: batter to put the ball in the air. It would 148 00:09:30,440 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: have been a perfect game if not for this one hit. 149 00:09:33,760 --> 00:09:36,320 Speaker 1: And had Snell been allowed to finish the ninth inning. 150 00:09:36,559 --> 00:09:39,200 Speaker 1: But you wanted him to stay in for the ninth I. 151 00:09:39,320 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 5: Did, and I think he did too, because he asked 152 00:09:41,520 --> 00:09:43,280 Speaker 5: him that question. He's like, well, I trust Doc, and 153 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 5: Buck made the right choice, I think, and all right, Trustwood, 154 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 5: Doc says, but I. 155 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: Mean he was at one hundred and one pitches. 156 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:51,680 Speaker 5: I can see him doing one fifteen though he. 157 00:09:51,880 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: Was so locked in. Snell's wife took the Instagram to 158 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:59,600 Speaker 1: celebrate by posting a rap Snell made in twenty twelve. 159 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:03,599 Speaker 1: Are listening to it right now? It's become legendary in 160 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: Dodgers fandom. The Dodgers Instagram influencer Dose posted a video 161 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,560 Speaker 1: of himself lip syncing the entire thing, and we titled 162 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:14,480 Speaker 1: this episode in tribute to it. 163 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 6: I'm on every bud, It's just your show. You'll keep 164 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 6: it amateur? Why I keep it from I'm about my 165 00:10:21,600 --> 00:10:24,800 Speaker 6: business while you're about your joke. I'm about my pats 166 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:27,840 Speaker 6: while you're about your you on the game, My buttons 167 00:10:28,080 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 6: comes in and the girls. Man, you don't make you in, 168 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 6: you make me drugs. My future is my and your 169 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 6: future is something. I'm on the getting my tag when 170 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 6: he broke through the wrist, look through my glassy man, 171 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,800 Speaker 6: what's to h I see your boys? Now he's tearing 172 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 6: up his me. So I'm gonna hit you. Why God 173 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 6: leaves the verse? Raiser and Rich knock out? Now? Where 174 00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:49,880 Speaker 6: is my favorite. 175 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:51,120 Speaker 3: Man? 176 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:52,240 Speaker 6: All about my hat? 177 00:10:52,520 --> 00:10:53,160 Speaker 2: I'm gonna keep it. 178 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 6: One hundred, So hit me on my nexture? What joint 179 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 6: into the game, says any hit him with that figure? 180 00:10:58,360 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 3: A man? My prime man on the Lakers. 181 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:03,640 Speaker 1: Want to look who clipped. 182 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 4: Up in the nome? 183 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 1: Thank you Snell? 184 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 5: You know Snell Zilla. He was like, I'm redeeming myself 185 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:10,880 Speaker 5: for an eight bench. He probably said something that could 186 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 5: not take me out in the sixth or the seventh, 187 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 5: because you know when that's what happened to Tampa Bay. 188 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 5: He was dealing the Dodgers. They took him out and 189 00:11:18,040 --> 00:11:20,160 Speaker 5: we won the World Series after they took him out, 190 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:22,160 Speaker 5: and he was so pissed off because he probably would 191 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 5: have been liked out. 192 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:30,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. Instead, we saw Roki Sasaki's first week outing in 193 00:11:30,200 --> 00:11:34,160 Speaker 1: this postseason in the bottom of the ninth. Blake Trinin 194 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 1: had to come in to close it out, and it 195 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: was a little too close for comfort with the bases 196 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 1: loaded in the bottom of the ninth there but trying 197 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 1: and got the punch out to save the game for Snell. 198 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 1: It was the story of the two Blakes, which, if 199 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 1: anybody's counting, is the second Chinatown reference in the last 200 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 1: few episodes. But mostly this was Blake Snell's night. I 201 00:11:57,280 --> 00:11:59,440 Speaker 1: try to tell you he was different tonight. 202 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 4: He showed eight innings face the minimum amount of matters. 203 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 4: That's the one and only Snell Zilla Blake. How did 204 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 4: it feel last night? My whole life, I've dreamt at 205 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:12,439 Speaker 4: this moment, and to be able to go eight it 206 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 4: was probably the best part for me because I've always 207 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 4: the seventh was pretty special. I've always wanted to be 208 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 4: out there for God bless America, So to be able 209 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 4: to be out there for that was special for me. 210 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:27,319 Speaker 1: After Snell's dominant start in game one, it was impossible 211 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: to imagine Yoshinobu Yamamoto matching that performance in game two. 212 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:34,679 Speaker 5: Dude, we can take two of them from over there, like, 213 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 5: let's go, let's just move forward, Go to the World Series. 214 00:12:37,360 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 1: You know, well, yeah, for sure, if we take Game two, 215 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 1: I mean it's it's over. Next up, let's recap Game 216 00:12:47,240 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: two with Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the bump. So again, it 217 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:56,680 Speaker 1: was impossible to imagine Yamamoto matching Snell. And then, after 218 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 1: a scoreless top of the first, on the very first pitch, 219 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: Yamamoto threw to the Brewers Jackson Churio postseason. 220 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 2: On the first pitch, Jackson Cherio said, one of the 221 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,000 Speaker 2: deep rights. 222 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:11,680 Speaker 1: And that one's gonna fly out of here. 223 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:15,960 Speaker 7: Cheerio with a. 224 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 2: Home run that started offensively for the Browards. 225 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: We've told you that the Brewers, in spite of their 226 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:32,960 Speaker 1: self appointed average Joe identity, are a very good baseball team, 227 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,679 Speaker 1: and they had defeated the Dodgers in each of the 228 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:40,199 Speaker 1: teams had to head matchups in twenty twenty five with 229 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 1: a perfect record of six wins to the Dodgers zero, 230 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:48,440 Speaker 1: and in one of those losses, every Dodger fan who's 231 00:13:48,480 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 1: followed this season closely remembers Yamamoto had a bad outing, 232 00:13:53,360 --> 00:13:58,920 Speaker 1: an absolutely garbage outing in Milwaukee, when after retiring the 233 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:02,920 Speaker 1: first two batters, he gave up five runs in the 234 00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: first inning before being removed from the game after throwing 235 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: forty one pitches. He didn't even get through a single inning. 236 00:14:10,760 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: It was Yamamoto's worst start of the season, and after 237 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:17,520 Speaker 1: the first pitch home run in Game two, we were 238 00:14:17,600 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: all thinking, oh no, it's going to be another one 239 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 1: of those today. You know, there's no way that Yamamoto 240 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:28,040 Speaker 1: could top what Blake Snell did in game one in 241 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: his game to start. 242 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:34,760 Speaker 8: Right, Yeah, And you know, from when the game started. 243 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 8: As soon as the game started, I was like, oh see, 244 00:14:36,600 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 8: there it is. He can't top it. First pitch on run, 245 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 8: first pitch on run. 246 00:14:41,840 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 1: We had to temper our high expectations. 247 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 8: I mean, you can't expect that they're going to just like, 248 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:49,040 Speaker 8: no hit another seven innings, you know. 249 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 3: But so on away. 250 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 2: Here's Caleb Durban now with free look, a base stealer 251 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:58,040 Speaker 2: at first base. Very interesting to see if the Brewers 252 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:00,760 Speaker 2: deployed the running game against Yamamoto and. 253 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: Then then called strike three. Yamamoto started dealing, and the. 254 00:15:09,560 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 2: First strikeout for Yamamoto it is out number two, and 255 00:15:13,720 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 2: he got him back to the splitter. He goes and 256 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:21,160 Speaker 2: he strikes out. Caleb Ortis takes off and the pitches 257 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 2: they called strike three, low throw needed. 258 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:27,280 Speaker 8: You know, after that first sitting. It's funny because you 259 00:15:27,320 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 8: can hear the announcers so like, well, since that first run, 260 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 8: you know, he's put down eleven in a row. It's like, 261 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 8: you know what I mean, it's like, oh, he's doing 262 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 8: something here. 263 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:38,800 Speaker 5: You know, it's cooking powers. 264 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:42,400 Speaker 2: Roll over ground ball Tommy Edmund and Yamamoto puts up 265 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: another zero. He's retired eighth. 266 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: Street, and then the Dodgers answered offensively. 267 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,240 Speaker 2: Had a high fly ball in the left field that 268 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 2: is way back there and that is gonna be a 269 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 2: gone home run. 270 00:15:56,280 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: When Taskar Hernandez hit one out, we are tied. 271 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:04,800 Speaker 8: Dad had that beautiful swing, hit it out far. He 272 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:07,360 Speaker 8: hit it really high and really far. So it was 273 00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 8: good to see them, you know, really come back and 274 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:12,200 Speaker 8: answer right back, like not just. 275 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 1: Bold and Yama just kept shutting them down. 276 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 8: And every time it felt like they were getting some momentum, yeah, 277 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 8: would just shut it down just with another strikeout or 278 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:24,080 Speaker 8: had a cold. 279 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 2: Strike three right on the edge. Impeccable command all night long. 280 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 2: Yamamoto with a sixth strikeout. 281 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: After giving up that leadoff home run. Yamamota's performance was 282 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: arguably as impressive or even more impressive than the previous 283 00:16:41,280 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: nights from Blake Snow. And he did something that hadn't 284 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: been done for the Dodgers in two decades. 285 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 2: So try to finish this one. 286 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:51,280 Speaker 3: Here it comes. 287 00:16:51,320 --> 00:16:54,760 Speaker 2: The O two had a swing at a mess and 288 00:16:55,000 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 2: Yoshi Yamamoto with his crown jewel as a Dodger. 289 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:05,320 Speaker 1: He completed the game game, he goes the distance. 290 00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 8: I think Doc regretted a little bit taking them out 291 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 8: because now it was probably like I could have done 292 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 8: that too, you know what I mean, like happy that 293 00:17:13,240 --> 00:17:15,159 Speaker 8: Ams did that, but he probably was like, I can 294 00:17:15,200 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 8: do that too, Let me do that next time. 295 00:17:17,119 --> 00:17:17,240 Speaker 3: You know. 296 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,160 Speaker 1: The average Joe's, known for their small ball approach, were 297 00:17:23,240 --> 00:17:24,720 Speaker 1: completely neutralized. 298 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:30,160 Speaker 8: It just completely deflated, like the heat that the Brewers got. 299 00:17:30,200 --> 00:17:31,639 Speaker 8: Because a lot of times what happens is when you 300 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:34,399 Speaker 8: take out that picture that's been lights out. They get 301 00:17:34,440 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 8: a little hit there, they get a little hit here, 302 00:17:36,160 --> 00:17:37,880 Speaker 8: they get a little stolen base, they get a round 303 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 8: and it's like you don't want to let this team 304 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:41,720 Speaker 8: back in at all, Like you want to keep your 305 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 8: foot on their neck until this series is done. Like, 306 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 8: ain't no letting off. 307 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 5: You know how many aces do you have in your 308 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:47,919 Speaker 5: team right now? 309 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:50,879 Speaker 4: I mean, all of them are throwing the ball amazing, 310 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:51,879 Speaker 4: but we kind of knew that. 311 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: Speaking to the media after Game two, Dodgers pitcher Clayton 312 00:17:56,119 --> 00:18:00,880 Speaker 1: Kershaw invoked a famous baseball maxim that applies to this series. 313 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 5: So good pitching beats good hitting any day of the week, 314 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:05,920 Speaker 5: and you're seeing that right now. 315 00:18:06,840 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: About good pitching beats good hitting, and it definitely beats 316 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:14,959 Speaker 1: no hitting. You keep it amateur, I keep it pro. 317 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,960 Speaker 1: As the series headed back to Los Angeles with the 318 00:18:32,119 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: Dodgers up two games to none, the Boys in Blue 319 00:18:36,400 --> 00:18:41,439 Speaker 1: plan to play their third and fourth ace cards, Tyler 320 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:45,280 Speaker 1: glass Now for Game three and show Hey o'tani for 321 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:49,199 Speaker 1: Game four and yesterday at Dodger Stadium. It was up 322 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: to glass Now to maintain the tone that had been 323 00:18:52,320 --> 00:18:58,240 Speaker 1: sent by Snell and Yamamoto in Milwaukee, and he did. 324 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:05,680 Speaker 1: Expectations just keep getting exceeded every single night. Yeah, as always. 325 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: I hopped on the phone with Chef Wes just after 326 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: the game. Glasnow had a great start. 327 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, you had a quality start for sure. 328 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,360 Speaker 1: If it weren't for the two preceding starts, I think 329 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 1: that any fan would be saying that he was making 330 00:19:21,600 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: his payday with that start in the NLCS for sure. 331 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,880 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, five and two thirds from Glasnow and then 332 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:33,800 Speaker 1: he handed it over to the dogs and the Dogs 333 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:34,479 Speaker 1: were the dogs. 334 00:19:34,880 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 5: Yeah, they did good. They did good, like Bessie did good. 335 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 5: Tryinon did good. And then Bonda came in for the 336 00:19:41,080 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 5: whole inning, right and just was. 337 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:44,520 Speaker 8: It was awesome. 338 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:49,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, he had a really nice one two three clean inning, 339 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:54,439 Speaker 1: and then for the ninth inning, Kaibutsu the Monster Roki 340 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 1: Sasaki redeemed himself by shutting down the game with a 341 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: one two three inning in his first appearance since his 342 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: rocky outing in Game one when he couldn't get through 343 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:06,760 Speaker 1: the ninth. Yeah, no, it was good. 344 00:20:07,160 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 5: It was good to see him have that quality inning 345 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:13,560 Speaker 5: because it's like he killed it against Philly in Game one. 346 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 5: The Brewers had his number, like, you didn't want that 347 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 5: to happen again, and that becomes where it's like, oh no, 348 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:20,560 Speaker 5: this is like the Meltdom of the bullpen again. You know, 349 00:20:20,640 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 5: we're going through that same pattern. It was really nice 350 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 5: to see him get out of it, and. 351 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:28,200 Speaker 1: Our offense got some good looks at the Brewers' bullpen 352 00:20:28,560 --> 00:20:29,280 Speaker 1: and they used. 353 00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 5: A lot of pictures, you know, So like we've seen 354 00:20:31,119 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 5: these pictures a couple of times. I think we've seen 355 00:20:33,640 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 5: the starting picture today every game at least one innings, 356 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:38,479 Speaker 5: you know what I mean. So it's like, yeah, all right, 357 00:20:38,560 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 5: we're gonna have a number for a while. I don't 358 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 5: care how damn good the guy is. 359 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:48,600 Speaker 1: You know, today we saw the Brewers more in it 360 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: than they have been this whole series. 361 00:20:52,160 --> 00:20:55,639 Speaker 5: Yeah, they look like more like the Brewers of the 362 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:59,479 Speaker 5: regular season today, but not enough and not in key moments, 363 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:03,680 Speaker 5: you know which. I'm okay with deer season Brewers. Like 364 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 5: I don't want to see them. Like I said earlier, 365 00:21:06,480 --> 00:21:07,760 Speaker 5: I was like, I want them to lose and just 366 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,880 Speaker 5: kind of like quietly just drift off the cantcuon. 367 00:21:12,960 --> 00:21:15,920 Speaker 1: So, while the Dodgers are poised to complete a four 368 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:20,200 Speaker 1: game sweep over in the American League Championship Series, there's 369 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: a real series going on. 370 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 5: Is a series split? 371 00:21:22,760 --> 00:21:22,879 Speaker 3: Now? 372 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 4: All right? 373 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 5: I'm mistaken. 374 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: It's split too too oo? 375 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 5: Yeah, no, they can go to seven games, I don't care. 376 00:21:29,440 --> 00:21:31,800 Speaker 5: Let the Dodgers get some rest, let some of the 377 00:21:31,960 --> 00:21:34,119 Speaker 5: arms heel, let's go, man, But. 378 00:21:34,440 --> 00:21:36,639 Speaker 1: Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Yeah, I mean, 379 00:21:36,680 --> 00:21:39,880 Speaker 1: I agree with you, but can't get complacent, no, for sure. 380 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 5: And I don't you know, that's why I like the 381 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:43,359 Speaker 5: same thing when they were trying to like paint the 382 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,320 Speaker 5: where the average joels that, don't you know, it's like, 383 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 5: get out of here with that. You guys aren't electricians. 384 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 5: They're trying to play it up like if it was 385 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,880 Speaker 5: a WBC and you know what I mean, and they'd 386 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,000 Speaker 5: have those teams like from Croatia where they'd be like, oh, 387 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,200 Speaker 5: he's actually an elementary school teacher most of the year, 388 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 5: you know that, Like you guys are professional athletes. You 389 00:22:01,400 --> 00:22:04,679 Speaker 5: guys have the same opportunity that you know coming up 390 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:07,200 Speaker 5: and playing ball. Your owners a billionaire as well, Like 391 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 5: he can spend some money. If that's the whole thing, 392 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 5: you know what I mean. It's like, yes, it's a 393 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 5: small market team. You know, the Brewers got a like 394 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,560 Speaker 5: rabbit following where they're at. But it's not like you know, 395 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 5: say the Yankees, the Red Sox for the Dodgers. 396 00:22:20,920 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 2: You know. 397 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 5: But that being said, there's still a professional club and 398 00:22:24,760 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 5: they still had the best record, and they're still really 399 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:30,120 Speaker 5: really capable and good. So I don't want to get 400 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,000 Speaker 5: complacent either. I want to make sure that we just 401 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 5: shut them down them mom end it. You know that's 402 00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 5: not now. Let them get back in any any little 403 00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:40,920 Speaker 5: hint of hope. You know, you want to take all 404 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 5: hope away from them, Like when they're thirsty, you want 405 00:22:45,320 --> 00:22:47,440 Speaker 5: to give them salt for their tongue. It's like, here's 406 00:22:47,480 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 5: some salt there. You know, you don't get no water. 407 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:56,199 Speaker 1: Nothing, sorry, brewers, no water. Just Game four NLCS at 408 00:22:56,320 --> 00:23:00,680 Speaker 1: Dodger Stadium tonight at five thirty eight pm Pacific. 409 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:04,479 Speaker 5: And then are you going to try to go tomorrow? 410 00:23:04,560 --> 00:23:05,040 Speaker 5: Last minute? 411 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:05,680 Speaker 4: I don't know. 412 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: I mean, it looks like it's getting pricey. 413 00:23:08,440 --> 00:23:09,879 Speaker 5: Yeah, it looks quite pricey. 414 00:23:10,000 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 1: Friday night, Dodger Stadium, Shoho Tani on the mound for 415 00:23:13,800 --> 00:23:16,520 Speaker 1: Game four of the NLCS with a chance to sweep. 416 00:23:17,760 --> 00:23:19,960 Speaker 5: Yeah, they'll think it's going to be on the price 417 00:23:20,200 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 5: side for sure. 418 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:27,800 Speaker 1: By this time next week we'll be talking about the 419 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 1: World Series. It starts one week from today. After the break, 420 00:23:35,840 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: we will share a special piece I produced for my 421 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:44,480 Speaker 1: local public radio station, summarizing the Dodgers regular season in 422 00:23:44,760 --> 00:24:05,480 Speaker 1: under eight minutes. Stay with us, Welcome back to the show. 423 00:24:06,160 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 1: All right now, as promised. We're going to play a 424 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:13,680 Speaker 1: segment that I produced for my local public radio station, 425 00:24:14,080 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: Los Angeles's own KCRW eighty nine point nine FM. This 426 00:24:19,480 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: is something that I have had truly the honor to 427 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,520 Speaker 1: do for the past couple years, which is to summarize 428 00:24:26,800 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 1: the entirety of the baseball season in under eight minutes. 429 00:24:31,800 --> 00:24:33,639 Speaker 1: This is stuff you know if you've been listening to 430 00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 1: this show, certainly stuff that we've covered in particularly the 431 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:42,200 Speaker 1: Weird Year episode. But if you're listening to this and 432 00:24:42,359 --> 00:24:45,159 Speaker 1: you have not been following the season, nor have you 433 00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,879 Speaker 1: been listening to this show, this segment is for you 434 00:24:48,520 --> 00:24:51,720 Speaker 1: a summary of the season, all the dramatic beats, both 435 00:24:51,840 --> 00:24:54,280 Speaker 1: on the field and off in the time it takes 436 00:24:54,359 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 1: you to hard boil an egg. So fill up the saucepan, 437 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaker 1: crank up the gas, prepare the ia bath, or however 438 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: you do it, and listen to this. On opening day 439 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:11,000 Speaker 1: at Dodger Stadium, the rapper Ice Cube rolled onto the 440 00:25:11,119 --> 00:25:15,119 Speaker 1: field in a Dodger Blue Lowrider, the Commissioner's World Series 441 00:25:15,200 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: Trophy sitting shotguns Joe. The organization had maintained the roster 442 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:25,200 Speaker 1: that won it all in twenty twenty four, and they'd 443 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:28,399 Speaker 1: added some of the most coveted free agents on the market, 444 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: two time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and twenty 445 00:25:32,119 --> 00:25:36,320 Speaker 1: three year old Japanese rookie right hander Roki Sasaki, who 446 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: joined a team already stacked with stars, MVPs and the 447 00:25:41,000 --> 00:25:45,480 Speaker 1: Japanese babe Ruth Sho hey O Tani Vegas projected that 448 00:25:45,600 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: the Dodgers would win one hundred and five games this year, 449 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 1: a sportsbook record. If anyone could do it, the Dodgers 450 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:55,480 Speaker 1: can do it. Then Dodgers were wicked. And the Dodgers 451 00:25:55,600 --> 00:26:00,520 Speaker 1: came out of the gates hot a sooner fan hear 452 00:26:00,640 --> 00:26:07,760 Speaker 1: us is back. They opened the season eight and zero, 453 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:11,440 Speaker 1: the best start to a season for defending World Championship 454 00:26:11,520 --> 00:26:12,640 Speaker 1: winning team ever. 455 00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:17,200 Speaker 5: But then, and I'm thrilled to welcome the twenty twenty 456 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:18,240 Speaker 5: four World Series. 457 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,040 Speaker 1: President Trump invited the team to the White House to 458 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,600 Speaker 1: celebrate their World Series win in early April. They lost 459 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:27,680 Speaker 1: two of their next three, then four of their next five, 460 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 1: and it continued. 461 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:30,320 Speaker 6: Trying to forget this one? 462 00:26:30,760 --> 00:26:32,240 Speaker 1: Was this visit a curse? 463 00:26:32,560 --> 00:26:34,959 Speaker 6: Obviously got really ugly towards the end. 464 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:40,919 Speaker 1: The best roster in baseball faltered continually when facing inferior opponents. 465 00:26:41,119 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 5: Did you say this with Mookie Bets. 466 00:26:42,760 --> 00:26:48,639 Speaker 1: MVP Mookie Bets was sidelined early on with an undiagnosed stomach. 467 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:50,720 Speaker 5: Bug, who's lost twenty plus pounds. 468 00:26:50,560 --> 00:26:54,320 Speaker 1: And young Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who's one hundred and 469 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:58,280 Speaker 1: two mile per hour average fastball velocity made him one 470 00:26:58,320 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 1: of the most highly touted young pitchers in the game. 471 00:27:01,240 --> 00:27:05,360 Speaker 1: Suddenly no longer could reach triple digits. Nobody knew why. 472 00:27:05,680 --> 00:27:09,720 Speaker 6: Ah, totally right now, I'm not throwing, so it's hard 473 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 6: to tell. 474 00:27:10,280 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 1: Sasaki went on the injured list indefinitely, and the vaunted 475 00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 1: Dodger's bullpen, who had played such a pivotal role in 476 00:27:18,320 --> 00:27:21,639 Speaker 1: the team's twenty twenty four championship run, couldn't seem to 477 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:22,400 Speaker 1: hold the lead. 478 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:25,600 Speaker 7: Tanner Scott blows his tenth save of the twenty twenty 479 00:27:25,680 --> 00:27:26,440 Speaker 7: five That's terrible. 480 00:27:26,480 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm having the worst year in my life, 481 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 1: so it's not fun. 482 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 4: Baseball hates me right now. 483 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:34,639 Speaker 1: As local immigrant communities are impacted by ice arrests and raids, 484 00:27:34,680 --> 00:27:37,840 Speaker 1: the local sports teams off the field, there were even 485 00:27:37,960 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 1: more stressors as some fans looked to the team for 486 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:45,520 Speaker 1: a stronger response to the ice raids. Still, the season 487 00:27:45,760 --> 00:27:51,480 Speaker 1: was studded with moments of competitive glory. The Ravine rises, 488 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:58,600 Speaker 1: longtime Dodger Clayton Kershaw recorded his three thousandth strikeout Dude sixteen. 489 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 3: It was a. 490 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 1: Historic milestone that, due to changes in the style of play, 491 00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 1: may never be reached again. And we got to see 492 00:28:08,480 --> 00:28:11,920 Speaker 1: Shohei Otani take the mound for the first time in 493 00:28:12,119 --> 00:28:15,240 Speaker 1: Dodger blue. It was a fulfillment of a promise from 494 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 1: Baseball's unicorn, who excels both as a hitter and as 495 00:28:19,080 --> 00:28:21,440 Speaker 1: a pitcher, as Babe Ruth did one hundred years ago, 496 00:28:21,760 --> 00:28:25,240 Speaker 1: and whose seven hundred million dollar contract with the Dodgers 497 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:27,920 Speaker 1: set an all time record. All he did was pitch. 498 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:31,760 Speaker 1: It didn't hit. Could be the best pitcher of baseball, 499 00:28:32,119 --> 00:28:36,160 Speaker 1: and Otani the pitcher, was electric and all the while, 500 00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:40,680 Speaker 1: the team maintained its first play status in the NL West. 501 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:44,880 Speaker 1: That is until, in what has become one of the 502 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:49,520 Speaker 1: most heated rivalries in sports, the San Diego Padres drew 503 00:28:49,680 --> 00:28:52,320 Speaker 1: blood on the ground right side. 504 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:57,680 Speaker 7: The San Diego Padres are alone atop the NL West. 505 00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:01,360 Speaker 1: With just a month left of regular season play, there 506 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 1: were no guarantees that the Dodgers would win the National 507 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:10,640 Speaker 1: League West. Recent changes to MLB's playoff format really reward 508 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:13,280 Speaker 1: not the team that's best over the course of a 509 00:29:13,400 --> 00:29:17,040 Speaker 1: full baseball season, but more the team that gets hot 510 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:21,000 Speaker 1: at the right moment. So, as August gave way to September, 511 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 1: the boys in Blue were looking for a spark to 512 00:29:24,640 --> 00:29:29,600 Speaker 1: ignite a well timed hot streak. Then, on September sixth 513 00:29:30,000 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 1: in Baltimore, in a game no Dodger fan will ever forget, 514 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 1: Dodgers ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto provided that spark, getting an 515 00:29:40,360 --> 00:29:44,920 Speaker 1: ovation an acknowledgement. But what Yamamoto can do what he 516 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:47,280 Speaker 1: has already done. There hadn't been a no hit or 517 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 1: throne during the twenty twenty five season. Yamamoto was just 518 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: one out away from completing one, but then. 519 00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:01,200 Speaker 7: Any right field hit deep back at the wall potesters 520 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 7: and wanted to go. 521 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 1: With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the 522 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 1: no hitter was dashed. The shutout too. At least the 523 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:13,320 Speaker 1: game was in the bag. The team was up three 524 00:30:13,600 --> 00:30:17,280 Speaker 1: to one with just one out to go. All the Dodgers' 525 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:21,880 Speaker 1: bullpen needed to do was record a single out rama 526 00:30:22,120 --> 00:30:30,760 Speaker 1: up the battle they couldn't tell quill star. As September continued, 527 00:30:30,960 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 1: starting pitchers returned from stints on the injured list, and 528 00:30:34,560 --> 00:30:38,840 Speaker 1: a healthy Dodgers starting rotation collectively accrued an all time 529 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 1: high strikeout rate. It was enough to carry a beleaguered bullpen, 530 00:30:43,640 --> 00:30:46,800 Speaker 1: and it felt like the team was finally starting to click. 531 00:30:47,880 --> 00:30:51,880 Speaker 1: Ground bout a third over to first. The Dodgers have 532 00:30:52,120 --> 00:30:55,840 Speaker 1: won the West. The Dodgers ended the season at ninety 533 00:30:55,960 --> 00:30:59,720 Speaker 1: three and sixty nine, just enough to win the division 534 00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:05,000 Speaker 1: for the twelfth time in thirteen years, and a star emerged, 535 00:31:05,560 --> 00:31:10,720 Speaker 1: Roki Sasaki. He'd found his triple digit velocity again. Sasaki's 536 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:14,840 Speaker 1: nickname Kaibutsu translates to the monster. 537 00:31:16,040 --> 00:31:19,160 Speaker 7: Softly and a sure bots is there. The Dodgers are 538 00:31:19,320 --> 00:31:21,640 Speaker 7: going to the National League Division Series. 539 00:31:22,040 --> 00:31:25,040 Speaker 1: The Monster became our ace in the hole, coming out 540 00:31:25,080 --> 00:31:27,480 Speaker 1: of the bullpen to close out the deciding game of 541 00:31:27,560 --> 00:31:30,760 Speaker 1: the Dodgers Wild Card Series against the Reds, and again 542 00:31:30,880 --> 00:31:34,000 Speaker 1: in the Division Series against the Phillies, a series that 543 00:31:34,160 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 1: many saw as the two best teams in baseball facing off. 544 00:31:38,120 --> 00:31:40,880 Speaker 3: I think whoever wins Dodger Philly Series, that's a World 545 00:31:40,920 --> 00:31:41,560 Speaker 3: Series champion. 546 00:31:42,040 --> 00:31:46,880 Speaker 7: Good stores, and the Dodgers are going to the Championship day. 547 00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:51,240 Speaker 1: Who cares if the Dodgers didn't play to their potential 548 00:31:51,320 --> 00:31:54,400 Speaker 1: all year long. They're getting hot at the right time. 549 00:31:56,160 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 1: Can it last? The Dodgers' opponents in the National League 550 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:04,800 Speaker 1: Championship Series, the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Dodgers every time 551 00:32:04,920 --> 00:32:08,520 Speaker 1: they met during the regular season. And if you took 552 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:11,400 Speaker 1: the Vegas odds for the Dodgers to win one hundred 553 00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:18,120 Speaker 1: and five games this year, you lost. No baseball team 554 00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:22,080 Speaker 1: has gone back to back in this millennium, but personally, 555 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:30,000 Speaker 1: I would not bet against them or CACRW. I'm Richard Parks, 556 00:32:30,440 --> 00:32:36,840 Speaker 1: the third. All right, that was it. Hope you enjoyed it. 557 00:32:37,640 --> 00:32:40,720 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening. We'll be back soon with 558 00:32:40,920 --> 00:32:45,160 Speaker 1: more Dodger Blue Dream. I can't wait to see what happens. 559 00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:54,160 Speaker 1: Dodger Blue Dream is written and produced by me Richard Parks, 560 00:32:54,280 --> 00:32:59,400 Speaker 1: the Third. My co host is Chef wes Avula. Original 561 00:32:59,520 --> 00:33:04,160 Speaker 1: music in this episode by William Ryan Fritch, Jonathan Snipes 562 00:33:04,560 --> 00:33:08,959 Speaker 1: and by me. This episode was story edited by Caitlin Esh. 563 00:33:09,480 --> 00:33:13,920 Speaker 1: Production assistance from Tyler Hill. Dodger Blue Dream is produced 564 00:33:13,960 --> 00:33:18,640 Speaker 1: in partnership with iheart's my Cultura podcast network. For more 565 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:23,320 Speaker 1: podcasts from iHeart, visit the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or 566 00:33:23,760 --> 00:33:26,040 Speaker 1: wherever you listen to your favorite shows.