Your Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NLCS for the 5th time in the past 9 years last night, led by Shohei Ohtani, who had “the best game ever” by a major league baseball player as he pitched six innings, striking out 10 and allowing just two hits and no runs for the win… Oh, and he also hit three home runs! I think it’s the most incredible game ever by a major league baseball player. PERIOD! FULL STOP! His “average” exit velocity was 115.6 MPH!
Now, we wait to find out who they play in the World Series. Home field made no difference in the NLCS, and it doesn’t in the World Series as well. This team has “flipped the switch” and is in Beast Mode. It does not appear that they can be stopped… barring some strange “crapshoot.”
It’s been said in other ways……. I ask it as a question.
How is this NOT the best time to be a Dodgers fan?
Of course it is… unless you are a grumpy old man!
WORD
Why single out grumpy old men? Aren’t grumpy old folks allowed to believe this is the best time to be a Dodgers fan? 😉
Heavy favorites in 2026 as well
No doubt.
How can this team be improved?
Not that I think it could happen… but Pete Crow-Armstrong, an LA boy, would look good in CF.
You can say that again purpoiseboy. Not only that… but being a Ram’s fan feels pretty damn good too. The Dodgers with their outstanding efforts to spend money and market their team had a whopping $752 million in income in 2024. How loud do you think the screams would be from fans and the player’s union if we had a $200 million roster ????? Suck it Dodger haters.
never better time! Ok , ohtani is on another level, planet, non human, etc. . Something i saw last night really struck me. Tommy Edman is swinging the crap out of the bat. He didn’t have the results to show for it but, he’s looking great at the plate! His ankle seems to be fine. He’s really focused at the plate. He could be really important in the world series!!…. Let’s not overlook the job Alex Vesia did last night! MONEY!!…. Banda is so important in that bullpen…… Sasaki looks great!! Maybe he wants that job full time!! He’s got the stuff! …. Clayton was so happy and funny in post game interview! Seems as if he would like to pitch somewhere in the series, but also seems ok if he doesn’t. Class act for sure! …. Not saying they can’t be beaten, but boy it doesn’t look like it! These celebrations never get old! … Good for Doc calling out all the naysayers who claim the dodgers are ruining baseball! Check the numbers! The billionaire owners who own the mid and small market teams get that moniker! SPEND. some of that dusty money!!! …. Last thing. The brewers bullpen is filthy! I don’t believe the dodgers will see that good of pitching in the world series. Not saying either team doesn’t have good pitchers, they do. But for 4 games the dodgers saw some of the best pitching you could find. Only problem was, the dodgers had 4 # ones and a bullpen that had something to prove!
To all the morons who think it was dumb to bring in Treinen:
Doc knows that he will need Blake… or someone like him in the next round.
He was trying to get him some confidence back.
The fact that it didn’t work is not a dumb move. It just means that you are dumb, if you don’t get it.
Forest, trees
Now that Trenien is “fixed”, we can start stressing about Scott, since, chances are, he will now be back for the WS. But who sits out the WS to make room for him?
Personally, I am not going to worry about it
I am on the Radiance outta Long Beach going to Hawaii where I is had the best time with a group of Dodgers fans in the Hero’s Bar while sailing the Baja. What a wonderful way to watch the Blue win the NLCS!
I thought I witnessed the greatest game performance by Shohei last September in Florida during his historic 50/50 night, I was wrong!
He just can’t be human and what’s next? 4 more wins and lets not forget the pitching, the defense, timely hits, those dogs in that bullpen, and a guy they call Doc! I’ve always loved the Dodgers, they were my first love cause my parents were from Brooklyn and taught me right from wrong, case closed. GO DODGERS
Hoping for the Mariners to beat Toronto so we get home field advantage in the World Series with Games 1 and 2 in LA next Friday and Saturday.
We are proudly the Evil Empire of the West Coast . We are the BEST run organization in ALL sports because we have owners who spend and invest their money wisely on the right players and far more important they want to win. Never better a time to be a Dodger fan.
Nothing evil about success
I agree ,but some of the owners don’t see it that way. They rather line their pockets and not put a product that’s watchable or entertaining on the field.. To name a few the Prates ,Rockies, Chi Sox and Nationals. There Will be a work stoppage after the upcoming 2026 season with the owners attempt at a salary cap which will ultimately fail. It could be a long drawn out affair which could shorten Spring Training in 2027.
While Treinen wasn’t sharp, he did get an impressive SO to keep things under control a bit. A harder hit ball on Banda would have resulted in a DP and a shutout.
While still not where he was last year he is trending upward.
Also, kudo’s to Banda for 2 great appearances.
As Mark says – we will need him again.
Mark, I’m sorry but it is time for you to ask forgiveness. Take a good look at Saski on the mound next time. You are going to have to take back all that you have said about mouth breathers
I thought they traded the Mouth Breather. Do we have another one?
He’s saying Sasaki is a mouth breather…. I don’t know. Definitely not up to Caleb Ferguson’s level.
At least they’re athletes and not regular professionals.
Ohtani should take BP outside all the time.
What a game by Shohei. This has to the best performance by a baseball player that I have ever witnessed. Masterful performance!
In terms of the Dodgers running baseball, I argue that owners who refuse to invest on free agents and/or trade away their star players do more harm to the sport than teams who actually invest in order to field a competitive team.
Major league owners are somewhat spoiled. They’re assigned markets that are shielded from direct competition but fail to consider one key thing, they own businesses in the entertainment industry. The formula is simple. If they wish to compete, their organizations need to invest on resources. If they want to attract fans, they must put forth a product that fans will pay to watch.
MLB owners remind me of the American auto industry leading up to the 1980’s. It took successfully automakers like Toyota, Nissan, etc. to force American automakers out of their comfort zone.
If MLB owners are unable to compete in the current arena, they must sell their teams to those who are able to. Fans want to be entertained. Many teams fail to produce a product on the field that is competitive and entertaining.
Everybody, I was WRONG, WRONG, WRONG about the Dodgers this season . I thought thry would not make it through the post season with the bull pin they had. ( oh, by the way , is it bullpin of bollpin?) These Dodgers are GREAT! Congradulations Guys! Everyone was fantastic ! WOW! Shohei Ohtani!! Pitching 10 Ks
AND hitting THREE homeruns in the same game? Am I dreaming? OK, but the job isnt over. 4 more wins!!
Thank you, MW. Come over from the Darkside!
It bears repeating: Shohei’s performance came against the team with the most wins in baseball.
the mouth breather comment made me think about Dustin May and how much hope i had for him. 97-99 fastball, long and lean, lots of promise! who knows if he’ll ever live up to all the hype about him, but if his time in Boston so far is any indication of what’s to come, AF should be ashamed of himself for doing that to the Red sox again!! A big power hitting outfielder? Shame on you Friedman. And speaking of AF, i didn’t realize how short he is!!! Guess size doesn’t matter as a Brainy GM!!! … Side note. The Kyle Tucker talk won’t stop. If the money works, he’ll be playing right field for the Los Angeles Dodgers next season! He can make it happen if he wants to be a Dodger. Why wouldn’t he?
May has the physical talent but not the mental toughness to succeed.
Yeah, he tried to commit suicide with lettuce.
Speaking of May, the Dodgers got Zach Erhard, who is an RH outfielder who can play all three positions. He started the season at High A and ended up at AA. For the year, he hit .272 with a .374 OB% and a .814 OPS in 538 ABs. He hit 30 doubles and 14 HR while stealing 37 bases and being caught only 4 times. He is ranked #27 in the Dodgers system. He’s an ideal 4th or 5th outfielder and could supplant Justin Dean.
However, James Tibbs III was the frontliner in the May trade. He is a year older than Erhard and is LH. In 457 AB’s A, A+, and AA, he hit .243 with a .373 OB% and a .801 OPS. He had 20 HR and walked 90 times while striking 120 times. He was part of the Devers trade. He is projected as a solid offensive RFer.
Another BRILLIANT trade by AF and BG. The Dodgers weren’t signing May when he became a free agent or offering him a qualifying offer.
You know we kinda fleeced the Rays again in that Feduccia trade too. We gave em Hunter for catcher Rortvedt, and where would we be without two weeks of Ben handling our pitching staff ? A 6’8″ fireballer named Paul Gervase with pretty good stats from Tampa… along with quite possibly the real gem Adam Serwinowski from the Reds. A left hander, very comparable to Jackson Ferris. What a haul, for a third string catcher with no future in LA. . Andrew has an incredible ability of dealing for very useful parts for basically discarded parts.
For the life of me, I can’t see how that Tucker report makes sense.
Michael Norris, aka/Bear, reported that his son’s fiancée had died and he is headed to the funeral.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael and his family!
Thanks Mark, the funeral will probably be in about a week from now. They are waiting for some of her family to arrive. Pulling for Toronto to win tonight and force a game seven.
Never had a fiancée die, but I did have a wife die. I imagine it’s similar… and it’s hard. My oldest son was 8 when she died, and he’s never gotten over it. It was 30 years ago. My condolences!
may her memory be a blessing
Deepest condolences, Bear
So sorry to read this news, Bear. Condolences.
Our condolences Bear
sorry Bear. sad news never comes easy. may God bless your family.
After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman,
Not the grief of a child
And you learn to build all your roads on today,
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers
And you learn that you really can endure…
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth,
and you learn and learn…
With every goodbye you learn.
Someone asked me who I was rooting for the Dodgers to play in the World Series.
My answer: “It doesn’t matter!”
Me too
Seattle at least we know early. HFA and no Vlad.
Toronto seems inconsistent. Maybe not as good pitching.
A little Buffalo Springfield ‘For what it’s Worth’ Muncy can be back on a cheap team option, the rest of the infield including catcher is set. The Dodgers have to figure out if they want to bring back Rojas and Kike, my thoughts are the Dodgers should bring those two back. Teo is signed for another year. We have a glut of young talented outfielders knocking on the door. The Dodgers have to believe of all those outfielders one should be real good and some others good MLB outfielders. Are the Dodgers going to keep Smith as a backstop or start transitioning him to another position perhaps third. This move will help decide what the Dodgers are going to do with Rushing. Our starting pitching should be outstanding and deep (it’s never to deep) and who knows with the bullpen. I’ve stated all the prior to get to this statement, although Tucker was not on the MLB Astros when they cheated their way to a very tainted World Series win (they shouldn’t have been in the World Series) Tucker still smells to much like an Astro. I realize that very narrow thinking on my part but I like to shoot my bullets straight.
The only way the Dodgers lose the World Series is if they beat themselves. The Dodgers are too talented to lose unless they kick the ball around, don’t throw strikes, and the hitters go numb. That could happen but I don’t think the veteran team will allow it.
Teo is signed for 2 more years with a club option for 2028
The AL is playing for the pennant. The fat lady has already sang and what the AL winner hopes for is to simply not to be swept. Odds probably favor Dodgers sweeping. I don’t see either AL team looking dangerous even though this is baseball. This has to be the biggest unmatched championship ever even imagined. Please somone look up Vegas oods and post. I doubt a bet could be placed. But it is baseball.
Kalshi says:
https://kalshi.com/markets/kxmlb/world-series/kxmlb-25
Vegas says:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are now the -210 favorite in BetMGM’s World Series futures odds, moving further into minus-money territory.
well, sure…. Shohei was great…
But I once pitched my Dodgers to victory while hitting three home runs.
I was 8 or 9, and this was in the Pee Wees. And yeah, every “home run” featured a couple of errors.
I still remember my final AB, going for my fourth homer.
I hit a scorching line drive. Just clobbered it.
And the tallest kid in my class, Ron Lind, stuck his glove in the air and robbed me.
And now the Blue Jays and Mariners are tied 3-3. So which team should be root for?
With a Mariners victory, the Dodgers claim homefield advantage. And that would be nice.
And so a Blue Jays victory, I think, would create a more difficult path to another championship. I’m good with a tougher gauntlet.
In a way, this is a win-win.
I kinda like 2 away then 3 home.
The plan is to not need the last two.
Give me the extra home game….if needed….
Stumbled upon a YouTube video with this headline:
“Brewers Fan Reacts to Milwaukee Brewers vs. LA Dodgers Game 4”
I was the usual higlight reel with the image of a somewhat nerdy-looking guy in the corner, wearing Brewers gear and a glum expression, offering sparse commentary, as when Shohei slugged his third HR.
“No,” he said softly. “No.”
After the final out was recorded, he removed his cap and Yelich jersey, slapping it over and over again in frustration against his chair. The followed a soliliquy on the angst of rooting for the Brewers, and how soon he’d be suffering from memes and wisecracks about the sweep, labeling his team as chokers, et cetera, et cetera.
Yes, it’s so much better to be a Dodgers fan.
Posted on the YARDBARKER:
“If the Rays gave Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow what they wanted, they wouldn’t be Dodgers
If the Red Sox gave Mookie what he wanted, he wouldn’t be a Dodger
If the Angels gave Ohtani what he wanted, he wouldn’t be a Dodger
If the Braves gave Freddie Freeman what he wanted, he wouldn’t be a Dodger
Cheap owners created the environment for a super team like the Dodgers to exist. Salary cap doesn’t stop those owners from being cheap”.
I think the fact that the owners refuse to “open the books” even in heated financial negotiations says it all.
Quas. good you’re back! But. let’s pump the brakes a wee bit on a sweep. I know the dodgers are better. But even Snell and Yamamoto have had bad games this season. While the oddsmakers have the Dodgers heavy favorites over either team, this is baseball. I’m torn between which team i would prefer them to play! home field is the preferred option. I don’t mind being the road team either. i said in an earlier post, win at least one of two in toronto, finish it in LA! While the pitching Milwaukee had was mostly bullpen, i think it was tougher than what they will seee in series with whoever they play. The offense will probably get better in the series, especially if seattle is the opponent. If it’s Toronto, i have to admit, Max S. could be a factor. He seems to have gotten a second wind. neither team has the bullpen the Brewers possess. Vlad is raking. The Big Dumper is scary! Julio R. maybe a little overrated. Arozarena is not the same guy we saw with Tampa bay. Polanco is good. A Kirk is a bowling ball with a good bat! In the end, if dodger pitchers are still cooking, Dodgers will win it again! I’m just not convinced it will be a sweep! But i’ll be very happy to be wrong!!
Exactly!
If we think we are going to win in 3 or 4 games , then we want to start on the road
Hard to win it in three
So… tomorrow, I have surgery on my left arm, which is 90% numb.
It’s only an hour and I’ll come home the same day.
I’m looking forward to getting the feeling back in my arm.
Finally, my back is coming up.
At 8 weeks, my shoulder is getting close to perfect.
This is the year of surgeries. Next year…. golf and pickleball!
Myself and my management team:
Good luck on the surgery.
I have my 1st of two shoulders surgeries next month so good to know that after 8-weeks yours is doing so well.
After reading this blog for years it is obvious you subscribe to the one theory that the best leaders always surround themselves with with intelligent, high energy and moralistic people.
Thanks again for keeping this blog going when you have so many other things that you could be doing.
Dodgers Versus Blue Jays
Toronto will be a challenge because of their lineup.
Yes
There is one player who, no matter who wins, is guaranteed a championship ring… Buddy Kennedy
Springer went to toronto to escape from the aaaaastros! may he never win another championship! Dodgers can give him a dose of fastballs under his chin! Now that i’ve said that, should be a good series. Toronto is a viable opponent that won’t be taken lightly. It is a must to win at least one game in toronto. Who stays on the roster and who doesn’t? Did hear om mlb this morning Bichette might be added to the roster. His defense isn’t that good now, but his bat would be a big addition to an already potent lineup. The key i believe? Keep the bases empty ahead of Vladdy. minimize his damage. And toronto’s lefties aren’t the same as Milwaukee. I see Dodgers in 6. 5 would be better!!!
We all have to remember that Ohtoni hurt his shoulder in the NLCS against the Mets and Muncy was a NO show with his bat against the Yankees in last year’s World Series and we still won 4 out of 5 games. Hopefully both participate with big offensive numbers this year.
Just a quick correction. Ohtani hurt his shoulder in game 2 of the World Series.
You are correct.
OK, Tomorrow it will be 8 weeks since shoulder surgery on my right arm.
I had carpal tunnel surgery on the left wrist today, and ulnar nerve surgery on the elbow today. The shoulder is doing amazing. The other arm is TBD!
Mark,
How did your body get so f***ked up?
Arthur….
Ritis!
At least no cancer, heart disease. Just compromised orthopedics.
Well that, and I played City League Basketball until I was 42 AND Softball until I was 56. I beat the hell out of my body.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced his starting pitchers for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Blake Snell will pitch Game 1, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto getting Game 2.