Dodgers: Team Takes the Wild West to Philly

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 24: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides safely into home plate as Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies applies the tag after throwing a wild pitch in the first inning during a game at Citizens Bank Park on July 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Last night the Dodgers and Phillies competed in a wild 16-inning game, which saw a multitude of unforeseen lineup changes.

What just happened? That’s what I have been asking myself ever since this game hit extra innings. Though the Dodgers did not leave the field victorious, last night’s game was a wild one.

In 16 innings, this game saw 18 pitchers total. It saw 9 pitchers on each side, leaving the bullpens empty. It saw a super-utility player live up to his name, and make his first career pitching appearance.

This game began with two of the strongest pitchers in the NL squaring off; Aaron Nola and Kenta Maeda. Nola pitched well, giving up 3 runs in five innings. Kenta Maeda pitched about the same, giving up 4 runs in 7 innings.

The game was tied heading into the 10th inning but was far from over. See, I was watching from LA. By the time the game ended, it was a little after 10 PM. I did not have to look at the clock feel a little bit dazed like I imagine the fans, and players in Philadelphia were doing.

Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they were wide awake with the energy radiating out of Citizens Bank Park.

Here’s what I do know, Kiké Hernandez now has a major league ERA. After Tuesday, the one position this guy hasn’t played is catcher. Sure, he got the loss, but after a game like that, it doesn’t sting as much.

The Dodgers have had trouble with extra innings in the past. One of the reasons they differ from the type of team they were last season is because they seem to be leaving a lot of men on base in clutch situations. One of the worst feelings in this game, as a fan or even as a player, is looking back at all the missed opportunities. Granted, if a team leaves 10 men on base, they can’t be upset that they didn’t get all those guys in.

I like to think about LOB like a player’s batting average. They aren’t going get a hit every single time they walk up to the plate, but even getting a hit 3/10 times is great. You can’t always score those hypothetical 10 runs, but even 3 of them would make a difference.

It would have in this game.

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That said, the Dodgers fought hard, and you can’t fault them for that. As did the Phillies, who emerged with the victory.

At the end of the day, this game was a classic, and it will remain a classic, no matter the final score.

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