Before the Toronto Blue Jays took down the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11-4, during Game 1 of the World Series, there was a certain David vs. Goliath narrative circulating.
Although an unfair comparison to both the 94-win Blue Jays and 93-win Dodgers, manager John Schneider shot down the narrative ahead of the Fall Classic.
More news: Dave Roberts Sends Message to Dodgers Bullpen After World Series Game 1 Blowup
“Sure. Two best teams left standing. Again, built differently, have different strengths,” Schneider said. “There’s a reason we are here and there’s a reason they’re there. I think the one thing we cannot do is look over there and say that is Goliath. That is a beatable baseball team that has its flaws, and that has its really, really good strengths. How we expose each of them will determine who wins the series. And I got all the confidence in the world in my guys.”
Toronto exposed LA’s flaws, to say the least.
Manager Dave Roberts also remarked on the narrative, first clarifying which team would be which mythical character, when asked if his Dodgers are the ‘Goliath.’
“Or David. I mean, hey, they’re from the East, and that’s the AL East,” Roberts said.
“Yeah, you know what? We got really good players, they got really good players. So the great thing about baseball is anything can happen. It’s going to be a great series. These guys are on a high right now, so we’re expecting a battle. So we certainly don’t see it that way.”
History isn’t on the Dodgers side during the Fall Classic. Each of the four previous matchups where one LCS round went seven games and the other is a sweep has gone to the team that went seven games.
Roberts recently noted that he was excited for his pitchers to get so much added rest ahead of the Fall Classic, but at least in Snell’s case, he was far from the dominance he has displayed so far in October.
However, the Dodgers struck back in Game 2 of the World Series with Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching a complete game, his second consecutive complete game in the postseason. The series heads back to LA for the next three games, the first of which takes place Monday Oct. 26 at Dodger Stadium.
More news: Braves Could Poach Dodgers Coach to Be Next Manager
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Have you downloaded the new Dodgers Nation app yet? Click here for Apple Users and here for Android Users to be a part of the redesigned app to give fans everything they need, all in one place. Don’t miss out on live GameCast with play-by-play, news and analysis, Dodgers Nation podcasts and videos, all the stats you want and more!
One Response
I think both of these World Series managers are correct. The team which performs better will eventually win this World Series. I am a Dodger fan so I of course am rooting for the Dodgers. But don’t expect it to be easy. The Blue Jays are a formidable team. Also, too much rest I feel is the reason Snell didn’t pitch well. When players are use to a tighter schedule they perform better. The Dodgers clinched early an the Blue Jays had to go a full 7. Just my take. Still GO DODGERS!