Evaluator Says Dodgers Could ‘ Do Damage’ In Postseason
Arriving to this point certainly hasn’t been easy for the Dodgers. They’ve battled injuries to multiple regular starters — including recurring issues with Hanley Ramirez — and subpar contributions from key players.
According to ESPN LA’s Mark Saxon, one talent evaluator said the Dodgers’ lack of chemistry may in fact be an issue:
One talent evaluator who has been shadowing the Los Angeles Dodgers for the past several days noted the team’s body language in recent games and wondered whether tales of the team’s lack of chemistry might be entirely apt.
The comments came after the Dodgers were embroiled in headlines due to Matt Kemp’s dugout altercation with Yasiel Puig. While the evaluator seemed open to the notion of there being chemistry issues, he added the Dodgers would be dangerous in the postseason:
They’re so darn talented, you could still see them getting in [the postseason] and doing some damage.”
The Dodgers went on to win three of four games against the Chicago Cubs and were an eighth-inning collapse from sweeping the series. They also endured a “bullpen game” Sunday, which allowed them to push back Dan Haren’s start to Monday.
As for a perceived lack of comradery, the Dodgers hold the best road record in the Majors. While that doesn’t necessarily correlate to having a close-knit team, their record away from Chavez Ravine where there are less distractions and you’re more dependent on your teammates, isn’t something to ignore.
With six games remaining on their regular season schedule, the Dodgers are positioned well to repeat as division champions. Should the overall National League standings hold true up to the start of postseason play, the Dodgers would have a leg up on last year as they would have home-field advantage in the NLDS.