The Mariners really are about to head back to Seattle having taken two from the Jays in Toronto. That was always the best case scenario but I didn't figure the Blue Jays were gonna make it that simple for them. Trey Yesavage worked the last few times, yet here the M's had no problem with him. Wild!
The fact that the Mariners scored TEN RUNS against the team that was batting around the Yankees like it was no problem last week is insane to me. And that it's coming from all over the lineup. Naylor, Julio and Polanco are responsible for some big power moments, but how about J.P. Crawford? Dude knocked in 2 RBIs in the 6th and 7th around all the chaos. The Jays got only 5 hits off of Logan Gilbert, for 3 runs, and couldn't do a damn thing against the Mariners' bullpen. You can see Guerrero quieting down again. It's really down to guys like Nathan Lukes right now, and if the Jays wanna stay in this, they need the full-team effort that was the edge over the Yanks.
Cause if not, this'll be their third ALCS in less than 15 years that they won't be able to get past. Even if this team is still young, you want to take these opportunities. The Mariners, meanwhile, look good and hopefully will get even better once the rested starters kick in.
So this is gonna be very controversial, but...even if the Dodgers still won that game, I think the moral victory still goes to Milwaukee. For a couple reasons. Firstly, all anyone's gonna be talking about is that Sal Frelick throw to home for a double play. That's one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. Secondly, the only runs the Dodgers scored came on a solo home run and a bases-loaded walk. And thirdly, the game ended on a bases-loaded strikeout from the Brewers' best contact hitter. The Dodgers got lucky. They won a game like this against the Phils where they sort of figured out a lead and the Phils let them. Tonight it happened again.
What's very important is that the troubles for the Dodgers began, once again, when the starting pitcher left the game. Blake Snell had a beautiful night, he only allowed 1 hit in 8 innings, and struck out 10. Perfect stuff. But once they bring in Sasaki, then Chourio sac-flies a run home, two runners are on, then Treinen walks Wild Bill. You saw the Dodgers avoiding their bullpen at all costs before, and this is why. The Brewers can figure out the Dodgers' bullpen, and with a single reversal of fate, or maybe a centimeter or so over, Turang could have ended the game a different way. It was a very relieving end to the game for the Dodgers. If that's an HBP, Andrew Vaughn comes up with the bases loaded, tie game, and then things get interesting. Cause he's just gotta put it in play, and he can do that now that he's out of Chicago.
So this tells me that the series is gonna be very tight, and the Brewers ultimately have the Dodgers' number, and can make it unbearably scary for a team that wants everyone to think it's got it all figured out. I still think they can turn things around and make for some really close games throughout this. It's not settled yet, and the Dodgers are only gonna make it a runaway if they continue to keep this lineup at bay.
Game 2 in Milwaukee tomorrow will be interesting. Assuming Peralta's up, or possibly even Quintana.
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