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The Dodgers are Doing What the Phillies Couldn’t: Walk

Luke Arcaini

By Luke Arcaini

Published:

Oct 17, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the New York Mets in the sixth inning during game four of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

The Dodgers have completely taken control of the National League Championship Series, steamrolling the Mets on Thursday night 10-2. The “magical Mets run” (lol) is now one loss away from ending.

All I’ve done while watching these games is just continue to get more and more mad at the Phillies. The formula was there, and the Dodgers obviously have the answers to this Mets pitching staff that the Phillies didn’t: don’t chase.

If you looked up the most-used word on Phillies twitter the last ten days, it would easily be “chase,” and rightfully so. That’s all the Phillies did the entire NLDS. They were undisciplined at the plate and made the Mets’ job about as easy as it could possibly be.

The Dodgers took some notes, or maybe they’re just a disciplined baseball team with veterans that don’t bite in the big moment. The Dodgers have drawn 30 walks off of Mets pitching in the first four games of the NLCS, while the Phillies walked just 16 times in the 4 games of the NLDS.

I don’t want to make things worse (it can’t get much worse than the Phillies’ performance), but if you take away Game 4, they walked just 11 times in the first 3 games.

Phillies Walks in NLDS (4 Games)

  • Bryce Harper: 5
  • Rest of Phillies Roster: 11

In addition to working counts, the Dodgers are also hitting 1 to 9. They’re getting production from guys like Max Muncy, Kiké Hernandez, Tommy Edman, and more. One guy can’t carry you to a World Series, and the Dodgers are showing that. Edman leads the team in hits. Muncy and Hernandez are in the top three on the team in slugging percentage. Those three guys are the top three leaders in batting average for the postseason.

The league wants Dodgers vs. Yankees, and that’s probably what they’re going to get. The Dodgers hold a 3-1 lead, and the Yankees hold a 2-1 lead. Would I do bad things for a Yankees collapse? Absolutely. What a moment for Big Christmas and David Fry on Thursday night.

Do you believe in miracles?

Luke Arcaini
Luke Arcaini

Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com

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