Former Dodgers broadcaster Ross Porter analyzes the Game 2 win over the Cardinals
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The Times is pleased to have Ross Porter providing analysis for us after each Dodgers playoff game this postseason. Ross was a Dodger broadcaster for 28 seasons (1977-2004) and is a member of the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He will provide analysis after Dodger playoff games. You can visit Ross’ website at www.realsportsheroes.com
Matt Holliday is one of the classiest players in baseball. That is why it’s sad that he joined the all-time list of baseball goats when he misplayed what should have been the final out in a 2-1 Cardinal victory that would have evened the series. At the same time you have to admire the Dodgers for rallying after their first two batters were retired in the ninth inning. It’s no accident that they have won more games in their final at-bat than any other team this season. Another good guy, Mark Loretta, had been 0 for 15 lifetime against Ryan Franklin when he singled in the winning run.
With two of the three best starting pitchers in the National League, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, unable to win at Dodger Stadium this week, I don’t know how St. Louis recovers from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five series even though Game 3, and perhaps Game 4, will be at home. This was a killer loss when all Holliday had to do was catch the ball. The Cardinals have lost 10 of their last 12 games, 16 of 23, and must count on Joel Pineiro to keep them alive Saturday. Under Tony La Russa, St. Louis is 6-1 in the first round of the playoffs, but is in deep trouble now.
It’s been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. When a pitcher is doing as well as Wainwright was, why take him out after eight innings? Yes, I know he had thrown 109 pitches, and had a rocky eighth inning, but why not let the 19-game winner start the ninth and see if he can get three outs? If the leadoff man gets on, then take him out. Managers have this mind-set that they must bring their closer in to begin the ninth inning. It’s not a fool-proof theory.
After Holliday’s second home run in his last 80 plate appearances put the Redbirds ahead, 1-0 in the second inning, the next two batters reached safely. With runners at first and second and no one out, a two- or three-run disadvantage for the Dodgers might have been fatal the way Adam was pitching. However, Mark DeRosa was not asked to sacrifice and struck out. La Russa had a good reason to make that decision. Left-handed hitting Colby Rasmus and Wainwright were up next against impressive southpaw Clayton Kershaw. Rasmus grounded into a double play to end the threat. Talk about the Cardinals hitting out of sync. In the seventh inning of a 1-1 tie, DeRosa singled and Rasmus doubled him home, but was caught trying to go to third for the first out.
Since the wildcard format was introduced to the postseason in 1995, the team with the best record has lost more than half of all playoff series----48 of 95.
Ross was a Dodgers broadcaster for 28 seasons (1977-2004) and is a member of the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He will provide analysis after Dodgers playoff games. You can visit Ross’ website at www.realsportsheroes.com
Top Photo: Matt Holliday reacts after dropping a fly ball in the ninth inning. Credit: Kirby Lee, U.S. Presswire.
Inset photo: Ross Porter, courtesy of Ross Porter.