The two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 3 of the NLCS Wednesday evening in Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are trailing the Brewers 2-0 in the best-of-seven series, meaning the Dodgers need to win four of their next five games or their season is over. The champs are on the ropes, no doubt, as this is an uphill battle.
In MLB playoff history, teams falling behind 2-0 are 16-79 in their series. Given all we've heard so often all season that the Dodgers winning the World Series is so inevitable, it might seem weird to see them with such steep odds. And though I'm sticking with my prediction from the last six weeks (or more) that the Brewers will win the World Series, it would be beyond foolish to count the Dodgers out.
First off, they are going home -- and that's always good. The Brewers were seven games worse on the road in the regular season and went 1-1 in San Diego last round compared to their 4-0 playoff record in American Family Field. Plus, the Dodgers haven't been home since Oct. 4.
It'll feel nice to have that familiarity. Here are four more reasons the Dodgers can come back and win the NLCS. First things first, it's clear that Ohtani is hurt.
He's been dealing with knee and biceps injuries since July and has struggled mightily at the plate since the middle of August. He's now 3 for 20 with seven strikeouts and zero extra-base hits in the playoffs and the Dodgers have thought about benching him -- but he will start as usual in Game 3. He also continues to be insistent that he isn't hurt that badly and can soon figure things out at the plate.
Who are we to doubt Shohei Freaking Ohtani? If things do all of a sudden click at the plate for the four-time MVP, it changes everything for this Dodgers lineup. Last postseason alone, he had three doubles, a triple, eight home runs, 14 RBI and 13 runs in 17 games with a 1.096 OPS.
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