Failure?  Maybe not, but definitely a waste of a perfect opportunity.  All season, the Dodgers had shown themselves to be the cream of the crop of Major League Baseball by consistently steam rolling one opponent after the other.  They set a team record with 104 wins, swept division rival Arizona in the division series, avenged last season’s loss to the Cubs in the NLCS, and seemed primed to do away with the Astros in the Fall Classic.  But I guess that’s why they play the game.

After game 1 of the World Series, and through the first 7 innings of game 2, it seemed like we were going to crown the Dodgers as this season’s champs.  Kershaw was lights out in game 1 and while Rich Hill didn’t make it past the 4^th inning in game 2, the bullpen was looking strong and looked to be on its way to holding home field as they would go to Houston for the next 3 games.  But the Astros had something to say about that.

Many point to this game as the turning point in the series.  Many, including myself think that the pro-analytic mind-set of Manager, Dave Roberts proved to be what ultimately helped the Astros win, and the Dodgers lose.

All season Roberts utilized his bullpen masterfully.  There’s a phrase that if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.  If it was so effective during the regular season why couldn’t it work during the post season?  At some point you have to throw analytics and stats out the window and use your gut to squeeze out a win.  Why pull Rich Hill after the 4^th inning of game 2 when he had only given up 1 run on 3 hits?  Why use your primary set up man in the 7^th inning and then lean on your closer to get the last 6 outs (which he had not done all season)?  This overuse/mis-use of a dominant pitching staff is what ultimately cost the Dodgers their first world title in 29 years.

While it was just one game, it ultimately set the stage for an epic collapse that could not be stopped.  There’s such a thing as going to the well too often.  Think about it.  If you’re using the same guys out of the pen every night, and they’re pitching to the same hitters, they’re gonna get accustomed to what, and how they throw.   It’s like watching the same movie every night and expecting a different ending.

The Dodgers deserved better, after all, they were the best team in baseball all year.  In the end, what got them to the doorstep is ultimately what hurt them the most.