The Dodgers walked a record 42 times over six games in the NLCS, and they drew another six walks, including three of the leadoff variety, in Game 3 of the World Series. The half dozen free passes helped them reach the brink of their first full-season World Series championship since 1988 with a 4-2 Monday night win in The Bronx.
Instead of chasing the golden trophy flanked with pennants, the Dodgers have let the ultimate victory come to them with patience at the plate.
Shohei Ohtani’s presence at the plate alone changes the decisions made in the game for the opposing manager, even while dealing with a subluxation in his left shoulder. Ohtani remained in the lineup in his regular leadoff slot as the designated hitter for Game 3 of the World Series. He opened the game with a walk and scored on Freddie Freeman’s two-run home run.
Ohtani didn’t swing at all in his first plate appearance, and Clarke Schmidt walked him on four pitches. Although blatantly compromised, Ohtani was still able to do his job and get on base.
The Dodgers offense cashed in Ohtani’s lead off walk to start Game 3. The bats were also able to take advantage of another leadoff walk in the top of the third. Tommy Edman, NLCS MVP, continued to add to his Dodgers’ postseason lore when he scored on a soft Mookie Betts single to Juan Soto to give the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
Wasted walks and opportunities were aplenty on Monday. The Dodgers squandered two subsequent walks in the inning when Will Smith grounded out with the bases loaded.
Gavin Lux drew the Dodgers’ third lead off walk of Game 3 in the top of the fourth, but he canceled out his base on balls when he was thrown out at home to end the inning. The Dodgers also frittered away another potential run-scoring opportunity when they stranded Betts after he drew a walk with one out.
It’s not a shocker that the two teams that earned their way to the World Series both led their respective leagues in walks.
The Dodgers led the NL with 602 walks with a 9.6-percent walk rate during the regular season and 11.7 percent this postseason. The Dodgers have drawn 64 walks this postseason, including nine in the World Series.
The Dodgers have put the pressure on the Yankees in the first three games of this historic World Series matchup with discipline. They have forced New York to pitch in the zone. When they have missed, the Dodgers have been successful in taking advantage and scoring runs.
Game 3 didn’t have a specific hero, but they worked the counts and did their job to get on base for the next guy. Their fortitude paved the way to their third straight World Series win over the Yankees.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explained to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com during the NLCS what makes this Dodgers team so good:
“I think it’s a deep lineup, but the biggest thing is they’re going to force you in the zone. They’re not going to chase. When you do come in the zone, you have to execute. Because if not, they’re going to make you pay.”
The Dodgers have used this strategy over the season, and they have found success despite a deluge of injuries. The players have picked each other up, and their positive team comradery was no doubt a contributing factor to their dominance.
The Dodgers still should remain focused and patient at the plate and in the field if they want to complete the mission at hand and walk away World Series champions.
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