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Before Game 5 of the National League Championship SeriesBill Shaikin of the Times quoted Dave Roberts as saying, “there is a sense of urgency.” It doesn’t appear that Roberts’ rules were followed, as the Dodgers’ mastermind allowed Jack Flaherty to allow eight runs in just three innings.
Yes, the Dodgers’ starting pitching staff has been decimated, but the relievers have been outstanding and should have been called up much sooner. This was reminiscent of the Dodgers allowing Chan Ho Park to face Fernando Tatis for the second time (in the third inning) in April 2004, and Tatis hit two grand slams. Let’s hope the Dodgers win one of the next two possible games against the Mets and advance to the World Series, but anything can happen.
Ken Feldman
tarzana
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With Jack Flaherty pitching, I expected the Dodgers to win Game 5, so I intended to send them an email saying that good pitching wins championships, but the Dodgers lost 12-6, so now I have to postpone that pronouncement.
David Hardenberg
Westwood
Bulletin Board Material
Times columnist Bill Plaschke is the worst thing that has ever happened to sports journalism. It may be an award winner, but when it comes to predicting winners, it’s the “kiss of death.” His call that “the Dodgers They are insurance to finish off the Mets” is going down as the worst of all time. He’s been wrong about every team in Los Angeles and let’s hope the Dodgers don’t make him look like the fool he is.
Jay Slater
Los Angeles
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Bill, stop making predictions about the Dodgers. Last week, you wrote about the bullpen’s streak of shutout innings ending. You write in Friday’s edition that the Dodgers are the favorites for the World Series and then lose Game 5. Maybe you should fast forward to the Lakers’ season and write your semi-annual article about how LeBron James needs to be traded.
Rob Demonteverde
Pitch
Playing through the pain
Freddie Freeman, you are a warrior! In a league where guys take time off for things like “fatigue,” arrive six hours before the game Having a worked ankle that, at best, allows you to play with pain and very limited flexibility and agility when most would wear a walking boot.
No matter who hits the most home runs, gets the most hits, pitches the most scoreless innings, or drives in the most runs, if the Dodgers win the World Series (assuming they get there), you will be without undoubtedly the team’s Most Valuable Player; leading the way with courage, effort, determination, selflessness and commitment that surely has to take each teammate to a higher level.
Steve Kaye
Gold Valley, Arizona.
innocent
Hey, I have an idea. Next April, when the Dodgers’ regular season begins, someone tell Kiké Hernández: “This IS the playoffs.”
Axel W. Kyster
bradbury
It’s time for a change
In 2025, Clayton Kershaw should be relegated to the bullpen, where he can stay healthy by limiting his pitch count and reinforcing a critical need.
David Marshall
Santa Monica
Enjoying the talk
I can’t express how much I enjoy watching the panel discussion with Bill Plaschke, Dylan Hernandez and Jack Harris on the Dodgers Debate. During the postseason, after every game I look forward to hearing what the Times writers have to say immediately after the game. Keep up the wonderful work during this great Dodgers playoff run!
Ron Ota
land of the sun
Riley’s life.
Lincoln Riley finished his five-year career as head coach at Oklahoma with a 55-10 record. At USC, hired for a salary of about $10 million a year, Riley The record is 11-10 in their last 21 games.5-8 in his last 13, 4-6 in his last 10. Riley supporters claim the college game has changed since Pete Carroll’s days at USC. Actually? Hopefully, it’s not the Peter Principle.
Wayne Muramatsu
Cerritos
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As I mourned USC’s loss to Penn State, I realized what Coach Riley had been working on. It’s the same goal my friends at UCLA have been clamoring for: parity between the Trojans and Bruins football programs.
Pablo Gonzalez
claremont
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