The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres split the first two games of the 2022 National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium and now head to Petco Park for Games 3 and 4.
With the NLDS tied 1-1 as it heads to San Diego, the Padres now hold home-field advantage for what has become a best-of-three series. Although it’s not the position the Dodgers hoped to be in after their Game 1 win, Trea Turner is looking at it like any other series during the season, where the Dodgers won 14 of their 19 matchups against the Padres.
“For me, it’s kind of like a warmup and now it’s a three-game series type of deal,” Turner said. “That’s kind of how I look at it. Each of us got an opportunity to win a ballgame, kind of feel out the situation, see some pitching and whatnot. Now it’s a three-game series. It’s kind of like a regular-season series but with a little more intensity.”
Despite hitting three home runs, getting 15 baserunners, including one every inning, and having all nine starters reach safely, the Dodgers ultimately left 10 on base by going 0-for-8 with men in scoring position and only scored three runs, which set some unwanted MLB History.
They had their chances to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, but they were unable to capitalize. “Yeah, you can have whatever mindset you want,” Turner said when asked if it felt like a missed opportunity.
“I like to be positive. Like I said, we got a lot of hits, a lot of guys on base, a lot of good at-bats. Just a ball here or there, and it’s a different ballgame. I’m sure the same can be said for them as well, but that’s the postseason with small differences.”
Turner played a key role in the Dodgers picking up the first win of the series as he went 2-for-4 with a double, home run and two runs scored. He hit another homer in the second game, but he also made an error in the sixth inning that led to a run scoring.
“It was hit a little softer than I thought, and I tried going forward with my hands at the last second to try to get one out,” Turner explained. “I just kind of swept it across.”
With a runner on first and one out, there would have been an opportunity to turn a double play to end the inning if Turner was able to field it cleanly, but the shortstop didn’t think they would be able to get Wil Myers at first base regardless.
“With the way it was hit, I didn’t think I could get two,” Turner said. “I don’t think that’s necessarily my job to be there. It was my job to get the ball to Luxy. The way it was hit, it was a little bit softer and I had to go in the hole a little bit, so just figured I would get one.”
Trea Turner feeling refreshed for postseason play
Turner had a tough stretch to end the 2022 regular season but closed it on a high note with a home run in the Dodgers’ final game that he believed could serve as a springboard.
Whether or not that would hold true was put on pause as the Dodgers went five days between playing. But Turner immediately returned in the NLDS with two home runs in back-to-back games.
“I feel like this year my body has felt as good as it has in a long time,” Turner said after the Dodgers’ 5-3 win over the Padres.
“Last few years and years past you play banged up, but this year has been pretty good. So I felt pretty good body-wise. But having a few days off, I think mentally and physically just helps a little bit and helps you hit the reset button real quick and then get right back to it. I feel good.”
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