The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered an all-too-familiar fate with another postseason appearance as they were eliminated by the Washington Nationals in the National League Division Series. After the teams split the first four matchups, the Dodgers lost a winner-take-all Game 5 at Dodger Stadium.
It was an especially disappointing loss considering the club had won a franchise-best 106 games during the regular season and posted 59 victories at home, only to be denied a fourth consecutive trip to the NL Championship Series.
While the Dodgers were left reeling after an earlier-than-expected postseason exit, there nevertheless are plenty of positives to take away from the 2019 season.
Already looking toward next year, Caleb Ferguson vowed to come back stronger while taking to Instagram to thank Dodgers fans for their support this season:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mgyX_A3qo/
After a solid rookie campaign, Ferguson took a step back during the 2019 season, battling through injuries and bouts of inconsistencies. He appeared in 46 games at the Major League level, posting a 1-2 record, 4.84 ERA, 5.05 FIP and 1.48 WHIP over 44.2 innings pitched.
Unlike last season when he was included on two of the three Dodgers’ postseason rosters, Ferguson did not participate in October baseball this year.
Ross Stripling also took to social media to reflect on the 2019 season while expressing his gratitude to Dodgers fans:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ky7hIALFU/
Stripling again embraced a swingman role for the Dodgers in 2019, appearing in 32 overall games while making 15 starts. He compiled a 4-4 record, 3.47 ERA, 3.47 FIP and 1.15 WHIP with 93 strikeouts against 20 walks in 90.2 innings pitched.
Stripling earned a spot on the club’s NLDS roster and made his lone appearance in Game 4, yielding one run and one hit in one inning of work.
Similarly, Kenta Maeda also expressed his gratitude for the fanbase:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3dg4HJleDh/
Maeda went 10-8 with a 4.04 ERA over another year that ended with pitching out of the bullpen. It’s a role he’s now filled in each of the past three seasons and one Maeda has shined in when the Dodgers reach October.
Kristopher Negrón was a newcomer to the organization this season but he too thanked fans and teammates:
Just wanted to say thank you to all my teammates & the entire Dodger Nation for welcoming me like family this season! It didn’t end how we wanted but the energy and passion you all brought to the yard everyday was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Appreciate you all, cheers! pic.twitter.com/LJPWdpV2QN
— Kristopher Negrón (@KNegs17) October 13, 2019
Negrón was a boost to the Dodgers’ depth when Kiké Hernandez was limited by a hand injury and Chris Taylor missed more than a month because of a left forearm fracture. Negrón was not included on the Dodgers’ NLDS roster.
