By virtue of finishing with the best record in the National League — and baseball — the Los Angeles Dodgers had four days off before beginning their NL Division Series matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
They proceeded to sweep their NL West counterpart and advanced to the NL Championship Series for a second consecutive year and fifth time within the past decade. But first there was more waiting, as the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals played to five games in the NLDS.
An NLCS rematch with the defending defending World Series champions failed to live up to the billing, as the Dodgers were dominant and won the series in five games.
A berth in the World Series for the first time since 1988 has come with more waiting for Los Angeles. The Houston Astros and New York Yankees went seven games in the ALCS, with the Astros overcoming a 3-2 series deficit.
Historically, the team to clinch the first spot in the World Series has not fared well. “I wasn’t aware of that, and I don’t think our guys to a man are,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I really believe every season, every team is different.
“I really don’t know what circumstances led to all of that. All I know is the way the CS plays out, I wouldn’t change a thing. I think it’s lined up well for us. We’ll be ready to go for Game 1.”
Aside from the rest benefit that comes with the additional days off, the Dodgers have avoided taxing their pitching staff. “It’s crucial, not only setting the rotation, but I think mentally and physically,” Roberts said.
“What goes into the DS and CS, and to come back home and reset has been a huge benefit for us. As far as the sharpness, that’s the piece we’ve done a good job as coaches in trying to simulate game situations.”
