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Dodgers News: Yasmani Grandal Made Adjustments To Avoid Being ‘Flat Footed’ And Address Passed Ball Woes

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

For a team that prides itself on being an all-around club, the Los Angeles Dodgers couldn’t get out of their own way in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

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According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Dodgers became the first team in MLB postseason history with four errors and two passed balls in the same game. Within that was Yasmani Grandal becoming the first catcher in postseason history with two passed balls and two errors in one game.

Grandal’s first passed ball allowed Lorenzo Cain to move into scoring position after he led off the bottom of the first inning with a single. Clayton Kershaw labored but stranded Cain to keep the game locked in an early scoreless tie.

Cain and Christian Yelich each moved into scoring position on the second passed ball. Following the Dodgers’ loss, Grandal said he reviewed the plays and made necessary adjustments, per Alanna Rizzo of SportsNet LA:

Further compounding the second passed ball was one of Grandal’s errors — catcher’s interference — negated a terrific diving catch by David Freese on a line drive. Jesus Aguilar was put on board, loading the bases. A sacrifice fly followed, giving the Brewers a 2-1 lead.

While Grandal excels at pitching framing, he’s endured multiple instances this season where he was unable to locate a pitch in the dirt, or maintain possession of the ball when attempting to tag a runner out.

He wasn’t solely to blame for the Dodgers losing the NLCS opener, but the club will need improvement from him if they’re to reach the World Series a second consecutive year.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com