The Los Angeles Dodgers’ magical season came to a conclusion on Wednesday night in Game 7 of the World Series, with the Houston Astros claiming their first championship in franchise history.
The Astros pitching staff managed to stymie the Dodgers’ bats, holding the team to a collective .205/.290/.393 slash line over seven games.
In the deciding seventh contest, Houston limited the Los Angeles offense to one run and six hits. The Dodgers were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left a total of 10 runners on base.
“We’re hanging our heads right now, because we’re such a good team, and we could’ve easily won that game or the series,” Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger explained. “But that’s how baseball goes. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t go your way.
“It’s going to hurt, but you can’t let it drag on too long. We have such a great, young team with superstars. There’s no doubt in our minds we’ll be back.”
Bellinger, who started in all seven games of the World Series, uncharacteristically struggled at the plate for much of the matchup.
In 29 opportunities, the 22-year-old hit .143/.172/.393 with two doubles, one triple, one home run and five RBI. He drew just one walk and struck out a whopping 17 times — good for 59 percent of his plate appearances.
“I was overaggressive,” Bellinger admitted. “Couldn’t make adjustments, didn’t make adjustments.”
Bellinger showed signs of improvement in Games 4 and 5 at Minute Maid Park, where he went 4-for-9 with four extra-base hits. The hot stretch was preceded by an 0-for-11 skid to begin the series.
Overall in the playoffs, Bellinger hit .219/.254/.453 with four doubles and three homers in 67 plate appearances. He additionally struck out 29 times — a new postseason record that was recently set by New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge.
“Hopefully, it sticks with me the next time we’re in the playoffs, to remember how I feel right now,” Bellinger added.
