12/13/2024

Down 5-0


Recently, I browsed X (Twitter) and suddenly, “algorithms” showed a video. It’s a video that happened in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series.

 

In the top of the 5th inning, the Dodgers scored 5 runs to tie the game. But before that, Jack Flaherty allowed 2 home runs in the bottom of the first inning and the Yankees scored 3 runs. In the bottom of the second inning, Jack Flaherty gave up another run and the Dodgers decided to make a pitching change. Moreover, Giancarlo Stanton crushed a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. Hence, after 3 innings, the Dodgers were down 5-0 in the game.

 

5-0, that actually made me think of another game. In game 7 of the 2017 World Series, the Dodgers hosted the Astros. In the top of the first inning, the Houston Astros scored 2 runs. 1 run was an unearned run. In the top of the second inning, the Astros scored 3 runs, including a George Springer’s 2-run home run. After the top of the second inning, the Dodgers were down 5-0.

 

Well, the result of each game isn't the same. In 2017, the Dodgers were down 5-0 at the beginning of game 7 in the World Series. Yu Darvish was the starter of the game. He was traded to the Dodgers before the 2017 trade deadline. Nonetheless, he didn’t have a great day with giving up 5 runs (4 earned) in 1.2 innings. Those 5 runs looked so huge for the Dodgers. In the end, the Dodgers only scored 1 run in the last game of the 2017 season. And the Astros lifted the trophy.

 

However, the story has become so different in 2024. The Dodgers were down 5-0, however, the game dramatically changed in the top of the 5th inning. The Dodgers scored 5 runs in that inning. The Yankees scored 1 run in the bottom of the 6th inning, but the Dodgers took the lead in the top of the 8th inning. Eventually, the Dodgers won the last game of the 2024 season.

 

In game 5 of the 2024 World Series, Jack Flaherty, who’s acquired before the trade deadline as well, didn’t have a great start in New York. Flaherty only tossed 1.1 innings and allowed 4 runs (all earned). As we can see, in the last game of the 2017 season and the 2024 season, the Dodgers gave the ball to a starter who was acquired before the trade deadline to start the game. They are good pitchers. Nonetheless, they didn’t pitch well, giving up 4 earned runs in less than 2 innings each. At the beginning of each game, it seemed that the Dodgers were unlikely to win the game. 


Nevertheless, those 2 games didn’t come to the same end. The Dodgers fell short in 2017 but they were able to make a huge comeback in 2024. The Astros used 5 pitchers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series and the Dodgers only scored 1 run. However, in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series, things became truly different. The Yankees used 5 pitchers as well, but this time, the Dodgers scored 7 runs. Well 5 runs were unearned. Of course, the team in 2017 wasn’t the same as the team in 2024. And we know what happened in 2017. Nonetheless, that’s why baseball is so interesting and unpredictable.

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