Down 0-2 was not the start that Dave Roberts and his team expected nor preferred heading back to Los Angeles for Games 3, 4, and (possibly) 5 of the 2018 World Series; however, that is the predicament the Boys in Blue have found themselves in with an uphill battle to climb. Despite the circumstances that the Dodgers are in, here are 5 reasons why they can still come back to win the 2018 World Series and end their 30-year drought.
1. The Best “Regular Season” Team Doesn’t Always Win
Entering the World Series, the Dodgers were the clear underdogs due to the fact that the Red Sox won the most games this season with 108 victories, setting a franchise record in the process. Having the best record in baseball, though, doesn’t always guarantee a World Series championship. Just ask the 2017 Dodgers team. In fact, the best regular season teams have only won the World Series 12 times in 48 seasons (25% of the time). Here are the previous 12 teams who have accomplished the feat:
2. Down 0-2 is Not Quite as Hard to Rebound as it Seems
Since the first World Series in 1903, there have been 52 teams that took a 2-0 series lead. Of those 52 teams, 42 went on to win the World Series while the 10 teams who were down 0-2 have rebounded to win (19.2% chance). Though not overwhelming odds, the Dodgers still have approximately a 1 in 5 chance of winning the World Series, especially since the next 3 games are at home. The 10 teams who did rebound to win it all were:
3. The Dodgers Have History on Their Side
It may be irony or it may be fate, but the 2018 Dodgers have repeated history TWICE, so far, this postseason. The 2018 Dodgers mimicked the 1988 Dodgers in terms of games won & lost in the NLCS right down to both Game 4’s going into extra innings (’88 went 12 innings and ’18 went 13 innings). The 2018 Dodgers are also down 0-2 in the World Series just like the 1981 World Series team began. Being that ’81 and ’88 were the last two World Series victories for the Dodgers, it would not be surprising to see the Dodgers repeat history.
4. The Dodgers Have Been Resilient All Season
The fact that the Dodgers are in the World Series this year, at all, is surprising to baseball fans across the nation. Nearly everyone counted the Dodgers out as early as May; however, they have proven the naysayers wrong and rebounded to win their 6th consecutive division title (winning only their second ever tiebreaker game) and second consecutive National League pennant. The 2018 Dodgers have had their backs against the wall a number of times this season and, so far, have come out on the positive side.
5. They Are #LADetermined
The Dodgers are, arguably, the hungriest team in baseball and, also, have the most to prove. Given that the Red Sox won recent titles in 2004, 2007 and 2013 (three consecutive World Series victories in as many appearances), the Dodgers have more to play for. Although the Dodgers lost back-to-back World Series in 1977 and 1978, there have been many teams that lost a World Series only to make it back the following year to get their redemption. These teams were:
It would be cruel for the theme of the 2018 season to be #LADetermined and, as fans, have our hopes crushed all over again. Though the future appears bleak to many, there is no reason to panic just yet. As fans we have to continue to believe that the Dodgers can win because, if we don’t, how can we expect the team to believe in themselves? They need our support. Although Game 3 is, technically, not an elimination game, it is very much a “must-win” game for the Dodgers. No team has ever come back from an 0-3 start in the World Series. Not one. But, as they say, there is a first time for everything. Just ask Dave Roberts.
BakoBoyInBlue
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