Dodgers in the World Series

 

With the Dodgers down 0-2 in World Series, most of the media has said the Series is all but over. This seems very premature with us. Yeah the Red Sox have done everything right. But since the year 1955, this is the Dodgers 13th appearance in the Fall Classic. Let’s review the situation the Dodgers faced in their previous 12 results after the first two games.

 

IF the Dodgers win first two games at home they are 1-2 in the Series (lost 4 games to 3 in 1956, lost 4 games to 2 in 1978, won 4 games to 1 in 1988).

 

IF the Dodgers split first two games at home: 0-2 (lost  4 games to 1 in 1974, lost 4 games to 3 in 2017).

 

IF the Dodgers lost first two games at home. 0-1 (lost 4 games to 0 in 1966).

 

IF the Dodgers win first two games on the road. 1-0 (won 4 games to 0 in 1963).

 

IF the Dodgers split first two games on the road. 1-1 (won 4 games to 2 in 1959, lost 4 games to 2 in 1977).

 

IF the Dodgers lose first two games on the road. 3-0 (won 4 games to 3 in 1955, won 4 games to 3 in 1965, won 4 games to 2 in 1981).

Since that is where the Dodgers stand now, 0-2 on the road in this series, let’s look closer at these 3 series that they won:

1955; New York Yankees won Games 1 and 2 at Yankee Stadium, 6-5 and 4-2. Dodgers had never won a World Series before and it seemed pretty hopeless, but they came back to win all three games at Ebbets Field, scoring 21 runs in the three games. Back in Yankee Stadium for game 6, Whitey Ford shut down Brooklyn on 4 hits in a 3-1 win. This set up Johnny Podres’ shut-out of the Bronx Bombers in Game 7, and the Dodgers first World Championship, the only one in Brooklyn.

 

1965; The Twins shocked the Dodgers by beating Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax in Games 1 and 2 in Minnesota, 8-2 and 5-1. The Dodgers went home to Dodger Stadium and their starting pitchers took over. Claude Osteen hurled a 5-hit shut-out in Game 3. Don Drysdale threw another 5-hit complete game in Game 4, followed by Sandy Koufax’ 4-hitter in Game 5. The Twins scored two runs in the three games. The Twins then beat Osteen in Game six, which set up Koufax’ magnificent 3-hitter on 2 days rest in Game 7, winning 2-0.

 

1981; Dodgers seemed completely over matched in Games 1 and 2 at Yankee Stadium. They never led while losing, 5-3 and 3-0. Back in Dodger Stadium for Game 3, Fernando Valenzuela gave up 9 hits and 7 walks, but still went all the way in a 5-4 victory (you listening Dave Roberts!). Game 4 saw them rally from 4-0 down to win 8-7. Jerry Reuss then outdueled Ron Guidry in a tense 2-1 contest, decided in the 7th inning when Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager hit back to back home runs. Returning to Yankee Stadium for Game 6, the Dodgers broke open a 1-1 game in the 5th and 6th inning en route to a 9-2 blow out.

 

So there’s the record, the Dodgers are undefeated  when they lose the first two games on the road. Sound familiar?