Dodgers admit they were rattled by Boston’s bitter cold
Oct 24, 2018; Boston, MA: Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Ryan Madson reacts after a two RBI single by Boston Red Sox right fielder J.D. Martinez (not seen) during the fifth inning in game two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park. (Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Dodgers desperately need to get back to sunny Los Angeles. If the first two games of the 2018 World Series between the Dodgers and Red Sox have proven anything – beyond the fact that the Sox are simply the better, deeper team – it’s that L.A. can’t handle the bitter cold of Boston in October.
Reliever Ryan Madson commented at length on the cold weather that literally everyone has had to deal with in these to games, speaking on the matter both before and after Game 2. The first-pitch temperature was about 46 degrees, and it only dipped from there.
Madson’s comments after Game 2 could’ve been worse, but he most certainly used the cold as an excuse when he didn’t have to.
“Once you get away from the heater, it’s already hitting on you, it’s cold,” Madson told reporters after the Dodgers’ 4-2 loss to the Red Sox in Game 2. “But like I said, everybody else is pitching with the same thing. Just makes it a little bit tougher, that’s about it.”
Added Cody Bellinger: “It’s going to be warmer [in Los Angeles], and hopefully our bats get hot, too.”
Oct 24, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (99) is relieved by manager Dave Roberts (30) during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
Clearly, the Dodgers would’ve been better off just saying nothing about the stupid weather. “I wouldn’t say it’s a factor, we just need to play better.” Hemming and hawing about heaters and your grip on the baseball can’t possibly ever be a good look.
“Yeah, grip is essential obviously in a breaking ball,” said Madson before Game 2. “And a lot of times with the cold weather, I’m not saying anybody uses anything, but if you use anything, a lot of times it’s not as effective in cold weather. The normal stuff that every pitcher uses, sunscreen and resin, we’re not loading the ball, it’s just on it so we can get a better grip on the ball. You need to adjust that, as well.”
It’s honestly kind of bizarre to hear this kind of complaint from a veteran like Madson, who has allowed inherited runners to score in each of his two appearances in the World Series. He’s made 55 career appearances in the playoffs. He’s pitched in October at Yankee Stadium, Wrigley Field, Citi Field, and Coors Field. He can’t possibly be this stunned by the fact that it was chilly in Boston.
Not like these Red Sox have a ton of experience playing in this kind of weather, either. David Price drew all kinds of negative reactions earlier in the season when he had to leave a relatively cold game against the Yankees after just one inning because the weather caused his fingers to go numb. Didn’t affect the lefty much on Wednesday. In fact, he’s authoring one of the ultimate Boston sports redemption stories.
Oct 24, 2018; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price walks to the dugout after the top of the 4th inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers’ real problem isn’t that they need to escape to the comfortable confines of Chavez Ravine. The Red Sox are probably going to be just fine playing at room temperature, too. The Dodgers’ issue is that they’re simply not as good as the Red Sox, and that the Sox have amazingly fixed their one glaring flaw in these series, the bullpen.
Since the Dodgers are making excuses about the cold, they better improve in their home ballpark. It’s more likely that they realize they’re just being outclassed on the field, regardless of what Mother Nature is throwing at them.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
