NLDS Game 5 - Open Thread

DODGERS (2) @ GIANTS (2) - 8:07 PM CDT

Corey Knebel (POST — 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K)

VS

Logan Webb (Game 1 — 7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

If any series in the divisional round deserves to go the distance, it’s probably this one. The historic rivalry between San Francisco and Los Angeles (and, of course, the preceding rivalry between “New York” and Brooklyn) produced a neck-and-neck race of excellence through the NL West for six months; tonight, it all comes down to one evening of baseball.

The pitching matchups here are fantastic and interesting. The “bulk” guy will be Julio Urias for the visitors, and Logan Webb for the home club. Urias won 20 games in 2021 on the back of a sub-3.00 ERA and nearly 200 strikeouts. Webb had his coming-out party all season long, and was an instrumental link in the Giant rotation.

Both have taken a turn already in this postseason. Both earned the win in their outing. Urias was on the hill for Game Two on October 9th; the Dodgers stomped their way to a 9-2 victory, with Urias giving up three hits and a lone run through five innings of work. Webb was the Game One starter and delivered a heroic effort with nearly eight shutout innings and 10 strikeouts.

It looks like Corey Knebel will be the opener for Los Angeles to try and take away the Giants’ platoon advantage opportunities.

Something’s gotta give between these two teams — neutral fans can only hope for a solid contest.