Commentary: The Los Angeles Dodgers - Eternal Goliaths

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This article is one part of a two-part series on the 2020 World Series matchup. To read our companion article on the Tampa Bay Rays, click here.

We typically look at the story of David and Goliath as a singular tale. But a lot like every story, there are two sides to it. The story of David is one of triumph over adversity - overcoming all of your disadvantages to succeed above all odds. It tells us that we can conquer any obstacle with the right amount of preparation and determination. Conversely, the story of Goliath is one of embarrassment. Despite all of the advantages he has and the overpowering strength he possesses, Goliath overlooks his opponent and is subsequently humbled. It’s a story of warning: no one is too big to fail.

When it comes to sports, there have been plenty of examples of Davids besting Goliaths. The Giants beat the Patriots in the 2007 Super Bowl. Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson for the heavyweight boxing championship. The US hockey team beat the Russians in the 1980 Olympics. But perhaps no one has played the Goliath role as often - or as well - as the Los Angeles Dodgers of the 2010’s.

Since their sale to Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012, the Dodgers have spared no expense in their effort to create a juggernaut. In 2013, they went from having the 12th-highest payroll in baseball to having the 2nd-highest. They then boasted the highest payroll in MLB from 2014-2017, and they currently rank 2nd behind the Yankees. 

The result? Eight straight NL West titles. 90+ win seasons every single year. Three times having the best record in the National League and two times having the best record in baseball. Two NL MVP Awards. Two NL Cy Young Awards. Overall, one of the greatest stretches of regular season dominance in Major League history. 

But unfortunately for them, their regular season dominance has only been matched by their inability to finish in the postseason. In the same 8-year timeframe, they have lost three times in the NLDS, twice in the NLCS, and twice in the World Series. In all of those series except for three, the Dodgers had a better record than their opponents and were the presumptive favorites to win. Now, they enter yet another World Series as the overwhelming favorites, and they hope to avoid yet another embarrassment.

According to FanGraphs, the Dodgers currently have a 68% chance of winning the World Series against the Rays - which is especially striking considering Tampa Bay is the other #1 seed in the playoff bracket. They were so far above their competition in the National League that they did not lose a single game until the NLCS - and even then, it was against the #2 seed. They boast arguably the best offense in baseball, a pitching staff that is rivaled only by the Rays, and two former MVPs in their prime. But yet...

Because of all the heartbreaks. Because of all the spectacular collapses. Because of all the disappointment of the last 8 years (and the last 4 in particular). The thought comes to mind: are they going to do it again? It’s the question that baseball fans across the country are asking themselves this week, and - although they would never tell you - it’s the question that eats at them as well. 

Of course, even if they do choke again, this won’t be their last title shot by any means. After all, they have just locked up Mookie Betts for (presumably) the rest of his career, they still have Bellinger’s rights for a couple more seasons before free agency, and they have baseball’s best farm system. However, this does feel like the end of the line with this particular squad. Their free agent class this year includes many of their key pieces, such as Justin Turner, Blake Treinen, Joc Pederson, Kike Hernandez, Alex Wood, and Pedro Baez. And even though the Dodgers have more money than God, it’s unreasonable to think that they are going to be able to resign everyone on that list in the offseason.

So while there was already the pressure of expectation, Los Angeles also faces the added pressure of time. Not only because of the players they may lose in free agency this year, but also because this is the best chance to redeem themselves after choking the last four years in a row. You can set as many regular season records as you want, but you only get so many chances to go after a ring. And if you can’t cash in at least once, the “What Ifs?” will haunt you forever. 

This is the life of a Goliath that’s been bested too many times. Despite spending years patching their weaknesses, adding to their strengths, and doing everything they can to maintain their top-tier status and finally win the title, they still sleep with one eye open and look behind them for any signs of David. They know they can’t afford another embarrassment. After all, they still haven’t heard the end of the last four.

But here’s the thing about living this way: you’re constantly in a state of improvement and preparation. You plug up all your weaknesses, you buy as many upgrades as you can, and you build a stockpile of weapons that would make any challenger turn away in fear. In the case of the Dodgers, you completely overhaul your farm system into a prospect machine, you purchase the career of the second-best player in the league, and you build a baseball juggernaut the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Dynasty Yankees. Yet the question still remains: “will it finally pay off this year?” 

Before that question can be answered, they face one final task: defeating their latest David in the Tampa Bay Rays. Similar to 2017 and 2018, four wins is all that separates them from finally cementing their dynasty and justifying the billions they have spent in the last decade. 

Once again, Goliath stands in the ring, waiting for David to make their move. This time, they hope they’ve finally learned their lesson. 


Recommended Video: Our 2020 World Series Preview & Predictions


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