After Another Early Playoff Exit, Where Do the Dodgers Go from Here?

In a decade of tough October defeats, this one might be the worst.

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Dave Roberts makes a pitching change, but it was too late. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Hi friends-

I really want to write about Bryce Harper’s blood revenge game last night, but I need to write my annual treatise on the Dodgers’ playoff collapse first. Something tells me that Harper will go off again in tonight’s game, so I will devote the Free Friday newsletter to my grudge-holding king.

We will be chatting during the Braves vs. Phillies game tonight at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT as my pre-season World Series champion pick, Atlanta, seeks to stave off a shocking NLDS defeat. This chat is also doubling as a Twins and Dodgers support group all day, so head on in there if you need to get your feelings out:

Sigh. Well, yesterday I wrote that the Dodgers needed Mookie Betts to hit in Game 3 if they wanted to avoid getting swept. He did not, and they were.

It wasn’t just Betts who stunk, however. Freddie Freeman—who will likely finish third in the MVP voting behind Ronald Acuña Jr. and Betts—was also bad. Real bad. Yes, everyone is talking about how historically atrocious the Dodgers’ starting pitching was in this series, and for good reason. But the Dodgers’ bullpen was incredible in Games 2 and 3, and gave up just one run in 13.2 innings. L.A. would have won both games if their hitters had done what they are paid handsomely to do.

Betts was worth an MLB-leading 8.4 wins above the average hitter this year. Freeman was worth 6.6 wins more—good enough for sixth-best. Unfortunately, they went 1-for-21 in the NLDS. There’s just no overcoming that level of suck with the season on the line. The Dodgers’ third best hitter, J.D. Martinez, wasn’t much better—though he did homer. It was, incredibly, the only home run the Dodgers hit all series.

The D-Backs hit nine. NINE.

credit: twitter/kenrosenthot

So, where do the Dodgers go from here?