Bob Costas, the renowned sports broadcaster, offers his perspective on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ chances in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In an exclusive interview with The Times, Costas shared his insights on various aspects of this high-stakes playoff series.
Concerns over Starting Pitching
> Schilken: Starting pitching has been a concern all season, and these playoffs have been a worst-case scenario. But what about the hitting, particularly Mookie and Freddie? Do you think they can pull out of their postseason slumps in time to make a difference?
> Costas: In baseball, a guy can pull out of it in one game. A guy can win the batting title and have two games in the middle of the season where he goes 0 for 8. That’s just the nature of baseball. And a guy can wind up batting .220 and have two games back-to-back where he goes six for eight. So I’m not drawing any overarching conclusions from what happened the first couple of games. But the math here is obvious — the Dodgers have to get going or else they’ll have all offseason long to think about what happened.
As Costas highlights, the Dodgers’ starting pitching has been a concern throughout the season, which has only worsened during the playoffs. In addition to the pitching issues, he acknowledges the performance struggles of key hitters, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman.
The Unpredictability of Baseball
> Schilken: Do you have a prediction? Will the Dodgers pull it off?
> Costas: Predictions in baseball are folly, just folly. Any team can beat any other team on a given night in baseball, and any team good enough to make the playoffs can win a series from any other team in baseball. And now that the playoffs have been expanded to include 12 total teams, it’s a gauntlet to run. There’s no guarantee that the best teams will make it all the way to the World Series.
Costas emphasizes the unpredictable nature of baseball, where any team can clinch a victory on a given night. He also underscores the challenging road that teams face in the expanded playoff format.
Critiquing the Playoff Format
> Schilken: What are your thoughts on the playoff format? Some people have been complaining about the length of the layoff for the teams who don’t play in the wild-card round. Do you think that has had any affect on the Dodgers or any of the other teams?
> Costas: It’s possible, but on the other hand, no manager would say I’d rather play a crapshoot wild card two-out-of-three than sit around waiting for the outcome of that. You’d always rather have the bye into the next round. It’s too complicated to talk about here at any length, but there are a number of suggestions about how to tweak this format to make it fairer.
Costas discusses the playoff format, acknowledging the concerns over the length of the layoff for teams not participating in the wild-card round. He suggests potential modifications to create a fairer system.
Despite the Dodgers being down two games to none, Bob Costas suggests that there is still hope for the team. Whether it’s starting pitcher Lance Lynn’s performance in Game 3 or Clayton Kershaw’s potential resurgence in Game 4, the Dodgers have opportunities to turn the series in their favor.
> Costas: Those are all a whole bunch of ifs, aren’t they? But, Dodgers fans, he’s saying there’s a chance. That’s got to count for something coming from a veteran announcer who has called three World Series, seven league championship series, and countless other games during a 50-year career in broadcasting.
In this crucial NLDS matchup, anything can happen. While predictions may be folly in baseball, the resilience and unpredictability of the sport offer the Dodgers and their fans a glimmer of hope. Stay tuned for the outcome of Game 3 in Phoenix as the Dodgers battle the Diamondbacks in this high-stakes showdown.
Bob Costas’ Insights and Beyond: Exploring NLDS Dynamics
Should Arizona Diamondbacks play Dodgers vs D-backs on TBS?
Arizona Diamondbacks fans are in unanimous agreement: Bob Costas should continue to lend his commentary prowess to the Dodgers vs. D-backs matchup on TBS. Throughout the two remarkable upsets orchestrated by the Diamondbacks in the National League Division Series, Costas has injected an energy level comparable to that of a mid-August game featured on the Dodgers’ home broadcast. The presence of Bob Costas as a commentator has undoubtedly added a unique dimension to this thrilling series. Should the Arizona Diamondbacks continue to have him on board as they face the Dodgers? Fans seem to think so.
Will the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series go into Game 3?
Schilken: Given your role as the commentator for the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series on television, fans are eager to know your outlook leading into Game 3. This comes at a critical juncture for the Dodgers, facing a win-or-go-home scenario, likely not anticipated. Will the Dodgers-Diamondbacks series extend to Game 3? Bob Costas weighs in.
What if the Diamondbacks were advancing to the LCS?
Or, in the words of TBS play-by-play announcer Bob Costas, accompanied by a chuckle, "If you had the Diamondbacks advancing to the LCS, good for you." Bob Costas, the subject of both admiration and criticism on social media, playfully became a punching bag, as Diamondbacks fans teased him about a supposed Dodgers preference.
Did the Diamondbacks hit four home runs in the 3rd inning?
In a baseball game, often likened to a captivating TV show for viewers worldwide, the pivotal moment was undoubtedly the third inning. During this extraordinary sequence, the Diamondbacks managed to hit an astounding four home runs. The sheer astonishment of this achievement was evident in the words of analyst Ron Darling, who exclaimed, "I’ve never seen anything like this." Bob Costas, echoing the sentiment, added, "Nor have I." It was an unprecedented and unforgettable inning, leaving no room for doubt.
Did Bob Costas lose credibility during NLDS Game 2?
Was Bob Costas’ Credibility Diminished in NLDS Game 2?
Bob Costas, the veteran broadcaster, took the reins for last night’s NLDS Game 2, featuring the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite his decades-long reputation as a respected commentator, a significant portion of the fan base questioned his credibility following last night’s broadcast. Numerous viewers turned to social media to express their concerns about Costas’ performance.
Who does Bob Costas think can save the Dodgers?
In a remarkable turn of events, Bob Costas, renowned for his contributions to sports commentary, demonstrated quick thinking and heroism when he saved a friend’s life by performing the Heimlich maneuver at a Syracuse restaurant. Now, the question arises: who can perform a similar rescue act to salvage the Dodgers from their current situation? Bob Costas shares his insights on who might hold the key to saving the Dodgers as he continues his remarkable journey beyond the broadcast booth.
Can Lance Lynn hold his own for the Dodgers in Game 3?
Lance Lynn’s Crucial Role in Game 3: Can He Secure Hope for the Dodgers?
With the Dodgers trailing two games to none in the National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the question looms large: can starting pitcher Lance Lynn hold his own on Wednesday night in Game 3 in Phoenix? Bob Costas remains optimistic that Lynn’s performance could be the key to rekindling hope for the Dodgers in this best-of-three series.
