Fansided

NLDS Game 2 between Dodgers and Nationals is all about the pitching

By Sean Sears

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals jokes with Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 03: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals jokes with Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals strikes out in the ninth inning of game one of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 03: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals strikes out in the ninth inning of game one of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 03, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Anthony Rendon has to heat up

Anthony Rendon was an NL MVP candidate heading into September after hitting eight home runs and a 1.162 OPS in August. Rendon stopped getting pitches he could drive despite showing great patience at the plate, walking 25 times in September alone.

Rendon went 0-3 with a walk Thursday night striking out twice, but one of the strikeouts was on a questionable call. Regardless, it wasn’t a great start to the NLDS for Rendon, but the entire lineup was shutdown by Walker Buehler. Rendon did flash the glove a bit in Game 1, maybe that can help get his swagger back and kick start the offense?

Rendon carried the team through the regular season, and with young players like Juan Soto and Victor Robles making their postseason debuts, Rendon needs to be the one who steps up and sets the tone. Clayton Kershaw will start Friday’s game and with Rendon’s 1.050 OPS against lefties and Kershaw’s well-documented playoff struggles, it could be a match-up that benefits Rendon.

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