The Los Angeles Dodgers experienced one of their most crushing defeats in history on Friday night as the Houston Astros overwhelmed them with an 18-1 rout at Dodger Stadium. The performance, which shattered the franchise’s record for the largest margin of victory, left fans and analysts alike in disbelief. Among those stunned was Orel Hershiser, a former Dodgers pitcher turned broadcaster, who chose the moment to bring up the Astros’ infamous sign-stealing scandal from 2017.
During the third inning, Hershiser remarked on the Astros’ apparent foreknowledge of the pitches being thrown, stating, ‘I don’t want to open an old wound, but in some ways, they’re swinging at these breaking balls like they know what is coming.’ His comments, made after Astros outfielder Cam Smith doubled off rookie Ben Casparius, stirred up memories of the 2017 World Series when the Astros won the championship using illegal sign-stealing methods. The revelation of Houston’s cheating tactics led to widespread controversy and eventually brought about significant penalties for the team, including a postseason ban and loss of draft picks.
The current Astros team, however, is not only showing dominance on the field but also navigating the shadows of their past. Despite the past scandal, players like Jose Altuve have continued to perform at their best, including two home runs and five RBIs in the game against the Dodgers. Altuve, who was a key player in the 2017 championship, faced boos from the crowd for his actions, a stark contrast to the cheers he received during his earlier season with the team.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his frustration with the loss, stating, ‘I don’t think there were many positives from this night.’ The team’s struggles were evident, with rookie pitcher Ben Casparius allowing six runs and nine hits in just three innings. Roberts acknowledged the need for the young pitcher to refine his execution, noting, ‘There might have been 60 throws tonight, and probably only a handful executed where he wanted them to be.’ The team’s decision to move Casparius to the bullpen indicates a desire to see the young pitcher develop further under the guidance of more experienced mentors.
As the Dodgers look to bounce back from this embarrassing defeat, the focus will shift to addressing the issues that led to such a monumental loss. The team’s challenge will be to not only improve their performance on the field but also to manage the psychological impact of such a crushing defeat. For the Astros, the current performance highlights their ability to bounce back from past mistakes and continue to compete at the highest level.