Forcing Game Seven
Chris Taylor wasn't a Dodger from the get-go. Like his now-stellar teammate Justin Turner, he began his career elsewhere and didn't make much of an impact before arriving in L.A. A onetime 5th round draft pick of the Mariners, he didn't grow into a regular player and was swapped to the Dodgers in June 2016 in one of those trades that moved across your screen and you probably didn't recognize either name.
But things changed this year. Moving between center and left field and the left side of the infield, he played 140 games, he belted 21 homers, 34 doubles and stole 17 bases. Tuesday night, he grabbed the spotlight, with a bloop double down the right field line tied the game against Justin Verlander -- and dented the air of invincibility the recently-imported Astros ace exuded during October. Corey Seager followed with a sacrifice fly that put the Dodgers ahead to stay -- enroute to a 3 - 1 win that forced a seventh and deciding game.
Go back over over Dodger history and think of the players you associate with the number-3: longtime '60s and '70s center fielder Willie Davis and Steve Sax, who manned 2nd base for most of the '80s. And for trivia mavens: there's pinch hitter and backup outfielder Elmer Valo, the only player to wear 3 in both Brooklyn (1957) and Los Angeles ('58).
But Chris Taylor is THE THREE as we count down the hours until the final game of this fascinating season.
But things changed this year. Moving between center and left field and the left side of the infield, he played 140 games, he belted 21 homers, 34 doubles and stole 17 bases. Tuesday night, he grabbed the spotlight, with a bloop double down the right field line tied the game against Justin Verlander -- and dented the air of invincibility the recently-imported Astros ace exuded during October. Corey Seager followed with a sacrifice fly that put the Dodgers ahead to stay -- enroute to a 3 - 1 win that forced a seventh and deciding game.
Go back over over Dodger history and think of the players you associate with the number-3: longtime '60s and '70s center fielder Willie Davis and Steve Sax, who manned 2nd base for most of the '80s. And for trivia mavens: there's pinch hitter and backup outfielder Elmer Valo, the only player to wear 3 in both Brooklyn (1957) and Los Angeles ('58).
But Chris Taylor is THE THREE as we count down the hours until the final game of this fascinating season.
(This image came from the August 5th Dodgers/Mets game in New York.)
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