Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Yesterday, a mixed-race Californian was called on to clean up a lanky white man’s mess, defending the blue team from brash East-coasters wearing red.
We’re referring, of course, to Joe Kelly’s heroic effort to save the Los Angeles Dodgers’ season and James Paxton’s psyche after Paxton left runners on first and third with nobody out in the sixth.
The leverage? High. The Red Sox were in town, the Dodgers had entered the All-Star Break cold, and it was Sunday Night Baseball in July, meaning the TV’s that are automatically tuned to ESPN at vacation bars were beaming it out to tipsy fathers all across the country. The Dodgers needed this one. James Paxton needed this one. Joe Kelly? He delivered.
Strikeout.
Strikeout.
Ground ball. (Don’t ask where the ground ball went. Not important. Didn’t end up mattering in any way, either. Really!)
Practical implications:
- Strong outings two days in a row? On the heels of a news cycle about a few walks in Oklahoma City? Our man is back.
- Great vibes all around. Sorry if I was rude to James Paxton earlier. I thought he did a nice job.
- Pretty sure Joe Kelly won’t pitch tonight. You never know, though. I would suggest blocking off the last few hours of your evening. Just in case.
Loved the lead in…