As the Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from going to the World Series, the San Diego Padres are left wondering, “What if?” The Padres lead the Dodgers 2-1 in the National League Division Series, but the Dodgers rallied and won the series by holding the Padres scoreless in Games 4 and 5.
Since winning the NLDS, the Dodgers have had an easier path to the NL Championship Series and World Series. The NLCS versus the New York Mets lasted six games, but all four of their triumphs were overwhelming. Through three games of the World Series, the Dodgers lead the New York Yankees 3-0. Barring an unforeseen Yankees comeback, the Dodgers should win the World Series.
The Yankees led Game 1 before Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam, but the Dodgers dominated the Yankees in Games 2 and 3. The Padres have been the most difficult opponent the Dodgers have faced this playoffs, and if they held on, they could be in the same position as Los Angeles.
This is not lost on the Padres, including standout rookie Jackson Merrill. While Merill recognized the significance of a Dodgers-Yankees World Series, he naturally wishes it were him and the Padres vying for the championship this week.
“Whenever I see someone do something cool in the playoffs now, I think, ‘Damn, I wish that was me.'” “I wish I could be doing that,” Merrill told MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM. “I wish it was the Padres on the field.”
Merrill had an impressive debut season. The 21-year-old started in centre field for the Padres on Opening Day and was instrumental in the team’s maiden playoff appearance. Merrill batted.252 in seven postseason games, totaling six hits, five runs, one home run, and five RBIs.
Merrill hit.292/.326/.500 in his first full regular season, including 24 home runs and 90 RBIs. He set the Padres rookie RBI record, made the MLB All-Star Game, and was named NL Rookie of the Month twice.
Merrill and the Padres fell short in October, but they remain optimistic about winning the World Series in the coming seasons.
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