Page 8 October 8, 2015 EL SEGUNDO HERALD Eagles from page 7 Dodgers from page 5 the division series or NL championship series eight times in a row. As recently as last October, L.A. lost a four-game division series to the St. Louis Cardinals with Kershaw losing twice in the series. Aside from recent playoff struggles, however, the Dodger lowlights extend to even the end of this regular season. With the playoffs quickly approaching, the Dodgers lost a series to the Pittsburgh Pirates before being swept by the Colorado Rockies and split series’ with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the much-hated Giants. It’s not the worst that the Dodgers have done all year, but they certainly could be winning more heading into the postseason. With two of the top pitchers in the entire league in their clubhouse, anything is possible for this Dodgers club. Greinke and Kershaw lead a postseason roster that is headlined by new faces like Corey Seager, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley that will look to finally get L.A. over the playoff hump. “It’s a fun mix, it’s a talented mix and hopefully, it’s the right mix,” Kershaw said of his team. Of the players that comprise this new mix for the Dodgers, no one has more to prove than Kershaw. Last year, the multiple Cy Young Award winner was last seen walking off the field with his head directed toward the ground and another playoff loss to his name. While he has still looked like the best pitcher in baseball this season, proving such a fact will only come this week when the playoffs actually begin. “I like this team a lot better,” Adrian Gonzalez said, comparing this year’s Dodgers club to teams of years past. “It has veteran leadership, guys that have been there, guys who go hard every day. I think we’ve got the right nucleus of guys.” Watching the Dodgers on a consistent basis makes it relatively easy to realize that all of the ego-driven, immature players of the past have been let go. This team is all about business and has the intent to make history in Los Angeles. “A lot more professional this year,” Mattingly said of his team. “Our guys get ready to play. I never really worried about them being ready to play. I could trust them. They got down to business on the field, and that was a good feeling for me.” All that’s left is a good feeling for the fans. One of the biggest markets in the world brings with it one of the largest, most loyal fan bases that hasn’t seen their team take a swing at a championship in 27 years now. This year has certainly been a roller coaster type of year for the Dodgers but they believe that they finally have the right pieces in place to take it all. With the disappointments of years past still firmly embedded in their minds, these Dodgers now take to the field with the intent to banish past demons and make new history while also proving that they are much more than just two great starting pitchers. This Friday night against the New York Mets, the journey will finally begin for these new-look Dodgers. • Jason Kehl tossed three touchdown passes to lead the Eagles to a 28-13 win over previously undefeated South Torrance. Peter Amara brings down South Torrance quarterback Gabe Zuniga. Ashton Saltz helped lead the Eagles’ defensive effort against South Torrance. Isaiah Gray helped make Spartan QB Gabe Zuniga’s night a rough one. For more photos see Eagles, page 16
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