Who Miami Marlins Fans Should Root For In LCS, World Series

The Los Angeles Dodgers 

The Dodgers have been in the playoffs of late more than any of the remaining squads, making it seven times in the last ten years. But they haven’t made it to the Fall Classic since 1988, so they would also represent a marked change.

Marlins Reasons: Player-wise, it’s Adrian Gonzalez. I’ve written many times in the past about Gonzalez’s Marlins connection, as he was the top prospect the team dealt to the Rangers in 2003 for Ugueth Urbina. The championship bullpen was bolstered, but at the cost of dealing away the best first base prospect in the organization before letting Derrek Lee walk in the offseason. Stings for sure, but make it a point not to criticize any moves made in a championship season.

More than any other team though, even the Nats, there might be a solid Marlins reason to root against the Dodgers. Remember, the Dodgers canned Mattingly because they believed he couldn’t get them to the World Series. A World Series win for Los Angeles would obviously justify that decision, which could spark some unpleasant doubts about whether the right guy is running the Marlins after all, especially when you factor in that second-half collapse the Fish just had. Then again, Mattingly made the playoffs three years in a row. At this stage, you’d take that production.

For them, the Marlins owned the Dodgers season. Owned. If LA wins, we’ll have that small consolation to smile about.

Other Reasons: Clayton Kershaw. Enough said.

But if you want more, then the Dodgers aren’t the Nationals, and don’t have an amazingly fascinating history of losing. It’s the second shortest drought of the remaining teams behind the Blue Jays ’93 win. They’re also, with all due respect for the fact the Nationals have a slightly better win-loss record, the other remaining October superpower. A Cubs-Dodgers NLCS would be far more compelling theatre.

Really though, Clayton Kershaw. Enough said.