Rarely do plans combust in such annoying fashion, as if the outcomes were scripted by a malevolent figure hoping to punish a front office for fiddling with a team’s chemistry.
On Thursday, hours after the Dodgers traded away beloved backup catcher A.J. Ellis, the club nearly limped into a no-hitter. A day later, Ellis’ replacement, former Phillies stalwart Carlos Ruiz, could not handle the darting cutters of closer Kenley Jansen, an awkwardness that led to a 6-4 defeat in 10 innings to the Cubs.
A verdict on a trade should not be rendered after two games.