T.J. Simers: Casey Blake’s power of negative thinking keeps Dodgers in the hunt

OK, OK, so Andre Ethier has really cemented his reputation now as the Dodgers’ walk-off specialist.

But his gritty, lefty-against lefty, self-disciplined approach—resulting in a walk at a time when everyone was expecting something so much more heroic—is now becoming the Dodgers’ trademark for success.

And while Ethier might be the ultimate closer when it comes to tough at-bats, as rallies go, the biggest instigator so far this postseason is Casey Blake.

Blake’s a duck killer too, but I’m so happy to report today on the opening of the hunting season back in the middle of one-stoplight country that Blake’s weapon of choice will continue to be a bat.

Six sweet little birdies, the daily limit—four mallards and two hens—will live another day and maybe a whole lot longer because the killer, camouflaged recently as just another easy out in the Dodgers’ lineup, seems more interested in keeping his team alive.

“Hold on there, I think my chances of bagging all six on opening day would’ve been slim,” Blake says, someone noting—probably just as slim as his chances of being the one to get the hit that would ignite the rally to carry the Dodgers to victory Friday.

But yes, it was Blake in Game 2 against St. Louis, the Dodgers getting a break with a Matt Holliday error, but still not winning, or so it seemed with Blake at the plate and looking like, well, a dead duck.

Almost everyone had to figure he was going to strike out. “So did I,” says Blake.