Not even a moral victory
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 19, 2009 8:56 AM PDT
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PrintKuroda did more then just lose a playoff game he killed every Dodger playoff party before they even got going. Nothing like being down 6 - 0 to someone like Cliff Lee before the seats were warm. As early as the 2nd inning you have to find something to pin your hopes on so you start looking for moral victories, something to pass the time, knowing the game was probably already out of reach. With Bob Timmerman, BHSportsyguy, HollywoodJoe, Jacob Burch, and JasonUnger around we had some good Dodger fans who all tried to find some sliver linings.
If Elbert could come in and shut them down that would make the future brighter - Nope, Elbert looked just as I feared he'd look, a wild ass lefty.
With Elbert down we could turn to Billingsley and hope he'd shut them down and maybe make a case as a game seven starter - After retiring the first nine batters he faced it looked like we had pinned our hopes on the right guy. Then just like his implosions in the sixth he gave up a walk, triple, single, and the 6 run deficit became an insurmountable 8 run deficit. Luckily he was able to use Lee as his escape hatch.
Things were getting desperate, could we even get a XBH? - I mentioned how we had won Friday without an XBH and that the last time the Dodgers didn't get an XBH in a World Series was the fourth game of the 66 series. How many times had the Dodgers ever gone two games without an XBH? Bob Timmermann was upto the task and went through every post season game, and found that the Dodgers had never gone two straight post season games without an XBH. We had to get one, that was the moral victory that kept us watching the debacle for the rest of the game. When Belliard fouled out for the final out we not only lost 11 - 0 we had absolutely nothing to hang our hat on.
Until Bob Timmermann informed us that the last post season team to go two games without an XBH was the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins. Thanks Bob, we needed that.
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So I take solace in several things as we look towards the key game today. The slaughter took place on the road, at least at a Dodger party you still have excellent free food, free drinks, and great company. I’ve been to the 1980 one game playoff slaughter and nothing is more depressing then being at DS and knowing the game was over before the 2nd inning was done. Plus many teams have been crushed in one game only to win a post season series. In the end the Dodgers are better off losing this kind of game then a nail biter where they have to use everyone in the bullpen. Headed into tonight we have Kuo, Sherrill, and Broxton available.
Wolf is going to be just as brilliant as Cliff Lee was provided he gets out of the 1st inning. The big question is can this offense which has not had an XBH since Andre Ethier hit a double in the 7th inning of game one deliver? Yes, and they will deliver early and often.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Death to parties
Last night the Stephen Boys were getting a tad angry, so we decided to watch Major League right after the game ended. I left on a much happier note.
From my seats I had a view of the bullpen catcher, but a wall obstructed the pitcher. What I could see in the bullpen during the 2nd inning was wild pitch after wild pitch nowhere near the bullpen catcher. I assumed Chad was warming up and that really scared me. It turned out it was Elbert, so I had little faith when he came in. I have a feeling he was just incredibly nervous.
Elbert
I also wonder if Elbert had ever before pitched in really severe cold temperatures. He is from the South and has always played in hot climes in the minors.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 19, 2009 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
He was lucky enough
to pitch before the Loons became our affiliate.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 19, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I still don’t know whether to just stick around Downtown to watch the game or try to survive my 15-minute communications blackout during the Red Line portion of the game.
I need easy answers. I need simple solutions. I’ll ask Bill Plaschke.
DodgertownUSA The #Dodgers have trailed the series 2-1 in LCS play four times and in two of those cases, LA has not only won the series, but the WS too
So if the past is any indication
we have a 50% WP of the entire World Series. I’ll take it.
by Seanny Rotten on Oct 19, 2009 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Billingsley
Was the one bright note from last night. He came in and retired 9 straight confident, “hot” batters in a really tough lineup. So he gave up two runs – not that big of a deal in my book.
I’m thinking
Game 4 – Wolf
Game 5 – Padilla
Game 6 – Kershaw
Game 7 – Billingsley
by bearface on Oct 19, 2009 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree
Two runs off the Phils isn’t a big deal. If he gave up 2 runs in the third inning and then pitched another 3 solid innings, that would be an OK start. Just like every other non-Bills late season start, the results were inconclusive, but I wouldn’t hesitate to use him if we had no better options assuming at worse, he’ll be mediocre.
What a great night to get shutdown though. Bats will be back tonight and I anticipate Dodgers will take full advantage of that launching pad.
The NL West is always a cakewalk until the playoffs.
Let’s tie this thing up and prove everybody wrong.
'Sugar ain't poison, but sugar will kill you. Too much of a good thing. Maybe not so sweet.'
(self-appointed President of Yunel's Cartel~~~)
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Oct 19, 2009 10:17 AM PDT reply actions
Last I looked
we won six games in a row in the Division Series, beating the favored Cubs and Cardinals.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 19, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I think the Phillies are a particularly tough team to play. A power hitting lineup that won the world series last year, but replaced Pat Burrel with a guy who hit 37 homeruns and added a Cy Young award winner to their rotation.
I think we even it up tonight.
Yes there is a reason why they had the second best record in the regular season
Going through St. Louis and Phillie ain’t no picnic, but something we gotta do just to have the pleasure of playing the Yanks.
No one said it was going to be easy. If you remember the 1988 series against the Mets, it was a real ^&^fight to the very end and could have easily gone either way. I see this series as very similar.
We each took turns
eating a pitted fruit in front of him.
by meercatjohn on Oct 19, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Don't Stop Believin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6fFiRdep7s&feature=related
Trust me, it made my day feel better. We’ll get them tonight.
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