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Around SBN: NFL Week One: Previews and Predictions for all 15 games

Dodgers Win Opener, Beat Cardinals 5-3

NLDS: Cardinals vs. Dodgers
Dodgers Lead Series 1-0
Game 1 Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3
Game 2 Thu Dodger Stadium 3:07pm
Game 3 Sat Busch Stadium 3:07pm
Game 4* Sun Busch Stadium TBD
Game 5*   
Oct 13   
Dodger Stadium TBD
*if necessary All times Pacific
All games televised on TBS

The Dodgers' starting pitcher couldn't get out of the fourth inning, and their offense had a woeful two hits in 15 at-bats with runners in scoring position.  Yet, none of that mattered, as the Dodgers plodded their way to a 5-3 victory in Game One of the National League Division Series, the longest game in NLDS history at three hours, 54 minutes.

Randy Wolf, making his first career playoff start, was shaky and wild all night.  He loaded the bases with nobody out in the first inning, but managed to escape allowing only one run.  Leaving men on base was a pattern for both teams, as the Dodgers (16) and Cardinals (14) combined to leave a division series record 30 men on base. 

Wolf allowed 12 baserunners while only getting 11 outs.  Thankfully for the Dodgers, Chris Carpenter also wasn't sharp, and they were able to capitalize.  A Matt Kemp home run in the first inning gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish.  The Dodgers pecked away the rest of the game, tacking on single runs in the third, fifth, and sixth innings.  Carpenter allowed 14 baserunners while getting his 15 outs.

Jeff Weaver relieved Wolf in the fourth, getting out of yet another bases loaded jam, and ended up earning the win for his four-out effort.  Weaver has won each of the last two playoff games in which he has pitched, one for the Cardinals and one against.  He won the clinching game five of the 2006 World Series before tonight.

All in all the Dodger bullpen allowed just five hits and a run, striking out five while walking none over their 5.1 innings of work.  Jonathan Broxton got the final four outs for the save.

James Loney had two hits, and has had at least one hit in all nine postseason games he has started in his career.  He had one of the two hits with runners in scoring position, but his single to left didn't score Andre Ethier, who was rightfully held at third base by Larry Bowa.  Lifetime in the postseason, Loney is hitting .395/.465/.553.

The Dodgers got 22 men on base tonight, via 12 hits, eight walks, and two times being hit by a pitch.  This was the third highest total men on base in Dodger postseason history:

Game Opponent Hits BB HBP TOB
1956 WS, Gm 2 Yankees 12 11 0 23
1974 NLCS, Gm 4    Pirates 12 11 0 23
2009 NLDS, Gm 1 Cardinals 12 8 2 22

The Dodgers take a 1-0 series lead into tomorrow's game, with their best pitcher on the mound.  Clayton Kershaw versus Adam Wainwright figures to be a stellar playoff match-up.  Remember, tomorrow's game starts at 3:07pm, ensuring a sharp decline in Southern California workforce productivity.

Oh, by the way:  the Kevin Baxter reverse jinx is alive and well.

WP - Jeff Weaver (1-0): 1.1 IP, 1 hit, 1 strikeout

LP - Chris Carpenter (0-1):  5 IP, 9 hits, 4 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts

Sv - Jonathan Broxton (1): 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts

Box Score

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yessssssssssssssssssssssss

1 down 2 to go…
tomorrow doesnt get easier
but we can pull it off….

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 7, 2009 11:03 PM PDT reply actions  

thnak you kevin baxter

Because when I think of Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of Romanticism....

by shaqfor3 on Oct 7, 2009 11:10 PM PDT reply actions  

I wonder

if Jeff Weaver can get three wins this series. If he does, I like our chances. :)
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Oct 7, 2009 11:15 PM PDT reply actions  

Gonna watch on the iPhone?

by Eric Stephen on Oct 7, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

We'll probably have it on at work on the TV behind me.

But if i spend all day watching, I’ll be accosted. So trying to time my glances will be interesting

by Jacob Burch on Oct 7, 2009 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

Mitch Williams

I normally like him, but he just said this:

“In order for the Dodgers to stay in this division series and win it, they have to have contributions from at least two of their starting pitchers.”

Stay in??? Did we lose tonight?

by Eric Stephen on Oct 7, 2009 11:20 PM PDT reply actions  

i was at the game

and i was all excited to come home and watch highlights and hear the naysayers saying “oh, well maybe we were wrong.” and then i hear the above. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? puke.

by DJDodger on Oct 7, 2009 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

He's a moron

He also said the only reason the Dodgers have the best team ERA in baseball is cause of the bullpen yet the Dodgers starters have the second best ERA in all of baseball I believe.

by KSeal on Oct 7, 2009 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

funny you should bring this up, Eric

I was writing a post about Mitch Williams below when I saw you print this out. It’s probably some face saving- here’s what he said this afternoon on Mad Dog’s show on satellite radio/ These are all direct quotes:

“I think St. Louis runs away with this series.”
“If they shut Manny down and keep him in a slumber where he’s been, I don’t think it’ll even be close, because I don’t think they matchup.”
On Kershaw: "This kid’s stuff is not as big as it was…his velocity’s down…good breaking ball…I’m kind of a show me guy. (ie. Kershaw will have to prove himself)

by sarcastro9 on Oct 8, 2009 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

I love all the hatin' on the Dodgers from the media

It makes the winning that much sweeter. I said aloud to myself after the game, “did I mention we were good?”

by RandallP on Oct 8, 2009 12:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

Williams is a moron

Put Akins in the booth.

On TBS Eckersly went from saying we couldn’t win to saying the Cardinals have offensive problems that have been masked by Pujols.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions  

Added a note above

about the 22 baserunners by the Dodgers tonight. 3rd highest total ever by the Dodgers in a playoff game.

by Eric Stephen on Oct 7, 2009 11:33 PM PDT reply actions  

MLB dudes

have a serious bromance thing going on for the Yankees. What is this crap?

by K3vo on Oct 7, 2009 11:34 PM PDT reply actions  

HOly!

hahahahaha really Kevin Baxter??? Hahaha oh man, what a fail

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 7, 2009 11:46 PM PDT reply actions  

Beautiful! Kershaw versus Wainwright should be good! Go LA!

You wanna know how great baseball is? The greatest basketball player ever left his sport to play baseball.

by Jesse S. on Oct 7, 2009 11:49 PM PDT reply actions  

YES!

Fuck Furcal was money tonight.

Starting pitching pfewwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!! There’s about 20 other guys on the team and I swear to God La Rusa used them all (if I’m going to loose to LA, I’m at least going to exact my revenge make them sleepy tomorow). If the guy doesn’t walk a lot of batters, get a lot of base runners on, awesome!

“Bases Loaded” Weaver out of the pen and I will never doubt the bases loaded power of the Weaver again. Great game, played to our strengths, did ESPN catch it? The bats went crazy. Bring those bats back tomorow!

The pen was money as we all thought it would.

Another battle tomorrow. Look out for the K-Shaw.

by Dodger Dude on Oct 7, 2009 11:58 PM PDT reply actions  

Can I give this a thumbs down?

I freaking hate that dumb show and all the retarded, dumb characters on it – all of whom probably love the Yanks, Mets or Sawks.

but,

GO DODGERS!

by Seanny Rotten on Oct 9, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

ibleedbloo How cool was it that Gagne was at the game tonight!!! Can’t wait to get back at it tomorrow.

by Tripon on Oct 8, 2009 12:21 AM PDT reply actions  

what a game!!!

Just got back…that’ll be the last game I get to at Dodger Stadium until a possible Game 6 NLCS. Some notes:

+Crowd was awesome. Hardly any waves or beachballs- people just screaming at the top of their lungs! A touch of apathy set in during the 7th/8th inning, but that 9th inning got everyone right back into it.

+A couple of retroactive comments, had I been on TBLA tonight:
(after the run-scoring blooper dropped in during the 1st inning): “Hudson would have had that! I KNEW he should have been playing in this game”

(next play, after Belliard helps turn the double play): “Never mind! :))”

+No matter what happens for the rest of the series, most of the pundits have already been proven wrong, given how easily we were supposed to bow before Carpenter. (Buck Showalter and, surprisingly, Joe Morgan have been two rare exceptions that are willing to show the Dodgers some recognition.)

+Immediately after the Manny double play, the big screen showed an anti-steroid video. Maybe the timing was a coincidence, but I was shocked. I guess the Dodger’s are gonna get their money’s worth from the guy, one way or another!

+Finally, don’t believe the hype about the Dodgers leaving runners in scoring position- once again, there were a few hard line drives that went right at people. Still, I’ll take that trade for Ludwick’s bases clearing double that went foul by a foot! I think Weaver plans these things out. LOL

Great win tonight, and here’s to hoping we have another one tomorrow!!!

by sarcastro9 on Oct 8, 2009 12:26 AM PDT reply actions  

Great Stuff Bro!

Wish I could’ve been there to join you and all the other 55,000+ fans.

by PHAT JULIO on Oct 8, 2009 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions  

Nice, sounds like it was a blast.

I agree with you on that Ludwick foul ball… that was scary.

You wanna know how great baseball is? The greatest basketball player ever left his sport to play baseball.

by Jesse S. on Oct 8, 2009 2:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

True

we hit some wicked line drives right at Ludwick with runners on base.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

I hate baseball writers

Tim Brown on Yahoo sports said the following:
“Dodgers can’t beat Carpenter or Wainwright.”

Well i guess he is wrong.
What a douche.

by Threepwood52 on Oct 8, 2009 12:48 AM PDT reply actions  

Things that piss me off.

Look at this bullshit:

Notice anything?

They have a photo of Carpenter firing a pitch and a photo of Manny on his ass with his helmet in his face. WTF?!

by RandallP on Oct 8, 2009 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions  

Those “analysts” are ridiculous. Why does everything have to be about Manny? Didn’t they see how well this team played when Manny was suspended?

You wanna know how great baseball is? The greatest basketball player ever left his sport to play baseball.

by Jesse S. on Oct 8, 2009 2:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

Because on the East Coast

Manny is the only player they have heard of on our team.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

wow what a win, a truly bizarre yet amazing game

looks like the playoffs have brought every blogger to their computer, nice game thread hah

William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.

by Ollie on Oct 8, 2009 1:08 AM PDT reply actions  

Hindsite

he had no idea that Ryan was going to misplay the throw from LF. And the 2nd time no way would I have sent Andre on Loney’s single to left field.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

I think you overestimate Andre's speed

but I would have sent him on the first hit but not on Loney’s. Play was in front of the left fielder easy throw even for an arm like Holliday.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions  

yeah i think Loney’s single was way too shallow in left to score andre.

by whorge on Oct 8, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

He still would have been safe!

Look, I was there, and he was already around third by the time the ball was barely out of the fielder’s hand. As he stopped the pitcher cut it off – the trajectory the throw was at the catcher would have had to field it up the 1st base line and then dive back to try and tag ’Dre. OR, the pitcher cuts it off, wheels and has to throw a low strike to the catcher to beat ’Dre.

Bowa cost us 2 runs.

by Seanny Rotten on Oct 8, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

We won.

I should let it go. I will let it go. We’re up 2-0 now, baby!!!

by Seanny Rotten on Oct 9, 2009 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

'Dre didn't have the jump he needed to score on Loney's hit.

It would have been close.

I was thinking Bowa definitely watched that Twins Detroit game with so many guys getting nailed at the plate.

by Dodger Dude on Oct 8, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions  

For all the dumping on Belliard for misplaying the shallow fly ball

his play on the double play more then made up for it. We all know that Hudson has two strengths, going out and catching any possible popup and going to his left. We also know that Hudson has a weakness for balls hit to his right and that Belliard goes to his right better then Hudson. If Belliard doesn’t make a sweet play on the shot up the middle who knows how the first inning turns out.

I felt if Kemp had a better jump the fly ball should have been moot but Belliard was still in position to catch the fly ball. His bad but for a guy who was the best hitter on the team for the last 30 days he seemed to get a little to much grief for his two strikeouts in his first two at bats. That man has had exactly one at bat in the last 10 days. By the end of the evening he ended up getting on base three times and again was a big part of the Dodger offense.

I’m also thinking that Hudson is on the bench because of how slow our bench is. With Thome, Ausmus, and Loretta, we only have one decent player with speed in Pierre. Belliard with the groin problem is not someone you’d want to pinch run either. Hudson on the bench gives us a switch hitter, who can also pinch run in case Thome was to actually find his way on base.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:26 AM PDT reply actions  

Hollywood Joe and I had that same discussion

At the game about Belliard’s plays in the first inning.

by bhsportsguy on Oct 8, 2009 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

I disagree about the DP

Hudson would have ate that up, Belliard looked tentative, but he stayed with it and made it. He played well after that, but still a bit tentative.

I liked how Joe didn’t panic though and then switch Hudson in for Belliard after the damage was done and waited for it to even out.

That being said, I would probably start O dog tonight for the defense since the Dodger offense is firing and O dog can contribute to that offense like Belliard, although Bellie is definitely a bat we want to get out there when he is hot.

by Dodger Dude on Oct 8, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions  

That was an awesome game

The pundits touted Carpenter/Wainwright and we countered with our bullpen bullpen bullpen so it was very satisfying to see our bullpen do the job.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:29 AM PDT reply actions  

And again

Sometimes a game like last night is all about which manager decides to pull his starter out first.

by bhsportsguy on Oct 8, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions  

In fairness to LaRussa

a struggling Carpenter is probably better then his middle relief options, while our bullpen has been our strength all year. We don’t normally need to bail out Wolf but they have done the job all year.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

JEFF FUCKING WEAVER

and his ability to limit damage when the bases are loaded is one of the big stories of this season. How bloody big was getting Ludwick in that situation? I guess you’d have to check out the win expectancy before his at bat compared to after his ab. Where is Brendan when you need him?

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:31 AM PDT reply actions  

I mentioned to Joe

And it was mentioned later.

Last Cardinal to record a win in the post season, Jeff Weaver.
Last pitcher to record a win against the Cardinals, Jeff Weaver.

by bhsportsguy on Oct 8, 2009 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

According to Fangraphs WPA, that was the fifth biggest play of the game

1) Kemp Homer – .181 WPA
2) Molina DP – .129
3) Schumaker 4th inning double – .118
4) Ryan’s 1st inning double – .109
5) Ludwick groundout – .096

That play increased our win expectancy from 60% to almost 70%.

by Sam PHL on Oct 8, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

I was already proven wrong big time however on one of my comments

in that I said if Weaver or Garland ever had to pitch it was a game we’d be losing anyway since that meant our starter didn’t do the job.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:35 AM PDT reply actions  

It was obviously a reverse jinx attempt. Good work.

by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions  

Unbelievably

I keep hearing chatter around the office around these lines.

“Did you watch the game last night?”

“Ya, they won.”

“They looked good.”

Just as I get excited that I have people to talk to about the Dodgers the next comment is along the lines of:

“Artest looked good. He’ll be fine.”

And then I realize that I am alone.

Except I have you folks.

by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 8:52 AM PDT reply actions  

time for monster.com.

I am lucky to have a few Dodger fans in the office. One of them taking the day off to go to the game.

by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ha Ha

Eric even had to chase away the Laker preseason chatter during our PLAYOFF game.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

haha

It will be different after the Dodgers earn their own world championship.

by Dodger Dude on Oct 8, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

great win

the fact the dodgers could have even scored more was amazing..

we gotta cash in more of those runners though on base as the cardinals are gonna come back strong today

belliard is still the better choice even witht that miscue..it might come down to needing a single to win the game and id want ronnie there instead of hudson well c

again the media is underestimating kershaw and focusing on wainright..better for us anyways

is it just me or does it seem thome cant hit a fastball?…not sure if hes useful at all thoughts?

I think of myself as an intelligent, sensitive human being with the soul of a clown which always forces me to blow it at the most important moments
-"val kilmer-Jim morrison-doors movie"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Oct 8, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions  

The nation does not understand

how good Kershaw is at Dodger Stadium. He will begin to extend that knowledge today in the shadows when he mows through the Cardinal lineup.

by meercatjohn on Oct 8, 2009 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions  

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NL West Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
San Diego 79 59 .572 0 Won 3
San Francisco 78 62 .557 2 Lost 1
Colorado 75 64 .539 4.5 Won 6
Los Angeles 69 71 .492 11 Lost 5
Arizona 57 83 .407 23 Won 1

(updated 9.8.2010 at 10:10 PM PDT)

True Blue LA on Twitter

2010 Dodger Payroll

Pos No Player 2010 Salary
C 28 Barajas $117,486
1B 7 Loney $3,100,000
2B  13 Theriot $909,290
3B 23 Blake $6,000,000
SS 15 Furcal $8,500,000
LF  21 Podsednik $640,710
CF 27 Kemp $4,000,000
RF 16 Ethier $6,000,000

SS/2B/3B 14 Carroll $1,475,000
OF 5 Johnson $850,000
OF/1B 31 Gibbons $155,738
C 12 Ausmus $850,000
C 17 Ellis $332,241
IF 60 Hu $74,350
PH/1B 35 Lindsey $61,202
1B/3B 9 Mitchell $61,202
OF 49 Oeltjen $59,016

SP 22 Kershaw $440,000
SP 58 Billingsley $3,850,000
SP 18 Kuroda $14,100,000
SP  29 Lilly $1,696,721
SP 44 Padilla $4,025,000

CL 56 Kuo $950,000
RHP 51 Broxton $4,000,000
RHP  26 Dotel $636,612
RHP 74
Jansen $159,563
RHP 54 Belisario $297,541
RHP 38 Troncoso $297,792
RHP 36 Weaver $800,000
LHP 52 Sherrill $4,500,000
RHP 37 Monasterios $460,000
RHP  48 Ely $222,951
RHP 50 Link $109,649

DL 59 Schlichting $185,792
60DL 55 Martin $5,050,000

Manny $7,267,760


Pierre $4,000,000


Andruw $3,600,000


Schmidt $2,000,000


Wolf $2,000,000


Hudson $1,440,000


Nomar $1,250,000
Belliard $825,000
Anderson $409,699
Ra.Ortiz $349,727
AAA 45 Miller $292,623
DeWitt $266,612


Ohman $200,000
AAA 49 Haeger $195,393
AAA 47 Wade $194,514
AAA 30 Paul $131,147


Repko $122,951
Green $96,175
Ru.Ortiz $63,934
 
Taschner $39,344


Zerpa $35,000
Castro $32,787
McDonald $28,771
AAA 57 Elbert $6,557
AAA
Hoffmann ($25,000)


Stults ($400,000)

Totals
$99,389,730
 
For more detailed information, click here.

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