Kershaw, Dodgers Look To Seize Control Of Series
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 9:38 AM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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Print| NLDS: Cardinals vs. Dodgers | |||
| Dodgers Lead Series 1-0 | |||
| Game 1 | Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3 | ||
| Game 2 | Today | 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 uniqueness of baseball is the daily grind, the unending constant that rewards consistency and longevity. Over the course of a long season, the cream will almost always rise to the top. There is some anxiety, but for the most part the regular season is all about the workman-like punching of a time clock every day. As fans, we can only handle so much stress. In the regular season, we can remind ourselves to not get too high nor too low, because the game is only one out of 162.
Now come the playoffs. Last night's game was intense. It was a four-hour ride of nervousness, all the way to the end. It was thrilling, an exciting victory, and today we are back at it again. If the Dodgers make a long run this month, I have a feeling my nerves are going to be shot just after Halloween.
Speaking of shot nerves, we have a pair of pitchers making their first career playoff start today. Adam Wainwright does have postseason experience; he was a dominant reliever in the Cardinals' 2006 title run, striking out 15 in 9.2 scoreless innings. He even got the final out of both the NLCS and World Series.
Clayton Kershaw, at 21, is the Dodgers' best pitcher. But, like on the mound, he is wise beyond his years, as he told Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
"I'll probably be nervous for sure," he said. "I'm nervous every time I pitch. I think it's how you handle the nerves, how you channel it, how you can use it to your advantage sometimes."
Kershaw amazingly has not won a game since July 18, despite a 2.52 ERA and 2.54 FIP since then. What better time for his first win than today? Kershaw has allowed 20 runs in 16 home starts this season.
Last night's win by the Dodgers was just the ninth in their postseason history when the starting pitcher failed to complete four innings. The Dodgers are 9-29 all-time when their starter doesn't last four, and the last win in such a scenario was Game 1 of the 1988 World Series, when Tim Belcher lasted just two innings, but the Dodgers ended up winning somehow (I don't remember the details).
After winning game one of a playoff series, the Dodgers have won their last three games two. Their last game two loss after winning game one was Game 2 of the 1981 NLCS, when Ray Burris of the Expos pitched a five-hit shutout.
The Dodgers are 2-6 all-time in games on October 8. Their best win was the clinching victory over the White Sox in Game 6 of the 1959 World Series, and the worst loss was the Don Larsen perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
**********
Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.
Game Time: 3:07pm
TV: TBS, but will start on TNT if the Rockies/Phillies game runs long
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From last thread
put me in the camp that had no problem holding Ethier on the ball Ryan eventually dropped. If Ryan fields the relay cleanly, Ethier was likely toast.
IF it had been
one of our faster players, I would say send him, would’ve been worth the risk. But with Andre in that situation, I say it was the right call
doesnt matter if kershaw wins the game..with our bulley playing like it has..just needs to get a little further than wolf did…now if he goes lights out and has a 7 or 8 inning outing..then thats gravy
to me the most important thing is him getting his confidence as well need even bigger things from him further in the postseason
i hope the blue crew go with the same stragedy of swinging at the first ptich early again (then be patient as the game goes on)..why more teams dont do this ill never know agianst more dominant pitcheres as there always looking to get that first strike across.
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 9:13 AM PDT reply actions
Josh Bell Number 10 in BA Top 20 Prospect list for the Southern League
10. Josh Bell, 3b, Chattanooga (Dodgers)
Age: 22. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 235. Drafted: Dodgers ‘05 (4).
Bell spent the season’s first four months with Chattanooga before the Dodgers traded him to the Orioles in a deal for George Sherrill. Melvin Mora’s contract expires after this season, so Bell could get an audition in Baltimore at some point in 2010.
Bell can punish low fastballs and hanging breaking balls, but some managers felt he could be beaten with good fastballs up in the zone. He’s generally a patient hitter and has plus power. A switch-hitter, he has been markedly better from the left side of the plate, from which he has hit 41 of his 43 pro homers in full-season ball. He had a 1.043 OPS against righthanders in 2009, compared to .541 against lefthanders, and he might be more effective batting exclusively lefthanded.
While there were concerns earlier in Bell’s career about his defense, he made a big leap forward. Managers rated him the SL’s best defensive third baseman after he slimmed down and became more adept at making the routine play. His range is average, his hands are fine and he has an above-average arm.
but some managers felt [Bell] could be beaten with good fastballs up in the zone
Isn’t that true of 95% of major leaguers ?
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't 'understand
how switch hitters who totally suck from one side of the plate don’t give it up.
Lambo is Number 18
18. Andrew Lambo, of, Chattanooga (Dodgers)
Age: 21. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 190. Drafted: ‘07 (4)
The Dodgers’ No. 1 prospect entering the season, Lambo played briefly in Double-A last year shortly after turning 20. He returned to the SL in 2009 for the full season and might end up repeating the level in 2010, as he posted mediocre numbers even in one of the league’s more hitter-friendly parks.
Scouts who have followed Lambo the last two years said he didn’t show the same power and liveliness in his bat that was present a year ago and worry that he might be a future fourth outfielder. Some scouts still liked his swing, as he has an advanced ability to drive the ball to the opposite field for a player his age. He has some raw power, though it showed up more as doubles (he finished third in the league with 39) than homers (11).
A well below-average runner, Lambo already is confined to left field. He does gets decent reads in the outfield and has an average, accurate arm.
Ouch.
Earning a 4th outfielder mention and being “already limited to LF” is not what you want to read. He certainly returns to Chattanooga next year a hopefully his power stroke comes back.
Curious to see what that team will be like with Kyle Russel and Lambo next year.
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Scott Van Slyke will be the RF in Chattanooga
Russell will be in Inland Empire, not in Double A.. Russell is not ready for Double A pitchers, and probably never will be.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 8, 2009 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
It is Not About "Learning"
More than any other hitter in the Midwest League, Russell had trouble making contact against pitchers younger and rawer than the pitchers in the California League, and he did so while being a good deal older than hitters in that league are supposed to be. That does not make a candidate for skipping leagues. And beside that he is BEHIND Van Slyke and plays the same position. Where do you think Van Slyke is going to go?
by CanuckDodger on Oct 8, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
These things have a tendancy
to work themselves out during the winter. At some point next summer I expect to see the outfield I outlined above playing for the Lookouts. It may not be at the beginning of the season but it will happen.
Not sure what the point of moving Russel to IE will be
he already mashed in the pitcher friendly Great Lakes, why expect anything but fireworks in the pitcher friendly Cal league.
It’s either up or out for Russel. If he can’t hack it in AA, then so be it, but it’s time to figure that out.
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Yep
Dodgers were 2-12 when their starter didn’t go 4
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions
Do you guys think he pulled Wolf
So he might be able to pitch on short rest?
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 8, 2009 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Nope
Torre already announced no matter what that Wolf wouldn’t pitch in game 4.
He pulled him because he couldn’t find the zone.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
I doubt that
plus, if Kershaw pitches lights out today, if this series goes 5, I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t see Wolf again….
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
I just saw some clips from Kershaw's press conference.
You quoted him above. For a 21 year old kid, I was completely impressed. He is well spoken, sure of himself without being cocky, and knows what the expectations are. Whatever happens today doesn’t matter, but just from that press conference, I can tell that guy is going to be pretty good.
Matt Kemp Ca-HRUSHED that homer
I wasn’t rooting for you, I won’t lie, but he absolutely blasted that thing. He’s climbing my list of best players in the game as the days go by.
That said, over in the other series, Tracy is starting Garrett Atkins and Yorvit Torrealba over Stewart’s glove and Iannetta’s COMPLETE F***ING DOMINANCE OF LEFT HANDED PITCHING.
I’m hearing murmurs of him throwing Iannetta under the bus when the team started slumping offensively. Way to understand the factors in good batting, dude.
Oh this Jim Tracy…this is who you were talking about.
EXECUTE: It's the Clutch thing to do
I’m rooting for you to beat Hamels today.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Ha Ha
and you will get a few more years of bizarre moves. Nothing bugged me more then Jim Tracy getting all sorts of credit for the Rockie resurgence.
I wondered about the Iannetta move myself
I was just generally bugged about it too mainly because if it took Jim Tracy to motivate that team, what does it say about the Rockies.
And it seems it did not help out Brad Hawpe that much.
I've said it a couple of times
but first time here, Clint Hurdle had just become stagnant. Great guy, but his relationship with the clubhouse had become a bad thing, bad juju, stolen Jobu’s rum, whatever. Losing him took a pressure off of the team, and they played to ability. I mean, there was a rebound where they played ABOVE ability, but you see my point.
EXECUTE: It's the Clutch thing to do
by Andrew Martin on Oct 8, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
pretty much this
BUT YOU DON’T GO FROM 2ND WORST TO 2ND BEST JUST RANDOMLY OMG OMG OMG
EXECUTE: It's the Clutch thing to do
by Andrew Martin on Oct 8, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn't mind taking Ianetta off your hands
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I will destroy you
EXECUTE: It's the Clutch thing to do
by Andrew Martin on Oct 8, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
You’ll destroy members of other SB Nation blogs, but then, just as you get tantalizingly close, mwhite06 will destroy you when matched up head to head.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
oh i see what you did there
you shall not passsss
EXECUTE: It's the Clutch thing to do
by Andrew Martin on Oct 8, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Perhaps I'm missing something
but I’ve heard from Rockie fans who come over here that Ianetta is a divisive topic over there (like Billingsley over here) but looking at the numbers I don’t really get it.
Torrealba (age 30) OPS: .732
Ianetta (age 26) OPS : .804
Russel Martin (age 26) OPS: .680
What exactly is there to complain about with Ianetta?
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions
I think divisive
in that the Rockies use Torrealba more then they should, and Purple Row is not happy about it. I don’t think there is much conflict within Purple Row itself on Ianetta.
I wouldn't get all enamored with your young catcher
it was only a year ago we thought we had the best young catcher in the NL West and now he sits behind Montero/Posey/Ianetta in fourth place. Young Rockie catchers have a tendency to not be very good. Something will happen to continue this trend.
Interviews from the media room will be online, live at noon
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=7270758
Cool for a longtime Angels employee
Tim Mead, their VP of communications, who has been with the club for 30 years, will throw out the first pitch.
Deserving as the first-pitch honor is, the Angels are going one step farther to create a lifetime memory for Mead — his 22-year-old son, Brandon, will take the field with him to catch the pitch.
Mead went to high school and college with my brother, so this is especially cool.
One of the most honorable men I’ve ever met, and a great friend for over 30 years; I can’t tell you how much he deserves this honor. Moreno is definitely one of the class acts in sports owners. First cutting beer prices, and now this.
I should blow off the Dodgers on TV and try to make this game.
by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I cant tell how much of that is sarcastic
Do you guys actually know Tim Mead? Because I’m sure you have to be joking about Moreno being a class act
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
All true
no sarcasm
RE Moreno: If you’re a fan of a baseball team, wouldn’t you want a guy like Moreno as your owner?
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
How is Moreno not a class act
if you are an Angel fan. As a Dodger fan you might be upset that he tried to increase his fan base but that hardly says anything about his character. I’d much rather have Moreno as an owner then Frank.
Moreno is like Mark Cuban without any of the stuff that gets Cuban fined.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions
yep that one incident did it for me : )
I know thats no way to judge his character, and I wont argue witht he angels success, but in my mind he’ll always be a slime ball for trying to cut into our market and fan base. And yes I know its fairly irrational but I allow myself to be that way in sports sometimes haha
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
that is very cool about Tim though
what an exciting moment for him!
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
That's just good business though
Don’t hate the player :)
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I met Tim when I was a sophomore in high school; he was a senior. He took me under his wing and showed me the ropes and to this day he always says “I made you”. You know what; there’s some truth to that.
He’s godfather to my oldest daughter, and last year when my mom died he drove out from spring training to attend the services and spent hours with my family.
There is no greater human being that I have ever met.
by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
With regards to sarcasm, however, I told him to be sure to pitch from the rubber and throw a damn strike!
by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
There is no greater human being that I have ever met.
What about when you peed next to Bob Hope?
Or Keith the bartender??? :)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
High Praise indeed
you must be able to get some killer Angel tickets that go to waste being a Dodger fan. With all these connections you couldn’t get your baby brother a gig with the Angels? Is it because he didn’t go to USC and is being shunned?
I used to get great ones, for free. But strict rules now: IRS feels that all comp tickets, for employees and players, are income and are taxable income so I never ask for tix anymore.
I did, however, have a chance to buy a strip of 4 tix for every playoff game but I declined because I didn’t want to take a bath if I couldn’t unload the tix. Knowing now they’re playing Boston, and perhaps in NY in round 2, would have meant that a non-issue.
He did get Eric and I and my family into the dugout suites for a game in 2001. We got to be dicks and call our brother in Baltimore and told him to turn on the angel game on Fox. Eric and I were waving to the camera. All I heard was, “You SUCK!” and then he hung up.
Hey, Eric never asked. Plus, the Angels don’t allow guys w/a blue interlocking LA tattoo on their rear ends work for them. Besides, he knows Tim so he can call himself. I got some great pics of E and Tim on the field before Angels/Dodgers on E’s first press assignment at Mecca.
by KellyStephen on Oct 8, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I've heard that Eric and Scoscia have the exact same tatoo
so that excuse does not hold water. In fact Mickey Hatcher also has one.
Is Twitter broken?
I find it hard to believe none of the 174 people I follow have tweeted anything for 3+ hours
Usually when our starter would get knocked out before the 4th
1. Joe would have left him in too long (not last night, smart)
2. Joe wouldn’t use his best relief pitchers.
3. He didn’t just spend a week getting his relief guys rest and ready for g1
4. Weaver would have pitched longer than his 1 1/3 mastery.
Shows that the Dodgers too have some advantages in this post-season format that weren’t really talked about as much as starting pitching.
But that usually refers to the regular season
certainly you see why different rules apply now.
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions
From Keith Law chat:
Chad Billingsley (Sobbing in my basement)
I can’t believe Skip thinks Vicente is better then me. Have I really regressed this far? From a # 1 to a # 4 in half a year? I guess it doesn’t help that I pitched like a scared little girl in last years playoffs…I’m sad :(
Klaw
(1:11 PM)
I’m more worried about how you pitched down the stretch this year. If you can’t command your stuff in September games against opponents that have already started to shut it down, I’m supposed to trust you against Pujols and Holliday?
Joe (Cincy)
I think Joe Torre should play Juan Pierre more. It’s not just the small ball that they miss. It’s the energy that he brings every day and the threat that he brings as far as running the bases and stealing bases.
Klaw
(1:30 PM)
Too obvious.
Juan Pierre is just that
a threat. Most threats don’t turn into action.
threat that he brings as far as running the bases and stealing bases.
G ((NY))
So Matt Kemp is one lucky son of a (gun) huh?
Klaw
(2:01 PM)
Kemp has a .361 BABIP over 1800 PA. I think his true talent level is something pretty close to that. BABIP for hitters isn’t like it is for pitchers.
Ya, I mean, guys who run really well are going to have higher BABIP’s. Pitchers regress to .300.
by Michael White on Oct 8, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions
Who are people here rooting for Colorado or Philadelphia?
Difference between Dodger Fans and Cardinal Fans is WE DON'T GIVE STANDING OVATIONS FOR SACRIFICE BUNTS
A five-game series with four 23-inning games
by Eric Stephen on Oct 8, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Revenge would be awesome
Difference between Dodger Fans and Cardinal Fans is WE DON'T GIVE STANDING OVATIONS FOR SACRIFICE BUNTS
Manny Dodger Notes
A FINE NINE – Manny Ramirez last night went 1-for-4 with a double to extend his postseason hitting streak to nine games, and is batting .483 (14-for-29) with three doubles, four homers, 10 RBI, 12 walks, and a .634 on-base percentage during the stretch.
►Ramirez has also hit safely in nine straight Division Series games (.429, 12-for-28) beginning with Game 2 of the Red Sox’s 2005 DS against the White Sox and in 14 of his last 15 DS contests (.377, 20-for-53) beginning with Game 4 of the Red Sox’s 2003 DS against Oakland.
►Ramirez is the all-time Division Series leader with 12 home runs. He ranks second in DS play with 30 RBI, three behind Bernie Williams.
New story
about Dodger relievers on no rest
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/10/8/1076694/no-rest-no-problem-for-dodger
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