Dodgers Take Their Traveling Band to Coors Field
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 2:33 PM PDT
in Game Threads
Email
PrintLos Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies, Apr 24, 2009 6:10 PM PDT
The Dodgers make their first trip of the year to Coors Field starting with tonight's 6:05pm start on KCAL. The Dodgers swept the Rockies last weekend at home, outscoring them 27-10 during the three-game series. I'm sure the Rockies will try to return the favor at their place.
Eric Stults, who has won both of his starts since being recalled from Albuquerque, gets the start for the Dodgers. With Stults and McDonald starting the first two games in Coors, the Dodger bullpen may get taxed this weekend. However, said bullpen will not have the services of Jeff Weaver, at least not yet, says Tony Jackson of the LA Daily News.
Aaron Cook, who was battered last Saturday at Dodger Stadium, looks to rebound from his poor start to the season. As reported by Troy Renck of the Denver Post, Cook believes he's about to turn the corner:
"I believe (the sink) is back. (Pitching coach Bob) Apodoca is seeing it in my side sessions," Cook said. "I know I am better than this. It's my job to give us a chance to win games."
Perhaps Cook is thinking back to the last time he faced the Dodgers in Coors Field, when he pitched eight scoreless innings on September 14.
James Loney, who has tatooed Rockies' pitching in his career, has loved Coors Field. However, even though Loney has 27 RBI in 19 games in Colorado, he has had an RBI in only six of those games. Loney's three best RBI games have come at Coors Field, including a Dodger record nine during a pennant race in 2006.
Fun fact of the day: the Dodgers lead all of baseball in defensive efficiency. Courtesy of Baseball Prospectus, defensive efficiency is simply "the rate at which balls put into play are converted into outs by a team's defense." So it hasn't all been the offense, or the pitching.
Get your game score guesses in here. Only predictions in that post will count.
303 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Per rotowire:
The A’s cleared the roster spot for Hannahan by demoting Sean Gallagher the day before. Between Eric Chavez and Nomar Garciaparra, the A’s third basemen just haven’t been able to stay healthy, so Hannahan might get a shot or two while he’s up.
This must be shocking news to the baseball world. Reminds me of 2007 when the Dodgers traded Betemit thinking Nomar would stay healthy and we ended up having to sign Hillenbrand, or last year when they sent DeWitt down thinking Nomar would stay healthy and he went down the next day leaving us to play Martin at 3rd base. Anyway counting on Nomar or Chavez to be healthy at any given time doesn’t seem like the best way to build a squad. Mr. Mark Loretta is just a phone call away Mr. Beane. How do you think Beane feels about Brad Pitt portraying him in the Moneyball movie?
Todays the 24th and MLB Inside the Dodgers blog hasn’t had an update since April 21st? Is that unusual?
They had the lineup on the 22nd
But it was just an update to the 4/21 post. Josh is usually great at getting updates up but who knows, maybe on the road his travel schedule was different than the club’s? Don’t know.
Haven’t seen today’s lineup from Tony Jackson yet either.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
If you check out the SOSG you will see the type of questions you will be asked so you can prepare a little before hand. Don’t forget to get our Yahoo! and AP Photo exclusives some exposure. They might not grasp how the SBNation blog world works so good luck explaining the concept in a very short amount of time.
Sweet.
WIll there be some kind of internet feed?
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions
You can listen live online
but I’m not sure if it will show up eventually on their archive page.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
For those who don’t scroll down below the game thread check out this enlightening interview with Dodger Bullpen Catcher Rob Flippo
PTC - Andre Ethier
Final score will be Dodgers 7, Colorado 4.
I'm not sure the defensive efficieny is a good thing.
It might mean we’re getting lucky on balls in play.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions
Plus it's too early
Just thought I’d point it out since it’s so rare
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
G Mota has zero strikeouts so far this year. He’s the last one left. I wonder how many games the record is for not having a strikeout from the start of the season when you have appeared in 33% of the games played.
That sounds like a project
for when I get home!
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Pitching streak finder on the Play Index
Set Ks to 0 and select “to start a season.”. But I’m getting my haircut right now, or rather waiting to get a haircut. The lady who got called before me was named Cinammon. Which makes this the second place I’ve seen someone with that name.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Or pitching game finder
Select in X first games of season. Sort by players with games, then manually check each player’s gamelog.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought he meant
it was pathetic that Mota has 0 Ks
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions
My pick to click
is Blake DeWitt with a pinch it Grand Slam. (…mad for not starting vs Cook – since Raffy can’t hit him!) DeWitt, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
Ausmus, C
Stults, P
Eric
First off, congrats on the upcoming radio appearance. I’m excited for you, dude.
Next, I keep seeing the picture of the Dodger fan that you posted at the top of this thread. Your caption is waayyyy too forgiving! Look at that guy’s stance! Have some fun with all the bells and whistles that SBNation offers, and get crazy with the photo captions! For example, here is a festive photo caption from last night’s antics in Anaheim.
I love the new TrueBlueLA – this is just a kind suggestion.
Just leave Heidi Androl alone!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Apr 24, 2009 5:45 PM PDT reply actions
Tonight's CarMax text question is a great one
Who is the greatest #1 overall draft pick in MLB history:
A) Griffey
B) Chipper
C) A-Rod
All are no doubt HOFers, but Chipper is a notch below the two Mariners. It has to be A-Rod, right? He’s my pick.
I don't remember there being a debate in 1987
between Griffey and #2 overall Mark Merchant (an OF who never made it to the show), but the other two years featured fierce debate:
1990: Chipper or Todd Van Poppel. Van Poppel was super hyped, and told the Braves not to draft him since he wouldn’t sign with them (he went 10th to Oakland). Braves said OK, we’ll take the HOFer.
1993: A-Rod was seen as the prize, but many coveted Darren Dreifort. There were signability concerns with A-Rod, and it looked for a while like he might become a Dodger (who had the #2 pick). Mariners in the end decided A-Rod was too good to pass up, and the Dodgers’ fate was altered. :(
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions
As I recall it was only signability issues between Arod/Dreifort. I don’t think anyone was saying Dreifort was the better choice. After all, he was a college closer and terrific hitter.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yeah
but Dreifort was clearly the #2, and looked like he would be a star.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
So before the game starts we should revisit what happened last time Stults started. He had been pitching just fine including a shutout of the WhiteSox when something happened in Colorado and he was basically never heard from again. Torre’s handling of Stults after that game was one of the stranger aspects of the 2008 season. Someday I’d really like to hear the complete deal on that story.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I figure
it had to be something either with Stults ignoring advice either during or after the game, or perhaps having a bad attitude (similar to Sutcliffe going apeshit when told of a fake trade to Cleveland). Something odd, though, that’s for sure.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions
The Dodger leadoff man
has reached base to start the game for 9 straight games (8 Furcal, Hudson once)!!! The last time the 1st batter was retired was when The Unit struck out Furcal to begin the home opener.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Zach Greinke has given up a run
It was unearned though. In any event, the scoreless inning streak is over.
Somewhere
Orel opens up a bottle of bubbly. Or milk.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Sucks for Greinke
He got right out of the inning after the throwing error gave up the run.
Man, Greinke has some talent.
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2009 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Cook didn't fumble his second Beimel
Blake 1-2-3 DP
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Never thought I would be so disappointed with 2 runs to start a game. Just felt like we should have got so many more.
Still scored 2 though
That inning felt like the Dodgers filled up or chips & salsa, then when the Chile Verde came they were too full to finish the meal.
Yep
It was a good play all around. This time their CF won. Next time ours will. Mwuhuhuhahahaha
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions
My DVD just had Ethier single. I will have to pause while I support my wife at Science Fair Night. Has Stults given it all back yet?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Almost.
1 run and runners on first and third
Only one run
so far.
2 on, 2 out for Tulo
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions
O-Dog is due for another triple
not just a double plus getting gunned at 3rd (albeit razor-thin close)
A slip up by Vin
He just called Hudson “the 3-Dog, er, the O-Dog.”
Perfect timing since I read the Willie Davis chapter, among others, in Jon Weisman’s book today.
Vin was enamored with Ethier's
ability to foul off fastballs, pulling them even though they were 92
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Anyone know?
If Either has still seen the most pitches this season?
He's close
Pitches/PA
1. Lind 4.88
2. F.Lewis 4.67
3. Thome 4.52
4. Chone 4.51
t5. Ethier 4.50
t5. Swisher
Total pitches
1. Lind 367
2. V-Mart 327
3. Ethier 324
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Cook is all over the place so far
This must be getting really concerning for Rockies fans.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:05 PM PDT reply actions
Eh we were just joking that he should bunt
And he hit one of those grounders to the outfield as usual.
Oh ok haha
He hit a liner this time.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Never heard that saying before
at least that I remember.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:14 PM PDT up reply actions
God...
Way too many missd opportunities already.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:09 PM PDT reply actions
Big DP!!!
I thought Stults would be too late.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:15 PM PDT reply actions
Here's what sucks
It was 2-1 when I went to the bathroom, and I heard the DP as I got out. I assumed it was 2-1 still. I never saw the Atkins RBI single.
Damn!
So your saying
it’s your fault we’re tied?
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions
No
I’m saying I was enjoying the bliss of ignorance thinking we were up 2-1, only to be jilted into reality.
Kind of like when I didn’t know about breaking the seal until about 3 years ago; since then I have had to pee way too often.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe he's trying to drill Cook
Getting closer…
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Furcal's at bat is now your responsibility
If he gets out I’m blaming you.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Well...
It turns out Furcal’s swing was less Berkman and more Pierre
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually it's not as bad as me last night
On the Laker blog here, Silver Screen & Roll, when the Lakers went up 13 in the 3rd quarter, I asked “so, since we have Monday free, what are you guys doing?”
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm glad the Lakers got a blog on SBN
There’s definitely not enough written about them.
by Michael White on Apr 24, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions
He made a sweet diving catch
at least twice in games I attended last year.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Forget single
A lot of guys would have caught that ball. And once you decide you aren’t going to catch it, you have to slow down and keep it in front of you.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions
See way above
Who was the best overall #1 draft pick ever
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Kemp is no Willie Mays.
But Bill O’Reilly idolizes Willie Mays. Figure that one out.
Wait, so Bill O'Reilly hates Matt Kemp???
Unfair and unbalanced!!!
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd get into this
BUt we’d be crossing the rule 5 line.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah there's none here.
But it’s a pretty good rule for blogs in general. No reason to divide people.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Kind of like
“if you don’t eat them, they’ll eat you.”
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm going to pull a Joe Torre-
- and put Stults in my “bad list”.
Why?
Who would you rather start than Stults?
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd keep Stults.
But I’m trying to be illogical here, just like Torre.
O-Dawg
Was so worth that 17th pick. I know it’s still early to say so, but, there you go.
Especially
if we get a 1st rounder + a comp pick if he signs elsewhere after a great 2009
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Ethier!
I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of . . .
You don't walk WGJ to get to Bison
Here comes Slam #3 (all against the Rockies, although this will be his first in Colorado)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Hopefully Balke gets up this inning too.
Otherwise, oh man.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions
C'mon Kemp!!
Not sure how I feel about the IBB from the Rockies perspective.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 7:57 PM PDT reply actions
Kemp + Blake - 14 LOB
Rest of Team – 3 LOB
Blake's been hacking at the pitches this season.
Pure power strokes, it seems to me.
The Padres don't matter
The NL West consists of two teams, LA & AZ :)
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Colorado and SF have a chance too
Albeit a smaller one.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Do you really think
they don’t have much of a chance?
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm hoping for a reverse jinx.
I’ll gladly be wrong.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Just frustrated.
I still hope we’ll win. Maybe I’ll get a reverse jinx.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes
I think he had a good chance. But there were no outs so I agree with the decision not to send him.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
It's like Tulo was all, "Yeah, you gonna try to pick me off at 1st!?"
“Then eat THIS!”
And Aus-ome Ausmus was all like, “Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit! . . . WHEW!”
An even hondo on the pitch count
12 baserunners
3 runs
A Coors special
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Wat was Tulo doing?
It looked like he had a really late jump.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:12 PM PDT reply actions
Couldn't tell
Delayed steal? Maybe he has money on the Dodgers.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Pierre is batting .300...
Great player.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions
Plus
the familiarity factor with Coors and all
by Eric Stephen on Apr 24, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Pierre should consider playing cricket.
What with all those foul slaps he hits.
Time for an overflow?
My computer is going really slow.
Nice AB Pierre.
by Brendan Scolari on Apr 24, 2009 8:18 PM PDT reply actions
We're moving the game thread
to here.
Since this page is taking too long to load for some. COUGH Brendan COUGH
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
