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Around SBN: The Worst Team Ever Projected?

Breakfast Baseball Beckons, Billingsley Boasts Best Bet

Eric___ned___reporters_2011_trade_deadline_tiny by Eric Stephen on in Game Threads

Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies, May 14, 2009 10:05 AM PDT


Today's early start (10:05am) features a world class pitching matchup of the highest order.  The two respective aces take the hill, as Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers faces Cole Hamels of the Phillies.  The two pitchers are remarkably similar, and here is the tale of the tape:

Billingsley Pitcher Hamels
24 years, 289 days Age 25 years, 138 days
6'1" Height 6'3"
245 lbs
 Weight 190 lbs
Right Bats/Throws Left
485.1 IP 566.1
40-20 W-L 39-25
.667 Win% .609
8.3 H/9 8.0
0.7 HR/9 1.2
4.1 BB/9 2.4
8.3 K/9 8.6
136 ERA+ 128
.247/.334/.365 Opponents .237/.287/.408
2 years, 110 days MLB Service Time 2 years, 143 days
Left leg Broken Limb Left arm

Cole Hamels ended 2008 with a flourish:  four wins and a 1.80 ERA in five postseason starts, MVP of both the NLCS and World Series, an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, and the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Hamels even signed a $20.5-million contract this offseason, in part because he has about a month more of service time than Billingsley.  Billingsley's big payday will come soon, perhaps as soon as this winter, when he becomes arbitration-eligible for the first time.

For Billingsley to cash in, he just has to keep pitching like he has been so far this season.  He is 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 47.2 innings, helping erase the memory of his poor performance in last year's NLCS.  Per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:

"It's really how you respond to the setbacks that determines how you are," Torre says.

So far, Billingsley has responded by throwing inside more, particularly to left-handers. He has responded by replacing the departed Derek Lowe as the Dodgers' ace.

Game on.

The Dodgers are 3-4 in getaway games this season.

Get your guesses in for "Just A Bit Outside" here.

Box Score | Gameday

Comment 460 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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same lineup

Pierre
Furcal
Hudson
Ethier
Martin
Loney
Kemp
Blake
Billingsley

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 7:44 AM PDT reply actions  

Some props from DodgerTalk (is it still called that)

I happened to be in the car just before 9 P.M. last night and the topic turned to Jason Schmidt. Josh Suchon said, paraphrasing here, that their “good friend Eric Stephen from True Blue LA dot com” had seen Schmidt in San Bernardino and reported in his blog…. They went on to cite some info from the writeup, including the bit about the Ports pitchers telling Eric about the pitch speeds. I can’t check for audio on-line right now, but I imagine it’s on KABC somewhere.

You’re hitting the big time boys.

by David Young on May 14, 2009 8:36 AM PDT reply actions  

Wow, that's awesome

sadly, the only thing KABC archives is the “Dodger replay,” which won’t have that on it. That’s still pretty cool though.

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

Congrats Eric!

That’s awesome that all of your hard work is being recognized. I’m really stoked with all the improvements you’ve brought to TBLA this past year!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

WOW

Nice pub, nice write up too Eric. Congrats!

by Big Blue on May 14, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions  

Out of school...

…yet i’m up at 6 am to watch baseball. What is wrong with me.

by Chad Moriyama on May 14, 2009 9:16 AM PDT reply actions  

Phillies decide to switch it up a bit.

Rollins
Victorino
Utley
Howard
Werth
Ibanez
Feliz
Ruiz
Hamels

by Tripon on May 14, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions  

If Chad has trouble with the Killer Z’s someone else’s laptop is going through the window. Utley has been very very quiet this series. I don’t like that headed into the last game. Howard will be happy to see a RHP even one such as Chad.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

Unless Joe Torre goes on a machine gun rampage in Philly

I doubt we will touch anywhere close to our site traffic of last Thursday.

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 9:36 AM PDT reply actions  

Don’t be so quick to discount the drawing power of the Businessman’s Special, Eric!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

Pierre against Hamels is not exactly a match up you should expect him to succeed at. The fact Paul/Loretta are sitting today is Torre being Torre. No regular will get a match up day off unless it falls on the weekend.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

At least we don't have to endure Drew & Kent anymore

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah

Not sure how that has to do with baserunning though.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

2006 NLDS Game 1 against the Mets. Second Inning

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:24 AM PDT up reply actions  

Ah

True. I’d still take Drew though.;-)

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions  

Negative Nancy

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

Bunting in the 1st inning in Philly?

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions  

I didn’t see it…I await the replay after work

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

If it was a straight sac

Charlie Manuel playing for one run in the first inning in this park is a bit of a tip of the hat to how good Billingsley is.

by David Young on May 14, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah

But I would bet a lot that it wasn’t. Victorino was running as he bunted.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

Woah

That was way gone if it was fair.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:23 AM PDT reply actions  

Let Mota do it

when we’re up 5 in the 9th…then he can get suspended.

Win-win.

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

Considering the defensive position we took on Chad for not throwing inside, I for one was giddy when Shane went down as my emotion totally dominated my logic.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

In honor of the #1 movie this week

“Bones” approves and Spock raises one eyebrow.

/nerd mode

by David Young on May 14, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions  

I saw it last Sunday. The 1/2 half I thought it was great. When old Spock showed up it just came to a halt for me. It was okay after that but it wasn’t the great movie I kept hearing. To much goofiness with old Spock for me.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

It seemed like much more

but twas only a 16-pitch inning for Chad

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions  

Yeah.

Considering he threw 8 balls and 8 strikes thats pretty encouraging that he got out of that with only 1 run scored.

by Jesse S. on May 14, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions  

Nice swing by Russ.

11 for his last 21. Reached on 19 of his last 29 PA.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:30 AM PDT reply actions  

he got up "gingerly"

as they announcers put it…. He is running fine…. It looked worse…. He is still playing

by Big Blue on May 14, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah.

He’s fine though, he just tried to steal.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

More terrible baserunning!!

Got lucky there. Nice hit by Loney, that was smoked.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:31 AM PDT reply actions  

I would like Kemp

to collectively boggle Philadelphia’s minds…

he had the diving catch
he scored from 2nd on a bunt
he just needs a HR to blow their minds

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions  

"he scored from 2nd on a bunt"

Man, that was so awesome. I couldn’t stop watching the replay of that.

Much better than whatever the hell Werth did a few days ago.

by Dr. Geek on May 14, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

I don't know

stealing home on the catcher’s throw is pretty great too

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions  

Agreed.

Werth’s play was more impressive.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

I’d never seen someone steal home that way before. It is so easy to simply look at the runner before throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

Werth took advantage of the defense doing something kinda dumb. Kemp’s move was heads up AND physical domination; the only mistake the Phils made was Utley’s throw wasn’t perfect. Therefore, Kemp’s was more impressive.

by David Young on May 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

Disagree

Werth’s happens much less often. I don’t ever remember seeing that actually.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

For your inbetween inning reading pleasure

Here is an absolute gem about our old buddy Jayson Werth and his father brought to you by the fine folks over at gaslampball.com. Give it a read…

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions  

time from the ball hits the catchers glove to the time it hits 2B/SS mitt

by Chad Moriyama on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

4/24/20009 Brad Ausmus Eric Stults 2.16-2.09-2.02
5/3/2009 Brad Ausmus Chad Billingsley 2.16-2.09-2.16

lol

Martin is around 1.7-1.8

by Chad Moriyama on May 14, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

Time

From when the ball hits the catchers glove tll it gets to second base. Scouting tool.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions  

HAHAHA

The bullpen for the dodgers put a sign and cation tape around where the HR that Will Ohman gave up landed in the Dodger bullpen…. So awesome.

“Caution Flying Objects”

by Big Blue on May 14, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions  

Leadoff Walks

They always come back to haunt you.

by Jesse S. on May 14, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions  

Maybe we need a Matt Kemp watch . His numbers in May are putrid.
http://firstinning.com/players/Matt-Kemp-a/

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions  

The First Z gets on via walk.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions  

Step 1

unplug co-worker’s laptop

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions  

“Nobody in the history of sports has played forever.”
-Charley Steiner

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions  

Charlie gets paid for this, you know….

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions  

K.

Right down the middle. Pedro could have taken that one out.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:39 AM PDT reply actions  

I haven't looked this up

but I believe Ruiz is hitting .967/.986/1.679 against the Dodgers, only slightly worse than Brad Hawpe

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions  

I do too

because every time I see C Ruiz in the box score, I think it’s Chico.

by David Young on May 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

Some Phillies fan argued with me last year

that Carlos Ruiz>Russell Martin

My brain hurt really bad.

by Chad Moriyama on May 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions  

fail

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe he only watched Philly/Dodger games.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

Or Oct.

Ruiz was actually the best hitting catcher in the playoffs.

by Tripon on May 14, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

Too soon!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions  

I quote

“Carlos Ruiz is in the World Series. Russell Martin is playing golf. I’ll take Ruiz.”

“Carlos Ruiz does the little things that we see everyday.”

:o

by Chad Moriyama on May 14, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions  

After a good pitch

He hangs one. Luckily it was a foul ball.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions  

Hopefully he uses these two innings where he’s gotten out of jams to regroup and prepare for the next time through the lineup.

by Jesse S. on May 14, 2009 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

Somewhere out there...

Brian Wilson sheds a tear…

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

Does Casey only do XBH’s? Not that I’m complaining.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:49 AM PDT reply actions  

Oh, that's not all he does!

Casey can also make mock-gestures which insult the opposing team’s most psychologically fragile relief pitcher after he hits a game tying home run in extra innings!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

Let's turn this green folks!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions  

Tomorrow’s story: they told Chad to sac up, and he couldn’t do it…again.

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

Chad needs some time

with Maury. Or Kershaw.

Maybe Chad can give Kershaw some road pitching tips in exchange :)

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions  

That is pathetic, you have to get the bunt down. Didn’t someone do a study that showed our pitchers can’t bunt worth shit.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 10:51 AM PDT reply actions  

Thank you Jimmy!!!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions  

Yes!

It took a mistake by them to get a run, but I’ll take it.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 10:57 AM PDT reply actions  

Global economic downturn

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions  

Hopefully

because they’re saving their money that would go to photographers to hire Phil & I to write for exorbitant sums of cash

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions  

Jeff Passan gets paid in tubes of hair gel...

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions  

I'd settle for a few cases

of those sugar free mints from Life Saver

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

How long can we keep Brendan as an intern before we have to share our exorbitant sums of cash?

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions  

We'll purchase a radio

for the dungeon, that only has one station, playing 70s music

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions  

Oh my, has our Chad showed up. Where is the Grabowski K machine?

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions  

Chad isn’t used to showing up to the ballpark that early…. now he is ready to go

by Big Blue on May 14, 2009 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions  

51 pitches through 3

the little things, such as a 5-pitch advantage on Hamels, will go a along way.

Almost as long as Martin’s first 2009 homer in a few minutes

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions  

CHHHHHAAAAAAADDDDDDDD

"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo."

Adjective: Buffalo, NY
Verb: bully, confuse, or intimidate
Noun: Matt Kemp

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:08 AM PDT reply actions  

Billingsley been throwing inside against Lefties.

ESPN did some scouting reports showing that lefties were hitting like over .100 less against Billingsley from last year.

by Tripon on May 14, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions  

excellent

I can’t believe I didn’t realize this was a day (morning) game. I was all set to watch this with no interruptions tonight. I also forgot to move Chad back into the SP position on my roto team. Double-ouch.

"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo."

Adjective: Buffalo, NY
Verb: bully, confuse, or intimidate
Noun: Matt Kemp

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

It's the MLB Schedulers gift to Lakers fans

Thank God they had the foresight to know Game 6 would be tonight!

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

This ump hates Ethier.

Calling everything.

And wow, that’s about as bad as you’ll ever see Andre look.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions  

Until his next at bat against Hamels.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions  

We need WGJ

to provide some lefty on lefty abuse here

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:12 AM PDT reply actions  

The numbers for Andre/James/Matt in May must be awful.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:13 AM PDT reply actions  

Loney had another LIDP, only this time the Phillies completed it

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions  

He was checking to see where Werth was.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions  

The liner wasn't even hard though.

It wasn’t going to the outfield. And you still have to at least freeze, not take two steps towards third.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

That was a joke my friend. I expect Martin is checking to see where Werth is in his nightmares.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah

whatever happened to “wait until the ball is through the infield?”

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions  

I may not remember "pop times"

but I remembered not to run until the ball got through the infield

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah

That was an easy decision too. Loney got jammed really bad.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions  

Only 2 this inning :)

unless you meant the Phillies offense being put to sleep

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions  

After I posted I figured I should have said ZZ’s…. but your explanation works well….

by Big Blue on May 14, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

I don’t think even the good Chad can get two of them out in a row.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

Steiner redeems himself

with another generality:

“The wall never loses, unless Rodney McCray is involved.”

That’s funny

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions  

No Ruiz with men on base.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

We just have to deal with his

.900 OBP (estimated) leading off next inning :)

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions  

I can't believe I forgot to start Chad today

Has Billingsley thrown really inside anyone today? I’d almost expect him to hit someone at some point.

Billingsley has come for revenge. Cold and precise. Like Gazpacho soup.

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:23 AM PDT reply actions  

I know

I actually tried to keep him in at all times, but I had 3 pitchers starting another day, and not enough spaces. I blame Yahoo!

Billingsley has come for revenge. Cold and precise. Like Gazpacho soup.

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions  

Thank you kind sir

Billingsley has come for revenge. Cold and precise. Like Gazpacho soup.

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah

He’s almost hit quite a few guys.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions  

No intimidation going on today.

Billingsley has come for revenge. Cold and precise. Like Gazpacho soup.

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions  

How ironic...

I’m starting Billingsley today and the team I’m up against this week (head-to-head) is starting Hamels.

by Jesse S. on May 14, 2009 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions  

Kemp!

Rollins was 5’4" in HS. Surprising.

by Brendan Scolari on May 14, 2009 11:25 AM PDT reply actions  

Close call

Kemp almost ran into an out

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:27 AM PDT reply actions  

No walks yet for Hamels

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:30 AM PDT reply actions  

In that case

1st & 2nd, 1 out…they are playing for 2 runs on a single if it’s a sacrifice.

but I don’t think it was a sacrifice

by Eric Stephen on May 14, 2009 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions  

seriously

That is ridiculous.

Billingsley has come for revenge. Cold and precise. Like Gazpacho soup.

by the big grabowski on May 14, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions  

He knows he can’t hit Hamels so he did what he could do to get on base.

by meercatjohn on May 14, 2009 11:32 AM PDT reply actions  

Contrary to what Charlie Steiner just said on the radio

I don’t believe that Larry Bowa has ever been known to dance the Cha-Cha

2009 LA Kings Hockey: thanks to Joe Sakic's snowblower, WE'RE BETTER THAN THE AV'S!!!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on May 14, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions