Fathers Day Battle - June 21st - Angels - Dodgers
by Phil Gurnee on Jun 21, 2009 3:00 PM PDT
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Game 70Road Game 36 |
Los Angeles Dodgers (45-24) vs. L.A. Angels of Anaheim (36-30) |
Sun., June 21, 20095:05 p.m. PT |
Night Game 50 |
LHP Clayton Kershaw (3-5, 4.13) vs. RHP John Lackey (2-2, 6.10) |
Angel Stadium |
Fathers Day has not been kind to the Dodgers as they have lost four straight Father Day contests. In this decade the Dodgers are 4-5 on Father’s Day, and tonight will mark the fourth time that the Dodgers and Angels are playing on Father’s Day since 2000 with the Halos having taken two of the three so far. The Dodgers and Angels last got together on a Father’s Day in Anaheim in 2002, with the Boys in Blue winning 5-4, behind a homer from Eric Karros.
Fresh off their 6 - 4 victory last night the Dodgers attempt to win their sixth series out of the last eight when they battle the Angels for the last time in 2009 on the ESPN game of the week tonight. The Dodgers are unbeaten in their previous seven series, going 5-0-2 with a 14-8 overall mark in that span. The Angels were the last team to win a series against the Dodgers on May 22-24 when they took two out of three at Chavez Ravine.
Matt Kemp taped a special Father’s Day piece that will air on ESPN tonight. Kemp leads the Dodgers and ranks 10th in the National League with a .345 average (20-for-58) in June to go along with six steals in seven attempts. Kemp is hitting .400 (8-for-20) against the Angels in the five games between the two squads this season, but is 0-for-9 with seven strikeouts in his career against John Lackey.
Don't forget to try your hand at the She is Gone contest
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Not for me it isn't
are you sure? I figured ESPN had a monopoly on the Sunday night game
by Michael White on Jun 21, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
the ump is squeezing Kershaw like crazy.. there have been 4 or 5 that ausmus thought were strikes that werent called
He didn't before.
Might be something that he worked on the side. Might also be the reason why Kershaw abandoned his changeup.
I didn’t realize that lefties throw sliders.
I know that sounds ignorant, but hey. I guess it is.
This is such bullshit.
MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick suggests Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is eyeing Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn, saying the lefty is “rumored on his radar.” Gurnick says Colletti left this weekend to scout his own prospects, perhaps to gather information for future deals.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/06/dodgers-interested-in-jarrod-washburn.html
Washburn? Fuck that shit!
MLB Trade Rumors simply exists to inflame fans. Gurnick mentions “One veteran rumored on his radar is Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn,” and that’s news? No source, no nothing.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Kemp single
Ausmus sacrifice
Pierre RBI double
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep
but thankfully Kemp kept the triple play in order :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 6:35 PM PDT up reply actions
The kid didn’t crumble under pressure, that’s progress.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 21, 2009 6:43 PM PDT reply actions
I know looking at things in retrospect is often unfair. But it Lackey had to throw 6 pitches to each of 4 batters in the sixth, he may very well have been taken out of the game. As it is , with momentum building he could be in until the 8th, or heaven forbid the ninth if he takes the lead.
6 pitches to all 4 batters seems like a lot, even for a what if. Lackey’s at 91 pitches through 6.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Ausmus 2006-present (well, yesterday): .233/.314/.303, 62 OPS+.
I’m perfectly OK with him sacrificing :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't mind the out at third
With one out, that play is worth a shot, so he can score on a sac fly. It’s not likehe was out by a mile.
agreed
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jun 21, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Silver lining
Last time we thought Hudson was on life support, and out for a couple days at least, he was in the lineup the next day. I don’t want to count him out just yet, even if he is out of this game.
i mean i'm just waiting for him to hit a home run so i can buy the beast mode shirt for $10
i might be waiting a while for that, but he really has been a pleasant surprise.
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jun 21, 2009 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank goodness we didn’t send him to AAA :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Kershaw gets out of it.
I fricking love Bobby Aberu today.
Final stat line for Kershaw today.
7 innings, 4 hits, 4 walks, 5 strike outs and…
3.76 ERA
Guys, this is what everyone been waiting for.
Yes, a ERA under 4 for our young Lefty.
ESPN showed Clayton getting congratulatory handshakes in the dugout. No way he comes out for the 8th.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I hate the “in the neighborhood” play. Didn’t see that one though.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh oh
Don’t have a great feeling about the replay outcome
Yeah
not sure if the railing needs to be cleared or not…weird setup there.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions
This is the 2nd start that the Angels pushed Lackey too far.
Last time they had a 7 run lead against the Giants. This time, it bites them in the ass.
Nice make-up for that previous out
Definitely wasn’t an out at second, but I’ll take a two run homer over a fair call at second if I only get one.
Yes
Something came up Friday…I’m going to order the tix tomorrow instead…i’ll email you.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Well Morales' numbers are atrocious facing lefties
and the only reason the Dodgers aren’t at bat right now is an error. Hard to fault the manager on that one.
by Michael White on Jun 21, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
He pulled Tron to turn around Morales, who can’t hit right-handed. Leach did his job, getting the ground ball.
Why not go to Broxton now? The game is on the line, a good opportunity to use your best reliever
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn’t see last night’s game; did it look like he was favoring his toe?
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel bad for JBrox, he’s getting such a heavy workload.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 21, 2009 7:50 PM PDT reply actions
I don’t think 81-ish innings for a closer is that heavy a workload…that’s what he’s on pace for.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
80 innings is pushing it IMO, I’d like to see him throw only 70.
by RolexEmbezzled on Jun 21, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope he shuts up Joe Morgan...
And strikes him out on a slider.
called it!
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jun 21, 2009 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
How many runs would it take to get to get Wade or Mota in for Broxton?
I’m guessing 2 for Torre.
7 :)
It’s already a save situation…off day tomorrow. Broxton is finishing this one.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I really wish Joe Morgan was the GM of the Giants.
Note to Lil’ Joe: nobody is giving the Dodgers “a starting pitcher” for JP.
steve phillips just said the dodgers should bench our leading home run hitter Andre ethier for juan pierre
Ethier has a better OPS and plays better defense (inasmuch as he can play RF)
but good idea Steve.
by Michael White on Jun 21, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, Ethier is among the bottom fielders in UZR.
Its closer than you think.
But you’re right, the Dodgers are better with Ethier playing in RF than JP playing LF/Center.
I appreciate that Ethier looks like a better fielder than he is
but Juan simply cannot play RF. And as you say, it would make no sense moving Kemp out of CF….
by Michael White on Jun 21, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
The dodgers are probably good trying to find Pierre 4 starts a week. That’ll make for a good outfield rotation
2 or less, just to placate JP. No need for a rotation, just an occasional day off for the starters.
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Split the difference, and make it 3. :)
Kemp doesn’t need an off day, Manny probably does, and Ethier might too. Really, we’re playing have 3 outfielders right now. It’d be a good problem if we had 4 outfielders.
I was trying to figure out who that was…the guy looks too young to be Jellybean :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions
The sigh is directed at Torre, not your comment Eric, of course.
In case it was unclear.
Bullpen messed up enough as it is.
Troncoso, and Broxton probably won’t be able to pitch tomorrow. We’re going to need at least one of Wade, and Mota tomorrow.
Hopefully its mute, and Belisario can pitch 999 innings tomorrow.
Nice
but that’s only Belisario & Leach (and McDonald, if he’s still with us) :)
by Eric Stephen on Jun 21, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
They'll be flying to Chicago tomorrow
Then they will play 9 days in a row, day off, 3 games in a row, day off, 6 games in a row, All-Star Break
This is the one thing that bothers me about Kemp in CF
He doesn’t always run to get to the spot and adjust, but jogs and tries to time it.
This is hilarious
I went back and transcribed the exchange from the top of the 9th inning of our ESPN friends:
Morgan:
“I don’t know how you’re going to be able to put this guy back on the bench. You know, maybe you are better off trading him and trying to get a starting pitcher for him because he has proven he is still an everyday player in the major leagues. He’s just too good a player I think to sit on a bench someplace when he has so much to give, offer to a ballclub.”
Yes, its unfortunate for Juan Pierre. But he’s not one of the three best outfielders on the Dodgers, and that is the issue.
Miller:
“Well, he’s hitting over .340 now for the season, with 3 hits tonight.”
Morgan:
“Well, he has a lifetime .300 batting average. This is not his first rodeo.”
If only there were a way to measure players besides batting average…
Miller:
“That is one of the discussions, when Manny Ramirez is back in the lineup, if Pierre indeed is out of the lineup at that point, well who hits leadoff? Well, Rafael Furcal hits leadoff, but Furcal has not done well so far this year. Ordinally, you’d say ‘great, Furcal is a great leadoff man,’ as they pitch out with Pierre, who was not running.”
Phillips:
“I still think it has a chance to be a chemistry issue for the Dodgers. You know, they have Manny coming back, and everybody loves Manny, but there’s so much respect for JP and the way he’s handled where he waited for his opprtunity, kept his mouth shut, and then capitalized on it. That kind of guy needs to be rewarded, and taking away playing time, I don’t think that always sits well with his teammates. I think it’s going to be frustrating. They’re going to look at Andre Ethier and his production in RF, and say ‘well why can’t he play,’ you know.he can’t play RF because he can’t throw, but maybe there’s a way to move Kemp over and put Pierre back in CF. Juan Pierre is a difference maker in this lineup. They’re different with him in it at the top of the order.”
I really wish Steve Phillips was a GM in the NL West. Even with Pierre’s amazing spike, here are their numbers before tonight:
Ethier: .330/.387/.419
Pierre: .265/.358/.467
Ethier still had a higher OPS, and do we really want to move the best defensive CF in MLB to accommodate a worse hitter into the lineup?
That's the thing that gets me.
Kemp is way to fricking valuable in CF this year. The Dodgers knows it, Torre knows it, and the ESPN sunday night crew doesn’t.
Its an old issue
You cannot change what certain people think, again, Torre is going to play the same guys who got the Dodgers to their 21-8 start.
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