Dodgers Head To The House That Shawn Green Built
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:00 PM PDT
in Game Previews
102 comments
From the site of the greatest individual offensive game in MLB history...
The Dodgers roll into Milwaukee having won each of their last three series, led in July by this offensive trio:
| Player | PA | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Kemp | 31 | .480 | .581 | .600 | 1.181 |
| Furcal | 35 | .467 | .543 | .633 | 1.176 |
| Manny | 21 | .333 | .429 | .667 | 1.095 |
The club has scored 40 runs in the six games since Manny Ramirez returned from suspension. Tonight, the hot offense will be supporting their ace, Chad Billingsley. Billingsley has had four chances to claim his 10th victory, but each time he was denied:
- June 19 @ Angels: Billingsley took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the 6th, but allowed three runs in a game the Dodgers would eventually lose, 5-4. Billingsley was even wilder than usual, walking a season-high five batters in his six innings.
- June 25 @ White Sox: Up 4-0 heading into the bottom of the 5th, Billingsley allowed a pair of runs to cut the lead in half, then allowed three more on a shocking, two-out home run in the 6th by A.J. Pierzynski. The Dodgers eventually tied the game, but would lose in the 13th inning.
- June 30 vs. Colorado: Billingsley actually pitched very well on this night -- he struck out 11 while allowing three runs in 7.2 innings. However, the Dodgers ran into the buzz saw that was Jason Marquis, who pitched a two-hit shutout. Marquis even had a two-run single in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach.
- July 5 @ San Diego: On the day Billingsley heard he was an All-Star, he had a great day against the Padres. He hit his first career home run, and pitched into the 9th inning with a 6-1 lead. After a home run and a double to start the inning, Billingsley handed the ball to fellow All-Star Jonathan Broxton. Big Jon uncharacteristically gave it all back, allowing the Padres to tie the game at six. However, the Dodgers did manage to win this game in the 13th inning on a James Loney home run.
Braden Looper starts for Milwaukee, losers of six of their last eight games. Looper has three straight quality starts, and has pitched six or more innings in nine of his last 11 starts. Perhaps he has pitched well enough to avoid the ire of Ryan Braun.
For the Brewers, All-Star Prince Fielder has reached base in 16 straight games, and is hitting .368/.471/.719 over that span.
Orlando Hudson, who was hit by a pitch on the left knee, forcing him to leave last night's game early, has declared himself fit to play, and is expected to be in Friday's starting lineup, so says Matt Chaprales of MLB.com.
Get your guesses in for "Clogging The Bases" here.
Game time: 5:05pm
TV: KCAL
0 recs |
102 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Brewers lineup
per Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
C Jason Kendall
2B Craig Counsell
LF Ryan Braun
1B Prince Fielder
3B Mat Gamel
CF Mike Cameron
RF Frank Catalanotto
SS JJ Hardy
P Braden Looper
Maybe the Dodgers should leadoff Martin in a challenge match!
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kendall slash stats this year
.234 /.323/.279
Makes sense.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I completely glossed over the fact that Catalanotto was starting in RF!
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why do opposing teams try to play horrible lineups against the Dodgers?
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They all hate Charlie Manuel and Tony LaRussa? :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to make a lineup for the Brewers using the same players, I"d just screw everything and just top heavy the lineup.
Ryan Braun
Frince Fielder
Mat Gamel
Mike Cameron
Craig Counsell
JJ Hardy
Frank Catalanotto
Jason Kendall
Braden Looper
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't Shawn Green start the next game with 2 more home runs?
To hit 6 home runs in 6 at bats. Or am I making this up?
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
well he only had 4 HRs in 6 ABs
in that game alone. He had a double and a single too
by bucknellbruin on Jul 10, 2009 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, but I thought he hit the double and single first
ended the game with 4 home runs, then started the next game with 2 more.
I’m trying to go off memory, I guess I could have easily looked it up.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Close
but not quite…next two games had 1 HR & 2 HR…giving Green a record 7 in a 3-game stretch.
He also had 2 HR two games before the 4-HR game, giving him another record: 9 HR in 5 games.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And as I recall he was in quite an early season slump when he went off and then went crazy the rest of the year
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
Green through 44 games….231/.339/.346, 3 HR, 21 RBI
Then he went to Milwaukee…hit 2 HR in game 1.
Final 118 Dodger games….305/.402/.636, 39 HR, 93 RBI!
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can recall
being at a game before the road trip and fans were all asking what was wrong with Green.
Now that I look it up he had a .685 OPS on May 19th before they took off for that road trip. By the time they came back it was over .900.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I remember that too
It was something silly like before the 3 game stretch he was on pace for 14 home runs all year and after he was on pace for 35 (I just made those numbers up, but it was something like that.)
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the info Eric
I knew you would pull the right info.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
These lineups just show the fallacy of the weak West Division
and these guys are fighting for playoffs spots. Meaning the Mets and Brewers. The Cardinals other then Pujols are even more goofier. Braun/Fielder are a nasty duo but Hart has been a huge disapointment and Halls looks done.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
From Diamond Lueng
Bison has a twitter account. http://twitter.com/mattkemp27
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 2:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I like how he calls them the "Mighty Mets"
Good one.
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shades of '88
“Nobody thought we could beat the Mighty Mets…nobody thought we could beat the team that won 104 games…BUT WE BELIEVED IT!!!!”
[followed by cheers and flow of champagne and beer]
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Best pregame comment for the week!
"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." -Oliver W. Holmes
by Jesse S. on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also from the MJS, confirmation
“Jason Kendall, Mat Gamel and Frank Catalanotto are in the lineup today against Dodgers ace Chad Billingsley.”
by underdog on Jul 10, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kershaw vs. Gallardo on Sunday
will be, in a word, SPECTACULAR.
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kershaw vs. Pelfrey wasn't that spectacular.
I was expecting a balk fest from Pelfrey. Not a walk fest.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jeff Francoeur traded for Ryan Church.
Horrible trade.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
OK, admit it…raise your hand if you thought cartoon Angelina Jolie was hot. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Has anyone come up with more of a bang then Francoeur and then fizzled so much?
Sure he had OB problems and pitch recognition problems but where did the power do? It was only last spring that Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus fame felt that Francoeur was going to be the breakout player of the year based on gains he saw in 2007.
Will be curious if a change of scenery does anything.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That guy is a hacker through and through.
I am disappointed that we didn’t get to see Francoeur though. We have started the Braves series, and we’re already finished the season series with the Mets.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We should be able to adjust our pitchers’ stats upward since they won’t get to face him :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't you mean downwards? :)
Getting Francoeur out is pretty easy.
Church is at best average, but at least he won’t kill you like Francouer does.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant upwards as in more positively
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh right, Dodgers are now facing stronger competition. :)
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Francoeur better defensively
at least than Church? How do they compare?
Otherwise that trade makes NO sense to me at all. Remove one mediocre outfielder for another. That’s problem solving Omar!
by underdog on Jul 10, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t know if he came up with a bang but Angel Berroa turned into a bust real fast.
We know nothing about the enemy. But we can assume this: they stand for everything we don’t stand for. Also they told me you guys look like dorks!
by Sordid on Jul 10, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking of Jerome Walton, Dwight Smith, or Pat Listach, or maybe even Super Joe Charboneau, but Frenchy probably has them beat.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No bad, just high expectations, he's never done anything at the major league level.
Chris Shelton had an incredible start to his career but has been bouncing around in the minors since that start. He just got called up by the Mariners.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All I remember about Chris Shelton
is the 3 home runs he hit opening day a few years ago with the Tigers.
After being the talk of baseball for a week or so; he was ultimately sent down midseason and replaced with Sean Casey.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listach had severe hammy problems that killed his speed
Super Joe is a good comp but he did it for a full year, Frenchy just had that explosive 2nd half after he was called up, plus he was very young.
So what I’m looking for is a guy who is considered a huge prospect, gets called up, kicks ass for 1/2 a year and then gets worse each year.
Kind of like Ben Grieve
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about Blake Dewitt?
I know that sounds cold, but he came up like gangbusters last year, and was getting national pub as a potential ROY guy. He hasn’t fizzled out yet per se, but the drop off has been pretty large.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would agree if he didn’t have the very good Aug/Sept
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
True enough. Though I bet he’s thinking what exactly happened. I mean, he was really a golden boy last year (and he earned it frankly with the way he played 2B at the end of last year) then the team re-signs Blake and signs Hudson and he gets bounced between AAA and the pros all year.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The plan wasn’t to sign Blake and Hudson…it just worked out that way when the market tanked. DeWitt is basically at his natural progression right now anyway. I think he’ll be fine anyway over time.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can you have a dropoff
when you haven’t played? Frenchy was SI cover material.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just meant in the way he went from the Solution to a guy who has bounced up and down 4 times already this year. Not his fault, just the way we think about him has changed.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Billy Grabarkewitz
Former All-Star.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
1st half of 1970: .341 / .445 / .498 / .944, 121 OPS+
2nd half of 1970: .232 / .346 / .404 / .750, 76 OPS+
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, but Gabby was injuries
My favorite player of 1970
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dodger lineup
Furcal, SS
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Hudson, 2B
Kemp, CF
Wolf, P
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hard to argue with a lineup that put up 11 runs
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this is the thing that we often fail to remember.
We’re quick to complain about Matt Kemp batting so low in the lineup, but like meercatjohn said, how can you argue against a team putting up so many runs and who has the best record in baseball? Torre must be doing something right.
"The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." -Oliver W. Holmes
by Jesse S. on Jul 10, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wolf Pitching back to back nights!
Old school baby!
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plenty of rest over the break! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eric - Jason Schmidt starts on Sunday
do you think he will rejoin that rotation after the all-star game? I do.
by meercatjohn on Jul 10, 2009 3:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and I hope he’s there next Sunday, and recognizes me as one of the guys at his first IE rehab start. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone know what time the team got in last night? Did they make it to the airport on time?
by robotmadeofnails on Jul 10, 2009 3:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m sure that will be one of Rick Monday’s talking points :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has there been any thought of the Dodgers to bring up
That asian pitcher in AAA . . .sorry dont know his name . .but hes looked pretty good
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 10, 2009 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Choi
I’ve been pimping him to deaf ears.
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
Im looking at his AAA numbers and hes had a pretty solid year. . . why wouldnt they give him a shot over Wade?
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 10, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
40-man roster spot…Wade has one, Choi doesn’t.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohman or Paul to 60-day could solve that
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They're both rehabbing.
You’ll have to make up a new injury to do a 60 day DL.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For Ohman, they could transfer him since his rehab was cut short with more pain
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So how does Schmidt’s rehab work? He’s on the 60-day still, but he pitched in the minors since May 12. Or is the break between 5/23 and 6/21 mean he started a new rehab on 6/21? Would that mean the Dodgers have to make a decision on him by July 21?
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, the second part is right…when his first rehab was stopped, it was a “new” injury. Like Phil, I suspect if Schmidt can throw 90-ish pitches on Sunday with ABQ then he will be the #5 starter coming out of the ASB.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the Dodgers acquire a legit starter on 7/31
Schmidt should simply be DFA’d. Just eat the contract.
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they do acquire someone, it will almost certainly include at least one member of the 40-man roster, so no such move will be necessary.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What I mean is
Schmidt will have no use to the Dodgers (he can’t pitch in the pen due to his conditions). And he won’t start over anyone.
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They’ll burn that bridge when they get to it though. Why can’t Schmidt pitch out of the bullpen? Dumping for the sake of dumping doesn’t do anyone any good.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The same reason Eric Milton isn't used in the pen
by silverwidow on Jul 10, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But they haven’t tried that yet with Schmidt. I would think if we acquire another starter, and don’t need Schmidt, they would at least attempt to use him as the long man, if not the old Mota/Vargas spot or something like that.
But there’s no point in assuming anything now other than Schmidt will probably be given a chance to start a few games for the Dodgers, assuming he’s healthy after Sunday.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 10, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using up a roster spot for a pitcher that won't start
and can’t throw out of the pen without 3-4 days rest doesn’t seem very efficient.
Of course, Travis Schlichting was carried on the roster for about two weeks and pitched a whopping 2 2/3 innings in that time, so who knows.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I sure would like to know what the scouting reports are like from his latest rehab and what’s being reported back to Ned and staff. If scouts are saying he might have enough to be a fifth starter in the majors, then I think you both are right, the Dodger will have to see if he really can do it or not. I imagine that given his AAA stats alone, the Dodger evaluators may think that already.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wasn’t Paul rehabbing for the staph infection, then turned an ankle?
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohman doesn’t seem to have any timetable, does he?
Paul last played on May 20, so that does seem like an easy move, depending on how soon he’s projected to be healthy.
Tony Abreu is due to be injured any day now, so that’s a possibility. ;)
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want Paul on the 60 day
because I want him available to play sooner than that, after the Dodgers trade Juan Pierre. ;-)
by underdog on Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Choi is not on the 40-man roster, so space would have to be made for him
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably because Wade is already on the 40 man
bringing up Choi would require the Dodgers DFA somebody.
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like Jason Repko for instance.
They are going to be releasing him in the off-season anyway.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ya, that wouldn't bother me at all
Once the rosters expand, the defensive sub for corner outfielders would go to either Hoffmann or Paul anyway (if he’s back.)
by Michael White on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Repko has some value in September
He can PR and is a better CF than those other two guys, but if there wasn’t some easy 60-day DL move to make, he might be the next to go.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really? Both Xavier Paul and Jamie Hoffman's defense is supposed to be good.
by Tripon on Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paul is good enough in CF
and has improved over the last few seasons, IIRC, so that probably makes Repko redundant. Hoffmann has limited CF experience, I think.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chad Billingsley
Leads the majors in pitches thrown this season.
Randy Wolf is 20th, Kershaw 51st.
by David Young on Jul 10, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Nolan Ryan fitting in just fine as face, voice of Texas Rangers
- Red Sox prospect Ryan Westmoreland having brain surgery
- Spring Snapshot: Rangers hope all systems go for run in AL West
- Options dwindling when Rich Harden feels like hitting somebody
- Spring Snapshot: Cincinnati eyes end of playoff drought
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
