Dodgers Tab Billingsley To Stop The Bleeding

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:00 PM PDT in Dodgers Game Previews

The Dodgers have now lost two straight games 11 times this season. In each of the previous ten occurrences, the Dodgers responded with a win, outscoring their opponents 63 to 16. In those ten games, the starting pitchers have pitched 64.1 innings, allowing 41 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 56 batters, for an ERA of 1.40.

The role of losing streak stopper falls on Chad Billingsley today, who struggled recently but rebounded nicely by giving up two runs over six innings last Wednesday in the Manny Bobbleslam game.

Billingsley will square off against Adam Wainwright, who has put together a fine season so far. Even though Wainwright's ERA is about three-quarters of a run lower than Billingsley, the two pitchers have been more similar than you might think:

Pitcher	IP	W-L	ERA	ERA+	FIP	x-FIP
Wainwright	143.1	11-6	2.95	141	3.61	3.71
Billingsley	133.0	10-5	3.72	112	3.50	3.91

Andre Ethier extended has an eight-game hitting streak, and is hitting .533/.600/.900 during the streak.

The Cardinals, fighting with the Cubs for first place in the NL Central, are just a half-game back entering tonight's game. As Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted:

This is a remarkable stat from the Elias Sports Bureau: On Sunday the Cardinals loss to the Phillies dropped them out of first place and pushed the Cubs into the NL Central lead. Quote from Elias: "It was the first time since August 11, 1936 that the Cubs displaced the Cardinals as the first-place team in their league or division race this late in a season." Did a little digging beyond the Elias note, and if you think of the year you’ll quickly think about what else was going on at that time. For context, that is the day this happened:

On August 11, 1936, in Berlin, U.S. track icon Jesse Owens won the gold medal in the long jump, defeating Germany’s Lutz Long.

Get your guesses in for "Clogging The Bases" here.

Game Time: 5:15pm

TV: KCAL

Dodgers Game Notes | Cardinals Game Notes

Baseball Reference Preview

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Mike Smith of the STL Post Dispatch gives us the lineups:

Dodgers
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Kemp, CF
Billingsley, P

Cardinals
Schumaker, 2B
DeRosa, 3B
Pujols, 1B
Holliday, LF
Ludwick, RF
Rasmus, CF
Molina, C
Ryan, SS
Wainwright, P

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions

only 2 lefties for bills to face

it seems like he struggles against lineups which include a lot of lefties so i think he will be fine today

by matthewmafa on Jul 28, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Billingsley actually faced more lefties this year.

Vs. left handed hitters: .268/.337/.389 in 307 PA and 74K, 27 walks, 5 homers given up

vs. right handed hitters: .212/.311/.332 in 245 PA and 52K, 29 walks, 5 homers given up

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

wow looking at those numbers

billingsley BABIP vs left handers is extremly high

by matthewmafa on Jul 28, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Favre to stay retired…the world rejoices.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions

BenBadlerOff to watch some Double-A baseball, #Reds and #Dodgers affiliates1 minute ago from web

We should be able to get some prospect updates from Badler today.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

If you want to follow:

http://twitter.com/BenBadler

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Friday -Tuesday has been painful for me

Everyone is on my roto team
Kershaw
Josh Johnson
VanDenHurk
Carpenter
Wainwright

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

The big money league?

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Monopoly money of course.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup, the big money league

Not that anyone asked but I’m a head by 35 points which is the largest lead ever at this point in the year. My key deal this year was the day after Manny was suspended trading Hamilton for Carpenter and Manny. Hamilton got hurt a few days later and Carpenter has been awesome. However I’ve lost Beltran for what looks like the year so my question for the week (trading deadline 7/31) do I trade a $1 Zobrist ($2 in 2010, $3 in 2011) for a super stud or do I hope to maintain my lead and keep Zobrist for another run next year.
The teams chasing me have done all the crazy trades a keeper league has and are now loaded so I have to do some calculating to see if I’m at risk.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I would keep Zobrist. Even if he’s ordinary he’s cheap enough to still be very valuable in 2010-11.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Please go post this on the A’s Nation. :)
They love to hear about everyone’s roto team.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 28, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

RE: Kershaw

Phil, that’s why I was also careful to call Bills the best RHP drafted since Orel. :)

I also went with “drafted” to avoid the pesky Pedro Martinez problem.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:31 PM PDT reply actions

Padres are predictably struggling, but wow. From Gaslamp Ball:

Worst month in Padres history was August 1969, their first year (5-22). They are currently 4-20 this month. Ouch.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:37 PM PDT reply actions

and there goes another drink...

Has anyone created the True Blue LA-Carlos Santana Drinking Game yet?

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 28, 2009 1:51 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions 0 recs

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

ok

what happened to Phil’s Santana post? i know i replied to that one…

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Different thread?

Maybe the minor league thread or the one below?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

oh yeah

it was the minor league thread. whoops :)

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

You lost me, bucknel…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 28, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

wrong thread...

sorry lol. this was supposed to be on the minor league update thread

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

One of their posters was the Former Ms. Calif. that created that controversy at the Miss USA pagent.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep, she was on the Pad Squad

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t think posts over there, but she is often a topic there because of her Pad Squad connection. It is actually quite polarizing over there whenever someone mentions Pad Squad Carrie…

2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!

by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 28, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Brandon over at Reflection of Blue has an awesome screen capture from last night’s game. Well played, Cardinal fans. :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 2:56 PM PDT reply actions

That is great, good taste digs are always welcome.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

More football talk (sorry)…Eagles Def Coordinator Jim Johnson passed away today….just heard on ESPN Radio.

Fuck you, cancer.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:04 PM PDT reply actions

Wow

Man that really sucks.

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Jay Mohr, comedian

via Twitter: :)

if you wear a baseball hat to work and you’re not a baseball player, you’ve made a mistake in life

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:19 PM PDT reply actions

If he wasn’t a comedian I’d take offense but since his job is make people laugh I’ll that slide.

I wonder if he said that to this director who was probably wearing a baseball hat.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn’t take offense…just thought it was funny. Much like I laughed when George Carlin said when you’re a kid its OK to collect baseball cards, but once you are an adult you are just collecting pictures of men. :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

So last night my wife taped this early 1960’s Hollywood show because she loves the old movies and actors. This guy was showing his home movies of celebrities from 1919 – 1960 which might sound boring but he had some awesome clips of celebrity baseball games being played at old Wrigly field in the 30’s. We are talking big stars playing in these games. Anyway it was cool, hopefully I’ll find the time to snag a minute or two of the clips and show them.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 3:29 PM PDT reply actions

Nice…that sounds sweet.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

UPDATE: Bradford says the #redsox and #Indians are close to a trade that would send Lee to Boston for Bowden, Reddick and another prospect32 minutes ago from web

http://twitter.com/WEEI850AM/status/2898048417

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:38 PM PDT reply actions

It seems like the Indians are much more anxious to unload Lee then the Blue Jays are to unload Halladay

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Lee's injury concerns are bigger than Halladay's.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

And here we go.

Bradford’s account was hacked. No deal. This is hilarious.

Posted by: Alex41592 | July 28, 2009 at 03:44 PM

That is pretty funny.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Bowden can't be traded

just saw on ESPN that Peter Gammons said he worked a no-trade clause into his minor league deal. He was going to go to college, but decided to sign because he wanted to play for the red sox. So he can’t be included in any deal

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

That was Westmoreland.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

oh my bad...i only caught the end of that segment

lol never mind then

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions

That’s the first I’ve ever heard of a no-trade clause for a minor leaguer. Weird.

Although in a few years, Vernon Wells might have that distinction too :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Well played

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

jeff samardzija has a full no trade clause.

Plus a major league deal, and a 10 million bonus.

Jeff Samardzija rhp
5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options

    * 5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
          o signed Major League contract with Cubs 1/07, giving up football
          o $2M signing bonus
          o no-trade clause
          o total value may reach $16.5M with exercise of options
          o must return bonus & much of remaining $10M if he returns to football

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Biggest game of the year so far, I think this is put up or shut up time for Billingsley. Just my opinion though.

by Rolex l on Jul 28, 2009 3:48 PM PDT reply actions

Shut up?

Has Billingsley been doing much trash talking?

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t think it matters. Even if he does well, you will still find something wrong with him.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Clayton Kershaw is only 21.He can't be ready! He can't be! - Tom Hoffarth.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions

sherrill?

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2009/7/27/965032/dodgers-heavily-in-on-orioles little nugget for you all

by whorge on Jul 28, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

Saw that yesterday. After all the fun with the Billngsley for Halladay post, I don’t think this group has a stomach for challenging the Daily Dish authors any more.

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep…unless I know Brendan wrote it, I’m shying away for now. :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions

No Freddy Sanchez, and no Jack Wilson in tonight’s lineup…on the move?

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

Nope. Sanchez is day to day with an injury, Jack Wilson gets a scheduled day off.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Sanchez’s injury…eyesight problems…he can’t see playing with Pittsburgh anymore :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions

i love the trade deadline

because whenever anyone gets the day off, it’s assumed that they’ve been traded :)

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 3:59 PM PDT reply actions

Tomorrow will be excrutiating

Dodgers’ lineups will be out around 2pm or so, roughly 5 hours or so before Halladay is scheduled to start in Seattle. If anyone sits, it could be madness :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh shit, E:60 is back. Thought ESPN just canceled the whole thing.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:00 PM PDT reply actions

Theyre coming to find out if any TBLA posters lied about their age

Something to hide Tripon?

by Michael White on Jul 28, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes. My name is actually Kim Ng and I'm posting in my office at Dodgers Stadium right now.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Dodgers might see Wellmeyer this series after all.

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Cardinals are sending struggling Todd Wellemeyer to the bullpen. It did not come as a surprise to the right-hander, 7-9 with a 5.79 ERA.

“I’ll be in the bullpen for who knows how long and try to make the best of it,” Wellemeyer said. "We had to switch it up and see how it goes.

“I’m going to make it a good thing for me, that’s all there is to it.”

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4362219

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:03 PM PDT reply actions

Silver lining!

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

There Any Way This Game Gets In?

http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/map/interactive/37701:20

Not looking good by 8:45 CT:

by PaulieK14 on Jul 28, 2009 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

If they can play through it in “The Fan,” they can play tonight! :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Ugh

All games should be played at Dodger Stadium. :)

by sumo390 on Jul 28, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Yahoo’s Big League Stew takes a look at the best defensive plays of the 2000s. No inclusion of the Paul LoDuca sliding catch into the Dodger dugout, but this is a nice list.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:15 PM PDT reply actions

Didn’t realize this…Yankees are 23-6 over their last 29 games.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions

Yet they were swept by the totally

undermanned Angels. Go figure, some teams just have another teams number.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

That’s gotta be rare…a 23-6 stretch with a sweep loss.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Khalil Greene’s rehab assignment expires Friday, and the Cards have to make a decision on him, says Rick Hummel of the STL Post-Dispatch.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

I think the decision was already made

when they traded for DeRosa and Lugo.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions

It'll be funny if the Cardinals send Greene to the A's.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Least KCAL is running a pregame show.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:36 PM PDT reply actions

I would rejoice, except their pregame is always awful.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Larry Bowa thinks the game is going to start today.

But with some delays.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Did Bowa waive the rain home so it would be out? :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 28, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions

He just chewed the storm out

in the dugout and it promised to dry up.

by underdog on Jul 28, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

For a year of J.D. Drew, the Cards made out like bandits to get Adam Wainwright.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions

Are the days of JD being productive done?

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Jul 28, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think he's going to produce like he has for the last few years.

He’s certainly closer as a guy who produces 100 OPS+ in a year, than 140 OPS+

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Eric Karros just claimed Cardinals fans are diehard baseball fans.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions

They're the

Best Fans in Baseball™

(except when they’re a-holes.)

by underdog on Jul 28, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

He also claimed that they hate Manny.

This is after Pujols made a public campaign to sign Manny in the off season.

Not that one follows the other, but their attitude would be a lot different if Manny was a Cardinal.

Heck, I don’t see them booing Ryan Franklin.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions

or Rick Ankiel

by Jacob Burch on Jul 28, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Both Ankiel and Franklin have a positive test in their records?
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 28, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Ankiel admitted HGH without suspension

Franklin has a positive test.

by Jacob Burch on Jul 28, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Ankiel had the HGH shipped to his home, right?

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Cool.. so they are cheaters too.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 28, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Nor are they renaming the MAC ATTACK zone

Or whatever it is they call that space

by Jacob Burch on Jul 28, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Big Mac Land

but yeah, you’re right

by bucknellbruin on Jul 28, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Anybody stream the game?

My favorite stream site has been seriously lacking in Dodger streams as of late, so I was wondering: Who here streams the game and where might I catch a stream?

by Talka1ot on Jul 28, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions

you should check out mlb.tv.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I would, but...

I honestly don’t want to pay 100+ dollars a season when I’ve found ways to get the game for free.
At worst, I settle for MLB Gameday, but if anybody else knows a place relaying streams or is currently streaming the game, I would love a link.

Myp2p has just been killing me lately… they’re almost as bad as ESPN. Always the Red Sox, Yankees and the Phillies…

by Talka1ot on Jul 28, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

So, you are looking for an illegal way to watch MLB games?
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 28, 2009 5:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I already have a way to watch them -

But the place I’m viewing does not often show the Dodgers game. Especially not when it matters, it seems.
But I won’t push the issue further, nobody here seems to be streaming.
Oh, to be a far away fan.

by Talka1ot on Jul 28, 2009 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions

JeffFletcherAOL#sfgiants Randy Johnson won’t be reevaluated for another 3 weeks. Tearing in shoulder. Doesn’t seem good.9 minutes ago from Twittelator

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:56 PM PDT reply actions

Biggest thing is that the Giants are unlikely to trade Jonathan Sanchez.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Lyons and Collins claim the game will start soon once the tarp is off the field.

by Tripon on Jul 28, 2009 5:02 PM PDT reply actions

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Pos	No	Player	2012 Salary
C	17	Ellis	$490,000
1B	7	Loney	$6,375,000
2B	14	Ellis	$2,500,000
3B	5	Uribe	$8,000,000
SS	9	Gordon	$485,000
LF	23	Abreu	$401,311
CF	27	Kemp	$10,000,000
RF	16	Ethier	$10,950,000

OF	10	Gwynn	$850,000
IF	12	Sellers	$481,000
OF/1B	33	Van Slyke	$388,197
2B/3B	3	Kennedy	$800,000
C	18	Treanor	$850,000

SP	22	Kershaw	$6,000,000
SP	58	Billingsley	$9,000,000
SP	29	Lilly	$12,000,000
SP	44	Harang	$3,000,000
SP	35	Capuano	$3,000,000

CL	74	Jansen	$491,000
RHP	52	Lindblom	$483,000
RHP	51	Belisario	$414,426
RHP	54	Guerra	$488,000
RHP	28	Wright	$900,000
LHP	57	Elbert	$488,500
RHP	60	Coffey	$1,000,000

DL	55	Guerrier	$4,750,000
DL	6	Hairston	$2,250,000
DL	21	Rivera	$4,000,000
60DL	36	Hawksworth	$495,000
60DL	41	De La Rosa	$485,000

AAA	13	DeJesus	$86,648
AA	50	Eovaldi	$7,885
AAA	56	Antonini	$7,869

		Manny	$8,087,432	deferred
		Andruw	$3,375,000	deferred
		Pierre	$3,050,000	deferred
		Furcal	$3,000,000	deferred
		Kuroda	$2,000,000	deferred
		Garland	$1,500,000	option buyout
		Blake	$1,250,000	option buyout
DFA	66	MacDougal	$650,000

Totals			$114,830,268
For more detailed information, click here.
Current 40-man roster count: 42 (incl. De La Rosa & Hawksworth)

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Dodgers Tab Billingsley To Stop The Bleeding

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