Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Indy 500: 'Greatest Spectacle In Racing' Set For Sunday

Pregame Dodger Notes

Phil gave you his homage to today's starter, Clayton Kershaw, earlier this morning.  Here are some pregame notes for today's game, the third of four at Busch Stadium, aka The Seventh Circle of Hell for the Dodgers:

Since May 1, Clayton Kershaw has a 1.96 ERA in 16 starts, the lowest ERA in baseball during that time

Over his last three starts, Joel PIneiro is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA over 22 innings.  He has walked an amazing 13 batters in 19 starts this year

Andre Ethier has a nine-game hitting streak for the second time this season, and is hitting .500/.564/.853 over his last nine games.

From last night's broadcast, Matt Kemp has the third highest "batting average while not striking out" (not quite BABIP as first introduced) in MLB history (minimum 1,000 balls in play).  Manny Ramirez is 4th:

Player BA*
Ryan Howard .414
Babe Ruth .406
Matt Kemp .404
Manny Ramirez     .403

Speaking of Matt Kemp, the premiere of his "In My Own Words" will be on Prime Ticket after the game.

The Cardinals are going with all righthanders in tonight's lineup:

Dodgers      Cardinals              
SS Furcal
2B Lugo
2B Hudson 3B DeRosa
LF Manny 1B Pujols
RF Ethier LF Holliday
3B Blake
CF Ludwick
1B Loney RF Stavinoha
C Martin C Molina
CF Kemp SS Ryan
P Kershaw      
P Pineiro    

Get your guesses in for today's "Clogging The Bases" here.

Game Time:  5:15pm

TV:  Prime Ticket

Dodgers Game Notes | Cardinals Game Notes

Baseball Reference Preview

Comment 136 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

I felt bad for Steve Lyons.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

I missed it, how did Lyons react?
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 29, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions  

Nothing too bad…just noted that all that list told him was that those guys struck out a lot. To be fair, Collins was confusing. He called it BABIP at first, but in fact that stat includes HR.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

i cant believe that

joe torre didnt change the lineup around AT ALL after these past 2 games. Also the reason la Russa doesnt care about his outfield defense tonight is because pineiro doesnt allow any fly balls and the dodgers forgot how to hit them anyways so i doubt the outfield will need to do any work.

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 2:18 PM PDT reply actions  

Ludwick has made some good plays in each of the last two nights in RF. But, you are right about Pineiro.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

I was thinking about that too

Though the only glaring problem with the lineup I see is Kemp at 8.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

also blake 5th

and its time to change the lineup around anyways. The only glaring problem besides that is The Lineup cant score so you gotta mix it up a little

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ya, I don't like Blake 5th either

but I doubt it makes or breaks the lineup.

I get what you’re saying though. The lineup in this order couldn’t score runs yesterday so why not mix it up. The problem with that is of course that the exact same thing that happened yesterday is unlikely to occur again today. No reason to think that the Dodgers with this lineup will have worse luck than in a different lineup.

Move Kemp up, move Blake down. Otherwsie I don’t really care. Furcal and Hudson have been doing their job at the top of the order whilst Manny and Ethier haven’t driven them home. I wouldn’t advocate taking them out of the 3 & 4 spots; rather I’d just hope that the hits starts being strung together today.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Would you move Manny down?

He seems to be the one who has struggled the most recently? Just curious.

I would do this for a mix up lineup

Martin
Kemp
Manny
Ethier
Blake
Loney
Hudson
Pitcher
Furcal

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

i would personally like ethier batting third and manny 4th

because that would Create a MONSTER. Ethier batting in front of manny would put up big numbers like he did last year batting in front of him. and facing lefties i would bat kemp behind manny

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ya, clumping the Dodgers best hitters next to each other at the top of the lineup would seem to be advantageous as opposed to spreading them out needlessly….

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions  

and for all the people who would like to trade for Victor Martinez

(including me) He has been pretty horrible in the last 2 months hitting .240 in June and .169 in July.

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 2:24 PM PDT reply actions  

Carlos Santana could do that

Wasn’t it just a year ago that Victor Martinez couldn’t buy a home run?

Is this the guy you want manning first base instead of Loney? He’s a slight upgrade this year unless his monthly trends continue:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=martivi01&year=2009&t=b

But I’d be betting on Loney in 2010 over Victor. How many catchers get out from behind the plate at age 30 and hit better as a position player? By then the legs are already shot.

by meercatjohn on Jul 29, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

Carlos Santana could do that

Take a drink!!!

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

by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 29, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions  

We should set up a Paypal donation link so we can pay for your liver transplant. :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

MLBTR

4:39pm: Bill Shaikin and Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times report that the Dodgers have discussed softening their stance on Chad Billingsley and would consider making him available in a trade, but they’re still not expected to do so.

bad news.. i hope we dont trade bills

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 2:48 PM PDT reply actions  

I’m just going to believe that Shaikin made that up.

by pdotmac1 on Jul 29, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I mean what does that mean that they have “discussed softening their stance”

How is that even newsworthy

by pdotmac1 on Jul 29, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

i think

these guys made up bull because if they dont they will loose their job because they arent reporting anything

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

I disagree if they were really making up bull there would be another article on how the dodger’s rotation won’t make it in the playoffs:)

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions  

Even if the Dodgers were to soften their stance

What the hell is point of publicizing that; particularly after an outing last night. Why not just scream on the top of their lungs, “Billingsley is not as good as we thought. We are not willing to accept low-ball offers for our 24 year old all star pitcher and sell when his value is the absolute lowest.”

I’m calling BS on this one. Dodgers did not say this.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

I meant, “we are now” not we are “not”

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions  

There are a lot of people in any baseball organization.

I’m guessing that some low level exec panicked and threw it out there, and the people higher in the org, like Kim Ng, Logan White, Ned Coletti quickly said no.

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

And was then fired and told to go work for the Giants.

by pdotmac1 on Jul 29, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions  

My favorite juxtaposition of the day is the idea that because the Phillies got Cliff Lee for prospects, that the Dodgers should now trade a major leaguer, and prospects in response.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Don’t forget Billingsley is no good anymore and needs to be traded for Halladay:)

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

No offense to you, Tripon, but I would rather never read anything Plaschke…

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

by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 29, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions  

For the benefit of everyone i’ll summarize Plaschkes twitter:
Dodgers Suck , Phillies are the masters of the universe.

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions  

Maybe as a talking point

Other Team: Hey how about our star pitcher for Bills and some prospects.

Dodgers: Sure, if you can trade for Pujols and throw him in on the deal, if you can’t here’s our rummage bin, see if you can’t mix or match four or five of our guys and we’ll talk.

by Dodger Dude on Jul 29, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions  

Would this deal be out of the left field bullpen then? :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Something like

Adrian Gonzalez for Loney, McDonald, Elbert, Abreu, DeWitt:)

by meercatjohn on Jul 29, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

Oh man

Colletti would deserve a plaque in walk of heroes thing that I’m not sure if the Dodgers ever did…

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

They are planning to do a walk of fame type thing in Glendale…basically on the “lake”

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions  

how about trading for washburn??

hes a decent pitcher…in halladay talks the bluejays want kershaw or bills…

by shaqfor3 on Jul 29, 2009 3:23 PM PDT reply actions  

how about trading for washburn??

hes a decent pitcher…in halladay talks the bluejays want kershaw or bills…

by shaqfor3 on Jul 29, 2009 3:23 PM PDT reply actions  

I don’t think there any point in acquiring a fifth starter.

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Do you think Washburn is better than Kuroda, Kershaw, Wolf or Billingsley?

Just curious. If so, then he would be an attractive trade. If not, what’s the point?

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions  

well the dodger management can always ask what they want in exchange...

and if any big names like kershaw, bills, kemp, or good prospects appear than forget the trade…
but if they dont they can certainly make a trade that would help the dodgers gain a step up over the competition…

by shaqfor3 on Jul 29, 2009 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well I wasn’t asking because one of those guys would be in the trade. I ask because if Washburn is not better than those pitchers, as the fifth pitcher he wouldnt start in the playoffs anyway. And, since the Dodgers making the playoffs is a very good bet at this point, I don’t see what picking up a guy who’s main function would be to start for the rest of the season (as opposed to the post season.)

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

Hah!
MLBastianRT @BryanHoch: Posada on Halladay: "You’re asking way too much…He’s worth the price, but I don’t think what they’re asking is fair."2 minutes ago from TweetDeck

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 3:25 PM PDT reply actions  

If the Dodgers play the Phillies in the NLCS

Who would be the 4 starters 1 through 4 if we acquire Halladay or Washburn?

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:29 PM PDT reply actions  

Why do people want to acquire Washburn?

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions  

I ignorantly posted without looking at his numbers but now that i looked at his stats and he’s been good but i still don’t see him as anything better than a fourth of fifth starter.

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

As I’ve mentioned before, Washburn’s numbers have been based a lot on luck. Putting up the same peripherals he is now, he simply will not continue to produce the same ERA as he has done so far this season.

I wouldn’t mind getting Washburn if we gave up nobody in our top 10 prospects, but if he costs anything at all I would walk away since we have replacements for the #5 spot that would produce close enough to what Washburn would bring.

Washburn would be good in that he could eat some innings, but other than that he’s not worth much at all.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions  

you keep saying its all luck

but he continues to pitch deep into games and not give up many runs

by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 29, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well hey, if he's bringing the Seattle defense to play in the field for him (the best in the majors)

then we could just look at runs scored/innings pitched. But that, and yes, luck factors also matter.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions  

pitching at Dodger stadium

and with Kemp manning CF. . I dont see how Washburn’s nubmer would drop off to much

by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 29, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

It's not all luck

Washburn has done very well in limiting his walks this season. The thing I worry about is that he’s a flyball pitcher and only 7% of his flyballs end up as HRs. Those tend to average out to about 11-12% over time.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

That and Washburn’s BABIP is .245 this year. The Mariners defense helps this, but it really should be in the .280 range or so.

Washburn’s last 5 years BABIP:
2009: .245
2008: .306
2007: .288
2006: .281
2005: .293

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions  

Wasburn has a BABIP against of .249

His FIP is 3.75 and his ERA is 2.64

Seattle has the 4th best defense in MLB, the Dodgers are 16th (per UZR).

vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 29, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions  

X-FIP of Starters

Kuroda: 3.82
Billingsley: 3.92
Kershaw: 4.26
Wolf: 4.38

Washburn: 4.65

That would make Washburn the worst option of the 5.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions  

Small sample size

He didn’t have enough innings to qualify. Figured it was better to include him (at the SSS) then just ignore him.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions  

x-FIP doesn't ignores homeruns right?

I’m not sure ignoring homeruns given up is the right idea.

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions  

No, it normalizes the flyballs so that about 11-12% of them end up as HRs

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions  

Does it take into account that he pitches in the AL and those other four pitch in the NL. If not, I think AL pitchers deserve to have the FIP or x-FIP bumped down a little bit in order to compare apples to apples.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 29, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

I don’t think they do any park or league adjustment…it is expressed as a raw number like ERA

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions  

No. The drivers for FIP and x-FIP is basically the same

and based on the TTO’s. The only difference between the two is the aformentioned normalization of the home run rate.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions  

But even still

the x-FIP’s are not all that close. Would the difference between Wolf and Washburn tighten up? Perhaps, but we’re basically just guessing at this point, and besides, Wolf is already on the team whereas Washburn would cost prospects.

by Michael White on Jul 29, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

yeah, that’s the key for me. Even if Washburn is an upgrade over Wolf or Kuroda, he isn’t a huge upgrade, at least not one worth giving up a good prospect for.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions  

Ya I agree, just want him to get a fair comparison, that’s all.
vr, Xei

by Xeifrank on Jul 29, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

if i needed one pitcher to pitch game 7 on the dodgers roster against the phils

it would be kuroda. He has dominated them. and kuroda has been solid when hes pitched, hes just getting a little unlucky

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions  

ok if we acquire halladay who are our 4 starters in the NLCS if we play the phillies

1. Halladay 2. ? 3.? 4.?

you would think kuroda has to be one of them because of his domination of the phillies in his 3 career starts. Bills because he is our ace. and kershaw and wolf both deserve to start also. So who would be our 2nd 3rd and 4th game starters?

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions  

We're not getting Halladay but

2. Billingsley
3. Wolf

"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."

by Sordid on Jul 29, 2009 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions  

instead of making his scheduled flight to phenoix, freddy sanchez has been asked to stay in San fransisco.!

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:50 PM PDT reply actions  

According to one source, the Giants have acquired Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez in a one-for-one deal for a minor-leaguer. I am seeking more confirmation.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/giants/detail?&entry_id=44521#ixzz0MgwLi5RI

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

EVEN BETTER

5:51pm: Kovacevic is reporting that the minor leaguer is AA pitcher Tim Alderson. This is an impressive haul for Sanchez—Alderson was ranked the #4 prospect in the Giants’ system.

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions  

WTF

ALDERSON!??! 20 year old doing a great job in AA

by matthewmafa on Jul 29, 2009 3:56 PM PDT reply actions  

Dejan_Kovacevic#No cash in Sanchez trade8 minutes ago from web

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 4:24 PM PDT reply actions  

ed_price#Indians GM Mark Shapiro says he traded Lee because he won’t be able to add in winter & didn’t think Cle could contend in ’10 w/current club9 minutes ago from UberTwitter

by Tripon on Jul 29, 2009 4:44 PM PDT reply actions  

Hard to see a GM saying he won’t contend next year, even if its true.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 29, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A place for Dodger fans to congregate without spending $10 on parking.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Cal_state_dominguez_hills_logo_small
Opposing Pitcher Preview: 5/25-5/27 Harrell, Norris, Happ
Cal_state_dominguez_hills_logo_small
Opposing Pitcher Preview: 5/21-5/23 Corbin, Cahill, Saunders
Tbj_pin_small
Memories of the past: Dodger Glory.com
Cal_state_dominguez_hills_logo_small
Opposing Pitcher Preview: 5/18-5/20 Lynn, Westbrook, Lohse
Cal_state_dominguez_hills_logo_small
Opposing Pitcher Preview: 5/14-5/15 Kennedy and Miley

Recent FanPosts

Sbn_ds_small
TBLA Challenge Week VII
Cal_state_dominguez_hills_logo_small
Opposing Pitcher Preview: 5/16-5/17 Richard and Volquez
Sbn_ds_small
TBLA Challenge Week VI
Small
Hey NYC Dodgers Fans
Dodgers_small
Dodger Need Help. ASAP!

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

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)

Yahoo_full_count

Manager

Eric___ned___reporters_2011_trade_deadline_small Eric Stephen

Editors

100_1427_small Phil Gurnee

Dgy_small David Young

Hanauma_bay_small Chad Moriyama

2501_small Michael White

Raptors_small Brandon Lennox

Img_0103_small CraigMinami