Dodgers in Salvage Mode in St. Louis
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 2:00 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintThe Dodgers have put 41 men on base in the first 33 innings of this series, yet only three have crossed the plate. Eight double plays have contributed to the frustration. One of these games, the Dodgers are going to explode on someone. Why not Kyle Lohse?
No matter what happens, we can take solace in the fact that today is the last game in St. Louis for awhile. The Dodgers have lost 17 of their last 20 games at two different Busch Stadii. To paraphrase Bobby Knight, if a loss in St. Louis is inevitable, why not just sit back and enjoy it.
Hiroki Kuroda pitches for the Dodgers tonight, and I would imagine the Dodgers would like nothing more than for Kuroda to pitch very deep into this game, given that the relievers threw 6.2 innings Thursday night and that Jason Schmidt is scheduled to start Friday in Atlanta.
Andre Ethier's nine-game hitting streak was snapped last night, but Rafael Furcal got two hits, extending his own hitting streak to nine games. Furcal is hitting .381/.409/.571 over that span.
Russell Martin took the collar last night in seven at-bats, becoming just the 33rd LA Dodger to not reach base in at least seven plate appearances. Martin, who has caught every one of the last 85 defensive innings, will get a day off today, in favor of Brad Ausmus.
Get your guesses in for today's "Clogging The Bases" here. There are only two days left in the month.
Game Time: 5:15pm
TV: KCAL
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Cards lineup, per Bernie Miklasz:
Schumaker 2B
Rasmus CF
Pujols 1B
Holliday LF
Ankiel RF
DeRosa 3B
Molina C
Ryan SS
Lohse P
damn
the vacuum cleaner starts once again
Dodger lineup - Martin rests as expected
from Josh Rawitch at Inside the Dodgers:
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Ausmus, C
Kuroda, P
Nice call on the prediction that Russel’s Muscles would sit out this game today. It was you that mentioned he had started the last 9 games in a row, right?
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep…but I can’t take credit for predicting that someone who caught 15 innings 14.2 innings the night before would sit :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions
suprised juan didnt get the start today
matt is 0 for 7 with 4 Ks against lohse and has been struggling in his last few games and juan is 6 for 12 vs Lohse
It appears the fears of Juan starting 2-3 times per week were a bit much. Even I am surprised somewhat at how little he has started since Manny’s return.
In 22 games, Pierre has 5 starts, and 3 were in place of a hurt/sore Manny. Ethier and Kemp have both started 21 of 22 games.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think he will be the Manny Caddy from here on out, with a start in CF for Ethier or Kemp every once in a while.
Its nice to be settled on a pretty regular OF. A side effect of all the beat writers clamoring for pitching is that they haven’t had time to write a Juan Pierre story lately :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Good gravy!
What a huge day for True Blue LA! You guys are at 500+ comments today, and it hasn’t even hit gametime yet! Well done, Eric, Phil & Brendan! :-)
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 2:18 PM PDT reply actions
the good thing about sherrill is that he is clutch
i could see him having a lot of success in the playoffs… remember in the allstar game last year he came in the game in extra innings and pitched two scoreless innings. He was clutch in a big time pressure situation
Clutch seems like a synonym for gamer :)
"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."
John Hart approves, while eating a grinder with mayo
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Pregame Dodger Inspirational speech :
All right team , I want you to remember some inspiring words that someone else might have told you over the course of your lives, and go out there and end this losing streak!
"I don't know the meaning of the word 'surrender'!... I mean, I know it, I'm not dumb... Just - not in this context."
if they sign halladay as well today
best day this summer for LA sports fans besides the day the lakers won the title….
Ahem
There are LA sports fans who don’t root for the Lakers :)
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Hm, that makes me think
More Dodger fans or Laker fans in LA?
LA being defined as the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area.
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I would guess Lakers but that’s a good question.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I would think Lakers too
but I’m pretty surprised by how many Clipper fans there are on this blog.
The fact that the Angels won a World Series recently though probably drives down the Dodger numbers.
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
if i had a guess
it would be the lakers cause theyve had a lot of success in the 2000s and this year
if the dodgers remain competitive for more years it could balance out more
Lakers easy
didn’t we do this exercise once before and BH showed us the TV numbers. Or was that on DT, anyway it was a slamdunk Laker victory.
There's waaaaay more LA Sparks fans...
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 2:48 PM PDT up reply actions
A close 3rd: the day Magic Johnson said the late Michael Jackson made him a better point guard!
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Breaking News
We don’t need to trade for Doc Halladay, because starter Russ Ortiz has just been released by Houston!
Wahoo
I wish Leach the best of luck .. but i just cant stand the way he pitches
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 30, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
did the dodgers recieve cash in the trade for sherrill
cause i doubt mccourt will pay th rest of sherrills salary this year
Doesn’t sound like it, based on early reports…Sherrill is due an additional $840k over a minimum roster guy for the remainer of the season.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Dodger Statement On Sherrill Trade
The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced that they have acquired Orioles All-Star closer George Sherrill in exchange for minor league infielder Josh Bell and minor league right-handed pitcher Steve Johnson. Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement.
"Adding a quality reliever to our bullpen is important down the stretch and George is an established closer and an established left-handed pitcher, both of which are not easy to find," said Colletti. "He will help us bridge the gap to Jonathan Broxton and we’re glad to have two All-Star closers at the back end of the bullpen."
Sherrill, 32, ranks eighth in the American League with 20 saves and has posted a 2.40 ERA in 42 outings for the Orioles this season. After serving as the Mariners’ setup man in 2006 and 2007 when he ranked fifth and seventh, respectively, in games pitched in the American League, he was traded to Baltimore prior to the 2008 season. Last year, the southpaw ranked seventh in the league with 31 saves and was named to the All-Star team.
The Memphis native has held left-handed hitters to a .133 average this season and .167 mark in his career. Sherrill has more saves (20) than any other pitcher acquired by the Dodgers during a season since Cincinnati ’s Jeff Shaw (23), who was traded to Los Angeles on July 4, 1998.
Bell, 22, is batting .296 with 11 homers and 52 RBI as the third baseman for Double-A Chattanooga. He was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and entered the season ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the Dodgers’ farm system by Baseball America.
Johnson, 21, is 9-5 with a 3.61 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) with Single-A Inland Empire and Double-A Chattanooga. He was originally selected by the Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. The Baltimore native is the son of former Orioles pitcher Dave Johnson, who pitched for the club from 1989-91 and is currently an Orioles broadcaster
sherrill is going to come in handy for the series against the braves
the braves have like 7 left handed batters in their lineup and we face the braves like 7 times in 11 days or so
Jayson Stark says the Dodgers aren’t done…for a reliever:
They would like to add one more set-up arm, preferably a righthander. Clubs that have spoken with them say they’ve expressed interest in Mark Lowe of Seattle, David Weathers of the Reds, Matt Capps of the Pirates, Reds lefthander Arthur Rhodes and former Dodger Jason Frasor, now with Toronto
I would endorse Mark Lowe if hes cheap
however im very happy with the pen right now
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 30, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions
#BlueJays GM J.P. Ricciardi, to FanHouse, not ruling out a Halladay deal: “We’re waiting till 4 o’clock tomorrow.”
I hope he’s right, and not just trying to advocate two of his recent columns :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
the dodgers now have an excess of relief pitching
when Belisario comes back.. who going to get sent down or DFA?
what if cory wade comes back (if he does)… who goes for him?
Technically, he’s on the big club, but just on the DL.
Doing rehab in AAA though.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
and you cannot DFA shmidt
because whose going to be the fifth starter?
what about mencawich
who gets sent down for him?
Basically when everyone is healthy here is the roster:
Catchers (2)
Martin, Ausmus
Infield (7)
Loney, Hudson, Furcal, Blake, Loretta, Castro, Eye Chart
Outfield (4)
Manny, Kemp, Ethier, Pierre
Starters (5)
Bills, Kershaw, Wolf, Kuroda, Player X
Relievers (7)
Broxton, Sherrill, Troncoso, Kuo, Belisario, Mota, Weaver
I’m guessing Player X won’t be Schmidt
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions
I would imagine Belisario won’t be ready until September, or at least they wait.
Vargas stays on for September
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
wouldnt you rather have vargas then Weaver
i would personally rather have vargas
I’m ambivalent on that choice…probably lean toward Weaver.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions
so the odd man out when mencawich is back
is Elbert?
if we get halladay
the dodgers future is gone… but who cares about the future right…. we can figure it out later. bull
"future is gone"??
we have 4 starting position players 27 and under, two starting pitchers under 25, and almost all of our bullpen is under 30. our SS and 3B have 2 more years on the contracts.
but yeah, our future is gone
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
our 3rd basemen is old
our shortstop is declining.. our second basemen will be on the decline soon our firstbasemens numbers are on the decline for some reason, mannys old
Raffy is hitting .347 in July
OPS-ing .914. he didn’t start well but he’s getting better. 31 year old shortstops normally don’t start failing miserably. The back is a concern but he seems fine right now.
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't think Furcal's worry is this year
But in the first 3 year contract he got; he was only healthy 1 year. Now he’s older, so I don’t see why you should expect a marked improvement in his durability.
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions
the durability is a concern
but i wouldn’t call him declining. when healthy, he’s still a very very good player and will be for at least 2 more years
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't see how you can say he will be for at least 2 more years
he was hurt the last two and his skills are declining. I’m not sure he doesn’t start splitting time with DeJesus next year.
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions
i'm saying if he stays healthy
obviously it’s no guarantee, but i can’t see a fast, small player of his stature losing his game in his early 30’s. clearly injuries can change that in a hurry, but if he CAN stay healthy i think he should continue to be productive
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
you want to always build for the future?
then when will you ever win? Sometimes you have to risk your future to try and win the whole thing in the present
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Looking at that awesome roster just gave me a P.F.O.B.!!!
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Stults, Elbert, J-Mac are all better options
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t think Wade comes back to the big club unless someone is hurt.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
all the scouts say josh bell probably wont stick at 3rd
didnt they all say matt kemp was never going to be a good defensive center fielder
The way they are going after relievers does not lead me to believe they are very confident
in Beliasario bouncing back and being effective. A fellow Venny was suspended today for Steroids.
Nice…creative deal. Hall and Eye Chart as 4th/5th OF, until September at least? I like it.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Bob Timmermann noted the Dodger 40-man roster lists Ohman on the 60-day DL, which hasn’t been announced yet, but is the likely and expected move to create a 40-man spot for Sherrill.
But I will always remember Ohman for being the first story I ever “broke,” when I Tweeted that he was working out for the Dodger brass in Glendale a full 6 minutes before Ken Gurnick! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Check this out
A rival GM who recently saw Bell at Class AA said, "He’s got physical skills and talent, but he plays very lethargic. He’s not a high-energy guy at all. He’s very nonchalant in how he plays.
Sounds like Joel Guzman in 2006 to me.
seems like james loney
i think bell will end up like a james loney type player
well if he's somewhere between Guzman and Loney
and Johnson ends up as a 5th starter/middle reliever, then i think we’ll have won this trade
by bucknellbruin on Jul 30, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions
anyone check out the Elias Rankings
Randy Wolf is a Type B… He is 69 and you need 72 to be a type A so lets get some wins for him so we can steal a first round pick…. Also orlando hudson is a lock to be a Type A so another first rounder plus supplemental from him… sherrill is just in as a type A but we have a long time till hes a free agent
which dodgers draft picks recently have been compensation.. all i can remmeeber is withrow
Would we even offer Wolf arbitration?
The answer is a definite no if we get Halladay. If the market doesn’t improve, Wolf will take the arbitration, so no need to worry about draft picks.
by Michael White on Jul 30, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
if wolf takes the arbritration
the dodgers would be very happy… a 1 year deal for a very good pitcher
I think mwhite is right…if we have Halladay, I don’t think the Dodgers would risk spending $8-$10m on him.
Then again, if Wolf has a good season, he’s likely to decline arb anyway.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
we dont have haladay
im talking if with what we have right now… we would offer would arb for sure but i think ned would want to sign him longterm…i would rather sign lackey
wwoww motas a type B
mota is also a Type B free Agent so we are defintly offering him arbitration cause mota for 3 mil next year is a bargain and if he doesnt accept we get some draft picks
Still too early to think about that. Too many variables between now and December. There will be some interesting decisions, that’s for sure.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 30, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Possible Halladay trade
If giving up Broxton would make us keep Withrow, I´d definitely do it. I don´t want to see Withrow traded.
-1
I'm nobody's fool, least of all yours
by BoulderDodger on Jul 30, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
fail
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
PC Load Letter
2009-10 LA Kings Hockey: Where Smyt Happens!!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Jul 30, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Will Loney Ever Get a Timely Hit Again?
Just watched Loney ground out to end an inning AGAIN. This is getting ridiculous.
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