Dodgers Go For Sweep The Morning After
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 8:25 AM PDT
in Game Previews
110 comments
"Never leave a fleece blanket game night in September. Just saying."
-BHSportsGuy
Much like the 4+1 game, fleece blanket night meant a very happy ending for fans at Dodger Stadium last night, as Andre Ethier provided his walk-off magic yet again. And much like that September 18, 2006 game, the Dodgers' next game was against the Pirates.
Jim Peltz of the Los Angeles Times noted that Ethier's 21 home runs at home are "the most in a season by a left-handed hitter in the stadium's 47-year history." Ethier's is also the 47th season in Dodger history with 30 home runs, and the first since Adrian Beltre hit 48 in 2004.
Today's game is the finale of a series, an early 12:10pm start. Casey Blake, Russell Martin, and Rafael Furcal are expected to rest today. Might this bring the 2009 debut of Chin-Lung Hu?
Hiroki Kuroda takes the mound for the Dodgers, fresh off his great start Friday in San Francisco. His eight-inning performance yielded a game score of 73, which was Kuroda's second best of the season, just behind his masterful performance against the White Sox on June 23.
Since joining the Pirates at the trade deadline, Kevin Hart is 1-5 with a 6.46 ERA in seven starts, and opposing batters are hitting .329/399/.559 against him.
The last time the Dodgers swept the Pirates was June 23-25, 2006 at Dodger Stadium.
**********
Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.
Don't forget to RSVP for True Blue LA Day at Dodger Stadium, on the next-to-last day of the regular season, October 3 against the Rockies.
Get your guesses in for our today's "One, Two, Three Strikes, You're Out," here.
Game Time: 12:10pm
TV: Prime Ticket
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Watching the video of Ethier's walk-off for the 475934758934th Time.
These moments never get old.
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
where you watching the video?
I don’t see it on Dodgers.com? I was at the game and saw it live, but want to see the video as well!
by Coolguy_88888888 on Sep 16, 2009 8:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Go here:
Video is on the top right.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB.TV's archive copy isn't available yet
I watched the game until the bottom of the 11th inning, when I had to go to work (we’re GMT + 2 over here). I checked mlb.com during morning break, and learned of Ethier’s heroics. After work and errands I rushed home, clicked on MLB.TV and discovered to my frustration that the game’s archive copy is stuck on “soon”. I tried the Top 5 Plays highlight reel but that’s malfunctioning.
I want to scream.
by Connector on Sep 16, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dodgers Pittsburgh then off to a Hot San Francisco
It is weird but we have right now a 5 game lead over the Rockies and a 7.5 game lead over the Giants with one game left with Pittsburgh and the last thing we need is a rest. And Please Joe Torre Don’t use Mota or Mc Donald with the game on the line! Don’t use Sherill again till you really need him against the Giants. If the Dodgers win tonight and the Giants beat the Rockies we will be 6 up on the rockies and 7.5 on the Giants going into the Giants series. We need that Sweep of the Giants. If we Sweep them I think Neither the Giants or the Rockies will catch the Dodgers! Torre keep batting Eithier in front of Manny and Kemp behind him! Lets see Thome on some Pinch Hit duty! We will need him for the playoffs ready! Tell Billingsly to quit looking like he’s mad at himself every time someone gets a hit aginst him and just bear down! Go Dodgers!
by LUKESKYWALKERDUDE on Sep 16, 2009 9:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Giants won’t even catch the Dodgers if they sweep us.
James McDonald has a 2.40 ERA as a reliever.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's Something About McDonald
He’s had a great season as a reliever, but he scares me in clutch situations. Considering how great Troncoso, Belisario, Broxton and Sherril have been as well, I’d rather see them in clutch situation and see McDonald and Kuo eating up innings in safer games.
Nothing against him, I just feel like he’s always one pitch away from a complete meltdown.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don’t even trust Kuo? What more does he have to do?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since his return from the DL, Kuo has been amazing:
1.40 ERA
1.75 FIP
0.983 WHIP (and two of the 19 baserunners were IBB)
2.79 BB/9
12.10 K/9
.191/.257/.294 opposing batters
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kuo is our second-best reliever. Easily.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't say easily.
Sherrill and Kuo’s stats against lefties are kinda even, with Kuo with the better stats against righties. I’m only counting Sherrill’s stats with the Dodgers, so I’m skewing the stats a bit. Kuo’s WHIP is better and K/9 is better. Sherrill has the better ERA, but that could be misleading.
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I agree
Add Kuo’s electric FB, he’s our 2nd best reliever behind the big guy.
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
After last season
and coming into this season, I would have called Kuo the best reliever on the team (better than Broxton.)
Broxton has turned it up a notch this year. Kuo to me is the best reliever after Brox.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again - Its Not About Numbers
It’s something about him – it’s almost what Tripon said above (mocking me) but there’s something that scares me about having him in high pressure situations.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is where the disconnect is. Wouldn’t Kuo have had to fail quite often or at least semi-regularly for you to have that feeling?
Otherwise you might as well be scared that a unicorn will interrupt today’s game. Just as likely to happen.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can see where he's coming from. Well, not with McDonald.
I get a similar feeling with Weaver. By the first pitch you know he’s either going to be Cy Weaver that day, or he’s getting lit up badly.
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A bad April stuck with bearface?
We forgot how uncharacteristically bad Kuo was in April.
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He pitched in 7 games and gave up runs in two of them (4 total runs). And got hurt. Excuse me if I don’t get the pitchforks.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but considering how strong he’s pitched since, it should be clear that the early struggles were driven by injury.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baseball-Refrence
I tried to find something statistical to back up my suspicions, but even his 3.68 post-season ERA isn’t that awful if you consider he did pretty well against Philly in ’08.
Plus when you search for “Kuo” at that site you’re given two answers – Kuo, and Sandy Koufax. So I guess that just helps your point and I concede.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't get this, I really don't
Kuo? You dare lump Kuo in with McDonald. I know your in NY so you probably don’t see them on a daily basis so maybe you have seen a few games where McDonald has failed but when have you seen Kuo fail since he came back?
If we win in the postseason it will be because of games like last night where our bullpen is just nails. Giving up one run in 3 innings of high pressure extra inning baseball is not failing. Getting out of that inning with only one run allowed, giving us a chance was big.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Torre's been using Kuo/Sherill/Broxton in the same games lately.
Showing everyone just where ‘Bullpen A’ will set up.
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There Are Games That are Too Late to Watch
But I have the MLB.TV package and watch at least 4 games a week. Again – its beyond numbers, its something about him that scares me.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay
I won’t harp on it anymore.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
James McDonald since July 7th
34 IP, 33 hits, 13 BB, 33 K’s, 2.65 ERA, 2 HR, .258 OBA
His WHIP looks pretty high. Nevertheless, solid reliever.
but in 128 AB’s, he’s only allowed 2 HR’s. Impressive??
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Matt Stairs
Broxton hadn’t given up a homerun in what, 3 months before that?
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And?
does that mean Broxton isn’t to be trusted either?
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No
But does it mean that he won’t ever give up a homerun?
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Broxton is very unlikely to give up a HR. That is the point.
There have been 293 pitchers with 200+ innings from 2006-2009. Broxton has given up home runs less often than 282 of them.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So What Your'e Saying Is
Broxton has great numbers, but can still blow it in a big situation, but Kuo and McDonald can’t?
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's not saying that at all
of course Kuo and McDonald could. Just like Mariano Rivera did. Just like Barry Bonds had games where he went 0-4. This is baseball, there are no sure things.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which Is What I Was Saying Up There!
That Kuo and McDonald have great numbers, but scare me in clutch situations – something about that’s not about numbers or boxscores.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they fail more often, it would show up in the numbers.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But your evaluation methods are flawed
a better indicator of future success is looking at their stats. Not looking at their eyes, unless you are in fact, a psychic.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Randy Wolf has allowed runs in only one single inning in 17 of 31 starts this season.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Andre Ethier’s walk-off HR last night was in his 625th PA of the season, triggering a $25,000 incentive bonus. Well worth it! :)
Ethier has one more bonus due, $50k once he hits 650 PA.
http://www.truebluela.com/2009/1/14/720656/dodger-payroll#ethier
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
How McCourt’s face looks when writing these checks with all these incentives going into play.
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which shouldn't matter since he's not coming back. :)
Hudson said as much in one of the articles a couple of days ago.
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the quote
THE OTHER day Orlando Hudson walked by Manny Ramirez, Ramirez saying, “Orlando and I are going to be here together next year.”
“Not me,” said Hudson, who moments earlier had said, “Life is good. Michael Vick is back, we’ve got Obama as president, I’m in the big leagues and God is good.”
Life apparently will be better elsewhere next year.
Seems like at the very least odd timing for Hudson, if not just a bizarre quote overall.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think somebody was right, and the Belliard playing in front of Hudson (arguably to keep Hudson from reacing his incentives) is pissing him off.
Perhaps the Dodgers should have thought of this before including Tony Abreu on the PTBNL list.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Hudson's being realistic too.
And knows its only a one year deal.
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But
the Dodgers likely just traded away the player best suited to be given the starting job if Hudson is gone. Hudson could have gotten another year out of the Dodgers (maybe even 2 years) but you don’t want to pull a Derek Lowe…
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lot of 2nd baseman can do what Hudson did this year
including Felipe Lopez, Placido Polanco. Hudson has competition he is not going to get his 30/3 deal. No way.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BS
Hudson is a ball magnet. Watching Belliard in their I would still want Hudson if he was hitting 200. The dude can fly like superman.
Pitching isn’t the only reason the Dodgers have one of the best team ERAs in baseball.
I’d say Hudson’s statement basically means Dodger’s have the same chance of signing him as anyone else.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 16, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn’t he going to easily reach all of his incentives?
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think so. Only 40 more PA to get
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right, so the reasoning about the Dodgers not letting him meet his incentives goes down the drain shortly.
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many games are left?
quick math, 4 PA’s a game is 10 games needed to reach the benchmark. Since its already 9/16, I think there’s still a chance that he misses it….
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are 15 games left after today
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m sure he has no problem with 25k for a GW bomb.
by delias man on Sep 16, 2009 9:46 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
I would have handed it to Ethier in a sack of cash at home plate last night :)
Going to the game today?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
From the Dodger game notes:
Andre Ethier leads the Majors with six walk-off hits, four of which are home runs. The six walk-off hits are the most in one season for a Major Leaguer since at least 1974, one more than David Ortiz’s five for Boston in 2006, Kent Hrbek’s five for Minnesota in 1987, and Cory Snyder’s five for Cleveland in 1987. The four home runs are also the most for any player in a season since at least 1974. Several players have hit three walk-off blasts in a season, most recently Justin Morneau’s three in 2007 with Minnesota
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 9:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember Ortiz's 06' year
Where he was Mr. Clutch and everyone in the media pretty much sucked up to him. Hey ESPN, can ’Dre get some love?
by PHAT JULIO on Sep 16, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also in the notes:
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment Drive is set for Saturday and Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Fans can bring new and used baseball/softball equipment and drop off the items in collection bins at all Dodger Stadium entrances. All donated equipment will be presented to the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation & Parks
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Kuroda gets the scrub squad today
DodgertownUSA#Dodgers lineup: Pierre LF, Belliard 2B, Ethier RF, Kemp CF, Loney 1B, DeWitt 3B, Ausmus C, Castro SS, Kuroda P 4facts: notes@ladodgers.com1 minute ago from web
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 10:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Like that was going to happen. :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So the question of the day is would Torre still field this lineup if they lost last night? :)
by Tripon on Sep 16, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I lean toward yes. Maybe with one less sub.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On quick perusal, I didn’t find a lineup with more than 3 regulars sitting so far this year. Today we get 5 resting. Watch them score 8 runs today :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow, too late for me to rerun the sim, but that lineup probably shaves off a few points from our win probability.
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would be interested to see you try and run a sim of this game, and intentionally try to make the worst Dodger lineup possible. Outfield of Repko, Pierre and Blake. Infield of Castro, Hu, Dewitt and Loretta. And Ellis catching.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, maybe tonight when I get home. Typical lineup vs your starters listed and see what the difference is.
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I had to guess, I’d say you chop 10 points or so, off of the Dodgers 72% win probability. Kuroda >>>> Hart, plus we have HFA, that should be enough to keep the WP in the low 60s. Just a guess.
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
George Lopez is throwing out a first pitch today.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Pirates lineup
From Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
McCutchen, CF
LaRoche, 3B
Jones, RF
Pearce, 1B
Moss, LF
Cedeno, SS
Jaramillo, C
Vazquez, 2B
Hart, P
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Everybody Hates Me
Because I believe in Broxton/Sherril/Troncoso/Belisario more than Kuo/McDonald in clutch situations based on some sort of intuition and not something found in a boxscore.
I thought we were all on the same team here!
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody hates you. We are trying to figure out why you would be worried about Kuo or trust him and less when his performance has indicated nothing of the sort.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You Hate Me!
Sometimes there’s no good reason for something. I sound like my wife, but its an intuition thing, not a statistical thing.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suffice it to say, many of us disagree with that opinion
but I can kind of see it (even if I disagree) with McDonald (what with the alleged crying incident) but I really don’t know where your lack of trust in Kuo comes from. Assuming you watched the Dodgers last season, Kuo was clearly the most trust worthy reliever on the team, got hurt this year, and is now arguably the second must trust worthy reliever on the team.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes I Watched the Dodgers Last Season
And every season before that since I was 9 or 10. I’m 27 now. I really don’t know what it is about him. Maybe I’m secretly afraid that mid inning his elbow is going to shatter.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you’re going to rely on intuition to frame an argument, you’re asking for people to disagree with you— they either have different intuition, or they trust the numbers.
by LA Taco on Sep 16, 2009 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sheesh. Overreaction
we just have a difference of opinion.
by Michael White on Sep 16, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sheesh. Exaggeration!
I don’t really think you hate me.
by bearface on Sep 16, 2009 10:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You do have a great
profile picture. One of the best I’ve seen.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
McDonald
McDonald’s stats as a reliever have already been noted, but if you don’t want to put too much stock in those and want to go by what your eyes tell you, let us be clear what one is seeing when looking at McDonald. He is throwing a mid-90’s fastball and a very good curve, with a change-up that can also be a plus pitch. It is not like he is trying to get by on smoke and mirrors.
by CanuckDodger on Sep 16, 2009 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I Think It Is All About ...
…how badly McDonald got torched as a starter at the beginning of the season. A lot of people who witnessed that will just not let that go. And didn’t McDonald actually cry when Torre took him out of the game in the second or third inning after one of his meltdowns? Again, some people aren’t going to forget about that.
by CanuckDodger on Sep 16, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
His last start
he appeared to be tearing up in the dugout. Then he was sent to see Hough and they were seen to be going 95 in I-10.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Akin
would be a welcome addition to True Blue but it would be awkward when he’s released this winter by the Dodgers.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He might have to go to Memories of Kevin Malone then :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Manny sits again on his Bobblehead day
what are the odds that Manny pinch hits another Bobbleslam???
I think we score 10 runs day and Loney goes yard.
by meercatjohn on Sep 16, 2009 10:56 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I anticipate plenty of Dodger scoring today as well.
And 0 walks from HK
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jon Heyman of SI takes a stab at guessing some of the FA contracts this winter. He had guesses from a GM and agent as well. Here are the Dodgers:
Hudson
Agent: $21 million, 3 years.
GM: $25 million, 2 years.
Heyman: $16 million, 2 years.
Garland
Agent: $30 million, 3 years.
GM: $15 million, 2 years.
Heyman: $16 million, 2 years
Wolf
Agent: $16 million, 2 years (in L.A.).
GM: $18 million, 2 years.
Heyman: $15 million, 2 years
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/09/16/free.agents/index.html
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Best NSync related comment ever?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wolf’s seems reasonable. They are all over the map on Hudson, so hard to critique it, I’d probably go with Heyman on that one. As far as Garland, he’s only a FA if we don’t pick up the $10M option, right?
vr, Xei
by Xeifrank on Sep 16, 2009 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garland has a mutual option. $2.5m buyout if we decline, $1m buyout if he declines. AZ pays the buyout, if needed.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Billingsley is in the bullpen, backing up Kuroda today. Billingsley will start in the Washington series next week.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Its the equivalent of skipping a start.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 16, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't really get the logic
Washington has better hitters than SF.
But I’m convinced Bills is really injured (despite what everyone is saying), giving him more time off goes with this inclination.
by Dodger Dude on Sep 16, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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