BTW, those winning percentages equate to averaging 98 wins (Cox) and 97 wins (Torre) per 162 games. That’s just ridiculous over that long of a time period.

Just noticed that Scott Elbert, who got one out with his one pitch last night, hadn’t pitched since September 13. Nothing like 11 days of rest in between outings!

You know why its 3, I know why it’s 3, but they’re not celebrating until they’re sure they have a better record over the Rockies, and not before.

I think we are going to DOMINATE the Midwest League rankings (BA releases them on 10/1).

Dee Gordon has a chance to be #1. Martin and Eovaldi will place highly. Then we’ve got Aaron Miller and even Kyle Russell with a top 20 shots. NICE.

I wrote in chat the other day that Chad Billingsley was “awful,” but should clarify that what was awful was his command and approach, not the quality of his stuff. He worked primarily with four pitches, a 90-94 mph fastball, his usual 77-79 mph curveball (sharp all night except for the disgusting hanger he threw to Ryan Zimmerman, who flew out of his shoes when he saw it coming), and an 88-89 mph cutter I hadn’t seen from him before that could be almost as good a weapon for him as the curveball. He started out just missing the edges of the zone with his fastball, but as the game went on he was missing his spots by wider margins, and eventually lobbed the garbage curveball that cost the Dodgers the game. Washington’s lineup isn’t as strong as those of the three teams currently occupying NL playoff spots, so Billingsley’s outing can’t have given the Dodgers much confidence in how he might perform against the Phillies or Cardinals in the NLDS.

Braves are up 5-1 in the 4th

Morse hit a 3-run jack, cutting the Braves lead to 6-4…bottom 6th

braves winning

injuryexpertSam Bradford’s in Birmingham visiting Dr. Andrews.14 minutes ago from Tweetie

Bradford must be kicking himself in the ass right now. He could have went in the NFL draft last year and making gobs of money instead of screwing up his draft stock being injured at OU.

RT @RobBiertempfel: #Dodgers @ #Pirates 9/26: Furcal 6, Pierre 8, Ramirez 7, Kemp 9, Blake 5, Belliard 4, Loretta 3, Martin 2, Wolf (11-6, 3.24) lhp

RT @RobBiertempfel: #Pirates v. #Dodgers 9/26: McCutchen 8, LaRoche 5, Jones 9, Doumit 2, Milledge 7, Pearce 3, Young 4, Cruz 6, Maholm (8-9, 4.46) lhp

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. They need pitching help.

Tony Abreu is the obvious SS replacement for them.

for once fox lightens up and shows sox vs yankees in cali rather than cubs vs giants….

This is just a teaser of information I got the other day from Hugh who covers the Loons for the Saginaw News in Michigan.

Ethan Martin / Nathan Eovaldi – they performed as a tag team most of the 2nd half and the Dodgers never took the gloves off of them. Did you ever hear the plan on why they were limited so much? Who was more impressive? Best pitch? What do they need to work on?
They were on strict pitch limits, which taxed the Great Lakes bullpen every time they started. And when they started back-to-back, the bullpen was a disaster. Once they became a tag team and went 4 or 5 innings each, they were able to prepare as if they were starting, get their innings in and even save the bullpen. Both are very young and have had injuries, so the Dodgers were very careful. Both throw extremely hard, so their challenge is to develop their off-speed pitches and control. They also have to improve their consistency. Both had some absolutely dominating outings, then would follow with a blowout. It was maddening, but not necessarily surprising for young pitchers. Eovaldi, who had Tommy John surgery, was the more impressive of the two, but they are very similar pitchers. Martin struck out more, but also walked more. Because they are so young, they may start at Great Lakes again with a ticket ready to move up if they show anything. They have the arms to be successful, but they’re also so young it’s hard to project. Both need to work on their control.

The rest of the interview will be incorporated into my Loon Review.

For the record I expect to see Gordan number two , with Russell, Martin, Eovaldi all with an outside chance of making the list but I’m not holding my breath.

@RobBiertempfel: @truebluela Pretty good, if front coming from south moves out quickly. Otherwise, it will be day-night DH tomorrow.

Cesar Ramos will make his first ML start Tuesday against the Dodgers