Dodgers Need Giant Performance From Padilla Tonight
by Eric Stephen on Apr 16, 2010 3:35 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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The Dodgers tonight renew their rivalry with the Giants, who come to Dodger Stadium atop the National League West with a 7-2 start. Per the Giants, this is the first time in four years San Francisco has been in first place while playing the Dodgers. Both the Dodgers and Giants have had their offenses helped by white-hot catchers:
| Catcher | PA | BA/OBP/SLG | OPS | wOBA | OPS+ | wRC+ |
| Russell Martin | 34 | .364/.545/.591 | 1.136 | .474 | 199 | 194 |
| Bengie Molina | 25 | .455/.480/.682 | 1.162 | .488 | 190 | 200 |
Vicente Padilla has pitched just 4 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts, becoming the first Los Angeles Dodger opening day starter to pitch fewer than five innings in each of his first two starts. Here are the fewest innings pitched in the first three starts of the season by an LA Dodger opening day starter, a list Padilla will surely join after tonight. Would you believe Don Drysdale tops this ignominious list?
| Fewest IP, 1st 3 Starts, LA Dodger Opening Day Starter | |||||
| Starter | Year | Start 1 | Start 2 | Start 3 | Total IP |
| Don Drysdale | 1958 | 3 2/3 | 5 | 2 1/3 | 11 |
| Kevin Brown | 2002 | 4 | 7 | 1 1/3 | 12 1/3 |
| Ramon Martinez | 1996 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 13 |
| Don Sutton | 1978 | 7 | 2 1/3 | 4 | 13 1/3 |
| Bob Miller | 1967 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 14 |
| Bill Singer | 1971 | 6 | 1 1/3 | 8 | 15 1/3 |
| Don Drysdale | 1969 | 6 | 2 2/3 | 6 2/3 | 15 1/3 |
| Hideo Nomo | 2004 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 16 |
| Fernando Valenzuela | 1984 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
| Burt Hooton | 1980 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 16 |
Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness and Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts had posts this morning showing the current state of the Dodger pitching staff, and the potentially scant few options available for tonight's game. Petriello pontificated:
Available tonight (4):
Ramon Troncoso (probable closer)
Russ Ortiz
Carlos Monasterios
Jeff WeaverSo among your four-man, all-righty bullpen, that’s one good pitcher who was still your 4th or 5th best option entering the season (Troncoso), 2 non-roster veterans, and a Rule 5 pick – and that’s keeping in mind that Weaver pitched last night and on six of the previous nine days, and that Russ Ortiz is Russ Ortiz.
If there was ever a time for Padilla to pitch deep into the game, it's tonight.
Todd Wellemeyer, who got tagged with one of the two Giant losses last Saturday, will start for San Francisco. Of the 130 pitchers who have thrown 100 innings since the beginning of the 2009 season, Wellemeyer's 5.89 ERA ranks 123rd.
Other Notes
- Tony Jackson of ESPN LA has a wonderful article about Don Newcombe recalling his friend and teammate Jackie Robinson before last night's game.
- Hong-Chih Kuo, who struck out two in his perfect inning in a rehab assignment in San Bernardino last night, is back in Los Angeles tonight, "to continue his rehab," according to the Dodger game notes.
- The 58 runs scored by the Dodgers is tied for the third most by the club through their first nine games since moving to Los Angeles, behind 1977 (60) and 2005 (59), and tied with 2000. The most runs scored by the Los Angeles Dodgers through 10 games is 69, by the 2006 club. (Source: STATS LLC)
- David S. Cohen, of the Phillies' blog The Good Phight, took in Thursday's game against the Nationals with his son, and made an awesome catch of a foul ball. It was shown during the broadcast, along with Cohen giving the ball to his son. This is a must-watch video.
- SB Nation has a new baseball blog dedicated to the MLB draft, called MLB Bonus Baby.
- Both teams will wear number 42 tonight to honor Jackie Robinson. The Giants were off Thursday, and didn't have a chance to honor Robinson.
- Guitarist Slash will play the national anthem tonight
Xeifrank's simulation of today's game is here.
Game Time: 7:10pm
TV: KCAL
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This is very promising that we're facing such an awful pitcher.
What I don’t like is how good their BP is.
I’d also like to say we don’t need a LF next season, just move Ethier there. And depending on who is available, we can get either a CF or RF – Kemp can play either.
Dodgers lineup
per Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
Furcal SS
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Ramirez LF
Loney 1B
Blake 3B
DeWitt 2B
Martin C
Padilla P
Giants lineup
per Hank Schulman / SF Chronicle:
Rowand CF
Renteria SS
Sandoval 3B
Huff 1B
DeRosa LF
Molina C
Bowker RF
Uribe 2B
Wellemeyer P
One more Kemp stat
HR in 1st 3 Dodger home games of season:
Jimmy Wynn, Apr 5-7, 1974
Jimmy Wynn, Apr 14-16, 1975
Gary Sheffield, Apr 14-16, 2000
Kemp, Apr 13-15, 2010
From STATS LLC, per the Dodger game notes. Also, “In 1972, Willie Crawford homered in home game No. 1, sat and didn’t play in the second home game, then homered in home games three, four, and five.”
Ahhhh…the Toy Cannon! Si!
Note: for some odd reason I really liked Willie Crawford growing up. He wore #27, BTW.
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Jonathan Broxton | Los Angeles Dodgers
The Comments: Like Andrew Bailey in Oakland, Broxton has yet to receive a save opportunity this season. Even so, he’s made five appearances in total, including three this week (Please tell me why Joe Torre is running him out there in three straight days in non-save opportunities?). Broxton has allowed just one hit and one walk on the year. He has eight Ks. Torre’s going to wear him out before the club really needs him.
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/the-nl-closer-report-3
Um, well ...
when behind in the ninth and you’re in extra innings at home, kind of hard to get save opportunities.
Only quibble vs. Arizona was Tuesday’s game, and honestly, the way the bullpen was going, I didn’t hate that he was used with a day off. No reason to assume that he’d be needed each of the next two nights.
If you are thinking from a pure fantasy POV
Then you would be annoyed that the Dodgers have not used him in a save situation (of which there has been only 1).
If you are thinking from a pure fantasy POV
you probably also wouldn’t ask the question:
Please tell me why Joe Torre is running him out there in three straight days in non-save opportunities?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
You might if you are concerned that he is being overworked in non-save situations and therefore his performance will suffer later on once save situations start presenting themselves.
by Michael White on Apr 16, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
We are reading too much into it
It’s obviously a parenthetical shot at Torre’s bullpen management, only this one doesn’t hold water because the last two of those appearances were in the top of the 10th, after the Dodgers tied the game in the 9th.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Minor League Update
The Lookouts have their 1st HR by Robinson with a 3 run-HR…
Je t'aime Louise Bourgoin... I Love you Louise Bourgoin... <3
Seems reasonable to give an undersized QB who missed his entire senior season $50MM in guaranteed money.
by Michael White on Apr 16, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Stolen from the Dodger Thoughts comments
bhsportsguy21 (4/16/2010 at 5:44 AM)
The answer is 2.571. The question is "What is Andre Ethier’s OPS when he makes the game-ending plate appearance at Dodger Stadium?
.
In his career, Ethier has made 14 game-ending plate appearances at home and he has 10 hits, 4 singles, 1 double and 5 home runs, his stat line is .714/.714/1.857.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Marty asked me a question about this stat
And he is right because its skewed because several of those PA were in tie games or less than two out so if Eithier doesn’t come through, the game isn’t over.
That said, not only is Andre 10 for 14 in his career in this small sample size, he is 10 for his last 11.
This isn't walk-off, but...
I looked at his PA last year:
He came to the plate in the ninth inning or later representing either the tying or go-ahead run 42 times this season. All he did was slam five doubles and four home runs, and hit a whopping .448/.619/1.034 in those situations.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
From the Dodgers
getting closer….
Kuo to make next rehab appearance on Sunday after striking out 2 in a perfect inning for Single A Inland Empire last night
To anyone who may know
during any team meeting, assuming there is one every day, would Torre address individual players and say anything like, " we need you to last 7 innings" or “give us a better show at the plate” or “do you need glasses” or “did you eat your Wheaties”? I mean is there any communication from the manager to the players? because it seems to me that Torre just “expects” everyone to be “professional” and perform flawless and he is handsoff most of the time. Anyone have any experience or has ever heard what type of communication goes on in the club house from manager or coach to player? I always get the feeling it’s a vacuum and just because you make 5-20 million a year you are above being told to get your butt in gear.
Well, I don't make millions, and I don't play pro sports,
But if my boss told me, in front of all of my colleagues, that I needed to get my butt in gear and shape up, I would start looking for another job. There is no reason to embarrass anyone in front of their coworkers.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on Apr 16, 2010 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
That stuff happens behind closed doors, but for the most if Torre has something to say to just one player he will say it privately to the player (or smaller group of players).
by Eric Stephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s what I was looking for. Just that we know Torre isn’t close to being any type of vocal-Lasorda like in the dugout and I always wonder if he is just letting the coaches handle the player discussions when it would seem more powerful from him. Thinking about last years O-Dog debacle- whether true or not- but probably did have some truth to it as far as lack of communication.
The O-Dog thing last year probably deserves it’s own book, or at least several long blog posts, but from what I’ve seen that was the exception rather than the rule regarding Torre and communication.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he likes to go Norman Dale and ask, “is that pigeon shit in your eye?”.
No chance he has a team meeting every game.
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Bullpen availabilities...with a grain of salt, of course
Thursday: Torre says before game Weaver is unavailable…he pitches an inning
Tonight: Torre says Broxton and Ramon O are unavailable (per Jimmy Bramlett / LAist); and that Sherrill is available (per Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts)
Just because we need to see it again.
Thank to kenai at Memories of Kevin Malone for putting it in his post.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 16, 2010 5:29 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Wow…I was on the east coast and didn’t see this. Holy crap that was a bad throw!
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions
with 2 outs in the 9th, too…the final out of the game. Holliday Redux
by Eric Stephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions
though perhaps I should have featured Nads Holliday in .gif form also (also from MOKM):
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Apr 16, 2010 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Who thought the Rockies would make a pitcher roster move before the Dodgers?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Where’s the video of the cop kicking the crap out of a “patron” on Opening Day? Having been there, I saw a few folks who should have gotten that treatment.
Or a vid of the Phillie fan who purposely vomitted on an 11 year old kid?
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
You can view the former here, complete with NSFW language.
As for the latter, thank god there is no video of that, but that vile idiot did get his eye dotted – check out his mug shot:
Apparently the 11-year old was with her father, the cop, and other witnesses were also cops. This moron picked the wrong people to fuck with.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Looks like he must have “fell” on his way to the police station.
Bet they put him some place “real nice” for the evening.
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
looks like he got an eye-infection
from Big Bob’s cock-meat sandwich
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 16, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
“Big Bob’s cock-meat sandwich”? Where in the hell did that come from?
Now this is a story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/14/amanda-flowers-claims-wii_n_537242.html
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Harold and Kumar. . come on man
that movie was hillarious
by SeanMillerSavior on Apr 16, 2010 6:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Brett Anderson contract details
4 yrs/$12.5M + $1M signing bonus.
2014 option: $8M
2015 option: $12M
Option buyout: $1.5M
Guaranteed dollars: $15M for 4 years = $3.75M avg annual salary
Lookout!
Gordon 3-4 3 runs
Trayvon 3-4 2B, HR, 4RBI
Lambo 2-3, 2B, 4RBI
by mochemin on Apr 16, 2010 6:08 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Must've felt they let one get away last night
One of their relief pitchers came into the game and killed their comeback rally by walking 4 straight batters (all scored). Wasn’t a good night for the Lookouts.
I didn’t realize they had sent Ortiz down.
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 6:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Only a matter of time, my friend. But a man can dream.
by KellyStephen on Apr 16, 2010 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions
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