The Return of Rafael and Kershaw Meets a New Foe - Game Preview
by David Young on May 25, 2010 1:49 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintThe Dodgers open a six-game road trip in Chicago tonight, with Clayton Kershaw taking the hill against the Cubs Ryan Dempster. Only one player on the Cub roster has faced Kershaw before, backup infielder Jeff Baker, a previous NL West opponent in Colorado; in nine PA, Baker has four hits, one double, one home run and one walk.
Kershaw has made six quality starts in his last seven outings with the lone exception being the 1 1/3 inning meltdown against the Brewers on May 4. Despite that ugly blot in his numbers, over those seven starts, Kershaw has posted a 2.93 ERA, held batters to a batting line of .209 / .309 / .327 / .635, and averaged over 6 IP, nearly 7 K, and just under 3 BB per start in that stretch.
Dempster is putting up a quality season so far. His April was better than his May, but two of his May starts were quality (7 IP, 3 ER each) and the other were were in the hitter's paradises of Cincinnati and Philadelphia and they weren't all that bad (7 IP, 5 ER and 6 IP, 4 ER, respectively).
With the off day yesterday, Jonathan Broxton, Hong-Chih Kuo, and Ramon Troncoso have all had two days rest in the bullpen.
The Dodgers activated Rafael Furcal from the disabled list today and, per Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts (and confirmed by the Dodgers - thanks Eric), placed George Sherrill on the 15-day disabled list with "mid-back tightness". Furcal also returns to the leadoff position in the batting order.
The Dodgers starting pitchers have been doing the job:
| Sun | Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | |
| May 2, 2010 | Ely | Kuroda | Haegar | ||||
| May 9, 2010 | Kershaw | Billingsley | Ely | Kuroda | Ortiz | Kershaw | |
| May 16, 2010 | Billingsley | Ely | Kuroda | Ortiz | Kershaw | Billingsley | Ely |
| May 23, 2010 | Kuroda | Kershaw | Billingsley | Ely | Kuroda | TBA | |
| QS, Dodgers Win | Since John Ely was recalled for his second start of the year, the Dodgers have been on a 14-3 run led by their starting pitching who have made 12 quality starts in that span. All starters not named Haegar or Ortiz have pitched at least into the sixth inning in all their starts. | ||||||
| No QS, Dodgers Win | |||||||
| QS, Dodgers Lose | |||||||
| No QS, Dodgers Lose | |||||||
Not coincidentally, eight of the last nine Dodger games have been played in under three hours, seven in 2:43 or less.
Vin Scully loves to quote the all-time won-loss record between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals, but the Cubs and Dodgers have reached a similar balance. According to the Dodgers notes, the all-time record between tonight's opponents is 1,017 - 1,015 in Los Angeles' favor.
Watch for old friend and Dodger prospect father Ivan DeJesus in the first-base coaching box for Chicago.
Here are the lineups:
| Dodgers | Cubs | |||
| SS |
Furcal | 2B |
Theriot | |
| C | Martin |
SS |
Castro | |
| CF | Kemp | 1B |
Lee | |
| LF | Ramirez | CF |
Byrd | |
| 1B | Loney |
LF |
Soriano | |
| 3B | Blake | RF |
Nady | |
| RF | Paul | 3B |
Baker | |
| 2B | DeWitt | C |
Soto | |
| P | Kershaw |
P |
Dempster | |
Xeifrank's simulation of today's game is here.
Game Time: 5:05pm
TV: KCAL 9
189 comments
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First time Dodgers have had 11 pitchers on the 25-man roster since April 23, 2008
only pre September 1 matters since that is the 25-man roster period…
2008
127 games with 12 pitchers
10 games with 11 pitchers
2009
71 games with 12 pitchers
61 games with 13 pitchers
2010
44 games with 12 pitchers
From April 24, 2008 through Sunday:
231 games with 12 pitchers
61 games with 13 pitchers
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions
This does leave Hong-Chih Kuo as the only LHP in the bullpen
Fortunately all the big guns – or what should be big guns – for the Cubs are RH hitters. Fukudome is a LH, as are Fontenot, Tracy and Colvin off the bench. The brain trust does seem to like Tron and Beli against lefties though.
I wonder if the 11-man staff is very short term, maybe in Chicago only.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Mystery solved
From wikipedia:
On August 27, 2009, [Nick] Green made his Major League pitching debut against the Chicago White Sox. After starter Junichi Tazawa struggled in early innings, Red Sox manager Terry Francona told Green that he would pitch the 8th inning. Green went into the dugout cages and pitched to outfielder Rocco Baldelli who reported that Green had a full repertoire of pitches, including a two-seam fastball and surprisingly enough a slider. Green was confused at first as to why he was pitching the eighth, and who would be pitching the ninth. With the Red Sox not scoring enough runs to warrant a new pitcher, Francona made the decision to pitch Green in the ninth inning as well.2 During his two innings of scoreless relief, Green walked 3 batters and allowed no hits and no runs on 35 pitches. He topped out at 90 mph on his fastball. He also threw one slider in the game.3 Green was the first Red Sox position player to go at least two innings of relief and not give up a hit since 1944. Green was also the first Red Sox position player to pitch multiple innings in a game since David McCarty did it in 2004.
Perhaps when Haeger gets activated Saturday, that is when Green will get the boot.
I remember in the 2008 NLDS, the Dodgers threw all righties at the Cubs’ lineup
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Second
long winning streak is about to start.
by Xeifrank on May 25, 2010 1:54 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Not likely to be
a sub-three hour game like the recent spate we’ve had.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I was just thinking
I wonder if Hideo Nomo has 81 bottles of champagne every year.
Each time both pitchers give up a hit at Coors, he celebrates. Maybe even invites Mercury Morris over.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Aerospace programmers and their pretty tables
Way to go Dave, now everyone will be asking why ours aren’t in color
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Nick Fury asked me to join the Avengers
but when I asked for the Black Widow as payment he gave me the stink eye.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The best part about that
is that I didn’t even notice the change at first, although now I finally see it.
I’m no rocket scientist, that’s for sure. :)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I've spent too much time lately
on management-special viewgraphs. They need to be bright and shiny or you lose their attention.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It was messing with the formatting on the rest of the page. ;)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't stay away can you?
So who is your Idol pick?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Hallelujah is one of those songs that makes me wish I could sing. I barely watch the show but whenever I do, I miss Crystal so I haven’t seen her sing but one song.
Of all the things that D4P said that I thought were bizarre that idea that no one should do covers was one of the most bizarre.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I would be OK with Lee winning, and he really nailed Hallelujah last week. Just an awesome performance.
It turns out I will be around for most of the night tonight, since I watched Lost Sunday, and 24 last night instead of all tonight. Of course I will end up missing the Billingsley game (except via phone)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
What I want for my birthday.....
Dodgers sweep Cubs. Cards sweep Padres.
Dodgers stay in 1st for the rest of the season.
by Tommy Told Me To Bleed Blue on May 25, 2010 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
Devil's advocate
Should we really be rooting for the Cards? Assuming Philly finishes the year with the best overall record, the Wild Card comes from the East, and we win the division, we would have to finish with a better record than the Cards to avoid facing Philly in the first round. Go Padres! ;)
I agree
long term the Padres are not a threat, so any beat down of other teams works in our favor.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Ok, for whoever's got the next closest birthday
Just wish for a World Series birth.
Then the next guy can wish for a World Series title :)
Happy birthday!
As long as Ethier
is riding the pony into left field I am just fine and dandy with that.
by Tommy Told Me To Bleed Blue on May 25, 2010 2:30 PM PDT reply actions
The LF part
is after the Manny for Cliff Lee trade, I presume. :-p
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
It might not happen for tomorrow’s game, but it’s my understanding the Giants have had internal discussions about some significant changes as a way to ensure they keep their best bats in the lineup as they try to escape their horrific offensive slump. They have not scored in 20 innings.
This is how it might work until left fielder Mark DeRosa returns: Freddy Sanchez would move to third base, allowing Juan Uribe to play second now that shortstop Edgar Renteria is back. (Alternatively, Uribe could play third and Sanchez could stay at second.) Pablo Sandoval would shift from third base to first base, and Aubrey Huff would move to left field. Andres Torres will play right, leaving John Bowker and Nate Schierholtz on the bench.
Seriously, how in the heck can you take the Giants seriously after reading this?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/giants/detail?&entry_id=64238
That is such a great post
in all the shenanigans they are simply moving bad hitters around. Amazing what happens to that team when the only great hitter goes into a huge slump. Without a slugging Panda they are so god awful offensively.
Didn’t take a bloggers behind to figure out that Audrey Huff’s power would get swallowed up by their park.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Sure would be funny
if the rumors that Posey sucks at catching fastballs turns out to be true. We shall find out when he has to handle Lincecum.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Man, that would hurt so bad for a Giants fan. How long is Tim under control for?
by robotmadeofnails on May 25, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I think those reports are a little exaggerated. The Giants have been lucky Molina is having a great start (for him), but Posey is such an upgrade its not even funny. Its not like Posey is some uncoordinated goof that is new to the game. His bat is good enough that he could be the worst fielding catcher in the league (which he isnt) and still be an upgrade.
by UCLADodger32 on May 25, 2010 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly. Hes not good at all, but for some reason his veteran-ness is adored by those in the SF front office (hmmm, that sounds familiar). I dont think Posey will be the cure to all of their offensive woes as that teams starting 8 seems to be put together by an incompetent monkey, but he would help.
by UCLADodger32 on May 25, 2010 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea, I thought Buster was staying down early no matter what (with or without Bengie)
by robotmadeofnails on May 25, 2010 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
No, he’d be starting at the beginning of the year if it wasn’t for the Giants re-signing Bengie.
He got called up Sept last year, they made a choice t in Sept o not delay back another year in Sept when they made that move.
Do September call ups count? I’m just asking out of curiousity because I am not expert on service time.
So there is no difference in Posey’s service time clock if he were called up today, July or September?
Every day in the majors counts toward the service clock, no matter when.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Ok, I guess what I am getting at and trying to get answered is – do the Giants benefit in any way by holding Posey down in the minors as it pertains to when he is first eligible for arbitration?
Sure it matters
But Posey already has 33 days of service time (from last September), so if they want to avoid a Super two situation they would just have to wait a month longer (July instead of June) to call him up.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes,
there is a provision in the CBA that is nicknamed Super Two, wherein a certain pct of players with more than 2 years but less than 3 years are awarded arbitration status. The number moves slightly each year due to how many players fall into that category.
There is a difference
Service time starts the moment you are on the active (25-man) roster or on the major league disabled-list.
If he was called up today, he would probably be a super two because of the amount of service time he had last year, and the amount of time left in the year.
If he is called up in July, the Giants would be cutting it close, but they would likely delay his FA by a full year. If he is called up by Sept, it’ll be the same as July.
Of course the Giants can do the ZAAAAAAAAAANY thing, not call up Posey at all this year, re-sign Bengie, or another FA catcher, and keep Posey down until NEXT JULY.
For reference
the lowest service time for a Super Two…
2010: 2 years, 139 days (Mike Fontenot)
2009: 2 years, 140 days (Taylor Buchholtz)
2008: 2 years, 144 days (Casey Kotchman)
2007: 2 years, 130 days (3 players)
In 2010, the date for calling someone up with 130 days left would be May 27.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
for Posey, the date would be June 28. Call him up on that date, and he would have 130 days of service time at the end of the year. Wait another week or so just to be safe, and you get him for 6.5 years and only have to pay him 3 arb years (instead of 4)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
“strike one, strike two, strike three, you’re out…”
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
That would seem to possibly give them slightly better offense
while just as likely giving them awful defense. I wouldn’t want that behind me in the field if I were one of the Giants pitchers.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Speak of the devil
Tonight’s lineup (per Hank Schulman):
Torres RF
Renteria SS
Sanchez 2B
Sandoval 1B
Huff LF
Uribe 3B
Molina C
Rowand CF
Wellemeyer P
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions
I like our entry in the battle of Xavier rightfielders
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Tonight is the first game in major league history featuring two players named Xavier, and they happen to be playing the same position against one another!
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Depends
whether or not they read the comments here, or my Twitter feed :)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I’ve got a Murphys Stout ready to go!
by robotmadeofnails on May 25, 2010 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Check and double-check.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 25, 2010 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
there is no way to beat david young
he is unstoppable
I can be stopped
if I step in against John Ely.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on May 25, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
More major leaguers
have had Xavier as a middle name than as a first name. Almost all of those middle names had “Francis” preceding it. One was “Francis Xavier Paul Healy” (everyone who has tried to search for Xavier Paul on b-r.com knows this name), who was the uncle of the “Francis Xavier Healy” some of us will remember as a catcher in the 1970s.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Yeah
I thought that was cool. Of all the Xaviers before Paul and Nady, the only two to even have their careers overlap were Xavier Hernandez (1989-1998) and Jimmy (James) Xavier Myers (1996), but they never played against one another.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
weather.com says
Wind: From E at 12mph, which would be straight in from RF. It also says it’s 83° there right now, or warmer than all the LA Metro area.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Chris Tillman
is getting called-up by Baltimore. This guy is their future ace…he’s even better than Matusz.
Orioles got some fine young arms
hope some of them pan out.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
How can they call him up
when he just started yesterday? What would be the point?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yep. Higher ceiling and gives us some needed payroll room.
by regfairfield on May 25, 2010 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I really dont think its much of a question.
by UCLADodger32 on May 25, 2010 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I would like to think that all of the people on here are smarter than the giants front office (and no, that isnt a joke).
by UCLADodger32 on May 25, 2010 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Isn’t that the Pandouche’s job?
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 25, 2010 4:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd like to see that trade
if only to watch MCC implode.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
I bet the Photoshop usage would be quite creative though, changing all the “Suck it, Martin” pictures into something more positive :)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions
You win the ability to watch Nick Green’s pinch hit home run in the 12th inning Thursday.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Bustgarner
Haha! Is that a combo of the pitcher and catcher, or just a commentary on the pitcher? :)
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
There’s no way a top 15 prospect is getting traded for maybe the 15th best first baseman.
by regfairfield on May 25, 2010 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Scott Barnes and Tim Aldederson say “Hi”
I guess you meant top 15 overall and not system but still :)
I don't even know who Scott Barnes is
and the Giants were right to trade Aldrerson because he sucks but like Ned, they didn’t get a proper return. Freddy Sanchez grew up with blue blood and his blood will not allow him to play for the Giants without cramping up.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He’s what they traded for Ryan Garko, I remember hearing at the time that he was a “top 15” Giants pitching prospect. Which obviously doesn’t mean much, I was just making the point that never say never when it comes to prospects being traded.
Sure
but Reg’s points was a top 15 overall guy not some scrub which is what most 15th organizational prospects are, especially if they are Giants.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Sure he is
he’s been doing just fine in May, and could be in the rotation as soon as next week.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
There is this from Baseball HQ on the Goofy Giants
The leading candidate to replace Wellemeyer in the rotation, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, is non-roster RHP Eric Hacker, whom the Chronicle noted has all of three relief appearances in the majors, which came last year with the Pirates. Hacker, age 27, has missed two full seasons due to injury: 2004, when he had Tommy John surgery; and 2006, shoulder surgery. Nonetheless, Hacker has been impressive in the Pacific Coast League, posting a 7-1 record, 2.20 ERA, 7.6 Dom and 3.2 Cmd.
The word is that Hacker would get the call over the more highly touted Madison Bumgarner, despite the fact that Bumgarner has turned things around after struggling this spring with decreased velocity, allowing 2 ER or fewer in his last six starts, over which he has posted a 6.7 Dom and 2.4 Cmd.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
and when i say goofy Giants
take it for granted that Ned and his roots are included in that comment. When we are debating Green/Ortiz goofy looks both north and south.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
FWIT
I read something that said his velo has risen to lows 90s, but not yet to the mid 90s he showed in the 1st half of last year.
Also read that he added a cutter to his repertoire and used it in his last 2 starts.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Takes a special skill to give up 12 hits in six innings
and not allow an earned run:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
But really
In May the K Rate is up, the walk rate is down, the WHIP is solid.
http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=518516
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’ve heard he’s back to sitting low 90s.
by regfairfield on May 25, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Where did
Santana and Blake (among 3B) rank at the time they were traded?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Reason why the Dodgers will win tonight
From MLB.com reporter Carrie Muskat:
Lou Piniella no longer looks like a lumberjack. He’s now clean shaven. “It was starting to get a little itchy,” he said of his beard
Casey Blake > Lou Piniella.
Win.
In a related story
I have shaved my beard as well. Down to just a goatee now.
/tempting fate
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey, old but
I hate you Will Ohman for getting hurt and costing us Josh Bell is now supposed to close for the Orioles after the domino of injuries to everyone else with an arm. Talk about full circle, we sign Ohman to our secondary left handed man, he gets hurt, never pitches for us, we trade Bell/Johnson for the Oriole LH closer Sherril, Sherril is now hurt and sucking, Will Ohman is now closing for the Orioles.
What a wacky game that consumes my life.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
He pitched 21 games for the Dodgers last season.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Largely forgettable games (4 homers in 12 1/3 innings, for instance), but still.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
he was a LOOGY who happened to not get lefties out last year:
27 LHB faced
4 HR
.296/.406/.889 opponents against
and that’s with a low .222 BABIP!
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I have one memory of him where he gave up an oppo bomb to Adrian Gonzalez at Petco. It was a bad pitch, but Adrian hit the shit out of it.
by UCLADodger32 on May 25, 2010 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
that was in the opening series in San Diego. I remember it as well.
by Eric Stephen on May 25, 2010 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
They still might have gone after Sherrill
Because Broxton had is toe injury and Sherrill did have closer experience.
Donnie Darko
Random, but I just watched Donnie Darko yesterday, and for some reason I never put together that Jake and Maggie were related…man, I felt stupid right away.
by robotmadeofnails on May 25, 2010 4:31 PM PDT reply actions
Yes, but I thought she was good in Crazy Heart. Part of the problem with her in Dark Knight was the fact that she was replacing Katie Holmes, and it looks like they went out of their way to find someone that looked similar, rather than someone that would be good for the part.
by robotmadeofnails on May 25, 2010 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Disclaimer to my comment below
I haven’t seen Batman Begins. But replacing Katie Holmes should not be a tall order.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I love Maggie
I like the quirky looking ones.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I liked her in it
But I liked her more in a different movie that I’m not going to recommend to a young whippersnapper like you.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Webster suffers some two out run scoring
After getting the first two batters out, he gave up a walk, run-scoring double, run-scoring single and another single before getting that 3rd out.
boo
webster has been a extreme flyball pitcher this year…
is that a cause for concern?
Tony Jackson chimes in:
The Dodgers could go back to a 12-man pitching staff later in the week. They are afforded the luxury of going with the extra position player now because they won’t need a fifth starter until Friday night at Colorado.
I haven’t seen the pregame Torre stuff yet, but I wonder if he decided Kuroda would get an extra day of rest, moving to Saturday instead. If they pitch the #5 starter Friday, Haeger would be unlikely because he’d be on three days rest.
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