Last Night Was So Fun, Dodgers Will Try To Do It Again
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:00 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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After last night, I'm sure the Giants would rather face anyone buy Clayton Kerhsaw, but the Dodgers won't make it any easier on their rivals tonight with Chad Billingsley on the mound. Bilingsley has started four times against the Giants this season, giving up four runs (two unearned runs) in 29 2/3 innings, for an 0.61 ERA.
This is the first time Billingsley has faced a Giant other than Barry Zito, as Matt Cain gets the start for the Giants. In three starts against the Dodgers this season, Cain has allowed eight runs in 19 2/3 innings with five walks and 19 strikeouts. On August 1, Cain got his only career win against the Dodgers in 16 starts.
Since Rod Barajas joined the Dodgers on August 24, here are the Dodgers' home run leaders:
| Barajas |
4 |
| Gibbons |
3 |
| Blake |
3 |
| Ethier |
2 |
| Kemp |
1 |
| Loney |
1 |
| Podsednik |
1 |
An Anniversary
On this date 30 years ago, Fernando Valenzuela made his major league debut, throwing two innings in relief against the Braves. After a perfect sixth inning, Valenzuela gave up two unearned runs in the seventh inning. He would not allow another run the rest of the season (10 appearances), and after his seventh start of 1981, Valenzuela had a career ERA of 0.29. It ballooned to 0.40 after allowing two runs in his next outing, his eighth straight complete game.
The Dodgers plan to celebrate this anniversary with a pregame ceremony before Sunday's game. Valenzuela will also participate in La Gran Fiesta - Viva Los Dodgers presented by Coca-Cola and Hyundai festival starting at 10 a.m.
Longtime Scout Passes Away
Al LaMacchia, the scout who famously recommended Andre Ethier to Ned Colletti in 2005, passed away today at age 89. “Al was the epitome of a baseball scout. He loved the game and the people in it. I admired that he blended his love for baseball with his love of family. Many times I saw Al with his wife Ann at the baseball stops along the road. That is a rarity, but Al was not going to sacrifice one love for another," said Colletti.
“His recollection of players long since out of the game along with those of today was truly remarkable," Colletti added, "Knowing that Al was always available to help with a player or a thought process was always a comforting combination. I found his wisdom of life and baseball to be rare.”
LaMacchia was a former major league pitcher, and in his six-decade career as a scout signed several players, including Dale Murphy, George Bell, Cito Gaston, Dave Stieb, David Wells, Willie Upshaw, Jim Gott, Rick Mahler, Ted Savage, and Bruce Benedict.
Shameless Plugs For SB Nation Los Angeles
- If you haven't yet had a chance to read Josie Becker's first installment of a three part series on old talent meeting new talent in LA, you should. This first part of this feature focuses on the Dodgers, specifically the impact of Manny Ramirez on Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp
- I broke down the Dodgers 2011 schedule here and here
- For more on one-hit wins by the Dodgers, including why the 1965 Cubs must have hated coming to Dodger Stadium, click here.
Get your guesses in for Xeifrank's game simulation here.
Game Time: 7:15 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket
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RE: Schedule
For once it looks like the Dodgers do not have the most difficult schedule of the IL matchups compared to divisional foes.
"We were never friends"
We still miss the Royals when 3 of the other 4 teams play them.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
They should do the scheduling at the end of the season like NFL. All teams play the same division and the #1 teams play each other, #2 teams play each other, etc…
Can’t do that without each division being the same size.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Yea I realized that when I hit “post”. That is why they need to heed our advice for new divisions and expansion teams from that thread a couple weeks ago.
They should put the damn Brewers back in the AL then have the AL and NL playoffs setup like the NHL. Top 4 teams from each league are in. Battle Royale.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
They'll never be able to do this unless they revamp the entire scheduling method
because in baseball teams play within their division so much more.
OK, yes, you would lose all that extra revenue from the extra 12 Giants/Dodgers games. But, the games against everyone else in the NL would have far more significance so you should be able to cover. plus, you know teams like the Red Sox will support it so if they are the third best AL team they won’t get left out.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
I'm not talking about revenue
I think with such division-heavy schedules in baseball, you have to let the teams beat up on each other and see who emerge.
The Red Sox have a ridiculously high payroll that is generally 2nd in MLB by a wide margin. If they can’t beat the Yankees then too bad. What are they going to do? Complain that they’re in the East with the Yankees?
I guess
The only ones people care about are Yankees/Mets and ChiSox/Cubs. Maybe Oak/Giants and Dodgers/Angels, but to a much lesser extent. I personally don’t really give a shit whether we play the Angels or not.
I’d rather they didn’t. And even if they did, 3 games is plenty.
by Michael White on Sep 15, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I don’t care for “natural” rivalries. There are only so many of them. Fuck ’em, I say.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I figure they build in two days for possible tie breakers
and then start the playoffs on the weekend which gives better chance that people will go to the early games and no more drawn out first rounds.
I’m going to try to find out this weekend if it will affect the length of the “championship season.”
Right now, the season runs Sunday (the one game on ESPN, prior to real opening day) to Sunday, for 183 days.
The way I read the current schedule, there are 5 games on Thursday, March 31, and the season ends on Wednesday, September 28. That’s only 182 days. I wonder if the Wednesday prior (March 30) will also count as the first day of the season (i.e. teams would have to set 25-man rosters by that day)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions
I was going to recommend a 7-game Division Series but I’ve concluded that only a championship should be decided in that format.
7 game series are the way to go. I don’t think a team like the Yankees last year should be able to get through the whole playoffs with 3 starters. Course, I guess that has much to do with the extra off days than anything else.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
Turf: To continue from the last thread
Who the hell though it would be a good idea to play sports like baseball and football on concrete with a thin layer of plastic on to?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
The same people who saw the drastic price reduction in upkeep.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Is there anyone in the world
with natural hair that looks like that? No part, and doesn’t match the sides. So, Ned looks in the mirror every morning at that raccoon he wears and says “Yeah, that’s the look I’m going for”.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
If he takes it off, he looks like Dr. Phil
and Dr. Phil gets up in the morning and says, “Yeah, that’s the look I’m going for,” which is equally inexplicable.
Fuck You Ruiz
by Humma Kavula on Sep 15, 2010 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Loser Lineup
Velez LF
Fontenot 2B
Huff 1B
Posey C
Uribe SS
Sandoval 3B
Ross CF
Schierholtz RF
Cain P
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
scrubs man
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
I don’t think the Giants are being fair to the other teams in the playoff chase. Oh wait…
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Career against Bills
Fontenot in 11 PA – .364/.417/.545
Schierholtz in 11 PA – .545/.583/.909
On the other hand
Sandoval in 24 PA – .167/.231/.208
Uribe in 20 PA – .250/.250/ .450
Whats going on Sunday?
Got tickets for the game, and I seriously hate sunday games
Fuck Larry Bowa in 1980
which Homeboy is supposed to be banned?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
From the notes:
Consul General of Mexico in Los Angeles Juan Marcos Gutiérrez González will represent the Mexican government and participate in the pregame ceremony honoring the legendary pitcher
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
The most interesting man in the world would prefer you drink a case of Dos Equis.
But you win either way.
The power of CarGo compels you
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
Wow, two comments at the same time, same theme.
Awesoke.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I always want brisket when I see it on TV or here someone telling me how they had some awesoke brisket. I head out the my favorite BBQ joint and I order
Jumbo pork plate with slaw. #3 sauce
Beans
Potato Salad
Sweet Tea
Eat it up and say, “Man I should’ve gotten the brisket. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.”
I'm like that too
Always end up with the pork ribs
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
Is it that far from Tunica to Memphis?
I was in Memphis once, briefly. Wish I had heard of that place before I was there. Looks pretty good.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
J & J's
on Adams, just east of Fairfax
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
by mleadman on Sep 15, 2010 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Marty’s knowledge of gastronomic delights in LA is unparalleled.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions
i LOVE this place
toughest part is deciding between the amazing looking burgers and the amazing bbq.
You work in Pasadena?
Bonnie B’s on Lake, just below Washington is not bad. I believe they serve brisket.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
There's that place down on Fair Oaks
Big Barn or something, but it’s not supposed to be any good
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
In Pasadena…Purdues is excellent on Orange Grove and Los Robles.
But the wait is long, so call in.
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 15, 2010 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Baby Blues in Venice
on Lincoln, just south of Rose.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Baby Blues is really good, and their brisket is awesome. Its not a typical brisket, as it is shredded, but its pretty awesome. The waitresses there are also are….nice to talk to…
by UCLADodger32 on Sep 15, 2010 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Late to the brisket party
Make it yourself. Get yourself a nice, flat cut at Costco. Rub with Lipton’s onion soup mix. Pour one cup of red wine over it. Put it in your slow cooker on low for 8 hours or more — just leave it all day. Then eat brisket.
Fuck You Ruiz
by Humma Kavula on Sep 15, 2010 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions
Giants fans are not great at math
From a Craigslist ad for someone selling tix:
I am selling 2 tickets to tonights giants vs dodgers game 9/15 for $40 a piece. So $90 for both.
I’ll take the pair, sounds like a de…. hey waitaminute!
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/tix/1955879846.html
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Grrrrrr
Someone made off with $800 in clothing at Nordstroms using my credit card number. Then they went back for $600 more and it was denied.
by robotmadeofnails on Sep 15, 2010 3:44 PM PDT reply actions
Sorry to hear that
Did they get two ties?
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Nordstrom's prices are ridiculous
but I will admit to enjoying their service.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
coolest part about coaching little league last season
one of the dad’s on the team is a Southwest supervisor and hooks us up with free flights to anywhere that isn’t peak times or holidays.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
Most packed game at DS I can ever remember was when Ichiro came on a Friday night in Interleague play. I am thinking 2001.
"We were never friends"
I do not remember the score being 13-0
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200107060.shtml
"We were never friends"
Seattle played here last year
I was at the Friday night game – my only visit to the AYCE RF pavilion – when Andre hit 3 homers. Ichiro is good. And smooth.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
That clip is so great. The woman’s reaction was priceless.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Why did I never see this before????
That’s awesome.
Reminds me of Torii Hunter…“Holy shit…you speak English!”
by KellyStephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Winning Lineup
Furcal SS
Theriot 2B
Ethier RF
Gibbons LF
Blake 3B
Loney 1B
Kemp CF
Barajas C
Billingsley P
Close!
This is start #2 this year batting 7th. He hasn’t had a start batting 8th (or 9th) this season.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions
8 hole is reserved for ARod
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
Kemp slowly finding his way back towards the 8 slot.
I wonder why JT never moved him down for an exteded time this year to see if he might work some shit out.
I realize when you are garbage for an extended time, the slot in the lineup shouldn’t make a difference. But I would’ve tried it.
Yeah, I just put this on Twitter
I wanted to insert a snarky comment about Matt Kemp batting 7th, but he has a .312 OBP. Sigh. #NoLegToStandOn
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Been there, done that!
This is his 3rd time batting cleanup this season
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m sorry I missed your previous avatar. I was afraid to check it at work and now it’s lost. Alas. (A lass?) (All ass?)
Oh... The last one was a beauty... :p
Hey… Did you watch the Champions League today??
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
I just like a beautiful girl like the Keithc13 avatar or mine...
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
JoJo
is winning the Avatar TBLA contest by a whopping margin.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The worst Fox Sports World series ever.
(well, second worst, to I, Max)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks Phil
It’s a great honor for me to win this contest…
But a great mention to Keithc13!!!!
Which the best TBLA Avatar picture who ever seen??
Louise Bourgoin: The hottest French actress I've ever seen <3
Imaginary pitching staff
Maddux (95)
Pedro (99)
Johnson (01)
Schilling (01)
Beckett (03)
Could this staff win a World Series with a Quad A offense?
If we are throwing out imaginary rotations
99 Pedro
68 Gibson
95 Maddux
85 Doc Gooden
66 Koufax
No bullpen necessary.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
I've gotta ask
Why the hell is Koufax 5th?
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Can I add Babe Ruth
so he could pitch and hit?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yahoo! Article: Mar 3, 2010 Will anyone hit 50 home runs?
My favorite:
If you had to bet, you would want to bet on Howard. But the odds are pretty long. Year in and year out, Howard, Fielder and Pujols are all a pretty decent bet to hit 40 home runs, and it’s not too hard to luck into a few more, especially if the wind’s blowing out at Wrigley Field.
Because each of those three guys play for the Cubs.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you."
I can see why they would
say that about Pujols and Fielder….I guess. They play like 9 or 10 games per year in Wrigley. But that is a dumb comment all together.
Andre Ethier is pretty funny sometimes
About LaMacchia, per Dylan Hernandez:
“I don’t know if you could be rung up on tampering charges after you’ve passed away… but I think he’ll get a pardon on this one.”
An earlier tweet from Dylan (about 20 minutes ago)
Andre Ethier on #RedSox rumor: "I don’t think it makes any sense to comment on something like tha
t."
Missed it by that much
Andre Ethier on #RedSox rumor: “I don’t think it makes any sense to comment on something like that.”
He might still be alive
if he hadn’t asked Ethier about his kids.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man
He usually takes a few weeks to get his legs under him after an injury doesn't he?
Have you ever tried just turning off the TV, sitting down with your children, and hitting them?
i'm posting this mostly to make myself feel better
but on the menu in the mintxcore household tonight is breaded eggplant slides on a bun with balsamic mayo, arugula, tomato, goat cheese, and roasted red peppers.
ok, it doesnt hold a candle to those links but i tried.
Kyle Drabek is showing tremendous velocity in his first three innings. Looking forward to the highlights. He also has some knockout breaking balls.
Don't be sure about Florida not falling down in the standings
They could be mailing it in now, especially with Josh Johnson shut down. Also note that they are scheduled to play only 161 games because they had a rain out against St. Louis and unless something drastically changes, that game won’t be made up.
I meant to mention
that Kershaw’s game score of 83 last night was not his highest of the year. The defeat of Ubaldo had a game score of 84.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
However, his Suck It Pandouche Score (SIPS) was the highest of the season.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Don’t you know the Dewey Decimal System?!
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
When was the last time a Rockie had has good a season as Carlos Gonzalez?
All the way back to 2007, when Holliday hit .340 with 36 HR and 137 RBI. And the last time someone Gonzalez’s age did it, Pujols at age 23 hit .359 with 43 HR and 124 RBI.
Gonzalez will have the most strikeouts and fewest walks than any of the other 10 players who have hit .340 or higher with 32+ HR and 100+ RBI. Gonzalez will have the lowest OBP (no one else under .400). He will join Helton, Walker and Holliday in that group, the Rockies are the only team to produce more than one player on that list.
If you go back to the beginning of the Rockie franchise
add Dante Bichette, who had the lowest amount of walks (22) of a player who hit .340+, with 32+ HR and 100+ RBI since 1990. Also add Ellis Burks to the list.
Otherwise, the only other team to produce more than one player was Cleveland with Manny and Albert Belle.
And in fact, if you go back to 1960, this feat was only done two other times, Norm Cash in 1961 and Frank Robinson in 1962.
So from 1960-1993, this was done twice, since 1994, it has been done 25 times if Gonzalez can keep his average above .340 for the rest of the year.
If CarGo hits .340
we will never hear the end of Silverwidow crowing that he underestimated Gonzalez.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I'll just add this
on the one hand it is great feat and he is certainly to be congratulated but he has an insane BABIP at home (over .400) and very few players have success with that low a walk total and that high a strike out total.
But again, you worry if they tinker with him, will it affect his aggressiveness.
But if you look at from 1920-1959
It was done 49 times, Babe Ruth had 10 seasons, Gehrig had 7, Jimmie Foxx had 6 and Ted Williams had 5.
So for 30 years (1963-1993) no one did it, in 1994 (in 110 or less games) Bagwell, Belle and Thomas all did it (which certainly helped their average)
Wow
From Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun:
Orioles starters are now 19-11 with a 2.93 ERA in 41 games under Showalter. Team is 26-15 with Buck at the helm
Nice turnaround.
yeah, like who wants a job here next year?
the time to step up is now?
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 15, 2010 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Jon Weisman at DT
has a list of the Dodgers who have hit cleanup since 2004 in his latest post, in honor of Jay Gibbons doing so tonight. (When the season started, who would have predicted Jay Gibbons hitting cleanup for LA in a meaningful game?). Jon writes:
but Gibbons is far from the most unlikely Dodger cleanup hitter of the past seven seasons. Who’s your favorite from this list?My answer was:
Ugh, Shea Hillenbrand. That dude was picked up off the scrap heap and epitomizes the term “replacement player” and Grady Little batted him fourth once. Good God.Check out that list. Who are your favorites? There are some doozies.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Saw that
I had to go with Mike Edwards, who is pretty much the poster boy for the 2005 Dodgers.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions
tie between Jason Phillips and Mike Lieberthal
Swing and a miss …
by 68elcamino427 on Sep 15, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Edwards
is the most obscure, I agree. But to me, Hillenbrand is the most disgusting.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
No question. I can’t remember which situation with Ned this was (I think it was spring training 2009), but he said something like “I didn’t want to get guys like Shea Hillenbrand, but I had to.”
It reminded of Judge Smails: “I didn’t want to sentence those boys to death. I felt I owed it to them.” :)
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Jeremy Affeldt and his wife (well, mostly his wife) had a baby boy Monday. He’s back tonight to get Ethier and Loney out.
A busy December for the (2010) Giants
Aubrey Huff’s wife had a boy today too.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Why is Huff taking today off???
Go be with your family, man. Let Ishikawa play 1B!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
I thought the same thing. Maybe his wife is in SF, and he has been with her all morning/day
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions
I did not notice that Carl Crawford
made the last out of the inning – and of the game – at third base last night, trailing by one run. Oof.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
That was such a great throw. I saw a segment on MLB Network and they broke down how if Crawford had run in a straight line from 2B to 3B, he not only might have been safe but the throw may have hit him.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder if the Angels try to sign
Weaver to an extension this off-season, he probably should get a raise near to $10M next year.
They probably should
Their 2011 starting rotation is awfully expensive.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 15, 2010 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I would say Dan Johnson hitting 2 home runs against the Yankees
will be the lead story on ESPN tonight.
Watching a recorded Prime 9 (Best bloopers)
I can’t get enough of the Paul O’Neill kicking relay when he was with the Reds.
Game Thread
Hit it!
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/9/15/1691563/dodgers-giants-game-2-chat
Suck it Giants!
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
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