True Blue LA - September 29: Dodgers 10, Giants 6Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-09-29T20:52:30-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/176817312018-09-29T20:52:30-07:002018-09-29T20:52:30-07:00Dodgers and Rockies are tied after 161 games
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<figcaption>Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="jGCMlu">With 161 games of the baseball season in the rear-view mirror, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> sit in a flat-footed tie atop the National League West. The final day of the season is going to be wild with all 15 games on the schedule starting at 12:05 p.m. PT.</p>
<p id="riiQXm">The <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> beat the Rockies 12-2 at Coors Saturday night, giving the Dodgers control of their own destiny to stay out of the wild card game Tuesday. All they have to do now is win two more games and they win their sixth consecutive division title. Only one win is necessary should the Rockies happen to lose Sunday.</p>
<p id="tq7SDU"><span>Rich Hill</span> will take the ball Sunday at AT&T Park, pushing <span>Walker Buehler</span> to a potential one-game playoff Monday against Colorado at Dodger Stadium. Meanwhile, Cy Young hopeful <span>Max Scherzer</span> will look to spoil the Rockies hopes of their first division title when he toes the rubber in Colorado.</p>
<p id="L0poEY">There’s also a tie in the NL Central between the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a> and <a href="https://www.brewcrewball.com/">Brewers</a>, leaving the door open for those two clubs to join the Game 163 party.</p>
<p id="8VZdzr">If both divisions are not decided on Sunday, the Cubs and Brewers will play at 10:05 a.m. PT Monday at Wrigley Field. The Dodgers and Rockies will play at 1:09 p.m. PT at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p id="vXSIj0">Should only one division need to be determined, the game would be at 1:09 p.m. PT no matter who the two teams are.</p>
<p id="qKDpjr">The teams that win the division get a pass until Thursday when the NLDS begins. The losers play on Tuesday night in the wild card game for the opportunity to advance to play the NL Central division winner.</p>
<p id="Yqnwty">It will be critical for the Dodgers to come away with the division title if they don’t want to be put in a tough spot of either having a starter go on short rest, or a bullpen game in a wild card situation. After Hill and Buehler pitch, the Dodgers would have to decide to go with Hyun-jin Ryu on three days rest, or hand the ball to <span>Ross Stripling</span> or Alex Wood Tuesday on the road.</p>
<p id="a60LI7">Either scenario is less than ideal and it’s almost a guarantee the Dodgers would stay away from using Ryu on short rest.</p>
<p id="EQQD61">The best thing that could happen for the Dodgers is the Nationals beating the Rockies, giving Los Angeles the division outright if they sweep San Francisco. In that case, the Dodgers would open the playoffs at home against the Braves on Thursday in the NLDS.</p>
<h3 id="vD8hH4">UPDATE</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Change of plans from the Nationals: Because both Dodgers and Rockies are in the playoffs, Max Scherzer will NOT pitch tomorrow, Davey said. Fedde will go.</p>— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) <a href="https://twitter.com/chelsea_janes/status/1046248921125801984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2018</a>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/9/29/17918920/dodgers-rockies-national-league-west-playoffs-tied-possible-game-163Ryan Walton2018-09-29T16:40:35-07:002018-09-29T16:40:35-07:00Dodgers clinch postseason berth
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<figcaption>Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="93laAn">Through seven innings, the theme of the game was the same as it had been all season. Unable to hit with runners in scoring position. </p>
<p id="Kb8osk">As the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> headed into the eighth, they had stranded 11 runners on base. With two outs, and a runner on third, it appeared as if the Dodgers were prepared to strand their 12th. </p>
<p id="4ug6lA"><span>Manny Machado</span> had other ideas. </p>
<p id="2iIEDl">On a 2-2 pitch, Machado hit a triple off the right field wall, giving LA a 6-5 lead. </p>
<p id="gjkPMv">A four-run ninth would give the Dodgers the 10-6 victory. With Saturday’s win over the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, the Dodgers have clinched themselves a postseason berth. It’s yet to be determined who they’ll be playing, or when. </p>
<p id="Niin9G">LA moves to <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>2</sub> a game behind the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, who play the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> tonight. A loss by Colorado would move LA into a tie for first place with one game remaining. </p>
<p id="tyhWbu">All it took was five pitches for the Dodgers to take the lead. <span>Joc Pederson</span> led the game off with a home run, his eighth leadoff homer of the year, setting a Dodgers franchise record. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">When you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JOCPOP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JOCPOP</a> <a href="https://t.co/tdPmAHVait">pic.twitter.com/tdPmAHVait</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1046131750022262784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="BId5Gy">The second inning was much like the first, as <span>Yasiel Puig</span> led off with a homer of his own, his 23rd of the season. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/YasielPuig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YasielPuig</a> made that look easy. <a href="https://t.co/CZFHxfMnL5">pic.twitter.com/CZFHxfMnL5</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1046138264359305216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="54Jc66">Singles from <span>Nick Hundley</span> and <span>Gorkys Hernandez</span> would get the Giants on the board in the bottom of the second. They would add two more in the third on three hits, giving San Francisco a 3-2 lead. </p>
<p id="Ra9EBI">The Dodgers answered back with a three-run fourth inning. A walk from Puig and a single from <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> put two runners on. Kike Hernandez tied the game on an RBI double. <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> then helped his cause, bringing in two with a single. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Taking the lead right back. <a href="https://t.co/dMbq2cf7gR">pic.twitter.com/dMbq2cf7gR</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1046153968278077441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="giQSTb">Kershaw would allow two runs in the fifth, tying the game at five. For Kershaw, he had been historically great at AT&T Park. Today, he just simply didn’t have it. His final start of the year was the worst start at AT&T Park in his major-league career. In five innings, Kershaw allowed five runs on eight hits. </p>
<p id="HU27JN">LA had countless opportunities to add more runs. They had runners on the corners with no outs in the sixth, but were unable to capitalize. In the seventh, they put three consecutive runners on base with two outs to load the bases. <span>David Freese</span> stepped up to the plate, and lined out to second, ending the inning. </p>
<p id="1glXo5"><span>Chris Taylor</span> led off the eighth with a single. The next two batters got out, bringing up <span>Manny Machado</span>. Though Machado’s numbers with LA have been good, he had yet to have that one memorable at-bat. He saved it for the perfect time. </p>
<p id="NJWJLn">On a 1-2 pitch, Manny hit a 92-mph fastball to right, scoring Taylor and giving LA a 6-5 lead. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> MANNY. <a href="https://t.co/YRT4CqSBlL">pic.twitter.com/YRT4CqSBlL</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1046175532725895169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p id="ePF4Wr">The Dodgers added more insurance runs in the ninth, all coming with two outs. Back-to-back singles from Hernandez and Kemp would put two on for Taylor. A single from Taylor would bring in one, giving LA a 7-5 lead. </p>
<p id="XVOPml">After an intentional walk to <span>Justin Turner</span>, the bases were loaded for Max Muncy. On a 2-2 count, Muncy blooped one into no-mans land, doubling in two more runs, and opening the game wide open, giving the Dodgers a comfortable 9-5 lead. An infield single from <span>Cody Bellinger</span> would give the Dodgers their 10th run of the day. </p>
<h3 id="aZLGCh">Up Next</h3>
<p id="feDqaK">It’s still unclear who the Dodgers will start tomorrow, as either <span>Walker Buehler</span> or <span>Rich Hill</span> have been discussed, depending on the situation. </p>
<h3 id="hkvvYe">Saturday Particulars</h3>
<p id="maAUko">Home Runs: Joc Pederson (23) Yasiel Puig (25)</p>
<p id="0od4Wi">WP: <span>Alex Wood</span> (9-7) 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 2 SO, 0 H </p>
<p id="0cNOoa">LP: <span>Mark Melancon</span> (1-4) 1 IP, 1 ER</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/9/29/17918306/dodgers-clinch-postseason-berthBlake Harris2018-09-29T13:00:01-07:002018-09-29T13:00:01-07:00Dodgers vs Giants Game XVIII Chat
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qUdhelqiIRLdmAiDWMU2T8jQuCI=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61590341/1042752892.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeatLA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeatLA</a><br><br>First pitch - 1:05 PM PDT ⚾️<br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSAuthentic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSAuthentic</a> <br> <a href="https://twitter.com/KNBR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KNBR</a> <br> <a href="https://t.co/qtuPE8tvQJ">https://t.co/qtuPE8tvQJ</a> / <a href="https://t.co/VEBVLoaxsY">https://t.co/VEBVLoaxsY</a> <br> <a href="https://t.co/LJDYx8SK1R">https://t.co/LJDYx8SK1R</a> <br><br>Powered by <a href="https://twitter.com/Biofreeze?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Biofreeze</a> <br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SFGiants?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SFGiants</a> <a href="https://t.co/uz9Xkh1yW7">pic.twitter.com/uz9Xkh1yW7</a></p>— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/1046093365526310913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> will turn to their ace for game two against the Giants.<br><br>Fun fact: Caption for this photo read "Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch at Clayton Kershaw Park in San Francisco.” <br><br>W = Postseason. <a href="https://t.co/V0pd8PkK5x">pic.twitter.com/V0pd8PkK5x</a></p>— True Blue LA (@truebluela) <a href="https://twitter.com/truebluela/status/1046098266314739712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="LqRxd9">Game info</h3>
<p id="8WIr7r">Time: 1:05 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="cR51zA">TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network (Out-of-Market only)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/9/29/17917908/dodgers-vs-giants-game-xviii-chatRyan Walton2018-09-29T11:52:44-07:002018-09-29T11:52:44-07:00Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers look to clinch
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<img alt="Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYtKLWjmC0znZt7XirDwlCYqngw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61590277/943470034.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="gNgTnU">By the time <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> takes the mound in San Francisco, the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> could already have their ticket punched for October. If the <a href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> lose their early game to the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, the Dodgers clinch the second wild card.</p>
<p id="2bibZM">But there is still a shot at the division that the Dodgers are pursuing, needing help from the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a>. All they can do is win and hope <span>Stephen Strasburg</span> and potentially <span>Max Scherzer</span> take care of Colorado.</p>
<p id="0jIbby">Kershaw makes his final start of the regular season, his fourth against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> this season. In the previous three, the lefty has held San Francisco to three runs in 21 innings. At AT&T Park, Kershaw owns a 13-4 record and 1.30 ERA in 22 games (21 starts).</p>
<p id="Ow96RH">Should the Dodgers get through Saturday with a win and the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> lose, there may be a shakeup in the rotation. <span>Rich Hill</span> is prepared to pitch whenever he is needed, whether that’s Sunday, Monday or Tuesday.</p>
<p id="q6nn4c">However unlikely, if the Rockies lose both games this weekend and the Dodgers win both, Los Angeles wins the division. If the Rockies lose one and the Dodgers win both, their will be a 163rd game at Dodger Stadium Monday to decide the NL West.</p>
<p id="uAdA1j">If the Rockies lose Saturday and the Dodgers win, Hill could start Sunday to allow <span>Walker Buehler</span> to pitch Monday. Beyond that, should the Rockies win both of their games, Buehler could pitch the wild card game.</p>
<p id="8qgeBv">Whatever the case, the more games the Dodgers have to play before a potential NLDS, the less it plays in their favor due to where they stand in the rotation.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/9/29/17910730/dodgers-giants-clayton-kershaw-nl-west-playoffs-clinchRyan Walton