True Blue LA - NLDS Game 3: Dodgers 13, Braves 6Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2013-10-07T14:30:05-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/45721912013-10-07T14:30:05-07:002013-10-07T14:30:05-07:00True Blue LA podcast: NLDS Game 3 review
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look back at Sunday night's 13-6 win by the Dodgers, in audio form.</p> <p>Jacob Burch and I review Game 3 of the NLDS between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, and talk briefly about Game 4. It should be noted that when we recorded this it was widely assumed and reported that <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> would start Game 4 for the Dodgers, but <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> in fact <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4813016/clayton-kershaw-game-4-start-dodgers-braves-nlds">will make that start</a>.</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4813710/true-blue-la-podcast-nlds-game-3-reviewEric Stephen2013-10-07T11:55:01-07:002013-10-07T11:55:01-07:00Hanley Ramirez named finalist for Hank Aaron Award
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Ramirez hit .345/.402/.638 with 20 home runs and 25 doubles in 86 games for the Dodgers this season. Online voting for the award will run through Thursday.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> has been on fire during the National League Division Series, but he was great in the regular season too. For his efforts, Ramirez was named the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>' finalist for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award, given annually to the top offensive performers in each league.</p>
<p>It is quite remarkable that Ramirez garnered this honor since he only played 86 games. But during those 86 games he was one of the very best hitters in baseball, hitting .345/.402/.638 with 20 home runs and 25 doubles.</p>
<p>"I just try to keep everything the same at the plate and on the field," Ramirez said after Sunday night's 13-6 win in Game 3. "I don't try to do too much and just let things happen. That's been the key all year."</p>
<p>During the NLDS Ramirez is 7-for-13 (.538) with four doubles, a triple and a home run.</p>
<p>"I've been talking about him all year long just how good I feel he is. I'm glad, again, when we were going down the stretch and he was wanting to play some of those games and we were trying to hols him off," manager Don Mattingly said. "I just kept telling him, I want the whole world to see you. I want the world to see how good you are. And it's been good so far."</p>
<p>Ramirez fought at first, arguing to play every day down the stretch. But with the division all but locked up he eventually sided with his manager.</p>
<p>"I want to play every day. But at the same time I knew that he was doing the best for me for me to be ready to go for the playoffs. He played this game and he knows what he's doing," Ramirez said. "That's great when you have a manager like that. That makes you keep doing your best every day, every inning, every out, every pitch."</p>
<p>In 153 games as a Dodger including these playoffs, nearly the equivalent of a full season, Ramirez is hitting .317/.371/.569 with 40 doubles, 31 home runs, 107 RBI, 96 runs scored and 17 stolen bases.</p>
<p>Fans can vote for their favorite among the 30 finalists <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/haa/y2013/index.jsp">on MLB.com through Thursday</a>. The fan vote will count as one vote on a panel of Hall of Famers to choose the winners in each league. The voting panel includes Aaron, Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray and Robin Yount.</p>
<p><span>Matt Kemp</span> won the National League Hank Aaron Award in 2011.</p>
<p>The winners will be announced during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">2013 World Series</a>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4813182/hanley-ramirez-hank-aaron-award-2013-finalist-dodgersEric Stephen2013-10-07T10:44:09-07:002013-10-07T10:44:09-07:00Ryu, Dodgers insist he's not injured
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<figcaption>Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Sunday marked the first time the Dodgers won a game in which their starting pitcher lasted no longer than three innings since bailing out Tim Belcher in <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/Sqi64" target="new">Game 1 of the 1988 World Series</a>.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- The speculation leading up to Sunday, coupled with <span>Hyun-jin Ryu's</span> poor start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, has many concerned that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> left-handed pitcher is injured. But Ryu and the team are adamant that is not the case.</p>
<p>"He was fine," said manager Don Mattingly. "If there had been anything physically wrong, we wouldn't have let him pitch today."</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4810538/carl-crawford-hanley-ramirez-dodgers-braves-nlds-recap" target="new">Game 3 recap</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4812390/chris-capuano-dodgers-braves-nlds" target="new">Capuano saves Ryu's bacon</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013-nlds-dodgers-braves" target="new">Full NLDS coverage</a>
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<p>"There was absolutely no injury whatsoever," Ryu said after the game, through interpreter Martin Kim. "Of course, there was anxiety and I was a little bit nervous taking the mound. I felt a little more anxious than compared to [<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-baseball-classic">World Baseball Classic</a> and the Olympics]. Today was a little bit more intense."</p>
<p>The early jitters are nothing new for Ryu, who allowed 17 first-inning runs in 30 regular season starts this season. on Sunday he allowed two more, but the Dodgers responded with four runs of their own in the second inning. But instead of settling down like he has so many times before, especially at Dodger Stadium, Ryu had a bad third inning, too.</p>
<p>"I didn't sense anything physically from Hyun-jin to make me feel he was injured, from my perspective," said catcher <span>A.J. Ellis</span>. "It was more about execution."</p>
<p>Ryu was asked if injury concerns before the game distracted him <i>during</i> the game.</p>
<div class="pullquote">"There was absolutely no injury whatsoever." <span>-Hyun-jin Ryu on his Game 3 start</span>
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<p>"No [distractions], none whatsoever. I was fully confident that my body was fine. I know myself better than anyone else if I'm not hurt," Ryu said. "It doesn't matter what people say. I'm not hurt so it wasn't a distraction at all."</p>
<p>Ryu ended up allowing four runs on six hits in three innings, his shortest start of the season by far.</p>
<p>"There was really no swing and miss tonight. His velocity was okay. It seemed like he touched 93, and we've seen him starting out at 90, 91 which is pretty normal for him. He just dind't seem to have that same finish and be able to locate," Mattingly said. "You know, it was just one of those nights."</p>
<p>Mattingly said Ryu will remain in the Dodgers postseason rotation going forward.</p>
<p>"We don't turn our back on guys that have had great seasons for us after one game," Mattingly said.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4812640/hyun-jin-ryu-dodgers-injury-concerns-nldsEric Stephen2013-10-07T09:22:52-07:002013-10-07T09:22:52-07:00Capuano helps save the day for Dodgers
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>Capauno in relief in 2013, including the regular season, has allowed no runs on four hits and four walks in 7⅔ innings, with 10 strikeouts.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- In a wild Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, it took a 35-year-old veteran who fought his way onto the NLDS roster to calm things down. <span>Chris Capuano's</span> three innings of relief saved the bullpen in a game that could have gotten out of hand very easily.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4810538/carl-crawford-hanley-ramirez-dodgers-braves-nlds-recap" target="new">Game 3: Dodgers 13, Braves 6</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013-nlds-dodgers-braves" target="new">Full NLDS coverage</a>
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<p>Sure, the 10 runs scored by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> helped, but when Capuano entered in the fourth inning the Dodgers led 6-4 and the runs were coming at a furious pace from both sides.</p>
<p>"It felt like you just don't know what's going to happen with that game, because Cappie comes in and he hasn't pitched in a while. If he's rough or something, that thing just turns into a mix and match, and guys are going to have to do things they haven't been asked to do," said manager Don Mattingly after the game. "Cappie was the key to settling that game down."</p>
<p>Capuano injured his groin on Sept. 6 and didn't pitch for three weeks until throwing a pair of scoreless innings of relief in the regular season's final weekend. So his three-inning outing on Sunday night was more than he threw in a month.</p>
<p>"It was a battle just to get back by the end of the regular season," Capuano said.</p>
<p>It was also the playoff debut for Capuano, in his 11th season. He said he was the most nervous he's ever been on a baseball field, and had to remember just to breathe when he was on the mound.</p>
<div class="pullquote">Cappie was really good for us, right on time. <span>-Don Mattingly</span>
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<p>"I first got to the big leagues in 2003, and I didn't thought it would be this long to get the playoffs," Capuano said. "It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's a whole new level of excitement. It's just awesome."</p>
<p>Capuano's performance was just the second Dodgers postseason appearance of three innings or more without allowing a hit, joining Alejandro Pena in <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198810090.shtml">Game 4 of the NLCS</a>. But it felt more reminiscent of Tim Leary, who pitched three scoreless innings in relief to keep <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN198810150.shtml">Game 1 of the 1988 World Series</a> from getting out of hand.</p>
<p>"I'm so happy for him. He threw the ball extremely well. He gave us exactly what we needed, nine outs in the middle of the game, to keep them where they were at," said catcher <span>A.J. Ellis</span>. "He had a great game plan, to walk the first guy of every inning, then work his way out of it. It was a false sense of security for them."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/7/4812390/chris-capuano-dodgers-braves-nldsEric Stephen2013-10-06T21:10:06-07:002013-10-06T21:10:06-07:00Dodgers overpower Braves in Game 3
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<figcaption>Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers scored their most runs in a postseason game in 57 years on Sunday night to match a franchise record and take a 2-1 lead in the NLDS over the Braves.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- <span>Carl Crawford</span> and <span>Juan Uribe</span> each homered, and <span>Hanley Ramirez</span> continued his extra-base hit onslaught, leading the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> to a 13-6 win over the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> on Sunday night in Game 3 of their NLDS at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>The outburst by the Dodgers tied a franchise record for most runs in a postseason game since, matching <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195610050.shtml" target="_blank">Game 2 of the 1956 World Series</a>. It was the <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/hqrEs" target="_blank">sixth time they have ever scored double-digit runs in a postseason game</a>.</p>
<p>Ramirez was 3-for-4 on the night with a triple, a double and a walk, and in the series he is 7-for-13 (.538) with four doubles, a triple and a home run. He tied a franchise record with six extra-base hits in one postseason series, held jointly by Duke Snider in the 1952 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series" class="sbn-auto-link">World Series</a> against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Yankees</a> and Steve Garvey in the 1978 NLCS against the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Phillies</a>.</p>
<p>Crawford's home run was a three-run shot in the second inning that was arguably his hardest hit ball as a Dodger, well into the right field pavilion. He was 2-for-5 on the night, but didn't only contribute at the plate. In the eighth inning, up 10-4, Crawford went end over end over the short wall in foul territory down the left field line to rob <span>Brian McCann</span>:</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3347245/crawfordcatch.gif"></p>
<p>It was the kind of catch that could have easily adversely affected the Dodgers' already thin outfield depth chart. But still, it was a great catch nonetheless.</p>
<p>On the mound, Ryu continued his first inning struggles that have plagued him all season. Justin Upton doubled over the head of <span>Skip Schumaker</span> in center field and a pair of two-out singles by <span>Evan Gattis</span> and <span>Chris Johnson</span> plated two runs for a quick 2-0 Atlanta lead. In 31 starts this season Ryu has allowed 19 runs in the first inning.</p>
<p>But it was the third inning that did him in. Staked to a 4-2 lead, Ryu loaded the bases with nobody out then was burned by a pair of his own mistakes. McCann hit what should have been a 3-6-1 double play ball but Ryu tiptoed around the bag and never touched first base:</p>
<p align="center"><img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3346201/ryu.gif"></p>
<p>Then Chris Johnson hit a little dribbler up the first base line and Ryu, rather than take the easy out at first base, tried in vain to get <span>Freddie Freeman</span> at the plate. He was not successful.</p>
<p>Ryu was done after three innings, lifted for a pinch hitter after the Dodgers rallied again to take the lead. Ryu allowed four runs on six hits and needed 68 pitches to get through his three innings. As he was lifted for a pinch hitter, <span>Julio Teheran</span> was removed as well, ending rough nights for both starters at the same time.</p>
<p>The one positive for Ryu came in the second inning when batting. With the bases loaded he flew out to right field, and nearly over <span>Justin Upton's</span> head, for a sacrifice fly and a quick 1-0 lead. Ryu became the first Dodgers pitcher to drive in a run since Orel Hershiser in Game 2 of the 1988 World Series against the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a>.</p>
<p><span>Chris Capuano</span>, with two innings pitched since Sept. 6, entered the game in relief of Ryu and pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win. He walked the leadoff batter in each frame but either stranded or erased them all. Capuano also didn't allow a single hit, joining Alejandro Pena in <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN198810090.shtml" target="_blank">Game 4 of the 1988 NLCS</a> against the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> as the only Dodgers pitchers to pitch at least three innings in a postseason game and not allow a hit.</p>
<p><span>Yasiel Puig</span> was 3-for-5 on the night and scored three times. He also caused a bit of a scare after the third inning when he was seen slamming his bat in the dugout in frustration then heading down the tunnel with team trainers. But Puig remained in the game, even if jogging a little lightly out to the field in the fourth inning. Puig this season against the Braves is 14-for-29 (.483).</p>
<p><span>Jason Heyward</span> hit a two-run shot off <span>Paco Rodriguez</span> in the ninth inning to provide the game's final margin.</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<h4></h4>
<p>The Dodgers look to close it out in Game 4 on Monday night at 6:37 p.m. PT, with <span>Ricky Nolasco</span> on the mound against <span>Freddy Garcia</span> for the Braves.</p>
<h4>Game 3 particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: Carl Crawford (1), Juan Uribe (1); Jason Heyward (1)</p>
<p><b>WP - Chris Capuano (1-0)</b>: 3 IP, 3 hits, 3 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Julio Teheran (0-1)</b>: 2⅔ IP, 8 hits, 6 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4810538/carl-crawford-hanley-ramirez-dodgers-braves-nlds-recapEric Stephen2013-10-06T15:00:06-07:002013-10-06T15:00:06-07:00Hyun-jin Ryu vs. Braves
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers rookie left-hander will face the Braves for a third time on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- With Sunday's Game 3 of the National League Division Series at battle of rookies pitchers, there simply isn't a lot of history between <span>Hyun-jin Ryu</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a>, or <span>Julio Teheran</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>. </p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013-nlds-dodgers-braves" target="new">Full NLDS coverage</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/4/4803950/dodgers-braves-nlds-start-times-mlb" target="new">Game 3 at 5:07 p.m. PT</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/5/4806988/hyun-jin-ryu-bullpen-session-game-3-start-nlds-dodgers-braves" target="new">'No concerns' about Ryu</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/5/4807158/fernando-valenzuela-first-pitch-dodgers-braves-nlds">Fernando first pitch</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/5/4807470/andre-ethier-ankle-dodgers-braves-nlds">No OF for Ethier yet</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4807908/ricky-nolasco-clayton-kershaw-game-4-dodgers-braves-nlds">Kershaw or Nolasco in Game 4?</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4808064/hanley-ramirez-andrelton-simmons-shortstop-nlds">Hanley/Andrelton at SS</a>
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<p>Teheran hasn't even faced the Dodgers yet in his career, so there is no history, while Ryu has at least made two starts this year against the Braves. Ryu has a pair of no-decisions an a 2.13 ERA, with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 12⅔ innings against Atlanta.</p>
<p>Ryu walked a season-high five batters in just five innings on May 17 in Atlanta but only allowed two runs. On June 7 at Dodger Stadium Ryu pitched into the eighth inning and allowed just one run, this time with only one walk and six strikeouts. In both games he left with a tie score.</p>
<p>Here are the Braves' numbers against Ryu this season:</p>
<ul>
<li> <span>Jason Heyward</span>: 1-for-7 (.143), double, three strikeouts</li>
<li> <span>Andrelton Simmons</span>: 2-for-7 (.286), strikeout</li>
<li> <span>Justin Upton</span>: 1-for-6 (.167), walk, strikeout</li>
<li> <span>Freddie Freeman</span>: 3-for-4 (.750), double, two walks</li>
<li> <span>Chris Johnson</span>: 1-for-6 (.167), strikeout</li>
<li> <span>B.J. Upton</span>: 1-for-5 (.200)</li>
<li> <span>Evan Gattis</span>: 0-for-3 (.000)</li>
<li> <span>Brian McCann</span>: 0-for-2 (.000), walk</li>
</ul>
<p>The active Braves have combined to go 9-for-40 against Ryu, hitting .225/.295/.275.</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 5:07 p.m.</p>
<p>TV: TBS</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_10_06_atlmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4809424/hyun-jin-ryu-braves-dodgers-nldsEric Stephen2013-10-06T13:40:15-07:002013-10-06T13:40:15-07:00Nolasco on Game 4: 'This is about the team'
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Will Clayton Kershaw or Ricky Nolasco start Game 4 for the Dodgers? The writing on the wall seems clear.</p> <p>LOS ANGELES -- Manager Don Mattingly won't say it, but it's becoming increasingly clear that if the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> in Game 3 of the NLDS on Sunday night, they will turn to ace <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> on short rest rather than scheduled starter Ricky Nolasco.</p>
<div class="read-more">
<b>More</b>: <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013-nlds-dodgers-braves" target="new">Full NLDS coverage</a> <a href="http://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4807908/ricky-nolasco-clayton-kershaw-game-4-dodgers-braves-nlds" target="new">More Kershaw/Nolasco from Saturday</a>
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<p>Mattingly on Saturday said Nolasco was his Game 4 starter and repeated the mantra on Sunday, with the same caveat allowing for wiggle room.</p>
<p>"Right now Ricky is the pitcher in Game 4," Mattingly said. "That's what we've decided. Right now, Ricky is the pitcher."</p>
<p>It's the "right now" that leaves room for speculation. Clayton Kershaw threw a bullpen session on Saturday and would be ready to pitch on Monday night if needed. It would be the first time Kershaw has ever started on three days rest.</p>
<p>I think the reason Mattingly won't publicly acknowledge the possibility of Kershaw starting Game 4 is because it's not in his nature to do so. The Dodgers would only turn to Kershaw if down 2-1, giving them their two best pitchers in a pair of must win games, with <span>Zack Greinke</span> on full rest in Wednesday's Game 5 in Atlanta.</p>
<p>For Mattingly to acknowledge a Kershaw start, that would require him to think about losing Game 3, something the positive-thinking Mattingly almost never does.</p>
<p>Nolasco, for his part, wants to start in Game 4 but understands the situation.</p>
<p>"This isn't about me, this is about the team," Nolasco said. "They are the ones who get paid to make those decisions. I'll be here ready to take the ball whenever they ask me to pitch."</p>
<p>I think it really as simple as this: if the Dodgers win Sunday, Nolasco starts Monday night; if not, it's Kershaw in Game 4.</p>
<p>That's the feeling I get <i>right now</i>.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2013/10/6/4809712/clayton-kershaw-ricky-nolasco-game-4-dodgers-bravesEric Stephen