The Dodgers’ six-game winning streak ended tonight at the worst possible time, after the Reds had defeated the Cardinals earlier to keep the Dodgers’ faint playoff hopes alive. With the loss the Cardinals win Wild Card #2 and the right to play the Braves in a one-game playoff Friday to determine who goes on to play the Nationals starting on Sunday, October 7.
This game might serve as a microcosm of the Dodgers’ season: down early to a couple of solo home runs from the Giants, they scratched back for one run, gave up two more, grimly fought back to within a run, and fell short at the end. There was a costly baserunning error by Mark Ellis, usually one of the steadiest players on the team; there was a short outing from the starter Chris Capuano; there were some hits from the new guys (Victorino, Gonzalez and Ramirez) and from the old (AJ Ellis and Ethier); and there was excellent relief pitching again from Belisario, Jansen and League.
Tomorrow’s game is for pride only (and Kershaw’s attempt to retake the NL strikeout lead from R.A. Dickey — he needs nine to tie and ten to go ahead), but pride might be enough. It’s the Giants, after all.
In another good sign for the future, Jansen says he has found the answer to his mysterious drop in velocity…not staying through the ball. Also says he now has a 2-seamer to give him a second pitch. IIRC, Gameday last night also thought he had a slider..?? Whatever, he has thrown cutters almost all the time.
Whatever works. Striking out the side on 13 pitches Tuesday is hard to top. Story says he recently hit 97 on the gun.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121002&content_id=39372936¬ebook_id=39374776&vkey=notebook_la&c_id=la
Story says he gave up “the tying run” Tuesday. Wrong, if they mean last night..
Think League is a FA. If a deal is not just absolutely prohibitive, based on how he ended this year and a prior AS year, he may be one reliever worth a sizable contract. Even a “prohibitive” contract may not matter much these days.
He’d almost certainly be a better bet than most other relievers signed over the last several years, admittedly under different circumstances.
Even with the drop in velocity he had a better year in ERA and WHIP in 2012. Dropped from 16.1K/9 to 13.6/9, but also dropped from 4.4BB/9 to 3.0/9. Though dingers went up from 0.5/9 to 0.8/9. If he can maintain the control with greater velocity, we are in for a real treat.
Losing out on the mild card, another Selig scam to reward mediocrity, is no big deal. Inept game management, though, is another matter entirely.
WBBsAs:
Here were some of my problems with Donnie Baseball’s strategy last night:
1. Intentionally walking Arias with two outs in the 5th, putting another potential run on the bases, to get to the very hot hitting Scutaro.
2. Not putting Gordon in immediately to pinch-run for Ethier in the 9th after Ethier led off with a single.
3. Wasting two strikes on AJ Ellis — failed bunt attempts. Why not try a hit-and-run with Gordon on 1st?
What were your concerns with game management?
You’ve summarized them pretty well. I missed the game itself, because the Gnats have it blacked out in the Bay Area.
Oh, well…just got in from Jakarta to find this. I guess now I can shift my focus to the impending bacon shortage.
Stock up, just don’t switch to turkey.
I eat beef bacon because of my wifes religious preferences…In my opinion it tastes as good as or even better then pork bacon…definitely don’t switch to turkey bacon like dale says
Yeah, they only serve turkey bacon in most places in Indonesia.
As a bacon lover, i can say that I have never heard of beef bacon. Is it hard to find?
I have only found that John Morrell produces this product
Fair season recap at dodgers.com, which I think pretty much strikes just the right tone–
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121002&content_id=39391278&vkey=news_la&c_id=la
In another story there Kemp laments the teams’ 27 one-run run losses. Coming together like the team did at season end on BOTH sides of the ball, I’d project that at least 50 % of those would have been wins with the revamped lineup. A difference of 13-14 games in the standings……well, it’s nice to dream. Regardless, it’s clear there’s more to look forward to next year and beyond than in many,many years
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A bit late with this, but this headline typo also appeared at dodgers.com, a couple days back–“Blanton faces Rox with Wild Card hops on the line. Hops, huh? You can go several ways with that. ;-])
Couple other things: Cody Ross and James Loney hit 4 & 5 for Red Sox last night. That’s a sign of where they are. Loney hit a solo HR, #6 for the season. Major weapon, that Loney.
Ran across this yesterday…from the time SF swept the Dodgers and took the division lead for good, their 27-11 record (28-11 now?) is best in baseball.
Just found the groove too late. I know it is always said, but next year really does look pretty bright. My opinion from late August has always been that Crawford was the hidden gem in that trade and I was impressed by Beckett more than I thought I would be,
Absolutely agree and am excited to see Crawford next season. Even with all the extra dollars, I’d still take Gonzalez over Loney, Crawford over Victorino and Beckett as a 3/4 starter. Punto? Rather have given that spot to Ellian, but what do I know.
Yep. Truthfully, I forgot about Punto. Just keeping the spot for JHjr.
oh well, it was a great ride while it lasted