Game 67, 2015

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Rangers at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSW

Zack Greinke (5-2, 1.95 ERA) is asked once again to stop a Dodgers’ losing streak, this time a three-game one to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers will send out Anthony Ranaudo, who’s only made one (unsuccessful) MLB start this season back in April. He’s been down at AAA Round Rock of the PCL, where he’s compiled a 7-1 record and a 2.45 ERA in eleven starts in 2015.

Lineup when available.

117 thoughts on “Game 67, 2015”

  2. I just watched the latter part of the game. Three observations:
    1. I cannot see how they ever overturned that call on Ethier’s assist. I’m sure he was safe.
    2. That was a mini-mini-balk. A miracle they called it. Guess the umps were getting sleepy.
    3. I have yet to see one thing that would make me think Callaspo is a real major league player. Can’t hit; can’t field; can’t run bases, looks like he has an attitude problem.
    Now, WBBsAs, disagree with everything I’ve written, as usual.

    • I, too, was very surprised at the call at third. I’m not sure he was safe, but it seemed unlikely there was sufficient evidence to overturn it.

      A balk is a balk, and there’s no appealing a balk. It was, perhaps, a borderline balk.

      I’m not much of a Callaspo fan, but he’s had some good years and is still a passable utility player. I’d say Uribe is better, though, and it wouldn’t bother me if Callaspo got cut when they decide Olivera is ready.

      • On the balk… I noticed that that pitcher seemed to take a deep breath when he assumed his “set’ position. That caused a little, very little, movement to his chest and shoulders. He did that on every pitch, why wait so long to call it? Maybe the umps were getting sleepy or hungry or something. I imagine the kid’s pitching coach will correct that procedure.

    • 1. See 3.
      2. Both umps called it.
      3. Callapso is easy pickens , yet he has put up an OPS of .727 for us and we are 6-2 in games he has started (despite the groans around here when his name appears in the line up). In this particular game, his maintaining the tag helped sell the reversal.

  3. Hard to say that we are spoiled (well, perhaps a little bit from April), but around here we only seem to be happy when we bludgeon “quality” teams.

    • I’m not looking for them to bludgeon “quality” teams, just get the win.

  8. Just watched the replays on MLB Gameday and wow. I almost can’t believe they won the challenge to get Elvis out at third. His lead hand did lift off before the rest of him got to the bag, but I’m not 100% sure the tag stayed on the whole time either. I’ve seen teams (i.e. the Dodgers) lose challenges that seemed more over-turnable than that this season.

    And as for the balk, it seemed more like a nervous twitch or something remarkably minor, but I did see him flinch ever so slightly and I guess that’s all it takes.

    • Maybe the umps pitied the Dodgers?
      This is definitely a case of LA being more lucky than good, at least offensively.

  9. It really felt like the times when I used to “lose” playing with my son, just so he could win.

    But as everyone says – a win is a win and every win counts in the standings.

  10. A win is a win is a win . . .
    Could a walkoff balk be the spark they need?

  18. 13 K’s and no walks from Dodger pitching tonight through 9 innings. That is a wonderful job.

  19. Not that ERA is the perfect indicator of how pitchers are pitching or how easy it is to hit them. However the disparity between the Ranger and Dodger pitchers tonight is striking: 6.48, 7.20 and 5.31 vs 1.81, 0.45 and 0.82.

    And here we are starting the 9th in a scoreless tie.

  20. I don’t know which is worse – to have little to no offense and great pitching (and lose) OR a lot of offense and lousy pitching (and lose). Which gives you less hope?

    • The Dodgers have lost both ways this season — especially the last month — but mostly the former, it seems.
      Even the complete bullpen meltdowns last a shorter length of time than the across-the-lineup offensive ineffective stretches.
      When the bullpen blows it, it’s one man (or two) not doing his job. When the offense is this anemic, it’s everyone in the lineup, especially in RISP situations.

        • That just makes it more frustrating — the potential IS there.
          And don’t call me shirley. 🙂

          • Ha! I meant the actual runners that got themselves into scoring position. They should at least be free of your wrath, no?

          • I wouldn’t say wrath, more frustration — and finger-pointing, to be honest. But you’re making my point, Bob — individuals have had good games but the team of hitters — as a TEAM — can’t say the same. Those same hitters who get on often don’t come through when others are ready to score.
            We mused before about the mystique of contagious hitting or slumping. To mean, it’s easier to explain the latter, with the tendency to press and do it all at once.

    • Was about to say the same thing. At least it’s not an “L” for him.

    • Just-in time. Ha. Maybe JT can turn’er around for the Dodgers tonight.

  30. I will say it’s a beautiful night, and I’m with my wonderful son. Silver linings!

    • Wonderful! Could be worse ways to spend an evening, of that I’m sure.

  31. I don’t have any stats, but it seems that the Dodgers do not have a good record vs. little-seen pitchers (e.g. those making their Major League debuts).

    Just like last year, these Dodger “hitters” should go on America’s Got Talent — they have the amazing ability to make any opposing pitcher look like an ace.

  32. Hey friends. I’ve been away at a conference the last 3 days and have only seen the scores the next morning. Just got back home and hoping the Dodgers can score a run or two tonight to break this losing streak.

    • Amen.
      As you can see, you didn’t miss much — except a lot of frustration.

      • So I saw. They are struggling on offense for sure but getting solid pitching and defense it seems.

    • Interesting to see what those #s are when they play other teams at or above .500.
      It’s going to be more glaring when first place is at stake this weekend.
      Hopefully they turn it around — starting tonight!

  43. J.P. Hoornstra Verified account
    @jphoornstra

    Dodgers held team meeting today. Mattingly won’t say what it was about.

    417M – 18 Jun 2015 J.P. Hoornstra Verified account

    • Let’s hope it yields some positive results, from here through October!

  44. Juan Uribe only OPSing 300 points higher so far as a Brave, standard SSS warning.
    ——————————

    As Dodger, BA .247 OBP .287 SLG .309 OPS .596 OPS+ 67

    As Brave, BA .343 OPB .410 SLG .486 OPS .896 OPS+ 148

      • And at 36, definitely not the future. Think they’d decided to move him in the first even semi-decent deal they could get, especially with Olivera on the horizon.

        Posting those numbers was not indicative of a wish that he was still here…just the kind of thing that sometimes happens after trades.

    • Speaking of third basemen, sorry (in some ways) not to see Beltre during this series.

    • Even tho that attitude may be justified, I can see why you’re no longer president of the Optimists Club. 🙂

      Have fun!

    • Envious! Won’t see our Boys in Blue until they pull into DC in mid-July.

      • My brother — who has boycotted baseball since the strike, tho he wants to be kept updated on Vin — has tickets to the game on the 19th. I currently have a work commitment here that weekend, but I’m trying to be able to get out there . .. I want to see my nieces once a year and that’s a perfect time to go!

        • Bob! Hope you can make it. Let me know where you are sitting. That’s the Sunday game, so I have seats in Box 115, Row Z behind the Dodger dugout.

          • Definitely!
            I met RBI and the departed (from this site) KT at DS — it would be great to meet you as well. (Plus that will make an even dozen ballparks for me.)

          • tell KT (nicely) he needs to come back (at least to visit us once in a while) 🙂

          • I would, if I ever had further contact with him!
            I think Jon was on here more recently than KT.