Game 94, 2017

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Dodgers at White Sox, 5:10 PM PT, TV: SPNLA, WGN

The Dodgers try to make it ten straight wins tonight in Chicago at what was once called “New Comiskey Park” and is now called “Guaranteed Rate Field.” Blech. That name is newer (2016) than the two teams by a long shot: the Dodgers were first established in the late 1800s and the White Sox were charter members of the American League in 1901.

The teams first met in the 1959 World Series when the Dodgers claimed the title in six games. The teams first got together during the regular season in 2003 with the White Sox taking two of three games. They haven’t played each other since Chicago took two of three in ’14. The White Sox hold a 16-11 advantage all-time over the Dodgers.

Is the Dodgers’ “surge” sustainable for the rest of the year?

The Dodgers send LHP Clayton Kershaw (14-2, 2.18 ERA) out tonight to face RHP Miguel Gonzalez (4-8, 5.15 ERA). Kershaw has been on a roll; he’s won ten straight and his last loss was May 1. Gonzalez has been rehabbing shoulder joint inflammation since mid-June and has lost eight of his last nine decisions.

This day in Dodgers’ history:

  • 1939 The Red Sox send 21 year-old farmhand Pee Wee Reese to the Dodgers for $35,000 and a player to be named later (Red Evans), along with three minor leaguers due to a less-than-enthusiastic scouting report filed by Joe Cronin, the team’s current player-manager, who deliberately downplayed the prospect’s talent to keep his own job in the Boston infield. The Louisville Colonels regular shortstop, a future Hall of Famer, will become a crowd favorite, helping Brooklyn to win seven pennants during his 16 seasons with the team.
  • 1949 Jackie Robinson testifies in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, reading a carefully worded statement put together with the help of Dodger GM Branch Rickey. The Brooklyn second baseman’s statement makes it clear he disagrees with singer and actor Paul Robeson’s belief that American Negroes would refuse to fight in any war against Russia due to the country’s racial discrimination toward blacks.

Lineup when available.

110 thoughts on “Game 94, 2017”

    • Baseball reference has had him at the top of its leaderboard for sometime, based on zero for however many PA’s needed to qualify. The asterisk has now been removed

  3. A rather thorough look at expansion to Mexico City. https://theringer.com/mlb-expansion-mexico-city-drawbacks-7cbce43269ac For me, this would mean having another backup team besides the Nats. The article doesn’t look at the facilities, however. Neither Fray Nano (5,200) not Foro Sol (26,000) have the capacity, so a new stadium would have to be built, I would imagine. The Azteca, if it could be converted holds, 87,000 in its soccer configuration, but futbol has priority in Mexico.

    I did attend a Mets-Dodgers exhibition game in Foro Sol in 2003, and the balls flew out of their. Score was 19-6 and Piazza was in a Mets uniform. Also saw several WBC games there, including seeing Chapman pitch for the Cubanos (who K’ed old friend Trent of the Aussies, among others)

    • Ideally, there could be teams in DF and La Habana, but that would seem a long ways off.

    • Looking at the numbers, the Dodgers splits by lineup slot relative to the rest of the NL are quite something. Opposition pitchers get no rest. OPS+, relative to the rest of the NL (=100) for 6-8 slots are 137, 121 and 128. The weakest slot if 5th at 73. There is a lot of shuffling of the 5-7 slots and some batters such as Taylor or Grandal do better in some rather than others. The next weakest is the 4th slot at 108, but this is basically a combination of Cody at 143 and AGone at 68.

  5. I’m disappointed that the Dodgers didn’t gain any ground on the Snakes and Rox.

  7. i never possibly thought that the single in the 1st would be it for the day

  18. Radio just said Dodgers have the easiest schedule the rest of the way (among contenders, I believe).
    That’s good for the regular season, but then hope it’s not culture shock facing “quality” teams again.

    • Second that.
      But I’m kind of numbed by the performances (and lack thereof) all night.

  27. 3 times bases loaded – one run? Sure hope this futility doesn’t last past this game.
    And still they have a chance to win!

  31. I went to the A’s-Rays game last night in Oakland. The announced crowd was 9,736, which includes all tickets sold in advance. but I doubt if there were more than 5,500 people on hand. It was sad. No lines at any of the concession stands. It was the smallest A’s home crowd in over six years. Tampa Bay won, 3-2. The A’s got two hits including a homer from Khris Davis.

  32. Hi all. I’ve been Harry Pottering at Universal with twin 9-year-olds all day, and I am one tired puppy. But two on, nobody out? That perked me up!

  39. Just goes to show you that you can’t be clutch if you can’t get anyone on.

    • — and sometimes even when you do.
      Had to happen . . . and they still have a chance to win!

  41. Clutch bats are taking another day off.
    Looks like it’s up to Kersh and the bullpen.

  56. The Dodgers are now winning at a .688 clip. In the 134-year history of their franchise starting in 1884 (when Chester Arthur was president), as the Brooklyn Atlantics, Grays, Grooms, Bridegrooms, Superbas, Robins and Dodgers, and as the Los Angeles Dodgers, their highest season-ending winning percentage was .682 in 1953 as the Brooklyn Dodgers and in 1899 as the Brooklyn Superbas.

  57. That’s one of the few big league parks I’ve ever been to. I went to it the year it opened while in Chicago for a hotel software conference put on by the vendor my property used. We were way down the right field line and as high up as you can get a seat.

    • Planning this year to visit the new stadium in Atlanta to see our Bums n a couple of weeks. Will also take in Birmingham Barons and Montgomery Biscuits games. Also taking some visiting Argies to Camden Yards tomorrow, where I haven’t been since the Dodgers last played there.

      • He was court-martialed and acquitted for refusing to move to the back of a military bus in 1944 at Fort Hood, Texas. I think it was called Camp Hood then.