Astros at Dodgers, 5:00 PM PT, TV: Fox
This really has been one of the best World Series of recent memory. Consider this:
Literally every game of this Series has been a good one. Only once (the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory in Game 4) has the margin of victory been greater than two runs, and that featured a five-run rally by Los Angeles in the ninth.
It’ll be the fourth time in the past seven years the Fall Classic has stretched to the max and the second year in a row. There have been 38 previous Game Sevens, and the Cut Four team at MLB has ranked them all.
Tonight it will be Yu Darvish hoping to erase memories of his awful Game Three start (1 2/3 innings, six hits, four runs) followed by every other pitcher the Dodgers have, as needed. I’d expect to see Kershaw in relief unless Darvish has a fantastic performance deep into the game. The Astros will ask Lance McCullers to replicate his Game Three performance in which he went 5 1/3 innings, giving up three runs. He could be followed by Keuchel and Morton and any other arm in the Astros’ bullpen.
Today in baseball history:
- 2001 The first major league game ever started in the month of November is a memorable one when the Yankees, for the second consecutive night, make a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and go on to a World Series victory in extra innings. Tonight’s heroes are Scott Brosius, who hits a game-tying two out two-run homer to knot the game at 2-2, and Alfonso Soriano, who singles in Chuck Knoblauch in the 12th, giving the Yankees a 3-2 victory and 3-2 lead in the Fall Classic over the Diamondbacks.
- 2010 Edgar Renteria, who drove in the winning run for the Marlins against Cleveland in the 11th inning during Game 7 of the 1997 Fall Classic, joins Yankees legends Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, and Yogi Berra as only the fourth player in baseball history to collect two World Series-winning hits. The Series MVP’s three-run homer off Cliff Lee in the seventh inning leads to San Francisco’s 3-1 victory over the Rangers, bringing a World Championship to the Giants for the first time since 1954.
Lineup:
#ThisTeam // #WorldSeries Game 7:
Taylor CF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger 1B
Puig RF
Pederson LF
Forsythe 2B
Barnes C
Darvish P pic.twitter.com/XYQ2ZbCz62— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 1, 2017
NPUT
From the NYT today: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/opinion/how-racism-made-me-a-dodgers-fan.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
Yesterday felt dim, but the future is bright… http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/260451604/reasons-for-optimism-los-angeles-dodgers
Local sports talk show features a Houston fan who went to Games 6 & 7. He was praising the Dodger fans’ class in handling the loss. Other announcer said Dodger fans realize this won’t be the only time they meet (in the Series).
Random thoughts:
I wonder what difference Buehler might have in the WS. Not second guessing as much as curious.
Almost glad the Dodgers lost one game to the Cubbies. It is less painful somehow knowing that are only losses weren’t in the WS. 10-4 is just a weird looking record for the playoffs.
Definitely dominance.
Until they were dominated. But if they kept playing, it would probably remain close in the W/L record.
Buehler didn’t show much in a late-season audition, but I expect he’s at least in the ‘pen come spring.
Puig suffers (property) injury to insult — https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/yasiel-puig%E2%80%99s-home-burglarized-during-game-7-loss-in-world-series/ar-AAumK9L?li=BBnba9I
Kersh sure sounds like his psyche/confidence is shaken. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/kershaw-reflects-on-ws-loss-maybe-one-of-these-days-i-won%E2%80%99t-fail/ar-AAumcwy?li=BBnba9I
Vegas opens betting with Dodgers at 5-1 odds to win it all next year. Astros and Indians at 6-1.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/dodgers-open-as-favorites-to-win-2018-world-series-over-astros-or-indians/ar-AAumcnX?li=BBnb7Kz
This took a bit of the sting out of the loss for me.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/us/hurricane-harvey-houston-astros.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
Absolutely — thanks for posting.
After the last two years, Dodgers need to have an opponent that doesn’t own the sympathy card. Makes me wish I didn’t root for the Yankees to win!
I said to my mother after the “win for the hurricane victims” refrain popped up that “LA should have had an earthquake to even things up.”
“The Big One” would probably affect you guys, huh?
I sympathize with victims of the flood, but not with their choice of team.
WS stats for those with 18+ ABs
Ave. Obp. Slg. Ops.
Pederson — .333 .400 .944 1.344
Forsythe — .278 .409 .333 .742
Hernandez — .231 .375 .231 .606
Seager — 222 .290 .370 .661
Taylor — 222.344 .407 .751
Barnes, — .174 .200 .217 .417
Turner — .160 .323 .360 .683
Puig . — 148 .179 .370 .549
Bellinger. — 143 .172 .393 .565
Bottom three were the reason we lost 7.
Alex Wood had a fantastic year.
Here is the current 40 man roster. I can see quite a few changes coming to it.
Pitchers
Luis Avilan
Pedro Baez (might be traded)
Walker Buehler (In the 2018 rotation)
Tony Cingrani
Yu Darvish
Grant Dayton
Josh Fields
Wilmer Font
Yimi Garcia (Should be back in the 2018 bullpen)
Rich Hill (In the 2018 rotation)
Kenley Jansen
Scott Kazmir (Hopefully gone)
Clayton Kershaw (In the 2018 rotation)
Adam Liberatore
Kenta Maeda (In the 2018 bullpen?)
Brandon McCarthy (Hopefully traded)
Brandon Morrow
Edward Paredes
Josh Ravin
Hyun-Jin Ryu (In the 2018 rotation or is he traded)
Brock Stewart (In the 2018 rotation)
Ross Stripling
Julio Urias (2019 return?
Tony Watson
Alex Wood (In the 2018 rotation)
Catchers
Austin Barnes
Kyle Farmer
Yasmani Grandal (Could be traded, Tampa still needs a catcher)
Infield
Cody Bellinger
Charlie Culberson (Bench if Taylor moved to second)
Logan Forsythe (Can they trade his option if Taylor at second)
Adrian Gonzalez (Retired)
Tim Locastro
Corey Seager
Rob Segedin
Justin Turner
Chase Utley (doubt he will be back)
Outfield
O’Koyea Dickson
Andre Ethier (Sorry to see you leave)
Curtis Granderson (Gone)
Franklin Gutierrez (Gone)
Outfield
Enrique Hernandez ( A keeper)
Joc Pederson (Hope he stays. Back to CF if Taylor to 2B?)
Yasiel Puig (Could be traded, never know)
Chris Taylor
Trayce Thompson (I have lost hope)
Andrew Toles (If healthy, competes for LF or CF)
Alex Verdugo (Competes for LF–or traded)
Since he’s done a 180, so have I — I hope Puig stays.
Why do you think Joc might leave? He doesn’t have an option yet, does he?
Logan came up big in the playoffs, so I’ve done a 180 on him.
Urias definitely out for all of next year?
CT not only soo valuable at the plate and in the field — but all around the field!
Dodgers have a crowded outfield. Joc just reminded the FO that he can be aswsome but his trade value went up as well.
Guessing that Urias is available at the earliest in August. Mac and Kaz maybe candidates for the pen, as well as at the end of the rotation. Problem is that as vets they can’t be in revolving door with OKC. Besides Buehler,farm arms that have some shot at the Bigs at some point during 2018 include Sborz, Oaks, May, Santana and Alvarez. Smith could be in the running for backup catcher, Kendall in the outfield.
Just got back to our LAX hotel. Feeling dispirited. In time, I will feel better that we went this far and got so close. In time. Thanks so much to each and every one of you for sharing all the ups and downs, and the joys and sorrows of this season. You helped me take a special ride into baseball and relationships. And thank you so much, Link, for being the engine that drove this vehicle. Best to you all…Lewis
Sorry, Scoop. We came so close.
Here’s a silver lining.
LOVE it!
How about the possible final AB by Andre yielding the only run for the Blue tonight!
Kersh “We’re all feeling the same hurt. Right now we’re just trying to embrace each other a little bit.”
Thanks to all for getting me through this season with your humor and smarts and general good-guyness. Couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do it without you.
Back at you, RBI!
When I ordered my WS shirt, I also got a Dodger flag to fly.
I’ll put up my Thanksgiving flag tomorrow but keep the Blue flying for a while.
Fox is done.
Need some Hulu to decompress.
Darvish interview on Sportsnet heart breaking. Taking full responsibility.
All things staying equal, he needed a shutout to win.
Radio says four Dodgers have weddings planning in the off=season.
Astro proposing on live TV!
Luckily she said yes!
Radio says it was Springer, I thought Fox said Correa.
My husband said, “Did she throw the ring back?”
MLB.com sez Correa.
Would’ve been nice for a Dodger to win the first year of the “Willie Mays Award.”
Nice award, Commissioner.
Why was Gurriel allowed to play?
Fox: How did you keep them so calm?
AJ: Oh, we weren’t calm. We weren’t calm.
November is the cruelest month.
Dodgers: 11-4 in October.
0-1 in November.
No-vember.
Quick — what’s the schedule for next year? Probably in there again.
Houston 11-7 in the playoffs.
Dodgers 10-5.
You tell me who’s better!!
Wait – no please don’t.
Definitely a classic, overall. (Letdown tonight)
Mo: This doesn’t diminish what they did the whole season.
Thanks for your company, folks. Hot Stove League is coming up.
AKA Armchair Manager?
Will be a bit of a head scratcher on how the FO goes about improving a 104 win team.
FO – Ok how do we create a team that can win over a 100 games, win the division, move smoothly through the DS and LCS, get to Game 7 of the WS – AND not leave 10 runners on base? Because if we figure that out – we’ve got a winner!!
Unfortunately, we’ve see this team be THAT team throughout the year (looking at you, September!). Bad timing!
Looking forward to Toles coming back.
Hope his knee gets back to 100%.
Starts tomorrow at 6am PT, when Darvish, Morrow, Utley, Watson, Grandy and Gutierrez become FAs. Club options for Logan and Ethier. Guessing that only Logan survives from this group.
Morrow was terrific for the team.
He was great. Nice pick up by the FO. The Tonys as well in the pen. Morrow probably gets closer offers and not sure they want to spend that much.
Definitely!
Hoping they keep Morrow and Logan. Either and Utley, thanks for the memories. Maybe go out and get Stanton and put Taylor at 2B…
Gonzales might be agone as well.
Sure, and Grandal as well, but I was just noting non-discretionary moves.
I thought the Dodgers would win game 7. Bridesmaids again.
HFA is fools gold.
Bats matter more. Blue were missing.
We had more hits and way more baserunners. The whole team lost this one. Fielding. Managing. Every piece helped create the loss.
In a way, that make sure this a little easier.
Much rather lose it like this tonight than lose another one like game 2 and game 5.
Not happy with those losses, but if there is blame to place, putting it on your top players seems better than a journeyman muffing a play.
How about a rookie striking out 15 times in the series?
I don’t get me wrong – I love me some Bellinger ball.
But he’s a face of the team, one of the stars (before, I was thinking of K & K).
Worse if it would’ve been Charlie or Chase.
Me, too.
A lot less stressful.
After game 5, I really thought it was either going to be the Astros in 6 or us in 7.
So did the Dodgers and everyone on Sportsnet LA. Almost over confident I guess.
So did Puig and Kenley.
At least they got to the altar this year!
despite the disappointment, better to get there that not at all
tip of the hat to the Astros
Absolutely.
I don’t hate them and I’m happy for them and their city. (Tho I wish I was saying that about LA.)
Silver lining: I just saved a wack of money on not wanting to buy sports illustrated and dvds of this World Series, etc.
Ha!
But I was soo looking forward to that!
I was too. (Sob.)
Disappointment for all of us. But it was a great year nonetheless.
Thanks for helping make it so with this blog, Link!
I’ve quoted it before — sharing with friends is doubling the joy, halving the sorrow.
Yes thanks Link. You have hosted us well the whole year long. And I do mean year, not just season.
Rats. Wait till next year!
I’m looking forward to it. But after coming this far, the only problem is nothing short of winning it all is a failure.
Forget about emulating the Cubs — now LA has to copy the other blue, the Royals — return and win it all.
Shot of Kersh & Yu — two aces who weren’t quite.
It’s been a heck of a year friends. Thanks for the journey.
A pleasure, Dave — thanks for helping make it so.
Right back at you Bob.
So, the lesser team wins.
Over.
CT running his heart out.
Tried so hard. Made it close.
Every time
I see the plan, Taylor Seager Turner get on and then Cody redeems himself by tying it all up
Nice script. But would you let him bat?
he would have had as much chance as anyone else
WTF — commercial cut in!
It’s Fox, Jake…
We need base runners.
Been there, done that.
We need runs.
Yes!
We need runs.
Cody is contagious. Tonight, that’s bad.
True. How Cody goes, everyone goes.
I don’t think Chase has a hit in the WS.
Been hit, yes.
At least we’re consistent.
Why Chase and not Charlie?
Respect?
What the heck. Let’s win this thing anyway.
Go Silver Fox!
His final Dodger AB?
Would’ve gone with Charlie. Unless I missed him.
If the Dodgers don’t win you will never see a TV set turned off faster in your life.
No matter what, I’m going to the Dodger broadcast — wanna hear “our guys” a final time.
Me, too.
What time is it?
Not late. Or far too late.
Strikeback time!
Rally time!!!
I get to switch to Sportsnet.
Me too.
Stuck with the Fox post-game. What a joke. Other guys make A-Rod look good.
Here we go.
here we go then, all in together
Just like Toy Story 3!
From Canada to Australia — Go Blue!
Wood getting the ump to adjust to his pitches.
Will Culberson start things off in the 9th?
Morton. Followed by Verlander just in case.
“Hello?”Taps brim of cap, “Is this thing working?”
Testing, testing….
Well, there’s gonna be a bottom of the 9th.
Walkoff time! (only chance)
4+1 game redux!
YES!
Now how do we get this script to them?
Give it to Scoop!
Of course!
Could you imagine. That will be so bonkers when we win!
Or extras…
I can only imagine how badly Darvish feels
A nd not good on his FA resume.
He’ll find a job.
I feel Kershaw shares some of the blame for pitching so poorly his second start.
Yeah, that was ugly.
And Kenley blew the G2 save.
Tonight was the Series in microcosm — had the right people, right time, wrong results.
Belli might.
JT not far behind.
Game Summation: Bats didn’t show up . . . Yu did.
Up to now.
Yes! At least for the bats.
Rally cap time. Turning my hat inside out and backwards.
Well Grand Slam time.
Regardless I’m glad this is a home game. Not that I want to see another team celebrating at Dodger Stadium but it is still less painful than a huge crowd celebrating another team winning. Yes. It is very shallow but it is honest.
We have 6 more outs. Stop with the obituaries.
Can’t stop won’t stop?
Know exactly what you’re feeling.
But theHouston fans have much to celebrate . . . IF they win.
In retrospect, I should’ve been rooting for LA to play the Yankees . . . if nothing else, to eliminate any sympathy story!
Pitching lights out after Yu. Too late.
AS great as the FO has been, the Granderson and Darvish acquisitions — to bolster the playoff roster — didn’t make the positive difference, at least in the Series.
They were plausible, and Darvish helped in some ways, but they haven’t been sufficient.
Worse than that in the WS– Darvish was counted on, perhaps to the detriment of other options.
Not sure that we could have gotten more out of our left fielder in the WS.
We went out and acquired the best pitcher available (until Verlander) and he helped us get to the WS. Verlander would have cost us the farm.
Great pitcher, though he did lose the two games he pitched.
Last time this Series I felt this frustrated with the Bats was Game 3 (what’s common in those games, kids?) — but as anemic as they were, they were much more competitive.
3 up, 3 down is the beginning of the end, I’m afraid.
2nd or 3rd time tonight, right?
After Cody, crowd cheers the ball put in play.
People who only saw the Series will be STUNNED when Cody wins Rookie of the Year (if they’re even paying attention).
I really thought if we gave up only 1 HR we would win.
I mean I knew there would be one for sure but hoped it would be easily over come.
Didn’t count on the bats being soo anemic.
Batting eyes were the worst.
We’ve lost that loving feeling.
Because they lost the scoring feeling.
Oh, Oh
I mean “they’ve” actually. I’m proud of our guys, even if we are clearly outmatched for this game.
And outmanaged.
A bridge too far with Yu, but still trailing at that point and they haven’t matched that.
Yet.
Yeah. The futility since then almost makes it moot.
Countering myself, tho — you never know how things change when the score increases . . . deflated more? HAve to be.
They didn’t seem deflated, just unable to come through with RISP.
I, as usual, didn’t get the right lyrics in my head. For some reason I was hearing Oh, Oh, you’ve lost that loving feelin. There is no Oh, Oh.
“Oh oh that loving feeling” comes next.
Kershaw has to be feeling better
Bats icy cold.
I feel like Springer has pretty much beaten us singlehandedly this series.
So will the MVP voters.
Deservedly so.
— until the Blue strikeback!
*Trademark pending.
1 for 13 with RISP.
The batters box is scoring position when you go yard so often.
Can’t count on it.
Case proven tonight.
I was talking about Springer.
My bad.
Add it to the Dodger muffs tonight.
E – Vegas.
Ha!
This WS is like your favorite series that has a finale you hate.
Joc the only one smiling on our side. Maybe because he’s just happy to be here?
That’s plus an extra $75 large coming to him via Jansen.
For going opposite field?
Yep.
Heart of the Order has been more like the Heart of Darkness so far tonight.
Kenley working harder than he had to last night.
Need to hold them here.
And did.
https://twitter.com/kenarneson/status/925920020911108096
Several of them have — the Blue haven’t made them pay for it, tho.
Did Kenley add that hitch this year?
Yep
Thanks — without cable, I only see nationally televised games.
But I may check out YouTube TV!
Yep
CT with the legs and glove!
Your 2018 starting CF.
Joc was closing in on it and peeled off. Had it been Puig there, there would have been a collision.
Long way to run from right field.
Samers!
Puig would have to have run a long way to get to that one. 😉
He was closing in as well.
That’s one way to stop Springer.
Great catch!
I shouldn’t have posted the “Casey at the Bat” cartoon. No joy in Mudville indeed.
Unfortunately, our Casey these last two games spells his name “Cody.”
Don’t understand bringing in Jansen now.
To stop the heart of the order.
Good point, both of you.
Top of the lineup
Over and over and over again.
Same with the other two brutal losses — who we wanted, when we wanted.
But not what we wanted.
Well, the best team is winning at the moment, at least for this game.
A hard truth to swallow.
Undoubtedly the team that played best.
Yep.
Never say die.
Haven’t.
Still hoping for no bottom of the 9th!
Offering us a Quantum of Solace.
Very 007ish.
Or Jim Valvano.
Or Bruce Willis
For two of the 7 innings and that might have been on Darvish.
C’mon, Corey!
Please CT!
Dagnabbit!!!
That’s what you typed but what did you say?
Lots of silverware and clothing involved.
Ha
Someone on the Dodgers touched home plate!
Get Kershaw the W!!!
Broke the spell!
It’s the 6th.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dk2G0yCvR8
Andre!
Well, that was strike three the pitch before.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d9b418e1574d4abc507f800536cb6f180d9bed92f70434709f6be90ea538c5f3.jpg
Kenley up.
To bat?
Jk. I know it’s Ethier.
Tough take — c’mon,Austin!
Fox, sad but true: better chance now that Cody’s not coming up.
So basically Kershaw pitches better in the post season when there is no pressure.
Yikes. Zing.
He had a good game one
An excellent Game One.
Not as much pressure in game one, as there was his second start.
If that helps your argument…
A little Iron Butterfly on the organ.
I thought so!
One of the best awful songs ever…
Got to score here.
Logan with the walk!
Utley would have been HBP on that last one
Forsythe did it his way
Take the HBP?
It’s like the Seinfeld bit about car reservations – we know how to get on base, just don’t know how to score.
May that change right now!!
Huh?
Seinfeld: you know how to take the reservation but don’t know how to hold it.
Who?
Virginity too.
I love that scene.
that’s a start
What Smoltz says . . .
One more leadoff guy on base
JOc starts with a flare — oh for one of those with runners on base!
As Scoop said – time for 6th (and maybe 7th, 8th, and 9th) inning magic.
No bottom of the 9th!
Dude!
Can the tide turn, that is the question.
Better.
And soon. No bottom of the 9th!
Can the tide turn? Does the Pope ever fall asleep when he prays?
Absolutely!
To be or not to be World Champs.
Whew!
Risky walks here.
Yep
I’ve been writing — did Doc talk with Kersh?
Yep.
Hoping to even out the LOB category.
Ha!
They did!
Shift happens!
Logan!
This game is reminding me of nearly a year ago when I was watching election results.
Gag.
Ha
A continuing nightmare.
THIS is only a game.
Shortly thereafter, I escaped to Buenos Aires. This year, I will do so again.
Wow. Good comparison.
I’m thinking LA California was rooting for a different result than Houston Texas both times.
For all its problems, Houston’s a pretty diverse and relatively progressive city.
Houston is blue/Democratic. Texas overall is not .
Ah.
After the hurricane, it will be even more so.
105,955 fans sitting in Dodger Stadium waiting to get tired of Dodgers scoring.
Ha!
Nice play to get one.
As Fox said: we need Angel magic a la 2002.
Where’s the Rally Monkey?
Or the Bubble Machine. I really thought that was going to be a magically year for the Dodgers. Was that 2014? 2015?
Letting go for the umpteenth time.
Eight LOB
One break. Can we get ONE BREAK?
DID, with JT.s (?) deflection.
The crowd here at DS is anxious, hopeful, frustrated and chagrined.
Scoop. We are still hoping here. Hang in there.
We need some 6th inning magic . . . A couple of big, clutch hits.
So so frustrating. Yu killed us.
Never know wht the psychological effect is, but if they can’t even score 2, it’s a moot point.
But not denying he stunk.
Again.
He never should have been allowed to pitch to Springer a second time.
Man, he tagged that!
Not really.
Smoltz said soft line drive. It sounded a lot harder than it was, I guess.
Felt that way to me . . . oh well.
I think I heard in the pre-game BS that Yu was getting happier with his slider but it was still a work in process. I know he has 10 other pitches, but with that, I would have started Wood.
Or the Shaw of Ker.
Wood’s first two warm up pitches flew out of the bullpen and onto the field.
Better than the other way around.
Yu got that right.
Except he didn’t.
What is frustrating me is that their pitchers are not blowing us away. We’re just not capitalizing.
Definitely frustrating
We’ve had our chances for sure.
— including G2 and G5
Not really blowing us away. Otherwise there wouldn’t be so many RISP that we don’t deliver on.
Hinch making our Doc look bad, all about leaving Yu in too long.
Gotta stop wasting chance!
That first run seemes to be the hardest tonight.
Silver Lining — he hit it.
And not into a DP, barely.
Moved the runner too.
Thankfully not too hard.
Patient Cody.
C’mon, Belli!
Cody HAS to put the ball in play.
Or out of play
Yes to this.
Peacock.
No excuses now.
Give me a sign–that will do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6UCbzbHBRA
Why are bullpen phones still corded?
Avoid interception of them?
To get to the other side?
MLB wants to control communication to and from dugout.
A break!
Bats gotta cash in!
Still half a game to go.
And the ‘Stros pen.
Said with encouragement or dread? 🙂
Love the beards.
I heard he can’t wait to shave.
Save us, JT!
JT due, and battered.
Black and due
And red all over!
You guys..!
That actually made myself smile for the first time in a while.
Me, too.
One C is patient!
On a fastball
Feeling a little grief-stricken suddenly. Need an uplift from my Link-friends.
You have a nice smile?
Not over yet.
Please make your move now Dodgers. Please.
Do we let Cody bat again? Mercy rule?
Maybe he should bunt instead of Hernández.
Especially if they still put that shift on
Shut them down again.
Bats — YOUR TURN!!!
Third base ball person getting a lot of screen time.
KK-erhsaw!
I’m thinking I don’t like baseball teams in orange.
Halloween colors do not belong the baseball field.
Especially after Halloween.
When we had pitching, we did not have hitting it seems during this series.
And tonight neither have been effective.
Save the relievers.
And I hope they get a Save!
I officially declare my presidency over. Long live the new president of the Hope Springs Eternal Club!
Mine are only hopes. YOu declare certainties!
Maybe it is two different groups that should band together. 🙂
Right here . . . right now!
The James Gang for between-inning music?
Awful song.
Disagree..
I do not care for Joe Walsh.
K-ershaw!
My brother texted that Kersh had a better AB than Cody.
Thinking back fondly to Game 1 – of the regular season! Listened to the game while travelling back from Saskatoon on Greyhound. Such a fun 14-3 blow out.
Great way to eat miles, listening to the game . . . especially a victory.
Kersh with a good at bat, even though he k’d.
Glad McCullers isn’t in there — danger of HBP
Danger? More like near certainty.
Ha!
Kersh at bat.
Take him deep!
Wow — Kersh to eat the innings.
He’s been effective.
Wish he had started.
So does he.
And Yu.
Yep, me too
Arghhhh!!!!
Is the batboy coming up the steps?
Chicken Strip up.
Why doesn’t he throw it away when I’m telling him to?
Gotta get Peacock out of there. He’s been tough vs. Blue.
But how?
It is very quiet in my house right now. My son is just in the adjoining room as he is not enjoying watching tonight.
I would trade all of the 12 runs from Game 5 for half of that tonight.
That seems fair.
I’d gladly pay you Tuesday…
Unfortunately, Dodger bats with RISP tonight have been wimpy.
Touché.
There’s always STAR WARS!
Come on December 15!
This was the Kersh of Game 1 . . . which we needed in G5
So true, but good to see.
Indeed. Gotta make things a LITTLE better for him.
Kershaw up third. Alex next?
Sounds good.
Nice play, Corey.
Get out of this, Kersh!
Great pitching tonight.
By him, anyway.
And Morrow.
That makes a DP tougher.
I once got Manny Mota’s autograph when he played for the Tacoma Giants, but I liked him even better as a Dodger.
6 LOB! Sadness.
Forget “The Guns of August.”
These are the Bats of September.
Waste not want not.
Not like they haven’t had their chances, AND with batter we (normally) want up there.
Seven LOB? Eight? Losing count.
Six, Smoltz says.
That’s a freaky shot from CF, like the batter is looking right at us.
Puig just misses it.
C’mon, Joc.
Need more than “put it in play.”
RBI, did you get a towel yesterday?
Waving towel. Wearing magic Mickey Mouse Dodger ears. So far, not working.
I’m waving and shouting as well.
Time to pluck the Peacock
Scoop. We need some runs my friend!
Gotta admit, I’m cringing when Cody comes up.
Only guy McCullers was fooling was Cody.
AJ Hinch at this point stealing Dave Roberts lunch.
Cody, you have to lay off that pitch, honey.
Easier said than done.
Yes, he does need nurturing.
Ugly swings.
6th K for Cody in a row
C;mon, Cody! Just a hit . . .
Or walk or HPB.
YEs
Has Cody learned anything?
Lean into it.
He’s has to get tossed.
Huh?
By the Dodger bats that is!
McCullers no great shakes either. Hope AJ keeps him in too long.
What he said!
Pulling him. Doesn’t want to duplicate Doc’s mistake.
OUCH AGAIN!!!
4th HBP
Corey with a smash.
They’re getting opportunities, cash them in!
Kershaw gets benefit of the call.
I disagree. Right on the line.
Night is young. Younger than me.
All of us.
Kike’s Cubs game was just two weeks ago, tomorrow?
Attention, Bats — there’s no tomorrow. And there’s no clock, C &C — be patient, Get Some Runs!
Dodgers: LOB – 4.
Astros: LOB – zero.
== plated 5
The bats of September.
Tho CT seemed to crush it.
Both teams have had 5 on base.
As always, “keys to the game” — score more than them.
K-ershaw!!!
Get the K, Kersh!
NICE curve!
Puig coming in — get out of the way!!!
Kershaw!
A Stripling game possibly.
Oh we getting all the charm now. Sheesh.
Well that was not good at all.
Not our night.
Re mycomment about blowouts – – what I really wanted was for the Dodgers not to be embarrassed.
Why not Fields or McCarthy to get that last out instead of Morrow?
Stop the Astros in their tracks and than pass them.
Yeah, but with no one on base I might have wanted to save Morrow for later.
Hadn’t warmed up.
Morrow was up. Question is why he wasn’t brought back in earlier.
That will maybe bug me all winter.
Dang it!
Maybe we could have about 20 batters get hit…
But not in the foot. They will be swinging at that.
So true.
Let’s go!
Logan hanging tough!
Here we go….
Why why why did he pitch to Springer!?!?!?
Thought we could surprise him by pitching to him?
Why wasn’t Forsythe hitting second?
On top of everything else, my laptop just crashed.
Dave might have already said this but I will take a page from his notebook – – this will only make the Dodger comeback sweeter!
12-11 in ten innings with the Dodgers winning.
I’ve had six drinks in 17 years. I need one now.
Hang tough Link. Don’t drink sad or angry.
Don’t get sleepy and miss the comeback
Cue the video Fox will show of fans in the Astrodome.*
And 30 seconds later…
Well our question about going after Darvish in the off season is answered as well.
I don’t think he was ever expected to be with the Dodgers next year.
Yeah, that was never going to happen.
I would not have let Darvish pitch to Springer.
I didn’t think he was…
The obvious move not made.
Darvish was not worth the price of admission.
Definitely not the WS — he DID help in the previous two series.
Or Calhoun?
I mean for tonight’s game.
I meant for getting him at all
Well if we got him to help us win the WS…
I’m not giving up yet.
There is your blow out and MVP question solved.
For now
Every. *#%^#. Game
Very very bad future people.
i feel ill
Houston, we have a problem
Oh boy.
Springer MVP.
Unless serious comeback.
Sadly, so predictable.
C’mon, Yu — sit them down.
Good point by Smoltz in infield playing too deep.
Well that sucks.
Weakly hit.
That’s why it sucks.
The plan
Get Reddick. Check.
Get the pitcher.
Walk Springer.
Bring in Morrow.
That’s the formula.
It worked yesterday.
“Yesterday . . . .”
Sure Doc is kicking himself for not doing it.
Yep. It seemed so obvious. Whelp.
McCan’t run stayed at third
Does JT speak Japanese?
I understand Darvish handles English pretty well.
Great point my Smoltz about bringing in a real reliever in the middle of the inning vs. the start.
That’s enough from Darvish in my perspective.
Will it be Morrow to face the top of the order?
Lucky McCann was the runner at 1st and not someone with speed.
Darvish pitching scared it seems.
“Defensive” Fox said.
That first shot of Reddick, I thought HE was holding the drink in his non-bat hand.
I thought it was mandatory to swing at that inside pitch
Only if you’re wearing blue and under 24.
Really thought Darvish would be sharper tonight. So far not so much.
Trouble finishing hitters.
Because Darvish not getting called third strikes, at least against McCann.
Ump definitely missed one obvious strike
He got robbed on one pitch to McCann, shoulda been a K.
Seriously, who’dve thunk Puig would be one of the most patient hitters on the team?
Ha. Not me.
I bet the crowd went suddenly silent
Yeah, it was rocking.
Do you only have Gameday?
yes
Guess we’re not shouting enough.
Low and inside is killing us.
I hope not to be seeing the Dodgers swing through those pitches in my dreams tonight.
Frustrating. Sequencing definitely did not help out.
McCullers had to work hard, but that’s not so meaningful tonight.
Means more for the ‘Stros I imagine.
That’s deflating.
At least he put it in play.
Hit it hard
I thought so.
Don’t copy Cody/Corey!
First called strike to Joc looked outside. Bad way to reward a hitter for having a good eye.
I meant the futile swing at low and inside more than anything.
I was with you
HBP wouldn’t be bad if he’s not hurt
Get those runners running.
Wonder what someone said to Joc to get him to smile
Great spot for our hot hitter.
C’mon, Joc!
Don’t try for too much!
patient Puig!
We have gotten pretty far with our 2-5 batters not showing much this series.
I liked waking up to this jingle on the morning of WS games many years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4RIp2-YOH8
Five straight Ks for Cody.
Very bad future people!
5 in a row for Cody.
So much for shortening up.
The ASG Home Run Derby seems soooo long ago.
Good eye, Cody! (hit the ground)
Just a basehit!
JT takes a page out of Chase’s book to contribute at the plate.
When you’re behind in the count…
And have no game tomorrow.
Whatever it takes
C’mon, Cody!!
OUCH!!!!!
Not fun.
I have to admit, I am so sick of Cory swinging at that pitch
And Bellinger. And…
Second that!
Cody too.
That darn pitch!
C’mon, Corey!
thats not was I wanted to check in to see
Hang on — !
Strikeback inning.
*Trademark pending.
Does that mean the Dodgers are the Empire?
Sure want a Dodger to win MVP . . . CT has to be in consideration so far, but believe it’s the hero of tonight.
Even if the Dodgers win, Springer has to be considered.
CT you marvelous man you.
CT answers.
Good start, Chris!
CT starts it off!!!!!
I told everyone I hope it’s not a blow-out — for either team. They deserve better than that.
I still want the Dodgers to win, tho, and realize this will make me more nervous.
I’d be satisfied if the Dodgers win in a blowout.
I could find it in my heart to forgive them too if it happened.
Okay let’s start the game now. Enough kidding around.
Okay, bats — YOUR TURN!!!
Better future person!
The pitch count was respectable until this.
It’d be nice if he went deep into the game, but he doesn’t need to.
not that it matters
Tough AB . . . win this, Yu!
Where’s Bill Miller when you need him?
Getthe K, YU!
Or another weak grounder to the right.
Any out.
Get the out! Get the out!
Ok.
So far, Astros only hurt Yu on a ball that looked less than a foot fair.
Dodgers hurt themselves after that.
Not even a foot – just about hit the line, but hit well.
Remember, the Dodgers are outscoring the ‘Stros in this Series.
Only asking they do it this game.
That’s all.
Settling down . . I hope.
Shoot.
Turner is going to get untracked in this game.
Need him and Cody. And Puig. and . . . This Team!
Forsythe woulda made the play.
Belli too anxious.
Doesn’t bode well for batting.
Good point.
Well, there goes the idea of a “normal” game tonight.
Hopefully calm down.
Me no like.
Yikes.
Terrible start.
Get the bullpen up.
Bad future person!
Beware the calls coming from LF.
How much does Kershaw wish he was starting tonight?
Good chance he gets into the game.
Meaningful outs will be required of him to be sure.
Fox” Yu’s most important start of his career (since last week)
Nothing to offer but the truly obvious…
Sandy and Don!
Rick and Steve. Definitely not the headliners!
I was chatting with my students today and asked if anyone wanted to watch the game with me tonight. One said they thought that sounded like fun.
I laughed out loud and told them that we are way past fun at this point. Intense pressure maybe but fun? I don’t think so.
Game 7.
Have fun everyone. 😉
Ps. I think my laugh scared everyone away. Only my son around tonight.
The Dodgers have done well with that Canadian Cheering Duo!
Thanks Bob!
I didn’t get my free taco!
Loved the Matthew M. piece.
It’s time to mute the feed for “The Star-Spangled Banner!”
Here’s my absolutely nonsensical reason for thinking the Dodgers will win.
Count up the red lines lifting up the baseball in the Dodgers logo.
Answer: 17! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ece4a2ee379f3c965bdb4594043862b1804fe4eb3559f4f44b9234fdc40b9b6e.png
https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/925614223471685633
Hard to believe that 3 hours from now we might be celebrating. Or 5 and a half hours from now.
Text from my other brother: “You know I’m no baseball fan — but I am tonight. Go Dodger Blue”
This has caught the fancy of the country!
Win or lose, we have had a great season and I have enjoyed sharing the season with everyone here.
Totally second that!
Third!
Me too, me too!
We thank you for the opportunity, Link!
Fourth!
Aaaaahhhh! I’m was doing fine since this morning but now I’m feeling the excitement/tension/frayed nerves starting to rise up within me.
If anyone has 30 extra minutes, I recommend listening to Joe Posnanski’s Poscast. https://audioboom.com/posts/6449147-emergency-poscast-previewing-world-series-game-7
i think it will be another crazy roller coaster ride
I only want that to be true if:
1. There is no bottom of the ninth.
Or
2. There is a wonderful walk off win.
The day that we hoped for/dreamt about/ wished for way way back at the start of the year is finally here.
I was semi tempted to throw a sickie and stay home, but then it dawned on me that despite having classes, I probably have a better chance of following the game/ this blog from work.
I just couldn’t see me sitting down for 3-4 or 5 uninterrupted hours at home while my toddlers were running around :).
Enjoy the day everyone, i’ll be cheering loud from way over here.
Very loudly!
John – you rock. So glad you are part of this community.
🙂
The MVP will come out of game 7. Quite a few have made significant contributions but nobody has separated themselves. Co-MVPs would be my guess.
Would have to be Springer if they win. Taylor if we win, or Joc…if he hits another home run he might have a shot. Cannot see a pitcher from either team unless someone tosses a no hitter tonight. If the announcers choose, it’ll be Altuve. If I was choosing, it’d be Forsythe and Taylor as co…
CT has been awesome — and he’ll be on the team the whole year next year!