Blue Jays at Dodgers, 7:10 PM PDT, TV: SNET, SPNLA
RHP Sean Reid-Foley (2-3, 3.00 ERA) pitches for the Canadian team while LHP Clayton Kershaw (12-2, 2.63 ERA) does the same for the Dodgers. Reid-Foley may actually start the game or he may follow an “opener.” His last time out he gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings, throwing 88 pitches while doing so. Kershaw got his 165th career win in his last start, shutting out the Marlins for seven innings and striking out ten with no walks.
Cody Bellinger being a mensch:
Congrats @Pete_Alonso20 on breaking the NL rookie HR record. u a beast 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙌🙌
— CodyBellinger (@Cody_Bellinger) August 18, 2019
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1945 Dodger shortstop Tommy Brown becomes the youngest player (17 years, eight months, and 14 days) in major league history to hit a home run. The round-tripper by ‘Buckshot,’ who started his career as a 16 year-old high school student, will be the only run Brooklyn scores off 30 year-old Pirates southpaw Preacher Roe, who goes the distance in the 11-1 rout of the home team at Ebbets Field.
- 1974 In an 18-8 rout of the Cubs, the Dodgers collect 24 hits and set a club record with 48 total bases, including Davey Lopes’ three home runs, double, and single. The Dodger second baseman’s 15 total bases are the most ever for a leadoff hitter.
- 1978 In the visitors’ clubhouse at Shea Stadium, Dodger Blue becomes black and blue when Steve Garvey confronts teammate Don Sutton about a Washington Post story in which the pitcher is critical of him. After the right-hander confirms he had made the comments, the argument becomes physical when he makes an inappropriate remark about the first baseman’s wife.
Lineup when available.
Tonight’s Dodger lineup vs. Blue Jays:
Pollock CF
Muncy 3B
Smith C
Bellinger 1B
Taylor LF
Seager SS
Hernández 2B
Pederson RF
Kershaw P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/IjmtPCUj14— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 20, 2019
NPUT
Wednesday Wakeup – Yesterday began the restoration of order in baseball. Dodgers lead Snakes by 19, while Gnats fell to third place at 19.5. Pads trail by 23, Rox by 25.5. For best in NL, Barves trail Dodgers by eight.
Since my local boys beat the Yanquis last night, Dodgers and NY are again tied for best in baseball. The Minute Maids trail by two, and get to play the hopeless Tigres again.
Seems like a team that finishes 20+ games behind the Division winner should not qualify for a wild card spot. Maybe the winner of the single wild card game would have to win 3 games of a 5 game series and the Division winner should only have to win 2.
Ideally, baseball would dump the mild card but, if they’re going to keep it, it should best two out of three.
I haven’t said so, but I really do like these little recaps after each day’s results. Thanks.
Wednesday Wakeup – Yesterday began the restoration of order in baseball. Dodgers lead Snakes by 19, while Gnats fell to third place at 19.5. Pads trail by 23, Rox by 25.5. For best in NL, Barves trail Dodgers by eight.
Since my local boys beat the Yanquis last night, Dodgers and NY are tied for best in baseball. The Minute Maids trail by two, and get to play the hopeless Tigres again.
Goodness gracious, what an offensive outburst! And now Clayton leads all Dodger lefties in wins. Anyone notice that Claude Osteen is now third with 145?
Osteen was a fine and underrated pitcher. I was disappointed when Frank Howard got traded but, without Osteen, Dodgers would not have won the 1965 Series.
Dodgers tonight: five singles, five doubles, five home runs, 10 walks.
But only turned 4 DP’s.
Not all position players are Russell Martin on the mound.
Seager has not started in a quarter of the team’s games, but is second in the NL in doubles.
Big Willie!
Ump sure respects Max.
Woo-HOO!!!
Dodgers win!
Yimi has the lowest WHIP on the team at 0.884.
When it comes to WHIP, a homer counts the same as a single. That is a fallacy with that stat.
Point is that Yimi is an outlier and not easily captured by traditional stats. WHIP usually correlates closely with overall performance. He has a good ERA as well, but a FIP of almost 6.00
Meant to say homer counts the same as a single with WHIP; just corrected it.
Can Yimi keep it in the park?
Not his thing.
Martin could pitch but it will probably still by Floro.
Or Yimi.
We’ll see if Yimi can hold this lead…
He ain’t a closer, no saves, but a finisher with 20. Somebody has got to do it!
What a return for Taylor.
Will Smith has 11 HRs and 30 RBIs. This is his 27th game.
And that’s with him popping up to third with the bases loaded earlier tonight. Missed a golden RBI chance there. Of course, Bellinger helped himself right after that.
After the east coast swing, I need to get used to these late night shananagins again.
The A’s have beaten the Yanquis, so the Dodgers figure to be tied for baseball’s best record.
I like their chances to do that.
I was starting to become concerned. We had gone two consecutive games without hitting at least four home runs.
Some game!!!!
Dodgers welcoming the return of you and family,
Fine catch in the pavilion!
Even in Dodger Stadium’s 58th year, I still consider those seats bleachers.
Not at night, I guess.
Ha!
Gritty outing by Kershaw.
All 22 starts this season he has gone at least six. 19 with 3 or less runs given up.
Scoop – I saw this article on Puig’s life-changing day off and thought of you and your daughter. https://www.mlb.com/news/yasiel-puig-visits-children-on-indians-off-day
WD: That is very special indeed. Thank you for sharing it. I will forward it to some friends.
“WD”: First time I have seen that. I like it!
And I shared it with my daughter as well.
That’s quite a day off for that big-hearted and slightly crazy guy.
When did Derek Fisher switch to baseball?
Kershaw has had a fair bit of traffic. The double plays have really helped him. And stranding a leadoff double this inning is impressive as well.
Joc shoulda called him off.
He didn’t Smoak that one.
Trumpets, please. Bellinger is now at 100 RBIs.
That could be the best way and time to break the rule of not making the first or third out at third!!
Thinking along those lines as well.
Belli belts it!
That’ll do, though.
https://twitter.com/BillShaikin/status/1164018034408738818?s=20
Since coming back, Pollock with July OPS+125 and August 179.
The A’s are leading the Yankees, 4-1, in the 5th.
On the other hand, Homer Bailey’s a good bet to live up to his name.
The balk was Kershaw’s 20th in his career, now in its 12th season, and his first since 2017, for those of you who are keeping score. (That was one of my favorite lines by Vinny.)
Corey!!!
You’re late, former future person.
Home cookin’
Pollock power!
¡Fuerza polaca!
Bichette appreciated Kershes’ curve ball.
CT3 had an OPS+ 137 in May and 144 in June before he went down in July.
Here comes Reid-Foley.
This “Opener” concept doesn’t make a lot of sense to me unless you have few legitimate starters.
Not anything to get steamed up on Fulton says to Reid.
I got it!
Anyway you slice it, starters these days 6 innings at the most, so you need at least 3 innings from your pen. Does it matter when?
Anyway you slice it, starters these days 6 innings at the most, so you need at least 3 innings from your pen. Does it matter when?
Reid-Foley sounds like a country singer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Foley
Nicely done, Kiké!
Max showing that getting a walk is a skill, as opposed to something that just happens when the pitcher doesn’t throw it over the plate.
They are going to be talking about the homerun season of 2019 for a long time.
Well, until next year unless they deaden the ball.
Well, that’s no way to start.
Was there ever any player more suited to a utility role than Phil Linz? https://twitter.com/BSmile/status/1163854786132922368?s=20
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1163928023541796864
Why Sadler? Well, I hope he has a good frequent flyer plan.
Because Floro has no options.
I see. Is that true of Yimi as well?
No options as well. Likely be on the roster all season, but doubtful for post season.
Personnel news:
https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1163927846475067392
Hah! Called Negron’s injury.
You nailed that one.
I’ll be there tonight with granddaughter Daisy and my cousin’s daughter from Montreal! Hope to see Kersh break the Koufax W record!
So it is written, so shall it be done!
And so it t’was.