Dodgers at Mets, 4:10 PM PDT, TV: SNY, SPNLA
LHP Clayton Kershaw (13-5, 3.06 ERA) tries to get back on track for the Dodgers. After completing at least six innings in each of his first 23 starts, he’s failed to get past the fifth in any of his last three. He’ll face the Mets’ RHP Noah Syndergaard (10-7, 4.06 ERA), who appears to be unhappy with Wilson Ramos as his catcher. Last weekend he asked the Mets to put Rene Rivera or Tomas Nido in the lineup when he pitches.
Rich Hill’s injury is a recurrence of the one which delayed his start this season: a balky MCL. In spring training it was a full-on sprain; he says yesterday’s injury is not as painful.
Here’s the Orioles’ pitcher completely forgetting he’s supposed to cover home plate after a passed ball, allowing Seager and Bellinger to score in yesterday’s game:
On this day in Dodgers’ history:
- 1925 In the first game of a twin bill, Robins’ (Dodgers) starter Dazzy Vance no-hits the Phillies at Ebbets Field, 10-1. The Brooklyn hurler had one-hit the team from the City of Brotherly Love five days earlier.
- 2005 During the six-run second inning uprising by San Diego, each Dodger outfielder commits an error. The fielding of Ricky Ledee (lf), Jose Cruz Jr. (right field), and Jayson Werth (cf) contributes to the 6-4 loss to the first place Padres.
The Dodgers have activated IF Max Muncy from the 10-day injured list.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 13, 2019
Lineup:
Today’s Dodger lineup at Mets:
Pederson RF
Muncy 1B
Beaty 3B
Bellinger CF
Seager SS
Pollock LF
Lux 2B
Smith C
Kershaw P#Dodgers | @Biofreeze pic.twitter.com/xtDtnPzy28— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 13, 2019
NPUT
Saturday Summation – Again, mostly positive, especially since Dodgers won and Yanquis lost, though Minute Maids did beat KC. LA (projected wins 103.8) trails NYY (105) by one and still tied with Houston (104.8).
In the NL, Scherzer did a Thor against Atlanta and Dodgers remain four games ahead of Barves (99.1). Until further notice, the magic number remains Wally.
Behind a wall, but nice article (The Athletic is pretty topnotch) on Dodger flexibility. Moura notes that only two players (Seager and Muncy) last night played their opening day positions. The injury to Max has given Lux some at bats to show his stuff and, as WBBsAs said last night, a place in the playoff roster seems possible, particularly with Verdugo situation. Against righties, it was Muncy at 2nd and Beaty at first, but Lux can change that. At the same time, I see that Beaty is getting looks at 3rd, not that they would platoon a healthy JT but, again, increasing flexibility. https://theathletic.com/1209227/2019/09/14/dodgers-continue-to-keep-their-options-open-with-position-player-flexibility/?source=weeklyemail
Behind a wall, but nice article (The Athletic is pretty topnotch) on Dodger flexibility. Moura notes that only two players (Seager and Muncy) last night played their opening day positions. The injury to Max has given Lux some at bats to show his stuff and, as WBBsAs said last night, a place in the playoff roster seems possible, particularly with Verdugo situation. Against righties, it was Muncy at 2nd and Beaty at first, but Lux can change that. At the same time, I see that Beaty is getting looks at 3rd, not that they would platoon a healthy JT but, again, increasing flexibility. https://theathletic.com/1209227/2019/09/14/dodgers-continue-to-keep-their-options-open-with-position-player-flexibility/?source=weeklyemail
I’m old enough to remember when the Dodgers lacked LHH power, and had to acquire Shawn Green to fill the gap (which he did supremely well).
I can remember more recently about being concerned with a lack of RHH power going into 2015 after losing Hanley and Kemp. Turner did begin to supply some pop that year and the Dodgers did lead NL with 187 dingers (up to 261 currently), but mostly from LHH such as AGON, Joc, Dre and Grande (from the left side).
Ergo Pollock, but the big producers are still primarily LHHs.
Yep, neither Forsythe or Dozier worked out. Luckily CT3 and Quique started tagging the ball.
CT3 and Quique are more than just platoon players, but they’re not at the level of the LHHs.
Natch, I was noting where the RHH power has been coming from,apart from JT and Kemp2 last year, and now Freese.
On this harvest moon, the magic number over the Barves is…. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/45430088f4f460a4e6923ec57c8fd47920c7ce8f1de5a2a01dcfadb8d1397185.png
Ryu tomorrow. His hair color has changed; maybe the baseball results will too.
Noticed him sporting some facial hair in the dugout last night, as well.
Avilan was a Dodger in 2015-2016, then traded to the White Sox with cash in a 3-team deal which netted the Dodgers Scott Alexander (P-Injured List) and Jake Peter, who’s an infielder at OKC.
I believe Jake Peter was considered a prospect. Not sure if that is still the case.
I think he was always considered a potential utility infielder.
Not currently among top 30 Dodger prospects. Initially ranked 30th in 2017 when he first joined the organization.
Thanks.
Speaking of prospects, here is a blast from the past: Trayvon Robinson. https://theathletic.com/934823/2019/04/22/after-indy-ball-trayvon-robinson-emptied-his-bank-account-to-join-the-pirates-now-hes-one-step-from-the-majors/
I remember being so upset when they traded him to Seattle.
Bellinger with the RBI!
Kersh. Why?
Just when you’re relieved that Pete Alonso isn’t in the lineup…
That there was a cookie.
Our team played well tonight. The Mets have been on a roll.
Yee-Haw!
Woo-HOO!!!
Mistah Rios, he look a little like Mistah Saenz, I think.
https://www.mlb.com/video/edwin-rios-homers-3-on-a-fly-ball-to-left-field-gavin-lux-scores?t=most-popular
Sborz had him 0-2!
Good to see Cody getting some hits.
Belli shows Ramos how it is done.
I’m feeling slightly better about our bullpen lately.
These rooks sure come prepared to contribute.
They may all have read that cautionary tale from Trayvon Robinson that you linked to.
WBB got his laugher.
Rios tees-off!
Edwin!!!! He did not miss that one.
Yes!
So many knuckle curves…
I have a great knuckle curve with a softball.
I’d love to see that.
Throwing overhand, however. I have a friend who had a great fast-pitch knuckler that freaked out other teams.
Sounds a bit terrifying.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/77412847360886f91950290211c4722db1783dd84c5e79a44379f48070b561d1.png
Good play by Kelly to take the force at home.
Kelly, cat-like off the mound!
I want a DP.
106 pitches might have been about ten too many.
I’m okay with this walk.
I’m not.
Better than a gopher ball down the middle.
Uh oh. Kersh needs to dig deep here.
Or he could walk him on four pitches.
Alonso sighting.
Kershaw starting to labor a bit.
Great hit, Taylor!!!
CT3!
Platoon-wise, it’s splitting hairs with Max.
OPS+ 138/132, with each of the individual components very close.
Old friend Luis Avilan comes into the game.
I think Kershaw goes at least one more inning.
Nice, Kershaw!
Ump! What are you looking at?
Beaty has stolen base speed?
Ramos and Thor are ripe to rob.
Has really established a role on this team. Hadn’t noticed till now, but he has already been in 87 games!
Scherzer struggling in the District.
No more Thor.
I’d like a laugher, please.
Yes, Kershaw did well.
Beaty could have had that.
With Ramos running, no barehand necessary.
Lux. Nice.
Ned would’ve traded him for a backup catcher.
Thor at 82
Ragnarok not far ahead.
Lux fails to get his first major league triple…
Tomorrow is another day.
My my my.
Lux could have a shot at the post-season roster.
Lux blistered that ball. Guy playing shallow as well.
would have run out of ground anyway!
ump can’t see the ball.
Pollock can, though.
Seager is not Junior Gilliam.
but nice result.
This is unfortunate and, to me, a real concern in a player of his age. https://twitter.com/jorgecastillo/status/1172653929122934784?s=20
This strikes me as probably wrong:
Over Bellinger’s arm? I have my doubts.
Close either way.
Off the mound, he throws 99.
He really hung that one.
Year of the long ball indeed. I am a little weary of it.
So the Dodgers face Thor, deGrom and – worst of all – ESPN Sunday night baseball.
Muncy!
Max is back!
Let’s hope he’s up to par at the plate.
Says his swing is fine, but throwing not so much.