Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 PM PT, TV: SPNLA, CSN-P
RHP Yu Darvish (9-12, 4.08 ERA) goes for the Dodgers and Aaron Nola (11-10, 3.60 ERA) pitches for the Phillies. Darvish has been inconsistent with the Dodgers, but in his last start he threw seven shutout innings and beat the Giants. Nola had a good start his last time out too, giving up one run on four hits over seven innings and getting a win against the Marlins.
The NFL Lions’ QB Matt Stafford and the Dodgers’ Kershaw have been friends since high school. Last night during Monday Night Football Stafford used Kershaw’s name as a signal for a play from scrimmage.
Today in Dodgers’ history: The site I usually get this from is down this morning. Instead, here’s a piece of history from 1988: On this day Orel Hershiser shut out the Astros 1-0 on four hits (the Dodgers only got three, but one was a home run by John Shelby in the seventh inning). This was his fourth consecutive shutout, and his streak hit 40 consecutive scoreless innings.
Oh look: it’s back up now.
- 1935 The Cubs win their 16th consecutive game as they beat Carl Hubbell, completing a four-game sweep of the Giants. The mark is the most since the 1924 Dodgers won 15 straight games.
- 1964 With two outs in the bottom of the 16th inning, Willie Davis, after singling, swiping second, and advancing to third on a wild pitch, steals home, giving the Dodgers a 4-3 victory over Philadelphia. The fleet outfielder’s theft of the plate is in the latest frame in a National League game the feat has ever been accomplished and ties Hal Trosky’s major league record set in 1944.
- 1973 Astros’ infielder Dave Campbell hits a first-inning two-run double against San Diego right-hander Clay Kirby to snap an 0-for-45 drought, tying a major league record set in 1909 by Bill Bergen, a catcher who played with Brooklyn. ‘Soup’, who will become a respected national baseball broadcaster, endured the futility while playing for three teams, combining a 17 at-bat hitless streak with the Padres and another 21 at-bat hitless streak for the Cardinals before hitting the two-bagger in his eighth at-bat with Houston.
- 2000 A Dodger fan, in addition to other court-ordered restrictions, has been banned from attending home games in Los Angeles for 18 months. The irate patron threw coffee in the face of a Mets fan who was cheering a grand slam hit by New York’s catcher Todd Pratt.
- 2014 LA’s Clayton Kershaw becomes the first 20-game winner of the season when the team routs Chicago at a windy Wrigley Field, 14-5. The 26 year-old southpaw, who has compiled a 20-3 (.870) record along with an ERA of 1.80. is the first Dodger hurler to reach the 20-win plateau twice since Claude Osteen accomplished the feat in 1969 and 1972.
Lineup:
Taylor CF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger 1B
Granderson RF
Utley 2B
Grandal C
Ethier LF
Darvish P— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) September 19, 2017
NPUT
The Fillies aren’t cooperating, but the Pads and Snakes are.
I know the hitters aren’t doing well right now, and the bullpen is definitely not either. But none of our starters can seem to give more than 5 good innings. Might that have a lot to do with the bullpen issues? They have to put in 4 innings every day.
If I were managing, I’d have Jansen pitch the last inning as if we were ahead every other day. Last time out, clearly he was rusty. He needs to stay sharp or we got nothing.
Right now, I’d trot out our playoff lineup for a few days and stop the spring training tryouts. Who is kidding who? Everyone knows who is on the playoff roster, stop screwing around….Taylor, Seager, Turner, Bellinger, Puig, Grandal, Forsythe, Granderson…and Barnes, Utley, Ethier, Hernandez…then Kershaw, Darvish, Wood, Hill, Ryu, Maeda, Jansen, Morrow, Watson, Stripling, Avilan, and of course Baez. 25th man is up in the air, but who cares. If it comes to that player, we are in trouble big time. Maybe make it AGon, if we win the title, its his parting gift.
I would put Joc instead of Granderson, I would leave off Baez, but management seems to love those two guys for some unknown reason.
During the road trip the starters that matter Kershaw, Darvish, Hill and Wood have all performed fairly well. Darvish flubbed the play at first or might have put in a good 6 innings, following on a good 7 inning performance. Klayton walked the bad hitter and hung a slider, or else he would have had a pair of good 6 innings outings. Hill likely would have had six as well, but was lifted by Doc for a PH, when he saw an opportunity to score runs. Poor performance in the pen was almost entirely from fellows likely not to make the playoff roster. Not sure why you think Baez will be on the roster or Stripling. After sitting for two games, Granderson has responded with 4 starts at OPS .983. Last night he hit the ball well three times, one of hit the wall for an RBI double.
Giants’ Brian Sabean: “We Realized How Tough It Is To Win A Major-League Game”
“How many free agents are going to come here?’
2018 = Shohei Ohtani
2019 = Manny Machado
Also, I don’t think Kersh will opt out and therefore he won’t be a free agent.
Think WBB is quoting the Gnats article asking this about their chances of landing top FAs, which likely are slim to none 😉
That was Sabean’s question, and he answered himself: “None.”
Pedro talking to Alanna. I can’t find any Roberts video talking after tonight’s loss. Here’s a quote from the MLB recap, though:
He is getting opportunities because he is on the bubble. Joc is not getting chances because he is not on the bubble, in a bad way.
D-backs lose ! ! (I know, I know, but I’ll take what I can get.)
Which games did you get for the playoffs, RBI?
I got home #1 for NLCS. Hopefully they won’t be playing like September come October, otherwise I’ll be looking up the refund policy.
Because I am buying for four groups, I got tix for all possible games. BUT – I can only go to the first NLDS game, on Friday the 6th, and only if it’s at home! Then I will see about the NLCS games, but I plan on going to the first one then as well! So let’s meet and greet. Scooplew? How about you?
I will try to get a couple of tix for the second NLDS game, Saturday, October 7, or do you have one or more that I could purchase from you? I have to assume that we will win the West with the first two games being at Dodger Stadium on October 6 and 7.
There must be an emoji for envy, but I don’t know what it is. Here in DC, hoping for a NLCS. Last year’s NLDS was a thrill to attend!
5-1 San Diego.
Washington and Houston won. Cleveland leads Anaheim 2-0 in the 5th.
After 3.
Nine days ago, when things were going badly, I e-mailed a friend of mine who works in the Dodgers front office — he’s not F or Z — and asked him what this mood was like there. He responded: “It’s a L-O-N-G season …”
It may not be fun to watch at times, but the Dodgers have the luxury of experimenting. These are like spring training games in that sense.
It’s cool you know someone in the Dodger FO.
Tomorrow night I will be at Game 5 (of a best of 5 series) between Winnipeg and Wichita in the American Association Championship Series.
Have a great time, and don’t check your smartphone to see how the Dodgers are doing. Are you taking your son, or would it be past his bedtime?
I will be taking my son. Game starts at 6pm local time so it will be fine – unless it goes 17 innings again!
And – I know I won’t be able to stop myself: I will take a few peaks at my phone at the Dodger score.
Hopefully, they will be “peaks.”
Ha!
Many years ago, when I was getting disspirited and cranky about how the Dodgers were playing, Jon Weisman, the founder of this site, basically told me to chill out. I will do that now.
Jon certainly was the Chill Master General.
Yes, he was (is).
Words cannot express. This is not the team that went 55-11. It’s a team lacking confidence in itself and in its bullpen (with cause).
And with a well-intentioned and personable manager who appears clueless to deal with the situation. This team is in crisis mode. Roberts has never experienced that for any length of time, and it is showing.
They don’t seem to be in a crisis mode, which I gather you find frustrating.
I see your point, but do you think that the team is in a crisis?
They ain’t in good shape results-wise lately, but I expect them to win the division, whittle the roster down and prepare lineup and rotation for the playoffs. My biggest concern is Seager health-wise as the elbow is likely effecting his hitting as well.
They will win the division. I think they should, in effect, whittle down the roster with a week to go and from that point on play only those who will be among the post-season 25 (with the exception of games that are out of reach either way). I share your concerns about Seager, I think that something is not right. To a lesser degree, I am concerned about Kershaw.
The walk and the fat pitch were not good, but didn’t see anything about Klayton that concerned me. Did well otherwise. Seager is important in the dynamic first 4 and they really need his bat.
I imagine during the upcoming homestand we will get a good idea of the playoff roster, lineup, rotation and pen. Then on to Coors where everyone will get to play.
How do you measure whether they have confidence in themselves or not?
To me they don’t seem to have that flair they had all year up to the losing streaks. It looks like it’s more work than fun for them now. Maybe they’re just pressing because of that awful 20-game stretch.
Maybe it’s better that they have been brought back down to earth. Baseball, playoff baseball in particular, ain’t easy.
Neither Baez or Stewart will be in the playoff pen, and perhaps not Stripling either. The Dodgers have the luxury of really bolstering the pen by adding Maeda and Ryu.
I was watching Stewart vs Washington in our 7-0 game and I thought he looked pretty good (much better than Baez did that day as well)
He did look good, but telling that he is being used in low-leverage situations.
Dodgers are not right right now.
Grandal with the lazy fly ball out (in the box score).
Five losses, one win, 11 losses, four wins and (unless things turn around unexpectedly), three losses = 5-19.
Could be making a case for the Dodgers being the worst team in the liegue instead of the Phillies or Giants.
I think that over the last 3 1/2 weeks we have the worst W-L mark in the majors.
Another in a recent spate of games in which we get blown out late.
Is Roberts at this game? Is he watching it? Baez threw 36 pitches, the most he has thrown this year and tied for the most he has ever thrown in four seasons with the Dodgers. A triple, a hit batter, two walks and a bases-clearing double.
Monday reminds us Baez had 0-2 counts on three guys and gave up a triple and walked the other two. His Sept. ERA is above 22.
Are those dog runs?
He has basically given up on the off speed stuff he was using earlier in the season.
Nothing like getting spanked by the worst team in the league. Frustrating.
And we have two games left with them this week.
Allow me to introduce you to the giants.
I hope I wasn’t projecting ahead to the Giants series! 🙂
You misspelled “Gnats” again.
You capitalization gives them more respect than they deserve.
Fillies showing Grandy more respect than many Dodger fans with the mound summit.
So our leading HR hitter decides to bunt with 2 outs in the 8th.
he hits an HR we’re still a run short. he gets on the tying run comes to the plate.
Rather be down by 1 going into the ninth than down by 3 though.
I’m guessing Doc will tell him he wants him in that situation to swing.
Actually if he hits a home run the tying run still comes to home plate. Except – again – we are only down by 1 at that point.
Grandy was up next.
And he hit a routine fly ball for the third out.
Pretty good.(for Grandy)
Bellnger’s willingness to bunt is the sign of a thinking ballplayer.
September runs: 91 given up, 56 scored by the Dodgers.
Wow. Put my son to bed and missed 20 comments in regards to Baez. Not a good inning of work.
The difference between the 6th inning tonight and yesterday is that Doc pulls Yu but not Kersh.
I can’t wait to hear Alanna Rizzo ask Roberts why he left Baez in so long and what he answers.
You didn’t get the memo?
Roberts: “Well, Pedro is getting close to where he needs to be and where we need him to be. He’s not missing by much. He just needs to work out a few things, nothing major. I have full confidence in him. And I will continue to use him in high-pressure situations regardless of what happened tonight.”
I charge that to Dave Roberts. He left him in at least two if not three hitters too long.
Baez like Grandy needs fixing and docs like to fix people.
Where do we get our fix?
My 1994 Volvo needs fixing. So I drive it around the neighborhood for errands now and then. However, I won’t enter it in the Indy 500.
Fine. Do it in spring training, not in Game 151.
Baez has thrown ball 4 twice now.
Not good matchup.
Roberts, the game is important too, not just his making the post-season roster or not.
This can demoralize a team.
Not to speak of the fans!
Take him out before he hurts somebody.
These are the times Doc baffles me.
First thingamadugie for a doctor is to do no harm.
My first thought was to say many times. But judging what I have seen over the last three weeks, I am no longer baffled. His decisions tonight have almost become the expected.
Really??????
Oh, fer…”A triple, two walks, hit batter and a 2-2 tie,” says Steiner.
For once, Steiner’s not wrong.
Seek immediate medical help for any Pedro Baez relief appearance lasting more than four hours, or even one that just seems that long–which is most of them ;).
Can Baez walk the tightrope?
If Grandy can do it so can Petey.
No volunteers to be the net?
Windy for the tightrope.
No.
Fine play by Granderson, surprised runner not tagging. Very bad baserunning.
Monday really surprised. “Explains how they lost 91 games so far.”
C’mon, Roberts. He’s lost it through fatigue or whatever, but Baez is not the answer right now.
BÃ ez not inspiring confidence. Again.
Báez is pitching his way off the post-season roster.
Rats!
Verdugo sighting!
I was expecting Puig to be honest.
Instead he fibbed?
Time to string some hits together.
Yes!!
Let’s go Tony. We could use a well placed ground ball double play.
One batter late but better late than never.
You rang?
This is not going great.
Better now though.
Feeling some 6th inning dejavu here.
Darvish-Herrera time warp.
I was not fully comfortable with a 2-0 lead last night behind Kershaw; I am much less comfortable with a 2-0 lead tonight with Darvish. It has become difficult for us to score runs in more than two innings.
Who is? Pray for rain!
Granderson barreled that one up.
Dodgers by the numbers:
July, 20-3, average runs per game: 4.7….275/.353/.488/.840
August, 17-10, average runs per game: 4.5.. .234/.325/.408/.733
September, 5-13, average runs per game: 3.0… .210/.293/.367/.660
Three runs per game – – I’m surprised it’s that high!
Clinch division title preference?
A. On the road vs Philadelphia
B. At home vs San Fran
C. Doesn’t matter one little bit
I vote for the Nike approach – – just do it!
Pretty good five for Darvish, with reasonable pitch count.
Terrific play by Grandal! Very difficult angle for a catcher.
Took me until the replay to see who caught it
CT with the circus!
Granderson does his best (worst?) Puig impression…
With the wind, best not to let up until CF calls for it, which he did.
It looks as if Granderson may be rising from the dead.
Coming into the game, after sitting 2 games, in last 3 starts 2-8 with 3 BB and a dinger.
For Granderson this season those are HOF numbers.
Translates into OPS 1.080, so HOF for sure.
Bumpy landing for Bellinger.
Grandy!
Yu look marvelous.
Darvish in strange territory.
Well, every so often he has cover first on defense…
Ha! Not all that familiar even then.
My memory is that in his last start he got on base too. The box score doesn’t show it, but Retrosheet would, but not yet. It only runs thru 2016 right now.
Apparently his first career BB.
It’s vaguely amusing that Nola is from Baton Rouge.
I did have to remind myself that Nola was Nola and not NOLA.
You couldn’t have done that last night Grandal?
Jk – number 20!
Six guys over 20 and no one else likely unless Kiké and Joc get a LOT of playing time in the next ten games and get really hot. Each has 11.
Maybe they could trade for Stanton and count it as 3 more!
Pretty sure not a question of playing time, unless they both got another half season.
Joins the 20 dinger club!
Grande, ¡Grandal!
30 pitches, 16 strikes. Not a great ratio, Darvish.
Nice economical inning by Darvish.
When you are making only $11,000,000 it is prudent to be economical.
Until recently seemed a shoe in get get at least $20 million in the upcoming FA market. He will need to reestablish himself in Sept/Oct. Let’s hope!
Good start for Nola, doggone it.
We have a delay. Game due to start at 7:30 pm EDT.
Crazy game in Winnipeg last night for our local baseball team. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/baseball/goldeyes/goldeyes-win-in-17-innings-force-winner-take-all-game-5-tuesday-night-445612023.html
Ouch.
Ooh. “It’s not yet clear exactly what Stegner saw in this case that caused him to make the [balk] call.”
Yeah. If it wasn’t for the fact it helped Winnipeg – I would be upset.
My fav balk call benefited Repko, who took a third strike down the middle for his 5th K (platinum sombero) only to have the ump call a balk on the pitch. Repko subsequently grounded out.
Here’s another ouch from Aus
https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/other-sports/other-sports/horror-way-to-lose-gf!643926
“Fox video not available outside of Australia.”
I take it was a tough loss in the Grand Final?
I better explain, one team had the ball, they were ahead on the scoreboard (in the grand final!) , the fulltime siren went and the player threw the ball into the air in jubilation and the team started celebrating, except they forgot that the ball was still live and an opponent picked up the ball and ran down the field to score the match winning try.
That is the worst ever. (Good instincts by the opposing team player though.) Reminds me of the Cleveland Browns – except if they lost this game in the Super Bowl. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AOfUBG0pKjk
Darvish’s last outing was somewhat encouraging, but tonight he faces a much better lineup than that of the Gnats.