Dodgers at Cubs, 6:00 PM PT, TV: TBS
The Dodgers send the very well-rested LHP Alex Wood (16-3, 2.72 ERA) to the mound to try to close out the series. The Cubs will ask RHP Jake Arrieta (14-10, 3.53 ERA) to put up a roadblock in front of the Dodgers’ seemingly-unstoppable steamroller.
Wood hasn’t pitched in three weeks; he was scheduled to start Game Four of the Dodgers’ NLDS but they swept the D-Backs in that series. He’s been throwing simulated games and yesterday he declared himself ready to go. Arrieta pitched in Game Four of the Cubs’ NLDS against the Nats, going four innings, throwing 90 pitches, giving up an earned run and losing 5-0. He’s a former Cy Young Award winner and once threw a no-hitter at the Dodgers; presumably they won’t take him lightly.
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1988 At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Mark McGwire goes deep off LA’s Jay Howell with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the A’s a 2-1 victory for its only win in the Series. With Kirk Gibson’s heroics in Game 1, ‘Big Mac’s’ walk-off home run marks the first time that two game-winning round-trippers are hit in the same Fall Classic.
- 2013 The Cardinals advance to their second World Series in three seasons, routing the Dodgers, 9-0, in Game 6 of the NLCS. St. Louis, behind the timely hitting of Carlos Beltran and the strong pitching performance of rookie right-hander Michael Wacha, beats Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83) for the fourth time this season, including a pair of victories in this round of the postseason.
Lineup when available.
#ThisTeam // NLCS Game 4:
Taylor SS
Bellinger 1B
Turner 3B
Puig RF
Ethier LF
Granderson CF
Grandal C
Utley 2B
Wood P pic.twitter.com/ExRSwMKJ2B— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2017
Grandal gets a start, Ethier and Utley get second starts, and Granderson gets a start. This may be the Dave Roberts “keep guys happy as much as I can within the needs of the team” approach to managing.
Apparently, at last night’s game at Wrigley, WASP Jane Doyle was honored. WASP stands for Women Airforce Service Pilots. There were about 1,500 of these pilots who ferried planes domestically during World War II. A farm girl from East Texas, my mom, at 21 years of age was one of them.
Many were frustrated that they were only allowed to ferry planes in this country, too. I remember this story from a year or two ago. Good on your Mom, Bob!
At Saturday’s game in DS, they honored Gen. Chuck Yeager and was there, in a wheelchair. I don’t believe they said he was Steve’s uncle (I believe that’s the relationship).
I hope I have seen the last of Granderson. He should not be on the WS roster. He is a rental that hit .161 as a Dodger in the regular season and done nothing in the playoffs.
Pederson would at least get WS experience that should help him in 2018 and he is ready to help this year.
Understandable, Grandy looks lost and hopefully Joc can show something to demonstrate that Grandy is expendable, but Doc doesn’t have too many options at this point. While Joc should certainly get another start, I don’t agree that the playoffs are a time to give someone experience to help them do better next year. That Grandy is a Dodger falls on Joc, himself, and his failure to perform
What I was trying to say was that there is a bi-product that is created with Joc getting playoff experience that does not exist with Granderson and Ethier. Roberts has to play the players he and FAZ thinks gives them the best to win now and in Granderson’s case, they have been wrong.
Joc should play because he is the best choice between against righties between himself, Culberson, Ethier, and Granderson.
I’m not so sure about playing him for post season experience, but at least Joc has a chance at a hit, while Grandy is worse than the pitcher. And I feel more secure with Joc in the outfield too. But no matter, we win tonite and all is well.
No better feeling than Kiki batting cleanup….yikes….
There is some love going on between the higher ups and Grandy. I don’t understand it, but clearly there is. When Joc has a tough stretch, he is left off the NLDS roster, but Grandy…he is there for the duration. I just hope they don’t give him a one year contract for next year.
And on Utley, I love him, but he needs to be a coach next year. And Grandal, I think he is gone, no other explanation for making him the backup at this stage of the season. In the playoffs you are supposed to go with your best chance at success. Barnes is clearly the choice.
NPUT @ 9:00 AM HST, 12:00 PM PDT
Cody is so mature. Tip of the cap to Arrietta and their team, he said.
Nomar et all are totally agreeing with us re: Granderson. Taking cookies down the middle and swinging at balls.
Hard to disagree after the fact. From Sept 15 through the end of the season, Grandy had OPS .925 in 42 PA and seemed to have finally turned around and justified Doc’s faith in him. He seemed lost tonight that’s for sure.
I liked their analysis though. They point out that it puts so much pressure on the batters on either side, and takes the pressure off the pitcher.
Ok, so he pressured Dre into leaving guys on base and Grandal to walk three times? Sure he did poorly, we could all see that, but let’s just blame him for his own performance and not that of others.
Fair enough. Not all on Granderson for sure, but during his post game interview he acted like he thought he did just fine. I keep hoping, like Doc that he’s going to magically become the Post-season killer we saw when he was a Met, but he seems so lost at the plate.
Scratch that. Grandal followed Grandy!
Grandal batted behind Grandy. Orel must have been talking about Chase.
Right. Edited above!
Wish I caught that post-game, but stuck with TBS, which is a joke. And they know it, Such that they spend all their time clowning around. Night.
I couldn’t listen to those guys. Way too self-congratulatory.
Yes.
Or Chase when he was with the Fillies. Doc doesn’t have too many options at this point, though Logan might start the next time against a righty and Joc in Grandy’s stead.
Never thought I would want Forsyth, but I do! I do!
Has reached base in 10 of 19 PA in the post-season.
I also think it’s more than this game. Been a post-season pattern so far.
Sure, in 11 PA coming into the game he has 1 hit and hasn’t looked good. Doc doesn’t have a lot of options at this point against righties with Seager out and CT moving to SS, so he is rolling the dice with Joc, Dre and Grandy . Sometimes it’s snake eyes.
Craps is more what I say than I play . . . but I hope the die come up in favor of the Dodgers tomorrow.
They are going against a lefty, so the game involves Quique and Charlie.
Two weeks is a small sample size.
Sure, but it was the most recent sample that Doc and the FO had.
What’s a team supposed to do? Joc’s last 42 PA clocked in at OPS .512.
Quintana pitching for the Cubs tomorrow?
Yep.
If Bellinger’s ground out is a few feet in either direction we would have had two on with one out and Turner coming up.
Might have beens…
Cody only hit into 5 DPs all season.
Ethier-Granderson-Grandal-Utley combined: 0-for-12 with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks (all by Grandal). I wonder who was the last player besides Granderson to strike out every time in four or more at bats in a post-season game. I expect that Elias has already come up with that.
Probably not all that rare to K 4 times in a post season game. Grandy seems really lost at this point.
I will keep my eyes open to see if I can find that out. Yes, Granderson is totally lost. I was listening to the game on the radio and one of the announcers said that Roberts said he felt that Granderson had a three-run homer in him tonight. Uh-huh.
That is what I feared when I saw the lineup — tho worse with Dre tanking as well.
Announcers called Belli “Cody Pop”. I kinda like it.
I am disappointed, but not devastated. Good that Davis threw nearly 50 pitches.
Yeah, probably won’t see him again.
He was a warrior, no doubt about that.
Good that we kept it close enough that they had to use him so much.
Yeah. It wasn’t exactly a blowout.
Not tomorrow, in all likelihood.
Could be more than that, if there are more games. He was used against the Nats on Oct 12 with 44 pitches. He did not come out of the pen on the 15th against the Dodgers in an obvious situation. Lackey was used instead.
Disappointed, but not devastated. I am with you on that. The Chicago Tribune’s Cubs beat writer picked the Dodgers to win this series in five.
I’m bummed.
So frustrating. It’s. it like we didn’t have our chances.
I need to really look at what happened in the game, but based on the comments I’ve seen, bottom part of the lineup including Ethier did not impress.
Grandal reached base three times.
They were awful except for Grandal.
That’s why they call it the bottom I suppose. Look forward to Logan being back out there.
Shoot. I can’t watch tomorrow and if needed Saturday is out too.
Oh, no! We need you, Winnipeg Dave!
I’ll try and sneak a few glances at the game and maybe get a few posts in. But the early start time does not help.
Can you tape it and watch it on a delayed basis?
Early start time? Only an hour earlier than yesterday’s and today’s — 8 EDT, 5 PDT, 2 my time.
Drat.
— and we get the bats
feel like a deflated balloon
Sure hope we get classic Kersh tomorrow
Dang. Hit too hard, so we don’t see Justin.
Game 5
repeat Cody, repeat
A runner — literally!
Would you have him try and steal?
Yes
Come on CT!
So outside.
If it gets to Ethier that’s probably a good thing.
I want a bottom of the 9th!!!
And a very silenced crowd.
3 outs away?
Okay. Let’s get them!
Whew.
Come on bats!!!
Butterflies replaced by knots.
Big out needed by Fields right here.
Feel slightly uneasy right here.
See above.
Shoot!
CT flub.
DP there would have set up things nicely for Dodgers to take the lead and Kenley to finish off Bryant and Rizzo.
Can’t make any mistakes, not in these games…
Turned off the sound. Can’t stand the announcers.
Davis with 34 pitches.
To face Barnes, Taylor and Belli. Let’s hold them!
And if anyone can get and stay on base – Justin Turner.
Chutley’s almost as helpless as Granderson
Not loving Doc’s decision making this game. He should have pinch hit for at least one of those two.
6 outs away from winning?
That was discouraging.
Our veterans are really not doing it for us tonight.
30 pitches so far for Davis in the eighth.
Chase, let’s do it.
Bit surprised Barnes didn’t PH there.
The singular Utley just needs a single.
Up to the Silver Fox. Dig deep, Chase.
Grande with another BB. Barnes could run for him, but better to save his bat.
So it’s Charlie to PR.
Granderson is helpless. Joc shoulda started.
Is that four strikeouts for Granderson?
Yes but he has only batted 4 times.
A perfect game.
A perfect nightmare.
Five, since he basically struck out twice this inning.
4 strikes in one AB!
Nice way to finish, Granderson. (Sarcasm.)
Noted
All that for nothing.
Wow.
I don’t see it.
Maddon’s gonna get chased again.
Plate ump doesn’t have the best view, Darling.
My husband thought the direction changed.
Me too.
Which is what 3rd base ump saw from his angle.
Good show Doc!
Holy moly. Changed their minds!
Foul tip or not? What do you people think?
Nope.
Nope. Camera showed no redirection of the ball.
Statcast guy reviewed the footage 15 times and concluded that it was tipped.
Direction seemed to change.
He didn’t touch it.
Good AB actually so far for Grandy
Until right then.
Ethier has killed us the most tonight.
Time to be a hero and not a goat, Granderson.
Work a walk would be great.
Not his style.
Bunt?
He just did foul a ball off.
Twice!
And another. At least driving pitch count up.
Will they really bat Granderson next?
Who would you suggest?
Somebody else?
Barnes maybe?
They do have 3 catchers on the roster.
Puig showed his new found patience.
That was one to hit, Andre.
Nice take, Yasiel.
Crowd has been standing for Puig’s PAs.
Know Puig wants to emulate, but seems to be keeping his discipline.
Which is fabulous.
Your turn, Puig.
JT!!!!!
Justin turns on it!
Turner, Puig, Ethier.
Are you saying back to back to back HR’S?
Phooey!!!!!
1-11 with RISP so far. Unusual.
They have had that many in ISP?
Gameday say 0-2.
Darling and Anderson said 1-11. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken their word for it. Or maybe I misheard and they said runners on, not in scoring position.
Bellinger vs ?
The ball.
Ha!
Battle CT!
Great!
Please Mr. CT. Pop one into the bleacher creatures.
Come on Joc!
Time for Joc Rock.
Announcers insulting Utley’s age.
Come on, Utley! You love the spotlight!
We are only 9 outs away from winning!*
*As long as we score 3 or more runs.
So it hit him plus he swung through, as opposed to a foul ball? We in our home are confused…
Me too. Grandal didn’t catch the foul tip?
No foul tip. It hit him after the swing.
I need to ask for a MLB Rule Book for Christmas.
Not a foul tip, the ball hit him, but he swung at it.
If you swing, it’s a strike, even if it hits you.
Insult to injury, K and hit him.
Captain Obvious – we are missing Seager tonight.
Gotta shut Rizzo down here.
Umpire agrees with you.
Nice to see Stripling do well.
Good job Chicken Strip.
We’re playing well. But the Grands are like black holes.
Grandal has two walks.
Ethier has left the most on base tonight last I checked.
Right.
Granderson is dead useless.
I know how we can clear some forty man roster space at the end of the season.
FA.
Yep. 3 ABs, 3 Ks. Why aren’t Hernandez or Pederson in the game in his stead?
Quique not really an option against the righty. Doc not impressed by Joc’s performance last night despite the hit. Seemed to have defensive issues.
Worse
of course he does
Sadly perfect comment.
Granderson driving me nuts. He’d do better batting blindfolded.
Some really bad chasing tonight from the Dodgers.
Can we start putting our real hitters in at the back half of tonight’s lineup now?
Please?
Here’s a chance
Wood replaced just at the right time I think
I agree.
Chicago: Scoring first and pitcher getting a hit.
Dodgers have to win this game now.
TBS seems to love Chicago.
Not as much as Fox loves NYC.
Tonight anyway. I think they want this series to last.
Both dinger pitches to Baez were “good” pitches.
Baez ball is a dinger 15% of the time according to Statcast. Stupid wind. (We need to take advantage of such as well).
They really were, though. Both low where he had to hit a driver to get at them.
Agree.
This could be the first 1 2 3 inning for Cubs pitching since back in LA.
And was. The 5th inning let us down tonight.
Wood just out.
CT with some nifty fielding.
Taylor continues to make a case for MVP
More groundouts and Ks.
OK Grandal. Let’s see some hitting.
Granderson’s hitting has declined terribly since we acquired him.
In fact, he hasn’t done much in the last four years.
Had a spurt during last two weeks of the season, but doesn’t seem to have carried over.
He and Grandy.
Now to get a lead and nurse it like a nervous teen with their first alcoholic beverage.
Not that I’m speaking from personal experience or anything.
Canadians drink when they are teenagers? Geez.
We are such a socialist nation. You got crazy neighbours!
Maybe we need a northern wall as well.
No way! We need open borders so Americans can escape somewhere!
My wife is half Canadian and Canada is looking better all the time..
You should see us after you have had a couple of our beers.
I should say – I rarely drink. Grew up in a tea-tottler house and never acquired much of a taste for it. But socially every now and then…
Too late
Like Hadrians Wall.
Sharply hit, but Alex is getting some ground balls, which is his game, along with Ks.
Good work Wood.
Back to lifting weights. Later…
So short a visit!
Butterflies.
At least they are not moths.
Or bats.
Okay, okay, one run game now… Let’s go Woodie, clap clap, clap clap clap.
now Puig to get us a lead
Not this time unfortunately.
maybe next time
Arrieta is the most dislikeable Cubbie. He’d fit right in on the Gnats.
Oh snap. So true.
He is a free agent this off season.
He may well be headed there after the season ends.
I kinda doubt it. They have BadGums, they exercised an option on the horrendous Matt Moore (worst starting pitcher in baseball), and have Cueto’s albatross contract (he won’t opt out). They’re gonna have to go with mediocre second-year guys if they want to hire any offense at all.
Belli!
Anything the Cubs can do the Dodgers can do better
With his Andre Ethier impression.
that was a quick reply
I blame Winnipeg Dave 🙂
I will take the heat for sure.
only solo shots, only solo shots (all is OK)
Contreras hit the ball 491 ft. That’s pretty far.
Taylor maybe will want to take the distance record back.
Or Puig.
Gut feeling: this game the Dodgers will take a little longer to respond.
You are an optimist with balky guts.
My heart and gut go at it all the time!
Stand down gut!
I have not noticed any of Wood’s fastballs exceeding 91
Okay, Alex. Settle down.
Ok, Cubbies have done their part and scored first.
Just so they don’t over do it.
So it begins… But will it end like we hope.
Thanks Link for listing two of the more painful Dodger losses I recall experiencing. Why not fudge the dates and throw in Jack Clark’s HR game while you are at it. 😉
Journalism! 😉 If you look back at Game One of the NLCS I also mentioned Ozzie Smith’s HR.
potentially good news on Seager
http://m.mlb.com/news/article/258985952/dodgers-corey-seager-eyes-world-series-return/?topicId=27118122
Cubbie fans standing for K of opposing pitcher. Get your cheers where you can.
That’s at least 11 straight innings the Dodgers have had a hitter reach base.
Arrieta has some movement tonight.
Bob, you have TV tonight?
Yep.
That third strike on Bellinger had awesome movement.
So just checking – are we hoping the Cubs score first (on a HR) or not?
No, don’t want them to score, period.
Okay, good idea. Let have them have one run on a HR.
Another shutout win for the Yankees. Didn’t see that coming.
Back to back major shifts,first right then left
CT was positioned such that the charts must say if he hits it to that side on the ground it will be a dribbler.
I know they didn’t score but made Arrieta work. At one point he had 2 outs on 10 pitches. Next thing you know 2 on and he is up to 22 pitches.
Puig is pounding baseballs. Man!
Here we go!
I am really pulling for Wood to do well tonight, just because he pitched so well for the Dodgers all season. I know he was a little fatigued toward the end but he is well rested now.
REALLY like the first five.
Sure hope the next four at the plate surprise me.
Go, Blue!
Santa Monica Pier, 8 hours ago: https://twitter.com/CBSLA/status/920672537335488513
From ESPN:
I am thinking about leaning a broom on the wall next to the TV. I don’t have the power to jinx the Dodgers otherwise all I have to do for a Dodger win is not do anything with a broom.