41 thoughts on “Game 99, 2014”

1. NPUT

2. Except for featuring Kershaw to a national audience, it’s a shame manana is the ESPN late game because the Dodger offense is the Not Ready For Primetime Hitters.

3. No score in the bottom of the first in the Giants at Miami game.

4. This is not a pennant-winning team at this point.

5. That was certainly the only appropriate ending to this game.

6. Bob in Vegas was on point when he posted this a little bit ago: “Throw out the first 9 games vs. the D-Backs and the CO scores and what do you have?” The Dodgers have scored 149 runs in 27 games against Arizona and Colorado, an average of 5.5 runs per game. Against everyone else, we have scored 257 runs in 71 games, an average of 3.6. Also, we are 26-11 combined against Arizona, Colorado and San Diego, and 28-33 against everyone else, not counting today’s game.

   • I know MLB is different than the NFL in that finishing 1st doesn’t “penalize” you with a tougher schedule the next year. But it doesn’t seem worth the effort to back into the playoffs — as a wild card or even through an even worse performance by the Giants — if the Dodgers can’t beat the winning teams.

     But — it ain’t over ’til it’s over. . . . I’m hoping that all the expected hitters on one team can’t all have their worst years at the same time.

7. If that doesn’t epitomize the way our hitting has gone this year, I don’t know what could. Back to back Ks from two of our supposed hitting stars.

   • We have a lot of grossly overpaid “hitters.” Kemp has fanned in 11 of his past 18 ABs. I think that Ramirez is playing hurt and should have been put on the DL quite a while ago.

   • Bad management. The higher level of management is supposed to secure better players. The field manager is supposed to “manage’ acceptable performance from those players. And use them correctly. Both Colletti and Mattingly have failed.

8. Kemp continually demonstrates how useless he has become.

9. Puig must be hurt if Kemp is batting for him.

   • which is more than unfortunate

10. In play, run(s), when there are runners on second and third with no outs and you’re trailing by three late in the game, you want more than a sacrifice fly.

    • it shouldn’t even be an RBI 🙂

11. 406 runs in 98 games before today, so they average right around 4 runs per.

    • Throw out the first 9 games vs. the D-Backs and the CO scores and what do you have?
      LA has to thank AZ they’re in contention.
      The problem is they can’t beat anyone that’s good — determined by their record.

      • Also, we have an unfortunate knack for making pitchers appear better than they are. Kind of like when you sign up for an outdoor cabin on a cruise and they bump you up to one with a veranda. Well, not quite like that.

        • Hear, hear!

12. It has to be frustrating to be a starting pitcher for the Dodgers lately, knowing that if you fall behind by three or more runs, it will be difficult to emerge with anything but a loss.

    • I agree — TWO runs is too many three of the last four games.

13. I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but it’s time for the bullpen

    • Greinke is at 110 pitches. Why?

      • Do you mean why to my comment or why to 110 pitches?

        • Why to allowing him to throw 110 pitches. I agree with you on your bullpen suggestion.

          • It certainly wasn’t worth over using him in that situation

14. Phew, we could not have afforded any more runs given up there

15. Greinke’s first-inning ERA this year is now 5.40.

16. I hope Puig’s hand isn’t seriously hurt.

17. What an awful start to this game. 4-0 Cardinals after four batters. We’ve already committed two errors and hit into one DP.

    • The ESPN radio guys seem a little surprised at how poorly the Dodgers played in the first inning. We could have told them.

      • I think this article sums it up perfectly (not the first inning, but generally)

        http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/93180/why-arent-dodgers-great-look-to-the-stars

        • Put into summary form like that, it’s a wonder we’re even close to first place. Without the great pitching, we wouldn’t be.

          • I guess even when we think back over the last few years , it’s been our inconsistent batting which has been our problem, never (or hardly ever) the pitching

        • You can add Crawford and Ellis to that story.

          • true, as Link said below, it’s amazing we are near first place. We are being carried by Gordon and Puig really.

18. Van Slyke starting today against a righty instead of Ethier. Interesting. Kemp also on the bench.

    • Kemp could use a breather, and has also hit poorly (.167) v. Kelly.

      • I think that Kemp will never be the player that he was three years ago. That would be sad. I hope that I am wrong, but I have seen few signs that I am.

        • He’s actually been good, but nowhere close to what he was then.

          • I think he’s got good numbers for a second baseman or a catcher, but not for an outfielder, particularly a power-hitting outfielder that he used to be.