Dodgers at Braves, 9:10AM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN, SportsSouth
The Braves are looking for a sweep.
Mike Bolsinger only pitched four innings in his last start for the Dodgers. That was the game that was eventually postponed by power outages in Washington. He’s 4-3 with a 3.04 ERA in his 14 starts this season. Julio Teheran only went 4 2/3 innings in his last start for the Braves, giving up 5 hits and 2 runs against the Cubs and not figuring in the decision.
Lineup when available.
NPUT
Kazmir off the board (‘Stros got him).
Speculation from Phil Rogers at MLB.com
“Samardzija is an excellent fit, for a couple reasons. He would immediately slot in as a strong No. 3 starter, helping save the bullpen, and he could wind up staying long term. Keeping Greinke beyond 2015 is problematic, given the near-certainty he’ll use his opt-out clause, and Samardzija fits the profile of the arms that Friedman will be chasing if Greinke leaves. Why not take him out for a test drive?
As a rental, Samardzija probably won’t bring a top prospect in return. But the Dodgers have a variety of ways to make trades. The White Sox would love a hitter like Alex Guerrero, who remains a question mark despite terrific production, and the Dodgers also feature a deep stable of prospects that would interest the White Sox, including Cody Schebler and Austin Barnes. The return package could get bigger if the Sox add lefty Zach Duke or a young right-hander, like Jake Petricka or Daniel Webb”.
His FIP is 3.60, so should do better with solid defense behind him, despite 4.08 ERA. Gives up a lot of dingers as well, however, and Cellular not considered to be hitter park
Of course, Alex’s contract issue would have to be worked out (i.e, bought out).
With an aging and injury-prone A.J. as backup, Barnes isn’t going anywhere.
Yeah, he doesn’t know what he is talking about on that score.
He also fabricated Schebler’s first name.
Hey friends. I will be leaving tomorrow for a trip to my in-laws in north western Ontario, and spending just over a week at the lake. My wife and son and I will be traveling there tomorrow and then after that I will be out of wifi range until the beginning of August.
I am very much looking forward to going on vacation, but man – the timing: Trade deadline! Possible big league start of Zack Lee! Greinke scoreless streak! Kershaw no-hitter! (well, you never know – it might happen)…It could be a very eventful 9 or 10 days.
Anyway, I hope you guys can keep the Dodgers in first place until August 1 st. I will miss hanging out with you all – but I am bringing some Elysian Fields’ recommended summer reading with me (Dave Margoshes) to enjoy while I am away.
In this day and age you can actually GET out of WiFi range?
Enjoy yourself, Dave!
There are large parts of Patagonia with no cell phone reception whatsoever.
large parts of Australia with the same problem
Thanks Link – And yes, but only because it is a small lake in he middle of nowhere Ontario.
Have a wonderful time Dave, while we agonize here.
Ballslinger pitched a very fine game today.
The Padres aren’t helping us much. Looks like the Gnats will sweep.
The Pads won the first game of the series on Monday, 4-2, as the geriatric Tim Hudson went only four innings for the loss.
Ah, that’s right. I was thinking they’d won all three.
Admittedly, the Pads’ pen failed big time today.
If the Dodgers can win the series against the Mets, they will have played 14 different teams over their first 100 games and have a losing record against only 3 of them (and be tied in 2 of the other 11 series). Not too shabby to be 9-3-2.
Also, by my quick count the Dodgers are 17-9-5 (W-L-T) so far in the 31 different series they have played this season. They have 21 series left in the regular season.
Tough to win a four-game series v. the quality starters the Mutts can put out there. It helps to have Kershaw and Greinke pitching the first two games, though.
Woo-HOO!!! (This one’s for you, Package.)
We win!
Kenley showed up 3 batters into this inning – or at least the Kenley we know and love.
Not like seeing Uribear here.
At least he can’t drive in the winning run at this at bat.
Oooh Alberto.
Defense showed up today.
Ump McSqueezy!
Just finished reading A Book of Great Worth. I was enthralled and loved the stories being loosely woven together. The style reminded me of Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio or Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles. Beyond the style, I thought the stories were very engrossing – loved the mix of nostalgia, drama and humour. My two favs were The Farmhand and The Book of Great Worth.
Ok Nicasio. Now here’s hoping for a scoreless bottom of the ninth as well.
Well done by Bolsinger. Important game for him to bounce back and pitch 7 great innings.
He pitched well in the last game, until the lights went out.
Yes. And of course, you mean literally and not figuratively.
At this point he is tied for 10th best ERA in the NL, right behind Clayton. (though not certain he has enough innings to qualify)
Nice to check in and see the Dodgers leading.
No thanks to you! 😉
Your right. I was out at a local a Fringe (live theatre) festival over lunch hour. Good show for $10.
FYI, I wrote this post last night and scheduled it to print at 0530 my time. 😉
And for that effort – we are truly grateful. 🙂
Heh. Thanks!
I should perhaps say forethought instead of effort.
Alberto!
Nice shutdown inning by Bolsinger.
Joc! (I think he is as happy as we are)
Rollin’!
Grandal seems to be still on.
Reviewing my posts this morning, I realize that I am sounding like Eeyore from Winnie-the-Pooh.
I think that we are all feeling a bit demoralized.
There we go – talking about Winnipeg again. Dear ol’ Winnie the Pooh.
Teheran entered today’s game with an average of 4.5 strikeouts per start this season. He struck out seven Dodgers in the first three innings today.
Anyone else out there besides me think it’s time to sit Pederson down or even send him to Oklahoma City to try to sort things out?
No one to replace him if he is sent down I would think. .
Could give Quique more regular starts in CF against lefties.
It’s too bad that we are facing Nolan Ryan today: five strikeouts and a pickoff in two innings.
Teheran having a down year, so far, but he has shown to be a quality pitcher (AS last year).
Ugh. Picked off.
Hope that Ballslinger steps up. His numbers are actually better than Anderson’s in a lot of areas.
This morning’s news on Anderson sounds pretty positive.
No DL? Miss next start?
Anderson said he felt better than he expected. There was no speculation as to the next start. They did not announce MRI results, but last night they said no tear.
He said yesterday that it is the one body part he has never injured, so he didn’t know what it was supposed to feel like.