Game 131, 2015

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Giants at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, CSN-BA

Bumgarner versus Greinke. If this were the opener of a playoff series the hype would hit Warp Six. Last year’s World Series MVP will pitch for the Giants against their ancestral enemy the Dodgers, who counter with this year’s leading Cy Young contender. Bumgarner won all five of his August starts with an ERA of 1.43; Greinke is 8-1 in his last ten starts and has the best ERA in MLB at 1.61.

Each manager is hoping his pitcher can go deep into the game, because bullpens on both sides were depleted in last night’s 14-inning affair. The Giants used eight pitchers in relief; the Dodgers used six. Here’s a shout-out to the Dodgers’ frequently-maligned Jim Johnson and Chris Hatcher, who combined for five spotless innings in the extra frames.

Lineup when available.

Look! Mattingly thinks he’s Tony LaRussa! Put the pitcher in the 8-hole, why not? I’m still wondering about the discussion in the dugout last night about pinch-hitting Kershaw or Greinke in the 11th inning; how hard did each of them lobby?

170 thoughts on “Game 131, 2015”

  3. I have to say, the experience at the stadium last night was fantastic. Full house, charged atmosphere, everyone there ’til the bitter end. I was at the tragic Bryan Stowe opening day, and the difference between then and now is palpable. Lots of Giants fans, lots of good-natured joshing, but no brawls, no drunken ejections, and I never felt a moment of concern or threat. It was getting so bad during the McCourt years, I almost stopped going. Now, I often attend games alone, and feel completely secure and happy doing so. Whatever issues I have with this FO, mostly having to do with the amount of team turnover, they have done a fantastic job improving the stadium experience for fans, and this fan is very grateful.

    • You put it into words very well. That’s not surprising, is it? I think my issues with the FO, as well as some others here, is team turnover. We fans, us older ones especially, identify with the players on the team and when they are shuffled in and out, it discombobulates us. We adopt favorites and when they are replaced, it disturbs us. Perhaps the younger fans have a young attitude, that newer is always better. No matter, the FO is the FO until he isn’t the FO anymore and he’s going to do what he’s going to do, there is no Fan Advisory Council…

      • Every MLB roster has a good bit of turnover every year. Few players stay with the same team anything like as long as in the old days before free agency, humongous contract situations, and such.

        But even years back players often were traded, some albeit maybe near career end.

        I’d have loved to see Kemp, Piazza, Garvey, Pedro Martinez, Konerko, and others be lifelong Dodgers. Didn’t happen.

        Change for its own sake is dumb and not practiced by decision-makers in any field if they want to stick around long. But change is a constant. Resistance is futile.

        So might as well accept it as long as there are good reasons offered for it. Doesn’t mean you have to like it.

      • Yes, as an older fan I still can’t get over James Loney being replaced by Adrian Gonzalez. That Ned! ;).

    • For those who think this is something new, an LA Times story from the O’Malley era: “Al Campanis, who grew up at the Mahatma’s knee, never forgot what Rickey had to say on the subject: better trade a player a year too early than a year too late.”

      I was very disappointed when Campanis traded Ron Cey (and really got nothing in return), but that was a special case because I knew Ron (though we were acquaintances rather than friends).

    • Really glad to hear that, RBI.

      Sports can be a great bonding opportunity, offering an immediate topic of conversation. Since the people involved in the conversation really have nothing to say regarding the outcome of the game(s), there shouldn’t be ownership to the extent of violence.
      Ever since the Bryan Stowe tragedy (and after learning some good friends are — gasp! –SF fans . . . and still nice people), I have stopped saying I “hate” the Giants.

      Rivalries are nice, but let’s face it , especially in this age of free agency and rent-a-player — it all comes down to rooting for the laundry. The guy you booed yesterday, you will cheer today if they are wearing the right uniform.

      That said, Go, Blue!

      • Did you see the link on the Dodgers site to Vinnie talking about the two little boys sitting next to each other – buddies, one a Dodger fan, one a Giant fan? Priceless.

  8. This is not likely to happen at all, but Dodgers could technically still take the season series 10-9.

  36. Wheeee! That was some great pitching, and perhaps a break on the replay (I thought he might have been safe). Greinke is the best 7th inning pitcher in all of baseball!

  41. Dodgers seem to be stealing bases at will recently. Makes a nice change from being thrown out a lot.

  46. Game rolling along but still on edge from last night. Figure the Giants will respond at some point.

  57. Remember Nathan Eovaldi? He’s currently 14-2 for the Yankees, albeit with a 4.17 ERA (93 ERA+). The Dodgers traded him and Scott McGough to the Marlins for Randy Choate and Hanley Ramirez in 2012.