Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA
Two lefties face one another: Brett Anderson for the Dodgers (9-8, 3.36 ERA in 158 innings this season, more than he’s had since his rookie year of 2009) and Chris Rusin for the Rockies (5-8, 5.14 ERA in 110 innings). Rusin started off well this year, going 3-2 through June, but he’s 2-6 in 18 starts since. Anderson left his last start after 5 2/3 innings with a calf cramp and has had three extra days of rest to help it heal. He’s done well limiting opponents: he’s given up three runs or fewer in 24 of his 27 starts.
Lineup:
Dodgers lineup:
Ruggiano LF
Utley 2B
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Ellis C
Seager SS
Heisey RF
Pederson CF
Anderson P
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) September 15, 2015
NPUT
Grant wishes Seager were a Gnat, but offers a good dispassionate analysis: https://twitter.com/mccoveychron/status/644199745444016128
Great story.
To use a grossly over-abused phrase, it’s very “fair and balanced.” There’s not a clear and simple answer, though I’d probably go with Seager.
Latos has not been good but, in fairness, he’s not the only pitcher to surrender a dinger to Arenado this year. He’s also had a long layoff. I won’t miss him next year, but baserunning blunders and failure to hit in key situations were last night’s real culprits.
You ever notice, Anderson usually gives up 3 runs, very seldom more, very seldom less? And it doesn’t seem to be relevant to the number of innings he pitches. Weird. (Yes, I know he has an ERA of 3.something which would indicate he averages 3 runs per 9 innings. But he never goes 9, maybe 6 on average. So his 3 run limit must contain a percentage of unearned runs to help keep his ERA down) Net result: Even if he gets the hook early, he usually keeps the team in the game. That was $10MM well spent.
Not a bad number 3, given our two aces. 61% quality starts (51% is NL average; Greinke 93%; Clayton 86%). Like you say, he tends to keep us close. In games he pitches the team record is .536. In six games when he left on the losing end the Dodgers were close enough to where they subsequently were able to tie or take the lead.
He is the reason why I don’t think that they go for a third ace beyond Greinke or his replacement, what with Ryu and McCarthy due back and Ballslinger and Frias in the mix, not to speak of Urias. Lee and DeLeon are also lurking. A qualifying offer for Anderson would cost us around $14 million (note: no FA has ever accepted such an offer).
Ryu and McCarthy are question marks, though, and Urias is still too young to count on for a major role.
Oops, forgot Wood. They may be question marks, but they are also the answer to the question: Who are possible additions to a pitching staff next year that is second in RA/G in the NL this year?
Wood is pretty much guaranteed a rotation spot. The question is whether they extend Greinke and/or go after Price.
And my guess is “or”.
Latos is probably not high on Mattingly’s list of probables for the playoffs.
Latos didn’t get the opportunity to get in a groove. LOL.
Grandal was the wrong man at the wrong time repeatedly. Still, we lead by 7 1/2 and the magic number is 11. Good morning, all.
Stupid stupid game.
And stupid stupid me for staying up.
Good night, whoever is left. Over 300 comments, Link!
Oy! Or, for John’s sake, Aussie Aussie oy oy oy!
🙂
Very discouraging. Thank goodness we gained on the magic number.
That’s it. Tough loss for the Dodgers and tougher for the fans.
Very low strike two.
I couldn’t believe it was called a strike.
Ump could smell blood and saw the vultures circling.
Oh man. Still so barely alive.
Grandal do this.
Or very much not.
Can’t believe of all the outfielders Heisey is still in there.
It would be nice if Puig were healthy.
Has friends in high places.
John should be back home now.
checked the score, only caught up on the blog now
We haven’t had our daily home run yet. Let’s remedy that in the bottom of the 16th.
So close!
A disgruntled reliever, who probably still thinks he should be a starter, comes through about how I feared.
He hasn’t been happy since day one.
Hasn’t been good from day one either. He had shown signs of improvement just before the trade, but he immediately faded once he put on the Dodgers’ uniform.
Probably the worst call by the FO.
“But two innings from now I can begin to put up zeros.”
Maybe long man means how far they hit off of you.
Ha! Long ball man.
Or maybe it means this game has been going on for a long time and so we need him to end it.
To be fair, it was Arenado.
Yup. That would be Latos.
Thanks, Mat.
Gameday shows me the bottom of the 15th. I gather A-Gon hit into a DP, so I don’t need to
pay attention.
Latos pitching in the 15th is as about as good as Johnson in the 10th.
Hopefully better.
And, Latos blows it again.
What has happened in the bottom of the 15th? Gameday is sleeping.
Turner got on with a bloop. AGon GIDP.
Here comes Latos. Will be interested to see how he does. He’s our long man, so we’ll see how long he goes.
Isn’t there a certain irony to having a not so good pitcher as your long man pitching in extra innings? Give up a run and suddenly the game is done.
It’s a flaw in your judgment. Or else it’s “I don’t trust him but I have no one left to pitch.”
Vinny: and we are ready for sweet sixteen…
Gameday has gone to bed…
Gonzo still batting.
And then hits into a DP.
This. Is. Torture.
Game has gotten into a mindless zombie rhythm of new pitchers, new batters and no runs.
Flare single! We’ll take what we can get!
Go go Gonzo.
If Baez hits it will be his first time in the bigs.
Rockies have now used 12 pitchers; we’ve used nine.
Left in the pen: Kenley (doubtful), Wieland (possible), Latos (likely).
Time to add a pitcher or two on the 40 man roster.
This game has gone on so long that Kendrick is now healthy and available.
Or something like that.
Two excellent innings by Báez.
One more chance.
Go for the stolen base.
Good eye Torreyes!
This guy’s name is what I felt when the former Yankee skipper became our manager a few years ago.
Vinny is my hero. Still going strong.
Yes.
Lopes isn’t getting any younger out there in the first base coaching box either.
Time for Grandal to be the hero.
Why him in particular? I’ll take anybody!
Maybe because he’s up?
Well, I sure got that wrong.
I’m watching on the iPad now, so it’s delayed. Nothing to look forward to…
Wait, he walked? That’s good!
Oh, please, baseball powers that may or may not be. Let us score!
True fact – after Baez comes Latos. (shudders.)
He’ll be grumpy, as usual.
That’s it for me, I have to get on the road, hopefully there will be good news when I get home in about 40 min or so
40 minutes from now? Oh you mean the 18th inning. Yes the Dodgers might score that inning.
Seager has been robbed 3 times now.
I’d like to go to bed, but I’ve had an adrenaline attack.
I’m running on fumes, but still here.
I fell asleep for 5 mins or so there.
nice, another chance here
Let’s go double, single here with Schebler and Seager.
This would be a nice time for the Dodgers to score one run. Really, it would be.
Yes, I have to get on the road soon to get home, so I would love us to win it before then
What subject are you marking?
at the moment Maths, but as I am a year 4 teacher, it is various subjects
49 players in this game so far.
It’s an All Star Game!
Next goal wins. Maybe.
not if they go first
I was sorta tongue in check comparing it to hockey OT.
all we need now is the rain to get heavier
Magic number 11.
Huzzah!
Thank goodness for small blessings. Now, if only we could lower it to 10!
this is stopping me getting my schoolwork marked
Dodgers win: A’s for everyone.
Dodgers lose: C’s for everyone.
Marking done.
SF lose yet?
man on 2nd, 2 out (edit – YES)
Steiner! Don’t Steiner me!!!!
Did he do it again?
He Steinered that out by Utley? Oh dear.
Steiner is the oppo-Vinny.
Was Utley’s a long fly ball again?
Nope.
Not really.
maybe Utley could do a Frazier (ie HR after an error)
Okay, Chase, over the CF wall this time, not just close.
JR – we need an extra base hit here buddy.
Two down in SF
Barnes pinch-hit for Joc? Was the kid hurt?
Lefty-righty thing (Barnes was coming in to replace AJ in any event)
Ah, thanks.
Giants had to PH with Leake, who Ked
The Giants used P Mike Leake as a pinch-hitter for Romo. He struck out.
Ha!
lets try again
Let’s win this thing and head for home.
Grrr Utley.
Rats. Texas beat Houston on a walkoff and leapfrogged the Astros into first place. I really want the Astros to make the playoffs.
Poor Houston. Been in first for so long.
The Pirates are only 3 back of the Cards, suddenly. And I think they play each other next week.
And no one would say poor St. Louis if they got dropped out of first!
Nobody on this site, that’s for sure.
Our guy Johnson just can’t seem to get out of his own way, can he?
Reds back up!
Fraser HR!
that’s the way to make up for the throwing error
Well, foo. But at least they got a tie out of that, albeit thanks to a rare mistake by Arenado.
Not so much a mistake, just failure to make exceptional play.
Fair enough.
GGG: Goodness Gracious Grandal
Not to be. Tied here. Tied up north. And I have to get up at the crack of dawn.
What time does dawn crack in LA?
I have to be up early tomorrow as well – but I’m 2 hours closer to the morning than you already!
I’m a long way from the morning at 4pm here 🙂
8:00pm here, Tuesday.
This site has good time zone coverage!
Get in line.
Kudos to you duly noted.
For me? 5:15.
Sadly the sun doesn’t rise til 6:35 or so in LA. So you are up before the sun.
As soon as I saw in play (out/s), I feared for the worse
Exactly my fear. Well, at least we tied it up
who is left to hit if Grandal walks
Crawford
thank goodness for September rosters
Torreyes?
Ball too wet to pick up maybe.
Vinny was talking about just that earlier.
Yes! Tied again!
unfortunately it’s tied somewhere else as well
I know. Two crazy games going on.
with a .135 average, it would make a great story
Arenado fumbles it!
at least he is already at third
Heisy hero?
Ha! Maybe!
Gnats just tied it up. Grrrrrr!!!! We’d better win this one now.
C’mon, I was hoping for a walkoff 🙂
Two out with runner on second in SF. Bottom of the ninth.
8-7
too many places to look at once!
Posey now ties it
dare we hope
I have a good feeling about the bottom of the 11th.
Lefty parade.
I wish I did.
I wish Gonzo did.
See, this is why I love this site.
Time for Gonzalez to regain some form
Phooey.
He’s out.
Not that it will matter.
And on an 0-2 pitch.
I will be happy if the Dodgers have a 7 1/2-game lead at the end of action today.
I’ll be happy if the Dodgers win this dang game.
It’s all about the magic number at this point.
Where’s Joc when we needed him?!
8-6 Reds. Chapman pitching with the bases loaded, gave up a HBP run.
Struck out the next guy. Game 8-6 heading to the 9th.
Failing to K Adrianza is unforgivable. He should be automatic.
Chapman pitching the ninth, as well.
So many mistakes in this game. Really bad baseball.
Luckily, from both teams.
Oh, Turner! Another base running blunder.
What did Turner do?
Thrown out trying to stretch when CarGo bobbled it.
Nuts.
Colorado has Randy Johnson lookalike on the mound.
now lets see if we can win this without stuffing it up this time
Wow! Go Blue!!!! I thought we were goners there.
Win percentage graph for tonight’s game probably match our EKG’s.
Nervous.
Nice !
Oh doctor!
Thomas gets Johnson’s mess to deal with.
I don’t envy him one bit.
And Gnats threatening in bottom of the 8th. One out, two on. Still 8-5.
Just one more, JJ.
Please.
Johnson is simply bad.
He doesn’t seem to pitch with any confidence.
No command whatsoever.
Johnson entered this game with an ERA of 10.67 as a Dodger.
Why use him? Ever????
Oh, he is not that bad. Since his debacle in Oakland in 9 outings he has an ERA of 3.24 and has allowed only one of four Inherited runners to score.
I thought he was worse than that. There always seem to be multiple runners on when he pitches.
Well, he hits a lot of guys!
Double play or doom…
I’m smelling disaster here.
More rain.
Hope Johnson is the good Johnson tonight.
Johnson in the 10th is not something I ever look forward to.
Me, neither. And here we go again. Walk and a single. Mattingly? Hello? Tap tap tap. Anybody warming up?
Not looking good.
Who’s up in the bottom of the 10th?
Schebler screwed up.
Once again – why couldn’t that have happened one batter earlier!!
Would have worked if Schebler hadn’t messed up. He must feel terrible.
Managers don’t exactly hustle out to get to the mound do they? Weiss has the slowest walk I’ve seen.
Up to Andre.
Dagnabit!
You can do it, Yasmani!
Fly ball to win it.
Six man infield for the Rox.
I love it when Vinny is so into a game that he starts his sentence, “Alright, here we go…three balls, two strikes…” Etc. etc.
Well that helps. Seager at third.
Heisy as hero?
Maybe Barnes.
Maybe Grandal!
They’re helping us right and left.
Bad rookie mistake.
Ooof.
Okay, Heisey. Be the hero.
Not smart, Schebler.
Here’s our chance.
Walt Weiss must be fit to be tied with these errors.
8-5 Reds.
Reds up 6-5 on Gnats.
Make that 8-5.
Thought SF was up 5-3 at one point?
At least I know you read my posts promptly!
Ok Scheb – you know what we would like.
So close to a lead off walk to Utley.
Avilán has been quietly very good.
Amish strong!
Rats. But still, better than it was.
Definitely. Our chances have improved greatly. Battle of the bullpen and having last at bat should be in our favour.
Okay, Ruggiano. Deep breath.
And deep fly.
Ethier wants this RBI.
“This RBI.” Are you saying he likes you? Wink wink.
Sadly, I’m old enough to be his mama.
Full of wisdom and maturity!
I was about to say – I miss healthy, hearty Puig – but that flare by Barnes worked just fine. (65=66)
Wow, wow, wow!
Oh my goodness! And that’s why Jimmy is there.
Rox helping out.
Need the same or better from Joc.
With this long of a bench surprised Heisey is batting here.
But pull Joc!
I don’t get any of this.
C’mon, Heisy! Swing!
Good eye.
Seags is swinging hard but still a good eye.
Seager needs to pop one here.
Rabbits loose!
Very funny.
Ha! That is the best comment of the month!
Sloths on the ground.
Ok Dodger hitters. Time to shine.
Colorado more than holding their own tonight. Too bad because Anderson has pitched pretty well.
Had forgotten that Anderson was the rain maker earlier this year. He pitched something like 4 times a row in the rain.
Well, at least A.J. didn’t GIDP this time.
Arenado paid for his stint at SS.
Flew in the air like Superman.
Call it and start over another time! (Unless the Dodgers score a bunch of runs here.)
Poor Anderson. So many ground balls finding spots.
A shot of a smiling, laughing Seager in the dugout. Still think it looks like he would need to ask his parents if it’s ok if he can stay up late in order to finish playing this game with his new friends.
No harm, no foul on the throwing error by Gonzo.
A’s got 5 in the first, 10 in the 4th against the White Sox, lead 17-5 in the 6th.
What’s the over?
13 more to tie Texas and their 30 runs in 2007.
I love smooth throwing, ground ball inducing Anderson!
FA in 2016. Making $10 million. Qualifying offer is around $14 million, if the Dodgers were to make one.
Health of course is the big question mark. Can he make as many starts next year as he did this year?
Certainly worth a one-year commitment, I would think.
Hey, RBI, are you there?
Hi. No, home packing. Nephew’s wedding in Bucks County this Friday. But I will be back in the stadium this Sunday.
Yeah Reds. They lead 3-0 against SF.
Rox playing in? Thanks.
Yeah, we’ll take it. 1-0 LA.
Likely 1-0 in any event if they were playing back, but this keeps men on base in the middle of the line up with only one out.
Despite giving up two bunt singles, that was a 10-pitch inning for Anderson.
Better than Kershaw last night.
Ha! Arenado with the line drive out at third. Baseball and it’s way of evening things out. Bunt singles and line drive outs.
Arenado getting some of his own medicine.
Rox trying to exploit Anderson’s leg troubles.
Ugh! two less than 60 feet bunt singles to start.
Ellis is batting 5th tonight. In every other game that he has started this season he has been in the 7 or 8 hole.
A.J.’s been hitting very well lately, but I still prefer him lower in the order.
I agree. I would have switched him and Seager. But we’ve won 16 of 20, so Donnie’s doing something right.
Normally SVS’ slot. Donnie tries to go left-right as much as possible so he seems to be sticking with that in not having Seager higher.
Yes, I hadn’t paid attention to the lefty-righty alternating.
SVS nursing a sore hand.
Dustin Nosler has something to say about Schebler’s future: http://dodgersdigest.com/2015/09/15/scott-schebler-has-a-future-in-the-majors-with-or-without-the-dodgers/