Rockies at Dodgers, 6:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ROOTRM, MLBN (out-of-market only)
This will be Clayton Kershaw’s (11-3, 1.79 ERA) fourth start since his return from the DL. In his previous three he’s gone from two earned runs allowed in three innings to zero in five, and then zero in six. In his last start he threw 88 pitches, so he’s close to fully recovered from his back problem (we all hope). Opposing him will be Chad Bettis (13-7, 4.79 ERA), who is on a roll himself: he’s given up three earned runs or fewer in every start he’s made in the last month.
In case you missed it, here’s Kirk Gibson doing commentary on Vinnie’s call of his 1988 World Series Game One home run.
Lineup when available.
Tonight's Dodger lineup:
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Grandal C
Reddick RF
Kendrick LF
Pederson CF
Kershaw P— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 24, 2016
NPUT
Sadly, Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez has died in a boating accident. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article104071446.html
Bummer for Bums in particular, who closely followed this amazing hurler.
So very very sad. A wonderful player to watch.
Really devastating – someone who was fun to watch, really brought joy to the game. Irreplaceable.
Very sad.
Reminiscent of that boating accident in 1993 when Tim Crews and Steve Olin were killed and Bobby Ojeda badly injured.
The Nats clinched the NL East tonight, and Bryce Harper wanted to keep all those adult beverages out of his hair. He found a swim cap with a rather famous name on it and wore that.
I guess we can’t ask the Padres to do all the work for us.
I think the perfect script is for the Dodgers to win the title with their own victory tomorrow . . . and Vin calling it!
Goodness gracious. I left the car when the game was 7-0 and came back 15 minutes later to 14-0. I should go out at supper time more often.
I repeat. Woo-HOO !
Can I ask – what’s your record at Dodger stadium this year?
Good question. I don’t actually know, but it feels about even. Lost the first four, then won several, lost another, and one and one so far this past week. So, let’s say six and six?
Here’s hoping for a winning record then!
SD lost.
Just need Myers to pop one out and the game would be tied.
Romeo is so twitchy!
And not in a Johny Cueto kinda way either.
Watching the Gnats now.
You misspelled “gnow.”
Padres got a single. Bochy replacing the pitcher. Romo up.
Dodgers win!
Woo-HOO !
How many exclamation marks will you use if they win tomorrow?
Eleven. Right?
Brilliant.
Not my idea. Someone here yesterday (I’ll check). But thanks.
Hmm, I guess I missed that yesterday.
Bob_in_Vegas.
We win.
If the Giants end up losing their game, Grant Brisbee’s column would be one for the ages.
Hope the Dodgers win tomorrow.
Two more.
Giants score in the tenth.
Gnats just scored a run.
Starting to feel a little sorry for the Rockies.
Well, now the Dodgers don’t have to donate a run to the Padres. The Rockies can air mail their run.
The flight of the Valaika!
Okay the Chavez/Ravin(e) will work for me.
Okay, time to let Austin Barnes pitch.
Dodgers trying to recreate the 18-4 score that Vin saw almost 80 years ago. Maybe he will be a Rockies fan when he retires.
Slamie!
Oh my gosh Josh!
So basically, this is opening day revisited.
Seager not hitting as well tonight. Last September he was hotter than this year.
Long season for the kid. Taylor can take over for a few games.
I wish we could give the Pads a couple of these runs.
Just what I was thinking too.
Gonzalez making Butler work.
And joins the hit parade.
Dave was that a PB?
Both of them!
Seager not having a good night.
Gnats go silently in the eighth.
Nice roar for Dre.
Feels like rainbows and horseshoes for the Dodgers tonight. Everything is coming up roses.
Pads tie it up, as CF Manuel Margot gets his first major league hit.
Reddick with the RBI.
He has put up OPS+ 148 in September coming into this game.
Lots of hitters in the outfield now it seems.
You ain’t kindin’! Joc at 204 and Puig at 164.
How about Toles?
46. Howie at 78.
Wow. I would have that Toles to be in the 90’s. Obviously he hasn’t been nearly as hot as I imagined.
Been doing a lot of things that stand out (PHits, throwing runners out, fielding) that overshadow going 0-4 for a couple of games. Plus he was hot in late August so if you use the filter of the last 28 days his OPS+ jumps to 126.
BadGums is gone, and the Pads get a shot at the Gnatpen.
Well 5 pitch innings are fun. So now the 7th is looking like a good bet for Kershaw.
One run game in SD.
It’s been like water flowing downhill the last several games for the Dodgers. So easy. Wish it would be this good throughout October.
Kershaw with the bat.
Kershaw should be good for one more inning. Outside shot at 2, but I don’t see Roberts pushing it at this point.
Hi all. Checking in, as I watch and exercise. Kershaw really looking great, considering it’s still only his third outing after the long long break. Mixed feelings about San Diego game, since I’d love to be at the stadium for the clinch, and I’m there tomorrow for Vin’s last game. (I don’t even like typing that…)
Looks like one exclamation point tonight.
BadGums may be letting the Pads back into it, though.
Not that it matters what happens in SD. 🙂
It matters to the Mets and Cards (and, personally, it would be delightful if he were the losing pitcher the night the Dodgers clinch).
Still torn. But Dodgers looking good!
Kershaw averaging 15 pitches per inning. Probably not CG territory tonight.
CG not really a goal at this point for him.
RISP is looking good for us tonight.
So far so good in LA.
In SD, not so much.
What happens in SD doesn’t matter all that much – except to the Gnats.
Thanks to winning the challenge, Kershaw is pitching an interesting game.
Bettis certainly has slowed down. 49 pitches with one out in second
He’s old. He retired from the Steelers a few years back, remember?
Rams should have kept him
Rams should have done a lot of things years ago.
Good start in the 2nd, guys.
Rotation shuffled. McCathy tomorrow, Hill’s spot skipped to let him rest till next weekend.
Here is hoping CK can go seven.
— or more, if it’s interesting.
Do you think they would let him, even in an interesting game?
Good point — and I really believe Kersh has the big picture in mind.
Depends on the pitch count.
I think Roberts has done an incredible job with all the injuries this team has endured . . . and his first year, in such a spotlight!
I am impressed with Roberts as well. I also give credit to the FO for obtaining the incredible depth that has allowed the Dodgers to endure all the losses they have suffered.
As maligned as they have been, that’s a good point. Dave can only work with what he has.
And credit to the team for stepping up when Kersh went down, the exact turning point. Do we know if there was a team meeting around that time? I believe it also coincided with JT hitting.
Last year here, you would have been vigorously second-guessed for suggesting that even tentatively.
Over and over and over again!