Diamondbacks at Dodgers, 5:10 PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FS-A, MLBN (out-of-market only)
The Dodgers’ LHP Rich Hill (9-6, 3.71 ERA) tries to hold serve against the D-Backs, who send LHP Robbie Ray (11-5, 2.97 ERA) out to extend their ten-game winning streak.
Ray has been better on the road than at home this season. He’s got a 6-1 record in 11 road starts with a 1.49 ERA. He’s 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers this year. Hill pitched against the D-Backs last Tuesday and was beaten up. He went 3 2/3 innings and gave up six runs on eight hits and a walk. At home this year he’s 5-3 with a 3.17 ERA.
The Dodgers promoted Charlie Culberson from OKC, reinstated Josh Fields from the 10-day DL and made room on the 40-man roster by moving Brandon McCarthy to the 60-day DL retroactive to July 21. (Side note: I’d love to play poker with rules that let me retroactively change a card I’d previously played!)
Today in Dodgers’ history:
- 1924 The Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) take a twin bill from the Braves, sweeping their fourth doubleheader in four consecutive days. Between September 1-3, the Brooks beat the Phillies six times.
- 1966 The Dodgers become the first team to draw two million fans at home and two million on the road as 18,670 Crosley Field patrons watch Los Angeles beat their home town Reds, 8-6.
- 1969 After thirty-one games, the third longest consecutive game hitting streak in National League history ends as Dodger Willie Davis is stopped by Dick Kelley and Gary Ross in a 3-0 loss to the Padres.
Lineup when available.
Tonight's Dodger lineup vs. D-backs:
Taylor CF
Hernández LF
Turner 3B
Bellinger 1B
Barnes C
Puig RF
Forsythe 2B
Culberson SS
Hill P pic.twitter.com/FL843s3NCB— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 4, 2017
NPUT
When I was lined up to board my flight from San Diego Saturday night, a guy saw my shirt (2013 NLCS) and asked if I went to that day’s day game. He was there as well and pointed out that the slump started when AGon returned. Yes, but Belli went out, I said. He said because AGon played 1st, Belli was in the OF.
Then he started to tell me how AGon has never been a scrapper or leader — he can’t identify with a JT who worked his way up since AGon was a high draft pick.
Correlation does not = causation . . . but just like you’re told when something goes wrong with the computer, check and see what was added/changed recently to possibly find your problem.
AGon coming back was one of the things that changed. I’ve always been an AGon fan, but here’s MY QUESTION: Has anyone heard anything negative about Adrian in the clubhouse?
Well the Sox media were certainly giving that spin when he was there before the trade. For me, hard to pin a slump on things like that, even if they are true. You ever play on a team with a jerk? Did it effect your performance on the field?
Sometimes — but I get your point.
I’m not pinning this on any one thing, but it was something out of the blue (no pun intended) and wanted to see if there’s even any smoke to him being disruptive.
Imagine that something like that would be evident to the beat writers that are there on a daily basis and have seen nothing on this from them.
The contrary. He’s been a positive in the Dodgers’ and the Padres’ clubhouses from everything I’ve read and heard. The Red Sox press is a bunch of whiners, just like their fans are, so I wouldn’t put any faith in anything said about A-Gon from it.
I think he was spewing nonsense. Personally I think things came unraveled the day of Hill’s no hitter being broken up in the 10th inning. Many questions abounded on lack of hitting and why is he pitching the 10th etc etc, but the bottom line was it was like letting the air out of a balloon.
Interesting story on panicking: http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-mailbag-playoffs-panic-20170905-htmlstory.html
He makes the case that 20% of recent WS winners limped into the playoffs . . . of course that means the vast majority didn’t.
Can’t believe that I stayed up till almost 5am Italy time to see that debacle! I guess misery does indeed enjoy company. Good luck tonight. Chances are my wife will forbid me to watch.
Only thing worse than the frustration of the loss(es) is the feeling of wasted time/sleep/productivity.
Don’t let them ruin your trip!
Ticket musings:
Every city that has any kind of professional sports team endorses gambling of a sort — if you buy a ticket, you’re betting at the very least you will see a competitive game.
If I bought a ticket for tonight’s game at the beginning of last month, expecting to see the team as they were then (great starting pitching, relievers, and clutch hitters) . . . would I have a case vs. the Dodgers for bait and switch?
You would unquestionably have standing, but I’m not sure the suit would have merit.
It would help if the judge was a Dodgers fan!
Saw more bad news for tomorrow (the first being the game is still expected to be played):
Zack goes for AZ and Goldschmidt is expected back.
That was a short lived elbow issue!
He doesn’t want Martinez to have all the fun.
This started when they couldn’t plate a single run for Hill in his no-hit bid.
May it end tonight with this mess.
Hopefully this humiliation is the equivalent of clinching in AZ and jumping in their pool — it fires up the team.
Let’s hope for a new SI cover: “Worst. Collapse. Ever?”
Maybe that will turn it around.
Doc saying “We got our butts kicked all around. We haven’t had many, if any other games like this this year.”
That’s the only statement/action from him lately that will go uncontested.
If I was ever in Australia – I would certainly want to look you up!
To put things in perspective… https://twitter.com/DavidYoungTBLA/status/904903947218894848
How about 1956? Victim of a 4 HR game and a Perfect Game.
Correction. The 4 HR game was in 1954.
Well at least Hill pitched well.
Just tuned in to…. what!
Apparently the key is for me to come visit you there to turn this team back around.
Do you mean you were over here in Aus?
No. I was in China for 5 weeks and the team did well while I was there. Now the idea is for me to go to Australia.
Not a fun night.
I remember watching Bob Horner hit 4 hrs in a game. His team lost.
Let this be the end of all this.
Wilmer Font has an ERA of over 23. Also quite a feat.
Comic sans font.
Font sans humor.
Well, we watched a rare feat with a 4 home run night from Martinez. We can add that to our “we saw that” list.
I guess the other silver lining is this wasn’t a no-hitter.
Good night, all.
I have to assume this is us hitting bottom.
And the D-backs are so good.
Right now.
Like the Dodgers used to be.
We are so bad right now.
Just came back to the TV after bedtime routine with my son. It is very quite at Dodger Stadium.
Dinner prep time. Call me if we win.
Remember, you left the UCLA game when they were down by 4 touchdowns.
I was rooting for them and they came back to win. The same thing will happen here, I’m sure!
Since July 4th, the Dodgers are 36-16, the Snakes 28-26. A week and a half does not erase two months.
True, but I’m pleased we had a 21 game lead or whatever it was
That’s the point. Dodgers are in a great position to weather this downpoint because of their performance over the past two months.
I will begin to get worried if we get swept in this series.
Dodgers still win this series. Book it.
Now who are we going to pick on?
I would love for him to start hitting.
Me too but I also want Taylor to play second to give me a better chance to moan and groan with Joc in the lineup.
Time for a team meeting. Plus Corey.
I think they had a team meeting recently. Cory probably back vs. CO.
With 38 guys in the clubhouse, not enough room for a meeting.
SRO I guess.
Hold it in the infield.
Kershaw is the only one that can do that.
Mama so very very not happy.
So many Rule one violations in my house.
Put more tension on that elliptical
“I’ll be hornswoggled!”
a 3-HR night for this guy?
AZ front office has to really be loving this.
Hard to believe that AZ will only be a dozen games out after tonight. Probably. Unless the Dodgers come back.
I’m coming to understand how fans of the Atlanta Falcons felt during the Super Bowl.
Dodger fans are bred for this.
“Wait Till Next Year!”
Last time they were 12 back was July 27.
Dodgers still have 33% of their out allocation remaining in this game. What’s to worry?
Hope Ray’s arm fell asleep during the half innng.
Losing 9 of 10 after the first 4.5 months were so great? It’s getting harder to brush this aside.
Still, easier to brush this aside than to brush aside 4.5 months.
No words.
Either Baez gets this gopher ball out of his system/arsenal or he lets Doc know that he is not pitching well enough for a playoff appearance.
According to Monday there’s no movement on his fast ball, it’s “straight as a string.”
Always been his issue.
Buehler likely auditioning for his slot over the next couple of weeks.
Regression is a… word I will not say, but it ain’t pretty.
Oh, come on.
So… when does Kershaw pitch again?
Who IS this guy Martinez?
He’s the guy that Dodgers were rumored to be interested in trading for.
Where have the bats gone? Granted Ray is a very good pitcher, this is anemic.
You have eyes? Ray probably pitching the game of his life.
Speaking of comebacks, what did everybody think of UCLA’s yesterday?
I turned it off (radio) when A&M took a 4 TD lead.
What department?
Engineering.
Great. Universities should not be in the business of subsidizing non-academic activities.
I am guessing football generates more revenues than expenses and for many that play it, provides an environment where some will learn more about teamwork, hard work, and character than they would from an English class.
I said that? I am not much of a football ran either.
Also may suffer brain injuries which will affect them later in life.
And knee injuries.
Universities should not indulge themselves boondoggles like Cal’s Memorial Stadium ($445 million) – directly atop the Hayward Fault) – to be used half a dozen times a year. That is not the purpose of a university.
Well I’ll be! Go Forsythe!
Lead-off Logan with the first hit.
Off to elliptical so I don’t get too worked up while watching.
The logic behind that comment could confuse some but not us.
Based on what Doc has said about Joc, it would be surprising if Joc got a start Tuesday when he joins the team. But looking at the stats for last 7 games and last 30 games, Joc wouldn’t have to do much to not be the worst hitter on the team.
Ray is on fire.
Maybe the heat will lead to a blister.
In happier news, Giancarlo just hit No. 53. I’d be delighted if he broke B*nds’s “record,” however unlikely that may be.
Yeah probably not. But glad to see him going full Stanton this year and not being short tracked by injuries.
No eyes. What is the injury delay for?
Foul ball dinged the AZ catcher
And then the backswing of the bat hit him in the head.
Ouch.
Ouch.
Here we go again.
Yikes — I’m afraid to look. I was on a long phone call and just “following” by reading the comments.
Think I’ll do that the rest of the game.
Not a bad idea. If we don’t score in this inning, I think I will take a mental health timeout.
Again, the “Hamlet” quote I’ve been citing often (including on that phone call) — “To thine own self be true.” (Of course everyone dies at the end of “Hamlet,” so . . . ?)
I was away this weekend. How did Verdugo look?
OK, but nothing memorable except getting his first two hits and getting picked off once.
Are you back already from your second visit overseas?
Desperate times. Desperate measures. If the Dodgers did this well when I was in China imagine how well they would do if I was in Australia?
Side note – I’m not really going to Australia. I could go hang at my neighbours because they are from Australia.
That might help. Because the Dodgers seem to be going down under.
2 for you, Scoop!
Dave, we were listing all the things that have changed with this “new normal”/sinking Dodgers — and the possibility of putting things back the way they “should” be (Puig batting 8th).
One was you were in China during a good stretch of the Good Times . . . how soon can you pack? Maybe we can arrange something from the Elysian Fields Travel Agency. 🙂
Puig OPSing at .976 since moving from that slot, so it hangs pretty much on Dave.
Win a peg, lose a game.
I see what you did there.
Puig is doing fine himself, but what about the “production” from that position in the lineup? Is there an equivalent WAR for lineup spots?
There are production numbers by slot, but optimizing a lineup usually consists of getting more PAs for your better hitters and bunching them to enhance sequencing to produce runs. Puig has benefited from being moved up in the lineup and this has benefited the team.
Not in the win column.
Not saying that’s the cause, but since he’s moved up, they’ve tanked.
Change the one thing that has gone right? Well, Doc is experimenting so why the heck not.
Hill’s curve ball seems to be working so far tonight.
We need to get him some runs. (We have said that before for Hill.)
While we are waiting for the Dodgers to break it wide open, here is the strikeout percentage for each player who has at least 100 ABs (including the first two innings tonight).
Forsythe 33.6
Bellinger 29.5
Taylor 29.1
Grandal 27.8
Hernandez 27.4
Barnes 26.4
Pederson 24.7
Seager 24.0
Puig 20.6
Gonzalezx 19.1
Utley 18.6
Turner 11.6
also, Granderson, in 53 ABs as a Dodger, 35.8
Tight zone tonight.
Gosh darnit. I like Joe Davis. Talking about getting close to the end of his first full season. Says to Orel: They’re all like this aren’t they?
18 strikes, 5 balls in the first inning.
Robby Ray attacking the zone as well.
He’s good, and throws very hard.
Quick first inning!
A lovely first inning for Hill.
Sharp and efficient.
Goldie has an elbow issue and returning to Phoenix for an MRI.
Oh, man. Elbow trickery strikes again. Meanwhile, nice first inning by Hill.
Link: I like your line above changing a card retroactively in poker.
I don’t like Hernandez batting second, but Roberts didn’t ask my opinion. No comment re Forsythe.
Quique has an OPS+135 batting second this year.
I think it is too small a sample size. He has started only three games in the No. 2 hole this season and has just 19 plate appearances there.
And you prefer the sample size to stay small?
Yes, a million times yes.
Joc Pederson, Trace Thompson and Walker Buehler come up this week.
Seager expected back for the Colorado series.
Corey!
Can’t wait to have C&C (“The ROY Brothers”?) back in the lineup.
After reading the comments from the link above about Joc joining the Dodgers it is obvious that Joc has many fans.
Remember when the bottom of the lineup was imposing just because of Puig?
Look at today’s bottom 3rd and how do you feel?
Weak.
Dito.
Deflated.
Oh, goodie. More opportunities to watch Forsythe! (Here she goes…)
Wait. “Dallas” is on?
No Goldie! Snakes with 6 game lead in WC taking their foot off the gas? Doc with 13.5 game lead has fans pulling out the pitchforks and torches.
In defense of myself and perhaps the rest of the mob, it’s not just a matter of this past weekend’s play of everyone from “Who?”sville — they were losing (poorly) playing the A Team. I want them to prove to themselves (and me/us) that they can still do it.
Exactly, you thought it was important to regain Big Mo and that Doc’s approach to preparing for the playoffs was not contributing to such.
Last year’s hero to bring a little magic.
Try to imagine his hitting a walkoff to clinch the division this year as well.