Dodgers at Giants, 6:07 PM PDT, TV: TBS
Okay, this is a shocker. The Dodgers have said for two days that Julio Urías would start this game; this morning they announced that RHP Corey Knebel (4-0, 2.45 ERA) will start and Urías will come in after an inning or two. The idea is “to alter the Giants’ lineup construction. San Francisco started seven righties against Urías in Game 2…”
I dunno. This may be a move that’s too clever by half. We’ll see.
The Giants are doing nothing so quirky. They’re handing the ball to their ace RHP Logan Webb (13-3, 3.03 ERA; postseason 1-0, 0.00 ERA).
On this date in postseason history Tommie Agee made two great catches in 1969, Gene Tenace hit two home runs in 1972, Reggie Jackson threw out his hip, Jack Buck told St. Louis fans to “go crazy, folks, go crazy” as Ozzie Smith homered to win Game Five of the 1985 NLCS, and the Dodgers scored eleven runs in the first inning of Game Three of the 2020 NLCS. Much more at the link.
Lineups when available.
Dodgers:
Tonight’s #Dodgers NLDS Game 5 lineup at Giants: pic.twitter.com/XvVwpVbiyI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 14, 2021
Giants:
The spotlight is on us. #BeatLA#ResilientSF | #OrangeOctober | @CocaCola pic.twitter.com/eoz7xQ1B9V
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) October 14, 2021
NPUT
https://twitter.com/jamesaguilarjr/status/1449091134244855808?s=20
An even fonder blast from the past. https://twitter.com/la_dorkout/status/1449073514330292228?s=20
Maybe we will get Muncy back against Atlanta.
May not be ready right away, so will need to carry him on the roster in any event as he hopefully heals, or else hope that someone gets injured (phantom?).
Love this as a belated Bday gift for RBI!!
Me, too!
https://twitter.com/kairyssdal/status/1448873150976954370?s=20
Recall Klayton saving one for Kenley as well in an NLDS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjNiSZBfS9c
That was the one you missed because your flight into DC didn’t come in earlier.
Right. And I didn’t understand that “shuttle to the motel” meant I had to call and ask them to send it, rather than it being a regular route every half-hour or so.
Still have your ticket! (Not really, found someone to take it).
Good! I’d be embarrassed!
Against the Nationals right?
I was sitting over the pen and saw him warming up.
Reliever at the start. Starter to close.
Turn the giant’s world upside down.
I’d like to set it on fire.
Bickford, Kelly, Price, and Vesia are the regular relievers left in the pen. Also have Gonsolin, Buehler and Scherzer.
All are a little nervous
So am I.
Tack on another one CT3.
Everytime that I think Bellinger has found something, he disappoints.
Well, in fairness nobody is hitting this guy.
Swinging for the fence again.
Almost always all year long.
Safe!
I’m wondering why Mookie didn’t run to third on Seager’s hit. Webb didn’t even look his way.
Posey would have been yelling for him to throw to third if he had.
Ahhh.
Dumb giant luck
You misspelled “Gnat.”
My spelling is fine.
Out of respect, we should always capitalize “Gnats.”
How do you know I wasn’t describing the size/amount of luck on that play?
So, you’re into ambiguity?
I’m into word play.
One way to ensure Urias pitches the second is to have the Dodgers bat through to the 9 spot this inning. Urias can pitch hit in the top of the 2nd and then take the mound in the bottom of the 2nd.
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1448899270149431306
Pre-game opinion from a guy who’s seen a lot of these Dodgers – Giants games:
https://twitter.com/TheVinScully/status/1448752660438568966
Sure hope the Turners and Taylor show up for Atlanta.
Mookie is such a class act.
What show did you see him on?
Doc says they are for now sticking with Max starting in Saturday…
Dodgers hit .241 in this series, Giants .182.
Same old, same old, hit .244 during the regular season. (giants.249)
The Gnats regressed to the mean.
https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1448881587064504328?s=20
On one day of rest? At some point you have to stop milking the same cow.
Off-day tossing more like it.
Thirteen pitches.
The “Check Swing Heard Around the World!”
Good call by Doc on sticking with Lux and Belli.
Yes. Giving credit where credit is due. And AJ got an infield single.
But for the dive, it would’ve been a double.
So, who starts on Saturday?
Goose, I’d guess.
Buehler pitched Tuesday, Urias tonight and Scherzer for an inning tonight. After Goose, I’d guess it’s Buehler on Sunday. Monday is an off-day.
We held the Giants to 10 runs in this series. That’s saying a lot about our pitching. We scored 18.
Giants’ fans can retire “Beat L.A.!” for several months now.
This season, we no longer have to “Swat the Gnats.”
I won’t lie – can’t wait to read Grant Brisbee after this one.
He was great during the game, as always.
On Twitter?
Yep
He wrote this five days ago. https://twitter.com/grantbrisbee/status/1447037679921623045?s=21
Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle!
Lotsa Dodgers fans hanging around for the celebration.
https://twitter.com/StacieMWheeler/status/1448874171430096898?s=20
I’ll bet they will be discussing whether to make check swings reviewable this winter.
One of SI’s baseball writers already saying such. What a disaster that would be for baseball. Really not defined, other than the batter’s intent.
A classic to add to the history of the rivalry.
It was justice.
Belli looks better with short hair.
Like Samson, he remained strong.
Take that Ruf!
That is no way to end this game.
It was Ruf.
Well they got enough lucky chances all year.
About time a break went against them. They have been sleeping in four leaf clovers all year.
Yeah, like Flores was going to do something against Max.
True, though the call ended the game, it didn’t decide the game.
He held up. Bad call. But, hey, they owed us one.
Even if it was a bad call, it was still the right call.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPjp84cjEXM
Good guys win!
That was close.
Inconthievable!!!!
Yeeee haaaa
Checked swing calls are iffy, but I’ll take it.
Unbelievable!!!!
On a check swing no less.
Revenge from the one in the regular season!!!
How sweet it is!
Woo-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Dodgers win!!!!
BALLGAME!! Atlanta here we come.
That felt like a big one.
Time to stand
Yes!
K!
Wade has pixie dust.
Or BALCO Flaxseed Oil…
You. Have. No. Proof.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/00700f1b08e5081c8a90e5680eb2cd881b1da81d86f04f8be8c7aa7d8825f40a.png
Ha!
Aaaargh!
Crawford lined out. Bryant reached on an error by JT.
Just setting up the DP
Exactly.
Not now
Oh JT
I’m pacing again.
1 out!
Chris Taylor had one sacrifice hit this year (not including sacrifice flies).
For the first time tonight I have the jitters.
It’s about the 25th time for me.
About time!
Are you kidding me? Do you have nerves of steel and ice in your veins?
You guys know the drill. Keep me posted.
You have to watch. This is big time.
I can’t!
This might be Smith’s best framing ever
Please work.
What a game!
Max is here.
And I am gone…
Hear. We. Go
OK, Zelmo!
Scherzer to pitch the bottom of the ninth, say the TBS guys.
Not sure about that, I’d be just as happy with Kelly or Bickford
Only if we tack on a bunch more runs.
I’d stick with Kenley.
PH
OK, sorry.
One more hit please!
How far down did Lux get before hitting reverse?
Beaty up to you.
I guess they had the squeeze play on.
And Taylor blew the bunt.
More than happy with a RBI groundout here
2 outs now.
Why in the hell is he bunting?
It was a squeeze.
Bad call. CT3 can hit.
Exactly.
Sac fly would have worked.
Don’t like that call.
Who told him to do that?!?!?!
CT3 – no man.
Oh fer crying out loud.
Keep the line moving, as they say.
Add on, LA!
And how about Lux?
JT now has my favourite HBP of the season.
Chase would be proud.
Who pitches the 9th?
Hopefully Bickford.
PH for Kenley, so Max, no?
Yes. Add on CT3!
Belli. SO sweeeeet!
Gotta love him!
I see now, I’ll take it
Belli kept swinging and finally connected in a very timely fashion
Sounds good, did it splash?
Single.
Happy enough
Cody!
WOOT!!
Bellinger!!!!!
Be a hero Belli.
Just no DP, Belli. Give CT3 a shot.
JT has no wheels to get to third.
True, so we need a WP.
That’s through!
We have had ‘through’, now we need “splash”
Going to get either splash or wind
I’d be happy with “bloop”
Followed by a blast! 😉
That’s a good start!
Classic JT!!
That sounds good.
When you know, you know
But ouch!
Made the same sound as the comebackers did against Webb.
No fastballs for Willie.
Come on, JT.
Runs please.
Yes – and then let’s ask the waiter for the check right away and leave.
Tell me what happens my friends. I’m a wreck.
Jansen k’s Posey!!
Oh my!!!!
Punches the Poseur!
I’m hoping Dodgers finally answer Bobby Thompson’s home run even though it won’t be a walk off.
I’d even take some redemption for Stan Williams from 1962 and have a whole bunch of walks scoring runs.
That was true agony.
Williams would have appreciated that. He died this past February.
And Joe Morgan’s too.
Let it be Smith now
Jansens hip turn almost looks like a spasm
Is Doc prepared to try to get two innings out of Kenley.
Probably.
I hope 4 outs max
Hard to imagine him pulling Kenley at that point.
Hoping Dodgers score 7 in the top of the inning and then Bickford seals the deal.
That’s the Dave I know and love!!
That’s the Dave I know and love!!
Yessirree.
Thanks for reminding me I have a better self.
Kenley has only pitched once in the past 7 days, so should have the pitches in him.
JT!!
Not an especially difficult play.
You would prefer it not be made and it be a double?
Your comment was unnecessary, WBB.
He was well-positioned, barely needed to move. That’s no knock on Turner.
We sure had our chances with Seager and Trea. The 2-1 pitch on the former that was called a strike was questionable.
Having a bad night.
Close game.
1/6/0 linescore for both teams.
I feel as if Trea just lost this one for us. I hope I am wrong.
Some batting champ.
Heavy burden to put on him.
I know. Unfair. Julio also made that one mistake.
Oh man.
We do like two outs…
Argh! Doggone it, Corey!
Trea is due
Lotta pressure on the youngster.
Up to Trea.
He’s overdue.
Shoot. That would have been so good of a WP.
Yikes. Almost got smoked.
Please Mr. Seager!!!
Let’s go!
Mookie!!
C’mon Mook.
Posted this below but not sure you would see it WBB in regards to all the claims you make about the Giants taking PEDs:
So are you saying two very prominent former Dodgers – Gabe as SF manager and Farhan as SF GM are allowing and encouraging that illegal behaviour.
Wouldn’t that be damning for the Dodgers previous success?
Given their experience, they understand that cheating is the only way to beat the Dodgers.
So they are cheaters now as well. You lost me there man.
They saw what the Asterisks and the Sawx did.
They used PED’s?
There are different ways of cheating. The Gnats have been doing so since at least 1951. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/02/13/giants-cheating-home-run-1951/
There’s something!
https://twitter.com/jonweisman/status/1448856327283949568?s=20
Doc is managing as if it’s an eight inning game…
Still has Mariachi to help bridge to Kenley if need be. After that all hands on deck.
Come on AJ!
First pitch popup. Rats.
Agree but cannot like.
One pitch after Webb leaves
I’m returning to the TV, now that my blood pressure has presumably decreased and with Webb out of the game.
Get out your sphygmomanometer to be sure!
I would if I had one and could spell it.
Let’s go!
Clap..Clap
If Dodgers have the lead in the ninth would you want Scherzer or Jansen closing?
I’d lean to Jansen, with Scherzer ready.
Unless Scherzer was facing one specific batter. Maybe 2.
Yes, I’m on board with that.
Gonsolin – please be what the Dodgers need, if they need you tonight.
They need offense first!
Exactly.
Ok. Beaty and Pujols – please be ready…
And Price, you are not exempt either.
Pulling Urias after only 59 pitches? What was the point of the Openers? I know Julio had a rough 6th inning, but still.
We know that the Giants are happy with that pitching change.
Four innings.
Four innings was too few for Urias, IMHO.
Was he also pitching on short rest?
Nope
Pulling Urias with the bottom of the order? I don’t get it.
I wouldn’t, but I don’t know what Doc does.
If we win we won’t care. If we lose Dave will have to have a good answer for pulling Urías.
Exactly.
Good thing for Doc he’s not in St Louis.
I guess the plan is to not go into extra innings
Webb is the real deal.
Hopefully done for the night, season
He’s at 106 pitches. His high this year is 107.
I anticipate major regression in 2022.
I expected it tonight but I was wrong.
WBB you have been saying the Giants will regress, swoon, collapse all season long and it got you a 107 win team.
Don’t start on 2022 now.
Touche.
At some point, it’ll run out… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/764fa2bf071d3203e9a2054c45432520730b52739807e16ca0c7374c8efc3379.png
So are you saying two very prominent former Dodgers – Gabe as SF manager and Farhan as SF GM are allowing and encouraging that illegal behaviour.
Wouldn’t that be damning for the Dodgers previous success?
No, their experience in LA taught them that you need to cheat to beat the Dodgers.
Definately.
Urias smiling in the dugout. Probably finished?
I hope not.
Me too.
I am enjoying the big swings
On to Belli.
Webb over 90 pitches, Urias at 59 even after that long 6th inning.
Unlucky.
One more Dodger getting it past the pitcher though
True.
Tell me what happens please.
Urias gets out of it.
Oh phew. Thanks.
Longest game by innings in MLB history occurred 101 years ago, and it involved the Dodgers. Excuse the blank spaces:
May 1, 1920: Brooklyn Robins 1, Boston Braves 1
Length: 26 innings
The
longest game by innings in Major League history could have gone even
longer — after 26 innings, the game was called due to darkness. The
Robins (the predecessors to the Dodgers) and Braves were tied at 1, and
that’s how the game ended. The entire episode took just three hours and
50 minutes.
Brooklyn’s
run came courtesy of leadoff man Ivy Olson, who lined an RBI single
over Hall of Fame shortstop Rabbit Maranville’s head in the fifth.
Boston’s Tony Boeckel drove in the tying run with a single to center in
the bottom of the sixth. The teams traded zeros for 20 innings until
night fell at Braves Field.
The
next day’s New York Times story joked that umpire Barry McCormick
“remembered that he had an appointment pretty soon with a succulent
beefsteak. He wondered if it wasn’t getting dark. He held out one hand
as a test and decided that in the gloaming it resembled a Virginia ham.
He knew it wasn’t a Virginia ham and became convinced that it was too
dark to play ball. Thereupon, he called the game, to the satisfaction of
himself and (fellow umpire Bob Hart) and the chagrin of everybody else
concerned.”
This
game is unbelievable by today’s standards. Not just for its sheer
length, but because of the pitchers’ duel that it contained. Both
starting pitchers, Brooklyn’s Leon Cadore and Boston’s Joe Oeschger, pitched the entire 26 innings of the game. Somehow, they only allowed one run apiece.
“If
a pitcher couldn’t go the distance,” Oeschger would tell the Sarasota
Herald-Tribune decades later, “he soon found himself some other form of
occupation.
Is this how you are distracting yourself?
Hopefully not foreshadowing.
Yes. Also starting to look at YouTube. Found a documentary on Koufax, but I won’t watch it now.
Okay, young man, get
BryantSlater and we’ll score two or three.Well, we’ve shown we can score against Webb.
Guessing he is on a real short leash at this point, with Rogers ready to come in.
Shortest-held lead in memory.
I’ll say.
Better now than later. Better solo than with runners on.
Dodgers not sweating it I’m guessing.
Solos don’t kill you. Just make you nauseous.
Unless it’s the bottom of the ninth.
Hence the better now than later.
Depending on the score
Kind of like sour milk. Or bread past its use date.
Foul language!
Bigtime.
If only
No I did not throw anything. I was thinking if only it was a loud long foul ball.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/39ed8f0ed29f1a72f81cd613bee1f644957398632788b4e72441301620e45958.png
¡Miércoles del jueves!
Ouch
Back to square one. Bah.
Crap.. Right down the middle.
NO!!!!
Sounds bad.
I am out for blood, and have switched from white to red.
This has to be a shutdown inning with the meat of their order coming up.
Or at least needs to be.
So maddening.
Oh Will. So close!
Disappointing futuring.
True.
It wasn’t really that close.
Meh
Webb has Trea’s number
He deep 6’d him.
Urias has thrown only 36 pitches.
Webb 86.
I was wondering what might happen if the Dodgers hit it past the infield.
Ha!
Keep it going, Dodgers!
Come on Trea. Keep it going.
Never has one run seemed so big.
The future looks promising!
Seager!!!
SEEEEEEEEEEEEEGS!!
Yes!!
Appears to be outstanding futuring.
Now for a game break: The Cardinals fired their manager today:
https://www.mlb.com/news/mike-shildt-dismissed-by-cardinals
Rather mystifying for a team that steamed into the post-season.
Winning 17 in a row down the stretch.
Wow. Tough town.
Mookie!
Thought that might go for 2.
Need Urias to hit for extra bases here.
I am, however, recording this so I can watch this later.
Me too, but I drift back to the TV when the Dodgers are batting and freeze it when the Giants are.
Exactly.
You are missing Urias doing his thing
Your excellent descriptions will have to suffice, for now.
Let’s go! Urias fired up.
They’ve burned La Stella and Yaz.
And Julio can maybe get through the 7th without having to face the batters three times.
Yaz is hitless in the series. He’s burned himself.
Keep up the good work, Julito.
I need to refill my wine glass.
Going into hiding again.
Dodgers need to eat their spinach. Three 1-3 putouts!
Me too. I am up in my office. We’ll let the youngins watch.
Sure will dad! Lol
My hair is turning grayer by the inning.
I am a whiter shade of pale right now.
I’m somewhere between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Recommend applying Pantone 294
Ha!
Why do I sense that this will come down to Gonsolin pitching in the 12th, 13th, and 14th innings?
You are being mean to yoursejf
Hahaha!! Well said.
Last five outs: 2 Ks and 3 taps back to Webb.
But a few slightly longer at bats in this inning.
70+ pitches through 5. Sadly that’s far too manageable a pitch count.
Draaaat. But CT3 had the length with that foul ball and that must have shaken Webb up a tiny bit.
Get Urias up this inning.
Guessing that my feed down here in Mexico is a good two minutes delayed. Yawl are all future people to me.
Are the Pantone folks there tonight?
Got two called strikes on balls on Bryant.
I will take them.
Turn about is fair play.
K!
Good umping.
Greasylocks lucks out.
Be nice to turn two here.
Nice is not what I want right now. I want runs.
You don’t want runs while San Fran is batting though!
Right now I want a GIDP
Woulda coulda shoulda but for the WP.
Of all times to slump, Justin!
JT having a rough series.
This bunt attack is not working
Not sure that is their actual plan
Not swing at the outside and down slider isn’t either but they still do it.
Fair point.
Funny.
Dang
You disappoint me.
Dude. That’s just wrong to say.
JT not seeing the strikes down the middle.
“Betts will be off and running at the crack of the bat” Been waiting for that sound.
Yeah – what crack off of what bat is what I want to know?
Next man up. Let’s go JT.
Okay JT. That was close to an on-purpose walk. Make them pay.
Showing no more patience at the plate than we did against Webb the first time.
Slightly more but just slightly.
Time for a big hit from Seager.
It’s easier to watch when the Dodgers are batting.
Right now it’s like choosing between frustration (Dodgers batting) vs agony (Giants batting).
Well said.
Carbon copy!
Husband asleep on the sofa. That’s one way to get through this!
I awoke at 4;30 having slept a solid six hours, but couldn’t take my usual nap.
I napped for a little over an hour leading right into the game.
alright alright alright
Bust Buster, please.
Buster Poindexter > Busted Poseur https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdH_u2i1St4
Looks good, but I can’t take an 11-minute break. Perhaps after the game. And where did you come up with that?
Heard it many times, but today on kpig.com (your local station).
The Opener strategy worked, much to my surprise. Two Openers was rolling the dice, but that worked as well.
La Stella no longer available to get a dunker off of our righty relievers.
I’ve “retired” to Gameday for awhile. I’m with you, RBI.
Oh man.
Getting too old for this, in my 67th season of being a Dodger fan(atic).
I know, but what are we to do?
People have asked me, since I have lived virtually all my adult life in Giants country, why I never became a fan of the Giants. I respond by saying that it would easier to change my blood type.
Ha! Great answer!
Easier to change your DNA, probably.
In my 65th, I’m struggling to keep up with you.
Ah, you’re just a kid.
I remember pulling for the Dodgers in the 55 World Series. My Dad was a Dodger fan. I loved waking up to the Gillette Blue Blade commercial and watching the game. Black and white TV and probably a 15 inch screen.
Let’s do this, Julio!
CT3 has had so many of those since the WC game.
Just missing every time.
Not a lot of wind tonight, but maybe just enough keep that one in.
Heavy air
Only 49 percent humidity.
Maybe Belli will be a hero here!
Not yet.
Patience…
Two innings down and now our starter can play.
Given the nature of this series – I will feel slightly more comfortable once the Dodgers score a run.
That’s how I feel. Stomach in knots though.
Score first please.
Or five.
Pleeeeeeease yes. This inning.
Steroids Boy is not an automatic out.
Drat. So far they’re hitting better than we are.
Very much so.
They’re not hitting the ball hard.
Their weak ground balls and shattered bats have put runners on base. That ignores the first inning.
Already can’t watch and can’t listen.
I wonder if Trienen gets the 3rd inning, Jansen gets the 4th inning and then Urias gets 5-9? Only kinda joking.
Well, we survived Scoop’s opener, barely, and now its Graterol’s turn.
Webb looking good.
Flash in the pan will regress to the mean – if not this year, next year.
Nope.
Crazy that I get excited for Lux AB’s now.
I would love for Crawford to be the goat of this game.
Just not GOAT
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b7c72097e600295e966c7c8e8c7d36bb0ef2fe7d3cfb5f8438d05c14ebde7e31.png
Ok JT. Show time.
Ball? BALL?!?!
Got him!
Strike four!
Needed that strike to have been called a strike
Strike 3 dude.
Easily
Why framing is so important
That was a tough frame for sure though
Impossible to frame
Yea, he would have had to pull it from the outside corner to the inside corner.
Roberts and Friedman anxiously waiting to measure their decision to start Knebel.
Do I have to start pacing early?
Yes
Here’s the most loathsome of Gnats.
When did a first-pitch swing become an “ambush” swing? Or is it just these two guys who call it that?
Dang you, Posey. Double my misery.
Poseurs are always loathsome.
Easy out.
Pitcher needs to be more able than that.
As in able knebel
Trea looked like he was going up the middle but with that sinker, I would rather he had gone to right if for no other reason than he was working the game plan
Trea no!
Very bad AB.
It was unfortunate for sure.
Don’t even WBB. Lol
I thought you were going to say something else. Lol
But, but, you were replying to yourself
I was trying to get out in front of a fastball.
I appear to be ahead of you so far.
The tables have turned!
Umpire already not calling outside pitches strikes.
That’s encouraging.
Solid contact for Corey, but nothing to show for it.
Seager smoked it but no cigar.
Wind not much oi a factor tonight. https://twitter.com/kenarneson/status/1448818592594628626?s=20
Mookie gets on after working the count.
https://twitter.com/Ned2point0/status/1448817895593725953?s=20
Here is somebody who completely disagrees with me on starting Knebel:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-dodgers-try-an-opening-gambit/
I’m ambivalent. I trust Julito but he sometimes takes a while to settle in, while Knebel knows how to shut down another team quickly.
If the Giants had announced today that they were starting an Opener instead of Webb, how would we feel? I think we’d be happy.
Except for his last start, Webb has not gone very deep into games.
May the better team win – and may the Gnats spend the rest of the post-season as spectators cuddling on their couches.
Who starts is immaterial if the Dodger bats chase all those sliders out of the zone again.
True.
If the Dodgers bat around in the first we’ll miss Juiio’s bat. 😉
Knebel has had two plate appearances in his MLB career, both this year with the Dodgers. Grounded out both times.
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/corey-knebel-gets-nlds-game-5-start
If this backfires, Roberts should be fired, unless this has been ordered by Friedman, in which case he should be fired.
What does this do to Urias’s confidence and his pre-game preparations?
This is a great emotional boost for the Giants.
It speaks of the Dodgers running scared.
We are wasting one of our three best relievers. Ideally, Urias goes 6 or 7, followed by Knebel, Treinen and Jansen, as needed.
Perhaps we should have started Larry Sherry instead of Sandy Koufax in Game 1 of the 1963 World Series.
I am dumbfounded, flabbergasted and nonplussed.
This is absurd.
And I hope that I am 100 percent wrong.
I dunno, Scoop. I actually like this move. If any pitcher can start at any point in a game, it’s Julio. And I haven’t always loved Knebel late in games. We need to get runs in the top of the first either way, so let’s do that and then see how things go.
I hope you are totally right. I really do. Perhaps I am just old school.
Knebel has pitched in 266 games in career. He has started 4 of them, all this year as the opener for the Dodgers in August and September. He went a total of 5 2/3 innings, allowed one earned run, gave up six hits, struck out four and walked none…To me, I don’t think the potential reward is worth the potential risk.