Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA
Kershaw v. Gray. One’s 13-6 with a 2.15 ERA, the other is 0-0 with a 5.17 ERA. His team is 1-6 in his seven starts since he was called up. Looks like a walkover, right? No bets. Kershaw could have an off night, and the Rockies have some hot hitters in Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez.
Here’s a sign:
The Rockies are 7-26 against left-handed starters and are expected to face three lefties in Los Angeles: Kershaw, Brett Anderson and Alex Wood.
Lineup:
Tonight's #Dodgers lineup:
Pederson CF
Utley 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Turner 3B
Ethier RF
Seager SS
Grandal C
Schebler LF
Kershaw P #whiff
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 14, 2015
NPUT
I’m going to hate to lose Schebler but we likely will in the next year or so. We already have 3 left-handed outfielders on the 25 man roster and I can’t see any of them being moved, although I’d switch him for Crawford in a heartbeat. I can’t see anyone taking Crawford even if we sent Matt Kemp money with him. Ruggiano actually has a better chance of sticking (I know he is a free agent) because I think they will trade SVS this off-season. Not advocating it, just guessing.
Ruggiano isn’t an FA until 2017. SVS is pretty valuable to the Dodgers, even though he has suffered at the plate recently, in still hitting lefties hard and ability to spell Agon at first. He is going to arbitration, so he will cost the Dodgers substantially more than the current half million bucks, but probably less than a replacement might cost (don’t see anyone readily available on the farm). Why do you think he will be traded?
FO HiJinks…
I don’t think Schebler’s ever been considered a top prospect, but neither was SVS, who once got DFA’s and any team could have claimed him. What we’ve seen of Schebler is encouraging, but hardly definitive. I don’t see them dumping him, in any event – both Crawford and Ethier contracts expire within a couple years, and that will probably be the end of their Dodger careers.
No doubt.
Yabba-Dabba-Doo! Late!
Watched the post-game show after cleaning off the Abby-dog’s paws. Nice to see Kershaw get another win and see another rookie HR. And the replay of A-Gon and his wrestling match with the fan in the box seats was amusing.
This probably sounds crazy, but I don’t think Kershaw did anything to help his Cy Young chances tonight.
I think we’ve been spoiled by Kershaw. For most any other pitcher this would be a gem: 7 IP, 1 ER, 2 BB 5 K. And he lowered his ERA. I don’t think he hurt his Cy Young chances, but I think Greinke has the inside track.
I agree with all of this.
Kershaw says HE thinks Zack has the best shot at it.
Yes we have been spoiled by him – wonderfully and obviously. However, on one level that doesn’t matter or come into play in terms of this years battle for Cy Young. The competition is so tight that compared to Greinke and Arenetta (spelling?), this was not an award winning start. Kershaw has so many “hidden” stats (non-traditional) going for him but didn’t greatly improve on either the trad stats (k’s, era, etc) or those more hidden ones (k/9, k’s/walk, xFIP).
It’s interesting that in many ways Kershaw has pitched better this year than last but likely won’t get the hardware to go with it. I realize that the only hardware that matters to him (and really for me as well) is the championship trophy/ring. However, the 12 year old fan boy in me wants Kershaw to keep racking up the Cy Young awards as well!
Great pick by AGon there!
12 numbers away from magic time!
We win!
Woo-HOO!!!!
What a play!!!!
Schebler > Arenado.
Ump must be in a hurry. That third strike to Alex was a foot off the plate.
The catcher sprinted off the field that’s for sure. Didn’t want the ump to second guess himself (not that an ump would on balls and strikes).
Had to run to catch the ball and just kept on going.
Ha. Basically.
Scott!
Schebler remembered!
What you said! Ha – just teasing… Glad he remembered!
Bingo!
Pitch went from 98 to 82. No wonder SVS was fooled.
Insurance run(s) please.
Colorado pitcher has an era over 8, so it’s possible.
So Hatcher for the ninth?
Looks like it.
That’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Great inning by the pen!!
Avilan looks like Dwight’s brother or cousin Mose from The Office.
He looks vaguely Amish.
That might be it.
Oh brother. Here we go. Fasten your seatbelts, the bullpen has arrived.
Kershaw is done.
What? I thought he was going back in?
Nope. Avilan.
Vin misspoke right at the end of the inning then. Said “time for Kershaw to go to work.”
Close but no cigar.
Almost bounced out of his glove.
Just feel asleep on my couch for a moment there. What’s Kershaw pitch count at?
Just get through these next couple of guys, Kershaw.
Colorado playing musical pitchers.
Schebler forgot how to hit suddenly.
Good inning.
Means he’ll get out there for at least one more. Low k game but take the innings and the lead.
No Kenley tonight, I am guessing so some runs would be nice.
No way. Mattingly almost Torre’d him last night.
Hope Gray gets his very first decision tonight.
Gray looked impressive for the Rox.
Future Dodger.
Sacks full for you-know-who…
Two years ago, you-know-who would have been Puig.
Too bad, but exciting nonetheless.
Got under it obviously.
Exactly.
Turner appears to be coming back to life.
Turner for the RBI!
CarGo has kept a couple of balls from reaching the fence.
He’s fun to watch.
Need. One. More. Hit.
and now another.
Ha. Yes.
Beautiful piece of hitting by Agon to find the gap.
Now that’s the way to do it.
Agreed.
Time for more runs. 2 or 3 would go nicely right now.
Please don’t walk the pitcher again Clayton.
What a jerk.
And so pleased with himself.
Tough play. Need another DP, STAT.
Terrible at bat by Schebler.
Sigh.
Schebler can do some damage here.
Make them regret not walking you Scott!
Grandal 1 for his last 1 now!
Well said.
Two solid hits.
2 or 3 very long outs tonight against Kershaw.
Grandal missing the foul tip there. too many pitches for Kershaw.
Lots of pitches for Kershaw tonight.
He doesn’t have an out pitch working tonight.
That’s it exactly.
I don’t think we are going to get much help from Cincy this week vs. San Francisco. The Reds are weak. They are trailing 3-0 tonight in the third.
And the Dodgers get Pittsburgh. Make it through the week with still at least a 5 game lead and then things even out schedule wise (whatever difference that makes).
I would like to be up by no fewer than six games when we begin the four-game series vs. the Giants two weeks from tonight.
Dodgers are at home this week for three vs. the Rockies and three vs. the Pirates. Giants are at home this week for three vs. the Reds and three vs. the DBacks.
Double play = good.
Walking pitcher=not good.
2 walks is already a lot for Kershaw.
He’s not at his sharpest, but we’ll see. The game is young.
Clayton’s not having a good year with the bat.
Make em pay, Kershaw!
Very encouraging swing from Grandal, game tied.
Just missed it. Kershaw gets a chance to unbreak the tie.
Por poco…
Seags!
Seager likes big league pitching.
You at the game with your son RBI?
Just me tonight. No takers. Too bad you guys all live elsewhere.
Someday I’ll get there. Someday.
Can we give Kershaw a pass on the first inning and make the second inning the start of the game?
In golf that’s a Mulligan.
I have to resign myself to being nervous from now until there are no magic numbers left. I’m at the game, and full of butterflies.
Not a great start on offense or defense for the Dodgers.
Sloppy so far, for sure.
What was the defensive lapse? (I did see good plays by Seager and Joc)
Giving up a run! Kershaw not making his pitches in the first inning.
Oh, defense in a general sense.
Yup.
That sky looks dark out there tonight.
Predicting rain early tomorrow morning.
The rain is needed everywhere, but couldn’t it go up north where the fires are?
Joc scorches one!
And gets scorched back trying to steal. His moma taught him better than that…
He wasn’t even trying. Just too far off first.
Funny to watch out here. Picked off part not so funny.
Predicting we’re going to do well against a certain team or pitcher is a no-no, like talking about a no-hitter.
Really? How about thinking it?
Don’t pay any attention to what I say, I don’t know what I’m talking about….
… and I’m paranoid about jinxing the game.
None of us here have an iota of influence over the game. Say, do, or think whatever you like, it won’t change the game one whit. I would think it presumptuous to think I could influence the gain, and I would certainly try to use it to my financial advantage. Mea culpa…
No apologies necessary! Really! I am notorious in my household for my magical thinking.
Egad! Clayton gave up a run!
I told you already, Package jinxed us.
22 pitches in the first inning for Mr Kershaw. Hope that doesn’t hurt down the road.
Season over!
There was some discussion of Puig’s whereabouts until it was learned he was working out on a specific machine called an Alter G which was available at the Dodgers’ facilities at Camelback Ranch but not at Chase Field. Here’s an Alter G machine.
I think I understand the concept. It would allow one to exercise leg muscles without the stress of supporting body weight. If you can’t afford one of those machines, a bicycle does pretty much the same thing.
Jon Gray, Colorado’s starting pitcher tonight, was the third overall pick in the 2013 draft. Kris Bryant of the Cubs was second, Mark Appel, a RHP, was taken first by the Astros.
2006 June Draft, First 15 Picks
1. Luke Hochevar, RHP, Royals
2. Greg Reynolds, RHP, Rockies
3. Evan Longoria, 3B, Devil Rays
4. Brad Lincoln, RHP, Pirates
5. Brandon Morrow, RHP, Mariners
6. Andrew Miller, LHP, Tigers
7. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers
8. Drew Stubbs, OF, Reds
9. Billy Rowell, 3B, Orioles
10. Tim Lincecum, RHP, Giants
11. Max Scherzer, RHP, Diamondbacks
12. Kasey Kiker, LHP, Rangers
13. Tyler Colvin, OF, Cubs
14. Travis Snider, OF, Blue Jays
15. Chris Marrero, OF, Nationals
Among all 44 first-round picks that year, including compensation picks, here are the leaders in WAR: Kersahw 47.6, Longoria 42.8, Scherzer 30.0, Lincecum 22.6, and Ian Kennedy, 21st by Yankees, from Phillies, 10.4.
Hochevar was drafted twice by the Dodgers, in the 39th round of the 2002 amateur draft, and in the 1st round (40th pick) of the 2005 amateur draft, but did not sign with them.
The strange season of Yasmani Grandal:
His first 9 games — 6-for-36, ,167 batting average
His next 82 games — 74-for-247, .300
His last 12 games — 0-for-36, .000
Cumulative, 103 games — 80-for-319, .251
He’ll be back, but it’s not clear when. Recent swings have looked better.
Gray went higher in the draft (third) than Kershaw did (seventh) in the same year.
David and Goliath. Always tricky for Goliath…