Jul 26

Game 105, 2014

Dodgers at Giants, 6:05PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN, CSN-BA

Kershaw vs. Vogelsong. Kershaw (11-2 with a 1.92 ERA) was handed his first loss of the season by the Giants back in May in a seven-inning, three-run performance. Overall, though, he’s 11-5 with a 1.48 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) against his San Francisco rivals in his career. Vogelsong, (5-7 with a 3.99 ERA), is 0-0 with a 3.12 ERA in three starts against the Dodgers this year.

Overnight the Giants added Jake Peavy to their rotation, trading left-hander Edwin Escobar and right-hander Heath Hembree to the Red Sox to get him. They’ll also get cash to pay at least some of his salary. One might look at his record (Peavy, 33, is 1-9 with a 4.72 ERA and has allowed an American League-high 20 home runs) and say “Huh?” Well, Peavy and Giants’ manager Bochy were together with the Padres for Peavy’s first five years in the bigs. Also, he’s got a 8-5 record with a 3.90 ERA in 14 career starts at San Francisco’s AT&T Park.

Lineup when available.

Oct 26

World Series Game Three

The Series moves to St. Louis and Game Three between the Red Sox and the Cardinals begins at 1:30pm HST, 4:30pm PT, 7:30pm ET. I was hoping against hope for a day game at least during the weekend, but no. MLB doesn’t want to go up against college football on Saturday or the NFL on Sunday, I guess.

The Sox send out 32 year old Jake Peavy, who’s won an NL Cy Young award and two ERA titles but hasn’t been very successful in previous postseason appearances. The Cardinals counter with 25 year old Joe Kelly, who hasn’t thrown a pitch in live action since October 16 and is in only his second major league season.

Because the game is in a National League city there’s no designated hitter. That means Big Papi David Ortiz plays first base for the Red Sox and Mike Napoli sits down. That might or might not make a difference defensively, and it certainly will reduce the Bostons’ offensive potential.