Los Angeles Dodgers 2009 Official Thread

[Bleacher Bum]

Manny has arrived in LA from Miami!!

:party::party::party::party::party::party::party:

(The presumption here, of course, is that he's here to ink a deal with the Dodgers, not visit Disneyland.)

[MyKenk]

That's a pretty strong presumption.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Maybe he can start negotiations by firing his agent.

[dressed up like the Cure]

who?

[dressed up like the Cure]

signed...

[MyKenk]

Maybe he can start negotiations by firing his agent.
sounds like his agent did a damn good job. got signed to basically the original deal that was pulled off the table, and got to miss the boring parts of spring training.

[MooBeay]

sounds like his agent did a damn good job. got signed to basically the original deal that was pulled off the table, and got to miss the boring parts of spring training.

this ends poorly for the dodgers

[BallaActuary]

Isn't the reef the area where garbage threads get sent to?

[BallaActuary]

:reef:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

sounds like his agent did a damn good job. got signed to basically the original deal that was pulled off the table, and got to miss the boring parts of spring training.
Yeah, great job finding other interested teams to force a bidding war and RAISE the final offer from the original one.

[MyKenk]

this ends poorly for the dodgers

Why, it's a 1 year deal?

Oh sorry, the correct response: most things do.

Yeah, great job finding other interested teams to force a bidding war and RAISE the final offer from the original one.

He got a clubhouse cancer 45M Plus, after the 45M deal got pulled off the table.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Why, it's a 1 year deal?

Oh sorry, the correct response: most things do.



He got a clubhouse cancer 45M Plus, after the 45M deal got pulled off the table.
Supposedly. You'd have to believe what the Boston press was fed by the Red Sox management, though.
He's not a cancer like Milton Bradley or Jeff Kent. I consider him extremely eccentric (AKA crazy, but it's OK because he's rich). And he's certainly no clubhouse leader. No way he puts on that hat.

And only for two years max.
Now, all McCourt has to do is find $45 million within five years. Some rich a-hole might bed his wife for that amount.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The good thing about getting Manny at this point is that the players on the Dodgers know exactly who he is. Or, he is who they think he is.

Dennis Green is a genius.

[BallaActuary]

No complaints about last night's score :tup:

[Bleacher Bum]

Most surprising stats thus far in the young season:

Dodgers team ERA: 3.23
WHIP: 1.00

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Most surprising stats thus far in the young season:

Dodgers team ERA: 3.23
WHIP: 1.00

God Bless your avatar and 1988 in general.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Bump for sweeping pathetic brown/orange combo team.

[BallaActuary]

God Bless your avatar and 1988 in general.


You have it completely twisted

[BallaActuary]

Bump for sweeping pathetic brown/orange combo team.

I'm going to save my dignity and not even try to type a comeback.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

You have it completely twisted

Just cuz you love Dennis Eckersley doesn't mean you gotta be hatin' on the boys in blue

[Dr T Non-Fan]

I'm going to find my dignity before trying to lose it again when I type a comeback.
Fixed.
Dude, focus your hate on something that matters.

[BallaActuary]

Fixed.
Dude, focus your hate on something that matters.


:sad:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

:sad:
Now, THAT's the right color!!

Yes, yes, use your hate, young ballawalker...

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Anyone want to guess at the score of a Dodgers-Rockies game in Colorado??

[Person Man]

Anyone want to guess at the score of a Dodgers-Rockies game in Colorado??
TMQ generic prediction: Home team wins 20-17.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

:bump:

13-0 at home! :party:

[MyKenk]

Manny suspended 50 games for PEDS?!?

:yikes:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Manny suspended 50 games for PEDS?!?

:yikes:


Dammmit! I didn't want to post that 13-0 thingy because of jinx reasoning, but I though, "Nah, there's no jinx"

[dlwktb]

Uh-oh... What NL West team can take advantage?

[Ginormous76]

Uh-oh... What NL West team can take advantage?

Ummm... the uhhhh... the Rockies?

[BallaActuary]

:lol: Mods, please lock this thread.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9560906/No-Manny?-No-problem.-Dodgers-will-be-fine

As I was saying all along, ex-Giant Jeff Kent was the biggest problem in the last few years. Now with numbers to back it up.

[Bleacher Bum]

Jason Schmidt is winning ballgames, Jeff Weaver is pitching effectively, Manny Ramirez jerks pinch-hit grand slams into Mannywood on night's he's unable to start... this team is on quite a roll.

Best team in baseball right now.

[SirVLCIV]

Jason Schmidt is winning ballgames, Jeff Weaver is pitching effectively, Manny Ramirez jerks pinch-hit grand slams into Mannywood on night's he's unable to start... this team is on quite a roll.

Best team in baseball right now.

Non AL East Division.

Best record <> Best team.

Fourth best team in baseball.

[MountainHawk]

Non AL East Division.

Best record <> Best team.

Fourth best team in baseball.
He said 'baseball'. Not 'game that sort of looks like baseball, but uses a DH.'

[Keep It Real, Yo]

This is great! When's the last time the Dodgers had the best regular season record this late? And if they got to use a DH, Juan Pierre and Manny can be in the lineup! Yay!

[Bleacher Bum]

Non AL East Division.

Best record <> Best team.

Fourth best team in baseball.

Um, do you work for ESPN too, SirVLCIV?

[SirVLCIV]

Um, do you work for ESPN too, SirVLCIV?

Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, the Diamondbacks and Padres are just FEARED opponents. I would NEVER want to have to face THEM 18-19 games a year.

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers suck

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Dodgers suck
Former Giant sucks.
You had to wait a pretty long time for them to lose a series.

[Bleacher Bum]

Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, the Diamondbacks and Padres are just FEARED opponents. I would NEVER want to have to face THEM 18-19 games a year.

Just as I suspected -- SirVLCIV is works for the mother ship (with apologies to Dan Patrick.)

[MyKenk]

Stay classy, LA.

[Feif]

Stay classy, LA.

Hey, the Dodgers didn't try to charge the Brewers' locker room.

[MyKenk]

Hey, the Dodgers didn't try to charge the Brewers' locker room.
No, they just followed Torre's order to intentionally hit our best hitter, up by 13 runs.

[Cohete009]

Dodgers fans are classless.

[IAHAWKEYE]

No, they just followed Torre's order to intentionally hit our best hitter, up by 13 runs.

I predict an up and in fastball in Manny's first at bat tonight.

[Feif]

No, they just followed Torre's order to intentionally hit our best hitter, up by 13 runs.

In retaliation for the Brewers hitting 2 Dodgers batters (including Manny) when losing by 8 runs.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Meh. It hit him in the third fattest part of his body.

Apparently Mota and Fielder are not friends.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Stay classy, LA.
Stay within ten runs, Milwaukee.

[MyKenk]

Stay within ten runs, Milwaukee.
We'll try! :tup:

At least try to make it look unintentional. Or don't have your catcher admit it was unintentional.

[SirVLCIV]

Just as I suspected -- SirVLCIV is works for the mother ship (with apologies to Dan Patrick.)

Was this English? ;-)

[Dr T Non-Fan]

We'll try! :tup:

At least try to make it look unintentional. Or don't have your catcher admit it was unintentional.
They'll have to work on that.

I expect Martin to get thrown at, too, after that remark.
It's possible that it wasn't intentional, but Martin just said it was, so they don't look like pussies again, as he referred to the Philly matchup of last playoff, though more elegantly.

But, yeah it didn't have to be a fastball, with no movement, straight to the Fielder's hip. Wild slow curveball would have the same effect, not hurt as much.

[MyKenk]

They'll have to work on that.

I expect Martin to get thrown at, too, after that remark.
It's possible that it wasn't intentional, but Martin just said it was, so they don't look like pussies again, as he referred to the Philly matchup of last playoff, though more elegantly.

But, yeah it didn't have to be a fastball, with no movement, straight to the Fielder's hip. Wild slow curveball would have the same effect, not hurt as much.
Yep. I've got no problem with retaliation, even though I don't know if Manny getting hit was intentional, that pitcher is pretty much useless. Just don't make it so blatant (maybe don't have a guy warming up to come in with 2 outs in the 9th up 13, shut your catcher up, etc.)

[Dr T Non-Fan]

It was a pretty soft spot, though.
There is bad blood between the two. Mota probably didn't need an excuse to throw at him, but it wasn't on hands or near the head.

For "blatant": "Hey, Guillermo, you're starting tomorrow night!" With Schmidt warming up in the bullpen.

[MyKenk]

Where's the "bad blood" from? I heard nothing of that, other than "they're not on friendly terms"...

:shrug:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Where's the "bad blood" from? I heard nothing of that, other than "they're not on friendly terms"...

:shrug:
That sounds a lot like a euphemism to me.

Oh, I'm sure one (or both) of them thinks the other is a clubhouse cancer.

[Cohete009]

Loop pitched great!

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers suck and are jerkholes.

[Patience]

Mota is a real popular guy, I believe Mike Piazza also paid him a clubhouse visit after getting hit in a spring training game 5-6 years ago, Mota's prior turn w/ Dodgers

[Triweasel]

Dodgers suck and are jerkholes.

this has always been, and will always be, true.

[BallaActuary]

this has always been, and will always be, true.

:h5:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Woohoo! Dodgers! A bit rough the last few games, but still the best!

Oh, if it is found out that Orel Hershiser used steroids, I'm never watching baseball again. Not even pee-wee t-ball

[BallaActuary]

http://www.sportable.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/giants-logo.png

[Feif]

:tup:

[BallaActuary]

:tdown:

[Feif]

:party:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

http://www.sportable.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/giants-logo.png

Nice logo. Isn't that the one that the 3rd place team wears? Do they have their own thread or does nobody care?

:rock1:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Meh. Expectations are achieved.

Lincecum should provide some relief today to Balla. That outside strike being called will be even harder to hit (easier to take, perhaps) with his pitches.

Interesting stat in ESPN's vs. division standings: All but one team in the NL West have losing records against the NL West.

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers are teh sux

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Dodgers are teh sux
I thought I provided some advice a number of posts ago?

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Dodgers are teh sux

Dodgers are teh first place

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Oh, all you Dodger haterz, thanks for keeping this thread alive

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers are teh first place

If the Dodgers and Giants make it to the playoffs, the Giants will have a more successful postseason.

[BallaActuary]

Jason Schmidt is winning ballgames, Jeff Weaver is pitching effectively, Manny Ramirez jerks pinch-hit grand slams into Mannywood on night's he's unable to start... this team is on quite a roll.

Best team in baseball right now.

lolz. Schmidt is old and washed up. Weaver loses today and Man-Ram is on the verge of another suspension when he goes into roid rage.

[BallaActuary]

I thought I provided some advice a number of posts ago?


Don't know what you are talking about

[Triweasel]

If the Dodgers and Giants make it to the playoffs, the Giants will have a more successful postseason.

true.

[Feif]

It would be interesting to see how Lincecum handles the postseason. Many young pitchers crack under the pressure. Plus, if they played each other, they'd actually have a good match up, not Lincecum against Weaver. I'd like to see a Lincecum vs. Kershaw game. 2 good, young pitchers under the pressure of the playoffs.

Oh, and just like you say Manny is on the verge of another suspension, I think Lincecum is on the verge of snapping his wrist. You have to do some damage when you're generating that much torque.

[BallaActuary]

He's 5'10" - he shouldn't be able to throw that hard anyways. But his dad is a brilliant engineer who taught him how to properly throw hard so he will be fine. I'd be more concerned about roids making Man-Ram injury prone for the rest of his career. He's a defensive liability anyways and hustles less than Bonds did...so it wouldn't really be a bad thing if his career was cut shortly.

Lincecum has been the best pitcher in the bigs over the past 2 years. He's not going to freeze up in the playoffs.

[Triweasel]

werd.
that skinny freak is da man

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Dodgers are in 1st place.

Oh, continue on with your hypotheticals....

[Bleacher Bum]

Magic number down to 39 for Giants to be eliminated from division title race.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Bump for game in progress at 2nd place Rockies...
LA ties up game with two in the top of 9th.
Martin showing his fatigue by popping out to CF to end inning with bases loaded.

Troncoso gets out of small jam (though any jm could be big at 5200 feet) K'ing Iannetta with runner on first to end inning.

Troncoso up 2nd in top of 10th. See what Torre will do. 0/5 lifetime with 5Ks. Doesn't work the count much. if O'Dog gets on, Tron could bunt. Not sure who's on the bench. Pierre started the rally last inning off the bench.

Loretta hitting for Tron. Hudson ground out to catcher.
Loretta out.
Furcal up. And out.
Game over. Skipped out to pee, and then ti's over.
Need two of these three.

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers are in 1st place.

Oh, continue on with your hypotheticals....

The way the Rockies are playing post all star break, both our teams might be sitting at home in October

[Triweasel]

The way the Rockies are playing post all star break, both our teams might be sitting at home in October

that walk-off grand slam the other night pretty much iced it for the giants imo. :exams:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

that walk-off grand slam the other night pretty much iced it for the giants imo. :exams:
That sure was a rally-killer.

I was trying to figure out what the Rockies have done, other than change the manager. Since what Tracy has done is nearly unprecedented, I wanted to know if there were any stats improvements, and whether they can be linked in any way to Tracy. I found a little BABIP-against improvement, so maybe there has been improved fielding.
rekrap, in the other thread, noted differences in scheduling.

[yankeetripper]

That sure was a rally-killer.

I was trying to figure out what the Rockies have done, other than change the manager. Since what Tracy has done is nearly unprecedented, I wanted to know if there were any stats improvements, and whether they can be linked in any way to Tracy. I found a little BABIP-against improvement, so maybe there has been improved fielding.
rekrap, in the other thread, noted differences in scheduling.

you can check out BP's article on just that http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9448

a few things but mostly better defense since the return of Tulowitski and more playing time for Gonzoles

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The way the Rockies are playing post all star break, both our teams might be sitting at home in October

Even if the Rockies continue this stuff the Dodgers look very good for the wild card.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

you can check out BP's article on just that http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=9448

a few things but mostly better defense since the return of Tulowitski and more playing time for Gonzoles
Maybe you could paste the whole thing for us cheapskates?

From the parts I've read, it seems that defense has improved, and that Tracy was making those personnel decisions.
Now, about those adjusted baseballs they use at Coors. they still do that??

I'd also like to know whether Tracy used stats to make his decisions. Seemed long ago in a ballpark far away, he had disagreements with a certain stats-heavy GM over how to create a successful team. Now, that GM is no longer at his position, but maybe he learned from him or someone about putting together a team for Coors half the time.

[yankeetripper]

Maybe you could paste the whole thing for us cheapskates?

An actuarial cheapstake? Wait that's redundant isn't it?

The Rockies' Road to the Playoffs
by Joe Sheehan

With another extra-inning win, their second straight, the Rockies closed the Dodgers’ National League West lead to just two games, the closest any NL West team has been to Los Angeles since April 24, coincidentally a day the Dodgers won at Coors Field. The Rockies have made up 4½ games in 14 days, going 10-3 while the Dodgers were limping in at 5-7.

Dramatics have not been terribly common for the Rockies this season, who had just one extra-inning win prior to Monday night’s 14-inning classic against the Giants. They haven’t been particularly successful in one-run games, just 15-17 after their 5-4 win over the Dodgers. In fact, the Rockies’ incredible hot streak—52-22 since June 4—is remarkable for how little luck has played a part in it. The Rockies have outscored their opponents 398-289 in that timeframe, which would normally create a 48-26 mark. They’ve outplayed that by a bit, but 48-26 would still be a fantastic record, a 106-win pace over a full season.

Look at that run differential again, and what you’ll see is that the Rockies, while playing home games in Coors Field, have held their opponents to less than four runs per game for half a year. That’s incredible, but it’s also a team-wide effort. The Rockies are third-best in the NL in walks allowed, and fifth-best in home runs allowed. Yes, the team that plays at altitude has allowed fewer homers than all but a couple of squads. The Rockies, led by ground-ball pitchers Aaron Cook and Jason Marquis, don’t put balls in the air. It would appear that the strategy that failed nearly 15 years ago is now successful. It helps when you play defense; the Rockies, again fighting the effects of physics, are ninth in Park-Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. Their 2007 pennant-winning team had the highest PADE in team history, while last year’s disaster—the one that mostly missed Troy Tulowitzki—had below-average range. The difference is even more dramatic if you go back to June 4; the Rockies had allowed a .330 batting average on balls in play up to that date. Since then, the number is .294. That coincides with personnel decisions by new manager Jim Tracy, giving more time to Carlos Gonzales and Clint Barmes at the expense of lesser defenders.

The Rockies have defended their way to the wild-card lead and within shouting distance of the Dodgers. The offense has been helpful, 10th overall in EqA thanks to balance—no Rockie is above a .304 EqA, but nine of their top 11 guys are at .253 or higher, and the ones who aren’t have been losing playing time. The Rockies have become a fantastic secondary-average team, leading the league in walks and extra-base hits, the latter being more than just a park effect: they don’t hit for average on the road (.238) but they do slug (.171 isolated power).

It’s run prevention, that has been the story here, just as it was two years ago when the Rockies won the pennant. The Rockies lead the league in quality starts despite having no pitchers who could get picked out of a lineup. Jason Hammel is here because the Rays had a roster logjam at the end of spring training. He threw seven good innings in last night’s game, has a 91/27 K/UIBB ratio and has allowed a mere 12 homers in 132 innings pitched. He’s one of five Rockies starters who have made 123 of the team’s 126 starts, remarkable stability that has been another key to the team’s success this season. Any team that doesn’t have to dip down to its sixth, seventh, and even lower-ranked starters has a big leg up on the competition. The Rockies lost Jeff Francis in spring training, but everything since then has gone right for them where their starting pitching is concerned.

The Dodgers’ lead is down to two games, but it’s actually six. That’s their edge on the Giants for a post-season berth, the critical number. Should they and the Rockies both stay ahead of the pack, the difference between finishing first and second in the NL West is tiny, a seeding decision, and as we’ve seen in the past, teams play to win a post-season berth, not a division title if the former is already locked up. The Dodgers have no need to panic; they’ve actually outscored their opponents during their current 13-18 slide, and have a +23 run differential in August to go with a 10-13 record. They have the best third-order record in baseball—the best measure of overall performance—and a 93 percent chance of making the playoffs that includes a 70 percent chance of winning the West.

I wouldn’t mind seeing Joe Torre run his bullpen a bit differently; just three days after the inspired decision to use his best reliever against the middle of the lineup in the eighth inning, Torre managed to lose an extra-inning game without using either Jonathan Broxton or George Sherrill, despite both having two days’ rest. Instead, he allowed James McDonald to pitch the 11th inning, and five batters later, the game was over. McDonald hasn’t been awful, but he’s not Broxton and he’s not Sherrill. Torre has to do a better job of getting usage out of his top relievers in that kind of situation.

Other than that, the Dodgers don’t have much that they need to change. They have a fixed lineup and a deep, if slightly overworked, bullpen. They’ve been running open tryouts for the final two rotation slots in the absence of Hiroki Kuroda and the failure of Jason Schmidt to stay healthy. In contrast to the Rockies, the Dodgers have used 10 starters, and will make it 11 with Vicente Padilla this weekend. Individually, you’d take their top three against the Rockies’ top three, and even their nominal top four, but the stability and performance the Rockies have gotten from Jorge De La Rosa and Hammel has been better than what the Dodgers have gotten from the combination of Kuroda, Kuroda’s replacements, and the revolving door in the fifth slot.

You can’t get too caught up in the narrative. The Dodgers still have a two-game lead and the better team, although the gap between them and the Rockies has narrowed throughout the season. My real takeaway is that the gap between the Rockies and the other wild-card contenders has been understated. This is much, much better team than the Giants or Braves or Marlins, and having taken a closer look at them, I’m sold on the fact that it’s the NL West, not the East or Central, that will provide half the league’s playoff teams this season. The Braves simply won’t score enough to back their staff, nor will the Giants. The Rockies have a complete team, their sole weakness being a bullpen that is deep but not terribly effective—as we saw last night—and while not 52-22 good, deserve to be considered the favorites in the wild-card chase.

Joe Sheehan is an author of Baseball Prospectus. You can contact Joe by clicking here or click here to see Joe's other articles.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Yes, it's redundant. I merely emphasized it, for emphasis.

Thanks, yt!
Good read. Worth the money you and I paid for it.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Whew.... those Rockies are pesky. Two out of three ain't bad

[Keep It Real, Yo]

6 games up with 30 to go!!!!

:party:

But this is also when I start getting nervous. Don't blow it, guys! Don't blow it!

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers are a .500 team since the allstar break. Don't get too excited for a nothing postseason.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Dodgers are a .500 team since the allstar break. Don't get too excited for a nothing postseason.

Perhaps, but after that mini-Rockies run there I was getting nervous. I'm so glad to just .... whew!

[Feif]

Dodgers are a .500 team since the allstar break. Don't get too excited for a nothing postseason.

A nothing postseason is where a team (like, say, the Giants) don't make it.
Once you're in teh playoffs, it's already something.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_oddspec.php

Rockies at 51%, Giants at 23%? Too lazy right now to look up remaining schedules. Or is that based on run differential (Rockies +72, Giants +34)

[BallaActuary]

A nothing postseason is where a team (like, say, the Giants) don't make it.
Once you're in teh playoffs, it's already something.


:lol: Winning 92 out of 162 regular season games but getting destroyed in the playoffs is really no different than a team winning 87 out of 162 regular season games and not making the playoffs.

If you don't win the championship in baseball, your season wasn't successful.

[BallaActuary]

BTW, I'm glad Manny is back because he really slows the Dodgers down.

[Feif]

:lol: Winning 92 out of 162 regular season games but getting destroyed in the playoffs is really no different than a team winning 87 out of 162 regular season games and not making the playoffs.

If you don't win the championship in baseball, your season wasn't successful.

Now you sound like a Yankees fan...
So the last successful season the Giants had was 1954? No wonder you're always in a bad mood about it.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

:lol: Winning 92 out of 162 regular season games but getting destroyed in the playoffs is really no different than a team winning 87 out of 162 regular season games and not making the playoffs.

If you don't win the championship in baseball, your season wasn't successful.

Well, even if that philosophy was the case for me, right now I'd be happy we are in line for the playoffs.

And then I'd be concerned with each series.

[BallaActuary]

Now you sound like a Yankees fan...
So the last successful season the Giants had was 1954? No wonder you're always in a bad mood about it.


I'm not in a bad mood. Out of 162 games, usually only 3-4 separate playoff teams with the best non-playoff team. How can you honestly consider making the playoffs but not doing anything in the postseason successful?

The Dodgers are not very good and it will be enjoyable to watch their true colors shine in October.

[BallaActuary]

Well, even if that philosophy was the case for me, right now I'd be happy we are in line for the playoffs.

And then I'd be concerned with each series.


The Giants are too so what's your point?

[BallaActuary]

that walk-off grand slam the other night pretty much iced it for the giants imo. :exams:

A little payback last night :h5:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

I'm not in a bad mood. Out of 162 games, usually only 3-4 separate the lesser playoff teams with the best non-playoff team. How can you honestly consider making the playoffs but not doing anything in the postseason successful?

IFYP. And that being said, I think the big hangup is what we consider successful. So, for me the Dodgers making the playoffs is more fun that not making the playoffs. Winning more games than the Giants, Rockies, Padres and many others is fun. If the Dodgers don't win the World Series I'll be disappointed, but I will have enjoyed this season far more than if they hadn't made the playoffs.

The Dodgers are not very good and it will be enjoyable to watch their true colors shine in October.

Uh... dude. Your crew is six games out and you're talking smack?

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The Giants are too so what's your point?

So are the Cardinals and Phillies. But right now I'm lovin' the fact that the Dodgers are in. Uh, FYI, the Giants haven't already won a postseason series, which for some reason you are assuming already happened.

[BallaActuary]

IFYP. And that being said, I think the big hangup is what we consider successful. So, for me the Dodgers making the playoffs is more fun that not making the playoffs. Winning more games than the Giants, Rockies, Padres and many others is fun. If the Dodgers don't win the World Series I'll be disappointed, but I will have enjoyed this season far more than if they hadn't made the playoffs.

Uh... dude. Your crew is six games out and you're talking smack?

When the Dodgers only win one playoff game, you will consider that fun?

The Dodgers have their own thread which means their fans falsely think they are a good baseball team. Just opening their eyes, that's all.

[BallaActuary]

So are the Cardinals and Phillies. But right now I'm lovin' the fact that the Dodgers are in. Uh, FYI, the Giants haven't already won a postseason series, which for some reason you are assuming already happened.


I never said that. I said the Giants will do better in the postseason if they both make it. The Giants are better suited to succeed in the playoffs than the Dodgers.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Uh... dude. Your crew is six games out and you're talking smack?
The hata actuary never ends.

I think it's funny that he is anticipating October because there is nearly nothing left of his team's season. Funny, sad, pathetic, what-crawled-up-his-butt, what-happened-in-his-childhood,..... all at the same time.

Balla, are you then hoping your team doesn't make the playoffs? Because, that would feel better than losing in the playoffs? Because, if your team could cooperate just once and win the wild card then win its playoff series, then we can see some real fireworks when the Dodgers play the Giants for the World Series. we could have fun side bets and everything. But, if you'd rather your Gi-ain'ts miss the playoffs, so be it.

[Feif]

Sure they are. How many players on the Giants have playoff experience? I can see their pitchers just completely falling apart.
http://www.dodgerstats.com/images/Giants-Suck.gif

[BallaActuary]

There may be ants in my butt. We get them really bad in the summer here.

Of course I want the Giants to make the playoffs. They have the right pitching staff to do very well if they make it.

But if they make the postseason and get swept, that is no more successful than missing the postseason by one game to the Rockies.

The Dodgers have played mediocre ball since the all-star break. How can you really get excited for a team that is going to get destroyed in the playoffs?

[BallaActuary]

Sure they are. How many players on the Giants have playoff experience? I can see their pitchers just completely falling apart.
http://www.dodgerstats.com/images/Giants-Suck.gif

Because the Dodgers starting staff is something to be scared of? :lol:

I would take Cain and Lincecum over the Dodgers' staff any day.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

The Dodgers have played mediocre ball since the all-star break. How can you really get excited for a team that is going to get destroyed in the playoffs?
Ah, there is your wrong assumption. I won't get excited about that. I'm nowhere near the fanboy-level of frenzy that some posters here are about their teams.
Making playoffs > not making the playoffs. Maybe it's not that much greater, but it certainly can't be equal or less. I think having some experience and data would help you to see this, but you chose that team, so they won't help you in that department.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

There may be ants in my butt. We get them really bad in the summer here.

Of course I want the Giants to make the playoffs. They have the right pitching staff to do very well if they make it.

But if they make the postseason and get swept, that is no more successful than missing the postseason by one game to the Rockies.

The Dodgers have played mediocre ball since the all-star break. How can you really get excited for a team that is going to get destroyed in the playoffs?

Because other teams have limped into the playoffs and won it all. See, it's a game and quite often there are unexpected results.

[BallaActuary]

Because other teams have limped into the playoffs and won it all. See, it's a game and quite often there are unexpected results.


The Dodgers aren't a team capable of "limping in and winning it all" so why bring it up?

[BallaActuary]

Ah, there is your wrong assumption. I won't get excited about that. I'm nowhere near the fanboy-level of frenzy that some posters here are about their teams.
Making playoffs > not making the playoffs. Maybe it's not that much greater, but it certainly can't be equal or less. I think having some experience and data would help you to see this, but you chose that team, so they won't help you in that department.

About two weeks after the season, teams who (A) failed to make the postseason and (B) got destroyed in their first playoff series will have exactly the same season result - sitting at home watching four other teams try for a WS ring.

Making playoffs + showing how overrated your team is = not making playoffs by 1 or 2 games, IMO.

[Feif]

I'm sure if the Giants were in first place, your opinion would change.

[BallaActuary]

I'm sure if the Giants were in first place, your opinion would change.

No.

Both teams have weaknesses. The weaknesses of the Giants are easier to overcome in the postseason than those of the Dodgers.

I'll admit the Giants have weaknesses. The excitement in this thread about the Dodgers suggests their fans aren't willing to do the same.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The Dodgers aren't a team capable of "limping in and winning it all" so why bring it up?

Wow.

Well, I'm just going to assume you are either bored or truly can't stand the fact that a Dodger fan is having a good day.

Which I am.

:party:

[BallaActuary]

Wow.

Well, I'm just going to assume you are either bored or truly can't stand the fact that a Dodger fan is having a good day.

Which I am.

:party:

The Dodgers pitching staff can't win them a WS. Whether they limp in or go in on fire (like the Yankees), they won't win the WS. Why be excited about just making the postseason knowing that?

[Feif]

Manny has a history of stepping it up in the playoffs.
Kershaw has been fantastic.
Billingsley is finally getting back to what he was in the beginning of the season.
This young knuckle-baller, Haeger, has been very good (although you never know with a knuckle-baller)
Wolf has been pitching great.

You say they're limping in, and that their pitching won't cut it. If you look at the scores, a lot of the games were low-scoring games. Their pitching really hasn't been bad, they just stopped hitting. If Manny steps it up in the playoffs, I think they can do well.

[BallaActuary]

Manny has a history of stepping it up in the playoffs.
Kershaw has been fantastic.
Billingsley is finally getting back to what he was in the beginning of the season.
This young knuckle-baller, Haeger, has been very good (although you never know with a knuckle-baller)
Wolf has been pitching great.

You say they're limping in, and that their pitching won't cut it. If you look at the scores, a lot of the games were low-scoring games. Their pitching really hasn't been bad, they just stopped hitting. If Manny steps it up in the playoffs, I think they can do well.


Manny also has a history of taking substances banned by baseball which he can't do anymore. Considering you mention it twice:

Manny has a history of stepping it up in the playoffs.
If Manny steps it up in the playoffs, I think they can do well.

you are banking on him being illegal-substance ManRam and looking at his performance since his suspension, you honestly counting on a remarkable postseason from him? I'm not so sure I would be and to be fair, I wouldn't have counted on Bonds if he couldn't take his juice anymore either.

4 "doing good" pitchers doesn't cut it in the MLB postseason. Teams don't play 5 games in 5 days with 5 different starting pitchers. They play 2-3 games in 5 days banking on 2-3 starting pitchers. None of those listed are by any means elite.

Lincecum alone could win 2 games and Cain easily one - I'll take my chances of the Giants going 1-3 in the other 4 games. Dodgers don't have that luxury.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Limping = coasting at this point.

Dodgers' weaknesses, just to show off to Hayta:
1. Tired catcher who won't take enough days off.
2. Relief pitching.
3. Starting pitching is above average, but don't pitch long enough and no star (like this year's expected CYAW Lincecum) to virtually guarantee two good games against a playoff team.
4. Batters don't see enough pitches.
5. 1B doesn't hit enough homers.
6. LF has the range of a two-toed sloth.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Whoops, I spoke too soon. Here is some of Celizic's column, along with fjm2's responses, stating that only Manny is the Dodgers' problem.





Sunday, August 30, 2009

I've Got a Bone to Pick with MSNBC's HR Department..... (http://firejaymariotti.blogspot.com/2009/08/ive-got-bone-to-pick-with-msnbcs-hr_30.html)

Posted by pnoles at 12:56 PM (http://firejaymariotti.blogspot.com/2009/08/ive-got-bone-to-pick-with-msnbcs-hr_30.html)
Celizic wrote again. (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/32559521/ns/sports-baseball/) I continue to wonder what anyone ever saw in this guy.

Time for Manny, Torre to earn their keep
As the Dodgers struggle, focus should be on star, manager

You could focus on how Raffy Furcal shit the bed this year, or how someone sapped Russell Martin's power. You could focus on the fact that the first baseman can't slug his way out of a paper bag, or the fact that injuries have dilapidated the rotation to the point where knucklejunkit Chuck Haeger made a start (and will make another today) for arguably the best team in baseball. You could look at a little bad luck, or the fact that their "decline" is more rooted in how hot the Colorado Rockies are than how less-than-good the Dodgers are playing.

But you can ABSOLUTELY NOT focus on a guy who doesn't play for the team, or THE FU*KING STAR LEFT FIELDER HITTING .306/.424/.536. Remember these slash stats. You will be seeing them many times in this post.

When the Dodgers opened the vault to hire Joe Torre, it was because of his ability to manage teams under playoff stress. And when they dug deep to sign Manny Ramirez, it was because of his ability to drag a team into the playoffs by his dreadlocks.

Which he is failing miserably at to the tune of .306/.424/.536.

This would be a good time for both to live up to their reputation: Torre as the unflappable leader whose teams never panic, even when they can’t buy a win; Manny as one of baseball’s most reliable RBI machines.

The Dodgers are 6-4 in their last 10....they can't BUY a win.

And Manny sucks too. .306/.424/.536.

Nobody’s blaming Torre for what could be a memorable collapse should the Rockies continue their torrid pace and the Dodgers fail to remember how to win. At least not in Los Angeles, they aren’t.

The Dodgers are 12-14 this month. Vulnerable, but saying that they "forgot how to win", is insane. Most very good teams have at least one month like this.

And so the blame for the Dodger doldrums is falling squarely on the shoulders of Manny.

Ex....cuse me? You're pointing the finger at the best offensive player on the team, (who, might I add, is hitting .306/.424/.536)?

Normally, calling one player on the carpet for a team’s problems is too simplistic. But in this case, it’s not.

Mike Celizic has thoroughly analyzed the performances of everyone on the roster and has come to the conclusion that Manny Ramirez is the problem. He tried several different methods, and all of them output that Manny is the problem. I'm serious.

...

...

Naw, I'm kidding. He just figured out his batting average since the All-Star break and cited some freakish RBI stats.

If Manny were even half the player he was last year, the Dodgers would be comfortably in first place

1) The Dodgers are (sort of) comfortably in first place.
2) You're blaming Manny for not repeating one of the best two-month performances of all-time.
3) .306/.424/.536

and I’d probably be writing yet another column about the — groan! — AL East.

At least you recognize what a f*ckstick you are about your writing topics.

At this time last year, Manny was as awesome a force as you’ll see. After arriving from Boston, he averaged an RBI a game and dragged L.A. into the playoffs.

Yes. This, Mike Celizic, is not what we in the baseball world called "normal". We call this superhumanly clutch, or fluketasticly spectacular. No one in the world can do that on a monthly basis.

He signed a short but sweet contract in the spring, took nearly two months off early in the season to serve a suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, came back with his signature dreads longer than ever, and then disappeared.

It's true. Ask opposing pitchers whether they noticed the guy hitting .306/.424/.536. Nowhere to be seen.

Brett Favre was better down the stretch for the Jets last year than Manny has been in August for L.A. John Smoltz wasn’t as bad for the Red Sox this year than Manny has been for the Dodgers.

First of all, who the hell is "Brett Favre"?

Second.....

A guy who had averaged a 55.4 passer rating and a 2/9 TD/INT over the last 5 games of the regular season, and a guy with an 8.32 ERA weren't as bad for their respective teams than the supreme junkiest player in sports, who has been hitting .306/.424./.536.

Huh.

I give up. If he doesn't get fired for writing that, I don't think he ever will.

He’s been so bad he got booed in Dodgers Stadium the other day when he misplayed a ball into a triple and put another 0-for-4 in the box score in another loss.

A**hole. WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU DID IN JUNE, MANNY!

Dodgers fans aren’t given to booing — it takes too much energy and demands that the spectators actually pay attention to the game.

Mike Celizic isn't given to facts - they take too much research and demand that the writer actually follow the sport in question.

But even Dodgers fans have their limits, and Manny has found them with one of the worst months he’s probably ever had in his career.

Manny Ramirez, August: .306/.424/.536.

Naw, just kidding. It's .287/.391/.415. Quit dragging down the universe, Manny.

Through Sunday’s games, Manny had played 22 games in August. In two of those games, he performed like Manny, getting a home run and three RBIs in each of them. In the other 20 games, he has zero home runs and a grand total of six RBIs, a hitting pace that a lot of pitchers have little trouble keeping up with. He’s driven in just one run in his last dozen games.

Congratulations. You've found the worst possible way to evaluate a person's month-long performance in history.

He’s hitting .303 on the season, but only .254 since the All-Star break.

I told you there would be some dumb batting average-related thing in here.

The Dodgers are not a bad hitting team.

Uh huh.....

They lead the National League in team batting average and on-base percentage.

Which is "not bad", as you said.

Normally, that’s a sure formula for winning baseball. And when Manny’s driving in runs, it is.

Manny Ramirez is the only player on the Los Angeles Dodgers responsible for driving in runs. It's actually impossible for James Loney and Andre Ethier to do it.

The Dodgers are third in the NL in scoring, with 603 runs. But they’re 10th in slugging percentage

Clearly the fault of that .536-slugging Manny. By the way, Manny's complete line for the season? .306/.424/.536

All other things being equal, when Manny is hitting, they win. When he’s not hitting, they have problems.

When you set all other factors equal in two scenarios, the performance of the one variable factor will pretty much determine the difference in outcome of the two scenarios.

And that's totally how it's worked with the Dodgers this year.

So far, there’s no sign that Torre has done anything to light a fire under Manny.

No need to strike a match to ignite a fully spreading-and-dangerous wildfire.

Right now, nobody’s blaming Torre for that. But if things continue to go badly in Colorado and if that once huge lead continues to erode like a sand castle in a hurricane, somebody’s going to bring it up.

And if they don’t, they should.

Three-oh-six, four-twenty-four, five-thirty-six.

[Triweasel]

A little payback last night :h5:

yep the last series with the rockies should be a nailbiter.:popcorn:

[bfore13]

About two weeks after the season, teams who (A) failed to make the postseason and (B) got destroyed in their first playoff series will have exactly the same season result - sitting at home watching four other teams try for a WS ring.

Making playoffs + showing how overrated your team is = not making playoffs by 1 or 2 games, IMO.I think you're way undervaluing playoff experience. IMO, the Phillies don't win the WS last year without the experience of being swept in the DS the year before.

[BallaActuary]

Way to take care of business against the lowly Diamondbacks :lol:

[MyKenk]

By taking one of their 2 good pitchers?

[MyKenk]

Thome's a nice bat off the bench, but, really?

[BallaActuary]

:lol: *crickets*

Dodgers losing 4-0 to the Dbacks in the 7th. Looks like they found their offense.

Giants shut out the NL team with the most runs scored 4-0 (after giving up only one run last night). Thanks for Penny, Boston.

[SharksFan08]

Sure they are. How many players on the Giants have playoff experience? I can see their pitchers just completely falling apart.
http://www.dodgerstats.com/images/Giants-Suck.gif

Classic. How is the Manny Ramirez era going so far?

[BallaActuary]

2-0 L vs. Padres? Eek.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Go Dodgers!

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers just don't care, do they? Illegal moves to get Man-Ram and now scamming teams...

The Jon Garland trade intended to send Tony Abreu to Arizona has hit a snag.

The Dodgers and Tony Abreu were in the midst of a grievance stemming from 2007. The settlement awards Abreu enough service days to likely file for arbitration in 2011, not 2012 -- depriving the Diamondbacks of an additional year of league-minimum salary. The Diamondbacks contend they had no way of knowing about the grievance and believe the Dodgers did not negotiate in good faith. It is unclear what will happen next: the Diamondbacks could request another player or cash to cover the possible arbitration filing. Whatever happens, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks likely won't hook up for a trade again any time soon. Sep. 5 - 10:07 pm et

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Woohoo! We're basically in!

[BallaActuary]

Woohoo! We're basically in!

Did I miss something?

[Triweasel]

Did I miss something?

it's a tough call - either try to beat the rockies and help the dodgers ice the division or tank against the rockies to help them catch LA.

ok not a tough call.

it's gonna suck seeing the giants miss the playoffs by 1 game...

[BallaActuary]

it's a tough call - either try to beat the rockies and help the dodgers ice the division or tank against the rockies to help them catch LA.

ok not a tough call.

it's gonna suck seeing the giants miss the playoffs by 1 game...

I wonder if the Dodgers had whatever seed wrapped up if they would tank their last season series vs. the Rockies ...

[Dr T Non-Fan]

The Giants will be easier to beat in the NLCS, so Dodgers will help them any way they can.
Also, it will make the Giants season more of a failure than if they missed the playoffs, per your logic.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The Giants will be easier to beat in the NLCS, so Dodgers will help them any way they can.
Also, it will make the Giants season more of a failure than if they missed the playoffs, per your logic.

Nah, his logic is "whatever angle helps me deal with the fact that the Dodgers are better than the Giants"

[BallaActuary]

Nah, his logic is "whatever angle helps me deal with the fact that the Dodgers are better than the Giants"

If neither win the WS, one isn't better than the other...

[Dr T Non-Fan]

If neither win the WS, one isn't better than the other...
Wow, that's pretty strict.
And convenient to your cause.

I guess wins, lack of losses, head-to-head record, OPS, OPS-against, etc., could not be used to determine the better team. Especially this season.

[Feif]

So, historically, the Dodgers are a better team than the Giants, right? After all, they've won the World Series more times than the Giants have.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Just ignore him. 12 teams make the playoffs. Tough to win it all. Balla just is setting it up to come back in here if they get bounced from the playoffs and say "I told you so".

If you're not the best in the world you are no better than anyone else. It must suck to live with that attitude. You ain't any better than anybody at anything.

[Holding Pattern]

12 teams make the playoffs.


...in the NFL. 8 make it in MLB.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

If you're not the best in the world you are no better than anyone else. It must suck to live with that attitude. You ain't any better than anybody at anything.
On the bright side, you're only worse than one.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

...in the NFL. 8 make it in MLB.

Whoops. Must've been thinking football when I wrote that. Thanks for helping me Keep It Real.

14 games to go! Five game divisional lead! :guitarwo: :guitarwo:

[BallaActuary]

Whoops. Must've been thinking football when I wrote that. Thanks for helping me Keep It Real.

14 games to go! Five game divisional lead! :guitarwo: :guitarwo:

Going in the wrong direction :guitarwo:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Going in the wrong direction :guitarwo:

Nah. We were five games up yesterday. And we're five games up today. With fourteen games to go, maintaining the same divisional lead is awesome.

True, the Giants went from 8.5 to 7.5 back, the chance of the Giants catching and passing is super, super slim.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Five games up, 13 games to go!

:rock1:

[Bleacher Bum]

Time to start thinking about how the rotation should be set for the playoffs. :guitarwo:

If the NLDS started tomorrow, LA would face the Phillies at home. I'd go with this four-man rotation:

1) Wolf
2) Kershaw
3) Kuroda
4) Garland

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Time to start thinking about how the rotation should be set for the playoffs. :guitarwo:

If the NLDS started tomorrow, LA would face the Phillies at home. I'd go with this four-man rotation:

1) Wolf
2) Kershaw
3) Kuroda
4) Garland
I'd rather see a three-man rotation, save the fourth starter for long-relief. Certainly, the fourth starter is a better pitcher than the long reliever. Guess it all depends on the quality difference between #3 and #4. Still, I'd rather have #4 come in for mopping duty (say, a 3-run deficit) to hold down the ship until the bats come, if at all.
I'd like to see Torre pitch the top three starters in a four-day rotation (similar to the playoff schedule) for the rest of the season. Not necessarily letting them throw 100 pitches each session, but to get them to adjust to the schedule. Might not even have to start them. Just put them in the fourth inning and pitch three innings.

[yankeetripper]

I'd rather see a three-man rotation, save the fourth starter for long-relief. Certainly, the fourth starter is a better pitcher than the long reliever. Guess it all depends on the quality difference between #3 and #4. Still, I'd rather have #4 come in for mopping duty (say, a 3-run deficit) to hold down the ship until the bats come, if at all.
I'd like to see Torre pitch the top three starters in a four-day rotation (similar to the playoff schedule) for the rest of the season. Not necessarily letting them throw 100 pitches each session, but to get them to adjust to the schedule. Might not even have to start them. Just put them in the fourth inning and pitch three innings.

none of the LA pitchers are a good candidate to pitch on 3 days rest so there will be a 4 man rotation.

I know Billingsley has struggled lately but how is he not one of the 4 starters in the playoffs. Has he really been that bad?

[Dr T Non-Fan]

none of the LA pitchers are a good candidate to pitch on 3 days rest so there will be a 4 man rotation.

I know Billingsley has struggled lately but how is he not one of the 4 starters in the playoffs. Has he really been that bad?
Pitching on three days' rest should not be any harder than pitching on four days' rest. Stupid baseball (the game and folks in it) has decided that having five starting pitchers (during the season) is better than four starting pitchers. I'm not sure when or why this came to be. Only one guess: some manager/GM decided to do it and won the WS that way.

Billingsley has some physical issue, and I don't recall what. Probably not permanent or unfixable, but four months of something (rest, surgery/rehab, etc) is what he needs.

[Bleacher Bum]

I agree that the historical switch from a four- to five-man rotation was somewhat arbitrary. Given the Dodgers' current group of starters, however, I'd agree with Yankeetripper and feel LA should go with a four-man rotation.

Wolf is approaching career-high in innings pitched. Kershaw is only 21 and is at a career-high in innings pitched. Kuroda is a guy who for most of his career (in Japan) has pitched on five days rest.

As for Billz, I believe his issues are mental rather than physical. He's been very inconsistent but, with two starts remaining this season, can still potentially turn things around and earn himself a spot on the rotation. His ERA was just 2.78 during a span stretching from Aug. 2 through the first 14 batters he faced in a start 3 weeks ago. Since then, he's thrown 13 1/3 innings and has had an ERA of 8.10.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Mental, eh?
What could have possibly changed, mentally? I'm thinking something external to the game than internal.

Wolf and Kershaw have been pitching well. "Pitches thrown" is probably a better stat for tiredness.

[yankeetripper]

Mental, eh?
What could have possibly changed, mentally? I'm thinking something external to the game than internal.

Wolf and Kershaw have been pitching well. "Pitches thrown" is probably a better stat for tiredness.

Billingsley had a large increase in innings from 2007 to 2008, that often shows up the following year.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Damn, i love Bleacher Bum's avatar.

[Bleacher Bum]

Why, thank you!
:toth:


Damn, i love Bleacher Bum's avatar.

[Triweasel]

really peaking at the right time.
manny is on fire going into the playoffs!

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Just takin' a break.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Whew! NL West crown. Now go get that NL crown, and then that MLB crown.

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers suck

[Bleacher Bum]

Who would you start in Game 3?

Billingsley but with an extremely short leash?
Padilla based on his strong outing Sunday?
Garland with his playoff experience?

Questions to ponder over the next few days. But for now, it's time to celebrate a second consecutive division title!
:party::party::party:

[Feif]

Dodgers suck

Is that all you could come up with?

[Feif]

Who would you start in Game 3?

Billingsley but with an extremely short leash?
Padilla based on his strong outing Sunday?
Garland with his playoff experience?

Questions to ponder over the next few days. But for now, it's time to celebrate a second consecutive division title!
:party::party::party:

I'd go with Padilla. Billingsley hasn't been too good lately, and against the Cardinals, even a short leash can mean a deep hole pretty quickly.

[BallaActuary]

Is that all you could come up with?

Pretty much. The baseball season has ended so now it's on to the 4-0* 49ers :party:

[MountainHawk]

Pretty much. The baseball season has ended so now it's on to the 4-0* 49ers :party:
Baseball season will be over for the Dodgers before the 49ers take the field again.

[BallaActuary]

Baseball season will be over for the Dodgers before the 49ers take the field again.

I like the way you think

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Who would you start in Game 3?

Billingsley but with an extremely short leash?
Padilla based on his strong outing Sunday?
Garland with his playoff experience?

Questions to ponder over the next few days. But for now, it's time to celebrate a second consecutive division title!
:party::party::party:
If it's that close of a decision, then have two ready. As I've already stated, a fourth or fifth starting pitcher should be able to transform into a long reliever. it is possible that pitchers today are too mentally incapable to do that, relying on some 12-hour pre-game routine for starting.

[Bleacher Bum]

Baseball season will be over for the Dodgers before the 49ers take the field again.

Wow. Bold prediction. Is this based on the recent Cardinal dominance over LA? Do you think St Louis has gotten in the heads of the Dodgers?

You may be right. Carpenter and Wainwright might just flat out dominate and each go 8 (or 9) innings to seal LA's fate.

I think the key for LA is to get the game into a battle of the bullpens. A big if, perhaps. But if the game is within a run either way when the bullpens take over, LA figures to have a distinct advantage.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

14 hours until game time!

Ugh, I hate being a Dodgers fan living in the Eastern Time Zone.

[BallaActuary]

14 hours until game time!

Ugh, I hate being a Dodgers fan living in the Eastern Time Zone.

Oh trust me, it could be a lot worse.

Let's go Cardinals :wav:

[Bleacher Bum]

Oh trust me, it could be a lot worse.



As in, say, being a Giants fan?

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Woah! Cy Young candidates can lose in the playoffs? Who knew?

:party:

[dlwktb]

Lots of missed opportunities on both sides in that one. I'd bet it'll be 1-1 after tonight though.

[Bleacher Bum]

That first inning was critical. Wolf wiggled out of the bases-loaded jam giving up only one run. Then Matt Kemp giving LA lead on just Carpenter's third pitch of the night.

Carpenter didn't appear to have his best stuff. That, combined with some good at bats permitted the Dodgers to chase Carpenter and get into the St. Louis bullpen. (The fact that LaRussa let Carpenter hit in the bottom of the fifth with two guys on base despite being behind highlights the Cardinal bullpen deficiencies.) The Dodger bullpen, meanwhile, took care of matters as it has done all season en route to (I believe) the best bullpen ERA in the majors.

All in all, a marathon of a game. Great postseason theater.

[IAHAWKEYE]

I'm glad Carpenter waited to pitch his worst game of the year in the playoffs, that was clutch!

[BallaActuary]

As in, say, being a Giants fan living in LA?

IFYP

[BallaActuary]

Dodgers cheat

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Dodgers cheat

Man, this is rough on ya. You might just wanna go watch Crabtree now and forget about this playoff-less season for ya.

[Bleacher Bum]

Walk-off, comeback victory!!!

:party::party::party:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

:party:

:rock1:

Holliday :yikes:

[Bleacher Bum]

Baseball season will be over for the Cardinalsbefore the 49ers take the field again.

IFYP

[Keep It Real, Yo]

First come from behind walk-off victory for the Dodgers since Bleacher Bum's avatar!

:party:

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Baseball season will be over for the Dodgers before the 49ers take the field again.
This has to be the: Worst. Prediction. Ever.

You should try analyzin' before hatin'. Go Rockies! I know the Dodgers can beat them!

[Bleacher Bum]

Padilla was brilliant. Manny is back on the beam.

I wonder if the Dodgers are celebrating with a few Budweisers.

:party::party::party::party:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

The Pitchers are resting. Woohoo!

[yankeetripper]

Baseball season will be over for the Dodgers before the 49ers take the field again.

I wonder which will come first, the Dodgers next loss or the 49ers next win? :popcorn:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Revenge, baby. Revenge! Go git them Phillies! Rawwrrrr.

[Triweasel]

I wonder which will come first, the Dodgers next loss or the 49ers next win? :popcorn:

...next question?

on the bright side - the bullpen looks solid

[BallaActuary]

:party:

[Holding Pattern]

:party:

When's the first pitch of the Giants' next game? What's that?--oh, 7:05 PM, on April 5th.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Pretty exciting game.

[SirVLCIV]

I wonder which will come first, the Dodgers next loss or the 49ers next win? :popcorn:

.

[yankeetripper]

.

5 posts late.

Good game. Hey I'm rooting for the Dodgers on the NL side becauseof the wife but I'm not going to lose any sleep if the Phils take the NLDS.

Dodgers just sucked when they had men on and walked too many.

Should be "interesting" with Pedro and Padilla. What is the over under on batters diving to the deck because of a head hunting fastball in this game? 3?

[BallaActuary]

When's the first pitch of the Giants' next game? What's that?--oh, 7:05 PM, on April 5th.

This thread will be :crickets: in about a week.

[yankeetripper]

Dodgers are being Pedrownd through 5.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

I wonder if Pedro had been waiting to get revenge for being traded to gawdawful Montreal back in the day.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

I wonder if Pedro had been waiting to get revenge for being traded to gawdawful Montreal back in the day.
He probably doesn't get to Boston otherwise.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Dodgers are being Pedrownd through 5.
Lucky (for Dodgers) there are nine innings, and Pedro cannot last that long.

[SirVLCIV]

Lucky (for Dodgers) there are nine innings, and Pedro cannot last that long.

87 pitches through 7. Overmanaging for the epic fail.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

87 pitches through 7. Overmanaging for the epic fail.
Another manager lost his job for counting on him.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

90 degrees F.

Forecast for Philly on Sunday: High of 42 degrees F.
Nice.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Well, look at that.
Keep throwing pitchers out there, Charlie.

Thome earns his paycheck and the ice for his knees.

[SirVLCIV]

Another manager lost his job for counting on him.

Not when he was at 87 pitches.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

:party:

:party:

[yankeetripper]

Wow, would not have figured a Kershaw/Hamels game would be 8-6 followed but Padilla/Pedro 2-1 game.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Wow, would not have figured a Kershaw/Hamels game would be 8-6 followed but Padilla/Pedro 2-1 game.
Hmm, anyone have total run differentials stats for day-games played the day after night-games? Maybe a rested pitcher has the advantage over more-tired hitters?

[BallaActuary]

Hmm, anyone have total run differentials stats for day-games played the day after night-games? Maybe a rested pitcher has the advantage over more-tired hitters?

My friend used to bet a lot of unders on games that had funny start times (usually in the postseason) because of the shadows - it is brutal trying to hit. While a very small sample, IIRC, game 2 of the STL-LA series had a weird start time and the fewest runs/hits of any of those 3 games.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

I was surprised the Dodgers had that 8th inning success with the bad shadows

[BallaActuary]

I was surprised the Dodgers had that 8th inning success with the bad shadows

They only had two swinging singles?

[Triweasel]

They only had two swinging singles?

Who were they? Jeter wants to know for when they get to NYC.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

They only had two swinging singles?

The were able to see good enough to walk

[BallaActuary]

:party:

[BallaActuary]

The were able to see good enough to walk

I know you know that's different than hitting deep fly balls for doubles, triples, and home runs

[BallaActuary]

:haha:

It's funny I'm the only one posting in this thread now

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Yeah, it is funny. Were you looking for the thread about off-season moves for the Giants? Because, you know, they didn't think the Giants were good enough to try to win the World Series. Because they weren't good enough. So they got to go home. Because they sucked so bad there was no way they were going to let them play one game more than the 162 allotted to everybody.

[Ferb]

It's never too late to jump into a thread like this as long as your team is still playing. Sorry if that excludes teams like the Giants.

I've been a Dodger fan since birth. Last night was depressing. BB and HBP to bring up the top of the order. Interesting write up in NYT about the mind game between Broxton and Rollins. Broxton’s Pitch Hits Target, but Game Goes Astray (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/sports/baseball/20broxton.html) Broxton made the perfect pitch but Rollins made the better adjustment.

It ain't over yet. Let's Go Blue!

[BallaActuary]

The Dodgers and Giants will both watch the world series from home. In 5 years, no one will care that LA lost in the NLCS. Their season will be as much a failure as SF's was.

And lol @ Manram... great team player he is. I know it's cold in Philly, but is he really that important that he shouldn't watch his team lose in the 9th?

[Ferb]

The Dodgers and Giants will both watch the world series from home. In 5 years, no one will care that LA lost in the NLCS. Their season will be as much a failure as SF's was.

Sentences 1 and 2 are both probably true. Sentence 3 is absurd. That's like saying the Pirates have been tied for second place for the past umpteen years.

Why is it so hard for you to admit that the Giants had a worse season than the playoff teams? I have no problem saying the Giants have had better seasons than the Dodgers in the last 55 years since they last won the WS. While the WS is no doubt the ultimate goal, there are varying degrees of "failure" for those who don't win it. For the playoff teams, failure can be harsh and sudden (i.e. Rollins' double on Tuesday), but I would still rather have my team generate occasional excitement than be stuck with the Pirates or Royals year after year. There's no fun in cheering if there is no possibility of success or no possibility of failure. It's not the end of the world if my team fails, but I'm glad they give me something to cheer for.

[BallaActuary]

Sentences 1 and 2 are both probably true. Sentence 3 is absurd. That's like saying the Pirates have been tied for second place for the past umpteen years.

Why is it so hard for you to admit that the Giants had a worse season than the playoff teams? I have no problem saying the Giants have had better seasons than the Dodgers in the last 55 years since they last won the WS. While the WS is no doubt the ultimate goal, there are varying degrees of "failure" for those who don't win it. For the playoff teams, failure can be harsh and sudden (i.e. Rollins' double on Tuesday), but I would still rather have my team generate occasional excitement than be stuck with the Pirates or Royals year after year. There's no fun in cheering if there is no possibility of success or no possibility of failure. It's not the end of the world if my team fails, but I'm glad they give me something to cheer for.

Yeah, because I still get all hot and bothered over the 2002 Giants season. By your standards, they had an incredible season coming in "2nd place". I want to relive that year as much as a Dodgers, Pirates, or a Royals fan.

Let me know how exciting it is to be after the Dodgers lose the NLCS (again). This thread will shrivel up and die after a few posts about what could have been and how disappointing it is to watch Philly and NY on Fox. After a few more years of being the Eagles of baseball you'll realize that there is nothing to be excited about because this team just isn't built to win a WS in the near future.

I guess after 21 years of not making the WS, Dodgers fans will take what they can get. I mean, getting completely embarrassed 2 years in a row in the NLCS is something to remember and relive for years to come just like Kirk Gibson many moons ago.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

Let me know how exciting it is to be after the Dodgers lose the NLCS (again). This thread will shrivel up and die after a few posts about what could have been and how disappointing it is to watch Philly and NY on Fox.
Are you under the impression that there would be a reason for the thread to live on? How does that make sense?
That might happen with a more delusional fan base whose self-worth can be measured only by their team's success.
We'll go on with our lives, spotting hot-chicks all over town in various stages of hot-weather dress. Other teams' fans can wallow in sorrow.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

The Dodgers and Giants will both watch the world series from home. In 5 years, no one will care that LA lost in the NLCS. Their season will be as much a failure as SF's was.

And lol @ Manram... great team player he is. I know it's cold in Philly, but is he really that important that he shouldn't watch his team lose in the 9th?
He's done it all year long. When he left, the game was in the bag. Would there be an issue if Broxton closed it out, and there wasn't anything to see?
I think he likes to shower alone. Small penis, from the steroid use.

[mlschop]

He's done it all year long. When he left, the game was in the bag. Would there be an issue if Broxton closed it out, and there wasn't anything to see?
I think he likes to shower alone. Small penis, from the steroid use.

:shrug:

Many "true" fans get pissed when fans leave a stadium early, regardless of score. I'd say members of the team should be held to at least that standard as well.

I've heard many people say "he's done it all year" as an excuse for it. IMO - that makes it more of a problem. If I'm paying someone $20M+, you're with the team the entire game.

[MountainHawk]

Or, you know, skip an epic game 4 because of a puppy being lonely. ;)

[mlschop]

Or, you know, skip an epic game 4 because of a puppy being lonely. ;)

:swear:

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Owwwww, that had to hurt. Ball to the shin! Yikes, Manny.

[Ferb]

Yeah, because I still get all hot and bothered over the 2002 Giants season. By your standards, they had an incredible season coming in "2nd place". I want to relive that year as much as a Dodgers, Pirates, or a Royals fan.
.
.
I guess after 21 years of not making the WS, Dodgers fans will take what they can get. I mean, getting completely embarrassed 2 years in a row in the NLCS is something to remember and relive for years to come just like Kirk Gibson many moons ago.

You're a bitter baseball fan. Judging from your other posts, I don't think you're 55 years old so that means you have never experienced anything from your team other than total complete utter failure.

By the way, 21 years ago, the Dodgers did just a little tiny bit better than "make" the WS.

[BallaActuary]

You're a bitter baseball fan. Judging from your other posts, I don't think you're 55 years old so that means you have never experienced anything from your team other than total complete utter failure.

By the way, 21 years ago, the Dodgers did just a little tiny bit better than "make" the WS.

Not really. My argument has always been and always will be the same no matter the sport. That includes football where I've enjoyed a lot of great seasons but also includes baseball and basketball where I haven't.

Anyways, congratulations to the 2009 National League Championship Series losers...your Los Angeles Dodgers. You provided your fans with a real glimpse of how truly unfit you were for the playoffs giving up 35 runs in a measly five games. Enjoy the memories, fans!

[BallaActuary]

:moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2: :moon2:

[Triweasel]

go balla go!

next up - razzing the lakers

woot!

[Keep It Real, Yo]

Til next year.

Next up: getting ready for a Laker repeat!!

[Ferb]

Congratulations to the Phillies. Pitchers and catchers report in about 120 days.

Go Lakers! There's 5 teams with an A+ shot at winning it all. It should be a very entertaining season.

Until next year, Balla.

[Feif]

I think the thing that really killed the Dodgers was giving up too many walks. There were way too many homers hit by Philly with guys on base who were walked.

[Ferb]

Not just homers. Rollins' walk off double (which probably would have been a triple in a regular inning) came after a BB and HBP. I don't care if I lose by big margins, but losing game 4 like that was huge.

[Keep It Real, Yo]

I think the thing that really killed the Dodgers was giving up too many walks. There were way too many homers hit by Philly with guys on base who were walked.

:iatp:

[BallaActuary]

If the Dodgers and Giants make it to the playoffs, the Giants will have a more successful postseason.

lol, nice one Balla :h5:

[BallaActuary]

It would be interesting to see how Lincecum handles the postseason. Many young pitchers crack under the pressure. Plus, if they played each other, they'd actually have a good match up, not Lincecum against Weaver. I'd like to see a Lincecum vs. Kershaw game. 2 good, young pitchers under the pressure of the playoffs.

Oh, and just like you say Manny is on the verge of another suspension, I think Lincecum is on the verge of snapping his wrist. You have to do some damage when you're generating that much torque.

Ask and thou shall receive.

[BallaActuary]

Lincecum has been the best pitcher in the bigs over the past 2 years. He's not going to freeze up in the playoffs.

Interesting

[BallaActuary]

A nothing postseason is where a team (like, say, the Giants) don't make it.
Once you're in teh playoffs, it's already something.

Those Wild Card round series wins must still feel good.

[BallaActuary]

:lol: Winning 92 out of 162 regular season games but getting destroyed in the playoffs is really no different than a team winning 87 out of 162 regular season games and not making the playoffs.

If you don't win the championship in baseball, your season wasn't successful.

:shrug:

[BallaActuary]

Now you sound like a Yankees fan...
So the last successful season the Giants had was 1954? No wonder you're always in a bad mood about it.

Can you update this for me?

kthxbai

[BallaActuary]

So are the Cardinals and Phillies. But right now I'm lovin' the fact that the Dodgers are in. Uh, FYI, the Giants haven't already won a postseason series, which for some reason you are assuming already happened.

You will have a nice read in the newspaper on the john tomorrow

[BallaActuary]

I never said that. I said the Giants will do better in the postseason if they both make it. The Giants are better suited to succeed in the playoffs than the Dodgers.

One year late, but another gem

[BallaActuary]

Sure they are. How many players on the Giants have playoff experience? I can see their pitchers just completely falling apart.
http://www.dodgerstats.com/images/Giants-Suck.gif

lololololol

If that's falling apart, wait till they succeed!

[BallaActuary]

There may be ants in my butt. We get them really bad in the summer here.

Of course I want the Giants to make the playoffs. They have the right pitching staff to do very well if they make it.

But if they make the postseason and get swept, that is no more successful than missing the postseason by one game to the Rockies.

The Dodgers have played mediocre ball since the all-star break. How can you really get excited for a team that is going to get destroyed in the playoffs?

:tup:

[BallaActuary]

Because the Dodgers starting staff is something to be scared of? :lol:

I would take Cain and Lincecum over the Dodgers' staff any day.

ooohhhhh nice one!

[BallaActuary]

Manny also has a history of taking substances banned by baseball which he can't do anymore. Considering you mention it twice:

Manny has a history of stepping it up in the playoffs.
If Manny steps it up in the playoffs, I think they can do well.

you are banking on him being illegal-substance ManRam and looking at his performance since his suspension, you honestly counting on a remarkable postseason from him? I'm not so sure I would be and to be fair, I wouldn't have counted on Bonds if he couldn't take his juice anymore either.

4 "doing good" pitchers doesn't cut it in the MLB postseason. Teams don't play 5 games in 5 days with 5 different starting pitchers. They play 2-3 games in 5 days banking on 2-3 starting pitchers. None of those listed are by any means elite.

Lincecum alone could win 2 games and Cain easily one - I'll take my chances of the Giants going 1-3 in the other 4 games. Dodgers don't have that luxury.

:h5: :h5:

[BallaActuary]

If neither win the WS, one isn't better than the other...

but if one does win the WS in 2010 and the other only has old choppy photos of Kirk Gibson...

[BallaActuary]

Damn, i love Bleacher Bum's avatar.

Yeah, hold on to that image for the next 20 or so years...