When is hitting a home run easier than laying down a sacrifice bunt?
When you're Juan Uribe, and you want to give the Dodgers a late lead.
After being unable to lay down a bunt twice in the eighth inning with Yasiel Puig on second, Uribe absolutely unloaded on a two-run bomb to left. The result was a 4-3 lead, and after Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth, the Dodgers are back in the NLCS for the first time since 2009.
There were plenty of storylines coming into Monday night's Game 4 in LA, with the Braves looking to get the series even and back home for the deciding game. The biggest one came hours before the first pitch, as Clayton Kershaw was named the starter on three days' rest over Ricky Nolasco.
It was a bit of a gamble considering Kershaw's never done this before, but by the end of the night, it was a non-issue. In fact, Kershaw was fantastic in pitching six strong innings without giving up an earned run. Notice I said EARNED run, because his defense definitely let him down.
The start of the game was all about the suddenly hot Carl Crawford, who homered leading off for the quick 1-0 lead. Not satisfied with just one, he connected on another in the third to go up 2-0, as he was about the only thing going right with the bats.
All of the momentum was clearly with the Dodgers after Crawford's second shot, but it was all handed right back to the Braves with a very sloppy fourth. Freddy Freeman singled leading off. Even Gattis then grounded a sharp one to Adrian Gonzalez at first, who inexplicably rushed his throw to second with no one covering yet for the error. Gonzalez also had an error on the first hitter of the game when he bobbled Jayson Heyward's easy grounder.
A wild pitch by Kershaw sent runners to scoring position, but Brian McCann struck out on a very questionable called strike three. Chris Johnson came through with an RBI single to make it 2-1. Andrelton Simmons then grounded one to Uribe at third, who threw to Mark Ellis at second for an out, who then threw wide to first to allow the run to score. Ugh. It wasn't an error officially, but it should've been as the game was tied 2-2.
For the next few innings, the Dodgers reverted back to their non-clutch ways, as they left runners all over the place. A.J. Ellis had a chance against a tiring Freddy Garcia in the sixth with two on and two out, but he grounded out.
With Kershaw done after six, Ronald Belisario entered. That would be a bad sign of things to come, as even though Simmons grounded back to him right away, Elliot Johnson tripled next. Jose Constanza pinch-hit and gave the Braves a 3-2 lead with an RBI single, and the Dodgers were looking like they'd have to pack their bags with Craig Kimbrel lurking.
Luis Avilan got through the seventh despite a two-out double to Mark Ellis. The question then became if Kimbrel would work two innings or not.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, he didn't, and never appeared at all. Fredi Gonzalez went with David Carpenter instead, the same guy who gave up Hanley Ramirez's two-run homer in Game 2 that nearly cost them the game. Right away, Puig doubled to right on some great hustle to get to second.
So would Gonzalez go with his big dog now? Nope. In stayed Carpenter, and Uribe unsuccessfully tried to lay down two bunts. After that idea was thrown out the window, Uribe connected on a horrible 0-2 slider that stayed up in the zone, and a 383 foot homer to left put the Dodgers back up 4-3.
There would be no ninth inning comeback for the Braves, as Jansen struck out the side, getting Justin Upton swinging to the game and start the celebration.
What a game of ups-and-downs this turned out to be. First the two solo shots by Crawford, who carried this team to an early lead as they tried to close it out. Then the defensive mistakes, which took away a win from an awesome start by Kershaw. Then the Braves getting the lead, then giving it right back on Uribe's homer. I'm glad Jansen wasn't interested in giving it away again.
The offense only scored via the longball, and we can all be thankful for that. But, they also left eight men and were 1-for-9 with RISP. The one hit? Uribe's homer in the eighth. Talk about good timing.
Kershaw did all he could, and even he seemed to agree that taking him out after six innings and 91 pitches was the right move. He can now get his proper rest before starting Game 2 on Saturday either home against the Pirates or on the road against the Cardinals. Stay tuned to see how that one plays out.
The middle relief, again, left something to be desired. Right now Mattingly's biggest question is whom to use to get the ball to Jansen in the ninth. Brian Wilson has the eight locked down, so more specifically, who will bridge the gap to him. Belisario was terrible, and Chris Withrow wasn't any better in Game 2. Paco Rodriguez looks like he has no arm left. Maybe we'll see more J.P. Howell, who has three scoreless appearances with three strikeouts. He's looking good.
For now, the Dodgers will kick back and enjoy Game 5 between the Pirates and Cardinals. Zack Greinke will get the call in Game 1, followed by Kershaw, with either Ricky Nolasco or Hyun-Jin Ryu to follow.
Dodger fans can celebrate their victory, and the fact that they don't have to play the Phillies in the NLCS again!
Showing posts with label 2013 NLDS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013 NLDS. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Mattingly reverses course, Kershaw will go Game 4
It turns out the Dodgers' Game 3 victory was not the determining factor for when Clayton Kershaw would make his next start.
Don Mattingly announced this afternoon that Kershaw will go in Game 4, and not Ricky Nolasco. The thought coming into Sunday night's Game 3 was that a loss would mean he'd take the ball immediately, and a win would push him back to a possible Game 5. But the Dodgers and Mattingly had other plans.
I think it's obvious that Kershaw was begging for this to happen, as there's no way Mattingly would make this move without his ace fully on board. Knowing the competitor that Kershaw is, I can easily see him making a big deal about finishing off the Braves as soon as possible.
But the question has to be asked: Is this a smart move? In listening briefly to guys on ESPN and TBS, it's certainly not. Kershaw is the Dodgers' franchise player, and is about to cash in with a huge contract extension. Plus the fact that a loss by the Dodgers would still mean they'd live to fight another day makes them look a little desperate.
If Kershaw and the Dodgers do lose tonight, then Zack Greinke will get the call in the sudden death Game 5 in Atlanta. That means four of the five games would be started by the big two, so if the Dodgers still manage to lose this series, they didn't deserve to win it in the first place.
Let's hope this all works out, Kershaw has a clean game, and looks good going forward. It would also help if the offense puts the pressure on like they did Sunday night. Stay tuned and see.
Don Mattingly announced this afternoon that Kershaw will go in Game 4, and not Ricky Nolasco. The thought coming into Sunday night's Game 3 was that a loss would mean he'd take the ball immediately, and a win would push him back to a possible Game 5. But the Dodgers and Mattingly had other plans.
I think it's obvious that Kershaw was begging for this to happen, as there's no way Mattingly would make this move without his ace fully on board. Knowing the competitor that Kershaw is, I can easily see him making a big deal about finishing off the Braves as soon as possible.
But the question has to be asked: Is this a smart move? In listening briefly to guys on ESPN and TBS, it's certainly not. Kershaw is the Dodgers' franchise player, and is about to cash in with a huge contract extension. Plus the fact that a loss by the Dodgers would still mean they'd live to fight another day makes them look a little desperate.
If Kershaw and the Dodgers do lose tonight, then Zack Greinke will get the call in the sudden death Game 5 in Atlanta. That means four of the five games would be started by the big two, so if the Dodgers still manage to lose this series, they didn't deserve to win it in the first place.
Let's hope this all works out, Kershaw has a clean game, and looks good going forward. It would also help if the offense puts the pressure on like they did Sunday night. Stay tuned and see.
Too much offense in Dodgers' Game 3 rout
The happiest man in Los Angeles right now? Hyun-Jin Ryu. Thanks to an offensive outburst of 13 runs, Ryu's poor start was completely lost in the shuffle.
And when your team has Hanley Ramirez, it's easy to forget about the negatives.
The Dodgers had an incredible 10 two-out RBIs en route to an emphatic 13-6 win over the Braves. The win put the Dodgers on the verge of the NLCS with a 2-1 advantage heading into Game 4 Monday night.
As I stated before, the game didn't start off so hot, as Ryu gave up a couple in the first. Justin Upton smoked a double to center with an out, just past the outstretched dive of Skip Schumaker. He scored an out later on an Evan Gattis RBI single, then following a walk to Brian McCann, Chris Johnson scored another on a single to make it 2-0.
The Dodgers started their scoring in the second with a four-spot. Yasiel Puig and Juan Uribe singled leading off, and A.J. Ellis walked an out later. Ryu then got into one that nearly landed past Upton in right, but was good enough for the sac-fly RBI to make it 2-1.
One big key to this game was the play of Carl Crawford, who struck out twice and had that horrible double play the last game. Well, he more than showed up to play in this one on both sides of the field. His three-run homer to deep right gave the Dodgers a 4-2 advantage. He also had an amazing catch in foul territory in the eighth in which he tumbled into the stands, but thankfully came out OK. Wow, that was equally as terrific as it was scary when he landed head first on concrete.
Unfortunately for Ryu, the third would be his last, as the Braves tied it up. Three straight singles by Upton, Freddie Freeman, and Gattis started the inning. Then Ryu really messed up by not finding the base on a double play ball from McCann. Then he screwed up again by throwing home instead of to first on Johnson's little dribbler. Ugh.
From there, it was all Dodgers, as the 4-4 tie seemed like a distant memory when it was all said and done. They took the lead for good in the third. Ramirez doubled to start, then scored on Adrian Gonzalez's RBI single. The other run came on Schumaker's RBI single to center.
Chris Capuano pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Ryu to get the win, though it was a struggle at times. He actually walked all three leadoff hitters, but nothing came of it. It's like both teams traded secrets on how to fail with runners on. Overall, the Braves were 3-for-11 with RISP, and the Dodgers were 7-for-15.
The fourth was a huge inning, as the Dodgers put up four runs again. Crawford's bunt was bobbled by Alex Wood leading off for a costly error. One out later, Ramirez came within inches of a home run, but settled for the RBI triple in going up 7-4. After Puig's RBI single to center, Uribe got just enough of one out to right for the two-run shot, and the Dodgers were in full control at 10-4.
The final runs were scored in the eighth on RBI singles from Ramirez, Gonzalez, and Puig. Those three combined for eight hits, six runs, and six RBIs. Great numbers from the heart of the order.
A game like this shows just how deadly the Dodgers can be when they're not all swinging for the fences every at-bat. They got a couple of homers, but of their 14 hits, 10 were singles. Their situational hitting was obviously terrific, as they took it one base at a time in scoring multiple runs in four of the innings. That's got to be a huge relief after grounding into three double plays and striking out way too much in Game 2.
With the good came some bad, as Ryu just never got going. What makes it worse were the question marks surrounding him coming into this start about his health. He appeared to be fine in this one, but his stuff certainly wasn't fooling the Braves. Maybe it was just one of those starts, but if he is hurt, it's some bad news going forward.
The other downer was Paco Rodriguez, who could only get two outs in the ninth before Kenley Jansen had to strikeout McCann to end the game. Paco is probably suffering from a dead arm, as he gave up three hits, including a two-run shot to dead center by Jayson Heyward, and a walk. It's too bad considering how special he was for the majority of the season. If the Dodgers do advance, don't be surprised if he's left off the NLCS roster. He's lost his effectiveness it seems.
The Game 3 win lets Don Mattingly exhale some, and not have to make the tough decision of whether or not to bring back Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest. I bet he would've, too, with the season on the line. But now Ricky Nolasco gets his scheduled start, with Kershaw ready to go on Wednesday in Atlanta in the do-or-die situation.
Nolasco has a lot to prove, as anyone who's followed the Dodgers knows we've seen him at the top of his game, and the absolute bottom. Maybe he'll be relaxed knowing the season is not over if he loses, and that his offense is on fire. What also helps is that he's facing the ancient Freddy Garcia, whom I'll admit I didn't even know was on the Braves until last night.
The Braves still have plenty of power, but they also have plenty of more pressure on them to get this thing to a Game 5 back east. The Dodgers will look to be off until Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday with a win.
And when your team has Hanley Ramirez, it's easy to forget about the negatives.
The Dodgers had an incredible 10 two-out RBIs en route to an emphatic 13-6 win over the Braves. The win put the Dodgers on the verge of the NLCS with a 2-1 advantage heading into Game 4 Monday night.
As I stated before, the game didn't start off so hot, as Ryu gave up a couple in the first. Justin Upton smoked a double to center with an out, just past the outstretched dive of Skip Schumaker. He scored an out later on an Evan Gattis RBI single, then following a walk to Brian McCann, Chris Johnson scored another on a single to make it 2-0.
The Dodgers started their scoring in the second with a four-spot. Yasiel Puig and Juan Uribe singled leading off, and A.J. Ellis walked an out later. Ryu then got into one that nearly landed past Upton in right, but was good enough for the sac-fly RBI to make it 2-1.
One big key to this game was the play of Carl Crawford, who struck out twice and had that horrible double play the last game. Well, he more than showed up to play in this one on both sides of the field. His three-run homer to deep right gave the Dodgers a 4-2 advantage. He also had an amazing catch in foul territory in the eighth in which he tumbled into the stands, but thankfully came out OK. Wow, that was equally as terrific as it was scary when he landed head first on concrete.
Unfortunately for Ryu, the third would be his last, as the Braves tied it up. Three straight singles by Upton, Freddie Freeman, and Gattis started the inning. Then Ryu really messed up by not finding the base on a double play ball from McCann. Then he screwed up again by throwing home instead of to first on Johnson's little dribbler. Ugh.
From there, it was all Dodgers, as the 4-4 tie seemed like a distant memory when it was all said and done. They took the lead for good in the third. Ramirez doubled to start, then scored on Adrian Gonzalez's RBI single. The other run came on Schumaker's RBI single to center.
Chris Capuano pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Ryu to get the win, though it was a struggle at times. He actually walked all three leadoff hitters, but nothing came of it. It's like both teams traded secrets on how to fail with runners on. Overall, the Braves were 3-for-11 with RISP, and the Dodgers were 7-for-15.
The fourth was a huge inning, as the Dodgers put up four runs again. Crawford's bunt was bobbled by Alex Wood leading off for a costly error. One out later, Ramirez came within inches of a home run, but settled for the RBI triple in going up 7-4. After Puig's RBI single to center, Uribe got just enough of one out to right for the two-run shot, and the Dodgers were in full control at 10-4.
The final runs were scored in the eighth on RBI singles from Ramirez, Gonzalez, and Puig. Those three combined for eight hits, six runs, and six RBIs. Great numbers from the heart of the order.
A game like this shows just how deadly the Dodgers can be when they're not all swinging for the fences every at-bat. They got a couple of homers, but of their 14 hits, 10 were singles. Their situational hitting was obviously terrific, as they took it one base at a time in scoring multiple runs in four of the innings. That's got to be a huge relief after grounding into three double plays and striking out way too much in Game 2.
With the good came some bad, as Ryu just never got going. What makes it worse were the question marks surrounding him coming into this start about his health. He appeared to be fine in this one, but his stuff certainly wasn't fooling the Braves. Maybe it was just one of those starts, but if he is hurt, it's some bad news going forward.
The other downer was Paco Rodriguez, who could only get two outs in the ninth before Kenley Jansen had to strikeout McCann to end the game. Paco is probably suffering from a dead arm, as he gave up three hits, including a two-run shot to dead center by Jayson Heyward, and a walk. It's too bad considering how special he was for the majority of the season. If the Dodgers do advance, don't be surprised if he's left off the NLCS roster. He's lost his effectiveness it seems.
The Game 3 win lets Don Mattingly exhale some, and not have to make the tough decision of whether or not to bring back Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest. I bet he would've, too, with the season on the line. But now Ricky Nolasco gets his scheduled start, with Kershaw ready to go on Wednesday in Atlanta in the do-or-die situation.
Nolasco has a lot to prove, as anyone who's followed the Dodgers knows we've seen him at the top of his game, and the absolute bottom. Maybe he'll be relaxed knowing the season is not over if he loses, and that his offense is on fire. What also helps is that he's facing the ancient Freddy Garcia, whom I'll admit I didn't even know was on the Braves until last night.
The Braves still have plenty of power, but they also have plenty of more pressure on them to get this thing to a Game 5 back east. The Dodgers will look to be off until Game 1 of the NLCS on Friday with a win.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Iffy times for Dodgers' Games 3 and 4 starters
If the Dodgers are going to finish off the Braves at home, it might be in spite of their scheduled starters, and not because of them.
Hyun-Jin Ryu has recently raised questions about the health of his arm after throwing a bullpen session on Friday with Don Mattingly and team doctor Neal ElAttrache watching closely. Predictably, that has people wondering if he's truly feeling right heading into a very important Game 3 of the deadlocked NLDS with the Braves.
So is Ryu hurt, or simply being careful? If you are to listen to him, it's the latter. What we do know is that his bullpen apparently looked clean, and he's saying all the right things by insisting he's fine. Perhaps we just need to take his word for it, but with the way the Dodgers have cycled through one injury after another this year, it's natural to be concerned.
The numbers suggest Ryu is healthy, because despite a 1-3 record in September, his ERA was 2.88. His WHIP was a monthly-best 1.08. It's entirely possible he was pitching somewhat injured all along, and it worsened recently. Dodger fans just have to hope this is all much ado about nothing.
Say the Braves get home field back by winning Game 3, then the Dodgers could be in trouble. Game 4 will see Ricky Nolasco take the mound, and while he's fully healthy as far as we know, his numbers of late certainly aren't. He was fantastic through two September starts, then was bombed in his last three, causing his ERA for the month to skyrocket to 6.66. Geez, just look at that number, 6.66. That's scary on many different levels...
Anyway, if the Dodgers want to win at home, they're going to have to have much better situational hitting than they did in Game 2. Usually their pitching takes care of itself, and maybe Ryu and Nolasco will be great, but there's definitely more uncertainty with them than Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. That goes without saying.
Hopefully by Tuesday morning, the Dodgers will either be preparing for the Cardinals or Pirates, or preparing for a winner-take-all start from Kershaw. If not, then the starters at home most likely let them down.
Hyun-Jin Ryu has recently raised questions about the health of his arm after throwing a bullpen session on Friday with Don Mattingly and team doctor Neal ElAttrache watching closely. Predictably, that has people wondering if he's truly feeling right heading into a very important Game 3 of the deadlocked NLDS with the Braves.
So is Ryu hurt, or simply being careful? If you are to listen to him, it's the latter. What we do know is that his bullpen apparently looked clean, and he's saying all the right things by insisting he's fine. Perhaps we just need to take his word for it, but with the way the Dodgers have cycled through one injury after another this year, it's natural to be concerned.
The numbers suggest Ryu is healthy, because despite a 1-3 record in September, his ERA was 2.88. His WHIP was a monthly-best 1.08. It's entirely possible he was pitching somewhat injured all along, and it worsened recently. Dodger fans just have to hope this is all much ado about nothing.
Say the Braves get home field back by winning Game 3, then the Dodgers could be in trouble. Game 4 will see Ricky Nolasco take the mound, and while he's fully healthy as far as we know, his numbers of late certainly aren't. He was fantastic through two September starts, then was bombed in his last three, causing his ERA for the month to skyrocket to 6.66. Geez, just look at that number, 6.66. That's scary on many different levels...
Anyway, if the Dodgers want to win at home, they're going to have to have much better situational hitting than they did in Game 2. Usually their pitching takes care of itself, and maybe Ryu and Nolasco will be great, but there's definitely more uncertainty with them than Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. That goes without saying.
Hopefully by Tuesday morning, the Dodgers will either be preparing for the Cardinals or Pirates, or preparing for a winner-take-all start from Kershaw. If not, then the starters at home most likely let them down.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Through 2 games, we've seen the best and worst of the Dodgers
The Dodgers find themselves deadlocked with the Braves 1-1 through the first couple of games in the NLDS. Game 1 went exactly as they scripted it, with the bats backing up Clayton Kershaw, who piled up 12 strikeouts in a 6-1 victory. Game 2 saw the bats fail to deliver in big spots, and the middle relief fall apart in a 4-3 loss.
You could say that we've already seen a lot of good and a lot of bad in the first couple of games. Let's take a look at both sides of the coin.
The Good
Clayton Kershaw. As I stated before, Kershaw was awesome in Game 1, giving up one run in seven innings. I wouldn't say he was sensational, because he had definite control issues for a little bit, something that has plagued him just a bit since the start of September. But, as usual, he more than got the job done when it mattered most. He's lined up to start Game 5, and with the series tied right now, that could be a real possibility of taking place.
Hanley Ramirez. An RBI double in Game 1. Another one in Game 2. Then a two-run shot to pull the Dodgers within one in Game 2. The Dodgers rested him just enough entering the playoffs, and it's sure paying off so far, as he's clearly been the best hitter on either side. Plus he only has one of the team's 18 strikeouts through two games, so he's not beating himself. They need his bat to continue to stay hot if they want to win, and there's no reason to think it won't.
Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen. Wilson has pitched the eighth inning in both games, allowing no runs on only one hit while striking out two. He looks ready to be a closer again next season, unless the Dodgers throw a ridiculous amount of money at him to be the setup guy. Jansen finished Game 1 in the non-save situation, and while a couple guys reached, he still struck out the side.
Adrian Gonzalez in Game 1. Game 2 saw nothing much happen, but his huge two-run homer in Game 1 put the Dodgers up 4-0, and was more than enough for Kershaw to cruise from there. I can't imagine the Braves felt good being down two to Kershaw, and four must have sent them into a tailspin.
Yasiel Puig's Game 1. The worry coming into the playoffs was that Puig would try to do way too much, but in the first game, he was great. He singled twice, went beautifully from first to third on another single, tagged up and scored, and doubled up Evan Gattis at first. That's the type of all-around game we love to see. Now if he'd just stop striking out...
The Bad
Yasiel Puig's strikeouts. Yup. As good as he is at times, he looks just as bad when he tries to hit it to the moon on every swing. He already has four K's, including a really bad looking one in the eighth of Game 2 after Ramirez got them within one. The funniest part was seeing a shot of a clearly annoyed Mark McGwire after that happened. Puig has got to resist the home run swing and stick to singles and running. The Dodgers will be so much better off.
Carl Crawford leading off. Speaking of strikeouts, there's Crawford with four as well. Mattingly put him in the top spot instead of Puig, and while he did reach base twice in Game 1, he was awful the next night. He had the horrible 1-6-3 DP with the Dodgers threatening in the seventh, then K'd to end the game with a runner on first. The Dodgers need him to play better because it's not like he'll sit.
Middle relief not named Brian Wilson. With the Dodgers down 2-1 going into the seventh in Game 2, things went south. First Crawford's DP, then Chris Withrow walked the first batter he faced. Paco Rodriguez gave up the big two-run single to Jayson Heyward to put the Braves up 4-1, and Ronald Belisario walked the only batter he faced. I wasn't a fan of using Withrow to start the inning, but taking Wilson and Jansen out of the equation, maybe there weren't any better options. And that's a problem.
Swings, misses, and double plays. The Dodgers did a lot of that in Game 2. Their leadoff, cleanup, and #5 hitter each struck out twice. Skip Schumaker, Mark Ellis, and Crawford grounded into double plays. Despite outhitting the Braves 10-6, it didn't matter thanks to a lack of execution. And to think they only lost by one is even more frustrating, because if they cut those mistakes by a few, they could've won.
Dee Gordon. Safe or not, the Dodgers need Gordon to get the job done. He's on the postseason roster for one reason and one reason only: steal bases. I sure thought his hand beat the "tag" in Game 2, but the call didn't go their way. If he can't steal that base, he really has no value. Fair or not, his team needs him to make that play.
Mattingly by the book in Game 2. It's easy to blame Mattingly for the moves he made in Game 2 being wrong. If his players executed better, he'd look good. But they didn't, so he doesn't. I didn't like at all how he wouldn't pitch to light-hitting Jose Constanza or Reed Johnson, and instead pitched to Heyward. The whole left vs. left and right vs. right thing drives me nuts. WAY too much value is placed on that old school logic. I know Withrow was pretty bad, but he was just coming off a strikeout of Elliot Johnson, so I'm sure he could've gotten some guy named Constanza. Alas, we'll never know.
You could say that we've already seen a lot of good and a lot of bad in the first couple of games. Let's take a look at both sides of the coin.
The Good
Clayton Kershaw. As I stated before, Kershaw was awesome in Game 1, giving up one run in seven innings. I wouldn't say he was sensational, because he had definite control issues for a little bit, something that has plagued him just a bit since the start of September. But, as usual, he more than got the job done when it mattered most. He's lined up to start Game 5, and with the series tied right now, that could be a real possibility of taking place.
Hanley Ramirez. An RBI double in Game 1. Another one in Game 2. Then a two-run shot to pull the Dodgers within one in Game 2. The Dodgers rested him just enough entering the playoffs, and it's sure paying off so far, as he's clearly been the best hitter on either side. Plus he only has one of the team's 18 strikeouts through two games, so he's not beating himself. They need his bat to continue to stay hot if they want to win, and there's no reason to think it won't.
Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen. Wilson has pitched the eighth inning in both games, allowing no runs on only one hit while striking out two. He looks ready to be a closer again next season, unless the Dodgers throw a ridiculous amount of money at him to be the setup guy. Jansen finished Game 1 in the non-save situation, and while a couple guys reached, he still struck out the side.
Adrian Gonzalez in Game 1. Game 2 saw nothing much happen, but his huge two-run homer in Game 1 put the Dodgers up 4-0, and was more than enough for Kershaw to cruise from there. I can't imagine the Braves felt good being down two to Kershaw, and four must have sent them into a tailspin.
Yasiel Puig's Game 1. The worry coming into the playoffs was that Puig would try to do way too much, but in the first game, he was great. He singled twice, went beautifully from first to third on another single, tagged up and scored, and doubled up Evan Gattis at first. That's the type of all-around game we love to see. Now if he'd just stop striking out...
The Bad
Yasiel Puig's strikeouts. Yup. As good as he is at times, he looks just as bad when he tries to hit it to the moon on every swing. He already has four K's, including a really bad looking one in the eighth of Game 2 after Ramirez got them within one. The funniest part was seeing a shot of a clearly annoyed Mark McGwire after that happened. Puig has got to resist the home run swing and stick to singles and running. The Dodgers will be so much better off.
Carl Crawford leading off. Speaking of strikeouts, there's Crawford with four as well. Mattingly put him in the top spot instead of Puig, and while he did reach base twice in Game 1, he was awful the next night. He had the horrible 1-6-3 DP with the Dodgers threatening in the seventh, then K'd to end the game with a runner on first. The Dodgers need him to play better because it's not like he'll sit.
Middle relief not named Brian Wilson. With the Dodgers down 2-1 going into the seventh in Game 2, things went south. First Crawford's DP, then Chris Withrow walked the first batter he faced. Paco Rodriguez gave up the big two-run single to Jayson Heyward to put the Braves up 4-1, and Ronald Belisario walked the only batter he faced. I wasn't a fan of using Withrow to start the inning, but taking Wilson and Jansen out of the equation, maybe there weren't any better options. And that's a problem.
Swings, misses, and double plays. The Dodgers did a lot of that in Game 2. Their leadoff, cleanup, and #5 hitter each struck out twice. Skip Schumaker, Mark Ellis, and Crawford grounded into double plays. Despite outhitting the Braves 10-6, it didn't matter thanks to a lack of execution. And to think they only lost by one is even more frustrating, because if they cut those mistakes by a few, they could've won.
Dee Gordon. Safe or not, the Dodgers need Gordon to get the job done. He's on the postseason roster for one reason and one reason only: steal bases. I sure thought his hand beat the "tag" in Game 2, but the call didn't go their way. If he can't steal that base, he really has no value. Fair or not, his team needs him to make that play.
Mattingly by the book in Game 2. It's easy to blame Mattingly for the moves he made in Game 2 being wrong. If his players executed better, he'd look good. But they didn't, so he doesn't. I didn't like at all how he wouldn't pitch to light-hitting Jose Constanza or Reed Johnson, and instead pitched to Heyward. The whole left vs. left and right vs. right thing drives me nuts. WAY too much value is placed on that old school logic. I know Withrow was pretty bad, but he was just coming off a strikeout of Elliot Johnson, so I'm sure he could've gotten some guy named Constanza. Alas, we'll never know.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Dodgers set 25-man roster for the NLDS
The Dodgers' management has spoken, and here's the look at who made the cut for the Division Series against the Braves, starting today:
Starting Rotation
Clayton Kershaw
Zack Greinke
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Ricky Nolasco
Bullpen
Kenley Jansen
Brian Wilson
J.P. Howell
Paco Rodriguez
Ronald Belisario
Chris Withrow
Chris Capuano (long relief)
Catchers
A.J. Ellis
Tim Federowicz
Infielders
Adrian Gonzalez
Mark Ellis
Hanley Ramirez
Juan Uribe
Michael Young
Dee Gordon
Outfielers
Carl Crawford
Yasiel Puig
Scott Van Slyke
Andre Ethier
Utility
Skip Schumaker
Nick Punto
Analysis: The biggest names to be left off are Brandon League, Carlos Marmol, and Jerry Hairston. I completely agree with keeping League off, who was abysmal this year. I also agree with Hairston, as Young is a much better option because of his bat.
Keeping Withrow over Marmol surprises me a little bit. I though Marmol's experience would win out, and he did have a 2.53 ERA in 21 appearances with the Dodgers. But his lack of control can be maddening, and we all know that in October, walks can kill you. So Withrow it is, though I don't see him pitching meaningful innings anyway.
Ethier ended up making the cut, and will be relegated to pinch-hitting duties. I wrote yesterday about how this slightly concerns me, but it is what it is. Gordon should get unleashed late in games when the Dodgers need that extra run. That should be fun to watch.
Overall, the Dodgers will miss Matt Kemp and the impact his bat can make, but nonetheless, they're good to go. If they can get one in Atlanta and grab back home field advantage, they'll be in great shape with their pitching staff.
Starting Rotation
Clayton Kershaw
Zack Greinke
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Ricky Nolasco
Bullpen
Kenley Jansen
Brian Wilson
J.P. Howell
Paco Rodriguez
Ronald Belisario
Chris Withrow
Chris Capuano (long relief)
Catchers
A.J. Ellis
Tim Federowicz
Infielders
Adrian Gonzalez
Mark Ellis
Hanley Ramirez
Juan Uribe
Michael Young
Dee Gordon
Outfielers
Carl Crawford
Yasiel Puig
Scott Van Slyke
Andre Ethier
Utility
Skip Schumaker
Nick Punto
Analysis: The biggest names to be left off are Brandon League, Carlos Marmol, and Jerry Hairston. I completely agree with keeping League off, who was abysmal this year. I also agree with Hairston, as Young is a much better option because of his bat.
Keeping Withrow over Marmol surprises me a little bit. I though Marmol's experience would win out, and he did have a 2.53 ERA in 21 appearances with the Dodgers. But his lack of control can be maddening, and we all know that in October, walks can kill you. So Withrow it is, though I don't see him pitching meaningful innings anyway.
Ethier ended up making the cut, and will be relegated to pinch-hitting duties. I wrote yesterday about how this slightly concerns me, but it is what it is. Gordon should get unleashed late in games when the Dodgers need that extra run. That should be fun to watch.
Overall, the Dodgers will miss Matt Kemp and the impact his bat can make, but nonetheless, they're good to go. If they can get one in Atlanta and grab back home field advantage, they'll be in great shape with their pitching staff.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Update on Ethier's condition heading into the NLDS
As Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves is only a day away, Andre Ethier does not appear to be anywhere close to full health. Rather, it looks like he will be on the active roster, but only to pinch-hit.
The biggest factor going against Ethier is simply time, as he is slowly progressing, but not nearly fast enough to give it a full go. He initially was hurt on September 4, aggravated it further on September 13, and hasn't started a game since. He tried to workout in San Francisco not long ago, but felt too much discomfort when trying to round the bases.
With that said, Don Mattingly will make a few adjustments. First, he'll put Carl Crawford back in the leadoff spot, allowing Yasiel Puig to move down to the #5 spot behind Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez for his run production.
Also, this could mean that guys like Jerry Hairston, Scott Van Slyke, or Dee Gordon could find themselves on the roster. Hairston and Van Slyke could see time in the outfield, and Gordon might get some action in the "Billy Hamilton" pinch-running role.
I have to wonder, though, if keeping Ethier active is truly worth it. I'm reading about keeping his bat active for late-game situations, something he's excelled at in the past. But can he still contribute that way with a bad ankle? With runners in scoring position, he hit .228. With the bases loaded, he hit .143. In late or close situations, he hit .218.
Not exactly numbers that ring "Get that guy in there!" late in a big spot.
I admire Ethier for his desire to stay in there, especially with Matt Kemp suffering his 93rd injury of the last couple of seasons, KO'ing him for the playoffs already. I'm just a little worried that the Dodgers will expect him to come off the bench in a big spot and deliver. He couldn't do it healthy, so I'm doubting it will happen on one good leg.
Then again, maybe he'll turn back the clock 25 years and deliver his own Kirk Gibson moment when we least expect it.
The biggest factor going against Ethier is simply time, as he is slowly progressing, but not nearly fast enough to give it a full go. He initially was hurt on September 4, aggravated it further on September 13, and hasn't started a game since. He tried to workout in San Francisco not long ago, but felt too much discomfort when trying to round the bases.
With that said, Don Mattingly will make a few adjustments. First, he'll put Carl Crawford back in the leadoff spot, allowing Yasiel Puig to move down to the #5 spot behind Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez for his run production.
Also, this could mean that guys like Jerry Hairston, Scott Van Slyke, or Dee Gordon could find themselves on the roster. Hairston and Van Slyke could see time in the outfield, and Gordon might get some action in the "Billy Hamilton" pinch-running role.
I have to wonder, though, if keeping Ethier active is truly worth it. I'm reading about keeping his bat active for late-game situations, something he's excelled at in the past. But can he still contribute that way with a bad ankle? With runners in scoring position, he hit .228. With the bases loaded, he hit .143. In late or close situations, he hit .218.
Not exactly numbers that ring "Get that guy in there!" late in a big spot.
I admire Ethier for his desire to stay in there, especially with Matt Kemp suffering his 93rd injury of the last couple of seasons, KO'ing him for the playoffs already. I'm just a little worried that the Dodgers will expect him to come off the bench in a big spot and deliver. He couldn't do it healthy, so I'm doubting it will happen on one good leg.
Then again, maybe he'll turn back the clock 25 years and deliver his own Kirk Gibson moment when we least expect it.
Ryu will go in Game 3 of the NLDS, Nolasco in Game 4
In what shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody, Don Mattingly made offical today that Hyun-Jin Ryu will get the start in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves, and if necessary, Ricky Nolasco will go in Game 4. Both games will be in Dodger Stadium.
Hopefully one of these games will be a closeout game considering Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke go first two games in Atlanta's Turner Field. Then again, baseball can be a strange sport, so Ryu and Nolasco might have the responsibility of keeping the Dodgers alive. You never know.
What we do know is that based on the end of the season, Ryu is clearly the better choice for Game 3. He ended up 14-8 with an even 3.00 ERA in 30 starts this season, and the Braves do worse hitting against lefties (.239) than against righties (.252). Plus, he's much better at home (2.32 ERA) than on the road (3.69 ERA).
Of course, Nolasco made the decision much easier for Mattingly by getting shelled his final three starts. For awhile, it sure looked like he'd leapfrog Ryu for that Game 3 start, but that all came to a crashing thud in mid-September. Hopefully, and especially if he is pitching to keep the Dodgers alive, he's figured out what has ailed him and the bats can back him up. He still ended up 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 15 starts with the Dodgers, so the history of success is there at least.
Hopefully one of these games will be a closeout game considering Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke go first two games in Atlanta's Turner Field. Then again, baseball can be a strange sport, so Ryu and Nolasco might have the responsibility of keeping the Dodgers alive. You never know.
What we do know is that based on the end of the season, Ryu is clearly the better choice for Game 3. He ended up 14-8 with an even 3.00 ERA in 30 starts this season, and the Braves do worse hitting against lefties (.239) than against righties (.252). Plus, he's much better at home (2.32 ERA) than on the road (3.69 ERA).
Of course, Nolasco made the decision much easier for Mattingly by getting shelled his final three starts. For awhile, it sure looked like he'd leapfrog Ryu for that Game 3 start, but that all came to a crashing thud in mid-September. Hopefully, and especially if he is pitching to keep the Dodgers alive, he's figured out what has ailed him and the bats can back him up. He still ended up 8-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 15 starts with the Dodgers, so the history of success is there at least.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Schedule and probables for the NLDS
Game 1, October 3 - Dodgers at Braves, 8:37 ET
Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83) vs. Kris Medlen (15-12, 3.11)
Game 2, October 4 - Dodgers at Braves, 6:07 ET
Zack Greinke (15-4, 2.63) vs. Mike Minor (13-9, 3.21)
Game 3, October 6 - Braves at Dodgers, Time TBA
Julio Teheran (14-8, 3.20) vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-8, 3.00)
Game 4 (if nec.), October 7 - Braves at Dodgers, Time TBA
Starters TBA
Game 5 (if nec.), October 9 - Dodgers at Braves, Time TBA
Clayton Kershaw vs. Kris Medlen
For Game 4, the Dodgers would most likely go with Ricky Nolasco, while the Braves would turn to either a pair of lefties, Paul Maholm or Alex Wood.
All games will be played on TBS, with MLB Network a possibility for a game or two.
Clayton Kershaw (16-9, 1.83) vs. Kris Medlen (15-12, 3.11)
Game 2, October 4 - Dodgers at Braves, 6:07 ET
Zack Greinke (15-4, 2.63) vs. Mike Minor (13-9, 3.21)
Game 3, October 6 - Braves at Dodgers, Time TBA
Julio Teheran (14-8, 3.20) vs. Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-8, 3.00)
Game 4 (if nec.), October 7 - Braves at Dodgers, Time TBA
Starters TBA
Game 5 (if nec.), October 9 - Dodgers at Braves, Time TBA
Clayton Kershaw vs. Kris Medlen
For Game 4, the Dodgers would most likely go with Ricky Nolasco, while the Braves would turn to either a pair of lefties, Paul Maholm or Alex Wood.
All games will be played on TBS, with MLB Network a possibility for a game or two.
Monday, September 30, 2013
5 reasons the Dodgers will win the World Series... and 5 reasons they won't
Here we go, postseason time! The Dodgers open up in Atlanta in the best-of-five series for a trip to the NLCS. And from there, in what would be their first trip back in 25 years since winning it all in 1988, the Fall Classic.
Let's take a look at five reasons the Dodgers can win it all, and five reasons they might not.
Think Positively!
1. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as a 1-2 punch. There are plenty of great arms on display in the postseason, but none quite as good as what the Dodgers can roll out to the mound the first two games of any series. No matter who is in or out of the lineup, Don Mattingly knows the Dodgers have a great chance with Kershaw and Greinke toeing the rubber.
Based on the second half of the season, it's no stretch to say that these guys are also the top two pitchers in baseball right now. We all know how fantastic Kershaw was in what will be his second Cy Young Award won (16-9, 1.83 ERA, 0.94 WHIP ), but Greinke's stats after the All-Star break have been phenomenal as well (7-2, 1.85 ERA, 0.98 WHIP). If your numbers approach Kershaw's, even for half the season, then you've done something pretty special. Despite playing at home for the first couple of games of the NLDS, the Braves can't feel that great about their chances. The numbers back it up.
2. Hanley Ramirez is the best hitter around. There's no doubt that 2013 has been the season that has put Ramirez back on the map, despite playing in only 86 games because of various injuries. But by hitting .345 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs, he reminded everyone just how well-rounded a hitter he is.
Now is the time for Ramirez to put the offense on his back and get the big hits needed to win. With Matt Kemp out for the playoffs, it's even more important that he hits well. Yes, he's still banged up, but even at less than 100%, he's a great hitter. After only gathering 11 at-bats in April and May combined, he ended July with a .365 average, 10 homers, and 34 RBIs. I don't think at any point this season he's been fully healthy, so that stats show just how good he is anyway. A big month of October will not only lead the Dodgers to a title, but a big fat contract extension as well!
3. Yasiel Puig on the big stage. There's just something about Puig and his flair for dramatics that can get Dodger fans excited. After making a big splash in Spring Training, he was called up on June 2 with the Dodgers at a pathetic 23-32. Puig lit a fire in this team that helped carry them to the NL West title.
His lack of big game experience shouldn't be a factor at all, because if anyone is ready and willing to go all out, all the time, it's Puig. He's the type of player that can strikeout his first four at-bats, then hit the game-winning homer in his fifth. He can also make the big diving catch to save a game. I think he's chomping at the bit to get out there and prove what kind of a great player he is.
4. Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen closing out games. It's taken only 18 games for Wilson to prove that not only is he back, he's just as dominant as ever. Combine his arm with Kenley Jansen's, and the Dodgers have to feel very confident with a lead after seven innings.
Wilson carries an 0.66 ERA into the postseason along with three holds. He's a more reliable option than Ronald Belisario, who continues to go from good to bad one game to the next. Wilson also has the obvious postseason experience having won two rings with the Giants, including closing out the World Series over the Rangers in 2010. Jansen was sensational in the closer's role with 28 saves, a 1.88 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings. They're both ready to let it loose.
5. Road warriors. The team with the best record away from home? That would be the Dodgers, which tied the Rangers for tops in the Majors at a 45-36 clip. Thanks in large part to their historic 15-game road winning streak around the All-Star break, the Dodgers appear just as comfortable away from home as they do at Chavez Ravine.
Of course any team would rather open up the postseason at home, but keep in mind that Kershaw and Greinke are going the first two games in Atlanta, so the Dodgers' confidence has to be high. Basically they need to take one game on the road to regain home field advantage, which seems doable. And based on their great road record, it can certainly happen.
Watch Out!
1. No Matt Kemp. As Don Mattingly correctly pointed out as news of Kemp's shutdown hit on Sunday, the Dodgers went 42-8 at one point without him. Kemp has only played in 179 games the last two seasons, so they're certainly used to not having him around.
But with all of that said, there's just no way the Dodgers won't miss him. Opposing pitchers have to gameplan a whole heck of a lot more against Kemp than they do for his replacements like Skip Schumaker, or even Andre Ethier, who might also miss the NLDS. Kemp has the type of impact bat that could give the Dodgers a big lead late in the game with a home run. That's so hard to replace. And since all signs were that he'd be back for the postseason, only to get the bad news after the last regular season game, there's no doubt it's a big blow for everyone.
2. Injury prone. To go along with Kemp, it seems like there are so many guys who are only a play away from being done for the season as well. Ethier is most likely either scratched from the NLDS or is only a pinch-hitter. Ramirez has been banged up all season. Puig has been battling through a few ailments lately as well.
Don Mattingly is used to mixing and matching his lineup on a daily basis, but still, it's tough not to be able to write in his big guns everyday and let them do their thing. The fact that Schumaker is the probable starting centerfielder is a reminder just how things can change so quickly. Can you imagine what would happen if Kershaw, Greinke, or Jansen got hurt as well? Man, that would be awful.
3. Yasiel Puig on the big stage. Yes, you read that right. As much as Puig is about to embrace the bright lights of October, it could turn out to be a disaster if he gets out of control.
We've already seen Mattingly and his own teammates get on his case for throwing temper tantrums, and trying to throw guys out from about 800 feet away, allowing runners to move up. Plus, there have been a whole lot of swings and misses of late, mostly because he looks like he's trying to kill everything. Expect pitchers to make him expand the zone and challenge him to be patient. What if he doesn't want to walk? He'll be an easy out from the leadoff spot if he can't control himself, and the offense will suffer.
4. Streaky offense. It's true that the final three-game series against the Rockies was meaningless in the big picture, but take a look at their run production: 11, 0, 1. That's not exactly the most encouraging way to enter the postseason.
Their runs scored has dipped quite a bit in September. In August they scored 128 runs (4.4 AVG), good for third in the NL. This past month that fell to 102 (3.8 AVG), which was ninth. Granted, some of those games were played with quirky lineups thanks to being the first team to clinch the division, but plenty of the regulars still got their swings in. Maybe the offense is ready to roll again with a set lineup, but they'll have to prove that. And with Kemp not in there, it'll be even tougher.
5. Ricky Nolasco fading. After shutting down the Diamondbacks on September 9, Nolasco stood at 8-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 12 starts with the Dodgers. It sure looked like the Dodgers had a huge advantage in the first three games of any series with Kershaw, Greinke, and Nolasco, not to mention Hyun-Jin Ryu after that. Life was good.
And then life was bad. His next three starts were an unbelievable disaster, as he got bombed by going 0-2 with a 12.75 ERA. He seriously went from unhittable to batting practice. There really was no in between. I firmly believe he would've been the Game 3 starter, but not anymore. Suppose the Dodgers are down 2-1 in the NLDS, how confident are they sending him to the mound? It's hard to say they would feel that good about it right now. That's how badly things have turned around for him.
Let's take a look at five reasons the Dodgers can win it all, and five reasons they might not.
Think Positively!
1. Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke as a 1-2 punch. There are plenty of great arms on display in the postseason, but none quite as good as what the Dodgers can roll out to the mound the first two games of any series. No matter who is in or out of the lineup, Don Mattingly knows the Dodgers have a great chance with Kershaw and Greinke toeing the rubber.
Based on the second half of the season, it's no stretch to say that these guys are also the top two pitchers in baseball right now. We all know how fantastic Kershaw was in what will be his second Cy Young Award won (16-9, 1.83 ERA, 0.94 WHIP ), but Greinke's stats after the All-Star break have been phenomenal as well (7-2, 1.85 ERA, 0.98 WHIP). If your numbers approach Kershaw's, even for half the season, then you've done something pretty special. Despite playing at home for the first couple of games of the NLDS, the Braves can't feel that great about their chances. The numbers back it up.
2. Hanley Ramirez is the best hitter around. There's no doubt that 2013 has been the season that has put Ramirez back on the map, despite playing in only 86 games because of various injuries. But by hitting .345 with 20 homers and 57 RBIs, he reminded everyone just how well-rounded a hitter he is.
Now is the time for Ramirez to put the offense on his back and get the big hits needed to win. With Matt Kemp out for the playoffs, it's even more important that he hits well. Yes, he's still banged up, but even at less than 100%, he's a great hitter. After only gathering 11 at-bats in April and May combined, he ended July with a .365 average, 10 homers, and 34 RBIs. I don't think at any point this season he's been fully healthy, so that stats show just how good he is anyway. A big month of October will not only lead the Dodgers to a title, but a big fat contract extension as well!
3. Yasiel Puig on the big stage. There's just something about Puig and his flair for dramatics that can get Dodger fans excited. After making a big splash in Spring Training, he was called up on June 2 with the Dodgers at a pathetic 23-32. Puig lit a fire in this team that helped carry them to the NL West title.
His lack of big game experience shouldn't be a factor at all, because if anyone is ready and willing to go all out, all the time, it's Puig. He's the type of player that can strikeout his first four at-bats, then hit the game-winning homer in his fifth. He can also make the big diving catch to save a game. I think he's chomping at the bit to get out there and prove what kind of a great player he is.
4. Brian Wilson and Kenley Jansen closing out games. It's taken only 18 games for Wilson to prove that not only is he back, he's just as dominant as ever. Combine his arm with Kenley Jansen's, and the Dodgers have to feel very confident with a lead after seven innings.
Wilson carries an 0.66 ERA into the postseason along with three holds. He's a more reliable option than Ronald Belisario, who continues to go from good to bad one game to the next. Wilson also has the obvious postseason experience having won two rings with the Giants, including closing out the World Series over the Rangers in 2010. Jansen was sensational in the closer's role with 28 saves, a 1.88 ERA, and 111 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings. They're both ready to let it loose.
5. Road warriors. The team with the best record away from home? That would be the Dodgers, which tied the Rangers for tops in the Majors at a 45-36 clip. Thanks in large part to their historic 15-game road winning streak around the All-Star break, the Dodgers appear just as comfortable away from home as they do at Chavez Ravine.
Of course any team would rather open up the postseason at home, but keep in mind that Kershaw and Greinke are going the first two games in Atlanta, so the Dodgers' confidence has to be high. Basically they need to take one game on the road to regain home field advantage, which seems doable. And based on their great road record, it can certainly happen.
Watch Out!
1. No Matt Kemp. As Don Mattingly correctly pointed out as news of Kemp's shutdown hit on Sunday, the Dodgers went 42-8 at one point without him. Kemp has only played in 179 games the last two seasons, so they're certainly used to not having him around.
But with all of that said, there's just no way the Dodgers won't miss him. Opposing pitchers have to gameplan a whole heck of a lot more against Kemp than they do for his replacements like Skip Schumaker, or even Andre Ethier, who might also miss the NLDS. Kemp has the type of impact bat that could give the Dodgers a big lead late in the game with a home run. That's so hard to replace. And since all signs were that he'd be back for the postseason, only to get the bad news after the last regular season game, there's no doubt it's a big blow for everyone.
2. Injury prone. To go along with Kemp, it seems like there are so many guys who are only a play away from being done for the season as well. Ethier is most likely either scratched from the NLDS or is only a pinch-hitter. Ramirez has been banged up all season. Puig has been battling through a few ailments lately as well.
Don Mattingly is used to mixing and matching his lineup on a daily basis, but still, it's tough not to be able to write in his big guns everyday and let them do their thing. The fact that Schumaker is the probable starting centerfielder is a reminder just how things can change so quickly. Can you imagine what would happen if Kershaw, Greinke, or Jansen got hurt as well? Man, that would be awful.
3. Yasiel Puig on the big stage. Yes, you read that right. As much as Puig is about to embrace the bright lights of October, it could turn out to be a disaster if he gets out of control.
We've already seen Mattingly and his own teammates get on his case for throwing temper tantrums, and trying to throw guys out from about 800 feet away, allowing runners to move up. Plus, there have been a whole lot of swings and misses of late, mostly because he looks like he's trying to kill everything. Expect pitchers to make him expand the zone and challenge him to be patient. What if he doesn't want to walk? He'll be an easy out from the leadoff spot if he can't control himself, and the offense will suffer.
4. Streaky offense. It's true that the final three-game series against the Rockies was meaningless in the big picture, but take a look at their run production: 11, 0, 1. That's not exactly the most encouraging way to enter the postseason.
Their runs scored has dipped quite a bit in September. In August they scored 128 runs (4.4 AVG), good for third in the NL. This past month that fell to 102 (3.8 AVG), which was ninth. Granted, some of those games were played with quirky lineups thanks to being the first team to clinch the division, but plenty of the regulars still got their swings in. Maybe the offense is ready to roll again with a set lineup, but they'll have to prove that. And with Kemp not in there, it'll be even tougher.
5. Ricky Nolasco fading. After shutting down the Diamondbacks on September 9, Nolasco stood at 8-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 12 starts with the Dodgers. It sure looked like the Dodgers had a huge advantage in the first three games of any series with Kershaw, Greinke, and Nolasco, not to mention Hyun-Jin Ryu after that. Life was good.
And then life was bad. His next three starts were an unbelievable disaster, as he got bombed by going 0-2 with a 12.75 ERA. He seriously went from unhittable to batting practice. There really was no in between. I firmly believe he would've been the Game 3 starter, but not anymore. Suppose the Dodgers are down 2-1 in the NLDS, how confident are they sending him to the mound? It's hard to say they would feel that good about it right now. That's how badly things have turned around for him.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Kemp done for the playoffs
Ouch... in more ways than one.
My how things can quickly turn around for the injury plagued Matt Kemp. One day after being a late scratch from Saturday night's lineup, the Dodgers have announced the Kemp will not return at all this season. He was on crutches during the team's postseason rally after Sunday afternoon's game, which he'll remain on for three weeks, and will also have minor shoulder surgery.
The news is hardly surprising, but nonetheless, still very disappointing. The Dodgers were hoping that they'd have Kemp back in the lineup for that extra punch with Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez, and Adrian Gonzalez. Now they'll have to face the distinct possibility of opening up the Division Series in Atlanta on Thursday with Skip Schumaker in center.
I'm sure the Braves are shaking in their cleats.
If you're wondering why not Andre Ethier in center, that's because he's looking doubtful with a sore ankle as well. He hasn't played since September 13, and can barely run the bases. I'm guessing a guy with a bad ankle who can't run the bases probably can't run around center field as well.
At least Puig and Carl Crawford are playing, and while they're not exactly 100% either, they'll be relied on a whole lot more with Kemp definitely not coming back.
All the Dodgers can hope for is Kemp to get his surgery, get healed properly, and be ready to go for 2014. It's pretty harsh to say, but after signing an eight-year, $160 million extension two years ago, they've pretty much gotten nothing out of him. It's been one injury and letdown after another. This is just the latest blow.
The Dodgers are certainly used to playing without him, however, so that will just have continue into the NLDS.
My how things can quickly turn around for the injury plagued Matt Kemp. One day after being a late scratch from Saturday night's lineup, the Dodgers have announced the Kemp will not return at all this season. He was on crutches during the team's postseason rally after Sunday afternoon's game, which he'll remain on for three weeks, and will also have minor shoulder surgery.
The news is hardly surprising, but nonetheless, still very disappointing. The Dodgers were hoping that they'd have Kemp back in the lineup for that extra punch with Yasiel Puig, Hanley Ramirez, and Adrian Gonzalez. Now they'll have to face the distinct possibility of opening up the Division Series in Atlanta on Thursday with Skip Schumaker in center.
I'm sure the Braves are shaking in their cleats.
If you're wondering why not Andre Ethier in center, that's because he's looking doubtful with a sore ankle as well. He hasn't played since September 13, and can barely run the bases. I'm guessing a guy with a bad ankle who can't run the bases probably can't run around center field as well.
At least Puig and Carl Crawford are playing, and while they're not exactly 100% either, they'll be relied on a whole lot more with Kemp definitely not coming back.
All the Dodgers can hope for is Kemp to get his surgery, get healed properly, and be ready to go for 2014. It's pretty harsh to say, but after signing an eight-year, $160 million extension two years ago, they've pretty much gotten nothing out of him. It's been one injury and letdown after another. This is just the latest blow.
The Dodgers are certainly used to playing without him, however, so that will just have continue into the NLDS.
Banged up outfielders plaguing the Dodgers heading into October
Remember when Yasiel Puig was called up from Double-A back in June, and the major question was how Don Mattingly would juggle four starting outfielders?
Mattingly has yet to answer that question because he hasn't needed to. And with the playoffs less than a week away, that's a bit of a problem.
Matt Kemp was a late scratch from the lineup on Saturday, which turned out to be a 1-0 loss to the Rockies, and Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier sat out as well. Oh, and Carl Crawford got the night off to not risk any injury to him, too. Add that all up, and the starting outfield consisted of Scott Van Slyke in left, Skip Schumaker in center, and Chili Buss in right.
I'm guessing that's not exactly the lineup that's going to get it done in the NLDS. Or in any game.
Look, Kemp actually deserves credit for sitting out on Saturday with his sore left ankle. I'm not sure he would've used that same caution even a year ago, so not getting hurt worse in a meaningless game was the smart call. But it's also giving the Dodgers more reasons to worry that one little thing will cause him to go down again. That's the way it's been the last two years.
The Dodgers know they will open the NLDS on the road in either Atlanta or St. Louis. Mattingly is doing all he can to give his guys rest, while not having them sit too long and get rusty. It's a tough balance when you manage a team that gets hurt so much like this one.
At this point, it looks like Crawford, Kemp, and Puig will be the starting outfield in Game 1, with Andre Ethier either sitting out the first round, or available off the bench because of his ankle. That could go either way. Basically it's four guys all banged up at various levels, and that can't be very comforting for Mattingly.
Who this does benefit is guys like Schumaker, Nick Punto, and possibly Jerry Hairston to make the 25-man roster for the NLDS. Those guys don't have nearly the impact bats that the other guys do, but the Dodgers need that insurance just in case something else happens. And if we've learned anything from this season, it's that the next injury could be a foul ball off the leg away, ala Puig on Friday.
Maybe some rest until Thursday is exactly what the Dodgers need, as it's certainly a better scenario than playing in a do-or-die Wild Card game on Tuesday. Don't be surprised, however, to see Mattingly using all sorts of different combinations in the NLDS because of one injury after another.
Hey, at least he's used to this.
Mattingly has yet to answer that question because he hasn't needed to. And with the playoffs less than a week away, that's a bit of a problem.
Matt Kemp was a late scratch from the lineup on Saturday, which turned out to be a 1-0 loss to the Rockies, and Yasiel Puig and Andre Ethier sat out as well. Oh, and Carl Crawford got the night off to not risk any injury to him, too. Add that all up, and the starting outfield consisted of Scott Van Slyke in left, Skip Schumaker in center, and Chili Buss in right.
I'm guessing that's not exactly the lineup that's going to get it done in the NLDS. Or in any game.
Look, Kemp actually deserves credit for sitting out on Saturday with his sore left ankle. I'm not sure he would've used that same caution even a year ago, so not getting hurt worse in a meaningless game was the smart call. But it's also giving the Dodgers more reasons to worry that one little thing will cause him to go down again. That's the way it's been the last two years.
The Dodgers know they will open the NLDS on the road in either Atlanta or St. Louis. Mattingly is doing all he can to give his guys rest, while not having them sit too long and get rusty. It's a tough balance when you manage a team that gets hurt so much like this one.
At this point, it looks like Crawford, Kemp, and Puig will be the starting outfield in Game 1, with Andre Ethier either sitting out the first round, or available off the bench because of his ankle. That could go either way. Basically it's four guys all banged up at various levels, and that can't be very comforting for Mattingly.
Who this does benefit is guys like Schumaker, Nick Punto, and possibly Jerry Hairston to make the 25-man roster for the NLDS. Those guys don't have nearly the impact bats that the other guys do, but the Dodgers need that insurance just in case something else happens. And if we've learned anything from this season, it's that the next injury could be a foul ball off the leg away, ala Puig on Friday.
Maybe some rest until Thursday is exactly what the Dodgers need, as it's certainly a better scenario than playing in a do-or-die Wild Card game on Tuesday. Don't be surprised, however, to see Mattingly using all sorts of different combinations in the NLDS because of one injury after another.
Hey, at least he's used to this.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Did Nolasco pitch his way out of an NLDS start?
Ricky Nolasco took one last start in the regular season on Wednesday night in San Francisco, looking to erase some bad vibes from his previous two starts.
The result? Uh, not good.
The Giants had little trouble hitting him around in a 6-4 win, as he gave up six runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The only good news was that he struck out seven and only walked one, but it hardly mattered. He's been hit around really hard his last three trips to the mound, and now the question has to be if he'll even get a start in October.
It's a pretty big turnaround from his first 12 starts with the Dodgers after coming over from the Marlins. In those he went 8-1 with a 1.82 ERA, and in 10 of those starts he surrendered two or less earned runs. And let me tell you, he sure looked like he was going to overtake Hyun-Jin Ryu for that Game 3 start, because his stuff looked incredible.
And then came the start he made at home on Saturday, September 14 against the Giants in which he was absolutely shelled. He only lasted four outs, giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits, walking three, and recorded no strikeouts. Boy was he bad that night.
The hope was that that game would be an anomaly, but thus far, it sure hasn't looked like it. The Diamondbacks got to him for six runs in five innings on September 19, and then last night's game against the Giants. Add up those three starts, and he's 0-2 with a 12.75 ERA. Talk about a big dropoff.
So, let's pose the question right now: Will Nolasco get a start in the NLDS?
One thing that we have to keep in mind is that the NLDS schedule plays a big factor in Don Mattingly's decision when to use his pitchers. While the times will need to be worked out, the days the games occur has been set: October 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9. In looking at this, Clayton Kershaw will make a Game 1 start, then go on Game 5 if necessary on five day's rest. Zack Greinke will go in Game 2 and could also pitch in Game 5 since he'd be on four day's rest. But, I can't imagine him getting the call over Kershaw.
With that in mind, it appears as if Mattingly will have to use four separate starters in the NLDS, as the schedule, barring a rainout, won't allow anything different. So, Nolasco looks to be in good shape to at least be a candidate for a Game 4 start. Being a candidate and actually getting the start are two different things, though.
I'm not sure anybody thought they'd see this happen, but Volquez's start tonight against the Giants could play a big part in who gets an NLDS start. I would say Nolasco is still the clear favorite, but say Volquez pitches a gem, would Mattingly make the switch? I'm not so sure, it's something to keep in mind.
Mattingly did say after Wednesday's game that he's not concerned about Nolasco, and perhaps he's being completely honest. It's just a shame how bad Nolasco's timing is, as the last thing the Dodgers need is to be in a must-win game with a guy on the mound they lack confidence in.
But then again, the Dodgers may not have any other choice than to take their chances. We will see.
The result? Uh, not good.
The Giants had little trouble hitting him around in a 6-4 win, as he gave up six runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The only good news was that he struck out seven and only walked one, but it hardly mattered. He's been hit around really hard his last three trips to the mound, and now the question has to be if he'll even get a start in October.
It's a pretty big turnaround from his first 12 starts with the Dodgers after coming over from the Marlins. In those he went 8-1 with a 1.82 ERA, and in 10 of those starts he surrendered two or less earned runs. And let me tell you, he sure looked like he was going to overtake Hyun-Jin Ryu for that Game 3 start, because his stuff looked incredible.
And then came the start he made at home on Saturday, September 14 against the Giants in which he was absolutely shelled. He only lasted four outs, giving up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits, walking three, and recorded no strikeouts. Boy was he bad that night.
The hope was that that game would be an anomaly, but thus far, it sure hasn't looked like it. The Diamondbacks got to him for six runs in five innings on September 19, and then last night's game against the Giants. Add up those three starts, and he's 0-2 with a 12.75 ERA. Talk about a big dropoff.
So, let's pose the question right now: Will Nolasco get a start in the NLDS?
One thing that we have to keep in mind is that the NLDS schedule plays a big factor in Don Mattingly's decision when to use his pitchers. While the times will need to be worked out, the days the games occur has been set: October 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9. In looking at this, Clayton Kershaw will make a Game 1 start, then go on Game 5 if necessary on five day's rest. Zack Greinke will go in Game 2 and could also pitch in Game 5 since he'd be on four day's rest. But, I can't imagine him getting the call over Kershaw.
With that in mind, it appears as if Mattingly will have to use four separate starters in the NLDS, as the schedule, barring a rainout, won't allow anything different. So, Nolasco looks to be in good shape to at least be a candidate for a Game 4 start. Being a candidate and actually getting the start are two different things, though.
I'm not sure anybody thought they'd see this happen, but Volquez's start tonight against the Giants could play a big part in who gets an NLDS start. I would say Nolasco is still the clear favorite, but say Volquez pitches a gem, would Mattingly make the switch? I'm not so sure, it's something to keep in mind.
Mattingly did say after Wednesday's game that he's not concerned about Nolasco, and perhaps he's being completely honest. It's just a shame how bad Nolasco's timing is, as the last thing the Dodgers need is to be in a must-win game with a guy on the mound they lack confidence in.
But then again, the Dodgers may not have any other choice than to take their chances. We will see.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Looking at possible NLDS opponents
The playoff teams in the National League are officially locked in, so in addition to my beloved Dodgers, congrats goes out to the Braves, Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds. It's safe to the NL Central is representing.
As of now, the Braves have a 1/2 game lead over the Cardinals for home field advantage, with the other three teams very close behind. So, with the exception of the NL East champion Braves, the Dodgers still could face any of the three teams from the Central.
And with that in mind, let's take a look at how the Dodgers fared against each of them this season.
Cardinals
Season Series: 4-3 Dodgers (7-0 Cardinals, 5-3 Dodgers, 5-3 Cardinals, 3-2 Dodgers, 5-1 Cardinals, 13-4 Dodgers, 5-1 Dodgers)
Thoughts: The 5-1 loss to the Cardinals was the game that snapped the 15-game road winning streak back in the beginning of August. And to think, that was a game started by Clayton Kershaw. No worries, as Ricky Nolasco and Hyun-Jin Ryu took care of business the next two days.
It's probably no surprise that the Dodgers dropped two of three in May, then won three of four in August. Like pretty much every other team they played, it all comes down to which half of the season it occurred. Back in May, Brandon League picked up the save in the 5-3 win. My how times have changed.
Pirates
Season Series: 4-2 Dodgers (3-0 Dodgers, 1-0 Dodgers, 6-2 Dodgers, 3-0 Pirates, 5-3 Dodgers, 6-3 Pirates)
Thoughts: All of these games took place before July, and after the Dodgers lost the last game, their record stood at 29-39. Considering how much of a mess they were at this time, it's actually pretty amazing they were even able to win four of six.
After sweeping the Pirates in their second home series of the season, it took until the 14th home series to get another one (late June against the Giants, which was when they began their incredible turnaround). In the big picture, both teams probably can't put much stock into these matchups because they're both so much better now. The Dodgers have gotten much healthier, and the Pirates made some big trades for Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd.
Reds
Season Series: 4-3 Reds (5-2 Reds, 2-1 Dodgers, 4-1 Dodgers, 1-0 Dodgers, 3-2 Reds, 4-3 Reds, 3-2 Reds)
Thoughts: As opposed to the Pirates' series, this is a better reflection of how each team might currently fare against each other. All seven games took place from July 25 and on. Toss out the first game, and the home team won every game thereafter.
Only two of these games were decided by more than one run, so getting the last at-bat appears to be very important. Plus, each team has a dominant closer in Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman, so the margin of error is very slim. I doubt either team would run away with any game if they locked horns in a five or seven-game series.
As of now, the Braves have a 1/2 game lead over the Cardinals for home field advantage, with the other three teams very close behind. So, with the exception of the NL East champion Braves, the Dodgers still could face any of the three teams from the Central.
And with that in mind, let's take a look at how the Dodgers fared against each of them this season.
Cardinals
Season Series: 4-3 Dodgers (7-0 Cardinals, 5-3 Dodgers, 5-3 Cardinals, 3-2 Dodgers, 5-1 Cardinals, 13-4 Dodgers, 5-1 Dodgers)
Thoughts: The 5-1 loss to the Cardinals was the game that snapped the 15-game road winning streak back in the beginning of August. And to think, that was a game started by Clayton Kershaw. No worries, as Ricky Nolasco and Hyun-Jin Ryu took care of business the next two days.
It's probably no surprise that the Dodgers dropped two of three in May, then won three of four in August. Like pretty much every other team they played, it all comes down to which half of the season it occurred. Back in May, Brandon League picked up the save in the 5-3 win. My how times have changed.
Pirates
Season Series: 4-2 Dodgers (3-0 Dodgers, 1-0 Dodgers, 6-2 Dodgers, 3-0 Pirates, 5-3 Dodgers, 6-3 Pirates)
Thoughts: All of these games took place before July, and after the Dodgers lost the last game, their record stood at 29-39. Considering how much of a mess they were at this time, it's actually pretty amazing they were even able to win four of six.
After sweeping the Pirates in their second home series of the season, it took until the 14th home series to get another one (late June against the Giants, which was when they began their incredible turnaround). In the big picture, both teams probably can't put much stock into these matchups because they're both so much better now. The Dodgers have gotten much healthier, and the Pirates made some big trades for Justin Morneau and Marlon Byrd.
Reds
Season Series: 4-3 Reds (5-2 Reds, 2-1 Dodgers, 4-1 Dodgers, 1-0 Dodgers, 3-2 Reds, 4-3 Reds, 3-2 Reds)
Thoughts: As opposed to the Pirates' series, this is a better reflection of how each team might currently fare against each other. All seven games took place from July 25 and on. Toss out the first game, and the home team won every game thereafter.
Only two of these games were decided by more than one run, so getting the last at-bat appears to be very important. Plus, each team has a dominant closer in Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman, so the margin of error is very slim. I doubt either team would run away with any game if they locked horns in a five or seven-game series.
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