August 4 game chat

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Cubs at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Kershaw CXXXIX: Kershawtime at the Apollo
Shane Victorino, LF
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
James Loney, 1B
Jerry Hairston Jr., 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

There’s a real possibility that A.J. Ellis (10 so far) will finish the year with more home runs than Andre Ethier (11 so far). In his past 50 games, Ethier has a .332 on-base percentage and .364 slugging percentage with two homers.

  • Anonymous

    I would still bet on Ethier, who’s a streaky hitter.

    • Anonymous

      Yes, but give credit to AJ.  I’m sure if they had done a poll of all knowledgeable Dodger fans at the start of the season to ask how many home runs he would hit this year, most of us would have answered zero or one.  Remember, he never hit more than two in his three seasons at hitter-friendly Albuquerque.

      • Anonymous

        I wonder how much his agent will ask for in arbitration this winter?

        • Anonymous

          My bet is that a contract extension is agreed to, rather than going to arbitration.

          • Anonymous

            I doubt it. There’s no urgency to lock up a soon to be 32 year old catcher entering his first year of arbitration to a multiyear deal unless Ellis agrees to a ridiculous discount.

          • Anonymous

            Not necessarily a multiyear deal.

          • Anonymous

            It sounds like you think the Dodgers will act based on the fear that A.J. Ellis will become too expensive. I don’t think so. Prince Fielder got 7, 11, and 15 mil. and he didn’t enter his first year of arb. after his rookie season. I doubt the Dodgers guarantee years 2 and 3 on the off-chance A.J. Ellis, a catcher in his 32 and 33rd year, hits like Prince Fielder.

          • KT

            I thought two years was considered multiple years (more than 1) ^_^
             
            just pulling your chain NSX

        • Anonymous

           He’ll be around for most of his career, at a reasonable price.

        • Anonymous

          Not much, since A.J. Ellis has zero leverage. Coming off two All-Star seasons, Russell Martin made $4 mil. in his first year of arbitration. Even though that was 5 years ago, I can’t see A.J. making more, considering he’s only got one good season to show for.

      • Anonymous

        Why doesn’t Donnie give him credit and hit him higher in the batting order?

        • Anonymous

          He’s done that already, quite a bit in fact:

          5 starts batting 2nd
          6 starts batting 5th
          11 starts batting 6th
          18 starts batting 7th
          40 starts batting 8th (this is his 41st)
          2 starts batting 9th

          • Anonymous

            Quite a variety; I assume this is AJ.

            I can remember when our farm was stacked, and it was possible Ethier, and even Loney, and dare I say it–even Laroche might have come through like Kemp did. I know its unrealistic to get 4 for 4 to be superstars. So I guess one streaky, one good defensively, and one used in a fairly useful trade(Blake) is not bad.

        • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

          what’s credit got to do with it. somebody hits good, take some walks, that’s automatically a trip to the 2 hole. what if he’s doing well where he’s at. 

          • Anonymous

            Higher than 8th doesn’t necessarily mean hit second.

      • http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

        Oh come on, he hit two in about 100 plate appearances last season. I would have guessed at least 5.

      • Anonymous

        The A.J. issue is what he might have done if given a chance earlier. He also deserves enormous credit for his persistence.

        • Anonymous

          Absolutely!

        • Anonymous

          I have suggested to you that if Vogelsong were a Dodger that is exactly what you would say about him.

          • Anonymous

             Birdie got plenty of chances earlier and failed every time.

  • Anonymous

    Maybe AJ should replace Mark Ellis in the 2 hole. Yes, I know its been tried, but given the way M. Ellis is struggling in general, esp against RHP, why not  give it another shot. And yes, D fans will soon see that Victorino is NOT a true lead off hitter. I live in Philly and everyone knows that is not his deal. He is a better 2 hole or 5 hole hitter. But for some reason the media, management and fans seems he is the answer to our age old trouble at the lead off spot.

    • Anonymous

      I think the second spot is perfect for AJ, given his on-base tendencies.  I think others have said the same thing here any number of times earlier this season. Not that there is ever a consensus around here about *anything* (LOL!), but I know a lot of us feel that way.

      • Anonymous

        Batting second, he might see more strikes than he wants to. ;-)

        • Anonymous

          I was shocked last night to see him swing at the first pitch in at least one of his at bats.  I thought that was something he never did.  :)

      • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

        well let me make it official. i dont see the value of putting aj in the 2 hole. there’s more to it than the magical the obp stat.

        • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7VN5CNNJSLBZQXS3NX7DTIUTA4 jasonu

          I know it’s 5 games but a .536 OPS at 2 hole vs 40 games w/919 OPS in 8 hole in.

  • Anonymous

    Incidentally, watching the game last night broadcast by our local WGN Channel 9 team, I thought Len Kasper and Bob Brenly did a pretty decent job.  No, they’re not Vin – nobody is like Vin – but they weren’t overly homerific, and they covered the game pretty well, occasionally even adding an insightful comment.  There are far worse sportscasters around, including one here in town.

    • Anonymous

      Don’t they broadcast from the bleachers sometimes?

      • Anonymous

         In this case, Hawk was playing left for the Sox.

    • Anonymous

      Harrelson may be a terrible broadcaster, but a likeable guy. When I attended a Seattle Pilots game in 1969, he carried on a running dialogue with those of us in the left field bleachers at the old Sicks’ Seattle Stadium.

  • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

    did don baseball officially say anywhere why he exchanged positions with Cruz and Hanley?

  • KT

    Nice play James

  • Blue-eyed Gal

    Regarding “tooliness”: Victorino’s newspaper spread thanking Phillie fans was a class act. I’m going to chalk up those rhubarbs a few years back with the Dodger bench as a sign of competitiveness on the field, which is absolutely a good thing.

    So I’m gonna drop my initial vague misgivings.

  • KT

    Nice pitch and inning Clayton – 11 pitches

  • Anonymous

    My first look-see since we got SV.  Its real strange.

    • Anonymous

       Got what?

      • Anonymous

        Well, I guess its Shane, now.

        • Anonymous

           OK, I get it.

  • KT

    that last lunging step Kemp made at 1st to try to beat the throw made him grimace a little

    • Anonymous

      and you just made me grimace as well.

      • KT

        not a hamstring thing…more a jarring thing from the rough landing

  • KT

    Well colorado isn’t helping us much…losing 6-0 to the Gnats
     
    Clayton @ 23 pitches..efficient

  • KT

    Come on Dre start it off

  • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

    Cub announcer still pissed about Hanley posing after his single last night

  • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

    says Hanley is now admiring his outs

  • KT

    He had a play at second

  • Anonymous

    Woulda been way out at 2B.

  • KT

    Nice hit Clayton

  • KT

    Come on Shane

  • KT

    Not much on the throw but he was really off balanced

    • Anonymous

      He threw it quite well under the circumstances.

      • KT

        Yea it could ended up in LF

  • Anonymous

    Hard to believe how bad the Rocks are. Seemingly incapable of giving the Gnats a game.

  • Anonymous

    The Orange County Anaheimers’ bullpen is imploding again.

    • Anonymous

      Would they take a reliever for Bourgeois? I hope I spelled his name right.

      • Anonymous

        Javy Guerra for Trout.

        • http://profile.yahoo.com/SNN6P3ZHTDDRFNWCT6X2TOFVHQ Dr. Rockso

          rflmao

  • KT

    Come on Mark lets get that run back

  • KT

    Nice hit Mark

  • Anonymous

    That was a predictable run for Chicago. I just find it hard to believe the game script was set up for Kershaw to loose. But it very well could be, because the core of the Dodgers who can hit seem to often be scripted not to hit.I will be surprised if the Dodgers get enough runs to win.

    • KT

      Perfect timing Gen…way to wake up our bats

    • Anonymous

       Your comment was premature.

  • KT

    come on Matty

  • KT

    MATTY!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Just what we’ve been waiting for.

  • KT

    Come on Dre

  • Anonymous

    Kemp-o-matic!

  • KT

    Good job Dre
     
    Come on Hanley

  • Anonymous

    Once again, Mattingly waits for the GIDP.

    • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

      are we anywhere near Rule 8 yet on this

      • Anonymous

        Hey you actually read the rules :)

        • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

          well i got them read to me so much i know them by heart.

          • KT

            I try not to read them….actually whenever someone sites a rule I have to look it up to see what they are talking about

          • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

            KT you are the man. No rules apply to you. you are the rules.

          • KT

            Thanks VODF….I only try to treat people how I would like to be treated…even if I don’t agree with them ^_^

  • KT

    Nice hit James
     
    Come on Jerry

  • Anonymous

    A ray of hope in Denver: Bad Penny is now pitching for the Gnats.

    • KT

      coming back now 6-3

  • KT

    Let’s go AJ

  • KT

    Alright Clayton!
     
    Come on Shane move him around

  • KT

    Come on Mark get on

  • Anonymous

    The Rocks’ pen may be even worse than the Gnats’.

  • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

    Just saw that guy with metal feet finish second in the 200 (i think) preliminary. uh, they just give that guy all the gold metals. or all the money. or all the something. sheesh what a thing.

    forgot to mention the metal ankles, calfs, etc. didn’t think i’d ever see that in my lifetime

  • Anonymous

    how was strike one a strike?

  • Anonymous

    Not the dominant Kershaw tonight.

  • KT

    Beautiful Pitch!!!!

  • Anonymous

    It won’t be easy, but the Gnats’ pen continues to implode.

  • KT

    good play jerry

  • KT

    Nice Inning Belli…good to see you back to form

  • KT

    Good Hustle Shane

    • Anonymous

       Off to the races

  • KT

    Come on Mark let’s get this insurance run

  • KT

    Knew this was going to happen
     
    Come on Dre…Make them pay for disrespecting you

  • Anonymous

    I want to see the middle of the order tear it up.

  • KT

    Nice Han-Ram!!!!

  • Anonymous

    It was an error, but Hanley really smoked that ball.

  • KT

    game set match…tomorrow going for the sweep

  • Anonymous

    Interesting story in the Tribune about soured Cubs-Dodgers relations.  It starts out:

    “The Cubs chances of trading Alfonso Soriano or anyone else to the Dodgers in the near future probably has been killed by the sour taste left from the Ryan Dempster saga.Sources confirmed Saturday that Cubs management did not let the Dodgers know they were letting Dempster listen in on phone calls between the team Tuesday regarding the possibility of a trade to them. The serious breach of ethics figures to affect the relationship between the two organizations, which had been on good terms until now.”

    Full article (free digital subscription required): http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0805-main-cubs-dodgers-chicago–20120805,0,7051047.story

    • Anonymous

      Teams always say they’re upset at one another over stuff like this, but they seem to get over it. The Braves were very angry at the Dodgers when Furcal re-signed with them because they thought he was going back to Atlanta.

      I don’t think anything has become of that feud.

      • Anonymous

         If there’s a transaction that both teams consider advantageous, it will happen.

      • Anonymous

        I understand that they plan to field their B team when we visit on the upcoming road trip to show their contempt for us.

  • Anonymous

    Dodgers and Giants both beating up on inferior teams – just what they both need to do. Arizona runs into Halladay, gets them a little further off our back. This should be good goin forward.

    • Anonymous

      This afternoon the Los Angeles Phillies go for the sweep in the series against the Iowa Cubs.

      • Anonymous

        funny

    • Anonymous

      Despite their winning in Denver, the Gnats’ bullpen – never that great – has been ineffective and overworked. Without a Coors-fueled offense for a couple days, they would have been in serious trouble, and Lincescum gets to pitch in the upper 80s today.

  • Anonymous

    I almost had a gut-wrench reading the way ESPN worded this: “An extended injury delay shortened Rubby De La Rosa’s rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, though it had nothing to do with De La Rosa’s surgically repaired right elbow. De La Rosa was removed as a precaution after the plate umpire was hurt. He struck out four in two hitless innings.”

    • Anonymous

      Irresponsible journalism!

      • foul tip

         More like convoluted journalism.

        That’s where you get “he said he saw the fire jumping out the window” stuff.

  • Anonymous

    Is today’s game on Prime, KCAL, or FOX?

    • Anonymous

      I don’t know (and hopefully someone else will answer).  But for those around the country, in Chicago it’s on WGN, and if you get WGN on your cable system, then I assume you would get it there.

      • Anonymous

        I have WGN with DISH and the game is on. Thanks.

    • http://www.twitter.com/ElJefedor Jeffrey Thomas III

      KCAL

    • KT

      KCAL

  • Anonymous

    Didn’t get to see the game last night but looking at the box score, love the pitches-strikes stats :
    Kershaw : 112-74
    Belisario : 14-10
    Jansen : 9-9
    Can’t get much better than that – especially Jansen – 9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 outs.
    Gotta love it.

    • Anonymous

       Well, I’d prefer three pitches, three outs.

      • Anonymous

        Once they get rid of the rule that you have to throw four pitches for an IBB, they might consider just declaring a guy out without having to throw a pitch.

    • Anonymous

      Last night Jansen looked absolutely lights out.

      Our starting pitcher looked pretty darn good too. What was his name again? :)

  • Anonymous

    Apparently the Dodgers talked to the Red Sox about Adrian Gonzalez. (
    The Dodgers’ interest in Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez didn’t advance very far as they weren’t interested in giving up notable prospects or impact major leaguers, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com.)
    I don’t know who the impact players mentioned were, but if it was Ethier straight up for AG, I’m all for it. Then we get Soriano from the Cubs for left field… What a team…

    • Anonymous

      I hope you’re kidding.  I would absolutely prefer Ethier to Soriano in the outfield.  No question about it.

      I don’t know why we wouldn’t give up notable prospects or impact major leaguers for AGon.  That doesn’t make sense.  (And doing so would be a good move.)

      • Anonymous

        Look at his contract, the Red Sox should have been willing to give AGon up for zero players in return.

  • Anonymous

    Resigning Derek Lowe was one of the better deals that Ned didn’t do,  4yrs/$60m.  One might have expected him to not be very good by the 4th, but overall after leaving the Dodgers he put up an ERA+ of 87, as compared to 120 for the  Dodgers.

  • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

    well it appears Jerry Sands isn’t going to allow the dodgers to give him the Ivan Dejesus jr. treatment afterall

    • Anonymous

      What happened?

      • http://veryolddodgerfan.blogspot.com/ veryolddodgerfan

        he has like about 83 hits and 14 home runs in the last week.

  • Anonymous

    “Tyler Chatwood” – where do the rockies find these guys?

    Hope their pitching is as horrible with us.

    • Anonymous

      On the positive side, Lincescum is going for the Gnats today, with Denver temperatures in the mid-80s.

  • http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

    NPUT