Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

August 26 game chat

Cubs at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.

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206 Comments

  1. KT

    Go BLUE!!!!

  2. ASW1

    DODGERS :

    1. LF: Carl Crawford
    2. RF: Yasiel Puig
    3. 1B: Adrian Gonzalez
    4. SS: Hanley Ramirez
    5. CF: Andre Ethier
    6. C: A.J. Ellis
    7. 2B: Mark Ellis
    8. 3B: Nick Punto
    9. SP: Zack Greinke

    CUBS :

    1. SS: Starlin Castro
    2. CF: Junior Lake
    3. 1B: Anthony Rizzo
    4. RF: Nate Schierholtz
    5. LF: Brian Bogusevic
    6. 3B: Donnie Murphy
    7. C: Welington Castillo
    8. 2B: Darwin Barney
    9. SP: Jake Arrieta

  3. Bob_in_Vegas

    Time to start another WINNING STREAK!

  4. KT

    good inning…now let’s put one on the board in the 1st for a change

  5. Bob_in_Vegas

    Vinny was ready for him to go for third.

  6. KT

    Nice quick inning…way to go Zack

  7. KT

    Come on AJ move Dre around

  8. Bob_in_Vegas

    Can;t see — Dre had no choice?

    • KT

      Ball was hit over Rizzo’s head who made a good over the shoulder catch…vinny got the call wrong

      • Bob_in_Vegas

        thanks . . . I thought it was going to be a good break, but I guess it could have been a bad break — another double-up

  9. KT

    All right Zack get on base

  10. Bob_in_Vegas

    Zack’s on a roll . . . but it ain’t enough to keep the other guys from scoring!

  11. Greinke: OBP machine.

  12. KT

    Way to get on Zack

  13. KT

    https://twitter.com/MLB/status/372188368219557889 Reminds me of my 2 years spent in Bahrain

  14. Another multi-hit game for Puig.

  15. RBI guys not being RBI guys.

  16. John_from_Aus

    our bats are as quiet as this post today

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      They must think it’s April, not August (the hitters). At least the BoSox pitchers were a good excuse.

      • Bob_Hendley

        Vin did note that one nugget that the Cubs have is the ERA of their starting pitchers, which rivals that of the Dodgers.

  17. Bob_in_Vegas

    When Zack is on, the game sure moves along! But I wouldn’t mind if we took some time here and got a run . . . or two . . . or more.

    • Seems that the owner is quite the businessman, but unless he starts using the profits to better the product on the field there will be a lot of upset people in Houston. As it’s only his second year of ownership we’ll have to see what the roster looks like in a few years and if he actually cares about winning or simply using the team to get richer.

  18. Spence

    The fellas are looking bit lethargic last few games. When Hanley and Puig arent on fire, the offense is rather pedestrian.

    • ASW1

      A heck of a lot of pop-ups and lazy fly balls last few games for some reason.

  19. Bob_in_Vegas

    Hang tough, Nick!

  20. KT

    Way to work a walk

  21. Bob_in_Vegas

    normally getting the pitcher up and out of the way is an accomplishment . . . but Zack is more than that!

  22. Bob_in_Vegas

    Zack!

  23. Bob_in_Vegas

    Zack & Kersh: “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me!”

  24. ASW1

    Leave it to Greinke!

  25. He threw him the same pitch three times after he whiffed the first two times, Zack got it the third time.

  26. John_from_Aus

    very nicely done!

  27. Spence

    Maybe Greinke should be used a pinch hitter for the playoffs.

  28. John_from_Aus

    Let’s bust this game open

  29. Bob_in_Vegas

    CC! . . . bummer into stands

  30. Bob_in_Vegas

    C’mon, Puig!

  31. KT

    Eric Stephen ‏@truebluela1m
    Zack Greinke (16) just passed Luis Cruz (15) in hits for the 2013 Dodgers, in less than half the PA (57 vs 128)

  32. John_from_Aus

    would have Grienke made it if it didn’t bounce into the stands

  33. Bob_in_Vegas

    Shut ’em down here, Zack.

  34. KT

    way to stay with it gonzo

  35. Bob_in_Vegas

    C’mon, Zack, another 0!

  36. Bob_in_Vegas

    Yes — no answering back . . . now add to it!

  37. KT

    way to get out of it zack

  38. Good thing nobody was on base.

  39. Bob_in_Vegas

    Sure have that feel of April and May . . . except Zack’s in control.

    • Spence

      These games are hard to watch. Need the playoffs to get here. Seems like the Dodgers are playing out the string till the playoffs start.

      • KT

        I hope not…a lot of ball still to be played

        • Bob_in_Vegas

          They went into a hitting funk the end of July as well . . . still won, but weren’t putting up the runs.

  40. KT

    Ken Gurnick ‏@kengurnick29m
    A hip injury has dealt reliever Shawn Tolleson a setback in his return from lower back surgery. http://atmlb.com/19J0QFw

  41. KT

    Cruising right along Zack!

  42. Bob_in_Vegas

    Let’s let Zack — and all of us — laugh . . . get some runs!

  43. Spence

    Sveum’s telling Arrietta that look we know you dont have anything left, but the bullpen is tired so you have to pitch the 6th

  44. KT

    MEllis speed!

  45. ASW1

    This game reminds me of the first game of the season where Kershaw shut out the Gnats and had the game-winning hit.

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      At least we didn’t have to wait until the 8th this time!

  46. Bob_in_Vegas

    Hang tough again, Nick!

  47. Bob_in_Vegas

    NICK!

  48. Bob_in_Vegas

    At least no idjit hit it.

  49. ASW1

    Little Pony!

  50. Bob_in_Vegas

    Please, sirs, can we have some more?

  51. Bob_in_Vegas

    How many other teams, when their pitcher is coming up, get excited?

  52. KT

    beautiful bunt

  53. Bob_in_Vegas

    A reprieve, CC — bring him in!

  54. Bob_in_Vegas

    S A C for CC!

  55. Bob_in_Vegas

    It’s not an explosion of hits and runs, but I really like how they’re taking advantage of the situation and making things happen.

  56. KT

    Az won so still 9.5 and 1 less game left

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      Don’t audit the poultry just quite yet . . . (I like to be optimistic but don’t wanna upset the karma balance!)

  57. ASW1

    And that team up North, mired in last place, got smoked by the Rockies 6-1.
    Zito now 4-10 with a 5.81 ERA – WOW.

  58. RBI

    Just checking in. I’ve been doing my Dodger yoga. Take a position, yell, hold it, clap, get out of position. Glad we’re winning. It helps with the balance.

  59. scooplew

    The Cubs used seven relief pitchers yesterday in their 15-inning defeat.

  60. Bob_in_Vegas

    Zack! Kersh must be watching with eagerness to get his chance.

  61. RBI

    Nice to hear Vin say my name! (Hint – it’s not Evers or Chance…)

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      Does that mean Bell is also part of your name?

      • scooplew

        Don’t tinker with her name!

      • RBI

        Ha! My pregnant mother was watching Peter Pan on Broadway w Mary Martin when a certain winged faerie (Han Ram!!!) arrived on stage in the form of a twinkling light and I kicked. So yes, I guess you could say there’s a bell in my past.

        • scooplew

          Delightful! Mary Martin was magnificent as Peter Pan, although as a youngster I had a hard time understanding how a woman could play him.

          • RBI

            Just took the granddaughters to see Kathy Rigby, who can still pull it off!

        • ASW1

          Either one of those as good as Robin Williams’ portrayal?

  62. KT

    Rick calling Zack’s performance Maddox like 80 pitches 57 for strikes

  63. Bob_in_Vegas

    Hanley!!!!

  64. KT

    HANLEY!!!!

  65. Bob_in_Vegas

    Believe Vinny said it earlier, when Puig and Hanley hit, the Dodgers win. They didn’t really combine for anything tonight, but they DID hit . . . as did others. Six more outs to start the new winning streak!

  66. scooplew

    In his last 10 appearances including tonight, as both a starter and a reliever, Zito has given up 33 earned runs in 28.2 innings. That computes to an ERA of 10.36.

    • ASW1

      It still boggles my mind how well he pitched last season down the stretch and in the postseason against St. Loo and Detroit.

  67. KT

    Los Angeles Dodgers ‏@Dodgers1m
    If you give @HanleyRamirez a curveball, he’s going to…Well this: http://atmlb.com/1diXc9r

  68. scooplew

    Sorry, but I am on a kick of researching Zito because his contract is so incredulous.

    He is in the last year of a seven-contract that will pay him a total of $126 million. He is making $20 million this year. According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Giants have an $18 million option on him for 2014 and a $7 million buyout. The option vests with 200 IP in 2013 or 400 IP in 2012-2013 or 600 IP in 2011-2013. Zito won’t reach any of those numbers. If the 2013 option vests, which it won’t, Zito may opt out and receive $3.5 million buyout.

    Zito’s agent is Boras.

    • ASW1

      He didn’t pitch in the postseason for the WS win in 2010, but I wonder how many Giants fans think it was worth it just for how well he did for them in helping to win the WS last year?

  69. Bob_in_Vegas

    Get the K or double play!

  70. Bob_in_Vegas

    Nick — saves the shutout!

  71. ASW1

    Ha! Dionner not too fleet of foot.

  72. KT

    Nice grin at Punto Zack!!

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      If I can’t see it myself, at least I get the description!

      • KT

        I see if I can find video…Punto fielded the ball and it took him to the 3rd base coaches box where he threw a one hopper to Gonzo who stretched towards the RF to throw out Navarro by 2 steps

        • ASW1

          Dionner looks like he could lose a few pounds…

        • Bob_in_Vegas

          I appreciated more the description of Zack’s grin . . .

      • KT

        Posted replay of punto’s play above

  73. Bob_in_Vegas

    I’m assuming Kenley’s coming in, so Zack is probably going to Kersh, saying ‘Your turn.’

  74. KT

    Chad Moriyama ‏@ChadMoriyama4m
    Punto makes a great play to end inning. Greinke shows appreciation by glancing at him like a serial killer.

  75. KT

    PUIG!!!!

  76. “I see you Hanley, and I raise you.” – Puig

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      Zack & Kersh pitching . . . Hanley and Puig hitting . . . and they missed two months!

  77. ASW1

    Was that farther than Hanley’s ?

  78. scooplew

    Great to see Donnie allowing Greinke to stay in and attempt to pitch the shutout. He has four in his career: one this year with the Dodgers and three in 2009 with the Royals when he led the AL in ERA and won the Cy Young. This would also be Greinke’s 14th complete game in his career.

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      Kersh & Zack — our own Koufax and Drysdale!

  79. KT

    Nice Zack..1 down

  80. scooplew

    RBI: Saw Peter Pan in San Francisco about 30 years ago. My memory tells me Kathy Rigby was in the lead. By the way, she is now 60 years old.

    • RBI

      Yeah, but she’s spent most of them in Neverland!

      • scooplew

        LOL! (The Peter Pan ride used to be my favorite indoor ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland. By the way, my 92-year-old mother, whom I am taking to the Dodgers game on Sunday, was taken to Disneyland last week by her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.)

  81. Bob_in_Vegas

    ZacK!

  82. But really, it would have been fun to see this guy pitch agains the Red Sox. And Clayton too.

  83. Bob_in_Vegas

    Donnie applauded for doing nothing . . . go, Zack!

  84. He’s losing it a bit…

  85. ASW1

    Pitch count getting up there now.

  86. Bob_in_Vegas

    Get the K, Zack — Klose it out!

  87. RBI

    1 more strike…

  88. RBI

    Too bad.

  89. I was glad Donnie left him in, but now it seems it was the right choice.

  90. Bob_in_Vegas

    Nice game, Zack. Now let’s close it out!

  91. scooplew

    A Bridge Too Far.

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      I always think of that movie/book in such moments!

      • ASW1

        Good movie – also “The Bridge On the River Kwai”

        • Bob_in_Vegas

          Cornelius Ryan wrote “Bridge” but also the great “Longest Day.” “Saving Private Ryan” had a better “storming the beach” sequence, but “Longest” showed the whole scope of D-Day . . . and how it all hinged on the most important weather forecast in history.

  92. ASW1

    Well, was worth a shot I guess.

  93. bluespop

    Finally pulled. Might be one inning too late. Don’t want Mattingly to pull a Torre on Greinke.

  94. KT

    Ball Game Dodgers Win!!!! 23 games over .500

    8 in a row against the Cubs ties ours longest win streak against them

    We now have a home record (39-27) better than our road record (38-27)

    won 20 of last 25 gms (.800), 30-7 since ASB (.810) , 47-12 since 6/22 (.797),

    9.5 gms ahead of the Dbags, 2nd largest lead by a division leader

    Dodgers 1.5 games back of the Barves for MLB’s best record

    Last 19 series 14-1-4

    http://i.imgur.com/AMbO5zV.jpg

  95. Bob_in_Vegas

    Great to bounce back and start a new winning streak!

    Zack to Kersh: ‘Your turn.’
    Kersh to Zack: ‘Just watch.’

    Ditto Puig and Hanley.

  96. scooplew

    I have always been a big fan of Brian Wilson. NOT.

  97. KT

    Dodgers are still in 2nd place in the MLB standings.

    1.5 games behind the Barves….very obtainable…Go BLUE!!!!

    pic.twitter.com/R0s1kaupQq

  98. KT

    Los Angeles Dodgers ‏@Dodgers6m
    In five August starts, Zack Greinke is 5-0 with a 1.23 (5 ER/ 36.2 IP). #PitcherOfTheMonth

    • Bob_in_Vegas

      And he’s not even the Cy Young favorite on the team!

  99. KT

    Los Angeles Dodgers ‏@Dodgers1m
    #Dodgers extend their winning streak to 8 in a row over the Cubs (5-0 in 2013), tying the longest streak over CHC in LAD history (1975).

  100. KT

    Los Angeles Dodgers ‏@Dodgers1m
    Take a look at @Shredderpunto’s throw from foul territory for an impressive out in the 8th inning of tonight’s win: http://atmlb.com/1dj1rlq

  101. KT

    Dodgers PR ‏@DodgersPR2m
    #Dodgers improved to 20-5 (.800) in August, as the club posted 20 wins in a calendar month for the 15th time since 1958 (last: May 2010).

  102. KT

    MLB ‏@MLB2m
    Yasiel Puig fell a triple short of the cycle, but this still happened: http://atmlb.com/1dj1vBD

    • Bumsrap

      He missed hitting the triple by a foot–that would be the distance between the ball and his bat when he struck out instead of hitting a triple.

  103. RBI

    Good game. G’night all.

  104. ASW1

    http://i.imgur.com/0M6iw4m.png

    This is what I wanted to see last night, KT!

  105. foul tip

    Couldn’t follow last night. One of the comments sounds like AJ threw someone out?

  106. foul tip

    DM on the BoSox series, from dodgers.com==

    “Those are the kind of people we’re going to have to beat to get where we want to go,” Mattingly said. “The only concern was that you see three veteran pitchers that basically got ahead of the count, and every day I look up in the sixth inning and their pitch count is in the 60s. So we’re talking about 10 or 12 pitches an inning — way too easy. They’re veterans and they’re going to get ahead in the count and expose you if you don’t understand what they’re trying to do.”

    “Mattingly also pointed out the Red Sox played with more fire than his club. ”

    http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130826&content_id=58512712&notebook_id=58520148&vkey=notebook_la&c_id=la

    Also from dodgers.com, Kersh has won his last three starts with a minuscule 0.38 ERA

    • foul tip

      It seems to have been edited, but I think an earlier version of that story had DM saying the Red Sox pitchers weren’t young power arms from Miami who were going to let you back in the count.

      Guess they wanted to get rid of any bulletin board material.

  107. ASW1

    The Dodgers are considering using rookie starter Stephen Fife in spot starts once rosters expand Sept. 1, manager Don Mattingly said on Monday.

    “We may slip Fife in there at different times to give our guys an extra day,” Mattingly said. “But everything is still kind of fluid in that area.”

    Fife has a 2.47 ERA in nine starts with the Dodgers this season. The right-hander has been with Triple-A Albuquerque since Aug. 5.

    • dalegribel

      This would make a lot of sense. Hope this one is more than just rumors.

  108. ASW1

    Fun stats on Greinke :

    Greinke has a higher OPS (.809) than every Dodgers hitter except Hanley Ramirez, Yasiel Puig, and Scott Van Slyke.

    As for pitchers hitting, the last one to get at least 50 plate appearances and post an on-base percentage above Greinke’s current .426 mark was fellow Dodgers star Don Newcombe at .434 in 1958. That was the Dodgers’ first season in Los Angeles and they traded the former MVP and Cy Young winner to the Reds in June.

    Greinke also has the same number of walks (6) as strikeouts (6).

    • Bob_Hendley

      When do they start tugging on the Bearded Ones beard?

  109. KT

    here’s the full album

    http://imgur.com/a/YXX14

  110. NoahUCLA

    We have our main 3 studs Kershaw, Greinke and Ryu returning next year. Do you fill the next 2 spots with the returning ailing Beckett and later on Bills and when they fall apart Fife, Lee and Magill? Or do you sign Nalasco or someone else and make Fife and Lee battle it out for the last spot, if and when Beckett falls? I love the win now mentality and Nolasco has been great, but part of me wants to see Fife and Lee get a shot. I love watching the young unproven players with big upsides get a shot, which is definitely part of Puig’s charm.

    • ASW1

      There were stretches (albeit usually short ones) over the past few seasons where Bills was the best pitcher statistically in the Dodgers rotation. There have been many pitchers who return from TJ surgery who end up being just as good, sometimes even better than before the surgery. I’m hoping Bills falls into this category. No reason to assume he’d “fall apart”.
      Beckett, on the other hand…

  111. KT

    Dodgers lineup:
    Crawford LF
    Puig RF
    Gonzalez 1B
    Ramirez SS
    M Ellis 2B
    Ethier CF
    Uribe 3B
    AJ Ellis C
    Kershaw P

  112. From the press notes:

    Lowest ERA in Calendar Month, Los Angeles Dodgers
    1. Sept. 1965 1.59 ERA
    2t. April 1981 1.93 ERA
    2t. Sept. 1976 1.93 ERA
    4. Sept. 1966 2.03 ERA
    5. Aug. 1976 2.09 ERA
    6. Sept. 1988 2.13 ERA
    7. June 1969 2.14 ERA
    8. Aug. 2013 2.20 ERA (55 ER/225.1 IP)

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