Jon Weisman – Page 88 – Dodger Thoughts

Greinke won last Dodger Stadium elimination game

On October 15, 2015

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By Jon Weisman

It has been just under two years since fans came to Dodger Stadium knowing that their team had to win or the season would end. The starting pitcher that day, as it will be today (only with more hair), was Zack Greinke.

With the Dodgers having lost three of their first four games to the Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, Greinke took the mound on October 16, 2013 and pitched seven innings of two-run ball in a 6-4 Dodger victory.

In fact, the pitcher who threw out the ceremonial first pitch that day will do so again tonight: 1988 playoff hero Orel Hershiser.

Hatcher emerges as primary set-up man to Jansen

By Jon Weisman

On October 15, 2015

In Bullpen, Managing, Postseason

Since he came off the disabled list in August, opponents are hitting .163/.239/.313/.551 against Chris Hatcher. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

No longer is there any doubt about who is the Dodgers’ primary eighth-inning reliever in the bullpen.

Zack Greinke: Complex thoughts, simple approach

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Postseason

By Jon Weisman

No, you don’t exactly expect Zack Greinke to go into hysterics over pitching in the deciding game of a playoff series.

Yasmani Grandal ’50-50′ to start NLDS Game 5

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Uncategorized

By Jon Weisman

Yasmani Grandal catches most Zack Greinke starts, as well as most games against right-handed pitching, but his ailing shoulder might keep him doing so Thursday in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.

Don Mattingly said that Grandal is able to play defensively, but it’s a question whether he can bat effectively, saying that Grandal is “a bit more on the 50-50 line” about whether he could start.

Despite knee issues, Turner expected to start Thursday

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Health/injuries

By Jon Weisman

In Game 4 of the 1988 National League Championship Series at New York, the final Dodger run was driven home by Kirk Gibson.

In Game 4 of the 2015 National League Division Series at New York, the final Dodger run was driven home by Justin Turner.

Similarities between Gibson and Turner go beyond that piece of trivia, as well as their lack of a clean shave (in Turner’s case, an extreme lack). Gibson had an intensity that isn’t imitated outwardly by the easy-going Turner, but the latter’s inner drive to be a critical player on the Dodgers’ championship drive is unmistakable.

And like Gibson famously did in 1988, Turner is increasingly seeming to carry the Dodgers without the cooperation of both his legs.

Dodgers claim Brooks Brown, designate Jim Johnson for assignment

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Transactions

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By Jon Weisman

Relief pitcher Jim Johnson, whom the Dodgers acquired with Alex Wood and Jose Peraza from Atlanta in July, has been designated for assignment.

Taking his place on the 40-man roster — not eligible for the current playoffs — will be right-handed pitcher Brooks Brown.

A first-round (34th overall) pick by Arizona in the 2006 draft, the 30-year-old Brown had a 3.97 ERA with 41 strikeouts against 75 baserunners in 59 Major League innings for Colorado in 2014-15. He had a 2.77 ERA in 2014, then a 4.91 ERA in this year while dealing with right shoulder inflammation.

Johnson did not make the Dodgers’ postseason roster after allowing 42 baserunners in 18 2/3 innings with 17 strikeouts for Los Angeles.

Arrive early Thursday for NLDS Game 5

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Dodger Stadium, Transportation/parking

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

You know the drill, folks. National League Division Series Game 5 starts at 5 p.m. Thursday, but you should aim to arrive at Dodger Stadium as early as possible.

Auto gates open at 2 p.m. (Purchase parking in advance at dodgers.com/parking).
Stadium gates open at 2:30 p.m. Batting practice will be underway.
Dodger Stadium Express service from Union Station begins at 2:30 p.m.

For more information — including alternate transportation —
visit dodgers.com/transportation.

All hands on deck: Bullpen report for NLDS Game 5

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In Uncategorized

Jeurys Famila (Mike Strobe/Getty Images) and Kenley Jansen (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

With Jacob deGrom and Zack Greinke facing off Thursday in the deciding Game 5 of the National League Division Series between the Dodgers and Mets, you don’t expect to need much in the way of relief. But should the need arise, nearly every pitcher on either roster will be ready to go.

Remembering ’65: World Series Game 7 — Dodgers win it all

By Jon Weisman

On October 14, 2015

In History, Remembering '65

By Jon Weisman

Koufax. Johnson. Championship.

This is the last tale from “Remembering ’65,” and the one you know the best.

Fifty years ago today, working on two days’ rest in Minnesota, backed by Sweet Lou Johnson’s fourth-inning home run, Sandy Koufax pitched a 2-0 shutout over the Twins to give the Dodgers the 1965 World Series title, their fourth in the past 11 seasons.

“Alston Leans to Left and Koufax Proves He’s Right,” read the headline in the Times, regarding Dodger manager Walter Alston’s decision to start Koufax over Don Drysdale. But that result was anything but a given as the game unfolded.

Kershaw reasserts himself as ace for all seasons

By Jon Weisman

On October 13, 2015

In Postseason

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

Let’s make sure we’re clear about this. Clayton Kershaw did not make his first great postseason start tonight. Not even close.

Just to remind you, there was the three-game stretch in the 2013 playoffs, when he pitched 19 innings, struck out 23 and allowed one earned run.

That’s in addition to the six quality innings he threw twice in the 2014 National League Division Series and once in the 2015 NLDS — yes, before seventh innings to forget.

But for those who haven’t seen past Kershaw’s postseason won-loss record, his seven innings in Tuesday’s 3-1 NLDS Game 4 victory are the much-awaited spectacles.

Kershaw, Dodgers slay dragons — head home for Game 5

By Jon Weisman

On October 13, 2015

In Postgame, Postseason

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 13: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch in the first inning against the New York Mets during game four of the National League Division Series at Citi Field on October 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

It was nine innings of walking heart palpitations, but we’ve come through the other side.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming home to play Game 5 of the National League Division Series after defeating the New York Mets, 3-1.

NLDS Game 4 lineups: Ellis, Puig, Ruggiano start

By Jon Weisman

On October 13, 2015

In Postseason, Pregame

Dodgers at Mets, 5:00 p.m.
TV: TBS

Mets
Curtis Granderson, RF
David Wright, 3B
Daniel Murphy, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Travis d’Arnaud, C
Lucas Duda, 1B
Wilmer Flores, SS
Juan Lagares, CF
Steven Matz, P

Dodgers
Kiké Hernandez, CF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Justin Ruggiano, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

In a reversal of 2014, Yasiel Puig will make his first postseason start in more than a year when the Dodgers play the Mets tonight in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.

Facing a left-handed starter (Steven Matz) for the only time in the NLDS, Don Mattingly has put right-handed hitting outfielders Puig and Justin Ruggiano in place of Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford, who have typically sat against southpaws in 2015.

Also back in today’s lineup is catcher A.J. Ellis, no surprise with a lefty pitching for the opposition, Clayton Kershaw pitching for the Dodgers and Yasmani Grandal appearing to have aggravated his problematic left shoulder in Monday’s 13-7 Game 3 loss.

Memorably, Mattingly substituted Ethier for Puig in Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS, after Puig started the first three games. In each game, the Dodgers needed a win to stay alive in the playoffs. As Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. notes, the Dodgers have lost six straight elimination games on the road in the playoffs, last winning one in 1981.