It took 174 games, but the Dodgers are heading back to the World Series. As I stated yesterday, it seems like this team needs to have their backs against the wall before they kick it in gear. From the shouts that we are going to single them to death to come back to getting a 2 run HR and a 3 run HR to beat the Brewers in Game 7.
Before getting into all of the accolades, I just want to say how GREAT it is that the Brewer brown-nosing by Joe Buck and John Smoltz was just shoved right back at them. They were absolutely crushed that the Dodgers came on to win this.
Dave Roberts has been second guessed and fired so many times this year, but he seems to have control and RESPECT of this team. It might have been easy to second guess taking Joc out for Kike’ so early, but it sure paid out dividends with CT3 making maybe a series saving catch. That was as good as a catch as we will ever see. It was the right move to take Buehler out after the LoCain double. Yelich made great contact on young Julio, but CT3 saved it with the great catch.
IMO, the key AB had to be Manny Machado in the 2nd. A 2-strike bunt to get on base that brings Belli up, and he absolutely crushes a 2-2 fastball DEEEEEEP in the RF upper deck. His 1st HR in the series was a critical hit by a growing and maturing 23-year-old baseball player. I could not be happier for Cody.
Before CT3’s great catch, Manny also had a great defensive play on a 6-3 DP hit by Yelich. His throw to 1st to beat a speedy Yelich was also crucial. It saved Buehler who seemed to be struggling at times. Machado also gets a single off Hader, giving him 2 on the night. He hit .296 in the series. Hader is good, but he is not a God like Buck and Smoltz wants everyone to believe. Manny has taken a lot of heat for his antics. I was not crazy for his run in against Aguilar, even though I thought Jesus kept his foot on the bag too long. But I was not critical of his plays at 2B on trying to break up the DPs. He was trying to win. If not for instant replay he would have gotten away with it. He wants to win as much as anyone in the game. I am happy for him. He is probably the one player that can carry the adversity on his shoulders and take the pressure off everyone else. That is very important.
Striker Buehler was relying on his fastball a bit too much, but he is also very good. He was good when he needed to be. He gets 7 strike outs and many of them were in critical situations. The strikeout of Jesus Aguilar in the 4th after a Travis Shaw double and Kratz to finish the inning were fantastic. If this were a regular season game, he would not come out after the double by LoCain. He only had 71 pitches at the time. But as I said above, it was the right call. He may not have received credit for the win, but he was just as important as any other player in today’s game. How special is a 24-year-old rookie pitcher pitching in a Game 7?
I was one of the few who was happy with the Ryan Madson addition. It may have been more due to him being a friend of my son, but he had a history of being successful in high leverage relief roles, and that was needed by this team. It was good to see Ryan get the win. I got a text from my son who reminded me how good Ryan was for this team, especially in October.
Doc made another call that some may have questioned by bringing in Kenley with one out in the 7th. But why wouldn’t this be a great time to bring in your most important reliever. He was efficient in his 1.1 IP with only 15 pitches. He had Clayton if he needed one inning, and that is how it played out. Clayton comes in to face 4-5-6 of the Brewers and proceeds to get all three, two via a strikeout.
I thought for sure that Yasiel Puig was going to win the NLCS MVP. He gets the critical 3 run HR tonight. He goes 3-4 and ends up hitting .333 for the series. But Cody Bellinger was a very worthy MVP. Two key run scoring hits in the series (one a walk off, and then tonight’s HR to put the team up for good), a great run down the line to stay out of a DP before the Puig HR, a great catch in RF to save Game 3. I think this has to be the first time two LCS MVP’s hit .200 in the series, but they were crucial hits by Belli and JBJ.
There were certainly questionable decisions made by Counsell for the Brewers, but this game was all about how good the Dodgers are, and I do not want to spend any time questioning Counsell’s decision making.
Zaidi told us that the team was struggling in April and May because the team was not hitting enough HRs. Most of us have been critical of the team with a lack of scoring WRISP. But this team was built on power, and it was power that gets them back to back trips to the FALL CLASSIC. Okay at times they are infuriating, but they are our Dodgers, and we will take it any way we can.
Now the team is on to Boston. The team last played Boston in a WS in 1916 when the Dodgers were known as the Robbins. The Dodgers fell short in 1916, but maybe, just maybe, this will be the year we can stop be reminded by everyone that the Dodgers have not won a WS since 1988.
AC, like I said in the other thread it was your post that made me feel good about our chances tonight and I didn’t think Chacin could shut us down twice.
~
Pulling Joc may have saved the games. Although he plays a deeper LF than Taylor. I thought CT3 would get co-MVP with Bellinger. I would give it to the entire pen if it was up to me. They were better than Milwaukee’s pen. You were right about Madson. I was definitely wrong but you could see down the stretch that he and Honey had figure it out. He was clutch in both series. No way I pull Buehler there but that’s okay. He was relying on the heater too much because he was bouncing his curveball early. He had really just found it.
~
Got to feel good for a lot of these guys like Puig. I sat in the stands at games 1 and 2 in St Louis when the Cardinal players mocked him and beat him. He’s not a perfect ball player but he’s come a long way.
~
I’m with you on Machado. He doesn’t let the big stage beat him. He would have been crucified if he doesn’t get that bunt down. I love watching him throw 92 mph fastballs from shortstop. Yes the kicking of Aguilar was Bush but I think Manny got the message about hustling and let’s not forget the base he took after a great secondary lead just before Belli’s walkoff in game 4. As far as I’m concerned pay the man but that’s a debate for another day.
~
My son has his last fall ball game tomorrow. I will proudly be coaching in my Puig jersey tomorrow. I may even wear it to the Alice Cooper concert too.
CT3 is batting 364 for the play offs. Best on the team. The team is not perfect, but no team is. They all do their job when they have to. I just like the way Barnes is so quiet behind the plate. He also calls a very good game. I believe Grandal is gone. There is something wrong with him. They have been a frustrating team to watch. They can play such good baseball at times and then they can stink up the place. I probably have turned the tv off more often this year than any year in the past. I refuse to watch them play crappy baseball. Four more wins, and they will not make it easy.
Great dodger win against a very good brewer team who was also hot. I think they had a 12 game winning streak at one time which was broken by the Dodgers. A fantastic team who is hot and everything going there way usually equals championship. But, the Dodgers with a total unselfish team effort stop them in their tracks in Milwaukee. Say what you want but Puig has got to play against lefties and righty’s. He can be frustrating but he can change a game like very few can. We won although Ryu was mediocre and I like him starting in la. Buehler gutted it out but Roberts took him out at the right time. He did not have his best command. Kershaw had one great game and was plus last night. Hill was serviceable. So our starters can be much better. The pen with Jansen, Kershaw, Baez, was very good but wood and Maeda can be much better. We had some shaky defense at catcher and outfield. Our hitting was mediocre with turner less disciplined than I have seen him, Muncy awful, Hernandez awful. I said all that to say that we won but we can play much better in all phases. It may be our turn to get hot. I also believe I would give dozier a shot versus lefties. It is extremely tough to get back to the series just ask the astros. Get hot Dodgers!!
We had dinner at this amazing place last night:
–
https://www.mitierracafe.com/
–
Then watched the game at a Sports Bar where we easily had a triple digit tab. What a win.
–
A few things ran through my mind:
–
1. The guy many Dodger fans thought should be benched ends up being the MVP.
2. The much maligned Dodger Bullpen was indeed built for the post-season and ended the NLCS with a 3-0 record and a 1.45 ERA. The announcers liked to extoll the virtues of the vaunted Brewers pen, but it was the Dodgers Dogs who stole the show.
3. I was surprised that Doc used Urias in back-to-back games but they must believe he is 100% and I look forward to seeing him in the roattion next year.
4. Yasiel Puig is figuring out who he is. It will be interesting what happens with him in the off-season.
5. With back-to-back trips to the Series, maybe fans will quit ragging on FAZ… nah, probably not. It’s damn hard to get there two years in a row – ask the Astros!
6. This win was a total team effort. Everyone contributed!
7. Dave Roberts showed that he deserves a contract extension. Sorry I ever doubted you Doc!
8. Four more wins and the Dodgers are World Champs – It’s as simple as that!
Mark
I thought the same about Cody too.
And I wasn’t sure who would get the MVP, and that is a complement to this team, because this was a team win.
I plan to visit San Antonio soon and would like to stop at this restaurant. What would you recommend? Thanks!
All I can think about is Taylor’s catch. An all-time great Dodger play.
Dodgers is a greaT team. FAZ AND ROBERTS GREAT JOB. BUT ALSO THE TEAM HAVE TO IMPROVE. MORE TURNS TO FREEZE AND TAYLOR, BETTER TURNS FROM MUNCY AND KIKE AND ESPECIALLY FROM GRANDAL (BARNS HAVE TO CATCH) BETTER DEFENSE. BETTER PERFORMANCE OF WOOD AND MAEDA. RYU AND HILL MUST TO PITCH IN LA, SO I PUT KERSHAW AND BUHLER FOR 1 and 2 games in Boston. I hope More opportunities for Dozier and Kemp..ROBERTS SHOWED THAT WHEN HE IsS OUT OF HIS ROBOTICS AND SABERMETRICS MODE, HE CAN MEKE GOOD SENSE DECISIONS. BOSTON AS WELL OF BREWERS BEFORE THIS SERIES, LOOK LIKE VERY STRONG TEAM, BUT A TRUST IN DODGERS. LETS GO PLAYERS IN BLUE
In case you didn’t hear, Julio’s grandmother died before last night game. Watch the video where Kike informs the team after the game:
https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/photoblog-nlcs-game-7-at-brewers-cfdc66acb8f0
(scroll down)
Nice photos..Good action for kike
I didn’t see Grandal anywhere last night, not in dugout, on field or clubhouse celebrating.
Was he with team ?
Grandal was there, I saw him in the dugout on at least one camera shot. What I read on another blog and then started watching Joc closely was that he apparently didn’t take pre-game BP and it was speculated his wrist is pretty painful. I then watched him as he gave high fives and he never used his used his right hand (the hand that got stuck by the pitch in game #6).
In his only AB for game #7 he grounded out on the first pitch of the game. wonder if he’ll be OK for the WS?
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/dodgers-win-nl-pennant-five-things-to-know-about-los-angeles-return-to-the-world-series/
–
https://theathletic.com/603428/2018/10/21/how-julio-urias-battled-tragedy-to-get-the-dodgers-back-to-the-world-series/
–
https://theathletic.com/603596/2018/10/21/rosenthal-storylines-anyone-get-ready-for-a-captivating-world-series-between-historic-franchises/
–
https://theathletic.com/595542/2018/10/21/thats-our-guy-dodgers-turn-to-clayton-kershaw-to-close-out-brewers/
–
That article ends with: It was Kershaw who had fired the first pitch on Opening Day, when the Dodgers couldn’t have known all the troubles that would await. They would tumble to nine games out of first place, and they would enter the season’s homestretch in third place, only to win the division in Game 163. But none of that was relevant now that he had pushed the Dodgers back to the World Series.
–
Said Kershaw: “It doesn’t matter how you get there.”
–
Good pitching beats good hitting. I think we have the arms to get the job done. Power righties in bullpen will be key: Baez, madson, floro, Jansen. Same formula as the Milwaukee series. Take one of first two. Win two out of three at home. Clinch in six or seven. We will have to play our best ball of the year but that is as it should be. Cant wait for tuesday.
Another great article in The Athletic by Pedro Moura:
–
https://theathletic.com/603258/2018/10/21/dodgers-follow-yasiel-puigs-lead-back-to-the-world-series-with-game-7-victory/
–
Best part:
–
He swung and he celebrated. Yasiel Puig’s joyous, profane romp across the basepaths in Saturday’s seventh game of the National League Championship Series sent the Dodgers to the World Series. In the cacophony of Miller Park’s visiting clubhouse afterward, he ran even wilder than after his three-run home run. He declined to speak to reporters. He dumped a trash bucket’s worth of liquid on one and the actual bucket on another. On nearly the biggest stage possible, he did as he declared.
–
“He’s an idiot, but it’s fun to watch,” NLCS MVP Cody Bellinger said. “And when he plays like that, it means he’s having fun. I’m sure it rubs people the wrong way, but we know exactly how it is, and it’s all fun and games.”
Are the Dodgers staying in the East or did they fly back home yesterday?
I believe they fly to Boston Monday.
This part was excellent:
–
On Sept. 1, the Dodgers were playing host to the first-place Diamondbacks, trying to usurp their playoff position. That afternoon, they welcomed into their clubhouse Ryan Madson, a veteran of two World Series championships. In introducing himself, closer Kenley Jansen mentioned how he was still having trouble locating the adrenaline that fueled all of his previous successes.
–
“Welcome to the hangover,” Madson told him.
–
As Jansen sat in awe, Madson explained what he meant: The Dodgers’ run to Game 7 of last year’s World Series would always be within him.
–
“The adrenaline of pitching in a World Series is like nothing else you can experience,” Madson said. “After you feel that, there’s bound to be a lag for a while. It could take all season. It could take getting close to the World Series for it to come back. But just be patient. Don’t try to create it. Don’t let yourself be down because you’re not feeling the same as you did the last time you pitched.”
–
As Jansen failed to emerge from his rut over the following weeks, Madson reminded him there was still time. He was right. As he stood along the edge of the Dodgers’ raucous celebration on Saturday night, Madson pronounced the hangover over.
–
I posted this because I think the Dodgers had “The Hangover” most of the year. You could see a team playing like they are possessed starting Tuesday. They could look entirely different!
Freese and Madson have been WS Champions. Do not for a minute forget how important it is for their experiences to relay to the rest of the team. Sure they are still quality ball players, but FAZ are multi point thinkers and knowing that Chase Utley may not be able to lead them this year, FAZ went out and got the experience and leadership that may very well be the difference this year.
.
And of course as Big Hurt, Papi, ARod, and DTrain said last night about Doc…PAY ThE MAN!!!
What moron wanted to fire Doc anyway?
–
Oh, wait… that was me.
Papi loves him some Puig.
What a great mentor for Kenley. Madson may very well be the great late season pickup. Kenley has been a good mentor for Baez, and now he has a legit mentor. Brilliant move by FAZ.
Two obvious Predictions:
1. Rich Hill starts game 1; and
2. Max Muncy is the DH ? … or not?
I see Kemp as the Game 1 DH against Sale.
Usian Bolt just signed with the Mariners.
.
No not those Mariners. A soccer team…
I am so happy we are playing the Red Sox!
The Dodgers and the Red Sox, use to always be the good guys, and they still are.
I thought Manny’s big double play that he almost all made by himself, was even bigger then his bunt.
I didn’t really know why he bunted there, but I was happy he was on base, when Cody hit that ball way out.
And I think that play at first by Manny, has been over blown, especially since the Brewer’s first baseman, does not get his foot off the base right away, like most major league first basemen, do.
I still would have pulled Buehler there, like Hawkeye.
And obviously, if Taylor doesn’t make that great catch, that move would have been questioned.
It was good to see both Cody and Puig come up big last night, too.
And we know when Puig hit that one out, that really turned the Knife on the Brewer’s biggest fan Buck, and he deserved that type of treatment, with the way he gushed about the Brewers throughout this series, especially Hader.
We did win this game with two HRs, but both of these HRs, were when runners were on base.
And we didn’t win to many games in this same way, in this series anyways, and we wouldn’t have won this series, without getting those hits when runners were in scoring position, in LA.
And we are going to need to get those runners home in this next series, because the Red Sox don’t leave to many runners that are in scoring position on base, like we tend to do.
It’s funny that the clown announcers were so pro-Brewers. Don’t they realize what a ratings disaster it would have been for them if MILWAUKEE was in the series instead of LOS ANGELES?
*
Regarding Roberts: I’m happy for him that it has worked out so far but I am of the mind that they won in spite of his constant juggling and questionable decisions. However, if they win the series I will gladly eat some crow, preferably with Wild Rice and a bottle of Oregon Pinot.
I agree with your opinion of Roberts even though his moves mostly worked down the stretch. It was very sweet to see the Brewers and Counsell go home. The last time they faced the Red Sox Babe Ruth was their star pitcher.
A Dodger’s, Red Sox’s World Series, sure sounds like one special World Series, especially with the fact, that Babe Ruth was pitching in the last series, when these two teams, met.
I saw a remark about how Vin would have described Taylor’s catch last night, and it sure seems to fit this catch.
Vinny would have called Taylor’s catch last night, a circus catch!
Ausmus to the Angels.
Taylor’s catch reminded me of the catch by Sandy Amoros in the seventh game of the 1955 World Series. He had been subbed in for defensive purposes in the sixth inning. Being a left- hander he was able to make the catch with his right hand. It most likely was a game saving catch.
.
Sometimes it is not a hit that is the defining moment.
.
http://cubanbeisbol.com/post/743476065/sandy-amoros
Well, when I woke up early this morning and sat down to watch the recording of last night’s game, I did so with much trepidation.
When Yellich finally did something in the Series, and we went one down, I feared the worst.
When Manny laid down that bunt, and hustled down to first, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then Cody does his thing, and I’m in ecstasy.
What a game of emotions Baseball is.
Then I’m on tenterhooks for every pitch, until Puig hits it out.
I’m running around the lounge trying not to wake the family.
Then, CK to close was the icing on the cake.
–
Well done to everyone concerned, but it isn’t done yet. We need to win it this time.
Finally seeing all these posts! Congrats to all of us who have lived thru this crazy season up to now! Still 4 to go, though.
I watched the game at the Amex Lounge in Staples Center . Everyone was paying attention to the Dodgers. Timing was perfect: right after Kersh struck out the last hitter, the Laker game went to a timeout. And before the timeout ended, the scoreboard showed Kershaw striking out the last hitter, the team celebrating, and “I Love LA” bumped thru the entire arena. It was deafening loud inside, and everyone, including Magic, were dancing and celebrating!
=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlz0Qar4tuI
Looking forward to the net 7-10 days!
Bobby thanks!
That gave me the chills more then when I experienced the last out on my TV, last night.
I don’t know if it is the music, or just watching everyone in LA at Staples, enjoying the Dodgers too.
That is quite a moment!
I know Cody won the MVP, but for me it had to be Machado.
We was the one Dodger who got in the faces of the Brewers, and fronted them up. We are too nice as a team, with no edge.
He gave us the edge that was missing, and he is singularly the most important player on the Roster.
Mark et al
Thank you so much for maintaining this blog. LA native now living in Atlanta. I miss my Dodgers but I don’t miss a beat coming here everyday. Cheers to a Dodgers championship
Somewhat lost in the shuffle was some pretty bad pitch selection by urias. That 0-2 pitch was a fastball down the middle.
seriously. 2 perfect pitches for strikes 1 and 2 and then he leaves one right there. He owed CT3 big time!
I still would have kept Buehler in this game, and walked Yelich, and pitched to Braun.
Absolutely agree… both Doc and Julio owe CT3 a couple of rib eye steaks!
–
It was an amazing catch and along with Belli’s bomb… the most important play of the game. But it was a terrible managerial move by Doc… you cannot let the presumptive NL MVP beat you when first base is open.
10 times out of 10 you should walk Yelich and then either have Walker or Madson pitch to Braun.
Boston will be the best team the Dodgers have faced all season,let’s see what happens.
… or the Dodgers may be the best team the Red Sox have seen all year.
–
With the World Series Hangover in the rear-view mirror, this may be a different team.
I absolutely love the resiliency of this club…. they never stop fighting. Similar to last year’s club… but this club has a slightly different vibe. I think they were a little starry eyed last year and seemed kind of just happy to be there.
This year it feels like they are a lot more determined… due to the painful way last year ended.
–
And I also love how disappointed some of those in the media sounded last night… from Joe Buck… to the guys at MLB Network. Many in the media… sure seemed to be pulling for the Brewers and rooting against the Dodgers. Some of it was subtle, but some of it was outright blatant.
–
It’s a weird world we live in when guys like Josh Hader and Ryan Braun are considered (by some) as the good guys.
Dave Robert’s right before the spraying started: “we haven’t achieved our goal yet. Four more wins. Let’s go.”
I wonder if Tommy told him he hadn’t done s*&^ again.
I like how our lefty starters are lined up agianst Boston, they have had their struggles against them. I hope we throw the Bishop at them, Hill still has some in the tank. Also, no more Ryu on the road, only throw him at home. We are going to dig the DH, your talking Muncy, Freese, Joc, etc. 4 games of that, I will take it.
Damn, another series with Joe Buck. Please… make… it…stop….
I think the times Dodgers played so damn lackadaisical was because they were not determined until the threat of them falling out of contention was 99 percent done. They only put their hearts into it when the necessity was absolute. While that isn’t actually true factwise it sure felt and still does feel this season’s MO at least subconsciously. Aside from the grayer hair from all the frustrations Dodgers heaped upon us fans, it’s been worth it plus. oh so sweet it is after being taken where any faith left inside of us had to be blind. If anyone says they never doubted dodgers winning the pennant this season’s end get away from them as lightning could strike them dead. How sweet it is though to lose faith and then victory rather than the other way round. But now please Dodgers, PLEASE DON”T FLIRT WITH DISASTER IN THE WORLD SERIES I might not make it through.
https://youtu.be/OgNAfSENE68
It totally blows me away that 22 yo Urias could even pitch in that situation having to face Yelich. This after learning just hours before that his Grandmother just died. Gods grace had to be with him.
A couple of thoughts, I feel you have to start Kershaw in 1 over Hill. The fact he could throw in game 7 overrides the extra day of rest. Plus, I feel game 1 is the one we have the best chance of stealing. Boston and Sale may come out a little flat, as team and pitcher have been off a little while.
I would pitch Walker in 3 and Ryu in 4. I feel Ryu needs as much rest as possible as he seemed flat in game 6, likely tired from all that he has been through. Also lines up Walker for a potential game 7 or maybe short rest in game 6 if Hill gets bombed in game 2.
Grandal seems done physically and mentally but no real replacement for him in house. Gale is a hard no and they seemed to have given up on Farmer ever catching. Grandal will be needed for game 4 or 5 and late inning pinch hitting. The Red Sox have there own catching problems, their backup Sandy Leon is a near automatic out at this point, something like 2 for his last 45.
Lost in everything yesterday was our yearlong struggle with getting runners over and in when they are in scoring position. We had golden opportunities in the 2nd( runner on 2nd and No out), 6th(runners on 1st and 2nd and no out) and 9th(runners on 2nd and 3rd and no out) and we failed to score even once. We will lose in 5 if we repeat this type of hitting. Just slugging will not beat Boston , they are going to score and that is why a few timely hits with runners on will help immensely to help support our inevitable slug. Really not too different then last year when we faced another offensive juggernaut.
The fact that Boston’s best player struggled last series and the won pretty easily is not lost on me but I like our chances. Got to get one of the first two, no way we come back from 0-2.
Eating my words about Robert’s, though he still struggled some yesterday with his decisions, he out managed Counsel. I still find him average and don’t like the matchup game he plays, but two consecutive World Series is an incredibly difficult accomplishment in today’s game and is deserving of a new contract, two years and an option.
Let’s go Blue, it is our time!!
If I were Doc, here would be my Starting Pitchers:
–
Game 1 – Hill
Game 2 – Kershaw
Game 3 – Buehler
Game 4 – Ryu
I agree!!
I’d switch Kershaw with Hill.
Game 1 for me would be a coin flip between Kersh and Hill… but Kersh will be on 5 days rest if you count Saturday as his bullpen session. Plus that means you’d have Kersh to start game 5 at home… which I would prefer over a potential game 6 in Boston. Only he knows for sure how much energy he expended in game 7… and he would never say he wasn’t ready to pitch game 1.
–
So it’s up to Dave and I just don’t see him giving Rich the ball in game 1… similar to why Cora wouldn’t give the ball to anyone else but Sale to start the series.
Could Chicken Strip make the roster? At who’s expense?
Maybe Urias, I realize the kid has great stuff and is a future rotation piece but he is still not all the way back. The offspeed stuff and trust in it does not seem to be there and given his inability to pitch a ton or maybe the Dodgers unwillingness to press the matter, seems to make him a possible replacement candidate. Definitely had mix results in NLCS. But this leaves the lefty cupboard bare and that is why the pitching staff likely does not change.
I’m not sure and I do not have the statistics, but I think Hill, Ryu and Buehler are much better at home, besides Kershaw is not the same as before (I do not know if this is good or bad) but I know he needs more days rest, so I would go crazy and open the first game with Wood, Maeda, Urias and/or Stripling, 2 innings each, a bullpen game and that they use their best pitcher, knowing how the Dodgers have batted, it is very possible that they score 6 runs with 11 hits, or only connect 3 hits and 0 runs … I do not know, maybe I still have a hangover or it will be because I did not sleep enough last night !!
Don’t know how to embed this tweet but there is a tweet from baseball king of Kershaw working out today in the Fenway park bullpen. Saw it on dodgers bleacher report
”When the Red Sox go on the road to face the Dodgers in the World Series, they could feature an interesting defensive alignment. Speaking with reporters (including Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald) on Saturday, Cora revealed that the Red Sox are considering deploying right fielder Mookie Betts at second base in Los Angeles, where they won’t have the luxury of using a designated hitter. In doing so, the Red Sox would keep DH/outfielder J.D. Martinez’s elite bat in the lineup. No matter what, Martinez is going to play, though the team’s not giving any thought to putting him at first base, Mastrodonato reports. Martinez has next to no experience at first, whereas Betts played plenty of second base as a prospect and most recently lined up at the keystone 14 times as a major league rookie in 2014.”
”Left knee issues have shelved Red Sox right-hander Steven Wright since Sept. 29, but the knuckleballer hasn’t ruled out a World Series return, per Mastrodonato. Although the Red Sox had to remove him from their ALDS roster when the playoffs began two weeks ago, Wright has been throwing since then, and he issued a fairly encouraging update Saturday. “My arm and body feels really good, just a matter of can my knee withstand the pressure of throwing off a mound consistently?” Wright said. He’ll “go through a few tests” before the Red Sox decide whether to include him on their World Series roster, according to Cora. Wright threw a short simulated game Sunday to help determine the status of his knee, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe tweets. The 34-year-old was an asset out of the Red Sox’s bullpen during the regular season, when he notched a 1.52 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .191/.303/.314 line.”
”It hasn’t been a banner postseason for all-world Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel, who has allowed at least one earned run in four of five appearances. However, Kimbrel may have begun a turnaround in his most recent outing Thursday, when he threw a scoreless, hitless frame with two strikeouts and a walk to close out the Astros in the ALCS. Kimbrel revealed afterward that he had been tipping his pitches – something former closer Eric Gagne first noticed while watching from home, Ben Harris of The Athletic writes (subscription required). “There’s quite a few people, but actually Eric Gagne texted me last night,” Kimbrel said. “He’s good friends with AC (Alex Cora), and he texted me and gave me some advice.” As part of an interesting piece that’s worth checking out, Harris goes on to break down what Kimbrel was doing wrong and how he fixed it.”
Just select and copy the information and paste here
unfortunately, I’m on my phone and it isn’t copying. Will keep trying
See if this works
–
https://mobile.twitter.com/MLB/status/1054169174266785792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1054192867508436992&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbleacherreport.com%2Flos-angeles-dodgers
https://www.mlb.com/cut4/clayton-kershaw-pitched-in-fenway-park-on-sunday/c-299443796
Thanks
On 4 days of rest, Kershaw has a 3.21 ERA this year. On 5 days of rest, it’s 2.56.
Starting Lineup I’d like to see for games 1 & 2
Taylor – LF
Turner – 3B
Freese – 1B
Machado – SS
Puig – RF
Belli – CF
Kemp – DH
Dozier – 2B
Barnes – C
–
I’m sitting Muncy because it looks like we’ll be facing Sale and Price, but also because he had 13 strikeouts and looked very uncomfortable at the plate most of the NLCS. I would only bring Kike in as a defensive replacement in the first two games, towards the end of games and I would not play Yaz at all while we’re in Boston… for obvious reason. And if Joc’s hand is injured… I’d love to see the team replace him with Verdugo.