A couple of days ago, Ken Gurnick wrote this:
Corey Seager’s elbow blew out, and the Dodgers found a way. The entire starting rotation went on the disabled list, and they found a way. Kenley Jansen’s heart raced, and they found a way. They even found a way to overcome a nine-game deficit in the National League West. And on Saturday, the Dodgers found their way back to the World Series.
However, they did not come this far to JUST come this far.
They are here to take home the World Series Trophy. This was the year of massive struggle for the Dodgers. On August 22, they were in 3rd place in the NL West after struggling all seaon. Since that date, they are 32-14! At the start of the season, Walker Buehler was just a rookie who had put up a terrible ERA in a “cup of coffee” September. Matt Kemp was not a lock to make the team, in fact, many thought he would be traded or cut. Max Muncy was a minor leaguer who was “organizational depth.” El Gasolino was… well, el Gasolino. Dylan Floro was nowhere, Caleb Ferguson was a prospect and Julio Urias was recovering from surgery.
Alex Wood and Kenta Maeda were starters and Ryan Madson was an “over-the-hill” reliever. David Freese, Brian Dozier and Manny Machado were starters on various other teams. The “World Series Hangover” lingered all season and was finally exorcised when the Dodgers beat the Brewers to officially win the NLCS again.
These guys did not come this far to only come this far.
They have unfinished businesss and a unyielding resolve to take what was almost theirs last year. They won’t stop fighting, they will not fail. They believe, they know… to a man… that this is their moment. But, the Red Sox have two of the Top 5 hitters in baseball. It doesn’t matter! The Red Sox won 104 games. It doesn’t matter! The Red Sox are hot. It doesn’t matter! The Boys in Blue are writing this script.
On a cold Sunday afternoon, Clayton Kershaw was in the Fenway Bullpen. He has never pitched there, but he knows he might have to pitch there two or three times in the next seven games. He won’t be surprised by the cold. He wants to make sure he is ready. He’s not the pitcher he was 5 or 6 years ago. It’s doesn’t matter! This is his time. He knows it could be the last time. He is going to deliver. He knows it. When you “know” something, it must come into being.
The Red Sox are favored. It doesn’t matter! Matt Kemp was exposed in the second half of the season. It doesn’t matter! This is his first World Series, and what an improbale route he took to get here. Manny Machado was the SS for one of the worst teams in baseball and now he’s in the World Series! Who would have thought the Dodgers would get back to the World Series without Corey Seager. The Astros couldn’t make it with a gimpy Carlos Corerra.
Yasmani Grandal was the goat of the Brewers series and I do not mean GOAT. It doesn’t matter! He could be the MVP of the Series. Stranger things have happened. This is a team that overcame the hangover and stayed together through thick and thin to get to the pinnacle. But the Red Sox have Chris Sale. It doesn’t matter! When the game is on the line… when their backs are to the wall, these guys deliver. But, the Red Sox hit twice as good as the Dodgers with RISP. It doesn’t matter!
This is going to be an incredible series between two storied franchises. Never mind what the oddsmakers say. It doesn’t matter! These guys are here for one thing only – to win. There as starts, journeymen, role players and opportunists, but to a man, they are all Junkyard Dogs! Yasiel Puig guaranteed a Dodger victory and so do I. The only thing in doubt is “How many games will it take?” I say 5!
DODGERS ANNOUNCE WORLD SERIES ROSTER
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today announced their 25-man roster for the 2018 World Series, which begins tonight vs. the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. First pitch is scheduled for 8:09 p.m. ET.
The Dodgers will carry 12 pitchers and 13 position players. The roster is as follows:
Pitchers (12) Position Players (13)
LHP Scott Alexander C/IF Austin Barnes
RHP Pedro Baéz 1B/OF Cody Bellinger (L)
RHP Walker Buehler 2B Brian Dozier
RHP Dylan Floro IF David Freese
LHP Rich Hill C Yasmani Grandal (S)
RHP Kenley Jansen IF/OF Kiké Hernández
LHP Clayton Kershaw OF Matt Kemp
RHP Ryan Madson IF Manny Machado
RHP Kenta Maeda IF Max Muncy (L)
LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu OF Joc Pederson (L)
LHP Julio Urías OF Yasiel Puig
LHP Alex Wood OF/IF Chris Taylor
3B Justin Turner
The World Series continues tomorrow night with Game 2 at 8:09 p.m. ET at Fenway Park.
The series shifts to Los Angeles later this week, with Games 3 (5:09 PT), 4 (5:09 PT) and 5 (5:09 PT, if necessary) at Dodger Stadium. Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) would be played in Boston on Tuesday, October 30 and Wednesday, October 31 at Fenway Park.
Predictions are meaningless but I’ll say LA in seven. Should be a fantastic series and Game 1 will set the tone. Thanks for this blog, Mark. It’s been a fun ride. Let’s finish the job. Four wins to glory.
I get a different vibe this year as compared to last year’s team. I will never be convinced that the Astros were better than the Dodgers, just as most are still convinced that the 1988 Dodgers were not better than the Mets or A’s. But who has the WS Trophy? In a short series, any team can get hot and win 4 games. Why not the 2018 Dodgers? I say yes!!
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I agree that JDM and Mookie Betts will be tough to control through the entirety series, but I am not as “fearful(?)” of Benintendi, Devers, JBJ, Bogaerts, Kinsler/Holt, Pearce/Moreland, Vasquez/Leon/Swihhart. I do not think they will all be shut down, but I do believe the Dodgers have the pitching to minimize the damage.
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Chris Sale’s velo is down. But then again so is Kershaw’s. Sale pitched the least number of innings (158) since 2011. And yet he still had 237 K’s. That is nearly 11 K’s/9 innings against a team that just loves to swing at anything in the same hemisphere. I still like the Dodgers vs Sale and Price in Boston. I am not saying they will win both, but I do like their chances.
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CT3 will be struck out a lot, but I also expect he will continue to get timely hitting. Yasiel Puig seems to be playing at another level right now, and his confidence could not be higher. While I do not believe he will be a Dodger next Spring, I do think that Manny Machado is going to take the team on his back and absorb all of the vitriol he is sure to get. But that just allows the other players to just play, and Manny seems to thrive on that venom. I think he is going to give the rest of MLB a lasting memory of his value going into FA both offensively and defensively. Cody is maturing right before our eyes, and if he is not successful in the WS, it will not be because the stage is too big as it was last year for him. Kemp, Freese, and Dozier will be steady veterans who should be calming influences on the team. Muncy and Kike’ seem to be playing way too tight right now.
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Clayton seems to be in a totally different mindset. I think he realizes that his time as being an Ace on a WS team is dwindling, but he still has that role, and I think he wants to make sure this year is special. I am not as sure that Buehler, the future Ace, will not still have his jitters. He has shown that when the pressure of the situation gets tighter, so does his grip on the baseball. He has a tendency to rely on his fastball, with a tendency to overthrow it. I think it is a great decision to have him pitch in LA and not Boston. Boston is one very very very TOUGH place to pitch. The fans can be brutal. I might have scheduled Rich Hill in Game 2, but Ryu should not be rattled.
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The Dodgers bullpen will again be the difference in this series.
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I honestly do not know what to expect from Grandal, but just as Joc went off last year in the WS, it is conceivable that Grandal can go off this year. But I still think Barnes will be behind the plate tonight to start.
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All in all, I cannot wait for this series to start. I still cannot get an answer from my son who he will be rooting for. He said he will know how he is leaning when the games start. But while my wife will not root against the Dodgers, she is pulling for the Red Sox, because as she told our son, “it is because they brought you to the ML and they PAID YOU!” As for me, I am a die-hard Dodger fan, and while I will always have a special place in my heart for Boston, it will not be a factor for me when they play the Dodgers.
Wow! I cannot wait for tonight’s game. I too, will be among Red Sox fans in my family. But they’re “in-laws” so they don’t really count (haha). This has been a year of uncertainty for sure. But, Mark, I agree with you’re assessment of the entire team being “junkyard dogs.” When a player goes cold… its “next man up,” and someone gets the big hit, or makes a game saving play, or pitches “lights out.” I hope it is an exciting series, it has the possibility to be a blow-out by either team, or it could well go seven games.
Interesting article from The Athletic regarding each home plate umpire that may be used during the series:
https://theathletic.com/607094/2018/10/23/the-man-behind-the-mask-will-play-a-key-role-in-each-game-of-the-fall-classic/
LA IN FOUR!
Roster Update Above
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Maybe some surprises!
Probably the biggest one is that Turner will be pitching :0)
Scott Alexander in…Caleb Ferguson out. Veteran over rookie. I do not have to like it, but I cannot fault it.
I don’t like it. I put him in over Urias before Ferguson unless there’s an injury.
AC
Do you think Urias should be on this team over Ferguson?
Hawkeye
I am thinking the same way.
I think Urias has been hit harder, then Ferguson.
The problem is Caleb has only 2 pitches and his breaking ball is average, while the Red Sox feast on fastballs. Urias has a better pitch mix, swing and miss stuff and a great move to 1st. Alexander could be the DP guy out of the pen with runners on base, the LH complement to RH Madson. I can’t argue with the logic except the RH heavy Sox made me consider Stripling instead of 3 lefties plus Hill.
Let’s hope the Alexander doesn’t give to many runners, a free base.
You know how I feel about Ferguson. Yes, I think I would rather have Ferguson over Urias because Ferguson has been a reliever most of the season, while Urias spent most of it on the DL. I am not going to try and compare the two arms, but one has been doing it all year, while the potentially better arm has not.
AC thanks!
agree. maybe they are more comfortable with Urias now as a full inning guy (like ferguson) and alexander is more of a true match-up L/L arm. hard to quibble too much with the decision. in some ways maybe the stage is a little too big for a true rookie. i almost like that they are sheltering him a bit. he was HUGE for us this year and figures to play a prominent role next year. i predict no more minor leagues for this kid (unless they specifically try to build him back to a starter).
No predictions, just play smart baseball and take advantage of the opportunities when they come.
I’m with 1439 above. I have no prediction. All year I felt we’d get to the World Series, but after that the Series itself would be a tough one. Just play smart baseball (which we all know WON’T happen at times).
Team of Destiny? I hope so, it will be good series for sure and go at least 6 games. I would have gone with Hill in game 2, I see a little Darvish in Ryu this post season. His breaking balls did not bite in Milw and they jumped his 1st pitch. I would have Hill ready to go in case Ryu is shaky.
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Muncy like to work a fastball count but the Brewers threw him a steady diet of breaking balls and he never adjusted. He will get his chances and as a PH is more likely to get the fastballs he loves. He might feast on Porcello and Eovaldi.
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I like Dozier and Manny with their AL experience and take the shackles off Freese! The Red Sox can score off anyone and the Dodgers need at least 4 runs in every game. The long balls will come but sprinkle some small ball in please! I predict a big series for Puig if he can stay calm at the plate.
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The DH actually favors the Dodgers as Muncy and Kemp and others can handle it in Boston. In LA moving guys around for JD will hurt their defense at 2B and LF, have to take advantage of opportunities. Go Blue!
I wouldn’t sell Mookie Betts short on defense, even if he has to play second in LA.
But their outfield sure won’t be as tight.
i like that we nuetralized yelich [for the most part]. hopefully we can do the same with betts. they have the bats to be sure but so do we. at this time of year, stats/records/names don’t mean a thing. can’t wait.
Dionysis
I agree, but I was talking more about Betts playing second, in LA.
Agreed MJ, but it’s different to have a good OF that can play 2B versus a true 2B like Kinsler. I have to think turning the DP for instance could be a tick slower and the shifts not as comfortable for Betts.
Vegas
Betts came up as a second baseman.
He only has been playing in the outfield, the last few years.
Yes he played 14 games there in 2014, 3 errors in 66 chances for a .955% and 1 game for 6 innings this year. They had some guy named Pedroia when he came up.
While the Red Sox are favored by many because of their 104 wins, most on here can’t remember the 1954 World Series when the Cleveland Indians represented the American League with 111 wins (in 154 games). Cleveland had two 23 game winners! The hated Giants with Willie Mays took them out in four games. Willie made a famous catch of a Vic Wertz to center field.
Vegas
He played second base and shortstop, throughout his minor league career.
Vegas
Errors don’t always tell you a good defensive player, because some players get to balls, that other players can’t touch.
Boston won 108 games in 2018, not 104. We won 104 last year
5 OUT OF 4 PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH MATH!
Bobby’s right about the 108 wins. I was going to say the same thing and add “if it matters.” It doesn’t.
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No predictions. If there is one truth in baseball, it’s that the best team doesn’t always win. And it wasn’t only Cleveland and there 111 wins that didn’t win the WS. Didn’t Seattle win 116 games one year, and I know they haven’t won a WS.
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I’m in the same camp with our resident sage MT 🙂 . All that matters is how the Dodgers finish. Nothing else. When it’s all over, whatever the result, it will seem as if it was inevitable.
Bobby’s right about the 108 wins. I was going to say the same thing and add “if it matters.” It doesn’t.
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No predictions. If there is one truth in baseball, it’s that the best team doesn’t always win. And it wasn’t only Cleveland and there 111 wins that didn’t win the WS. Didn’t Seattle win 116 games one year, and I know they haven’t won a WS.
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I’m in the same camp with our resident sage MT 🙂 . All that matters is how the Dodgers finish. Nothing else. When it’s all over, whatever the result, it will seem as if it was inevitable.
Maybe this is the World Series we should have won against the Red Sox in 2013 if the Cardinals hadn’t hit Hanley.
Better watch yourself Manny. Joe Kelly’s alive and well in the Red Sox bullpen.
I see all sorts of comparisons of Dodger stats vs. Red Sox stats. Not sure those comparisons are totally apt. The Dodgers offensive numbers do not include a DH and the fact that they play in the more pitcher friendly NL West. And the Red Sox pitching numbers are affected by the fact that they do play in a DH league, and have to pitch in the more hitter friendly AL East.
i’m hearing red sox defense and base-running could be the difference between the teams. i say let’s play them to a draw in those two areas and outpitch them. we probably can’t match their offense too but we might not need to if our rotation and bullpen maintain an edge. tough tough series. will only make it that much more rewarding if we win.
Dozier, who has solid stats vs sale, will start at 2b today. Outfield is ct3 kike puig. Freeze at 1b and kemp DH
Lineup:
Dozier
JT
Freeze
Manny
CT3
Kemp (DH)
Kike
Puig
Barnes
For the most part, I like it. I don’t like Kike being in there right now… but who knows, maybe he’ll surprise us.
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I’d give Kike two at bats… if he looks as lost as he has over the last 10 days then I sub him out for Belli.
I think the NLCS MVP should be hitting against all pitchers, right, left, or center.
But what do I know; I didn’t get my team to the World Series 2 years in a row!! Let’s go Kike!
Kike is way overdo! He just needs a little confidence… hopefully he crushes the first fastball he sees over the green monster!
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And yeah… I’m a big believer in starting Belli every game. His speed and defense are reason enough alone.
yeah, it’s a bit curious. oh well!
upon further review, and without stats to back me up, sale is death on lefties. basically hader-esque. probably smart to load up on righties. i just hope roberts is judicious with his substitutions.
It all began with the Kemp trade–quick clever strike across the ledger. This year’s financial obligations would be offloaded onto next year’s. The roster wouldn’t be that greatly affected. The team would largely stand pat. Then Seager was lost, the first true curveball in a season of them. Nobody could replace him. Taylor & Keekay tried. Eventually Manny would, but that came later. Bellinger, Taylor, & Puig struggled to find their footing. The fans couldn’t decide if they were washouts or cornerstones. All found redemption in the postseason but the team had to qualify for that first. Then came Muncy. And the return of Turner. The same Turner who would turn the NLCS around with his Game 2 blast. The same Turner who turned the 2017 NLCS with a blast. The guy can hit. At times Joc and Grandal were the toughest outs in the lineup. Freese could make a similar case today. Want a true stuntman? I nominate Austin Barnes.
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On the rubber, Kershaw IS the pitching staff. Heart and soul. Our Hershiser. The man. If anyone can will us to a championship it’s him. Jansen struggled but now looks like himself. Stripling and Ferguson helped get us here. Baez and Floro surprised. Madson was forgotten until he wasn’t. Maeda is a question mark. Urias has a heavy burden. He made a bad pitch to Yelich and got bailed out. Wood and Hill are swing men. One name I have said it could be the difference. We didn’t have him last year. Walker Buehler. A new bulldog could be born.
All so true!
Here comes a crazy roller coaster the next 5-8 days!
so, bench tonight is:
muncy
bellinger
joc
grandal
we’re effective one man short due to the DH. roberts better be careful burning guys.
I can see him bringing Muncy in for Kemp at some point and Bellinger for Kike. But I don’t see any reason why Yaz or Joc would need to come into the game tonight.
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Although it would be pretty cool for someone with the name Yaz to get a big hit AGAINST the Red Sox at Fenway!
who is the red sox lh reliever/s and how is good is/are he/they?
Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez. Neither one are special. Their best relievers are RH; Kimbrel, Barnes, Brasier, Kelly and Hembree. If Sale or Price run into trouble, Cora will not hesitate to call on Porcello or Eovaldi, both RHSP.
Thank you
Kersh vs. Sale tonight I see as a toss up… not sure how the cold and wet conditions will affect both starters. But I think (hope) the long layoff can potentially have some negative affects on the Red Sox hitters. Similarly… Sale has had some shoulder issue towards the end of the year, his velo is down, and he hasn’t pitched in 10 days.
Tonight’s game is extremely important… I see both teams being able to score in bunches… but I feel like the Dodgers will end up winning something like 6-3 or 7-4.
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What really scares the hell out of me is Ryu’s start tomorrow. I’m getting that funny feeling like I had before game 7 last year with Darvish… especially since it sure looked like the Brewers had figured out when he was going to throw his breaking pitches. Now was it because he kept with a similar pitching pattern / script from his first start, was he tipping his pitches, or were they able to steal signs? I have no idea… but if the Dodgers aren’t certain either… then I would not want him pitch in game 2.
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My feeling is that if the Dodgers lose tonight… they might move Rich Hill up to game 2. And if they don’t… I’m assuming that they have told Rich to be ready to come in early to take over for Ryu, if the Red Sox get to him early.
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I would much rather have Hill start game 2 and Ryu start game 4… but since it’s much harder to throw your breaking stuff in cold and wet conditions and Rich throws his curve 40% of the time… I’m assuming that’s what the final decision came down to when deciding the pitching order.
Val
At least we will find out right away if that is true about Ryu.
But I think Ryu will come back and pitch a better game.
And remember Kershaw’s second start, was at Dodger Stadium, unlike Ryu.
I hope he has a better game. To be scheduled to start game 2 and more than likely game 6 if necessary… we need him to be sharp. But you’re right… we’ll know very quickly if he doesn’t have it.
I feel much the same about Ryu, but I don’t think they were stealing signs. Ryu likes to pitch backwards with his breaking stuff and they were not breaking much. Nothing like a hanging curve when you’re looking for it early in the count. Hill should have been brought in then and this time will be if needed-hope I’m wrong.
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Got the Dodgers at +150 for tonight’s game, 1st time I have seen Kershaw as the underdog in like forever. It takes being on the road in Boston and facing Sale for it to happen but I think Sale will be a bit wild and a bit short tonight. Run up the pitch count and don’t chase his sliders out of the zone. I usually don’t like an all rightie lineup but for this game it’s warranted. Kershaw may pitch the game of his life on the big stage and the Sox bats may be a little off and I believe they have never faced him.
Yeah… it was weird. A few of the Brewers looked like they adjusted to the breaking stuff nicely… while others looked like they were sitting and waiting for the curve.
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Brooks Baseball says he only throws his curve about 13% of the time. So if it’s cold and wet tomorrow as well… maybe he just uses it for a few key pitches but mostly stays away from it.
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=547943
I’m not a fan of leaving no right handed pinch-hitters on the bench.
Technically Grandal is although I doubt Doc uses him from that side.
I don’t count Grandal. That happens in a case of desperation.
I like the line up tonight. I hope the Dodgers stay patient at the plate and make Sale throw a lot of pitches early.
Good luck everyone. Let’s win this thing.
Time to start doing pushups. Nervous time!
Bobby
Right here with you!
I have never saw Turner fooled that much!
Great at bat by Freese!
Missed pop up by Freese, terrible throw and scoop on the steal, and a terrible throw by Puig. Defense spots them two.
tough play for Freeze, no put away pitch by Kersh, agreed terrible throw by Puig but Betts had the bag stolen and he didn’t advance on the overthrow.
Our offense appears to be right on cue, with three K’s out of the first 6 hitters
If you look at the replay if Machado scoops that he still has him. Freese has to make that play. Bellinger does easily but that’s our trade off for his bat.
Plus Betts looked at strike 3 and it wasn’t called. I’m amazed that a guy with Kershaw’s resume gets squeezed the way he does every postseason.
Dodgers very sloppy on defense to start. Freese blows the pop up to Betts resulting in a hit and a run. Barnes throw on Betts’ SB was bad. Puig overthrows the cut off man allowing Bettindendi (sp?) to move into scoring position and ultimately score. The throw back by Dozier was thrown to the wrong side of the bag or they would have had Bettindendi. 4 bad defensive plays in 1 inning. And of course, the Sox knock in all of their RISP.
Nobody said this was going to be easy.
What a hit by Kemp!!!!
Yeah Kemp! If we could get Joe Buck to shut up I would be even happier.
Both of them. I’m about to put Steiner on.
The utter contempt and disdain that both Buck and Smoltz seem to have for the Dodgers is palpable.
I’ve always said that us fans have rabbit ears when it comes to our teams but in this case you’re correct.
Turner, Freeze and Machado!!
That shut them up!!
Smoltz had to turn around quickly and compliment the Dodgers. You can tell it was painful for him… I think he may have pulled his groin.
Sale won’t pitch much more than 5 innings, if that. His pitch count is up and his shoulder has been sore. The Sox’ bullpen isn’t great. This will give them a window to win if Kershaw can hold them.
Damn that could have been more. That’s the frustrating Taylor. Joe Davis is so much better than Buck. Smoltz just beats an issue to death. Let the game breathe John. We know your smart but let the damn game breathe!
Buck is worse to me, because he leads this attitude, and he has never played for any team.
And he is suppose to be even handed with both teams, like most good announcers should.
I wish Orel was more like Smoltz when it comes to the analyzation of the game.
Buck is a drama Queen. I think Orel does analyze like Smoltz he’s just drifts off into other things. Sometimes nonsense but he’s paid to be a homer. Smoltz and Buck
Should be wearing Red Sox hats.
Hawkeye
I think Orel is just as smart, but he is to much of a homer for me.
Hawkeye
I think with Smoltz he isn’t a Dodger hater as much, as he just hates the way the Dodger players don’t adjust with two strikes, or when runners are in scoring position.
Didn’t like the pitch to JD. He’s a great low ball hitter. His weakness is up and in. Dozier a tad slow in the pivot but he did have a guy bearing down on him.
But we are in pretty good shape right now, like Rick said.
Let’s go Dodgers. Single them to death. And stop swinging at crap.
Nice quick and clean inning for Kersh. Time to single Sale to death and get to Boston’s bullpen.
Bye Sale!
DON’T TAKE DAVID FREESE OUT OF THE GAME!!!
ROBERTS doea not pur Freeze OUT
Good job Manny!!!
I hope Kike took notice on Manny’s at bat.
Maybe he should have. With only 4 on the bench tough to make those switches.
The Dodgers did a nice job of getting Sale’s pitch count up, like their chances better against their bullpen. Small ball gets a run home-1B, BB, WP and RBI groundout. I like that a lot! Kershaw might have 2 innings left, time to bear down.
Don’t think Belli missed that last pitch by much. Would still love to see him going oppo in this ballpark. In fact, I love seeing go to opposite field in any ballpark.
That was a fair ball in my opinion… Mookie should have been called out. He’s been given two second chances in this game and has two hits… he should be 0-3
Captain Hook strikes again! Pulls Kershaw at 79 pitches, although I like Madson in this situation. There was no way Doc was going to let Kershaw face JD again with runners on, so let Madson face Pearce too. Need a DP ground ball or a K right now!
Madson was just nails there!!
A little tough luck there for Madson.
Definitely some tough luck. We did have 3 lefties in the pen though. Kike is a mess
That was rough but it could of got a lot worse. Time to get the bats going. I would like to see them rough up Kelly here and finally get a little payback.
I don’t remember him throwing 100 mph. I do remember him plunking Hanley in the ribs but seems like 10 years ago.
Anyone notice the Sox have scored 5 runs in 5 innings without a HR? You can score lots of runs that way if you have good hitters, rather than guys who hit .250 that strike 125 times in 500 AB.
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The Sox lead MLB in runs scored for a reason.
It also help when the defense gives them extra outs and bases. You can’t do that against big league clubs especially good ones.
Yup. Freeze catches Betts popup in the 1st, and could be zero runs. If that ump calls Betts’ ground ball fair instead of foul in the 5th, could be zero runs
Rick
All of that is true, but the Dodgers have came back, after a few bad breaks, and that impresses me more, right now.
With Freeze, it looked slippery where he was.
Rick
But you had it right, about this game going in the Dodger’s favor.
Two on one out. Familiar situation. Time for the Dodgers to do what’s become so unfamiliar for them.
Does anyone here think Grandal should pinch hit for anyone, let alone Freeze????
Dave can’t help himself… he really can’t get out of his own way.
He’s out of position players.
And it’s only the 7th inning.
In an American League ballpark.
Simply amazing stuff! He is definitely the mental checkers champion tonight.
Val
I was hoping Roberts would learn from last year, and not always play the platoon advantages, and instead, have more a feel for the game.
MJ
Yup… he’s choking again like he did in the last world series. I thought he had made a lot of progress so far in these playoffs, but tonight he’s been terrible.
No
Bobby
I don’t like when Roberts always goes to the platoon advantage like he did with Grandal there, but at least Grandal had a good at bat.
Forget that at bat, I can’t believe Roberts put Grandal in on defense, in a one run game, where defense is king.
That and Baez was throwing absolute FIRE out there and he takes him out of the game!!??
Val exactly!
Why take Baez out when he is pitching like that, because of a platoon advantage, and with this guy on the bench?
Hell… I wouldn’t have taken Urias out in that spot either. He was throwing great and was only at 15 pitches.
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It’s a shame that Joc made such a poor attempt at that pop fly… but that’s not Julio’s fault, it should have been an out.
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Baez was throwing darts up there and he takes him out after 10 pitches… just terrible.
Especially when the defense tonight has already been shaky.
Watching Madsen, Urias and Baez get outs (for the most part) and limiting the Red Sox offense underscores the diminishing Kershaw stuff. He couldn’t get anyone out. 79 pitches, 4 IP, 5 hits, 5 runs and 3 BB is not getting it done in the WS. Just like game #5 last year when your team battles back to tie the game you’ve got to battle and he once again came up short.
I love the guy and he is a future first ballot hall of famer, but he doesn’t deserve anything more than the next two years at $33-34 million. If he can get more I say good riddance, butI just don’t see any team giving him that $$ for expected results.
Can we talk about his contract in the offseason? Freese catches the ball and it’s a different game. They guy just threw on Saturday night. The Dodgers multiple times were a hit away from taking charge. Did the Red Sox ace do any better?
Horrible Robert’s, blew it in the 6th and now in the 8th, just awful. I guess the book told him to do it.
Baez was looking dominant. Don’t get it.
For the first time in over 60 years, I hate the Dodger manager!
Hoping he’d learn. Hmm
What was logic of taking Petey out. I don’t get it
Sorry, but Wood cannot be trusted. He needs to develop an injury and be replaced by Ferguson.
Saw that coming from a million miles away. Wood is not a reliever.
It was a dumb move. Let Baez, who’s pitching well, finish the inning. Keep it at a 1 run game. And if Baez can’t go tomorrow, so be it. But let him keep us close.
Over thinking again.
I did not expect to say this in the postseason, but I believe the Dodgers regret removing Pedro Baez from this game. 8-4, Sox.
He was looking like Morrow was last year (not counting game 5) He was overpowering hitters… not sure what Dave was looking at.
That is why I hate when every move is made because of the numbers!
Because every pitcher is not going to always pitch up to their numbers.
He needs to have a better feel for the game.
Damn, Doc got burned with Woods again. Woods doesn’t give up singles in the play-offs, he gives up yaboes.Woods is NOT a reliever! With that said, we totally match up with Boston, not shrinking with the moment. This sum bitch is gonna go 7 baby!
If you are blaming Kershaw, you are watching a different game or in an altered state. He could have easily given up 1 run if he got Average defense behind him.
Hard to believe Roberts let’s Woody stay in throwing batting practice but yanks Petey when he’s blowing them away. Wow.
Urias was looking great too… not sure he needed to be taken out either. He was only at 15 pitches when Dave took him out.
Hard to believe people think Wood was throwing batting practice. That pitch that Nunez hit was by his ankle.
Alex Wood needs to go on the DL with a bruised ego and get someone who can pitch. Something is sooooo wrong with him.
Not to be lost in all this… that was pretty low class of Fox to zoom in on Grandal’s arm to show the pitching chart he has on there. Not sure if the other team can make heads or tails of it… but all you have to do is pause it… they already did the zooming in for you.
I do not believe that a World Series can be won with a manager who is obviously a emperor with no clothes. I noticed Roberts escaped all critiicism for his terrible in game 7 because the Dodgers won the game.
1 – Roberts overmanages. Too many platoon moves on both offense and defense. I would have left Urias out there – he’s not going to pitch back to back games. Baez was dealing. Wood hasn’t looked good out of the ‘pen – neither has Maeda.
2 – Too many bad defensive plays; too many blown opportunities on offense.
3 – The Brewers outplayed the Dodgers in the NLCS but the Dodgers had more talent and the talent won out. Thwy won’t get away with that against the Sox.
1– Agree
2 — Agree
3 — Agree
Boston had to have this game more with Sale pitching.
We will get to Price tomorrow.
I don’t know if it made a difference, but when the Dodgers brought Kershaw into game 7 against the Brewers I was wondering why not Baez. Would it have made a difference in his performance tonight? Maybe , maybe not.
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The good news is that the Dodgers won game 1 last year, and lost the series.
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That was a bad AB by Turner. He swung at ball four twice. His job there was to get on base and keep the game alive, no matter how bad things looked.
I did too. I was calling for Baez. They didn’t need to use Kershaw Saturday night.
I saw nothing that tells me the Ted Sox are the better team.
The one thing the Red Sox did that the Dodgers have not done all year, was to take advantage of scoring opportunities. Sure, they had some luck, but like good teams do, they capitalized on the luck they were given.
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Benintendi reminded me of a player the Dodgers need in their lineup, namely Alex Verdugo, a hitter with good bat to ball skills who hits the ball where it’s pitched.
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And besides, like I’ve said before, if the Dodgers are going to put a stop to this 30 year old curse, it’s not going to come easy.
Except Benintendi hits really well, when runners are in scoring position.
Never felt so confident in a loss. We were right friggin there, on the road at Fenway. Doc should have left Baez in, who was throwing smoke, and I am having ketchup with my crow on that one, I am thinking that Doc is getting better at getting burned and you will probably not see Woods in a high leverage situation the rest of the series. Woods has been lit up yaboe style in the play-offs this year, Love the guy, but it is what it is, Once again, just steal one abd it changes the whole series!
Well… if you thought Roberts got a huge ovation before tonight’s game… just wait until tomorrow.
We need to see the good Ryu tomorrow night, and the bad David Price. Probably going to see the same right handed hitting lineup. And here’s hoping that the Dodgers have acclimated themselves to Fenway Park and the cold weather.
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And to make everyone feel a little better, the Dodgers lost the first two games in ‘55 and ‘81, and went on to win both Series in 7 games and 6 games, respectively.
Well, that was tough.
Been up all night and just started work, and off to a pal’s Funeral later.
That being said, I enjoyed the game, especially the way we ran the pitch count up against Sale, and has some good ABs.
Nothing new to add to all of your observations above, but the missed catch in the 1st certainly didn’t help.
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Couldn’t understand leaving a proper reliever, in Ferguson off the 25, to have another unproven Starter turned Reliever, in Wood, in the Pen. It’s a different art.
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The decision to play a totally out of form Kike instead of the NLCS MVP was ridiculous.
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One thing for sure, is that Boston’s Pen ain’t as good as Milwaukee’s.
Fergurson’s velocity was down in the LCS.
I’d be feeling a little better right now if I knew D. Mountain was pitching tomorrow night’s game.
But here’s hoping we get a very strong outing from Ryu… similar to game 1 of the NLDS
Watching this game again, the defense was horrific and Robert’s not much better. We have been this bad plenty times before this year and to our credit we usually have bounced back. However we are attempting to bounce back against the best team we have faced all year, going to take a much better effort then the bounce back game 2 in Milwaukee that we eventually won. Wake up defense and Robert’s, play like you have been there, belong there and want this thing more than Boston does.
Repeat Tonight, Tomorrow and let’s start breaking down the winter meetings and offseason.
We are playing with 6 batters and 3 automatic outs. Tough to score that way. Rye is good right now.
Make that Ryu
Once again, which has been well documented on this site, we are what we are. We hit Yaboes, we dont do station to station well at all, this is how FAZ built us. We don’t do well at all with RISP, the Red Sox do, and that is the difference so far. We are just as talented, maybe more, than the Red Sox, but they do the little things, like advancing runners and executing with two outs. We don’t roll that way, and are being exposed for that. Love my boys, but it is what it is.