That’s the first time I have ever used that line. OK… that’s a lie! I have used it 6 to 10 times, but it never gets old. I have two favorite movies: The Shawshank Redemption and The Last of the Mohicans. Last night it was the Kershawshank Redemption and he may be one of the Last of the Mohicans. Clayton is showing that he is on a mission. What a game he pitched! 8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 13 K’s… and he picked off the only batter he walked. If anyone had a question about who the Dodgers’ Ace is, it was resoundingly answered last night with Clayton’s dominance!
Andy McCullough of The Athletic wrote this about Clayton:
“To see Kershaw perform at this level is remarkable, given how his stuff had degraded in recent years as he recovered from back injuries in 2016, 2017 and 2018. It is a credit to Kershaw for the work he did in the offseason both on his own and at Driveline, looking to rebuild velocity and regain the sharpness on his breaking ball. He looks more dominant than he has in years.”
Pedro Moura wrote this:
“Kershaw’s velocity was up from his last start of the regular season, and he freely used both his slider and curveball. When all three of those pitches are working, he is great. Even with just two, he has been good, but not this good. This was the first time any Dodger starter had worked into the eighth inning all year, and the first time in five years anyone has managed eight scoreless innings in the postseason.”
Clayton is learning to adapt and Pedro Moura of The Athletic explains what he did differently last night and how it yielded positive results. It’s an interesting read. Here’s a telling comment from Clayton:
“Maybe, in years past, I’ve been known to be pretty stubborn, so I just kind of do the same things no matter what in between starts, no matter how I’m feeling,” Kershaw said. “I think that might not be the best idea at times.”
The Dodgers didn’t put on an offensive exhibition, but they didn’t have to. The best pitching staff in the NL (by almost 1 run a game) allowed Zero runs in the two game sweep. They did score 7 runs, which was 5 more than Milwaukee. Milwaukee scored 247 runs during the 2020 regular season, while the Dodgers led all of baseball with 349 runs scored – one more than Atlanta.
Of course, some of you will lament the lack of offense and point to Max Muncy’s struggles or wonder why so many RH hitters were in the lineup? They won! That’s all that counts. These are the playoffs and even if the Brewers had Devin Williams, unless he could hit, it would not have been enough.
Patience Grasshoppers
Many of you wanted to bury Kenley Jansen, but do you even realize that Josh Hader had a higher ERA than Kenley this season? Some of you want to boot Kenly off the roster. HELLO! Kenley may not be what he once was, but he is still TOP TIER among all baseball closers… and he is the Dodgers’ closer. To suggest that Dave Roberts should remove him as a closer is beyond silly right about now.. Sorry… but the truth hurts!
Now, I guarantee Doc will have others warming up in the bullpen when Kenley is pitching and his rope will be short. I think Kenley’s issues are his mechanics… hopefully Prior, McGuinness and Bard can help him fix it. I have seen it before – his mechanics get out of whack and he loses 3-5 MPH velocity. There is;t a lot of time to fix it, which is why the leash is short.
This is indeed a strange season, as now the Dodgers head to Arlington, Texas to play the Rangers. What… they aren’t playing the Rangers? Well, who are they playing? We don’t know… either San Diego or St. Louis – both teams have and ERA of 7.00 in these playoffs. Bring it!
“If you would have told me the first time I’d ever pitch in Texas would be in the Division Series against somebody that’s not the Rangers, it’s like it’s the craziest thing ever. It’s going to be weird. I live 10 minutes from the team hotel. I’m going to be staring at family through a glass wall.”
Since, the next game is not scheduled until Tuesday, I could see Clayton getting that start as well – that would be his 5th day, but I think that depends upon Buehler’s blister. If the Dodgers could steal the first couple of games, it’s possible they could rest Striker in the NLDS to let the blister settle down.
I think the roster will be substantially the same. Sorry Alex Wood – we hardly knew ya. Props to several players:
- Austin “Freaking” Barnes – remember when many of us (me included) wanted him gone? Clayton is glad he is not gone.
- Bazooka Graterol – He got the save and you just love his openly joyful attitude!
- Mookie Betts – He just sets the tone.
How About Some Music?
The latest from The Boss:
R.I.P. Helen Reddy and Mac Davis. Enjoy Helen singing a song written by Mac Davis.
We scored 7 runs in two games against a broken team. Last night we were 6 for 29 with 12 K’s. 5 singles, and a ground ball double just out of reach of the third baseman. The Padres scored 9 in 3 innings last night. Set a record for home runs after the 6th. Gotta love that.
The Dodgers quietly won two games against a team they should beat. I hope the bats are louder in the next series.
Another way to see it is that both SD and St Louis gave up a ton of runs. Pitching wins games and neither of them look like they can match up with us.
Pitching can win games but only if you have an ace on the mound. The rest of the time, it’s the bats. Rare it is that you have more than one ace on the mound. Milwaukee have no bats to speak of. They did have 2 good pitchers hold us until the bats woke up. SD and Cards have the bats.
You must be a real joy at parties…..enjoy the wins man….
Good stuff Mark!
I could party with the best of them. I was young in the 60’s, 70s and 80s.
I was just expecting the team to come out firing on all cylinders. Turns out it only took a couple cylinders to beat an injured 8 seed. Hopefully we will do better against better.
Brewers pitching is really good gotta give them some credit. Their bats no so much.
Brewers pitching was 10th in value this season. That was with Burnes and Williams. I think we will see better pitching before this over.
We scored 7 runs, it’s true, but looking at the quality of pitches the brewers ‘pitchers made, some incredible ones like that third strike to Mookie, I think it’s the merit of their pitchers and not a level down from the Dodgers’ offense.
My prediction, and I usually don’t do that, the Cardinals are going to beat SD today. I think their pitcher, Flarherty, that’s probably the wrong spelling, shuts down the Pads. We can only take em as they come. Pads or Cards, no matter who it is, the path to the big dance has 2 more stops before they even get there. Lets not have a heart attack because the games were close. Lets just be happy they are not playing today. And get ready to see what sort of adjustments they make to the roster. Floro back? Gore off? We will see.
For all the Roberts bashing on this site, can we agree he made the correct moves yesterday? Or are some of you going to say, “yes but a broken watch is correct twice a day“?
Craig Counsell is supposed to be the genius, but when your players don’t execute, you become a moron.
When the Dodger players out-execute the other team, Doc is a genius. Most fans decide whether he is a genius or a moron based upon the outcome… which, when you think about it, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The broken record returns
So speaks the kettle.
I didn’t realize you were gone…
It’s interesting that the great managers in history somehow managed great players. Just lucky I guess.
I remember this discussion a while back, might have been here, might have been there, might have been here and there, but I looked up the actual WAR value of managers and surprisingly found it. Fact is most managers, even the good ones, are headed to the Hall of Mediocrity. Analysis shows managers are worth somewhere between -2 and 2 wins over a 162 game season. The Dodgers win because they are a deep and talented team. It’s ok to critique Roberts’ obvious wtf was he thinking moves, but the reality is none of it makes all that much difference. If our guys play well we will win this thing. If they don’t, we won’t. Roberts has little to do with it.
Great matchup in Chicago today. Darvish against Sanchez
I have only one word for Clayton Kershaw this morning “magnifique”. Kudos also to Barnes, Mookie, Taylor and Graterol. Very very good article, Mark. Thank you.
Two of my favorite movies as well Mark. The Last of the Magicians because Kersh was pure magic last night! I don’t remember the last time he had such command of both his slider and curveball. Granted the Brewers are not the modern version of the 27 Yankees But he was brilliant none the less! You make a great point of having Kersh start off the next series so Buehler only has to go once. If that blister goes off then our chances go way down.Neither team scares me next round. The Pads just have no starting pitching and they’re not lighting up our pitching staff which they would have to do. Cardinals are just a blah team.
No matter what, they are still major leaguers and you have to get out the good and the bad to win. The Padres will be without both of thier aces and the Dodgers have proven they can handle the others. Even the Padres vaunted bullpen proved somewhat vulnerable last night. And I think the Cardinals are going to crush their hopes against Johnny Allstaff today. The Cardinals only have a couple of bats that scare you. But their starters can be nasty. Miller at the back of the pen can be pretty nasty too. They have a solid defense and a catcher you cannot run on. But the big thing with St Louis is that we owe them some disappointment.
My one major gripe about last night’s game is the announcing team that ESPN runs out there. Perez is about as insufferable as they come. The play by play guy is ok. But that mousy little squirt, Tim Kurkjian, is very annoying. He told the same story at least 3 times last night. Just totally a nerd. And to hear them talk, Counsell is the closest thing to a total baseball genius they have ever seen. There is clearly a east coast bias with these guys, or a Midwest love. Perez is sitting in his den in Florida doing the game, and the same with the announcers. The only guy in Dodger Stadium is a guy who covers the Dodgers and his insight to the team was pretty good. There will be fans at the World Series. Tickets are going on sale. They are going to allow 11,500 fans per game at the new park in Arlington. Woodruff got the old heave ho after he left the mound last night. He was complaining about a pitch to Barnes he thought was a strike, but was clearly off of the plate. Bottom of the lineup, and Mookie got it done last night. Middle of the lineup, not so much. But nice hustle by Pollock on his grounder that could have been a double play had Gyorko not clanked it.
I previously expressed my opinion on Eddie Perez. But I have a new “WINNER” in the booth as of yesterday. I’ve never had the misfortune of listening to Rick Sutcliffe much before. WOW he outtalks even A-Rod. He never shuts up. He rattled on some inane point that took 4 pitches. He absolutely must get paid by the word. Eddie is an idiot. Sutcliffe is just irritating.
He also can be overly negative on the Dodgers. It has been said that he might still hold a grudge against them for some reason. Not sure I remember why.
Getting traded….
Especially Kersh Bear. I was at the Cardinal playoff game when he gave up like 10 straight singles. At least it felt like that. I think he up like 5-1?ahainst Wainright that night when it all fell apart. It was shocking. Another stop on his redemption tour! It’s not a tired, injured and overused Kersh this year! Marching on!
I couldn’t be happier to see last night’s performance from CK. Folks can criticize the opponent all they want but it’s a Major League Baseball team and CK dominated them. It’s so refreshing to see that performance.
Mark referenced Pedro Moura’s Athletic article on CK. It was also mentioned the CK himself discovered that he lacked arm speed on his slider. He made an adjustment and we saw the results. Every thing tight and crisp.
I could see CK starting Tuesday and flipping that rotation with Buehler to give him an extra day if that blister is a concern.
It was obvious that the Brewers thought the way to get Mookie out, was to pound him in with hard stuff. That’s all he saw last night. It didn’t work but we’ll see if that scouting report continues into the next round.
Doc went through a ton of different line ups this short season but he’s finally settled on the line up that I’ve wanted to see for awhile. I think 2nd base belongs to CT3, everyday. I don’t know what took so long but I hope Doc stays with it. I like Smith at DH when not catching.
Boy, some folks on this site are a tough crowd lately. Don’t be afraid to enjoy these games and breath the fall air.
As far as game 1 next week: if we are to assume Buehler can only give us 4-5ip, then may be it is better to throw him in Game 1, with the entire bullpen (and one of May Urias Gonsolin piggybacking him) having rested since yesterday. Then, like before, you have Kersh hopefully give you 6-7ip in game 2.
Then again, since there’s no days off in round 1, we’d need all 5 starters unless the Game 1 starter goes in game 5 on short rest. Can Buehler and his blister go on short rest if he had a short outing, followed by everybody else? Or can Kersh go on short rest, followed by everybody?
I don’t know Kersh or Buehler stats this year vs the Padres, or career stats vs StL, so I can’t use those any evidence.
Survive and Advance was always Jim Valvano/s motto for the basketball tournament, just get the win and go on to the next one. Obviously we did not impress offensively, but the pitching was quite good. We outscored Milwaukee 7-2. We are going to have to hit a lot better against the teams we will face. Maybe we will. I was glad to get Milwaukee out of the way. Best of five next, and we do get the last at bat again, if we need it.
I turned on the Cubs game and they are playing in Wrigley Field!
I agree with the comments above about the announcing. Can’t they put together some good announcing teams? The color commentators are particularly bad. And one of my peeves about all sports announcing is that I want to see a game, not a comedy show. This constant joking and laughing gets very tiresome. It does not have to be dead serious at all times, but people watch because they care about the teams an the games, so announce them and stop trying to make jokes and act like they are sitting around drinking beer at a barbecue. Maybe some fans like that style? I do not.
The game between San Diego and St. Louis tonight will be very good. After rallying from four runs down twice SD has the momentum, and their dugout was really pumped up during the late innings. But they did use Pomerantz for the second day in a row, and Rosenthal struggled. I would tend to favor SD, because I think that they are the better team, and they just got their first postseason win in many years, and now have more confidence.
I had said there was no weight in any negativity towards Kershaw in this post season. When he faces only humans he’s surely gonna shine. It’s what he’s made of and that’s been proven over and over. Astros were cyborgs. They knew they were good but also not good enough. They know in their own hearts they didn’t win those rings. I’d like to see a rematch though it’d be hard to hope they make it beyond as far as they had.
Everything was going well Mark until he put on the pink glasses to address the Jansen case, last night in a saved game situation and with Kenley available, Doc took off the pink glasses
“SWEET” LOU JOHNSON PASSES AWAY
LOS ANGELES – “Sweet” Lou Johnson, who hit a key home run for the victorious Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series against Minnesota, passed away last night at the age of 86.
Johnson, who was born Louis Brown Johnson in Lexington, KY on Sept. 22, 1934, received the nickname Sweet Lou upon joining the Dodgers early in 1965 after outfielder Tommy Davis suffered an injury. Johnson received the nickname because of his infectious smile and because he was always clapping his hands.
“Lou Johnson was such a positive inspiration at Dodger Stadium with our employees and our fans as well as throughout the community in the appearances he made on behalf of the organization,” said Dodgers President & CEO Stan Kasten. “Dodger fans will always remember his important home run in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series, when he was clapping his hands running around the bases.”
Johnson played 17 seasons in professional baseball including eight years in the Majors with the Chicago Cubs (1960, ‘68), Angels (1961, ‘69), Milwaukee Braves (1962), Dodgers (1965-67) and Cleveland Indians (1968).
Johnson played in 677 games and hit .258 with 48 homers and 232 RBI in his career, and helped the Dodgers to two postseason berths in 1965 and 1966. In 1965, he was called up and hit .259 with 24 doubles, 12 homers. 58RBI and 15 stolen bases. Johnson also recorded the lone Dodgers’ hit and scored the lone run in Sandy Koufax’s perfect game on Sept. 9, 1965 against the Chicago Cubs.
Between his time as a player and a front office employee in the Community Relations Department, Johnson worked for the Dodgers for 40 seasons. He lived in Los Angeles and is survived by his wife Sarah and children Lauren, Carlton and Quinton. Funeral services are pending.
My son and I met him at spring training a few years back. Very gracious. When we told him we lived in Iowa he reminisced about his minor league days in the Midwest.
~
Covid got Jay Johnstone the other day. Tough week.
That’s so very sad to hear. He was indeed a positive inspiration to all. Much can be learned from him on that score.
Sad day for all Dodger fans. He came up to replace the injured Tommy Davis. And he was a breath of fresh air. RIP Sweet Lou who was part of the Dodger family well after he quit playing.
I would have let Kershaw finish but alls well that ends well. I was glad they went with Graterol and not Kenley last night. Good to get a game behind him and let the coaching staff get Kenley straightened out.
Graterol looks like a blossoming future closer to me. And he looks like he wants to blow your ass up at the plate. I love the kid and liked Doc’s decision to use him in that role last night.
Once he masters the slider to go along with that heater.
Miguel Rojas, the former Dodgers, become a very good player
Both May and Graterol have filthy stuff, yet have poor k/ip ratios considering they can hit 100
Once they figure that out, look out! Oh, they’re both 22
Any concern about the long lay off of both Gonsolin and May between starts? I know it’s great to come back with Kershaw in 5 days, but by the time Gonsolin toes the rubber, it might be a two week layoff.
Sweet Lou was one of a kind. Spent a day interviewing him back in Spring Training 2011. He was very gracious and it was a great day. He actually told me he was happy for the Giants, who had just finally won their first Championship while in San Francisco. His quote: “Man, that team, that city. I felt sorry for them. All those years, those great players and they never won it. I was happy for them.”
On Bob Gibson: “He hit me in the third at bat in a game after I had doubled of him in the second AB. Man, I’m telling you, he plunked me like no pitcher ever plunked me! The man threw hard! After he hit me, I wasn’t gonna call him names cuz’ I knew I’d have to hit against him again. That man was intimidating man! I’m down like this at home plate (he bends his torso down and gets on his hands on his knees), just like this. i couldn’t move man! And back then we had all these unwritten rules to not let a pitcher know that he hurt you. Walt Alston comes out and says ‘don’t rub it,’ and I’m bent over and I say ‘F#$% man, I can’t even move my arm even if I wanted to rub the left, how am I gonna rub it?’”
On the Roseboro/Marichal brawl: “I was gonna kill somebody. I lost it. I was so angry. You see, they were using bats. You just don’t start swinging bats man! (Tito) Fuentes had a bat and he was swinging it at people and I was gonna get him. What people don’t understand man is that Rosie, John was my best friend on the team. We lived two blocks from each other. We drove in to games together. We socialized together. When I saw his face and all that blood, I just lost it!”
Q: How did they calm you down?
“Well it wasn’t they, it was him. Somebody lifted me off the ground, A big man, I don’t know where he came from, but McCovey lifted me off the ground and said I needed to calm down, and (laughs) I wasn’t gonna argue with McCovey. That is a big man. But I knew I was gonna get Fuentes. the man played second base and the next time I had a chance to break up a double play, hell man, I ended up in left field I slid so hard. But I missed him, ‘cuz he knew what was coming. Even today when he sees me he says, ‘you were trying to kill me’ and I tell him ‘I still haven’t got you yet.’”
Awesome stuff, Evan. Thank you. I love these behind the scenes stories. Well done and don’t be such a stranger. Write more often please.
I have talked with Lou Johnson several times at Vero Beach and maybe once at Camelback. He just had a “sweetness” about him. He was always a glass-half-full guy who looked for the good. We need a lot more people like Sweet Lou! R.I.P. Sir!
WOW. Miami beats the Cubs and they are out of the playoffs. I do not think anyone wants to face Sanchez. He beat Darvish, who’s playoff resume just got worse.
Depends on what part of his resume you want to look at. He may have gotten the loss, but 2 runs in 6.2 innings is a good start. His offense let him down and I’m sure you’ll agree he has nothing to be embarrassed about.
True, but if Kershaw would have lost 2-0 last night everyone would be crying today about how awful he is in the playoffs. Counting today’s loss, he is 2-5 with an ERA over 5. No matter how you spin it, his resume got worse.
Not true. His won-loss record got worse, his ERA got better.
You can see it’s a slow day if we have to argue about this.
Not arguing, my perception is his record got worse. Had the same thing happened to Kershaw, fans would be bitching to heaven that he sucks in the playoffs.
I don’t think I’ve seen Kershaw that happy in a long time. I think it’s the “Mookie effect!” Maybe he’s starting to lighten up on himself, he’s such a perfectionist. Maybe with Mookie there he doesn’t feel that it’s entirely up to him to carry the team. Or maybe he’s just happy that his stuff and command is this good, especially now in the playoffs. Whatever it is, I hope he keeps having fun, because he’s a better pitcher when he’s enjoying himself. And he’s given us so much enjoyment over the years watching him. He deserves some himself.
Kershaw has always been the workhorse of the SPs. He will have a good post season this year because he isn’t worn out, like the past 7 seasons. A 60 game season makes for pitchers that aren’t dragging ass in October. You can bank on Kershaw showing his stuff and being a dominant force in all his starts, don’t be surprised if you see Kershaw come out of the pen in both the NLCS and the WS.
We have lost a number of icons this year. This was a magical moment about 7 or 8 years ago:
Looking like we get the Padres. 3-0 in the 7th. Unless the St Louis bats come alive. Miami is 7-0 in the playoffs all time. They have never lost a series…should the Braves be worried?????
Michael Why are the dodger playing the padres dodgers were one padres were four braves were 2 marlims were 6
Seems like the Dodgers should play the marlins and the braves play the padres.
I don’t care about the Braves being worried.
It’s about time we realized that we’re going to have our hands full with the Padres. I think their lineup is as good as ours and there’s a chance they might get Clevinger or Lamet or both back for the next series.
They beat the Cards with their number 1 and 2 starters out and Machado going 2-14.
We had better bring our best game starting on Tuesday. It ain’t gonna be easy.
You worry too much. I care less who they get back. it will all work itself out. Arlington is a lot harder to hit homers at than SD. Dodgers have handled them this year. They never beat us in a series, and they won’t now. They are good, we are better. And we get last AB’s the first two games. That is huge. We played in Texas this year, and SD has never played there. Dodgers are a great road team and these game essentially are road games. Yes, they are good, but Dodgers outscored them by 12 in 10 games. I think the our bullpen is better. And outside of Lamet, we own their starters.
I agree that last at bats is important.
The fact that we played in Texas this year might mean something in the first game. After that it won’t.
You say we own their starters but we haven’t faced Clevinger. You admit Lamet is tough.
They only have to win three.
Their bullpen (9 guys) pitched a shutout tonight.
I didn’t say we would lose, I just said we’d better bring our A game.
And yes, I worry too much.
No pitcher is invincible. Yes, their pen threw a shut out. But look who they shut out. One of the worst hitting teams in the majors. The Dodgers have not been shut out this season. Another thing, for most of the Padres, this is their first playoff experience. Except for Moreland, Machado, Hosmer, most of these guys have never been through the playoffs. Those 3 have World Series experience, that is true. but the staff, and most of the players are just kids who have never faced this kind of pressure before. The Dodgers are battle tested for the most part. The core of the team has plenty of playoff experience and they know what to expect. Clevinger is not a sure thing to be back. If he is, he is like any other pitcher they have not faced. But I doubt that changes their approach against him if he is back. As for Lamet, as good as he is, he has lost a game. . San Diego’s road ERA is a full point higher than the Dodgers. I have no doubt the Dodgers know just who the Padres are. The key is handling Machado and Tatis, and so far this year they have done that.
Who do you think will start for the Dodgers?
Bob Gibson dead at 84.
On the day that Sweet Lou passed, Hall of Famer Bob Gibson follows.
Rest In Peace gentlemen.
https://fox2now.com/news/former-st-louis-cardinals-pitcher-bob-gibson-dies-at-84/
How ironic, or perhaps fitting, that Gibson and Sweet Lou would die on the same day. Loved the story about these men in your earlier post
2d2 please explain why the Dodgers are playing the Padres and the Braves are playing the Marlins seems like the Dodgers should play the Marlins and the Padres should play the Braves one seed would play number 6 seed and two seed would play number four seed
Both games are for the Divisional title. After the Divisional title, we will face the winner of the Braves-Marlins series for the Conference title. All Central conference teams were eliminated already.
Derp
I saw Gibby pitch a lot. He was perhaps the most intimidating pitcher I ever saw. And to me no one could match that until Randy Johnson came along. Gibby would always throw at the next hitter if he gave up a homer. And in those days it was just part of the game. RIP Gibby. It was a pleasure watching you pitch.