110, or Bust!

Posted By on October 14, 2021

I hear some Dodger fans write or say that the Giants are just having their way this year, that the Giants are just lucky, that they have the Dodgers number. I hear that some don’t trust Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, or several other pitchers. I say that they are a bunch of Negative Nellies, to which they say “No, that is not true. I am positive… that I am negative.”

The Giants won the Division by 1 game! One stinking game… but they won… fair and square, I would not call them lucky, but sometimes the Baseball Gods just smile on a team for a time. They may not be the best team, but they act like it… for a time. I think it happened in 1988, when the ragtag Dodgers minus the MVP won it all. On paper, the Mets and Athletics were the better teams, yet the Dodgers won and their best player had just one at-bat. In case you have forgotten, here is that at-bat:

Well, the Giants are this year’s “Ragtag Team” but they are pretty dang good… even if they don’t look the part on paper. The fact of the matter is that one of these two teams will end up with 110 wins and go to the NLCS and the other one will go home with a mere 109.

Here’s what I know: The Dodgers could lose… but I don’t think they will. On any given day, one team can beat another one. If they do lose, so be it! I will just move on and wait until next year. One game may end the Dodgers season, but it does not define it! It won’t change my outlook on this team. I believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best organization in baseball, from top-to-bottom. Look no further than the “Dodger Alumni Tree” which is producing Executives for other teams at an unprecedented rate. The Dodgers could again lose several executives and coaches this year. Possibilities to be hired by other organizations include Josh Byrnes, Jeff Kingston, Brandon Gomes, Brant Brown, Aaron Bates, Clayton McCullough, Conner McGuiness, and/or Billy Gasparino. They won’t lose them all, but they could lose a few, as other items want to hire people from successful organizations.

That said, the Giants are tough, but I also know that the Dodgers are great at adjustments… however, so are the Giants. Logan Webb was dominant against the Dodgers earlier. They will adjust… will the Giants re-adjust? Farhan Zaidi is building another great organization and he is doing a great job, but this is a magical year. The question is “will the magic run out today?” I think it will, but win or lose, this is my team. One game does not define you, but it can end your season.

We had Dodger fans quit after losing to the Asstericks. We had Dodger fans quit after losing to Boston. We had Dodger fans quit after the 2019 loss to the Nats… and we even had Dodger fans quit after the latest World Championship – they had met their goal. Whatever! You are free to do whatever you want and spin it however you want, but I will be watching the Dodgers tonight and rooting for them, and win or lose, life will go on. Don’t forget: It’s a game.

We know that Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger will be in the lineup. We don’t know where… exactly. Seager, Betts, and both Turners will be there. What about Albert at 1B in this Championship Game? It’s worth consideration. Yeah, I know about the “splits.” Sometimes you have to go with your gut. Sometimes experience can win out.

Craig Counsell is a Bum

At least that is what many Milwaukee fans and the national press are saying. A few weeks ago, he was one of the best managers in baseball. It’s amazing how stupid you become when your players do not execute. Dave Roberts can attest to the same thing.

This article has 159 Comments

  1. All year we’ve been chasing the Giants. It’s only fitting that we finally surpass and eliminate them on their final game of the season.
    TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT

  3. Correction Mark,both teams have won 109 and one will go home a winner with 110. The betting line is even money on either team so it’s anyone’s guess who advances.Let’s hope that the Giants charmed season ends tonight.

  4. Actually Mark, they are both at 109. Giants 107 in the regular season and 2 in the playoffs. Dodgers 106 in the regular season, and 3 in the playoffs including the wild card win. During the regular season the Giants did it with the HR. And all except 1 of their runs in this series have come on homers. You avoid the long ball, the chances of beating them are pretty good. Dodger pitching keeps it in the park, they will win. And it is funny. Giants set a team record with 241 homers. Dodgers were right on their tail at 237. Consider this, Dodgers are tied in this series, and their all time best post season hitter has one hit. All of this and a team that won 109 games is going to go home. Baseball needs to seriously revamp the playoff system. Teams that are that successful in the regular season should not be playing each other in the first round unless you expand it to 7 games. I favor a seeding system like the NBA has where the 1 plays the 8. 2 plays the 7 and so forth. Baseball lost Ray Fosse yesterday. He caught for 12 seasons and was most remembered for getting flattened by Pete Rose in an all star game. RIP.

    1. MLB definitely doesn’t need to seriously revamp their playoff system. Get rid of the second Wild Card and make the DS 7 games and call it a day. I don’t want to see more teams in the playoffs, which would kill the trade deadline.

      Everyone is complaining about two 105+ teams playing each other in first round. This is the only time this have ever happened and now we need to make a bunch of changes to make sure it doesn’t happen again? All they would have had to do is keep the rule that the Wild Card can’t play in division for the DS. They could re-implement that rule by stating that the winner of the Wild Card game can’t play in division in the DS. If this happened the Giants would have played the Braves and the Dodgers would have played the Brewers. If the Braves or Brewers won, then people would be complaining the two teams with the best record didn’t even play each other.

      You can plan for the optimal outcome, sometimes you just have to let them play the games. But, I think it would be more fair to make all series 7 games if the goal is to have more playoffs. I don’t think I would want a month and a half of postseason every year. It would be just too fatiguing.

      1. I agree with you totally B & P. That 1 game play-in is horrible. And yes, they should go to a 7 game DS. that would potentially add 2 more games to the playoffs. If that is a problem they could always drop a few games from the regular season.

      2. Normally, I would agree with you. But since last season MLB has pushed for expanded playoffs, and that means more teams in the mix, not more games in a series. It is going to be a big part of the negotiations this winter. MLB will also discuss expansion again since they want to balance the leagues. 16 teams and four 4 team divisions. I would expect realignment to come up at some point too. They had a perfect storm this season as none of the divisions were wrapped up early. I would also think that they want to get to a balanced season. Best way to do that is to reduce the season back to 154. And that has been discussed also. And the reason for wanting those things is obvious. Attendance is ok in cities like LA and Frisco. Doing ok in SD and some other places, but it is down in both Florida locations, Arizona and others too. They want more fans in on the excitement and possibility of playoff baseball. Might not happen, that is true. But it is what the owners and MLB big wigs want. More revenue.

        1. If the DH is adopted in the NL, what is the difference in the leagues? There becomes no reason for a pennant race and qualifying for playoffs should be whichever amount of top scoring teams and eliminate the wildcard. But life isn’t fair either and same with luck..

  5. I would start Souza in CF batting leadoff. Have him charge the mound and take out Webb. Replace him with Lux and we’re good to go.

    You’re welcome.

      1. I totally agree. I would pitch either Knebel or Treinen two, but never Jansen. 4 outs maybe. But with Graterol throwing the way he has, there is no need.

  7. Farhan is building a great organization? No, Farhan built a team that exceeded all expectations this year…

    With a postseason rotation of Wood, Gausman, Desclafani, Webb and Cueto, only Webb is expected back next year.

    How about their position players? Unrestricted Free Agents include Kris Bryant, Brandon Belt and Donovan Solano. They hold club options on Wilmer Flores (32) and Buster Posey (35).

    Brandon Crawford (35), Evan Longoria (37), Steven Duggar (28), Tommy La Stella (33), Darin Ruf (36), Austin Slater (29), LaMonte Wade (28), and Mike Yastrzemski (32) are under contract.

    So, next year their team looks like this…
    Rotation
    Webb and 4 guys they’ll need to acquire via free agency

    C Posey (35)
    1B Ruf (36)
    2B LaStella (33)
    3B Longoria (37)
    SS Crawford (35)
    LF Wade (28)
    CF Slater (29)
    RF Yas (32)

    With half of their offense coming from guys on the wrong side of 35 and 2 more in their 30’s, only two players are clearly in their primes. I don’t call that building an organization. I call that augmenting what you have and waiting it out. Next year will be a rude awakening when they have to try to count on all those old guys to produce again. I don’t see that as a likely outcome unless Farhan can grab guys like Wood, Gausman and Desclafani to build a miracle rotation like he did this year. They’ll be the Padres 2.0 next year when all those position players come back down to earth like Hosmer and Myers did for the Padres.

    So, let’s see what happens tonight. Urias vs Webb is going to be a fun game to watch. Both teams have been stifled by these pitchers earlier in the series and both have the advantage of seeing each other recently.

    I would roll out the same lineup as last game.
    Keep Albert and Pollock on the bench waiting for Wood to enter the game as a reliever.
    Have faith in CT3, Lux and Belli and ride those hot hands.
    Do not change the lineup based on Small Sample Sizes against Webb.
    We’ve done this before against the Braves last year. Let’s do it again and send the Giants on vacation. All those old guys can use some time off!

  8. Baseball needs to make the check swing a reviewable call. Any mistake that the viewing audience can see, and there are literally hundreds of them over the course of the year, should be reviewable. Especially those that decide games.

    These teams are evenly matched. They are better defensively, we have better pitching, not by much, and score more runs, not by much. Zaidi put that team together remarkably quickly but the fact their sleeping veterans woke up went a long way to bring them back. Crawford and Posey are only 34 so a good year from both should not be that surprising, but not that good either. Posey only played 114 games but his .889 OPS is his best since his MVP year at age 25. Crawford’s .895 OPS is his best year ever, obviously an outlier year, but he too played in fewer games. Surely those two play like 35 year olds next year. Right?

    Would be nice to see our geezer contribute soon. Turner at .059 hurts, especially with Muncy gone.

    Hopefully All shows up tonight.

    1. I like the idea of making the check swing reviewable, but they would also have to rewrite the check swing rule. Right now, it’s a strike if the batter “offers at the pitch” which is highly subjective. They need to make it if the bat crosses the front of the plate, then they can review and get it right. You would probably see batters in the very back of the box with two strikes making them susceptible to curves and sliders down in the zone. That would also increase the chances of passed balls and create a little more action.

      Turner is saving it for this game to increase the dramatic effect. RedTurn2 is going yard tonight!

      1. “but they would also have to rewrite the check swing rule.”

        No, they would not.

        The check swing “rule” as you call it was explained clearly to me in my umpire training. I’ve explained it before, it’s really quite simple and easy to see in review.

        It has nothing to do with wrists, or offering or any subjective interpretation of offering, it’s simply this – if the bat goes through the strike zone it’s a strike. And where exactly is the strike zone? The strike zone is a box 17” square above the plate that extends from the base of the knee to the midpoint between the belt and arm pits when the batter is in his hitting stance- which by the way is his normal stance when he makes contact with the ball.

        Now maybe they’ve re-written this and if so I wait to stand corrected. But each time I’ve seen the review of a check swing, with camera angles available it’s quite easy to see if the bat went through the strike zone. By the way, the bat can enter that zone and not be a strike. The bat has go past the front of the plate. Why no analyst have explained this is puzzling to me.

        1. MLB umpire training? Just asking, not a knock because what I read about it is >>>The Major League Baseball rulebook does not contain an official definition for a checked swing, but defines a swing as “an attempt to strike at the ball”.<<<
          And not disputing that a bat crossing over the plate no matter how it looks is a swing, but that seems to leave some discretion by the ump calling the play. Giving the umps much discretion on ANYTHING is for the most part a bad idea IMO.
          cheers
          pb+

          1. Uh, no pboy, I was not a MLB umpire. I did some college, Legion, semi-pro, high school and A LOT of softball umpiring for about 4 years. I was trained by a guy who was pro for a few years, never higher than AA, but also did college.

            The NCAA rulebook indicates that a checked swing shall be called a strike “if the barrel head of the bat crosses the front edge of home plate or the batter’s front hip.” That is pretty simple and straightforward language. What I am trying to say is this issue could be taken care of easily if they just used that rule. The way it’s defined now is vague and arbitrary which leads to subjective decision making, which is, in my opinion, really stupid. MLB needs to get with the program and start upgrading its product. This is only one of the changes I would make if I were Commissioner.

    2. I would expect a close game, given how closely matched these two teams are, and how dominant Urias and Webb have both been this year. The game could turn on small things. I think it’s a toss up. That’s not being optimistic or pessimistic. I’m hopeful, but also realistic. It could go either way. Of course, I believe in our team. They are unbelievably talented. Whatever happens, they have had an incredible year. And Mark is right, in the final analysis, it is just a game. It may be our obsession, bordering on addiction, bordering on religion, but it is just a game.

      Has anyone noticed that fewer people seem to have posted the past couple of days? Strange, given that it is crunch time. We’ve spent more time debating the merits of marginal bench players on this blog than debating the biggest games of the year. How do you explain that?

      1. People tend to post more when there’s something to complain about. Belli, Lux and the Bullpen have been the favorite whipping boys all year, so what are they gonna do since they started contributing? It’s hard to complain about the offense right after they scored 7 runs. Sure, there were a couple of people complaining about hitting with RISP, but that’s a pretty weak argument when win by 5 against one of the best pitching staffs all year.

        Roster changes is another topic that gets a lot of action, but at this point you can’t make roster changes. There’s no one that’s going to improve the hitting and the pitching has been fantastic. Sure, you get someone that slights Kelly for giving up an inherited run, but he really did his job in the grand scheme of things. He inherited 2 and prevented a big inning. Great job!

        1. I feel the same about people saying do not resign Kelly. Why? Since he stumbled early in the year, he has mostly been spot on. IMO a perfect fit also being a local boy. Fan love him & his attitude. For the correct price, I would re-sign him in a hot second.
          cheers
          pb+

          1. The Dodgers have an option on Kelly for 12M with a 4M buyout. I don’t think you can do better for 8M.

          2. Here’s the deal. After losing to the Red Sox in 2018 largely due to unreliable relief pitching, AF chased the dragon a bit in nabbing an arm from the team that had just vanquished us. It turned out to be a mistake. Kelly has been largely ineffective in his 3-year stint with us and we have been fortunate to gain back some value for him in the last part of his deal. Essentially he is a smokejumper, a one-trick pony with a hellacious hard curveball [88 mph!] and an underutilized fastball. Anything he gives to us now is gravy, but the writing’s been on the wall for a while that this is the end of the road for him. I’d be shocked if he’s brought back.

            Likelihood of return of our key free agents:

            1. Knebel
            2. Kershaw
            3. Scherzer
            4. Taylor
            5. Seager
            6. Jansen
            7. Kelly

          3. That is totally ignoring the fact that neither he nor the team knew he had a cyst in the shoulder TM. Since having that removed, he has been quite an asset IMO.
            And lately mostly lights out. Definitely should be retained if possible.

  9. I’m in alignment with Pengy’s line up thinking (wait the righties for Wood) and Red going yard.

    Okay, the Red thing is a hope. I’d be okay with two doubles, a walk and single from Red! Time for the big Dodger in the sky to appear.

  10. I truly believe that if our boys in blue can get to Logan Webb we will win the game. If he shuts us down for 7 or even 8 innings it will be tough but if we can get into the (worn out?) bullpen early then we are going to the NLCS. Will this be a feast or a famine night? ☺

  12. If the Dodgers can score 4/5 runs today they should be able to win.

    The Giants have scored in this series 4, 2, 1, 2 runs.

  13. I think we have one advantage in that we have already played in an elimination game against STL. That experience has to count for something. 4-2 LA.

    1. We also played an elimination game against the midgets on Tuesday.
      midgets played a win and advance against us on Tuesday and lost.
      cheers
      pb+

      1. Counting the series against Atlanta in the playoffs last year, the Dodgers have won 5 consecutive win or go home games. I think that experience is going to be huge. I also expect the Dodger hitters to be more patient with Webb this time and not chase. JT is going to break out of his post season slumber and contribute to a Dodger 5-1 win.

  14. For those of us who still read the Athletic, there’s an interesting piece by Stephen Nesbitt on “Grading MLB Umpires”. A Boston U student named Ethan Singer uses twitter to grade out umpires and analyze performance. Kind of interesting (as I hope we are head toward the ABS.
    byhttps://theathletic.com/author/stephen-j-nesbitt/

    1. I read it. Frankly I was surprised to read accuracy percentages are on the rise. I read something a while back that said the average accuracy % was mid 80s. That was incorrect. But missing 9% at this level, while still an A grade, doesn’t work for me because so much is on the line. Hickox’s error shows how critical one call can be. And we have the technology to see that this does not happen again.

      1. Impossible for me to agree more. Avg game is at least 200 pitches right? That means 18 missed calls. And with MLB teams so metrics oriented, that means that 18 times both the pitcher and batter changed their strategy on the next pitch. 18 times the ump at least slightly and some times bigly changed the game. And like you noted, tech exists to reduce that to close to or at zero. MLB wants to draw more young fans in? Well with the TV strike zone already there, maybe they should try to eliminate little Johnny saying to dad, “hey dad, why is the ump cheating?”
        cheers
        pb+

  15. Loading the lineup with left handed batters should go a long way towards eliminating that outside pitch that the umpire was calling for a strike on right hand hitters during game one. I like the idea of replacing Pollock with Lux for this game for many reasons. Inherently, left hand hitters tend to be better low ball hitters. I expect a low scoring game but I see some of our left hand hitters playing pivotal roles tonight.

    Julio Urias has proven to be a big game pitcher. I expect to see nothing less.

    I am interested in seeing how the Gnats perform during an elimination game. The Dodgers have done it twice so far and are the more talented team. Will SF succumb to the pressure? Or will they rise to the occasion?

    As a baseball fan, I have my money on the Dodgers. As a Dodgers fan, well, go Dodgers!

    1. Well I count at least 4 or maybe 5 RH hitters who are going to start. The Turner boys, Smith, Betts and most likely Taylor or Pollock. I would think Taylor over Pollock. And then the lefty’s will be Lux, Belli and Seager. None of the other left handed hitters they have are really regular players. That means Beaty and McKinney. The thing is, most of those guys face RH pitching more than they do lefty’s. So their batting averages against a pitcher throwing from the right are usually pretty good. JT hits RHP at .286. 19 points higher than lefty’s and he has 17 of his 27 HR’s off of RHP. Smith .270. 40 points higher with 19 of his 25 off of RHP. T Turner, he actually hits lefty’s better, a .392 clip, but he hit .305 against RHP with 17 HR’s. Pollock, .301 with 14 HR’s. Betts, about even against both, but 17 HR’s off of RH. Taylor hits lefty’s better by a bunch. But also hits more HR off of RHP. Seager hits lefty’s better also, but still is in the .290’s against RHP with 10HR’s. Bellinger who was awful against everyone hit 9 of his 10 HR’s off of RHP. Lux is hitting 80 points higher against RHP and 6 of his homers came off of them. Pujols kills leftys, Barnes is about even against both, Beaty and McKinney. Beaty hits lefty’s better, but has more HR’s off of RHP as one might suspect, McKinney has a terrible BA against RHP< but most of his homers, and he is equally pathetic against LHP.

      1. It is not a LH vs RH match up issue. It is about hitting Logan Webb’s strengths. On the MLB network it was stated that 67 of the 82 pitches he threw during game 1 were non-fastballs. JT, Pollock and Smith are excellent fastball hitters. Taylor and Betts on the other hand have the type of swings that can elevate pitches low in the zone. LH hitters possess natural upper swings that can get under pitches low in the zone. Hearing that Lux will be replacing Pollock in the lineup is not surprising. Logan Webb is not a pitcher that relies heavily on his fastball. To find success, the Dodgers need to make the adjustment. I think they can and will come prepared tonight. Go Dodgers!

  16. Last year my rally meal was taquitos & beer. Tonight it’s wings & wine. Hope this doesn’t mess anything up.

  17. In baseball, my expectations rarely work out. Knowing that, I ditch my expectations which leaves me with new expectations — which rarely work out.

  19. What’s up with the opener? I hope Doc isn’t overthinking this. Maybe he just wants to make sure his most reliable lefty bat (Julio) is available late in the game.

  20. Knebel gets the job as opener. And frankly, I think it is a good move. Twitter is going bat shit nuts over this. Look at it this way, if Kapler starts his lefty lineup, then when Julio comes in, he has a problem.

    1. Twitter is a cesspool and nobody cares. What matters are the critics on LADT, the most intelligent group on the planet. 😉

      2. We are humble too. And handsome. Largely successful and quick to pick up a check. Our wives adore us, neighbors envy us, and the girls gossip behind our backs. We are lean, strong and patriotic. We brush our teeth thrice daily. Our children prosper and our foes are none. We read well above grade level and our pets are well-nourished. We know every language and we rarely sleep. We have keen eyesight and are spectacular dancers.

  21. I don’t know if it is a good or bad move. I get the strategy but it’s certainly a big gamble. We’ll find out in about 7 hours. It’s certainly bold and will give us and the pundits plenty to talk about today and in the future.
    Could be Urias is injured. Hope not!

    1. There’s no injury. It is just a case of misdirection. They may bring in another RH after Knebel goes and SF has to decide whether to burn their lefties as well. Gonso, Kelly, Bazooka all could see action before Urias. I guarantee this was a plan by the Dodgers Brass and Doc. Not just Doc’s decision.

      2. It’s smart. If you announce your starting pitcher it allows the opposing manager all the time in the world to game plan around that pitcher going through at least two times through that order.

        Why does the order always have to be starting pitcher > relief pitchers? Whether it’s the 1rst, 6th or 9th, it still comes down to match ups and keeping an opposing hitter off balanced.

        The Dodgers know who the Giants are using and how he pitches. It’s why Lux is in there instead of Pollock.

    2. Knebel was going to be in play at some point. So why not come out of the gate with him and throw wrinkle in the SFG strategy? In addition to impacting their lineup composition, this also allows Julio Urias to pitch deeper on the back end.

      It is certainly a gamble, but Knebel was very likely already in play tonight. Whether the gamble is in the 1st or 7th inning, one could argue that it is better to have Urias in the later innings than Knebel, Graterol, Kelly… I like the move!

      1. Exactly, where did Julio shine for us last year at the end. Long closes. Might be angling for that. And then, if we happen to hang a big number up early, they might then not even think they need Julio.
        cheers
        pb+

  22. Didn’t see this coming,

    Mike Shildt is out as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, sources tell ESPN.

    1. Yep, Shildt got the shaft so to speak which came totally as a surprise since no one knew his job was in jeopardy. MLBTR is reporting it also. Yanks coaches Phil Nevin and Marcus Thames will not be back, and neither will assistant hitting coach, P.J. Pilittere. Lance McCullers most likely out of the ALDS.

      1. I believe you meant to say ALCS. Whatever, Boston must be happy not to have to face him.

    1. Lux likes center better than left because the ball comes off the bat more like what he’s used to as a middle infielder.

      It will be fascinating to see if the Lux in center or Knebel as opener decisions materially affect the outcome tonight.

      Hard to believe this could be the last game in a Dodger uni for Seager, Kenley and CT3. Let’s hope not.

      2. Let’s hope Kyle let’s Corey know the grass isn’t always greener and he would be crazy to leave an organization like the Dodgers. I don’t know that Kyle has ever been in the postseason. I don’t think so.

        1. I’m sure the thing Kyle will tell Corey is to go after the most free agent dollars possible; at least that is what I would tell him. If the Dodgers really want Corey, they should pay. The decision whether Corey Seager is wearing a Dodger uniform next season will hinge more on the organization than the player.

  24. Tonight’s winning lineup:

    RF Mookie Betts R
    SS Corey Seager L
    2B Trea Turner R
    C Will Smith R
    3B J. Turner R
    CF Gavin Lux L
    1B C. Bellinger L
    LF Chris Taylor R
    P Corey Knebel R

  25. Living in Northern California, as my LADT user name implies, I put up with a lot of shit from the fair weathered fans who proudly wear Giant apparel when the Giants win but don’t say shit with a mouthful when they’re battling the Rockies or Diamondbacks for last place as they have done the last couple of years. Many of these “so-called” baseball fans couldn’t explain the difference between a suicide squeeze and a suicide by someone jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, but hey they’re baseball fans “all the time.”

    Tonight is our night, our night to prove we are indeed the best team in baseball, the better depth, the better farm system, the better analytics, the better fans, the better veteran and young talent, the better FO, the better manager and a team destined for greatness.

    We got this #WGT! Bring it home Julio with a big night from he Turner boys and a Bellinger bomb as well.

  26. Wow, just about 3 1/2 hours until game time. Time is dragging on…

    I’m completely convinced that Julio will pitch a gem tonight and the Dodgers are going to get to Webb. I have no rational for this line of thinking, nonetheless, I believe this to be true.

    Man, I hate openers. I just think there’s a lot of risk in having a reliever start the game in an unfamiliar routine and having a starter equally unfamiliar coming into a game that’s already begun. I just hate this micromanage kind of crap. But…

    If you’re gonna do it, now’s a good time. The Giants are a platoon dependent team and this is a good way to exploit those splits. Julio has plenty of experience coming into games as a reliever and they gave Knebel a couple of openers, thinking ahead to prepare them for this exact scenerio.

    This either guarantees that Knebel faces a righty heavy lineup at least the first time through, or it will be a very short bench if they start lefties and have to shift back to righties for Urias. Hell, I might even bring in Graterol to take down a couple of innings after Knebel if the Giants don’t adjust. If you go with Urias, to start the Giants can bring in their lefty bats late in the game against our best relievers who are all right handed, sans Vesia.

    This would be a moot point if they included V-Gone and Bruihl on the roster instead of a couple guys they didn’t use. Price and Gonsolin look like wasted roster spots right now.

  27. Just learned about Knebel as the opener. Wow, bold move by the Dodgers to say the least.
    Principally I understand the reasoning behind it but couple of arguments against it: Julio has not pitched out of the pen all year long. Totally different warm up phase in contrast to starting a game. Yes, I know he has done it last year but back then he came out of the pen during the season some times and was used to it. Pre game warm up and a routine is important for a pitcher.
    Plus when you decide to go with a RHP as opener why not start TG ? Knebel very likely will go one inning at max and only if he has good stuff and gets hitters out. When you start TG and he is on his game you can ride him for multiple innings. Maybe he has the stuff to throw the game of his life. Tony has the talents . But obviously the Dodgers do not trust him at all and then as was mentioned above by another poster his roster spot is wasted.

    Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  28. This didn’t help my blood pressure:

    Vin Scully
    @TheVinScully
    To my knowledge, tonight’s game between the @Dodgers and @SFGiants is the most important game in the history of their rivalry. With nearly identical records, and so much at stake, I believe this to be the case.

  29. Bill Plunket: Kapler says #Dodgers Dave Roberts texted him last night to say Knebel was starting

          1. No, it isn’t. How does it matter if they learn 12 hours or 4 hours?

            This isn’t a move that merits much consideration to respond to.

          2. I guess it’s only obvious to me.

            I’ve never heard of a manager calling another manager and giving him information on strategy. Maybe I’m old fashioned in that respect.

  30. This single game is bigger than most World Series games. It’s a good thing Dodgers faced Webb as recently as they did and hopefully developed a better plan and take it like after the 3rd time through abs. It’ll be interesting to see how our rotation experiment will work out as the computer designed. BIG-BIG game! Must see TV.

  36. First game against Webb we swing at breaking stuff out of the zone and this game we’re taking fastballs right down the middle.

  37. It appears the only Dodger who learned anything from game one is Mookie. Weak balls put in play by the Turner’s.

    Go the freaking other way with that offspeed off the plate BS Webb is throwing.

  38. I would have ran Mookie first pitch with Seager up. Fastball, Seager hits it. Off-speed Mookie steals the base.

    1. Yeah, you would think the NL batting champ would know how to hit off speed pitching….but he can’t. Like you said, he looks lost out there. He’s not alone…6 others are struggling too.

  46. Mookie came to play…

    MR MVP DOES IT AGAIN!

    Too bad Trea is stinking it up….

    Will just missed….

    Come on Julio….1-2-3

  47. I thought they had Ruff set up for the curve but if he hit his spot on the fastball it most likely wouldn’t have mattered.

    1. Why a belt high fastball to fastball hitter? He sure knew what to do with it. That cookie was crushed.

  48. The inability of Trea Turner to do anything offensively, especially with one out and a runner in scoring position (to this point) rears its ugly head. Feels like JT is going to have a big moment in this game.

  50. I think I would have left Julio in. Other than the center cut FB to Ruff he has looked rather dominant and has only thrown 4 innings with 59 pitches. Thought this was the reason we used an opener so Julio could go deep.

  51. I would hate to pinch hit for Treinen. I’d let him go one more inning. The chances of a pinch hitter getting a hit are pretty slim.

    If Taylor gets on, he can bunt.
    If Taylor makes an out, he can hit, make an out, and then Mookie can hit one out.

    Edit: oh well, they didn’t listen to me. Pollock up. I hope he makes me look bad. Why not Beaty?

    1. Add the two Turner’s average together and it’s under .200. .136 and .050. That’s some serious suckage.

  54. The opener worked out, but I’m not sure why Julio was removed after only 4 innings pitched and 59 pitches. Using Treinen in the 7th and Jansen in the 8th seems odd as well. If the Dodgers do take a lead in the 9th who pitches the bottom of that inning or any other save inning?

    Relief pitcher has to pitch to 3 batters, I just don’t see Bickford or Vesia being used, maybe Joe Kelly.

    1. Payback for a Ruffs check swing.
      Couldn’t be happier for Cody.
      How sweet it is to rub the midgets nose in it

    1. Was thinking exactly the same thing Hawkeye.

      Great foresight earlier by Badger bringing up the Reviewable Checked Strike Three lol.

      Well done Doc – pushed the right buttons tonight again.

      Good to see Mookie leading the team, and I absolutely love Max Scherzer. What a competitor.

      My day started early with a 2am alarm call to watch this – and now Friday is gonna be a great day.

      C’mooooon

  63. Folks are going to try to discredit the Dodgers win because of the check swing that wasn’t, but the Giants were only allowed that AB due to the error by JT. Nonsense I say! The best team won this series. Go Dodgers!

    2. It was a 1-2 count. He would have K’d anyways nor was it anything close to what screwed the Dodgers. That was Karma.

  65. Can Y’all breathe now? What a sleigh ride that was. I can say that because there is snow in our forecast. Big hit for Bellinger. That had to feel awesome. Celebrating on the Giants field is the best feeling of all. They tried to discredit last years World Series win. Dodgers do not care about that either. Rule is, at least this year, if it looks like an attempt to swing, it is a swing.

  68. Mine was a Boston Lager Octoberfest,,,,,,,Cheers! And as Jackie would say, How sweet it is….and that is sweet revenge for 51. and 62.

  69. Suck dick, SF bitches.

    Full glass of pinot noir & full lungs of Oregon bud.

    Good night, ladies.

  70. Woke up in the Netherlands to watch Max get the final out. What a great feeling! To finally catch the Giants with, what is it, our 110th victory, is an unbelievable accomplishment. And give the oppenents respect. They were no Midgets. This was an epic series. And you have to feel great for Cody. That helps to wipe the slate clean. And all of Doc’s pitching moves seem to have worked out. If they hadn’t, we would have been blaming him. Just goes to show, it comes down to the players. Now on to Atlanta. You have to like our chances there. If the two Turners start hitting, we are going to be hard to beat. They are both too good not to break out.

  71. What an exciting game! I was thinking, ” Treinen has to go two innings , and then Kenley one;” but then they pinch hit for him, and I thought, “Who are they going to pitch for the ninth? They can’t use Buehler?” I had forgotten about Scherzer.

    I thought before Taylor got to bat, that they were going to squeeze. That was not a smart move. Taylor has been hitting some long fly balls, why give up an out?

    And then I am already tired of hearing about the checked swing. Count was 1-2 if it is a ball, the odds are enormous, though not 100%, of course, that he would have made an out. Also, a lot of games end on questionable strike calls. From some of these national announcers, you would think that this was one of the most controversial calls in history. Actually, this makes up for 1951, when they were stealing signs, undoubtedly why Thomson hit the homerun. It sort of makes up for 1962, as well. And 1971. And some others.

  72. Well to those who were afraid the play SF in Game 5…To those who said that the Dodgers should have kept Gavin Lux in AAA and trade Cody Bellinger. To those who said that Dave Roberts should be fired. I know I am glad that you have nothing to do with the Dodgers. I hope the crow tastes very good.

    Logan Webb is legit, and will be a menace to LAD for a few years as was Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and MadBum. The Dodgers beat a good SFG team. I do not care whether they will be good in 2022. They were good in 2021, and the Dodgers beat them. The Giants did not lose. They were beat. BTW, if the Dodgers were unlucky when Darin Ruff was not rung up on his “checked swing” were the Dodgers lucky because Flores was rung up on a checked swing? Or is it just baseball?

    Anyway, great win. My heart cannot take another one of these. Bring on the Braves.

  76. They explained it after the game. Apparently a wildcard team cannot have home field advantage. That’s a rule that has to be changed.

  77. Glad JT used his HBP talent at the right moment. Maybe this will shake his slump. Maybe Trea will regain his two strike talents against Atlanta. And October Corey can’t be far away, can he? And maybe Max Muncy is starting to feel a bit better…

    Sweet revenge for ’62.

    1. Let’s hope Joc forgets what month it is.

      I was hoping to see him hitting in the Post Season at Dodger Stadium this year, but for us not against us.

      If, and it’s a big if, we prevail against the Braves, there’s a chance for redemption against either The Cheaters or Red Sox.

      That would be nice.

    2. She’s looking down and smiling, for sure! Along with my mother and father, I should add, who were also Dodgers fans. I’ll never forget when Puig joined the Dodgers, my mother said, “That one is going to be trouble!” And she was right!

  79. Positives

    All 3 Starters pitched very well during the series having all seemed fatigued previously.

    Mookie – he looks in the mood.

    Cody – massive improvement and has momentum.

    CT3 – having some much better contact, just needs some luck.

    Gavin Lux – what a time to find your stroke! Lengthens the lineup considerably.

    Will Smith – I thought he called a great game last night and his blocking was much better.

    Bazooker – the cannon is loaded and the aim is true.

    Kelly – so much better since the surgery.

    Treinen/ Jansen – is there a more dominant back end?

    Knebel – back to fitness and form
    at the right time.

    Doc – keeps getting it right (execution obviously helps). But had definitely learned from Post Season mistakes of the past.

    Negatives

    TT – just looks a bit lost – especially for someone who has just won a Batting Crown. Looks very nervous to me, and keeps pulling off the ball. Needs a lesson from Cody.

    JT – long season catching up on both sides of the ball?
    However as witnessed before, he can rake at any time.

    AJP – good to see him have a PH last night. However his Post Season numbers are a concern.

    And the bench -but I think most here flagged this as an area of weakness pre season.
    However, I think Albert will play a part.

    The Starters – certainly have all been working hard – time for someone else, probably Gonsolin to step up big time, although I can’t remember the last time he pitched?
    Possibly Price as an Opener, but definitely gonna need someone to put their hand up.

    Muncy – big loss. His ability to get onboard is much missed – plus his clutch hitting of course.
    Cannot see him featuring again this season I’m afraid.

    So, all set for another NLDS – I pitch around Freddie all day long….

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