This has to be short and sweet. I have some early meetings… The game started after 9:00 last night, so it was late… Yes, the Giants won the NL West. Yes, they won the season series with the Dodgers. The Dodgers had to win the Wild Card Game to get into the playoffs. They did and now they have finished the Giants season.
My wife got home at about 8:45 last night and headed out to the deck with a Dodgers shirt on. That’s where I watch most games. It was a great night. About 70 degrees and pouring rain — nice to sit out there. She is from San Francisco, but I converted her long ago. She has not watched a game with me all year – she watches cooking shows, models, construction shows, and all that, but she knew this was THE GAME. She was all in!
The Dodgers seized the day. The Junkyard Dogs showed up! Maybe people can just shut about Zaidi and the Giants now. So what if the Dodgers are not the home team? However, they slice it, just win 4 games! That’s it! Don’t complain – just do it, baby!
All the Idiot Bellinger Bashers can also shut up. The Giants were outplayed and outsmarted. Game over! Now, the Dodgers go to the ATL for the first game on Saturday. Let’s roll. How smart is Doc when the Dodgers win? Get a clue, people. He is one of the best! Get on board!
I started watching the game when TT missed with two men on base. It was a great game and it was a not only because the Dodgers won but because of how it was played. I am very happy for Bellinger, he was the hero and had a great five games, but also Knebel, Urias, Jensen, Betts, Lux Treiner, Sherzer including Graterol and Seagel … the whole team in general.
Giants is a great team, it had a great season, with unforgiving comebacks and great season from many players, they shut out the Dodgers twice in these five games. But the Dodgers also had a great season and thanks to God the Blues won that serie.
Bellinger had a horrible hitting season but now he’s a hero and he deserves it. maybe his problem was not the shoulder but something mental, now comes Atlanta …. By the way it is very easy to talk after the game, but the truth is that no one was sure who would win the game.
No Daniel, The shoulder was a very big problem. It is only now getting back to full strength
Do you think also it was a between the shoulders issue (mental ) as well ?
Have you ever taken an anatomy class?
No, I think it was more of a lack of confidence. He was not getting positive results. He had plenty of coaching, but you have to remember that 4 games into the season his leg was broken as well. Then he later had a hammy issue. All those physical ailments have to wear you down. But mentally? All that crap came from fans, not from anyone in the organization. It was always said he was working very hard.
What a great way to start the day. On to the NLCS baby. Unbelievable how the check swing call comes around and goes around. Couldn’t have ended any better!
Congrats to Bellinger from an idiot Belli basher! I’m so happy for the young man. It was a tough year! We need a Joctober from him to win this thing. Get er done Cody! I thought a key to last night was Jansen’s shutdown eighth inning. We were all pretty down after Seager and TT didn’t deliver in our half and just had the feeling the Giants would weave their late inning magic again. But Kenley blew them away in the bottom half and you could just feel the energy return back to the boys in blue. What an epic game and series! Congrats again to Belli!
Great observation Cassidy. The 8th was huge after our disappointment in our 8th. Jansen was totally ready for the challenge. Buster Posey wasnt.
And, who DID NOT think that when JT made that error in the 9th that the devil magic was about to bite us, or was at least worried it would? AWESOME
Porpoise,
I can’t raise my hand because when I saw that error, I said to myself, “are they going to do it again to us?”
Great win! Now who pitches Game 1 tomorrow night? It looks like a bullpen game , I would drop Price off the roster and add Mitchell White.
Dodgers: Jacob Amaya, SS (No. 14), Glendale Desert Dogs
Amaya rounds out a trio of Glendale batters that put on a show. The shortstop had one of the biggest hits of the game, a three-run homer in the fifth inning that put the Desert Dogs up 7-4. Amaya added a second hit, two walks and three runs scored to his day. The 23-year-old struggled in 113 games in Double-A this year, hitting just .216, but his performance on Thursday was an encouraging sign.Outman also homered.
Scherzer will start game 1. That was basically a bullpen session in between starts.
I hope you are right….
You can put it in the bank. No need to hope.
They as much as said so today. Scherzer is the odds on favorite to pitch game one.
But very intense one it might had took much more energy and mind !
I think Outman is a real sleeper in our system. He has several tools that are valuable on a team and there’s a chance he could be a late-bloomer type. Also, since he’s not a top prospect the fact he’s older doesn’t really mean much. He has good speed, plays good defense, and he’s one of the few OF prospects we have in the upper levels. His power has started to come around and if you watch his swing, it looks like there could be more there. He’s a guy I put in the “If Everything Clicks” category but at the least he seems to have bench OF potential. Part of why our system is so fun to follow is the variety of talent we have. He’s certainly one to watch.
Wow, I’m still numb over that game. I’m sure the media will want to talk more about that last called strike than they do the game, but even though it looked like it was not the right call, I think the ump put Flores out of his misery by ending it on that pitch.
Big high fives to the following:
1. Julio Urias…..for someone so young, you have ice in your veins
2. Our bullpen- Jansen, Graterol, Knebel, Treinen….wow, all 4 of you lit it up allowing no runs. I’m not surprised because you have been doing such practically all year long.
3. Mookie Betts- 4 for 4…..what more can I say that those numbers already speak loudly
4. Cody Bellinger- Dovall gave you one too many sliders/curveball to look at and you punished him for it. Driving in the winning run is HUGE
5. Corey Seager- certainly not vintage Corey but you did knock in a huge run against a guy only Mookie could hit.
6. Gavin Lux- your big hit in the 9th set the table for Cody to be the hero. You did it with two strikes too…and no flaws in the OF.
7. Max Scherzer- you wanted the ball, you got it and with only 13 pitches, you ended it. Had JT not made an error you would have done it in 9. That is efficiency.
8. Doc- you pushed all the right buttons. Starting Knebel was brilliant. You got rid of two potential pinch hitters quickly. Nice job
What a series. Hats off to SF….they were great all year. I’m sure you are hurting but you deserve major high fives for the season you had.
On to Atlanta….my hometown! No I won’t be going to any games, but I just got a new 75” TV installed so I should feel like I’m there.
Have a great day fellows. Let’s enjoy the day off.
TM
Counterpoint: Fuck SF and their whiny entitled fanbase. They were never as good as we were and we knew it. Just took a damn long time to prove it on the field.
Lol..
Right on. And their failed check swing call was NOT as game changing as the one Ruf got earlier in the year. That missed called drove in a run & effectively won the game for them & also blew one of the saves of Kenley & helped drive all the Kenley bashing most of the rest of the year.
cheers
pb+
Oh, okay here is that past call that went against us….
Are you saying Ruf really did swing but it wasn’t called which gave him a walk instead of out #3. We would have won had it been called?
By not calling strike 3, they ended up winning instead of us. Is that what happened?
We were up 3-2 in the 9th w/ 2 outs and bases loaded. The count was also 3-2. Ruf CLEARLY swings w/ weak attempt to check, OBVIOUS. 1st base ump calls a ball, a run walks home to tie the game instead of ending it. midgets end up winning 5-3. If that call is made correctly, and the rest of the season goes as it did, we win the div & midgets would have play the one or go home game. And we have home advantage through all the playoffs. So that call IS STILL affecting us in a way.
cheers
pb+
I would think guys that we need to be the bigger man and be gracious in the win. Not all Giants fans are a**holes, just like not all Dodger fans are really nice people.
Yo Bear, assuming not meant for me, since I did not knock the midgets. But what I posted is my answer to the midgets fans that will be complaining for YEARS about that call. This missed call in July is still haunting us, since with that swing we would have home field against the Braves too. Definitely the more season affecting that last night.
cheers dude
pb+
Giant fans deserve all the pain of losing to the Dodgers. They chant “Beat LA” for 9 innings of every home game. Great to shut them up in the 9th. I have hated the Giants since Juan Marichal hit Johnny Roseburo in the head with a baseball bat.
Not my point, and no, that post was not aimed at you PB. Just over all. Yeah, Giants fans yell that stuff at the Dodgers all day. Almost as much as Padres fans do. But since SD’s ball park usually has a large number of Dodger fans, it is not as loud. But I have heard some pretty nasty crap coming out at Dodger Stadium aimed at the Giants. So no one fan base is better or worse than the other. I am just saying, take the high road. Be a little more nice than the other guy. My dislike of the Giants started way before the Marichal incident.
Giants fans aren’t bad but the crying over the checked swing is way over the top. It’s far from the main takeaway of the game. Reeks of losers making excuses.
You have to give props to Card fans. I’d go as far as to say Card fans are the most polite fanbase in sports. It isn’t as polite as it was in the past but still carries that torch of class.
Great Post. I am thrilled with the Dodger win in SF. Constructive Criticisms:
1) Robert’s management of pitching staff was great except he should have done a double switch in the 7th inning & kept Treinan pitching the 8th inning & Kenley in 9th inning to keep Scherzer for later innings (if necessary). He was lucky Belinger delivered RBI in 9th.
2) I almost threw my shoe at my BigScreen TV when Taylor bunted in 9th with Lux at 3rd base!!! Stupid move. Taylor’s been hitting long fly balls all series & likely would have gotten Lux home for a 3-1 lead. Really dumb. Lucky Scherzer ended game with strike outs.
3) Both Turner’s had bad series against Giants. Justin looks really tired. Error in 9th was bad news. Slow bat now. He needs a rest.
Totally agree about his mismanagement of Treinen. There’s no way he should have taken out after one inning. And if Bellinger doesn’t plate that run in the 9th we’re all of a sudden looking at a strange endgame.
Ironically enough, Ruf was asked about the way the Giants season ended after the game.
“Obviously being able to see the replay – it didn’t look like he went but a checked swing earlier in the year helped us out too. It’s kind of funny how it comes down to these two events.”
Respect to him for admitting it.
Now on to the next one!
Classy….
Remind me again, What game was it that we felt we got robbed on a check swing?
He now has become my favorite Giant.
It was one of the back to back blown saves by Kenley in July. It think it was the second one. If that didn’t happen, we would have finished one game in front on would have had home field advantage.
Okay, thanks….for some reason I’m drawing a blank. Was it our player who had the check swing called strike 3? And had it not been called what would have happened? Sorry for asking so many questions…..don’t bother if too much trouble.
The date was July 22nd. Jansen came in the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading 3-1. After a Giants rally caused by walks, a few Punch and Judy singles and an overturned third out by replay on a force play at second base. There were two outs, Bases loaded and Ruf was batting for the Giants.
On a 3-2 pitch, Ruf clearly offered at it, but Hickox, the first base ump, ruled otherwise. The tying run walked home and the next hitter for the Giants, Lamont Wade Jr., singled in two runs.
That result cost the Dodgers two games in the standings and was the difference when it came to the Division title.
He is a free agent, whether they resign him or not is up in the air.
AC, to answer your question about luck. It was lucky that we got that check swing call. But, really it was a big fat dose of Karma. Wilmer Flores can’t hit Scherzer anyway, so it didn’t make too much of a difference. The baseball Gods thought it more appropriate to end it the way they did. Sweet revenge.
Well Mark, I thought Doc has been doing much better lately. The opener thing was a bit of overmanaging IMO, but the Taylor sac bunt was stupid and I doubt CT3 decided to do it on his own.
Wow, how awesome is our bullpen? I still get very nervous when Kenley gets on the bump, but he’s been lights out. BTW-Knebel scares me as well.
We Dodgers fans can all agree that the better team won. I’ll top my cap the dirty stinking Giants, they were a worthy opponent ever if they we the luckiest team since the 88 Dodgers. Logan Webb is a stud as are Brandon Crawford and Buster Posey. I still think Crawford has been hanging out with Barry Bonds. Kris Bryant was a great deadline pickup for them and Longoria is a useful piece with another great glove.
I must say, the opener thing worked to our advantage in the end. They didn’t have anyone available to hit for Flores because they used LaStella and Yas early on against Knebel. Live by the platoon, die by it. Farhan should have learned that lesson from all those years with the Dodgers. Flores is horrible against Scherzer and it all lined up perfectly.
How appropriate was it that the team that finished just one game better during the regular season lost the series by not just one game, but just one run? How much sweeter was that Champagne when it popped in the Giants yard?
Advancing to the next postseason series is always a great feeling. Ending the Giants season is almost as sweet. To do both on the same night is ecstasy. The Giants are losing a lot of key players next year, but they also have a lot of money to work with. They still have Posey available on a club option and they just re-upped Crawford. Both of them are Giants greats, so I don’t think there’s any chance they don’t retire as Giants. That team makes the people who post here look like a bunch of Sophomores so they’ll be battling father time next year. One more last hurrah, or was this it? It will be interesting to see what Farhan can do next year. AF rebuilt this team while also competing every year. Can Farhan do the same?
Well, we finally got a Giants v Dodgers postseason series and it was as wonderful as it could be imagined. It worked out to be the right outcome. AF built a superteam and the Giants caught lightening in a bottle. They were a worthy opponent and now they can RIP. See you next year. Hopefully, the guys that make the schedule don’t screw things up like they did this year. They better play in April and have a home and road series in September.
Now it’s time to prepare for the Braves. Sherzer and Bueller are slated to open the series on the road, but Gonso’s going to have to pitch next series at some point in time. Urias lines up for regular rest next Tuesday at home, which also sets him up for a game 7, who else would you rather have? It looks like the Gonso / Price / Bullpen game will be be on Wednesday at home with Scherzer to follow on Thursday. Bueller and Urias are lined up to close out the series in Atlanta if necessary.
Atlanta has a very solid rotation with two righties and two lefties. They only needed to use three starters in the DS so they’ll be in a similar situation as our Dodgers. Morton, Fried, Anderson, Morton is how they lined up for the last series, so we’ll mostly likely get lefty Fried to start, followed by Anderson. Morton lines up for game 3, or they could pivot and insert Smyly to go LRLR.
There’s a rumor that Muncy might be ready for this series. That might help against lefties, or he’ll suck being rushed back too soon. I would imagine that Doc goes into platoon mode, which I don’t fully support. I would platoon LF with Lux against righties and leave Belli in CF against righties and lefties assuming Muncy is ready to play.
Congratulations to the Dodgers, all of the faithful on this site and all you negative Nancy’s that just can’t help but to keep up your constant complaining. Cheers!
>>>but the Taylor sac bunt was stupid and I doubt CT3 decided to do it on his own.<<
Could not agree more, I am talking to my wife & saying "Taylor has hit long outs all series, all we need is another now for another run" … and then that bunt attempt and I was like "WTF"?!?
Just a totally storybook ending.
cheers
pb+
I am probably in the minority here but IMHO the bunt was the right call but CT3 just did not execute it well.
CT3 is a walking strikeout all year and Doval throws pure gas. The safety squeeze was the right call in that situation. With a fast runner on third in Lux CT3 even a semi good bunt scores the runner.
I am with DR on that one .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% agree….bunting in the run seemed pretty safe to me. I’m surprised CT doesn’t know how to do it well.
Plus as noted by the announcers. Taylor was not being situationally aware. Cody had a huge lead & second was barely being covered. If Taylor would have pulled back on that pitch, Belli reaches 2nd easily. Taylor being RH should easily have been able to see what was happening w/ his runner on 1st. Plus w/ Lux on 3rd unlikely they even attempt a throw to 2nd.
cheers
pb+
Sorry. I disagree. Taylor’s been hitting long fly balls all series & he is not good at bunting. No need to get tricky in that situation. Just need Taylor to make contact with the Giant infield forced to play in. Dodgers just need play for the sacrifice fly or ground ball to the right side of infield and they are up 3-1.
Schedule for next season is already posted. They open against the Rockies in LA on March 31st at home. Their last series against the Giants is September 16-18 in San Francisco. They play a series in LA from September 5-7. They finish the season at home against the Rockies from Sept 30th to the 2nd of October. Right after they return from a 3 game stint in SD.
Scherzer is the greatest. Give him a blank check to return.
I certainly think he fits in here. I hope he wants to come back.
He likes winning and we win a lot. Don’t see why he wouldn’t want to return.
I’m going to Dick’s this morning right at 9am to see if they have that shirt in. I need a momento to signify and remember beating the Giants in this series.
Dodgers out scored the Giants 18-10 in 5 games. Not close who pitched better over the 5 games.
Man oh man, what a game!What a game!Just finished watching the tape, just too late a start time here in central Europe and a lot of work this morning.
Isn´t it ironic how this game ends on a check swing that probably wasn´t ? And a fitting end after that check swing non call earlier in the year on Ruf.
On to Atlanta, though I dont know how many more games like this one my heart and overall health can take. Never easy with our Dodgers.
On to Atlanta!!!!
Who will start game 1? Max or will we go with a combination of TG and DP plus bullpen ? That would set up Walker for game 2 , Julio game 3 and Max game 4.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Which cheaters would you rather play in the WS? I want the Red Sox, the Asterisks are dead to me.
Agree BP….I would like to see Kike and Verdugo and anyone else we gave those guys.
Pretty ironic if we get to go against Joc, next series and Kike / Alex in the following series. It will be good to see their faces again. I still love those guys even if I don’t really miss them as part of the team. I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Joc. He was the first out of the crop of homegrown position players. I always thought Kike was a goofball and that he would do something stupid at critical times. I like Alex a lot, just thought he didn’t have the power to be a corner. I’m glad they all got a shot to be every day players on other teams and make enough money to setup their families for life if they’re smart about it.
100% Boston.
I have no room in my heart for hate and I hate Houston.
I think not enough said about Mookie’s stolen base. i know not a popular strategy any more, but when runs are hard to get maybe you have to try to manufacture something instead of just standing there and waiting for the big hit that was certainly not there up till then
He’s the best player on the team hands down.
I was calling for Mookie to steal all night. Seemed like a no brainer. Runners were 10 for 11 off Webb. And you knew he didn’t want to throw Seager a first pitch fastball.
Great point on the Mookie steal. Rick Monday pointed out that Webb has slow to the plate at around 1.6 seconds.
The steal created the first run, and should be utilized more given the current roster. The team has several players with great speed including Betts, Turner, Lux, Bellinger and Taylor all capable of stealing bases.
Even Pollock. He has surprised be with the jumps he gets. I think he stole 3rd 2 or 3 times this year.
Congratulations to the Dodgers for a exciting and memorable series. This game had drama in it right from the first pitch. To have both teams play 162 games, both win over 100 games, be one game apart, play five games in a playoff series, and be tied one run apiece through eight innings is unbelievable. It can’t get any closer than that!
It was a total team win. Almost everyone contributed in some aspect to the victory. In the ninth Cody came through like he is capable of doing. I love the choke up on the bat with two strikes and concentrating on making contact. I hope his results prove to him that you don’t have to hit HRs to be an MVP. I was yelling at him to just make contact and a single would be all the was needed. I think he mentally wiped the regular out of his mind and looked at the playoffs as a time to start anew. Ron Darling kept mentioning that throughout the series.
Speaking of Darling I think he and Brian Anderson did a good job overall. I was critical after the first game, but as the series continued I grew to enjoy their commentary. They didn’t favor one team over another and showed enthusiasm for both teams when warranted. Overall, good work by them.
Now, on to Atlanta and another tough team to face. If successful against Atlanta I would like to see the Dodgers play Boston. With the Verdugo and Kiki aspect and playing in a historic park with rabid fans would be a classic.
Dodgers in Five. Atlanta is not the same team that faced us last year.
Fried is pitching really well. But yes, Brave’s have a lot of injuries.
Will Joc Pederson homer for Atlanta against the Dodgers?
Question for the blog:
Anyone else concerned about Trea Turner? I believe he is 1-22 with RISP in his playoff career. And last night, he just looked like a deer in headlights.
I was also surprised by the other Turner’s no show. He had previously hit Webb this year so I was hoping he would rise up again. Not to mention his error that gave us all a huge scare (how many were thinking two run HR to end it?).
Dude, all year you’re concerned about this player or that player, each time they prove you wrong. When are you going to learn to stop being so worried? Am I concerned that Trea Turner is going to suck all season after he won a batting title and won a World Series with another team? No, not at all!
What I am concerned about is the negative outlook so many people have.
The time to be concerned is during the offseason, pre-season and before the trade deadline when you have a chance to do something about it.
Let me give you some advice. Enjoy the ride.
No
Justin Turner looks very tired. Age is a factor 168 games into the season. He needs some rest. He is swinging late & undercutting nearly every ball = too many pop ups.
Trea Turner had a bad Giant series. He is swinging over the top of the ball & is not disciplined on sinking curve balls. I expect he will adjust & be productive against Atlanta.
Looking at the batting averages of both Turners, Seager , Taylor and missing Muncy it is a miracle we won this series. A great performance by our pitching staff made this possible.
For the Braves series and their tough lefhanded hitters I would add another LH reliever. If you do not intend to use Tony Gonsolin leave him out and go with V-Gone or Bruihl.
yes, when JT made that error I had visions of many of those Giants late inning comeback they had this season.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think you have to count on using Gonso in game 4. It lines up so that all the other pitchers will pitch twice on normal rest that way. I agree that I want both of those lefties on the roster. Dump Price for one of them and dump McKinny for the other. If Muncy can make it back, you don’t need one of Beaty or Souza. Either way, carry an extra pitcher for that game 4. It might be end up being a bullpen game.
In that case I drop Souza
or McKinney
Yep either one. I think they seem to like McKinney’s D though.
Mark was right when he said that Bellinger could be the MVP, and he is, although not officially, and also to the bullpen who did an excellent job!
.Good morning to all the colleagues of this great blog, congratulations on this great triumph over the Giants, by the way a worthy rival for whom we must not skimp on respect. Now about the Atlanta Braves.
On B and P’s observation on Taylor’s bunt I totally agree, Taylor was seeing pitches pretty well and could have brought in one more run. No matter how much data Doc or the central office has, those kinds of plays don’t make sense, I hope nobody bothers, it’s just my opinion.
Concerned about Trea Turner? Not really.
Was the safety squeeze a bad idea? Not really, just executed poorly. But I did think they should have waited to do it allowing Bellinger to steal second, easy to do with the first baseman crashing so early.
The Dodgers used the Giants strategy of match-up hitters against them, forced their hand early. Never really liked the strategy. Sooner or later going to bite you. But the Giants did well with it. Andrew Friedman outsmarted Farhan Zaidi this time around.
After a long and difficult season, Cody Bellinger came through again against the Giants. Biggest win in the history of the rivalry.
Loved today’s musical selection. That was a fun video. Great job Mark.
We’re going to need Gonsolin to eat some innings this series.
Sobre la baja en bateo de Trea y Justin, creo que se enfocaron a estudiarlos especialmente en los 2 y su pitcheo ejecotó bien, sin embargo deberán despertar de manera inmediata.
Great article @theAthletic by McCullough about the process that led to the Dodgers going with an opener and then Graterol.
It’s an interesting indirect look at what the team’s Front Office thinks of how the Giants exceeded expectations and how the Dodgers could emulate even though both team are constructed differently.
Highly recommended.
Totally agree Bluto, that was a great article. I pretty much like anything that McCullough writes. He has interesting takes and often throws a bit of humor into the mix.
I found it fascinating that the idea of an opener was first proposed by one of the stat nerds. Friedman and Doc signed on but didn’t go with it until they pretty much took it to the important players who would be tasked with carrying it out. McCullough says that if Julio had nixed it and said he wanted to start, they would have junked it and not gone with that strategy.
They ran it by a number of the pitchers involved and they all signed on, but what I found even more interesting was that they ran it past a number of the more important position players and they agreed with the strategy also.
Long story short, this wasn’t just Andrew making a pronouncement from on high that this is the way it’s going to be. It was a real team effort, starting with the planning.
I wish he added how, in many ways, the use of the opener kinda led to the Giants not having a sub for Flores in that final AB.
Otherwise (if Urias starts) then Slater starts, and Yaz jr. would have been up for the L/R matchup.
Right? Now that I wrote it, I’m not sure. But I think so.
Good way to go around and get buy in from the people executing. That’s good management. But, all the same I don’t really care for it. It worked this time, but it left the pen a little short handed needing Scherzer to finish this off. You played a team that’s very reliant on platoons, so it was the perfect situation to do it.
If we can beat the Giants we can beat anyone.
If we hit we win and even if we can’t hit that good, we can still win because of our great pitching.
Wow! What a great win for the Dodgers. Although it would be easier on my nerves if they scored 6 or 7 runs. 🙂
I guess you could call Belli the hero of the game. But he wouldn’t have had the opportunity if Lux didn’t get that base hit that put Turner in scoring position. It’s great to see the team manufacture a run. Way to go team!
So the baseball Gods are sitting up there laughing their asses off. They just love to screw with your emotions. They convinced the Giants they were a team of destiny only to shatter that dream at the last minute.
We’ve all been around the game long enough to know the path to a Championship usually takes a break or 2 to go your way. It seemed like the Giants had more than their share of breaks. But weren’t we all taught that “It All Evens Out?” Players say that just to keep them hopeful. But last night, it did all even out.
It’s remarkable how this year went so similar between the Dodgers and the Giants and it was only fitting it came down to the last inning of the last game.
I’m actually sad it ended on that call. But not that sad.
Maybe it does all even out after all, if you just keep believing.
I’ve said all along, We’re going to win this thing.
You summed it up perfectly. Except, I’m very pleased it ended the way it did. Give them something to cry about. It makes it sting that much more for them. They had no problems with that sort of thing in July. It wouldn’t have mattered anyways because Florez just plain sucks against Scherzer and Scherzer was on a mission after losing his start the way he did. Giants fans will always find an excuse, let them have this one. Everyone knows deep down that the Dodgers are a better team. They got a Cinderella story, but the glass slipper broke on the last dance. At least they’ll always have the honor of breaking our streak of division winners, on a similar call of course.
It’s a pointless complaint. There are always calls that go both ways in a game. It feels like Seager always gets dinged for checked swings when he hardly goes around at all.
My last word on luck. Baseball is a game played by humans, umpired by humans, rosters constructed/developed by humans, and coached/managed by humans. Humans make mistakes. It is not by design or luck. Umpires make bad calls. Sometimes it is for the benefit of your team, and sometimes it is for the benefit for the opponent. Sometimes the wind comes up for your team, and sometimes it comes up for your opponents. It was not lucky the Dodgers pitchers just shoved it to the Giants, and it was not luck that Logan Webb shoved it to the Dodgers. It was not luck that Alex Wood shut out the Dodgers, just like it wasn’t luck when he was doing the same thing for LAD in the playoffs in 2017 and 2020. It wasn’t luck that Belli got four straight sliders and left #4 over the plate to line into right-center for an RBI single. It wasn’t luck that Mookie got a great break on the pitch to steal 2B. It was not luck that Seager hit a good changeup breaking away into LF for a run scoring double. It was not luck that he did not try to pull the pitch. It wasn’t luck that Ruf hit Urias for the HR. It wasn’t luck that Scherzer got the call from the 1st base umpire on a Wilmer Flores checked swing. It is baseball. A beautiful game played by, umpired by, managed by, and built/developed by humans. If it makes people feel better to say the Giants were lucky, I am not going to try and dissuade you. You just cannot convince me that they won 107 games and shut out LAD in two NLDS games by luck. I prefer to believe that the Dodgers beat a good team; the second best team in MLB.
I have seen more than a couple of dozen Giants fans this AM at Starbucks and everyone of them have been smiling and congratulatory. Most every SFG fan I encounter up here in the Sacramento foothills have been great. Not all, but a vast majority. They love their team, and I am sure detest LAD, just like LAD fans love their Dodgers and hate the Giants. I am wearing my Bellinger jersey, and I get a lot of laughing…”You have to rub it in?” Most say good luck, but I know they do not mean it. I grew up hating the Giants, but Giants fans are not nearly as horrid and obnoxious and NYY fans. I have grown to hate SD and their fans more than SF.
How many times have the fans on this site complained that the Dodgers do not bunt enough. They complain about the lack of a squeeze when the batter swings and misses at a 3rd strike trying to lift it out deep in the OF (if not over the fence). Now they complain about the bunt that did not work. It was not bad strategy, but bad execution. If it had worked, how many would have come on and said that they disagreed with the call.
Now the person who has banged on Lux, Belli, and KJ all year wants to bang on Trea Turner. To your specific question…No I am not worried about TT. I fully expect TT to be a huge plus for the Dodgers in the NLCS and WS. Yes I am counting on the WS. Just like I was not worried about a game 5 in the NLDS, I comfortable that the Dodgers will beat Atlanta to get to the WS.
I too have concerns about the lack of LHRP against the likes of Freeman, Joc, and Rosario. Even RHB Duvall is horrible against LHP. The downside is that Switch-hitting Albies is much more productive against LHP. However, during the season, the Braves were better against RHP than LHP. Against RHP (#6 OPS) – .245/.321/.440/.762. Against LHP (#20 OPS) – .239/.314/.418/.732. The Dodgers were #7 against RHP – .245/.334/.425/.759 and #9 against LHP – .243/.319/.439/.757. The Dodgers splits are fairly equal vs RHP and LHP, while Atlanta is better against RHP. So it does seem to be a consideration for more LHP against Atlanta. But I would rather have good RHRP rather than mediocre LHRP. So for me, it is the pitcher more than the matchup.
Finally for today, Mike Petriello (a fine MLB analyst) did his player matchups for LAD and ATL. He gives the advantage to Atlanta for 1B (Freeman over whomever), 3B (Riley over JT), LF (ATL platoon over LAD platoon), and starting pitching. While he gives LAD the advantage at Catcher (Smith over D’Arnaud), 2B (TT over Albies), SS (Seager over Swanson), CF (Belli over ???), RF (Betts over Joc), and RP. He did not rate the benches, but neither bench has a clear advantage. If the Braves start two LHP (Anderson and Smyly) that puts Pujols in the starting lineup and he is a clear advantage. Also, Soler may not be available for Atlanta. Joc and Duvall power bats can give Atlanta a plus over Beaty and CT3. Barnes is a better backup catcher than is Contreras. All are MLB players and are capable of a big game.
However Petriello does condition the Braves SP with the advantage due to being able to setup their rotation and the LAD as unknown. While he does acknowledge that the Dodgers trio of Scherzer, Buehler, and Urias are better than Atlanta’s trio of Fried, Anderson, and Morton, he opines that it will be a Gonsolin bullpen game for Game #1. I doubt that will be the case as Scherzer should be just fine as Game 1 starter, followed by Buehler and Urias. Throwing 13 pitches between starts is normal. Maybe more high leverage than a bullpen outing, but 13 pitches are not going to keep Max out as Game #1 starter. However, the Braves do hit Max pretty well in the past. The Dodgers have hit Fried much harder than the Braves have hit Scherzer. The Dodgers have also hit both Morton and Anderson much better than the Braves have hit Buehler or Urias. It actually is not close. I think that I would give Starting Pitching advantage to LAD.
GO BLUE – BEAT ATLANTA!!!!
I agree with most of what Jeff just said with one loud exception – to bunt with the infield in might be ok if Maury Wills was bunting. When was the last time Chris Taylor bunted something other than a batting practice fastball? With the infield in and less than two outs I’m quite certain the algorithms would say “let Taylor try to barrel one up.” It worked out ok but at the time, and now, I still say it was really dumb.
I agree. The way their defense was set up it is doubtful that Lux could have scored on a normal bunt. When CT put his bat on the ball the first baseman was past the pitching mound and the third baseman wasn’t far behind. If it would have worked I would say it was brilliant strategy, but it didn’t. Just think the odds of it working in that situation were not good.
>>If it had worked, how many would have come on and said that they disagreed with the call.<< I would still say I thought is was not the best call, but that I was extremely glad it worked out.
Simply because Taylor, though he has not hit, seems to have had no problems flying out the the track time and again this series, so I thought that was the better move & even said that to my wife right b4 the bunt attempt. and also as I noted, IF you are going to bunt, you still need to be situationally aware. When he squared up & 1st base started charging right away, he should have pulled back & let Belli take 3rd. The way 1b was charging, it did not look like they were surprised at all with the bunt attempt.
Honestly though, that is just me & I trust you more than I do myself with bball strategy.
cheers
pb+
I meant Belli take 2nd ….. duh
Great points all around, Jeff!
Totally agree that teams make a lot of their own luck. Some great baseball was played by both teams in this series.
We need to enjoy a great regular season, an exciting wild card win, and an epic series win against the rival Giants.
The next two opponents will also be huge challenges, and each series will likely come down to a key play or two.
It is a blessing to watch playoff baseball with a true rooting interest.
And the stakes are at the absolute highest for me, when playing against the Giants. The Giant’s loss is almost as sweet as the Dodger win. Like Jeff, I have had to deal with abrasive Giant fans for a lifetime. Many discount the Dodgers win last year as not a real championship. Most discount 8 straight division championships as meaningless. And many giant fans will blame a checked swing call for tainting this series victory. But this series win was well earned by the Dodgers. They beat a very good team in a stressful, competitive, memorable series.
I was not a fan of the opener, but it did work out well for the Dodgers in using up a lefty bat early. However, if Knebel or Graterol had not escaped jams in the first two innings, it could have been damaging. I prefer to rely on your best pitchers, and in my opinion Julio for two more innings is a little better than Knebel and Graterol. But it worked out so credit to the Dodgers management. I also liked the idea of Taylor bunting with first and third and one out. Taylor has a high strikeout rate against a strikeout pitcher with a base open. The execution was poor, but I like the call.
I expect the Turners to have a great series against Atlanta because they are great players who have proven themselves for years. I expect a tight series, but a Dodgers win. Enjoy the ride!
Agree, I HATE those “’20 was an asterisk WS win” peeps. IMO, in a lot of ways ’20 was HARDER than many/most/all seasons.
PITCH AROUND FREEMAN
Well Jeff, you must not believe in luck at all, and that is your prerogative. It’s hard to argue that if luck does exist, it wouldn’t rear its head on a baseball game. Either that, our you’re arguing semantics. I maintain that an action that is so random like hitting a 95 mile per hour baseball with a bat and having the ball hit the line for a game winning hit that luck is involved. Just like it’s lucky to golf a ball into the cup from the tee. You can’t possibly say that skill alone will allow such a rarity to happen.
As far as the Giants go. The were good and lucky. These two attributes don’t have to be mutually exclusive, they can overlap. I will agree to disagree with you on that subject. Moving on.
As far as CT3 and the bunt goes. I still think it’s a bad call. I just don’t recall the Dodgers position players do much bunting. If you don’t work on it and do it during the season, I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask someone to do it in the postseason, especially in that situation. That’s the reason it was a boneheaded move. It would be a different story if he had some established success with sac bunts during the season. He certainly had a lot of success hitting fly balls.
Get a ball up and Lux scores from just about anything in the air. Take a couple of pitches and Belli maybe steals a base. In a normal AB, that pitch probably isn’t even a strike, but on the play it was a bad ball to bunt up and in. Maybe if he was a good bunter with plenty of practice he wouldn’t have tried to bunt an up and in four seamer.
Yes, if it worked of course no one would have thought it was a bad idea. Just like no one would have questioned a run scoring fly ball.
Give me your vote for game 1 of the NLCS:
Max after his game 5 heroics without normal rest or a combo of TG/ DP to shoulder the bulk innings?
My vote goes to TG/DP , I think we do better with our big three for games 2-4 all rested up. However if we chose to go with Max we would make sure all 3 guys would get two games if the series goes 7.
Tough decision.
Go dodgers!
I start Max
Max
Buehler
Urias
Gonsolin
Max
All you need [I’m giving ATL one win]
Max 100%, you don’t want to have TG/DP come up twice in the same series. It isn’t uncommon for a vet pitcher to pitch an inning like Max did and come back and make his next start. There is precedence.
I cannot feel sorry for the Giants and their fans, though they certainly now have a great organization which we will have to contend with. The Giants beat us in 1951, because they stole signs from centerfield. They beat us in 1962 because Alvin Dark had the groundskeeper turn the field into a lake so that Wills could not steal bases, and they swept us in a three-game series late in the year. They beat us in 1971. Joe Morgan hit a homerun another year to cost us a potential pennant which the Giants’ couldn’t win, but their fans were understandably thrilled to knock us out, as we were in another year when we knocked them out the same way. So this time we beat the Giants in a playoff series, and they will have to accept that. Now, if we can win the title, we will have two in the last twenty years to go with their three, much closer than when we had none, an d they mocked us.
I was irritated, but not enough to spoil anything, at the national broadcast team going on and on about the checked swing. One said that it will be talked about for years. Two outs, man on first, 1-2 count; if it is a ball, what rare the chances of the Giants winning the game? Not zero, not with that team, but certainly not enough for the broadcasters to act like it was a devastating call. We see many games which end with a questionable strike three calls, it is not uncommon.
I don’t think the squeeze play was a good call. Before the new pitcher came in, I said, he’s going to call a squeeze on the first pitch, don’t do it! But he did. It just seemed too obvious, though that’s not why it failed. I wanted to see Taylor have a a chance to hit a fly ball to score the very fast Lux. Besides, we might have scored two more runs in that inning. I was worried that the failure to get the extra run might well cost us the game The squeeze should only be used when there is a real element of surprise, or a great bunter. Fortunately, we won, anyway.
It was a courageous series played by the Dodgers. No Muncy, no Kershaw. W e won two games in San Francisco. After the first game of the series, we held them to six runs in four games. It was a series which will be long remembered–and not for a questionable check swing decision on the last pitch.
The Dodgers are favored over the Braves, but of course they have home field, just beat the Brewers in four, have been playing very well for a month. And our starters have had to be overworked. And Fried has been phenomenal of late. So it will not be easy, and who would expect it to be?
I was touched to hear that Vin Scully had sent a text to Dave Roberts before the game, saying that this was the most important Dodgers-Giants series ever. When asked if he were nervous going into the game, Roberts said,no, but after he got the text, he was!
A couple of things William, first off, Dark did that during the regular season. In game one of the playoffs it would not have mattered what he did because Koufax got hammered in a 8-0 loss and the Dodgers only had 3 hits. The series moved to Dodger Stadium after that, so Dark had nothing to do with how the field was. Wills stole 3 bases in games 2 and 3 to bring his season total to 104.
Bear, I did not mean to imply that it was a playoff series; I said late in the season, maybe August or so? The point was that the Giants sweep, when Wills and the rest of our baserunners could barely run at all, meant that they tied us at the end, forcing the playoff games between them.
That was not the reason. The reason was their total collapse at the end of the season. On September 22nd, after a win in St. Louis, they were up 4 games with 7 to play. They had 100 wins. They went 1-6 over those final 7 games and tied the Giants. They had lost Koufax when he lost circulation in his left index finger in July. He would not win another game all season and did not pitch again until late September and was clearly not the same pitcher. The Giants had closed to within a half game on the 7th of September, but the Dodgers went on a 7 game winning streak bringing the lead up to 4. They were shut out their last 2 games of the year. Koufax should have never started game one of the playoff. He was clearly not Sandy. But Podres and Big D had started the last 2 games. If they would have had another starter they could depend on, then maybe things would have turned out differently. They did not do well when playing in SF all year, but 90% of those games came way before the stretch run and collapse. Might have made a difference early, but the collapse had more to do with the loss than Dark watering down the basepaths.
Bobby MIller goes today in the Arizona fall league.
Over at the great TrueBlue site, they have a nice overview of the Dodgers prospects in Arizona;
https://www.truebluela.com/2021/10/14/22725476/bobby-miller-landon-knack-arizona-fall-league-dodgers
Would like to request some AFL coverage here. Thank you!
Who do I want in the World Series? Easy, Houston. I would like for the Dodgers to beat the crap out of the cheaters. When the Red Sox beat LA they were clearly the best team in the majors and they proved it. Beating Boston might be sweet revenge for that, but I would rather beat the cheaters. The reason is simple. They have never stood up, not once and admitted what they did was wrong. They have all been holier than thou and feigned innocence while their GM and manager got punished. The only player who lost anything was Carlos Beltran who lost a managerial gig due to the scandal. Their are guys on that team I despise. Correa, Altuve, Bregman, and a few others.
Fair, but I have specific memories of being way up in game 4 with Kershaw on the mound for the next game. Would’ve been tied 2-2 if not for blowing that lead.
In hindsight they smoked us but we were right in it before our bullpen collapsed.
Game was 4-4 going into the 9th. They had led 4-0, which is a decent lead, but not way up and Hill was pulled in the 7th with 1 runner on. Madson came in and after one more runner got on gave up a 3 run shot to Moreland. They scored another in the 8th off of Jansen when series MVP Steve Pearce hit a homer off of him. They scored 5 in the ninth off of Floro, Wood and Maeda. They got 2 back when Kike hit a homer in the 9th, but lost. Kershaw got beat 5-1 in game 5. So we lost to the better team. Out pitched, out hit and out managed. No maybe’s about it Roberts pulling Hill was probably the wrong move. But it happened. What galls me is losing at home. They have not won a Championship at Home since 1963 when Koufax beat the Yankees. If they get to the World Series they will have home field. I would like to see the Dodger fans be able to celebrate a win with the team. For that to happen, the series would have to go at least 6 games.
4-0 is not way up, got it. I learn so much about language on this site it’s remarkable.
4-0 is comfortable, but can be erased easily and it was. Way up is what they did to Atlanta last season in game 3 of the NLCS when they scored 11 in the first inning. Not a chance in hell the Braves were coming back from that. And this season they scored a bunch on the Cardinals in a game in the first inning that included a grand slam by Bellinger. Semantics maybe, but way up means a lot more runs than just 4.
I don’t want to see Houston near a World Series for at least another decade.
I understand, but the possibility exists. They took a shot losing McCullers for the ALCS. I think at this point, Boston has better starting pitching, but the Astros have some bats.
As the cheaters were given immunity to give testimonials it would seem that lying in such would nullify the granted immunity or perjury would be a separate issue. It’s obvious they weren’t honest with their statements so why was immunity still honored? The commissioner sure made an innert move claiming it were the only way to obtain the truth. What a dipshit. The only thing he showed is he has absolute power in whatever he says goes. He simply was just sweeping the matter under the rug. Houston’s only punishment is us fans never letting them forget.
Though I favor playing the Sox, you make a good point. Can you imagine our fans at home games & if we make there, we have home field? Might be the loudest the stadium has ever been. Can you imagine when Altuve comes up to bat? BEDLAM!
cheers
pb+
Last nights win was sweet. No better feeling than beating the Giants. And they did it playing small ball. I loved that Bellinger got the game winning hit. I also loved Lux’s at bat and single. But Turner getting hit on the first pitch was key. Doval has some nasty stuff, and his slider is particularly nasty, but he threw it once too often. I was surprised Taylor tried to bunt and then did not pull the bat back because there was no way he was getting that pitch down. I really like Matt Beaty. He usually comes up clutch when it counts the most. But last night, that was the worst at bat I have even seen Beaty have. He took two pitches right down central and swung at the next 3, all of which were balls finally hitting a weak grounder to first. He would have easily walked because none of those pitches was anywhere close to the strike zone. It ended up not mattering. No way I use an opener in game one. I go with Max. He made 13 pitches on a day he would usually throw anyway. He will be ready.
Players aren’t robots. Throughout baseball history postseason performance has been a crapshoot. Some of the game’s legends have fallen on their faces while a Scott Brocius or a Bucky Dent has their moment in the sun. A 5 or 7 game stretch gets magnified out of proportion. I read concern about Trea Turner being 3 for 22 the last 5 games and JT being 2 for 24.
Trea Turner since coming to the Dodgers on August 6 had only 6 games where he failed to get a hit. Only 2 back to back games. He had a 4 game stretch in September where he was 2 for 17 and nobody noticed. Justin Turner went 2 for 29 in Mid May. Did anybody notice?
For the season, TT hit .338 / .950 as a Dodger. JT hit .278 / .832. Nobody is trying to underperform. Shit happens. It’s just how the game goes. Winning teams pick each other up. I’m not worried one bit about Trea Turner or Justin Turner.
I don’t think anyone is worried about TT and JT, just concerned that they go into a bad slump at the wrong time. They will come out of it, the question is when? It sure makes it hard to score runs when two of your key guys are quick (and weak) outs.
Trea Turner has faced the Braves a lot. Seems like now would be the time. I’m not worried about JT. He will have his moment.
I do worry about JT’s defense . He did missed that Bryant groundout which with Wade Jr batting and hitting that big foul ball could had been the difference in the game.
Now you worry about his defense? After one bad play the entire series? Cmon man. JT has been solid there for years. And who are you going to replace him with? Sorry, leave the man alone. He will make more big plays than he misses.
We have all discussed how the Giants were a perfect combination of resilient and lucky. The luck turned to the Dodgers last night. The balls Ruff and Posey hit in the first inning were gone pretty much anywhere else in baseball. The narrative about the opener would be much different today if those balls had left the park. 6-0 in elimination games. The Dodgers resiliency showed up as well.
I apologize if this has been reported here, but did you know Wilmer Flores, the dude who struck out to end the game is 0-17 lifetime against Scherzer, with 8 Ks.
Everybody crying about the call….so what? He struck out one pitch early. Sheesh!
TM
haha perfect
Can someone comment on this ? Where was mr Price 16 million man or what is his role on this team. Will he pitch next round. I dont see any confidence by FO or Roberts on him to be anything more than a mopup or inning filler. Will he picth again this year ? I mean i would put him on . Is he hurt. Does he simply has nothing left ? Why dont use him for a few innings. He does have experience
The Curious Case of David Price.
Sure seems like he’s being kept as an insurance policy with no real plans to pitch him.
Not sure what the deal is.
Why do the Braves get home-field advantage? Dodgers have the best record!
Because the Dodgers failed to win their division
Stupid checked swing 😉
Picks:
Boston in 7
Dodgers in 5 [Betts MVP]
Dodgers in 4 [Smith MVP]
I get the Dodgers in 5 in the NLCS, but I do not think they sweep Boston. Fenway can be a nightmare.
All predictions are worthless anyway so might as well go big.
Okay, cool with me
Castronivice of ESPN says the Braves will win the NL pennant because the Dodgers will be on an emotional high and not play to a higher level after the emotional series against the Giants. He is nuts and obviously has not watched this team very much. They will approach the Braves series with a lot of intensity. They are on a mission to get back to the series. And win it in a full season for the first time since 88. He also says Joc Pederson is going to reek havoc on the Dodgers as revenge. What a croc.
see ya later alligator
Why are you listening to those clowns? I finally tuned out for good when – I think it was an ESPN roundtable around the All Star Break, were saying that the Giants should sell off all their assets to rebuild the farm … that they were going to crumble in the 2nd half.
I was not listening to them I read the story he posted on ESPN.com.
Well, that makes all the difference in the world. I guess you should have wrote “Castronivice of ESPN writes” to avoid future confusion.
See how that game works?
Like I really care whether he says it or writes it. Makes no difference to me. I do not listen to anything on ESPN except college game day.
He was joking Bear.
Oh ha ha ,,,,,,he isn’t funny
My only predictions are this, both Turners and Corey Seager have much better series against the Braves. Seager will have another monster NLCS against their pitching,.
Love Kike!
He’s having a huge game 1 of the ALCS. Very streaky player he can be hot as hell as he has been last 10 games or cold as ice. Always a good glove, arm and runs bases well.
I sure would love to have Joc and Kike instead of Souza and McKinstry.
Go dodgers!
They have not set the roster yet, and McKinstry was not on the last one, that was McKinney.
Asterisks pulled it out, 5-4. Altuve and Correa again. Kike set a record for hits in the first 5 games in playoffs. He had a very good night and made some fine defensive plays in CF.
New look Lakers are 0-6 in the preseason. They are scoring just under 104 points a game and giving up 118. Not too impressive so far. 9 of the 16 players on the roster right now are over 30. But so far, the big 3, James, Davis and Westbrook have only been on the court together once. Dodgers playoff roster should be announced by noon.