All week, ad nauseum, we have heard that the Dodgers’ starting pitching was too thin, and many Dodger fans were worrying about the bullpen too, and Mookie, and Freddie, and Max, and the real ignorant ones were worried about Doc making the wrong move. For all I know, they were also worried that the Earth would tilt two additional degrees on its axis and send us all hurtling into space. Yesterday, I told you that Worry is a Misuse of the Imagination! I’ve got another one for you today:
Last night, “Shogun,” as I will start calling Ohtani, picked up the Dodgers and tomahawked a three-run HR to tie the game. That signaled the Dodgers that it was “go time.” The Fire-Blue Breathing Dragon then went “scorched earth” on the Bums down the Freeway! By the way, Shogun is a shortened form of the Japanese Sei-i Taishōgun, which translates to “barbarian-subduing commander-in-chief.” The title was first given to military leaders who led successful campaigns. Shohei Ohtani is now “Shogun,” as he is certainly a Barbarian (I mean that as a compliment) and Commander-in-Chief!
Last night, the Dodgers showed they are a better offensive team and have a better bullpen. Both starting pitchers were boat anchors. You might expect something different today (or not). Flaherty and Darvish might be very different. One of the gutsiest performances you will ever see was Freddie Freeman playing on one leg, getting two hits, and then stealing a base. The Ghost of Kirk Gibson lives! That was just pure “will.” I wonder if he can play today. He would have missed at least a month in the regular season with his severe ankle sprain. If he plays today, he will be THE MAN!
However, the Dodgers aren’t going to win this thing with Mookie. He did walk three times last night. The key thing for him is not to press… he needs to let the game come to him. Patience, Grasshoppers!
Blake Treinen is a guy you would go to war with:
###We just saw that great starting pitching means Zilch!###
Very prophetic there sir nice job!
Damn that was fun.
May I have another.
Book em
satisfying win last night! Yamamoto is not anywhere close to 100%. Bullpen again was sharp, except for Kopech., nerves maybe? We are all excited to be up 1-0. Darvish could be the key to this series. if he’s on, it could be a long night. If the dodgers keep swinging like last night, they will send him to the showers early! He’s always been good against the dodgers, but this lineup is a bit different than he’s used to! Agree Mark, Mookie has to step it up! And after last night, Max needs to contribute somehow. he looks lost at the plate. Not soo sure i wouldn’t put Kiki at 3rd if he continues to swing and miss tonight. Kiki has been swinging it pretty good lately! Hopefully Jack gives them at least 6 strong innings tonight. If he can shut Tatis and Machado down, dodgers go up 2-0! Right Dano?
Let’s get excited Dad. This is very cool. For the NLDS I wear my blue spring training jersey. For the NLCS it’s a Piazza jersey. For the world series it’s a Gibson.
Book em
Watched Freddie’s post-game interview. He looked like he was in pain. Wonder how he’ll feel today.
Doc was NOT pleased with that decision. I get what Freddie was saying but he has to be smart. Sliding and running the bases are the most likely way he will reinjure it. The clinching game of the World Series is one thing but not game 1 of the NLDS. When he was straining to stay on the base I thought he had hurt it again.
We won
I feel awful for Kershaw. I wish he was playing a huge role in this post season. the ultimate Dodger.
I do feel for Kershaw. He just wants to win. I was hoping he could have been the 4th starter or been paired with the 4th starter.
I wonder if idiot #1 made it off the field without his pants falling down. I have to admit when the Padres went ahead early I thought not again. Ohtani’s homerun definitely turned the game around and possibly the series. Greet job by the bullpen but damn they had to make it way too interesting. I assumed this was Kopech’s first playoff game but he pitched in 2021 and did not pitch well. Hopefully he calms down and finds his release point. I did find it interesting that he started the 8th inning and not Treinen. I wonder if they would pitch Treinen tonight. Hudson, Banda, Grove and Henriquez didn’t pitch last night so we have fresh arms. I wonder when they will use Henriquez. I was watching the game when the Tigers brought in Jobe. He didn’t get a couple calls but he was not sharp. Jobe and Henriquez threw a combined 7.1 innings during the season.
Trienen threw close to 40 pitches last night. I don’t see any way he’s available tonight.
… and so we hear that Yamamoto may have been “tipping” his pitches.
I’ll buy that. I thought his stuff was pretty good and his control was not horrible.
They probably knew what was coming.
Wasn’t tipping pictures an issue of his earlier in the season as well?
We also learned that Joe Kelly will not be available until at least the World Series after tweaking his shoulder during a simulated game this week.
Rewatched highlights:
1. Miggy’s over-the-shoulder catch saved disaster.
2. Edman’s bunt jumpstarted that second rally
3. Brasier righted the ship
4. Lux good overall performance
5. Dude should’ve dove for Teo’s game-winning single
Last night’s game showed grit. Offense bailed out the bad starting pitching and bullpen held the line. Hard game to watch, but very satisfying.
Dodgers have never hit Darvish well. Flaherty needs to pitch deep into the game. They can go up 2-0 tonight – really important, given the way that their pitching is set up for games 3-4 in San Diego. Another must win.
Ohtani gives them another dimension. Bottom of the order did a great job getting on. Muncy needs to get things going. Everyone contributed yesterday.
Great win!
Rick,
I am so glad you are enjoying this.
You deserve it!
What an excellent start. That was a great watch, but make no mistake, we are gonna need Yamamoto to pitch much better than that if we are going to win the lot.
I agree with you. But only because we need Yamamoto to eat more innings. This take may be contrarian but , I think MLB starting pitchers are slowing becoming glorified openers. Relievers own the most important part of every game. So Yoshi ,eat some innings and keep the bullpen fresh. All the off days will really help the bullpen too! Oh and Mark, I really like Shogun.
Book em
8:03 PM ET
Padres (93-69)
Dodgers (98-64)
SP Yu Darvish R
7-3 3.31 ERA
SP Jack Flaherty R
13-7 3.17 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
C Will Smith R
2B Gavin Lux L
CF Tommy Edman S
SS Miguel Rojas R
80° Wind 8 mph Out
Freddy’s showing some real sack this year
Gibby 2.0
How can the fans allow Profar to catch that ball? All they have to do is reach up and tap the ball before he catches it.
If I were sitting there, he would have lost two teeth and had a broken arm.
Bunch of sissies!
Why do I get the sense you’re not joking!?!? LOL
If the guy was where the lady was sitting Profar doesn’t catch that.
Drives me crazy. Bases loaded, no out. Score 1 run. Can’t win that way
Dodgers are weak minded, no doubt. This is a recurring pattern and not luck of the draw as the chief moron here likes to proclaim. I hope they reverse this but based on data we have seen am not encouraged
They have the best record in baseball, and after winning the first game, coming back from a 3-0 deficit, they lose the second, and your opinion is that they are weak-minded. OK! You have an opinion, but if I truly were a moron, how do I know your name, Kris?
We knew it was going to be a dogfight.
Re-group and win at a minimum 1 in SD. of course Ill take 2…..