I had the privilege and joy of watching last night’s game with a new friend. I will call him DR (not Dodger Rick). DR is a long time reader, but does not post. DR reached out to me before I assumed responsibility for LADT and offered to assist with some IT to form a new blog. Because Mark allowed me to assume LADT, DR’s services were not necessary, but I never forgot the gesture. After the Dodgers got past the Wild Card series, DR asked if I would like to come over and watch Game 2 of the NLDS with him and a couple of friends. Because I am not a social person, I was reluctant, but I knew that I needed to come out of my shell and meet people. Thus I agreed. Unfortunately my grandson came down sick on that Monday with a fever, and while I did not have a fever, I did have a headache. It was prudent for me to back out of the invite just to make sure. Fortunately, my grandson’s illness was simply a cold, and my headaches were sinus related due to allergies.
DR reached out to me again for the NLCS and I agreed for last night’s game. I had a fantastic time with a new friend. DR has a beautiful wife and two beautiful young daughters who were very engaging to this non-social old man. It is not easy for me to converse with people, but that family was special and made it easy for me. Last night was one of the best nights I have had in quite some time due to this pandemic. So thank you, DR.
Now to the Dodgers. As the score was mounting, neither DR or I lost faith. We knew that it would take a miracle, but why not. Down 7-0 and into the Braves B Team bullpen, Joc and CT3 get singles and the Dodgers have two runners on, nobody out, and the top of the order coming up. After a Mookie K, Corey Seager unloads a 3 Run HR into the Left/Center seats, and the Dodgers inch a little closer. At least a little momentum going into Game 3.
After the Ozzie Albies blast in the 9th, the lead got back up to 5 and again all seemed lost. Entering the bottom of the 9th, CT3 strikes out on a 3-2 count, but Mookie finally gets his first hit of the NLCS. Seager not satisfied with 3 RBI’s promptly rockets a double down the RF line that scores Mookie, and the Dodgers were inching closer. JT follows that up with a K of his own. All night long, I was complaining about Max not swinging and seemingly looking for and being satisfied with walks. I am happy with walks, but I would prefer they come with the leadoff or 8-9 batter, not clean up. A pitch does not have to be a strike to get a hit with. But Max gets the pitch he has been looking for all series and he does not miss it.
Dodgers now down 8-6. Do you believe in miracles? Will Smith has been hitting the ball hard all post season, and he has been continuously being deprived, save game 3 of NLDS. Earlier in the 3rd inning with the bases loaded and the score still 0-0, Smith was coming to the plate. Smoltz has been telling us that the book on Smith is to give him a steady diet of curve balls. That is his weakness. After 2 curves balls, 1 for a strike, and one for a ball, Smith scalds a curveball just in the reach of 3B Austin Riley who stuck his glove out, and the ball found it, and Riley steps on 3rd for the out. That was the early look, but now in the 9th, with two outs, Smith hits yet another curve but right to 2B where Albies boots it twice, and the hustling Smith is safe at 1st.
Now it is Belli’s turn to be a hero, right? Belli does come through with a run scoring triple, and now the Dodgers are a wild pitch away from tying the game up, or an AJ Pollock hit. AJ hits the ball solid, but Austin Riley was playing AJ in the right spot and was able to make the play to get AJ at first. A foot to Riley’s left and it is in the hole and even if fielded by Riley or Swanson, they would not have thrown out AJ. At least that is how I am going to remember it.
I did not read the comments from last night’s game, but I can assume what they were. Gonsolin was outstanding for three innings, but after the walk to Acuna, you just knew what was coming. Sure enough Freddie kills a splitter that did not move much except to the middle of the plate, and sat on a tee for him. I have no problem with Gonsolin coming back out in the 5th even after a long 30+ pitch 4th. But after 4 batters, including 2 walks and a double, it was clear that Tony was gassed, and he needed to come out. The next time Pedro Baez gets out of a jam in a playoff game will be his first. Or at least that is what it feels like. After the double to Pache, I am not sure why Tony was allowed to pitch to Acuna. After four runs scored, the pitcher who should have come in to replace Gonsolin right away was called on, and he got Swanson on a K to end the inning.
Floro and McGee combine to pitch well to get to the 7th. Alex Wood allows a run after a walk, infield single, and ground rule double on a ball that I thought that Mookie might have caught, and may have in a stadium he was comfortable in. But it fell at the right spot, and Swanson gets a double. Story of the night. Up until then, Dodger hard hit balls find the Braves gloves and a fly ball fell at the right spot for a double for the Braves offense.
In the 8th, even Joe Kelly looked good, even though he threw 4 knuckle curves (3 for strikes) instead of his fastball. I still have no idea why he is not throwing his fastball. We can all speculate, but it is all just guessing unless Kelly tells us.
In the 9th, up 7-3, Albies takes Kolarek deep for his second HR in the series and the Braves are sailing 8-3. After the HR, DR prophetically said, just do lose 8-7. And yet, with the big 9th, that is exactly what happened.
Some silver lining, Chris Martin and Mark Melancon both pitched last night, and neither one was unhittable on back to back nights. Will they be available on back to back to back nights?
There were also a couple of very good defensive plays.
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/corey-seager-s-impressive-grab
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/chris-taylor-s-diving-stop
In the October 1965 World Series, the Dodgers dropped a pair to the Twins with both Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax losing. Ron Perranoski was also hit hard in relief in Game 2. The Dodgers came back to win games 3-5 to take a 3 games to 2 lead, with Koufax pitching a complete game shutout in Game 5. After losing Game 6, Koufax came out with 2 days rest and pitched a complete game shutout in Game 7 to win the WS. I know the Dodgers do not have a Koufax, and no Dodger is going to pitch a complete game, much less two complete game shutouts in three days, but the Dodgers are good enough to come back and win tonight against Kyle Wright, and tomorrow with Kershaw supposedly pitching Game 4. Do the Braves dare bring back Fried for Game 5? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Game…One Inning… One AB at a time.
Game 2 Offensive Star – Corey Seager – 2-4 with a walk, HR, Double, and 4 RBIs.
Game 2 Pitching Star – Tony Gonsolin’s start. He made one bad pitch in 4 innings. Did the 16 game layoff have any impact on his 5th inning? Although it was nice to see McGee come back and get two K’s in two ABs coming back from Game 1 in which he gave up an Albies HR, also after a long layoff.
I still beleive the Dodgers are a better team, and will still prevail in the NLCS.
Great write-up AC and much welcomed optimism. Go Blue! It ain’t over ’til it’s over!
Glad you were able to connect with your friend Jeff. That is totally cool. I am different that way I guess because of my entertainment background and history. But now that I am retired, I enjoy my privacy. I have been single for many years, but I do keep in touch with my kids. The Dodgers came back in two other World Series. 1955, they lost the first two at Yankee Stadium and came back to win 3 in Brooklyn, lose game 6 in NY< and then Podres pitched his game 7 shut out. They did the same thing basically in 81 when they lost the first 2 in NY, but then won 4 in a row. My theory that is now that the Dodgers have seen their two best pitchers, and the bulk of thier bullpen strength, they will be better on offense. I think LA has them right where they want them. I do not think they go down 0-3. Urias gets them closer tomorrow and then Kersh is going to tie it up on Thursday. I also think a tight series will benefit them if they advance. Tampa is making mincemeat out of the Astros, then they have to travel to Texas for the series, They finish the Stros off tomorrow, and they would have a few days off before the Series starts. And the Dodgers or the Braves would be fresh off of playing a longer series. Could do nothing less than make sure the hitters are still locked in because Tampa could not work out at the Stadium while games were still being played. I have faith in these guys. And I think the cream will rise to the top. And those hard hit balls will start finding holes. And do not forget that great catch Belli made on Albies sac fly. Had he not caught that thing, the bases would have most likely cleared.
I forgot about the 1965 comeback from a 2-0 deficit to the Twins. But what I was thinking of was the 1955 Dodgers who won the WS in 7 games after losing the first two, and the 1981 Dodgers who swept the Yankees in 4 straight after losing the first two,.
As they say, it ain’t over till it’s over.
Long time no see Brooklyn. Hope all’s well in your world.
PS I don’t think you’ve ever written so few of words as above. Lolz
This might sound a little crazy, but to me it feels a little bit like we got them right where we want them.-The Braves fan base is even more fatalistic than our fan base. It almost feels like they expect bad things to always happen to their team in the playoffs.
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There’s always a little bit of truth to things like that and I feel like we’re in a really good position to win the next two games. And if that happens then the Braves fan base and players are really going to start feeling the weight of losing a 2-0 series lead.
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It’s obviously never ideal to start out a seven game series losing the first two… but it’s the first team to win four right? So what better way is there to go into a World Series than winning the next four out of five and getting in there with a ton of confidence and momentum.
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It was great to see Mookie, Belli, and Max getting big hits in the 9th and also Seager having a good night. Graterol and Gonzalez looked great in Game 1 and Floro and Kelly looked pretty good in Game 2. And with the exception of Fried and Smith, really haven’t been too impressed with their pitching staff. These are all things that we can build on for the rest of the series.
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So what am I saying… I’m saying there’s a chance! I’m feeling like it’s going to be the Dodgers in 7 and obviously a lot more gray hairs and heartburn for everyone.
Sure, it ain’t over till it’s over, but if the Dodger bats continue to snooze for most of a game, we can kiss this series goodbye. They made it interesting by coming back. What would make it more interesting is if they could consistently score some runs in the beginning and middle of games. So far, we haven’t hit their top pitchers. Waiting for relievers to take over is a poor tactic although I don’t think anyone is really waiting for that. The Dodgers have to show some life from beginning to end. To live and die by the HR takes your chances away.
Tony Gonsolin is a good pitcher and he is part of the future for L.A., but do you think Tony would say he pitched a good game? 5 ERAs is a disaster. It doesn’t mean that he’s no good. Giving up HRs can haunt pitchers and lose games. We are vulnerable because our bats are not backing up the pitchers. Pitchers will only be good for an unspecified time, in most cases. Batters will get to almost anyone. Using rookies can be dangerous for more than 3 innings. Being forced to extend a starter is playing with fire especially since the team never let them run during the regular season. Big mistake here. I’m not going to make the excuse we lost because CK didn’t pitch. The players have to be ready for such events. If Urias fails to hold the Braves tomorrow, what might that mean for next season? Does it automatically put him in the BP? Gonsolin failed to hold them last night, does this block him from being a starter next season? The Dodgers never had a solid plan that they stuck to for their starting rotation. Pitchers seem to like routines. That’s how you build. Muscles have memories.
I agree and wonder if behind the scenes there are intra swuad scrimmages to try snd keep backuo players sharp. Nevertheless I’ve always been a big believer in getting as many players as possible some playing time in a tournament. It helps to get them thru the initial jitters,added adrenalin etc of an intense environment. Nothing prepares you quite like actually getting into the game. They need to be over all that when thd time comes that you must count on them.
Baez didn’t help Gonsolin’s ERA any by giving up both of the 2 inherited runners when he took over. Tony deserved better.
They must have heard me shouting. With an 11 run explosion in the first inning, I think we can say they came to play!
Down 2 games, very big game for Urias tonight but the bats need to come to life.
I see a pattern to our post season offense (at least the final two rounds), it ain’t a good one. Most obvious is Bellinger’s magician act, he disappears. He’s not the only one, but sheez, really, every damn year?
I’ve noticed that Bellinger has not been squaring up the ball(not seeing it well?). More popups and misses. Like I said in an earlier post he is an all or nothing hitter, swing as hard as he can and IF he squares it up its a dinger, if not? Yes last night he squared one up for a triple but I’ve never been comfortable with that type of hitter. Having one in the lineup is fine. But when it comes time to decide who gets the big contract and who moves on ( because you can’t sign them all and stay under the limit) I keep the guys that make contact and that are harder to replace.
1965? Really? I’ve lived 6 lives since then. These guys playing today probably couldn’t even tell you who the President was in 1965. Couldn’t find Vietnam on a map.
I expect to win today. We can get to Wright. Melancon only threw 7 pitches last night and only 9 the night before. 15 of 16 for strikes. If they need to they can go to him again.
Dodgers in 2 games, WRISP – 2-11. 23 Ks. That is pathetic.
Pitching? For whatever reason this staff is not pitching like the one that lead the league. But they need to cowboy up for the next 5 games. The bats? Who knows. They sleep for innings at a time. Innings add up to games. Games add up to series’.
It all sure looks familiar doesn’t it. 7 years of recent history in which to compare it.
Score 7 and lose? That cannot happen again. One game. Next pitch.
I’m going to wait until the series is done before I cheer or criticize. Trying to analyze each game and inning can be futile. Last night I checked the blog before the team scored any runs and it was we can’t win if we don’t score some runs. Well, we scored some runs and we lost. So, I guess, that was a incorrect assumption. At that time no comments on the run scoring. I didn’t check back to read any further comments.
Anyway, it does look like the same Dodger playoff MO we’ve seen in recent years. Our best hitters fail and the bullpen sucks. But, there’s still time to turn things around and win the series. It has to happen sometime, why not now.
We scored 1 run in the first 15 innings. You need to score runs and it would be nice if it wasn’t all late. It was like 2 games in one here. We lost the first 6 innings 6 – zip and by than Doc was throwing in the rowel and won the last 3 innings 7 – 2. We don’t win with that and need to get going earlier.
The Dodgers must have read your thought on getting started earlier! Holy crap did they!!
Thanks, AC, for that analysis. I have not given up hope and still believe the Dodgers will prevail and win the pennant. For those of you who felt the Dodgers looked “lackluster” or that they “choked”, only had to look at Bellinger’s face as he stood on 3rd base and intensely shouted to the team to encourage them. He had not given up, and we should not too. Today is a new day. Go Dodgers.
I also have not given up hope. Getting Seager, Bellinger and Muncy to hit is key. Smith has to be the unluckiest hitter I know. Today is a new day and I feel good about winning the series.
I was not watching when they came back. When it got to 6-0 I started watching something else. I saw the highlights later on MLB.tv after the game was over. I am not going to criticize the players or bring up their past performances in previous series. I definitely am not going to call them chokers. I think people who use that term have never been in those kinds of situations, and most of those who criticize and belittle, could not hit a curve or a fastball if they tried. Playing the game at the level they do is not something most fans can do. But they are pro’s and get paid a lot of money to play what Roy Campanella said was a boys game. I am also not going to criticize Dave Roberts. He is dancing with the partner that AF put together for him. And for most of this year, they have been the best team in baseball. The last two games they have not. I think the thing about the rally that encourages me most, is that they did not just lie down. They fought back and came within inches of tying the game and having a chance to win. I think that for a guy who had not pitched in 16 days, Tony Gonsolin did a great job. I think expecting him to go 4 or 5 innings after a layoff like that was unreasonable. They should have just made it a bullpen game after he gave up the 2 run shot to Freeman. But that’s me. They were already in trouble because Kersh was not able to answer the bell, and in reality, without that guy pitching the way he has this year, they are not where they are. I really believe Urias will give them some innings today. I also think Kersh answers the bell tomorrow. Just how effective he will be and how cooperative his back is remains to be seen. They can beat this team. They can beat any team if it all is working at the same time. Any part of the machine breaks down, and they will lose this series. It is a cliche, but they have to play one pitch, one inning at a time. Make this kid work today. He has had problems this year. Knock him out of the game early and make their pen work. Especially their middle relievers who have not been all that great this season. They really do not have many other starting options, so hammering their starter today, and doing the same tomorrow on what will most likely be a BP day for the Braves and get the series even. From there, it will be who wants it more. Right now, that is the Braves.
Same here. Not holding out until the end may be viewed as sports sacrilege by some, but you get to a certain age and suffer enough disappointing defeats, you realize it’s better for your spiritual health to walk away from that moment. If I miss a majestic comeback, well, there’s always DVR. My sports teams haven’t won a championship in 25 years, and the Dodgers are my best bet now and for the long foreseeable future. Dodgers are a high character team and resilient. I think they’ll pounce early and win game 3 handily.
I have a roku, so I can watch any game after it is over and skip to the inning if need be,
Let’s see if the last few innings woke something up in our offense. If so, I’m quite confident we can win today, and if we win today, I think we’ll win the series.
If Urias can give us quality start (6ip, 3er), it’ll save the pen and the offense SHOULD get us the W
One thing I believe everyone here and elsewhere can agree to is ‘today’s game is a MUST win’ for the Dodgers.
They lose today, they will lose the series.
The key is for Urias to get through the first inning and for us to put up some early runs. The Braves are a team with a lot of confidence right now. Keep them playing from behind for a change
The Dodgers can certainly still win this – they were the best team in baseball all year long.
I am troubled by what I have seen from Dodger bats this year in the postseason. During the regular season, they scored 51% of their runs via the HR. While they are better built this year to score without the HR, they need to hit some of them to score – they just do. Last night they scored 5 of their 7 runs by HR (Seager and Muncy). In game 1 they scored their only run via HR (Hernandez).
Against the Pads, they scored 12 without an HR in a bullpen game by SD. I think that’s a bit of a misleading outcome – it was great to see but is unlike the rest of the postseason. In game 2 Bellinger hit a HR (solo shot) and they scored 5. In game 1, they scored 5 without a HR.
They scored 3 against the Brewers in game 2 (no HRs), and 4 in game 1 (HR by Seager).
They either need to send up bulk baserunners and hit RISP or hit HRs. The Dodgers averaged 2 HR per game in the regular season and scored 5.8 runs/game. They have hit 5 HR in 7 games in the postseason and averaged 5.6 runs/game. They have homered less frequently than any team except Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago and Milwaukee.
Other interesting stat – the Dodgers are the 2nd best team hitting RISP this postseason – their triple slash is .290/.405/.485/.889.
The difference between the Padre series and this one is that the roof is open. And because of that, the balls are flying further. You still see some shots to the track, but more are leaving the park. They had to adjust their style to suit the park. I also think the 3 1/2 day layoff before the NLCS started affected their bats more than it did Atlanta. But that is just my guess. Unless Mookie and Turner, who has always been a good playoff bat, get their acts in gear, this will be a short series.
I certainly havnt given up.
Not criticising Doc, but I wonder, if like us, he had given last night up as a defeat after the El Gasolino interlude, and ran Wood out there to burn through some innings, whilst saving some of the more important arms for another day?
I wonder if he could make that decision in hindsight, he would do things differently. We now know that had we kept the score to 5 we could have won – but I guess Atlanta do things differently as well, and don’t go with the B team BP if the game is tighter.
Momentum is everything in sport, and if we can win tonight I fancy our chances.
Any news on Mark?
Sincerely hope everything is going well.
Was wondering same thing, Watford, and hope all is well with you and your family. Hope Mark is getting better and stronger.
If the bats don’t wake up early and often we go home early once again! And the bullpen has to keep the ball in the park! Time for everyone to step up and show some playoff grit!
Today’s lineup Game time, 3:05 Pacific.
1. Betts RF
2. Seager SS
3. Turner DH
4. Muncy 1B
5. Smith C
6. Bellinger CF
7. Pederson LF
8. Rios 3B
9. Taylor 2B
P Urias.
When your 3-4 hitters are both under the Mendoza line in the playoffs so far, they had better pick it up a lot if this team has any shot at winning.
MLBTR is saying that the White Sox are seriously considering Tony LaRusso to manage. I cannot see why he would even want to.
That would be La Russa and he’s old. He’s older than me and I know I’m too old for that job. That ain’t gonna happen. They’ve got good young players. They will have options.
Mike Petriello pointed out that LaRussa last managed a MLB team 35 years ago (it was the White Sox). That would be like the White Sox re-hiring Renteria in 2055.
He last managed the Cardinals in 2011. He last managed the Chisox 35 years ago (1986).
Badly stated on my part. Thanks for correcting.
Yeah, I realized that blooper after I had left and come back.
I just texted with Mark. Here is his response and update:
After 9 terrible Ground Hog Days in a row, I started Remdesivir at 8 PM last night and by 8:10 it felt like the Hand of God jolted me (I do know what that feels like) and my fever broke a couple hours later. They are probably going to give me one more round of Remdesivir tonight and I should be home by the weekend. Wait for the BEST PART: COVID-19 probably saved my life because in scanning my chest for possible blood clots they found a 4.5 cm aortic aneurism which would have likely have blown out in a matter of months. Now I will go home and prepare for the surgery which is remarkably easy and minimally invasive. Thanks for your well wishes. — The Mountainmover
If not La Russa than Lasorda I guess!
Update!! I texted Mark, and here is his response:
After 9 terrible Ground Hog Days in a row, I started Remdesivir at 8 PM last night and by 8:10 it felt like the Hand of God jolted me (I do know what that feels like) and my fever broke a couple hours later. They are probably going to give me one more round of Remdesivir tonight and I should be home by the weekend. Wait for the BEST PART: COVID-19 probably saved my life because in scanning my chest for possible blood clots they found a 4.5 cm aortic aneurism which would have likely have blown out in a matter of months. Now I will go home and prepare for the surgery which is remarkably easy and minimally invasive. Thanks for your well wishes. — The Mountainmover
Thanks for the update Bobby
I am glad to hear that Mark is doing better
Good news on Mark, Bobby. When you text him next, please tell him everyone here pulling for him to move the mountain and climb the top to a successful recovery.
Things happen for a reason, I believe, and the COVID-19 diagnosis and testing exposed an equal or worse danger in the aneurism. In my case, it happened similarly to me. I was born with a hole in my heart and when I suffered a heart attack later in life, they had to do a bypass. During the procedure, they discovered a huge blood clot in the hole which they removed. Had they not done the bypass and discovered the clot, I would have suffered a massive stroke.
So sometimes good can come from something bad. They used my film of the operation at a cardiologist convention in which the doctors were under criticism for doing too many by-passes. I asked my doctor if he thought I was entitled to royalties to no avail.
Good to hear Mark is recovering! Get better and get back to writing Mark. We all miss you! Well most of us!
From Tom Brown of Yahoo Sports:
“None of it matters if on Wednesday, Kyle Wright pitches them the way Max Fried did Monday and Ian Anderson did Tuesday. None of it matters if they’re going to hit .220 like they did while being eliminated by the Washington Nationals last fall, or .180 like in the World Series in 2018, or .205 like in the World Series before that, or .210 in the 2016 NLCS, when that season ended. None of it matters if it begins to feel inevitable, that they’re in that place again.”
Well….. you’re not wrong.
Until they aren’t. One of the damndest things I’ve ever seen in baseball. As Vinny used to say “it’s the Dodgers”. 11 runs in the first inning!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 14, 2020
2020 HANK AARON AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Fans Can Vote Starting October 14 on MLB.com/hankaaronaward <https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__http%3A%2Fmlb.com%2Fhankaaronaward__%3B!!AzVz0GWveZQ!kG60fseFYa3M-MNo4RZlfwuggHIMScWcAETHSBCeZzy_xj4AVasOtAa-GriiOqo%24&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca10b636c362a4940d6fd08d8707e5280%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637383035131639526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=huwEqaUJWlD2auanbhL6FuZz6KNveB%2BOynH6hLZJmuA%3D&reserved=0>
Hall of Fame Panel Featuring Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr., Craig Biggio, Roberto Alomar, Eddie Murray, Robin Yount and Johnny Bench Also Casting Votes.
Major League Baseball today announced finalists for the 2020 Hank Aaron Award, which has recognized the most outstanding regular season offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999. Baseball fans have the opportunity to help select the winners of this distinguished award by voting for an American and National League player online at MLB.com/hankaaronaward
<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.com%2Fv3%2F__http%3A%2Fmlb.com%2Fhankaaronaward__%3B!!AzVz0GWveZQ!kG60fseFYa3M-MNo4RZlfwuggHIMScWcAETHSBCeZzy_xj4AVasOtAa-GriiOqo%24&data=04%7C01%7C%7Ca10b636c362a4940d6fd08d8707e5280%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637383035131639526%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=huwEqaUJWlD2auanbhL6FuZz6KNveB%2BOynH6hLZJmuA%3D&reserved=0> .
Each Club nominated one player from its team to be considered for the Hank Aaron Award. A panel of MLB.com writers determined seven finalists for each league from the list of Club nominees. In addition to the fan vote, a special panel of Hall of Fame players, led by Hank Aaron, will vote on the winners of the award which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball.
The panel of Hall of Famers includes Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Craig Biggio, Ken Griffey Jr., Eddie Murray and Robin Yount. Three former Hank Aaron Award winners are among this year’s finalists: Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Paul Goldschmidt.
The finalists for the 2020 Hank Aaron Award are:
Chicago White Sox
José Abreu
Atlanta Braves
Freddie Freeman
Cleveland Indians
José Ramírez
Los Angeles Dodgers
Corey Seager
Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout
New York Mets
Dominic Smith
Minnesota Twins
Nelson Cruz
Philadelphia Phillies
Bryce Harper
New York Yankees
DJ LeMahieu
San Diego Padres
Manny Machado
Tampa Bay Rays
Brandon Lowe
St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Goldschmidt
Toronto Blue Jays
Teoscar Hernández
Washington Nationals
Juan Soto
Continuing through October 18, fans have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner from a list comprising of 14 player finalists (seven players from each league).
Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Mike Trout and Christian Yelich (2019); J.D. Martinez and Christian Yelich (2018); Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Altuve (2017); Kris Bryant and David Ortiz (2016); Josh Donaldson and Bryce Harper (2015); Giancarlo Stanton and Mike Trout (2014); Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt (2013); Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012); José Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011); José Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Derek Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols (2003); Alex Rodriguez and Barry Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999).
The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, and, at that time, was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.
The Braves will start right-hander Bryse Wilson in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, and presumably Clayton Kershaw.
I thought Tony did pretty good overall yesterday, especially considering that he had not pitched in 17 days… which was an organizational mistake. I felt that keeping Tony in to pitch to Acuna was a managerial mistake… as was bringing in Baez in that spot. They had Treinen warming up for Acuna according to Dave, but he said in his post game presser that Trienen seemed like the right guy when the score was 2-0, but didn’t like him for that spot once the score went to 3-0. That makes absolutely no sense to me at all.
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It was painfully obvious that Baez didn’t have it yesterday… so I was also surprised that Dave left Baez in to face Albies… after he had already faced the 3 batter minimum. I had the same exact feeling when he brought in McGee to replace Treinin in the 9th inning of Game 1. It was just a 3-1 lead when Treinen was taken out… definitely not an insurmountable lead. So it was a total head scratcher as to why we brought in one of our lower leverage relievers in that situation.
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If we can just get the bats going early, keep the Braves from leaving the yard, and use the good bullpen pieces that we do have at the right times throughout the game then we should be alright. That doesn’t sound so hard now does it??? 🙂
Not that any of this matters but if I remember right Gonsolin gave up 3 runs on his own and Baez allowed the 2 runners to score that Gonsolin put on base before Doc took him out of the game. So you don’t know if Gonsolin would have allowed those last 2 runners to score if left in.
It seemed like Doc gave up on the game after the 6th inning putting in Wood, Kelly, Kolarek to pitch the rest of the game. I can tell you that Kolarek sucks against the right side of the plate and that was the position he was put in, in the 9th inning.
This is just my opinion, but you don’t give up EVER in the playoffs.
I’ve been watching the pre game and post game pressers and I’ve been watching Doc’s facial expressions when he has been asked tough questions and he’s been like a deer in the headlights, he has no clue what to do in tough spots during a game.
I thought we had enough hitting and starting pitching to win it all this year (notice I didn’t say bullpen) to overcome any bone head decisions made by Doc. I hope that is still the case.
I think ALL of these decisions are pre decided and in game adjustments are talked over with the bench coaches. And though I agree with most of the analysis here frankly none of those little adjustments matter if you’re not scoring.
Gonsolin hasn’t been seen for weeks. Watch him closely for 75 pitches then get him out of there. In fact, I’d do that with ALL of our starters. We just don’t have any horses at this point. If our bullpen can’t shut these guys down we are done if we don’t score 7+ every game.
I’m still asking why Gonsolin didn’t pitch for 16 or 17 days? I looked up his 10 appearances this season and he had one bad outing on Sept. 10. His next outing he threw 7 innings and 90 pitches, His last 2 appearances were fine and he appeared to be stretched out to go deeper. So as a reward, he doesn’t pitch for 17 days. He looked great early but only got through 4.1 on 88 pitches. All the strength he had built up was gone and he ran out of gas. He’s good. They should figure that out and pitch the guy. If CK hadn’t been scratched we might still be waiting for him to pitch at all.
Could not have said it better Phil.
Eric, even though he was not on the mound for the runs scoring, he put them there so he gets charged with allowing 5 runs. Not really fair one would think, but that is the way it happens.
Thanks for the write up Jeff. Glad you met up with your new friend.
Some thoughts on last night:
* “Walks will kill ya”. Ever heard that before? Dodger pitching gave up 7 walks and 5 scored. In the 5th alone there were 4 walks 3 scored. And we seemed to pitch behind in the count all night.
* Home plate umpire Will Little is known as the best balls and strikes guy and last night he was great, I watched every pitch closely for both sides and he missed 8 pitches out of the K-Zone all night. And those were close. No 2 balls off the plate strikes or obvious strikes called balls. He’s a guy who doesn’t need ABS. The few players who complained were wrong. He rung nobody up on a pitch out of the K-Zone.
* Last night, Smoltz took a page out of the Tim McCarver’s book on saying dumb sh*t. While Will Little is calling a great game, Smoltz explains that the hitters have a bitch because Little is calling the high strike and the low spike and a pitcher can’t get both. The K-Zone showed all the pitches called strikes, were strikes. So you can’t call a high one and not a low one? If you’re working north – south and they are in the zone, they’re strikes. I get what Smoltz is saying if they’re borderline but they weren’t
* I thought Doc threw in the towel in the 5th, leaving Baez until it was 6-0.
2 games in one here. We lost the first 6 innings 6 – zip and won the last 3 innings 7 – 2. We need to get going earlier.
* It was good to see Muncy run into one in the 9th. In the 7th, he had an at bat that I’ve bitched about forever. He works to an advantage 2 and 1 count. A Green Light Special. Time to let it eat. Instead he takes a BP, 90mph fastball right down the can. On the theory that you will get 1 hittable pitch every at bat, this was it. So he swings at the next pitch up and away and strikes out. Use the favorable count please.
* The TBS coverage of the AL side is so much better than Buck and Smoltz who can’t shut up. Jeff Francoeur and Ron Darling are informative without the constant chatter of Smoltz who fills every available second of air time.
I still think we are in this deal and on paper have a pitching advantage. But it’s put up or shut up time.
Darling is terrible too
That’s why they have chocolate and vanilla Hawkeye. I like Darling a lot. He knows when to shut up and makes good points.
I agree Smoltz never shuts up. I chose to mute them tonight and go with the radio feed for audio.
Good to hear Nomar and Hairston talking about the Dodgers overly shifting too much in the playoffs. Glad I’m not the only one that feels that way. Baez gets a routine DP ball out of Freeman last night and no one is there. Postseason baseball isn’t regular season baseball.
Walks don’t seem to be hurting the Braves starting pitching! Of course you need a clutch hit to make them pay!
Good point Cassidy. The Dodgers took 6 walks, one intentional, NONE scored. We walked 7 and 5 scored. See where I’m going here?
For a walk?
Don’t let up.
Statement, who says there is no such thing as carryover momentum!!
That’s a solid start. I want more, Badger
In the bullpen in the first!
Do not let up!
Both of Us! 😉
ala Kirk Gibson, all year long, we’ve looked to Mark to light the fire, and all year long, he delivered, until he was physically unable to do so, with TWO bad health issues!
Good news!
Wow! 2 things:
Glad they aren’t working the count. See the ball, hit the ball!
Credit Mookie for the big inning. Great hustle set the tone and opened the door.
Go Blue!
They have drawn 3 walks already too and a HBP
Great start Dodgers!! So glad to see joc, muncy, and Rios get going. I mean muncy is due to get red hot!
4 HRs already – unfortunately, the Dodgers usually need the long ball to win but fortunately, they have guys who can hit them. Now if they can only keep doing it…
Urias up to 51 pitches after 2 innings. They need him to eat some innings after yesterday and especially after an 11 run 1st inning.
I wonder how many pitchers were spotted a 13 run lead and did not get credit for the win.
That would be interesting to find. Only way is if they did not go 5 innings or they gave up a lot of runs.
Unless he finds command and settles down, Urias is not long for this game. 51 pitches after 2 innings.
He just finished the 5th. 101 pitches and Doc takes him out.
DR beat me to it. But actually I wrote that Urias 51 pitch post more than 40 minutes ago, and then got distracted and forgot to post it.
Pache just went deep. Like to get 5 innings out Urias. Freddy Freeman just ripped a hit. Urias up to 66 pitches with 2 out in 3rd. 5 innings is the limit, if that many.
Braves have replaced some of the studs with the the scrubs. Jansen is going to pitch the 6th.
Is it fair to nitpick a 15-1 game?
Jansen didn’t look very good. His velo was down, he was laying them in the hitter’s sweet spot of the zone, and there were some hard hit outs.
I would’ve liked the Dodgers to continue to apply the pressure. That Ynoa guy saved the Braves from having to tap into their bullpen, which could’ve helped the Dodgers going forward.
I don’t quite get Urias. He pitched great, but he often looks like he’s struggling to find a pitching rhythm. When he misses, he misses badly, he does this often, and these are just wasted pitches in the course of a game/season.
I think people don’t realize the Braves – right now – are a great team. They were kind of treading water earlier in the season, when they came alive offensively the last month or so, and Ian Anderson emerged as an elite SP, they became as good as any team. I was worried the matchups of the first two games favored the Braves. Hopefully, and today demonstrates this, the Dodgers can wear down the Braves when it’s not Fried and Anderson.
This is a great Dodger win! Urias finally got to pitch over 100 pitches. If Kershaw is healthy, we will have another great arm out there for game 4. Let those bats come ready to play again and show him the support he will need.
Break through. Wood actually pitched an inning without giving up a run.
Doc using all our throw away pitchers to relieve this game. Kolarek giving up 2 hits already against RHBs. Cannot pitch to RHBs. 2 runs in.
Astros leading 4-2 after 5.
Dodgers have to get a quick feel for Wilson pitching tomorrow. If he has the rookie post season yips keep moving the line and take the walks, get him in the stretch and pounce. If he’s pounding the strike zone let er rip.
The Dodgers are just such a better road team!