Elimination game, facing the Braves top pitcher, Max Fried, and the Dodgers, besides the obvious need to win, had several objectives:
1. get off to a good start;
2. run up Fried’s pitch count;
3. Keep Buehler’s pitch count down;
4. Keep the Braves off the bases; and
5. Score more runs than the Braves.
The Dodgers were successful on four of the five. The Braves had 9 hits, but thankfully, Dodgers pitching did not issue any walks.
Because of work commitments, I followed the game on Gameday and have tried as best as I could to summarize the game.
1st inning
Buehler gets ‘em in order on 8 pitches. Nice start.
Corey Seager is having a very, very , very good series! He hits his 6th homerun of the series. Not to be out done, JT follows with a solo shot of his own. Then, after a walk to Muncy, a single by Smith, Bellinger follows with an RBI single. 3-0, and Fried has thrown 24 pitches. Good start, and the pitch count for Fried is up. Little did we know this would be the only inning the Dodgers would score.
2nd Inning:
Buehler, apparently not impressed by being spotted a lead, immediately reverts to his “let’s see how many runners I can let on base” ways; 3 consecutive singles to start the inning, Dodgers fans everywhere were starting to mutter, “oh no, here we go again”, under their collective breathes. Bloggers were trying to figure out how to blame it on Roberts. Not to worry though, Walker starts throwing some serious heat, reaching 100 mph (step aside Graterol and May), and strikes out Riley and Markakis and retires Pache on a grounder to short. After the bases were loaded, Buehler threw 11 fastballs that registered 98, 98, 99, 98, 98, 98, 99, 99, 100, 99, 98. Impressive! This may rank among Buehler’s most important innings ever pitched. He does get his pitch count up a bit.
In the bottom of the inning, Fried rights his ship, working around a single by Betts, with 2 strikeouts of his own and a ground out. It appears, after all, that Seager is human.
3rd Inning:
Buehler slows down the stress level, by retiring Acuna, Freeman and Ozuna in order.
The Mighty Muncy did not strike out, starting the bottom of the inning with a single. Will Smith, however, did strike out. Bellinger flied out and Pollock grounded into a force out. Fried is starting to settle down and has regained control of his pitch count. He and Buehler have thrown 47 and 46 pitches, respectively after 3.
4th Inning:
D’Arnaud starts with a single. How did we ever let this guy get away? Albies strikes out. Swanson then singles. Blister Boy bears down again by striking out Riley, and getting Markakis to hit a sharp grounder balk to the box. Buehler is up to 65 pitches, making it relatively certain he will not pitch a complete game shut-out.
Kike starts off the bottom of the inning determined to work the count, instead he swings at the 2nd pitch and grounds out to third. Barnes, however, does work the count full and then singles. Betts follows with a walk, and Seager grounds into a force-out, advancing Barnes to 3rd. Turner also works the count, but ends up grounding out to third. Pitch count for Fried is at 69. He too, will not pitch a complete game.
5th Inning:
Buehler quickly gets 2 outs, before Freeman rips a ball to right center, but is held to a single on a super nice play by Betts. Ozuna follows with a long fly to right on which Betts makes a great catch, causing him to do a happy dance back to the dugout. I think I’ll take a break to order a “Belli and the Ball” t-shirt for one grandson and “Mookie and the Ball” shirt for my other grandson. Takes Buehler only 9 pitches to get through this inning.
This time the Mighty Muncy did strike out. Will Smith follows with a fly out to Acuna. Belli walks and Pollock follows with a ground out to Fried. Fried up to 84 pitches.
6th Inning:
D’Arnaud starts with a strike out. Albies is out on a weird play at first, as Muncy fortuitously commits an error, but somehow the ball is picked up by Buehler, who tags out Albies as he’s heading back to the dugout. Paying attention is important in baseball. Swanson then singles, steals second and advances to third on a throwing error by Barnes. Riley helps us out by striking out for the 2nd time. Buehler up to 89 pitches, and this is his last inning. Buehler pitches 6 shutout innings, allowing 7 hits, no walks and 6 ks. The no walks was huge. This was as good an outing as we could have asked for from Buehler, particularly in light of his recent outings.
Fried is still pitching for the Braves in the bottom of the inning. Kike still hasn’t figured out how to work a count, choosing to ground out on the first pitch of the inning. Barnes again shows him how it’s done, and singles on the 5th pitch thrown to him. Unfortunately, Mookie grounds into a double play.
7th Inning:
Treinen is out for the 7th inning and promptly gives up a triple to Markakis on the first pitch. Once again, Dodgers fans are starting to get nervous. Pache follows with a ground out. Acuna, however, puts the Braves on the board with a double. Treinen strikes out Freeman and retires Ozuna on a fly out to Betts to end the inning. Big sighs everywhere.
Surprisingly, Fried comes back out for the bottom of the inning. He immediately shows why, as he retires Seager on one pitch. Turner follows with a walk, but on Fried’s 109th pitch, Muncy strikes out swinging, on a pitch that appeared to be out of the zone. Considering Fried’s start to this game, you have to applaud the young man’s effort. He is a very good young pitcher who, barring injury, will only get better. He may, in fact, be this year’s Cy Young winner. Darren O’ Day comes on to relieve Fried and gets Smith to ground into a force out.
8th Inning:
Baez comes on for the Dodgers(gulp), and pitches a typical “Petey” inning, throwing, what seems like a lot of pitches. But, he strikes out D’Arnaud; he then induces Albies to foul out to Seager and gets Swanson to fly out to Betts. Nothing to it!
Chris Martin comes on for the Braves to face Bellinger. Jansen is warming in the pen for the Dodgers (another gulp). Bellinger hangs tough, but ultimately flied out to Pache on a very nice catch. Joc pinch hits for A. J. and singles to center. Kike then chased a slider and flied out to left. Rios comes on to pinch-hit for Barnes, and draws a walk. But, Martin gets Betts to fly out to center to end the inning.
9th Inning:
Jansen comes on in the ninth for the save. There are nervous fans throughout the Dodgers community. On his first pitch, Riley lines out to left fielder Pederson, who makes a nice catch. On his second pitch, Jansen gets Markakis to fly out to Bellinger. Sandoval then lines out to Pederson. Game Over!
The Dodgers live to play another day! I don’t wish him any ill will, but I hope that Ian Anderson comes out and pitches like “Cross-eyed Mary” tomorrow and that the Dodgers Bungle in the Jungle. Bear will understand that reference.
Some Random Playoff Thoughts:
● Because I followed the game on Gameday, I wasn’t able to see how Jansen’s pitches were cutting. I was impressed with his effort on Friday. His pitches looked very crisp and he looked much more confidant. I’ll take that Jansen any day.
● I feel badly for Clayton Kershaw. He did not pitch his best game on Thursday, but he definitely deserved a little better from his fielders and the relievers that followed him. That said, I hope he gets to start one or two games in the WS and pitches absolute gems.
● The thought of the Houston Astros playing in the World Series, makes me want to vomit. I’m finishing this article just as the Rays and Astros game is starting. I’m cheering for the rays all the way.
● To borrow from the title of a children’s book, Max Muncy has had a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Year. That said, his walk in the 6th inning on Friday night was huge. Walks aren’t very sexy, but that one helped change the whole complexion of the game.
● It is nice to see some fans in the stands, but I haven’t warmed up at all to playing on a neutral site. But, then again, this is the weirdest of seasons.
Couldn’t be prouder of how these guys have fought back. A very special team!
Keys to tomorrow’s game:
Pitching
Corey
Pitching
Mookie
Pitching
7th games are what it’s all about. It’s what Champions live for. Hope my ticker can handle it. Go Blue! This is your moment.
Well the Cheetos run has ended. TB ended their season with a 4-2 win. If the Dodgers make it to the series, TB will be a worthy foe. Jansen’s pitches were crisp. Although he induced 3 fly outs, none of them was particularly hit hard. The first one, off the bat of Riley was a sinking liner though and Joc made a nice rolling catch on the ball. The next two were just lazy fly balls. All hands on deck tomorrow. No starter for the Dodgers announced yet. Anderson for the Braves. It should be one hell of a finish.
My Playoff beard remains, almost shave after game 4 loss but did not!!
Kersh starts goes 2, then gonsolin for 2, Urias for 3
Gonzalez 2/3 to 1, Blake 1/3, Jansen and Graterol for 9th depending on matchups.
Dodgers win 4 to 1, Rios and Muncy homer, seager goes 1 for 2 with 2 walks and is mvp. On to Tampa.
Uh, they would stay in Texas. And the Rays would be the visiting team the first two games. Dodgers had best record in baseball, so they are the higher seed.
They showed a lot of character yesterday. Jumping all over Fried in the first inning, before he could get going. was huge. Mookie’s catch, of course. Buehler’s blister-beater performance. Getting out of the second inning with no outs after giving up 3 straight singles. And the relief pitching held up, including KJ’s redeeming himself. He actually ended the game with a 94 mph pitch. Must be on dexamethasone! Who will pitch today is, of course, the big mystery. I liked Mark’s idea of Kersh pitching a few innings, followed by Urias and Gonsolin. Only thing is that Kersh sometimes gives up HRs in the first inning. Why not start with Bazooka as an opener? Show them 100 mph fastballs for an inning, then have to adjust to Kersh’s 75 mph curveballs. Keep them off balance. Hold on to your seats, boys and girls!
The more recent WS winners pulled off some improbable scenarios earning it. Cubs down 3-1 to Cleveland. Houston widely regarded as winning a year or two earlier than expected. Red Sox..well nothing storybook about their run and deserving champions, but so-so performers like Eovaldi, Kelly, and even David Price became un-hittable. Nationals winning as a wild card behind Soto’s storybook run. Coming into this series, there was nothing storybook about us. We’re supposed to win, and win easily like in rounds 1 and 2. It’s starting to feel storybook now, especially accompanied with Seager’s comeback, Jansen’s rebirth?, the blister. Maybe Kershaw is the hero in game 7 giving it the perfect ending?
Braves are forcing us to play our best baseball….or at least give our best effort, and we’re now one game from the most improbable and fantastic post season win since 88. I know a lot of you just got a championship with the Lakers last week, but none of my teams have won in 25 years. I really, really need this. I don’t have any predictions for game 7. They tend to boomerang on me anyway. Easy key would be to jump to a lead, but both teams have lost games in the series after scoring first. It’s looking like all hands on deck out of necessity. It will be interesting to see how quickly Roberts will pull guys at the first sign of trouble. Curious, if Gonsolin/May/Urias/bullpen can survive thru 6, does Roberts trot out Kershaw, Jansen, Buehler for the last three innings.
By the way, I had heard the attendance was expected to be 20,000 for the games, but it doesn’t seem that many. Kershaw clan must only be so big. Looks like you can still get tickets in any section. I’d love to hear genuine crowd reaction just once this post season.
They are only allowing 11,500. One quarter capacity.
There’s talk of starting Kershaw for a couple innings in game 7. But if Gonsolin is going to pitch ag all in that game why not start him and see how far he goes? Maybe he does well and we can save Kershaw, May and Urias for their next starts.
I am not advocating starting Kersh today. I am not advocating against it. That is why Roberts makes the big bucks. He will be damned if he does, and he will be damned if he doesn’t anyway, and Doc knows it. But the Dodgers have to win today or their next starts will be in March at ST. Everyone is available today for both LAD and ATL. Is Kersh better when starting or relieving in this role? Do you start Kersh for an inning? Follow up with Gonsolin for 5? A Graterol/Gonzalez/McGee/Floro combination for innings 7-8 and finish with Urias? I am sure their computers are working OT to figure the best pitching situational scenarios to fit these guys into. Regardless, it is the offense that needs to show today. If thunder isn’t going to work, then single them to death. If LF is open for LH hitting, go the opposite way. Get on base. Take the extra base . Make their defense work. The Dodgers are the deeper and better team. Go out and prove it today.
Well I’m on record saying I don’t use Kershaw. I think I’d give the first to Graterol, the 9th to Jansen and that leaves 7 for Gonsolin and the rest of who might be ready. If it can work out that Kolarek can pitch to 2 lefties out of 3 batters that’s maybe down to 6 innings. Floro can get or end an inning, Kelly can get or end an inning, Baez, Wood, Urias can all get a couple outs. Gonsolin can probably be effective twice through the order. I don’t believe we need to use Kershaw.
Doc says he’s going to talk to Kershaw and see how he feels. My stomach turns I read this. Stop me if you think that you’re heard this one before. No thank you, we don’t need Kershaw coming off a mediocre balky back performance to screw up this game. Please, nothing cute here. Gonsolin starts and goes as far as he can. Julio and May follow. Kelly, Treinen, Baez, Floro, Gonzolez, Graterol, McGee in no particular order. Pretty much anybody but Kershaw, Wood and Kolarek.
Put the best lineup out there. Mookie, Seager, Turner, Muncy, Smith, Belli, Pollock, Pederson, Kike or Taylor if healthy. As much as I like Rios, I use him later in the game after they bring in a lefty to face Pederson. Kike or Taylor hits for Pederson, then Rios replaces Kike or Taylor when they return to a righty.
Don’t overthink it with openers. Don’t F***this up by over managing.
I sit Pollock, play Joc in LF and start Rios at DH.
Hernandez is just fine at 2B.
Bench is Barnes, Pollock, Beaty, Taylor.
The reason I play Pollock is that he has a history of hitting elite pitchers and Anderson has reverse splits. It’s a tough decision for me to put Pollock over Rios, but I go with experience and the reverse splits in this instance. I would also be tempted to have JT DH with Rios at 3B because I think JT has lost a step or two or three on defense. But, with Taylor’s ankle as it is, I setup the DH spot for Pederson, Taylor and Rios.
You were right.
I think Joc is a talented fielder and good at tracking his routes on fly balls. Thought his catch last night was great. He looked like a gymnast with that tuck and roll coming to his feet while catching the hit ball. Kudos, Joc.
Couldn’t agree more with you BAP
Totally concur with all of that.
Far be it from me to criticise Mookie – but I would much rather see him leading off trying to hit line drives rather than hit it out. To me, we look so much better when he gets on base.
Do not start Kershaw, in fact don’t consider using him at all. Go with a Gonsolin start and a piggyback BP with Urias as the first guy out of the BP. Ride that for as long as you can, but save Kersh for game #1 of the WS, if we get there. Enough of the speculation we cannot win without Kershaw having to pitch.
As much as we would like to see Kerhsaw exorcise his post season demons, at the same time Dodger nation and Kerhsaw himself cannot see another poor performance. Just say NO!
So proud of my Dodgers for the way they played especially the last two games. Corey Seager is my choice for MVP with a close second to Mookie. Very excited about our chances today. I think we have the talent and momentum to win.
Congrats to the Rays for making the World Series. One half of my prediction has come true. I am making my husband wear his Dodger shirt, and I in my worn out Dodger hat for the 3rd day in a row for good luck.
Nice break-down of the game, inning to inning, 2D2. Miss your parodies though.
I Kershaw feels good and wants to take the bump then he’s earned it way ahead of anybody who’s ever worn a uniform. But more importantly the offense needs to show more to support his efforts. Nobody has Kershaw’s number. I may be the lone wolf but I think it’s a shame Kershaw is not getting the chance to deal against Astros.
“I Kershaw feels good and wants to take the bump then he’s earned it way ahead of anybody who’s ever worn a uniform”
NOOOOOO!!!
It’s never smart to base performance based decisions on sentimentality. Yes, we have a soft spot for Kershaw and want to see him ride off into the sunset as a winner, but ……NOOOOOOO!!!
Would like to see the Dodgers score early and win this game by 4 or 5 runs. Hope Roberts is on top of his game today, manage with your head, not your heart.
Just checked odds at Vegas Insider. Dodgers are -135 and they list Kershaw as the starter. I don’t know what they think they know, but, there is that.
A game 7 start. That’s going to have the heartbeat up for anybody and maybe more for a 21 year old like Grateral. Need to stay away from walks. Kershaw throws strikes and could get the high pressure first inning out of the way. That said, I start Gonsolin and follow him with Urias.
Koufax started a WS game on 2 days rest with Drysdale warming up side by side him. Maybe the best use of Kershaw would be to have him warm up with Gonsolin and be ready to relieve him in the first inning.
I do not know how Roberts will employ his pitching staff tonight. I am not going to second guess his decisions because I don’t know how the staff feels physically and mentally. For example kershaws back, May ( did not look sharp at all) Urías how does his arm bounce back etc. Roberts has the best info.
From a uninformed standpoint: Gonsolin seems to go a few innings and just lose command all of a sudden. Sounds like he needs to be a reliever. He is lights out and then totally loses it. Wherever he pitches I would have him on a very short leash.
Kershaw I just would not go there unless we have a big lead and he is healthy. These are the kind of games that he has come up short. For the team and his sake let’s don’t feed the post-season narrative. He did throw 4 very good innings in the seventh game 2017 but no pressure the game was over. I will root for him no matter what but team first.
Wild man Kelly please no and if you have to early. Terrible signing it appears.
Floro early with the lower part of the lineup.
Wood no…..
McGhee not a good matchup with the rh Atlanta lineup kolarek same
The rest: May,Urias,treinen,Baez, Jansen,Gonzalez, graterol can be dominant and have pitched with confidence with the exception of May in his last start. Gonzalez has been a bit shaky with command but should be rested.
I trust the staff will pitch who they feel are the best matchups and they trust to rise to the occasion. Let’s go Dodgers!!
That would be McGee and check his splits.
We’ve got the pitching to get 9 innings without using Kershaw. I just hope we hit as a team. If we do we win this one.
Confirmed Kershaw is starting, love it, due for a good one, goes 2 1/3, hands the ball to Urias in third to face Ozuna with two runners on and punches him.
Then he proceeds to go 2 2/3. Then comes Gonsolin for 2. Then Gonzalez possibly Treinen for the 8th. Graterol and Jansen in 9th. It will be a 4 to 1 final. Bring on the rays, May starts game 1. We got this.
I have not seen that Kershaw is starting posted anywhere. It for sure is not on the Dodger site, nor anywhere else. Why just 2 2/3 ? We all know Anderson can pitch deep into a game. It is all going to hinge on the offense. And if they win, and advance to the series, who starts game 1? Buehler on 3 days rest? This is why I said months ago that they needed that # 3 stud behind Kersh and Buehler. They have great pitching in the pipeline. But right now a majority of the starting staff is untested. Especially in big games. Me, I would start Gonsolin. His stuff is nasty. He can give them 4 or 5 innings easily. But, they have to get to the Braves pitchers. They need to do to Anderson the same thing they did to Fried. No pitcher is invincible and Anderson lost some games during the regular season. The big advantage they have is that now they have seen him pitch. They know what he is capable of. Adjusting and making solid contact is the key.
It’s a prediction.
It hasn’t been reported nor confirmed.
Bear I think they’ve got good starting depth behind Buehler and Kershaw. Gonsolin, Urias and May. All those guys should by now be able to throw 75-90 pitches and go 5-6. That is all that is required of starters anymore. By old school definitions it ain’t exactly stud-like but there are few pitching studs these days. 7 innings now is damm near equivalent to a complete game. In fact, 7 innings was a complete game this year. Twice I think.
NorCalDodgerFan has it right on in my opinion
“Do not start Kershaw, in fact don’t consider using him at all. Go with a Gonsolin start and a piggyback BP with Urias as the first guy out of the BP. Ride that for as long as you can, but save Kersh for game #1 of the WS, if we get there. Enough of the speculation we cannot win without Kershaw having to pitch.”
Don’t put pitchers in unusual situations. We love our deep bullpen, so trust it. For me it’s Gonsolin for as long as he’s effective, then Urias and go from there with match ups. I don’t think CK should pitch in any role. Let’s not reinvent the line up either.
By the way my “love” for John Smoltz in the booth continues. I learn so much from his constant, white noise, babble. Last night, for example, I learned, tucked away in his verbal Diarrhea that:
“when you have a deceptive move to 1st, you have a better chance to pick off the runner.”
“the runner needs to get a bigger lead at 2nd so on a hit, he has a better chance to score.”
That’s brilliant.
This should be interesting. I hope that Doc continues to not make a glaring error that costs us. But, invariably, it’s the players who win win of lose this game.
I love our chances.
Joe Davis is calling tonight’s game. Not much chance of Smoltz shutting up anytime soon. One game I would prefer Hershiser to that guy. I understand that Badger. By stud, I meant someone with a little more playoff experience. I see no Drysdale’s on the horizon. I have gotten a kick out of David Ortiz on the pre and post game shows. When I can understand his thick accent, he makes some pretty good points. I like the Big Hurt too. He is solid. Rodriguez I could do without. One advantage. They have been here before. Anderson is pitching the biggest game of his life. At 22 he is bound to have some butterfly’s. He lost 2 games during the regular season. Lets make it 3 for the year.
Ian Anderson is younger than all three of our young starters. He’s a rookie. That doesn’t seem to bother Atlanta.
In a straight up matchup of any of May, Gonsolin or Urias against Anderson the Dodgers would be favored and I would bet on them to win.
Andrew Simon, MLB writer quote:
“Clayton Kershaw, LHP: He’s made seven postseason relief appearances before, but the most recent (2019 NLDS Game 5) ended in disaster. Kershaw also was scratched from his Game 2 start due to back spasms and wasn’t all that sharp when he took the ball in Game 4. Yes, the future Hall of Famer theoretically is available for an inning or so, on two days’ rest. But Roberts may be better off steering clear this time around, especially if it means facing the Braves’ big right-handed bats.”
I would agree with his assessment.
May gets the start
AJ in left
Joc at DH
CT3 at second base
May will be an opener. I agree with this if he feels good. Apparently he does or says he does. Mb he will be sharper this time but definitely capable. AJ a bit of a head scratcher since he has been a non factor. Mb today is his day. Joc at dh I guess Roberts doesn’t fear the lefties coming in. Glad to see ct is able to go.
At Walker Buehler’s post game presser he stated, “This may sound odd, but I have never felt that calm in a baseball game, maybe in my career, especially in a spot like that. But Barnes steered me through it. The way he was able to guide me through that inning was about as good as I have ever seen.”
That is why baseball decision makers do not look at the back of baseball cards to decide who is on the roster and who is not. Not to mention that Barnes is 2-7 in the NLCS. For the 2020 playoffs, Austin is hitting .500/.538/.500/1.038 in 13 PA. So he is not exactly hurting the team offensively. But what he does as a receiver seems to go unnoticed by everyone except his pitchers (any obviously me).
Another player not considered worthy by many, Joc Pederson, has the third most hits for LAD in the NLCS with 6. In the NLCS, Joc is batting .375/.412/.563/.974. For the postseason, Joc is hitting .364/.391/.500/.891. Joc needs 5 more 2020 wins to solidify his Dodgers’ legacy. Chances are that he will not be a Dodger in 2021, but he has been outstanding for many playoff series. As Ian Anderson is a RHSP, Joc gets the start today. Joc… give us one more good NLCS game, and then give us a re-creation of your 2017 WS. This time without cheaters the Dodgers probably come out on top.
In the NLCS, Kike’ is batting .273/.333/.545/.879. That is a better OPS than Belli, Mookie, Fresh Prince, and Pollock, and only .03 less than JT. Kike’s is not hurting this team.
Teams need their stars, of course, but there are the role players, and they need to come through when called on. Joc and Kike’ have done it before in the playoffs, and are certainly not hurting the Dodgers this postseason. Today maybe it will be AJ or Rios, or maybe even Beaty with a PH off the bench to score a key run.
Unlike some who seem to know that Clayton Kershaw should not get close to the game, I will leave that decision to people who actually talk to him to know how he feels. I trust those decision makers know the right questions to ask CK to best interpret his answers. I do expect both teams’ pitching to be well prepared and confident and deep. Will the pitching be such that no batter will see the same pitcher more than once?
IMO it will be the bats that need to come through in key situations. It does not have to be the Big Fly that will win the game. A double, ground ball to the right side, and a sac fly does the same job. Or even a walk, stolen base, ground ball to the right side, and sac fly. The batters just need to know the game situation and react accordingly. LHH bunting to the left side when the situation calls for. Going to the opposite field with an outside pitch rather than trying to pull it and rolling over. I am not going to say that Belli needs to back off the plate, because he is not going to do it. He will have all offseason to see film and hopefully make the adjustments next year. But I would rather have a comfortable Belli at the plate knowing that he cannot hit the fastball on the upper inside quadrant of the K Zone, but knowing that he can obliterate a mistake. Maybe he K’s all previous PA today, but then kills a mistake for a walk-off. Right now that is who he is.
I have made comments on Muncy’s lack of swings, and yes it does bother me that a cleanup hitter has 15 walks in 49 postseason plate appearances. Maybe it is a bit of hyperbole, but when Smoltz states that Muncy is either going to walk, strikeout, or hit a HR, he is not that far off. If he wants to bat 8th or 9th, okay. But cleanup? Seager has 5 BB to 8 K, compared to Muncy’s 15 BB to 14K. Seager is aggressive and has 6 HRs and 15 RBIs compared to the far less aggressive cleanup hitter’s 2 HRs and 8 RBIs. Muncy is going to see strikes, so maybe today is the day that he should jump on them before he watches 2 strikes and then goes fishing on an outside pitch he is trying to pull. If Max gets two RBIs without a HR, I think the Dodgers win this game.
What he said.
I think telling Kershaw he will start game one of the WS would be a good idea along with warming him up with May as if starting the game but using him only if May can’t throw strikes. Pull him after the first if he comes in and sit him in the bullpen for the rest of the game is May gets through the first. I think May would feel less pressure knowing Kershaw was ready to bail him out.
I know we all want it so I’m going to say it….WE WIN TONIGHT!!! . With that in mind my focus turns to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Tampa Bay Rays beat reporter states the team rather play the Braves than the Dodgers because of teh depth of the Dodgers and as a side note:
According to Bernie Wilson of the Associated Press “The innovative Rays led the AL with a 40-20 record. Known for their pitching and defense, they also introduced the concept of the starter and sometimes deploy a four-man outfield”.
Finally it also seems right that the teams with the two records in baseball should meet in the World Series.
I meant to says the two BEST records should play in the WS.
We speak the language of your first version and often use it when writing our own comments.
I would go with Gonsolin and Urias. I would close with Buehler.
Well that would definitely be his Bumgarner/Hershiser moment if he dominated and won game 6 and the very next night gets a save in game 7!
I have a better chance of closing tonight than Buehler.
Are we still talking baseball?
Here’s the complete lineup for today:
Betts, RF
Seager, SS
Turner, 3B
Muncy, 1B
Smith, C
Bellinger, CF
Pollock, LF
Pederson, DH
Taylor, 2B
May, P
You misspelled BBuncy.
The back spasms really come back (PUN) to bite the Dodgers.
Without them, I think Kershaw’s on regular rest going into this game. (Which, of course, presumes everything else would have happened the same way. Which it wouldn’t have. (BUT, starting pitching depth and how it was impacted by the spasms is my real point.))
Let’s hope the good guys get lucky and win.
I still do not like Muncy in the 4 hole. But that is where he has been all post season long. Maybe Mad Max runs into one. I don’t think May goes more than 2 innings at best. Urias and Gonsolin would be my first choices out of the pen. If Kersh pitches at all, I say no more than one inning. Buehler will not be available unless it were an extreme emergency. I don’t think Walker has ever pitched out of the pen.
If it’s feasible I prefer Kershaw just gets jacuzzi time until the next series. We have a plethora of pitching available for this game including 3 starters who could give a couple innings.
I’m not crazy about Muncy at cleanup either. He doesn’t look like he’s up there hunting strikes. Cleanup hitters should be all over fastballs and he takes too many for my liking.
Absolutely feel the same about Muncy hitting 4th.
He looks like his sole ambition at every AB is to get a walk.
For the record I would not have let Urías throw 100 pitches in a blow out game, and I’d have Gonsolin opening tonight.
Actually Walker pitched in relief when he first was called up. He didn’t pitch well, actually. I don’t know why he would even be considered after 5 innings yesterday.
If Kershaw pitches at all, maybe as an opener, then Gonsolin for 3, then Urias for 3. Graterol and McGee. I don’t think Kenley can pitch back to back days anymore.
Seems to me the key will be if we can get to their starter. He’s on quite a roll right now. Our pitching usually (not counting game 4!) keeps us in the game but if we get shut down offensively that’s a big problem. Question: how do we get to Anderson? patience or aggressiveness?
Both? Don’t chase. Barrel strikes. Don’t try to pull outer half strikes, don’t try to launch strike 3. That’s my approach.
Dave’s Pre-Game Presser:
Decision to start Dustin May was for Dustin’s clarity on when he’s pitching and who he is facing. On how long, they need to see in order to assess. Certainty was apparently the deciding factor as to who starts. Reading between the lines, May needs more clarity on when he is pitching than do the others. Gonsolin will pitch today, and probably the bulk of the innings. CK is available, but Doc was very non-committal as to whether he will pitch…”Well see, we’ll see”.
Julio is available and could pitch today. Doc was speaking as if Julio is going to pitch, but not knowing how long. “We’ll assess how the pitch comes out of his hand to see how far he goes.” Sounds like Julio is in the plan.
When asked whether they will hold anything back for Tuesday, Doc was adamant. NO!! “To get to the WS is their only goal, and then when they get there…win it.” “They need to go all in. No balancing.”
Offensively, Doc said that the hitters need to be ready to hit the first pitch over the plate. They cannot let Anderson get two strikes and then catch them off guard with the soft stuff.
So May now knows he needs to go get Acuna, Freeman Ozuna. If he handles that, perhaps he comes out for D’Arnoud, Albies, Swanson.
Either way, this is amazing that 2 22year olds will be starting game 7.
My wish is for Mookie to rattle the kid pitcher with a bunt. Then it sets things in motion for the rest of em
I like that idea, Austin Riley doesn’t look like he’s gonna win many GG’s at 3B.
Point made Bobby, but May is 23.
go blue
Good luck Dodgers!! May the hitting Angels guide you.
I’d like Muncy to be aggressive in the strike zone. However, I’m not complaining about hm working the count and drawing a BB in front of Smith’s blast in game 5. And in general I have no problem with him finding a way to get on base, provided that Smith, Bellinger, Pollack and company find ways to drive him in. And if the Dodgers manage to score some runs early, it’s imperative that they continue to tack on runs.
I’m not counting on it, but 11 runs in the bottom of the first would be nice, provided that the Braves don’t score 12 in the top of the inning. 🙂
Actually, on second thought, if the Braves managed to score 12 runs in the top of the first, a Dodger comeback of 11 runs in the bottom of the first would be welcome. 🙂
I really have no idea which team will win tonight (rooting interest aside), but I think we’re going to score some runs off of Anderson. He hasn’t given up a run for the entire post season. Even great pitchers have a so-so game every once in a while. This will be Anderson’s.
Rookie pitchers choking. Why didn’t they start Urias or do the Graterol opener? What is Doc thinking?
That’s why Atlanta has Muncy batting cleanup!
If we hold them to a run an inning then all we need to do is score 10 runs!
Seager red hot previously but he makes it easy for the pitcher swinging at first pitch every time. He gets himself out too easily when he is cold. Betts 2-0 count and too impatient. Dodgers finally get key hit from smith! Thanks to turners patience!
Is Dino Ebel there? I haven’t seen him at all this pot season.
He has been at third the entire series
Gonsolin, inefficient and losing command. Pull him and bring in Urias.
Treinen? Why not Urias? I don’t like it.
Anybody have confidence in Treinen in this situation? I wish I did.
Great defensive play by Turner tagging the runner going to HP and then throwing the advancing runner out at 3B!
Win or lose we’re getting our money’s worth tonight.
I look for Mookie to come up BIG in the stretch.
MVP for Atlanta could be Muncy!
Muncy.
I’m not going to trash talk Muncy. It’s not over till it’s over.
Only one clutch hit so far. Keep getting men on base and keep the pressure on. Joc, Taylor and Betts in the 6th, It ain’t over til its over. Too many walks tonight.
Compared to Pollack and Taylor, Muncy is having a good series.
Every once and a while it’s good to remember why the Dodgers like to use Kiké against lefties.
Muncy
Good for Belly! What a game! What a series!
Objectively speaking, this is actually a very good game 7
A great one!
Dodgers ahead, but Braves pitching has been better. Hopefully Urias closes it out.
Dodger pitchers gave up only 3 hits. I would not say the Braves pitching was better.
Talking about the entire pitching staffs, not just tonight.
Buehler is an ace, but been a tough year for him
CK still very good but not as good as his past
Urias a budding star, breaks out next year
Gonsolin & May not there yet, the Young Brave pitchers were better than these two.
Dodgers need to sign Trevor Bauer next year to compete with SD and Atlanta next year.
Good thing Bellinger hit the HR before he did the stupid thing with his shoulder
I was just going to post how Doc was making good decisions, now he has KJ warming up!
Heart ache time.
Nope, he let Urias finish the game and the Dodgers are NL Champs again.
Mookie, we’re watching a real ball player there aren’t we.
Here we go. Please Urias in to pitch the 9th
All the pressures on the hitter now right where we want it
Good decision Doc. Great game
How about them apples! Belli with the hit of the series……Now on to TEXAS wait, they are already there……
Great Game!!!! I just felt it in my old bones before the game started.
Next prediction: Dodgers in 6 games
Gut check! That was impressive! What a great series! Gotta feel for Atlanta! Julio became an ace tonight!
Agree on the gut check my man. This is the first time all night my stomach has not been doing flip flops. It settled a bit after Cody’s homer. Urias was NAILS>
Great game. Urias should be co-MVP with Seager.
I don’t feel nothing for Atlanta.
Neither do I. But you have to admit they played well.
Dodgers Win!! Great game!! Seager will be mvp but don’t tell Urias that!! Team effort and I am thankful Doc didn’t put Jansen in! Great decision!
Yes, Yes, Yes!! Love that Graterol/Urias 1-2 punch. What a comeback for the Blue. Looking forward to a great Championship Series. In this politically correct world, I also think they should rename the Worlds Series. North American Baseball Championship Series(NABCS) or something to that effect. It’s insulting to the rest of the Baseball world who don’t get to compete at all.
WORLD SERIES WORLD SERIES WORLD SERIES WORLD SERIES. There’s your politically correct thank you.
The World Series is the world championship because the Major Leagues and the players who play on that level are the best in the world.
Just checking to see if all the Dodgers fans who quit on them after 3-1 were still here.
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A lot of dumb shit said about Joc and Urias on this board this year. Nice job Julio and Joctober. I said earlier I knew Joc would show up playoff time and got criticized. I also said they need Seager and Cody to hit to win.
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Doc good job leaving Urias in. Good job not pinch hitting for Joc the first time. The second time against a lefty was a tough call and he made the right one. As for the opener nonsense. That overmanaging put them behind. Nice resiliency. I said I wasn’t throwing in the towel at 3-1. They were going to see those pitchers again. I think their motto is fool us once shame on you. Fool us twice shame on us but you aren’t fooling us twice.
There was a lot of trash talk about Kike too.
A lot of break up the team talk after being down 3-1.
We hit, we win.
This team looks right when Bellinger hits.
Should be a close series.
Oh, if we only had Lindor…. pffft. Lol
We are winning, playoff beard of mine will lead us home!! 4 nights in a row same post track it!!
For all the complaints about Roberts, he managed the game great.
Good job Doc . Mojo found
Just woke up at 5:30 am in the Netherlands and caught the last inning. What a game! Looked back over the highlight reel: Turner’s double play, Bett’s robbing Freeman, Belli and Kiki’s HR’s. Urias lights out again. And give Doc some credit; no Kersh and no KJ. Sometimes it’s the things you don’t do. Addition by subtraction. We’re going to the WS! Who would have thought it, down 3 games to 1? This team has talent and grit.
Well I guess Roberts gets to keep his job here on this site. At least for another week!
I thought the Braves were going to put up more fight as they had earlier in this series but still expected the win. It’s hard to tell with any certainty which team is the better till the contest actually starts, but to me it appears the NL is mightier than the AL pretty much through all playoff teams. Sure hope I’m right! Four more wins! CHEERS ALL. GO DODGERS!!!!
Dodgers Win! Win sweep Rays in 4. World Series is our’s!
Great win Dodger family,now on to the world series
The best managerial moves Doc made all year were not using Kershaw or Kenley tonight. It must have been very tempting but as someone said above, sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make.
Now Kersh is set up to start game 1.
Buehler probably goes in game 3.
So that means we probably see May for a few innings in game 2 followed by the gang.
And Urias for game 4.
At least that’s my guess.
There is a couple off days built in so it will be interesting how they use the staff.
I love our offense from top to bottom. I love our starting pitching. The only pure relievers that I’m comfortable with are Treinen and Baez.
Not complaining just being honest I wouldn’t have gone with May and Graterol.
I said go with Gonsolin and Urias. Unfortunately Gonsolin didn’t show up with good stuff but I’m still high on him.
This is the Dodgers 21st World Series appearance the second most in baseball history. They just jumped over the Giants with 20. If anything I was hoping for the Dodgers to just get to the World Series to take back their rightful place as a second most in baseball history.
Slow down on the sweep talk. This is by far the best pitching we will see. Well have to be at our best to win this series. We have to put the ball in play Muncy cannot bat cleanup in this series. Gotta move Belly there
Great game. We needed everything to win this, and don’t forget Betts’ catch without which the Braves would have been up two. I was all in favor of keeping Urias in for the ninth, he was pitching superbly, and we did not need to take a risk with Jansen, who of course could have come in had Urias put a man on base.
We did leave a lot of men on base, and it was reminding me of past playoff games. I have to give Kike’ a lot of credit, as I have disparaged him at times, but he is certainly capable of hitting a big home run, as he did, reminiscent of one he hit in Chicago in 2017. We needed the home runs in this game, because except for Smith, who is a clutch hitter, we simply could not drive a run in on the bases. Great for Cody to be the hero of a playoff game. I hope his shoulder is okay. I would rather have him bat fourth, or maybe Smith, but let’s hope that Muncy can do the job, because he is going to be batting fourth.
If you have had a chance to watch Tampa Bay, they are quite good,, great starters and relievers. The lineup is resourceful, their manager is very good. If we thought Atlanta had good pitching, Tampa Bay’s is better. But maybe having won this series coming from behind, we will have less pressure, and hit like we are capable of doing. And i think that Urias is now our #3 starter although it sure helps to be able to use him in relief. Two starts for Buehler, Kershaw and Urias.
As to Roberts, he is earning praise tonight, which is fine, though I think that the pitching sequence was decided before the game,although he put that together, too. I give him credit for keeping Urias in. i was surprised to see May start, but it worked out. Great to still be playing, and being able to look forward to games! I still hope that we do some things in the offseason, because Atlanta came very close to winning this series, and they will probably be even better next year.
Window closing:
Ages of Dodger pitchers in Game 7:
23
26
32
22
24
Turning point of the series, Kelly comes in to pitch in game 4. He gives up two hits. Betts make a great catch and doubles up Ozuna. This is why Friedman signed Joe Kelly.
Have only just recovered enough to post. Had to take some deep breaths while watching those last few innings.
The Dodgers never make it easy for the fans do they?
I’ve read all the comments, and nearly everyone who played a hand in the great come from behind victory got a mention – but for me, the guy who hasn’t been mentioned was Treinen.
The game could very easily have got away from us when he emerged from the BP after the not so good showings of May & Gonsolin. He did a fantastic job in a very high leverage situation, and Doc deserves credit for getting that totally right.
So, on to Tampa, but there are a few questions now. What to do with May & Gonsolin? May particularly looked like a rabbit in the headlights, and Gonsolin didn’t exactly execute either.
This could be another long series, so do we add another starter/ long man?
Do we tweak the order? Max isn’t performing in the way you want a clean up hitter to, but Doc hasn’t blinked to this point.
The good news is we have a day off, and there are further days off in the series.
I think that AF & Doc have some serious thinking to do.
Well done everyone – Baseball has been a very welcome distraction from things -let’s make it a special season all round.
Super fun series. Still need to win it all. Are we keeping the same roster?