This is what I was thinking as Game 1 approached.
The game we have been waiting for since November 1, 2017 and the opportunity to wipe away all the anguish of a 30-year drought. I have had a busy day and have discovered I am not as nervous about this series as I was the one with the Brew Crew. I don’t think it is because I feel the Red Sox are an easier target than Milwaukee. They most definitely are not. If I may be a homer, I think it because we have made it to the big stage again. I am hopeful for a World Series ring but I do disagree with Tommy. Something has been done just making it there again. It is better to have made it there and lost than not to have made it there at all. Just ask the 28 other teams or 700 other players who are not there.
As I await the first pitch I expect a long hard fought series and I do expect the unexpected to happen. That way it won’t be unexpected.
On another blog, after the Dodgers lost Game 6 of the previous series, the claim was made that the game was being run by the puppeteers, namely FAZ. I do think they pull some strings, and they should, but I also think Dave Roberts makes some good decisions within those parameters. How many teams this year are making a second consecutive appearance in the World Series? Sure, we can question some decisions, but we have the luxury of a second guess. He’s a genius if thing work, but not so much if they don’t. Here’s hoping for some genius.
During the series I hope David Freese gets ample play time. He has demonstrated he can get the job done on the world stage.
I expect Matt Kemp to make something happen in perhaps his last games with the Dodgers. Perhaps a pinch hit home run.
Justin Turner at one time was ranked right up there with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig with his postseason statistics, especially with OBP. Time for Justin to return to that lofty company.
The Red Sox have a reputation for success with two out and RISP. There is a solution to that. It’s that good pitching beats good hitting thing. This staff will do a better job than the Astros’ staff did.
Perhaps a stolen base will become all important. Dave Roberts knows all about that. Thus far in postseason play the Dodgers stole 12 bases in 11 games while the Red Sox swiped five in nine games. Dodgers catchers threw out three of six potential base stealers while Red Sox catchers caught two of four.
I wait for a significant bunt such as Machado’s in game seven of the previous series. I know the bunt has fallen into disfavor but it is one of my favorite weapons in all its diverse forms. I much prefer it to a strikeout.
It has been pointed out that Red Sox pitchers statistically were at a disadvantage with the Dodger pitchers because they have had to face a DH in each game and pitch in hitter friendly American League East Division parks. The corollary to that is that the Dodger hitters haven’t had the protection of a DH and have had to hit in the pitcher friendly Western Division of the National League.
Yasiel Puig may well play a key role not only with his play in the field and at bat but in distracting the faithful at Fenway Park who have been known to be a bit obnoxious at times. He may well give them a target that thrives on the attention.
I’m hoping we can cut down on our strikeouts. Just put the ball in play. Gravity, friction, elastic force etc. will do the rest. Make them throw strikes.
This is how the game went as I saw it ending at 1:00 A.M. my time.
Here we go. First pitch. First two hitters – two K’s. Oh well – the night is still young. Time for Clayton to follow suit. Missed pop up. Is that a harbinger of things to come? Spotted the Red Sox two. Not the best plan but did limit the damage to two. Now is the time to demonstrate what the team is made of and see if Clayton can settle in for a few more innings.
Hopefully the Dodger second inning may be a sign of things to come. Matt hit a home run on a two-strike pitch and the five hitters in the inning made Sale throw 30 pitches with 51 over two innings.
Then the game turned into “almost “ and “expect the expected”. The Dodgers almost getting inning ending double plays and catching a Benintendi flare double and the Red Sox spraying the ball around as expected with a couple of two out and two strike hits.
Offensively, the Dodgers scored four runs which could and perhaps should be enough to win a World Series game. It wasn’t. Besides Matt’s home run, three of the runs came in Red Sox style with singles, walks, a wild pitch, sac fly and an infield out. It was nice to see three singles strung together. David Freese had two hits, Justin Turner three and Manny Machado drove in three. Kike Hernandez and Chris Taylor continue to strike out.
Defensively the team did not shine. It was not that they committed recorded errors but missing a pop up, a cut off man, and not looking particularly sharp in the outfield. Perhaps the confines of Fenway were a bit daunting for them.
The game was forfeited by the pitching staff. Clayton was not able to get an out in the fifth inning and before it was over he was charged with five earned runs. He threw 79 pitches, 52 for strikes. Ryan Madson looked like he was going to get out of the fifth inning unscathed and almost did when the team missed a double play by a nanosecond.
I am not one to really question the calls a manager makes but I groaned when Dave Roberts chose to remove Pedro Baez after he recorded two unhittable strikeouts. The rest is history.
We did learn a lot from Game 1. It is not wise to give the Red Sox second chances. We also learned that at least at Fenway, the Sox bullpen appears to be as strong as that of the Brewers. The Dodger pen simply has to be as good or better than Boston’s.
So it is on to another game trailing by one as we did in the NLCS. This is the make or break game in the series. David Freese summed it up.
“You’ve got to show up, Game 1, World Series, at Fenway,” said Freese. “Double-play balls, popups drop. Just can’t let that happen. You’ve just got to get it done. You’ve got to play really good baseball in the World Series. Plays that we could have stepped up and gotten guys in or defensively make the plays — the popup, I just got turned around. The ball’s got to be caught, bottom line.”
I watched the game on Sportsnet and appreciated the commentary by Matt Vasgersian and Buck Martinez. Vasgersian sounds a lot like Bob Costas but both he and Martinez gave objective coverage to both teams. That was indeed refreshing after the series with the Brewers.
Discussion (144)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Once again, and we have all talked about it for months, we hit Yaboes, we are not a station to station team. The Red Sox are exposing us for what we are, either all or nothing. To tell you the truth, I have peace with that. I have to respect Boston and their approach, and am envious of that. They move the runners over from base to base, and are deadly with two outs. They are playing the way that most of us have bitched about this whole season , how we want th e Dodgers to play, pass the baton, pass the baton. I don’t lay this at Doc’s feet, he is playing with the cards that are dealt him. I have total faith in FAZ, but we have met a team that does the little things very well, and player for player, we have more talent and a way better bench than they have, but Boston get’s it done, and I can’t even believe that I am posting this, because I come from the 1980’s Lakers Celtics wars, where I hate everything Boston. Hopefully we come out on top, but I think FAZ may rethink their overall philosophy in 2019 going forward. Strikeouts may be a sabermetric shrug, but in the World Series where every at bat it crucial, it amounts to nothing.
Sorry Above stats from Fenway, also sorry about all my typos , will work on that during the off-season, was hurt all year and my posting has been inconsistent, I had no spring training and as a dodger poster I was platooned all year so never really got going.
And one final 5th inning point, really feel we would be sitting 1-1 had we got out of it, just saw this stat.
Average rf 294 feet from plate
Average rf 301 feet from plate versus jd Martinez
Puig 319 feet from home plate in Martinez at bat.
Sabermwtri team, obsessed with matchups, plays Puig thst deep why?
So let me ask this, if Evoldi can pitch games 1 and 2 and is starting game 4, makes me wonder if Walker could have done the same. Maybe in that spot in the 5th?
Fair assessment, will agree to disagree. It will be nice to see liellynour best pitcher and our best lineup(novel concept) for game 3.
Are we surprised? This offense is extremely inconsistent, and has been so all year. Hopefully they wake up when they get back home.
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Whatever the case, changes are in order for next year. I’ll wait for the off-season (which is hopefully preceded by a Dodger championship), but win or lose there are some people who have got to go. Swing and miss is no longer acceptable, no matter how many HRs they hit.
I do not want to see any Roberts blame. His managing skills this game is beyond reproach. Doc maybe is a genius!
Our all righty special produces about the usual, likely would not have won a 2 to 1 game but who knows if we had somehow got out of the 5th. Thx DR, extension papers will be waiting for you to sign, is 3/15 ok?
Why do ROBERTS think that every body must play any game. ??
Dodgers in a tough spot. 13 outs in a row. Facing Kimbrel. Digging themselves a hole. They haven’t really hit the entire post-season. A great time to score here – otherwise, have to sweep at home.
It would have been nice to see Bellinger or Joc drop a bunt down to try to bring Machado up as the tying run.
I was going to post that Doc probably learned that a right hander can get a left handed hitter out. But I guess he didn’t want to press his luck, and in cones Alexander. Hope it works.
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Of course none of this really matters unless the offense wakes up.
This should be a tie game at most, had Robert’s down anything right in the 5th. After Vasquez gets on, Ryu should have been lifted, and Baez to face Pearce, especially after Madson pitching last night and his stupid I could not get warm comments. It was great to see Robert’s having a great time on the field today bull shitting with players from the 04 team and the Fox broadcast team. Hope he enjoyed himself and set up autograph signing gigs for himself in the offseason, “the greatest stolen base in history and the manager who blows World Series games!”
Time for this offense to wake up unless the Dodgers plan on sweeping the Red Sox at home.
Hawkeye
Madson can’t come into two games in a row, and walk a hitter!
There is no defense for free bases, and he should know that Pierce is much easier to pitch too.
Our guys didn’t make Price pitch to them in that last inning.
They need to be more patient with Price.
At least pull him after Pearce and go to Baez Versus Martinez, of you are playing your stupid matchup game, dammit robert’s
Lose with your best on the mound, Robert’s two nights in a row fails to do that. Baez in game 1 and 2 was the play, but Robert’s falls hard.
Nop, nop..that was good call bad results. Madson did not the work
Right about now, everything Doc does is wrong.
really, a bases loaded walk? to bring up JD Martinez? The 2nd straight bad game for Madson. Try something else next time
Well, I have to admit that I was wrong about Ryu. Good call, Doc!
Runs, runs, the Dodgers need to score runs. 2-1 lead is OK, but it likely won’t hold up.
What bothers me most about Taylor is that his level of power does not justify selling out for HRs as often that he does. Although I wouldn’t love it, he would be more justified in swinging like that if he hit 30-40 HRs.
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The other improvement I’d like to see is for the comment section to remember my name and email address, both on my phone and computer. Tired of having to enter them every time I post.
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And while I’m here just want to say how frustrating it was to see Kike’ and Barnes both unable to deliver with runners on.
I wonder about the Dodgers’ catcher position. I know that they are loaded in the minors, but on the biggest stage, this is the 2nd post-season in a row that Roberts doesn’t trust Grandal, and Barnes looks like a backup to me.
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Great at bat by Freese, Machado and Kemp. Kike and Barnes 2 more strike out victims RISP.
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Now – let’s hold the lead.
This is why Kike shouldn’t be hitting in front of Puig!
Thank you Puig, for another two out RBI!!!
Now get Cody in this game!
And that is why Kike should not be hitting in front of Puig!
Thank you Puig, another two out RBI!!
Ryu is pitching MUCH better tonight, gives me hope for Kershaw in game 5. According to Joe Buck we should just call it a series and hand out the trophy tonight, without even playing in LA. This is not the ’27 Yankees we are talking about! Smolz I can take but Buck makes me reach for the mute button. Same for the NFL-I like Aikman but can’t listen to Buck drone on making the same pointless observations. The Dodgers need to grind out what looks like a low scoring game. They are swinging at more 1st pitches tonight also.
Ryu and Barnes didn’t look on the same page when Kinsler got the hit. Ryu stepped off came back then gave up the hit. Ryu looked irritated afterward.
Agree Brooklyn. Taylor is swinging from his heels. Something need to change or trade him this winter.
“Captcha” NOT “coach’s.
Taylor is an idiot, but that was a big throw. Thanks Mark for eliminating the coach’s.
David Price hasn’t been all that in years, but to hear the jerks (Buck and Smoltz) talk, he’s the 2nd coming of Cy Young. Ryu on the other hand they’ve barely acknowledged.
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Dodger hitters look overmatched again. They aren’t going to change their approach in October after playing that way since April. It’s a design flaw that’s going to have to be addressed in the offseason.
Taylor may be an idiot, but that was a big throw.
I was discussing this series with a buddy from Boston. I told him despite the 15 win difference, the talent between the two teams is very close. The main difference is Boston can get clutch hits, and we can’t.
I told him the the only stat he needs to look at in this series is avg with RISP. If both teams are close, we’ll win. If it’s like it’s been all year (and here just now in the bottom of the 2nd), we’ll likely lose.
Taylor is an idiot. Why does he feel it’s necessary to swing wildly at every pitch he sees?
Rick,
I found 3 of your posts in spam today and freed them. I installed a new span filter yesterday… but yours was the only one there. No intent. Let me know if it happens again.
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Also the capcha screens are gone… or supposed to be.
I think this is a very even series… so those seemingly harmless mistakes you make in April like overthrowing the cutoff man, not moving the runner over to third base, passed balls by the catcher… will be huge throughout this entire series.
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Because I think the talent on the field is pretty even… managing decisions are also that much more important… and can definitely affect the outcome of these games.
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I hope Dave takes the less is more approach tonight and isn’t so trigger happy with his pinch hitting / platooning / taking out relievers that are dealing, etc.
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In short… if we can play the rest of the series like we did in game 5 of the NLCS then I think we have a really good shot at winning the series. If we play and manage like we did last night… there’s absolutely no chance.
It is a bad line up. Like timmon said if works Roberts is a genius. No body knows what the future get….but is about the right call…no it worked o no…the good call is notice that Dozier y Kike have take bad PERFORMANCE in home maybe billenger for Dozier is better….what ever go DODGERS. Get the win
Got a million things to do tonight so won’t be watching. Hopefully that brings us luck!
Bellinger makes sense in the lineup, if only because he has shown the ability on occasion to hit the ball to left field. If Cody makes a conscious effort against the left-handed throwing Price to hit the ball to left, I suspect he could have success hitting a few balls off the monster. But as was noted above, both his defense and speed should get him into the lineup.
I really hope I’m wrong about Kike and Ryu… but I think when you are fighting for your lives, you need to play your best players.
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If the Dodgers lose tonight… they can still win the series of course. But against a team like Boston… who has home field advantage… you’d have to think the win probability would go down to about 10-15%
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You can’t pitch Buehler tonight… so I would have went with Rich Hill.
Cody’s bating average isn’t great in the post season… but his speed on the bases and defense alone should have him starting every single game. It also appears to me that Cody is looking very comfortable at the plate right now… I’d like to see him get at least three at bats a game. He just missed two balls last night by an inch or so… I’m just not sure how you can justify putting Kike in there over Cody when your season is on the line.
I’d put Kike in as a defensive replacement later in games at 2B… but he hasn’t shown me any reason to trust him at the plate right now.
Tonight’s Lineup: (Defying Logic and Reason)
Dozier 2B
Turner 3B
Freese 1B
Machado SS
Taylor LF
Kemp DH
Hernández CF
Puig RF
Barnes C
(Ryu P)
Wood has allowed seven homers in 18 innings over the past two postseasons.
My comments aren’t being posted
Here’s an interesting stat found at Dodgers.com
“Wood has allowed seven homers in 18 innings over the past two postseasons.”
Bringing in Baez waz not a stat-driven move. I think it was a “gut-call” and while it didn’t work, how many things you do work 100% of the time. The fact is, when you bring in a pinch hitter you have anywhere between a 65% to 75% chance it will not work. Them’s the facts!
So which do we start, the best hitting lineup , or the best defensive lineup? Perhaps a combination of both? I wish we had the strongest defensive lineup last night because, in hindsight, we might not have given up more than two or three runs. CK didn’t have his stuff but he still was a bulldog and would have done great if he had support in the field.
Starting Lineup I’d like to see for game 2
Belli – CF
Turner – 3B
Freese – 1B
Machado – SS
Kemp – LF
Muncy – DH
Puig – RF
Barnes – C
Dozier – 2B
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Our defense makes me very nervous right now… but I think this is the best hitting lineup we can put out there to start the game. We need to score early and often against Price.
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We can eventually replace Kemp with Taylor in Left and replace Dozier with Kike at 2B for better defense… but Kike shouldn’t get more than one or two at bats if we can help it.
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And I wasn’t happy with the way Freese played first base last night… but he needs to stay in the whole game. Dave has to start thinking of Freese the way he thinks about Turner and Machado… his at bats are just as valuable. You’re not going to take JT out of the game if he strikes out once and makes an error… same rules should apply for Freese. And with the luxury of having the DH… there’s never any reason to take him out of a game while playing in Boston.
I think we’ve analyzed to death what we saw last night but one thing missing is the Dodgers have a big problem at 2B right now. Kike has been flat out terrible at the plate and is killing the Dodgers. At the same time, Dozier hasn’t done anything and there were two DP balls last night that wasn’t turned. I thought on the first one, Dozier was a bit slow on the pivot and the way Freese caught the ball didn’t help get the runner. On the second one, once a again it just seemed like Dozier didn’t have much on the throw. Maybe my eyes are playing tricks because Machado has such a rocket, but there were two DP balls that I thought should have been turned. Either way they can’t play both Kike and Dozier in the lineup at the same time.
This is a serious question… Does Dave think he’s going to be fined by MLB if he doesn’t use up all his position players by the 9th inning?
1 Kershaw pitched poorly last night and the defense didn’t help him.
2 Kershaw is not going to put this team on his back and carry them to the title because he is no longer capable of doing that.
3 Roberts did not lose the game last night but he manages by the stats he is given before each game by FAZ and that loses him the feel for the game, it stops him from doing what his eyes and gut are telling him to do, As long as he follows the stats 100% he will always ( in my opinion ) be a poor game day manager.
4 Game 2 tonight, let’s hope for a Dodger turn a round.
I just read these numbers about Baez.
Baez has not allowed a hit to a leftie since July 26.
Lefties are 0-31 against Baez since then, with 11 strike outs.
Per Dodgers.com:
“Wood has allowed seven homers in 18 innings over the past two postseasons.
Per Dodgers.com:
“Wood has allowed seven homers in 18 innings over the past two postseasons.”
I am not a Roberts hater, but I wish he would have a better feel for a game, instead of always yanking pitchers out, because of platoon advantages, or the numbers.
Because sometimes a particular pitcher is pitching well that day, and because of that, sometimes the numbers are not as important.
Because not every pitcher always pitch to their numbers, every time they pitch, anyways.
That was the difference last year against the Astros, because the Astro’s manager went with his feel for the game, instead of simply going by the numbers.
I know if a manager always goes with the numbers, especially with our front office, they will not be blamed, if the pitcher doesn’t deliver.
But sometimes a manager needs to take chances, and make moves based on common sense, and what he sees, in that moment in time.
Baez’s era against lefties is double but I could see Baez getting Devers out with a high pitch just out of the strike zone, just like he did with the other two, previous hitters.
I know Devers never made it to the plate, but the way Baez was throwing, it looked like he could handle most of the players, especially the players on the Red Sox bench.
After all, Baez has been our best reliever this year, and Wood has only been in the bullpen for just over a month, or even less, and Baez was already throwing well, and warmed up, and ready to face another hitter.
Roberts wastes to many pitchers and players at times, because he goes with the numbers, to the extreme sometimes, instead of slowing the game down, and using common sense.
And like AC said, I hope Kike and others, saw that Manny didn’t try to do to much, when there were runners in scoring position, and especially when runners were on third, with less then two outs.
Because Manny hit two of those runs in, without getting a hit, because he simply made sure he put the ball in play, to get the runners on third, home.
With all the mistakes the Dodgers made, at least they almost came right back, after the Red Sox scored those two runs early, in the first.
This loss is not totally on Roberts, it is on this entire team.
Kershaw didn’t get help from his defense, because Freeze missed that pop up, and Puig never seems to want to make the right play, but all five runs were earned runs, so Kershaw could have done better, too.
Roberts probably should have taken Kershaw out earlier, after the first runner got on, in Kershaw’s last inning of the game.
Because of Kershaw’s history, and it is tougher for a reliever to come in when there is already two runners, on base.
tonight’s game will definitely be on mute. i used to blame FOX for ruining the World Series by overusing close shots, especially of fans, in key moments, trying to turn the game into an intimate drama. now, i feel the same way about their insistence on a narrative, in this case smoltz’s repetition of ideas about how the dodgers play the game the wrong way, essentially. it gets old after a while. and the results don’t prove anybody right or wrong. it’s a live sports event. by definition anything could happen and i’m content with their being some randomness to the proceedings, not the predestined outcome as prophesied by the all-knowing john smoltz.
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patterns are emerging. we played sloppy in game 1 to milwaukee, nothing has been easy. roberts opens himself up to a lot of criticism by taking such an active role in the decision-making. to me it’s like portfolio management: the more changes you make, the more likely you are to make mistakes. now he is not even being consistent with himself. first he hits for freese, now he doesn’t; now he hits pinch-hits grandal. he needs to be pressing all the right buttons and i don’t know if anyone can do that.
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all we need to win game 2 and we’re right back in it. there’s no more to be said.
I agree Rick their relentless approach and clutch hitting is unbelievable. We somehow need to stymie that a little to have a chance in this series.
We are clearly going to have to score a lot to win, that is why batting Hernández, Barnes and Dozier, 8,9,1 does not work. Too many automatic outs in a row. Hernandez has gotten way too much credit this postseason with the number of at bats he has received. He should be sitting tonight. Dozier looks equally lost and looked a step slow at 2nd last night. I realize he may be our best defensive option there right now but his approach at the plate seems way off.
I feel the FO and Robert’s must have a feeling that Ryu will be solid in Fenway today, only explanation for him starting over Hill. I realize they have a ton of numbers in front of them but bottom line is that this guy is just better at home.
Kersh was hard to watch last night, my favorite player failing in the biggest moments again was extremely disappointing. His clear drop off in stuff this year makes for an interesting offseason.
But back to now, hope Bellinger and Muncy are back in there tonight and Hernández amd Dozier are on the bench. Price was effective last time out due to higher usage of his change, a pitch that is much more effective against righties. Therefore we need some lefties in there Robert’s, an all righty lineup would be a huge mistake in my mind.
Good article on hitting this postseason.
https://sports.yahoo.com/singles-no-problem-red-sox-063539176.html
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Snippets:
“The closest, though, is the (Sox’) whopping 53 RBIs with runners in scoring position on 31 hits through 112 plate appearances (this post-season). The Dodgers, meanwhile, have 17 hits with runners in scoring position in 113 plate appearances, good for a .187/.321/.319 line. They have four home runs and 30 RBIs.”
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and “The Sox have had marvelous success with runners in scoring position in October, a .365/.491/.647 line now. They were 4-for-12 on Tuesday in those situations, including that Nunez three-run homer. ”
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Hard to win when you are OPSing .640 RISP in the postseason and your opponent is OPSing 1.138.
Puig missing the cutoff throw is inexcusable and it allowed a second run to score in the first inning, but the foul pop up that Freeze didn’t catch was a tough play on a real slippery playing field. It’s highlighted because Betts went on to get a hit, steal a base and then score but the reality is Kershaw had him 0-2 and couldn’t put him away and that’s because his stuff is no longer “ace.”
HP umpire had a real tight zone and wasn’t giving either pitcher the edges and when Kershaw doesn’t get the black he is very hittable. 90-91 MPH center cut or inner half is going to get exploited. I love Kershaw but his defense wasn’t all that bad and like AC said isn’t it time for Kershaw to carry the team in a post season game?
The Red Sox fans were talking crazy about Cora when he brought Nunez in to hit for Devers, but it makes all the difference when a player executes. Then they were chanting “Cora is a genius.”
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I did not like Roberts taking Urias out when he did, but Baez was executing his pitches.
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I did not like Roberts taking Baez out when he did, but Wood did not execute.
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Roberts did not lose the game. The players did.
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While we are at it, I thought Clayton should start the second game – he needs more rest… in my opinion, but if his defense had been up to par, he might have allowed just one run.
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Ryu should not pitch in Boston – I would start Hill… in fact, I would have started him yesterday.
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However, it’s up to the players to exec ute.
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Today, it’s all about the execution.
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My motto would be “EXECUTE OR BE EXECUTED!
No doubt about it the Sox are a good team, a good young team. They didn’t fall into the victory. They won the game in Red Sox style. It is up to the Dodgers to disrupt that style by good pitching and good defense as well as timely hitting. It is a strange game. Even in losing by four runs the Dodgers were a couple of plays away from being in a position to win it.
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I do think that the Red Sox starting pitching is a bit vulnerable especially if David Price reverts to his play-off form. Nevertheless, just put the ball in play and things happen. Would kind of like to have Nate Eovaldi back.
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It was a pleasure to have Matt Vasgersian and Buck Martinez objectively broadcast the game without talking to hear themselves talk in a one-sided fashion.
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I think Cody is just missing some pitches by a bit.
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The 1981 Dodgers went down 0-2 to the Yankees and came back to win four straight beating Tommy John and Ron Guidry.
I watch the games on mute…a lot less aggravating.
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Wood has never accepted his role as a reliever and pitches like it. Pout during the off-season and quit acting like a spoiled brat.
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Freeze should not be pitch hit for.
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Good for Matt hitting the home run.
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Machado can be a difference maker. He and Seager would be a fun pair to watch for the next few years.
There was certainly a lot of negatives to identify in Game 1. But there were a lot of positives as well. JT and David Freese prove what professional hitters they are. The rest of the team can learn from them, especially CT3 and Kike’. Manny is proving to be very valuable both offensively and defensively. Twice with runners on 3rd with less than 2 outs, Manny drove in a run. Were you watching Grandal? Kike? CT3?
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I am sure all of the Doc haters will be out. Sure I questioned why Baez came out of the game in favor of Wood. But it was Wood who was on the mound, not Doc. Smoltz knew that Nunez was a bad ball hitter, why not Wood? It was Clayton who was on the mound, not Doc. At some point Clayton has to take this team on HIS back, right???
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By the way, neither Buck or Smoltz can let the Brewers go. They are obnoxious with their love affair with the Brewers and now the Red Sox, and their apparent disbelief as to how the Dodgers could even make the playoffs much less be in the WS.
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But to me lost in all of the bad moments, this Boston Red Sox team is flat out a good team. We talk about Dodger players being junk yard dogs, that Red Sox team grinds from the 1st pitch to end of the game. Mookie and JDM were who everyone thought they would be, but Benintendi getting 4 hits? I do not care that they were not hard hit, they do not have to be. Were you watching CT3? Kike? Grandal? Same is true for Devers. Not hard hit, but it was a hit nonetheless.
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The Dodgers lost a Kershaw Game 1 against Milwaukee and came back to win. The Dodgers won a Kershaw Game 1 against Houston in the 2017 WS and lost. So losing Game 1 is not a death sentence. Let’s go out and win Game 2, and come back to LA all even.