What a difference a night makes. After last night’s game I commented that the Dodgers need to come out swinging in the 1st against Glasnow. Mookie Betts leads off with an 8 pitch double followed by a run-scoring Corey Seager single, two wild pitches and Seager gets to third. JT strikes out, Muncy walks, Smith K’s and Belli comes up and gets an infield single to score Seager. After a 34 pitch 1st inning, the Dodgers are up 2-0.
Joc leads off the 2nd inning and crushes a HR into the back of the left center field bullpen putting the Dodgers up 3-0 after two. Joc is an absolute beast when it comes to October. He is a money player. That was his 9th career postseason HR for LAD. I read that he is the 5th Dodger in franchise history to hit HRs in three different WS. By the time this blog post is published someone will identify the other four.
Last night was not vintage Clayton Kershaw, but more junkyard dog Kershaw. His slider was not sharp. Not nearly as many swing and miss on that slider as in Game 1. But he was tough when his back was against the wall. He did not fold when the situation got threatening as he has done in prior October outings. CK allowed the leadoff hitter to reach base in each of the first four innings. In the bottom of the 3rd down 3-0, Kiermaier gets 30 foot single between the pitcher and catcher. Kershaw struck out Mike Zunino. But Yandy Diaz gets his third hit off CK with a triple scoring Kiermaier. Randy Arozarena singles Diaz home tightening the score to 3-2. CK ends the inning with a strike out (Lowe) throw him out as Arozarena was caught running on the pitch (Barnes to CT3).
Things started to look a little ugly in the fourth. Margot walks, steals second and goes to third on the missed catch by CT3. Renfroe walks putting runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out with Joey Wendle coming up. CK gets Wendle to pop up and strikes out Adames. One out away from getting out of the inning, but that out is Kevin Kiermaier who is having a fantastic WS. But Margot, on his own, tries to steal home. Muncy calls out immediately to Kershaw, CK steps off, and throws to Barnes to get Margot out at the plate on an extremely close play. For all intents and purposes that was the game.
It looks like Tyler Glasnow is settling down, but Max Muncy absolutely kills a 99 MPH 4-seamer that caught way too much of the middle of the plate, putting the Dodgers up 4-2, the eventual final score.
CK comes out and gets his first three up and three down inning in the fifth. In doing so, he strikes out Kiermaier for his postseason career strikeout number 206 moving past Justin Verlander for #1 in postseason career strikeout list. He gets Zunino for strikeout #207, and finally gets Yandy Diaz on a ground ball to SS.
Kersh comes out for the 6th. Apparently in the dugout between innings, Doc and CK agreed that Kersh would face Arozarena and Lowe. On the first pitch, Arozarena hits a 105.4 MPH screaming ground ball to JT who makes another good defensive play to throw him out. Lowe swings at the first pitch and pops him up. Having already made up his mind, and not relenting to the JT lobbying for one more batter, Doc brings in Dustin May.
Many of us said that May and Gonsolin would both be asked to produce in critical game situations. This was a different more confident Dustin May. Dustin strikes out Manuel Margot on a 101+ MPH 4-seamer. In the 7th, May goes back out and faces Austin Meadows who is PH for Renfroe and proceeds to strike him out. Wendle goes the other way and hits a good drive into LF that Joc got a great jump on to run it down for out #2. I still submit that Joc reads the ball on balls hit at him and goes back on a ball as well as anyone (not as fast). Joc’s problems with reading balls were those in the gap. May gets Adames for the 3rd out of the inning.
The Rays relievers easily dispatched the Dodger hitters over the last two innings. The drama is going to come from the Dodgers bullpen. Kike’ Hernandez enters to play 2B and bat 8th for Joc, and CT3 moves to LF. May comes back out for the 9th and Kiermaier gets a leadoff single. Yoshi Tsutsugo PH for Zunino, who is still hitless in the WS. May gets Tsutsugo to flyout to CT3 in LF. After Ji-Man Choi is called on to PH for Diaz, May has done his job and is done for the night. VGon comes in to face Mike Brosseau who PH for Choi. Brosseau works him hard and wins the battle with a 9 pitch walk. Now VGon is in trouble with Arozarena coming up with a speedy runner in scoring position. Being aggressive, Arozarena swung at the first pitch and hit a routine fly ball to CF. Two pitches later, Brandon Lowe hits a little blooper into CF that Belli easily runs down.
The Dodgers go quietly in the 9th with Barnes drawing a 2 out walk, but Mookie strikes out on a 78.4 MPH slider.
Blake Treinen pitched in Game 3 (14 pitches), Game 4 (16 pitches), and enters Game 5 in a save opportunity. Manuel Margot greets Blake with his second hit of the night. Blake buckles down and strikes out Austin Meadows on 4 pitches with a 98.4 four4-seamer. Gets Wendle to fly out to Belli for out #2. And for good measure, Blake strikes out Willy Adames for the Dodger victory.
Kershaw is now 4-1 in the 2020 postseason, and now has a career postseason record of 13-12. He won two WS games for the first time in his career. His postseason ERA is 2.93, WHIP 0.91, with 37 K and 5 walks in 30.2 IP. Clayton Kershaw had a fantastic postseason, and when the team needed him most, he was up to the challenge and brought his team home.
Austin Barnes once again guided his pitcher through some tough situations, and had zero compunction to walk out and talk to CK when it was called for. Somebody intimated that maybe Barnes was getting too much credit because he was catching the Dodgers two best pitchers. He got the bullpen through in Game 5. He made sure that everyone was on the same page when VGon walked Brosseau and Arozarena coming up.
There was an interesting interview with Will Smith on the fateful Pedro Baez pitch where he missed badly with a fastball to Brandon Lowe. Apparently, Smith called for a change which Baez throws to lefties with great success, but Baez brushed him off and wanted the fastball. Smith said it was the pitchers choice and Baez threw the fastball that Lowe crushed. I have no idea how Barnes would have handled that, but I agree with Smith, the pitcher has to believe in the pitch he is throwing. In hindsight, maybe Smith goes out to talk with Baez to make sure. But I am not about to second guess Smith in that spot.
I was hard on Doc after Game 4, and I am not backing off that response. But the faith he shows in his players is quite often rewarded. May and Gonsolin have had a tough go of it of late. But Doc thought that May was ready for tonight, and he was right. Doc left himself open for second guessing. Even the announcers thought so. But as I wrote a couple days back, Doc was investing in his young guns and he would get a great reward on that investment. Well May paid some dividend tonight. PLEASE NO MORE FAITH IN BAEZ OR JANSEN THIS WS. Doc’s blind faith in those two pitchers has been a travesty.
The other player that he stuck with was Max Muncy. How many of us said to move him out of that #4 spot. Well if it weren’t for Corey Seager, Max would be on the short list for MVP. He is having a tremendous WS. In 5 games, he is batting .389/.522/.611/1.133.
For the WS, Joc is batting .400/.455/.700/1.155, but in a small sample size of 11 PA. For his career, in 69 games and 169 PA, Joc is batting .272/.345/.503/.849. Joc comes to play in October.
We have an off day on Monday so Blake Treinen can rest up and be ready for Game 6. The Dodgers will be the home team and are planning on sending Tony Gonsolin to start against LHSP former CY winner Blake Snell. Since Snell is LHP, we will see the RH bats. I am guessing that AJ and Kike’ will start in place of Joc and Austin. I predicted the Dodgers in 6, so I am expecting the Dodgers to bring it home on Tuesday.
Discussion (100)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Absilve, so you think that starting Buehler on 3 days rest against the ace of the Tampa staff is going for the jugular, and that pitching him in a game 7 on normal 4 days rest against Charlie Morton is laying down. Everybody is entitled to their opinion.
We should be going for the jugular in game 6, start Walker and make Julio available. Do not like the laying down by Robert’s and crew and the talk of preparation for the most unpredictable game in sports World Series game 7’s. Go for the win, like William stated act like a dynasty not just a one year shot in the pan. Finally stating your plan, even more troublesome. Act like you belong and are far in away the best team, way to passive, Robert’s strikes again.
From FiveThirtyEight:The Dodgers have dominated statistically
Head-to-head comparison in key metrics for the 2020 World Series
LOS ANGELES CATEGORY TAMPA BAY
.264 Batting average .228
.354 On-base % .288
.506 Slugging % .420
.859 On-base plus slugging .708
4.03 Earned run average 5.93
4.06 Fielding-independent pitching 5.83
71.3 Defensive efficiency % 69.3
75.4 Left-on-base %* 75.1
83% to 17% Dodgers win the WS
Those are some heavy odds.
Watching a new Larry the Cable Guys special on Prime. That guy is still hilarious. Can’t wait for the game tomorrow.
I’m keeping an eye on the skies and on the evacuation map. The Silverado Fire is within a few miles of us. So far the high winds have pushed it west, and we are south of it. Rams game about to start. Hope the wind dies down soon.
On Sunday, after the game, a lot of people were saying they felt the Dodgers were going to be adversely affected because of what happened. Well, they debunked that idea. And they turned the tables and put all the pressure back on Tampa. They are the ones in must win mode now. I think the Dodgers will be fine. So far they have rose to every challenge put in front of them, and they are on a mission. I think the mission gets accomplished tomorrow. I think they do not want it to go to seven any more than their fans do.
This is for Watford or any other person who has been around here longer than I have and happens to know.
Is Watford an American living in England or an Englishman who happens to be a Dodger baseball fan? If the latter, I’d love to know how he became interested in baseball and the Dodgers in particular.
One more.
Well it quit snowing, but it is supposed to be back tomorrow. And it is still cold. We will see if it changes over the next week or so. I just want this over ASAP.
AJ Pollock needs a big game 6 to finish off a great year. Somebody at the bottom of the lineup of one of these teams will be the difference maker. Seems to happen a lot
Love what if’s jeff, we would be champions if Gonzalez was inserted, and if Robert’s turned to anyone but Baez in game 5 we would be champions, insanity definitely.
Catman could get some votes for ROY, like the job he did,
Timmons and Bear you get the positivity, half glass full award. You are both better people then me.
I want to close it in six, but there is a side of me wants even more Walker and Kersh in game 7. Putting to rest the bull shit narrative about the living legend CK.
Good to know Smith called the correct pitch on Lowe. Baez has to know why he was chosen to pitch to lefties. He’s never been the brightest bulb. I’m starting Smith with Gonsolin. They’ve come up together and know each other. Smith caught him all year when he was dealing. Facing Snell the Dodgers need a bat too. With a days rest, I think Smith gets back to hitting.
Very nice Watford, good points and comments. Hope you and family are well in sunny England.
What a Rollercoaster Ride that one was. Think I’ve aged a bit this Post Season.
Gotta be honest – this season has been absolutely fantastic whatever the outcome. Some brilliant games, moving one way and then the other. It makes me realise why I love this game more than any other.
Max has gone mad. He has rounded into firm at just the right time. Props to Doc for sticking with him. Our 2,3,4 have been on fire.
Imagine being a Rays fan every time the top of our order comes up!
Will Smith is young – he will make mistakes, but he is gonna have a great career in the game hitting the way he does. There would be 29’ takers if he were on the trade market.
Very pleased for Dustin May. He showed a lot of guts in that situation having been less than stellar in his previous couple of outings. Again credit to Doc for trusting him. He also gonna be a cornerstone of our rotation for years to come.
When Tampa had 1st & 3rd with no outs against Kershaw I totally feared the worst. What happened next showed why he is an All Time Great.
That was gutsy.
And what about Victor Gonzalez?
Not many here could have seen him pitching in that high leverage situation before the season started.
Gotta also say that Blake Treinen has been a huge pick up in light of what has happened to Kenley.
I think we will soon be able to see if Gonzo is in for a long night quickly, because as Badger has said, he hasn’t had so much movement on his pitches the last twice, so I’m sensing a short leash.
So for the second time in 4 years we need to win one more game.
This time we will.
Congrats to the Catman on that honor. He did do some great work. But I doubt he gets the ROY from the writers. If the Dodgers have a lead of more than 3 runs tomorrow, I let Jansen have the 9th with pitchers up behind him. The 9th in that loss was not all on Jansen. And none of those hits was smoked. Granted, he is not the same guy he was even in 2017. But with a lead like that he can get 3 outs.
Baseball America picks Gonsolin as ROY
https://www.dodgersnation.com/dodgers-baseball-america-picks-tony-gonsolin-as-their-rookie-of-the-year/2020/10/26/
Those two ab’s from Gonzalez to Arozarena and Lowe could have won the WS for us! Outstanding young man!
As a player and coach I had the ability to focus on the task at hand and not get nervous. I could be emotionless as a coach just keeping clear headed on the next moves while all hell was breaking loose around me. As a fan last night I was nervous as hell from the pre-game to the last strikeout. I mean stressed! Game 5 is so impactful and I so much wanted a win for the team and especially Kershaw, I was tied in knots.
Some thoughts on last night:
* What will it take to finally get the monkey off CK’s back? I hope last night was it. Can the media put his overblown past struggles to bed now? It’s old news. He’s a HOF’er and leave it at that. No “yeah buts” anymore.
* That said, I do not want to see him in relief the rest of the way. We have things called “Relief Pitchers” who are conditioned and paid to do that job.
* Margot’s attempted steal of home was daring and exciting. It was also a bad play. I wouldn’t have taken the bat out of Kiermaier’s hands. He was 2 for 3 and the best hitter at the bottom of their line up. It was close at home but not worth the risk to me.
* You don’t see many straight steal attempts of home. Stealing home usually happens as a result of a runner at first stealing 2nd and the run scores beating the relay home. One of my favorite plays is run at the college level. I’ve seen Arkansas or So. Carolina run it to perfection. With a left-handed pitch and runners at 1st and 3rd, the runner at first early breaks like a steal to second. The runner at 3rd reads that break and breaks home. The hope is the pitcher throws a pick off to first giving the runner from 3rd a jump and the opportunity to steal home. It’s all timing and if pitchers haven’t practiced against it, it works every time.
* The Dodger pitchers only walked 3 guys on the night. They also dominated the 5-9 spots in the order which went 2 for 17 (both hits Kiermaier’s) with 8 K’s. It really helps when you dominate the bottom of the order and don’t turn it over.
* So I sat bewildered as Doc hooked CK after 2 pitches (and 85 total) in the 6th, after a clean 5th and retiring the last 7 on 20 pitches. I was amazed to see May. I again was stunned to see May pulled after 30 pitches in the 8th. I guess Doc was trying to burn Choi, but I wanted to see May finish the inning. So after the night before, these were bold decisions by the braintrust. I’m thinking “THIS BETTER WORK”. And unlike the night before. IT DID. Unconventional but Goat to Genius in 24 hours.
* To sum it up in a word, it’s “you-never-know”
I am trying not to think about options for 2021. Too many variables, like trades, free agent signings, and the readiness of the young players coming out of our farm system, etc., etc., etc. And I, like Badger, have not forgotten about Lux. How many of today’s stars got off to slow starts in their MLB careers? Even the unheralded Max Muncy struggled with the A’s before re-making his career with LA.
Changes are no doubt coming, but for now I leave those decisions to AF and company. And a lot of what the Dodgers do this coming offseason will be dependent on what other teams are willing to do.
As for the WS, I am hopeful, but also fully aware that Tampa got to the WS for a reason, and are perfectly capable of a 2 game winning streak. And former Cy Young winner Blake Snell is perfectly capable of shutting the Dodgers down if he’s on. And if he’s not, the Dodgers are perfectly capable of blasting him out of the park. Or the score could be 1-0, either way.
After last year’s very disappointing loss to Washington, Kershaw said that the people who have said that he hasn’t come through in the postseason are right, and there’s nothing he can do to change it until another season. He may have spoken that out of depression at the homeruns and the loss, but he certainly has managed to change the narrative. A great effort in Game 1, and then a gutty effort in Game 5, without his best stuff. When the score got to 3-2, and Tampa Bay had men on first and third with no one out, I was ready to think that they were going to take the lead and win the game and the Series, but Kershaw managed to get through it, and keep the lead.
Roberts made some good decisions, but he was sort of forced to, since he was not going to put Baez or Jansen out there again. Fortunately, May came through when absolutely necessary, Gonzelez got through a difficult inning, and Treinen looked good in the closer role.
Now, as Vin Scully would always say, “If it’s the Dodgers, you know it’s never going to come easy.” And I am rather amazed that we have been made the favorite for Game 6, because we are facing an elite pitcher in Snell, and we are starting Gonsolin, who has not pitched well in the postseason, and has gone maybe three innings at most. And who do we have behind him? Unlikely to be May off one day’s rest. It would be Urias’ throwing day, so I’m sure he could pitch a little. Then what? Do we want to use up our bullpen if we are behind? Do we have enough arms to hold a small lead? it would be great if we scored eight runs, but we cannot expect to get more than a few at best, off Snell and TB’s top relievers, who will all be used. I have no idea why we are the favorite here. Let’s hope that we somehow can win this game, because a Game 7 would be very tense indeed. At least we have the last at bat in the upcoming games. And, no, do not try to turn it into a movie, by letting Jansen or Kershaw get the last out, just have our best pitcher in that spot out there, whoever it might be. Finally, I guess it’s not a big deal, but I do not think we will ever hear a manager of the Yankees or Red Sox say, “This is our year!” The Yankees expect to win the title every year, even if they have not done so for a while. “This is our year” sounds like a one-off, and the Dodgers should aspire to more than that, at least in my view.
Back a couple of years ago when Baez was pretty awful and taking 6 minutes between each pitch, the big knock on him was that he wouldn’t throw any off speed pitches in tough counts. Since that time he’s developed some excellent off speed stuff. Looks like he reverted to form on that shake-off of Smith on Saturday. He has definitely become a better pitcher in the last couple of years and I still wouldn’t mind bringing him back, but as a mid innings reliever only.
Here’s my wish for Tuesday: we wrap it up and Joc, Kike and Wood all have a hand in the victory, since it will probably be the last time in a Dodger uni for each of them.
Did Jake McGee make an inappropriate move towards Dave Robert’s sister or something like that to piss him off? I don’t recall Jake even playing in the Atlanta series. I don’t think he’s played in the WS either. Like Waldo, where’s Jake?
Other four Dodgers with home runs in three different WS: Cey, Campanella, Hodges, and Snider. Hodges and Snider hit home runs in 5 different WS as Dodgers.
A couple of observations that no one is writing about, did any of you see them??
1-CK throw to home on the attempted steal was high and away from the runner, that’s the only reason the play was close. If the throw would have been lower and to the third base side it would have been, “out by a couple of feet.”
2-When Diaz hit his triple it looked to me as if he came off of the base and Turner had the tag on him. I think he should have been out and was surprised when he was safe.
Irony—
on Saturday we out hit them, 15-10 and loose the game. Sunday they out hit us, 7-6 and we win the game.
Good insight from Pedro Moura of The Athletic about Kershaw:
“The fourth inning — attempted steal and all — demonstrated what has always been Kershaw’s salient strength, at least in the regular season: He becomes even better when there are men on base. Call it stubbornness, call it a product of the strikeout era, call it whatever. No one has ever curtailed rallies more effectively.
At that pursuit, Kershaw has been the best in baseball since the turn of the century — the 20th century. Of the 676 major leaguers who have completed 1,500 innings since 1900, Kershaw’s 79.4 percent career strand rate stands alone atop the list. Trailing him are two Hall of Famers: Whitey Ford and Kershaw’s friend, Sandy Koufax.
The skill is also precisely what has failed Kershaw in October. His postseason strand rate is a below-average 67.8 percent. That mark reflects how he has been hurt by his teammates, his managers and himself. Inherited runners have often scored. He has faced two batters too many too many times. He has placed untold pressure on himself.”
Forgot to mention that the pictures posted with the article were wonderful. Love see the game photos.
I just think Taylor and smith are mentally and physically tired. A day off will hopefully fix it. But I still want Barnes to catch. Although he didn’t get a hit Barnes hit balls right on the nose last game. Time for an unsung hero to make an appearance for the dodgers!
Wouldn’t it be great to c the Dodgers put it all together for one game and show what a great team they are!!!
It will be interesting to see the odds for Tuesday. For me I think the Rays are the favorites in game 6 and we see a game 7. Unless our bats step up second time around against Snell. We’re gonna need 5-6 runs on Tuesday. Time for Mookie and Belly to deliver..
Very nice write-up, AC. Thank you for providing a day by day recap and analysis. Good game last night. Kershaw was strong and successful in his efforts to keep us in the game even knowing he did not have his best stuff. Nice to see Joc hit that home run and make that good catch in the 7th. Sure wish the Dodgers would give him a new contract.
Agree about Will Smith needing a rest not only from being the DOH, but catching. Still rooting for him though.
Good luck to the Dodgers on tomorrow’s game. Let us end this series with a big win.
I am not down on Smith because he or Muncy made an error. It’s about the way he calls a game. Can he get better? Yes! But, the WS is not the time to try. Barnes makes a difference! Also, you have to look at what is in the Dodgers’ system. Ruiz, while a switch-hitter, is much better LH. I have no idea how Ruiz has progressed this year, but the Dodgers could sure use a RH bat at 3B or 2B in a strongly LH lineup.
I believe Smith can be a Gold Glover and I believe his game-calling will get better. One has to wonder what role Smith played in Jansen’s and Baez’s demise…
2021:
1. Betts RF
2. Seager SS
3. Turner DH
4. Muncy 1B
5. Smith 2B
6. Bellinger CF
7. Pollock LF
8. Rios 3B
9. Barnes/Ruiz C
Great win last night especially for Kershaw. Finally, a postseason without a giveaway game from him. He gutted up without his best stuff and got the job done. But, the first thing I thought after the game is that “We should be celebrating tonight if Doc wasn’t an idiot.”
It will be a tough one on Tuesday against Blake Snell. We’ll see how he does with his back against the wall. With that said, I do NOT deviate from the equation with respect to the starting lineup. That means Will Smith is in. You are asking for trouble with Kike, Taylor and Barnes in the same lineup IMO.
My biggest question is where the hell is Jake McGee? I find it odd that we don’t see a guy that has a great fastball against a team that doesn’t hit fastballs well.
I also have no problem using Baez, to start an inning, without inherited runners. They better save Treinen for the 9th for the remainder of the games. No one else is up to the task. I’m not sure what to do with Jansen.
I was hoping Wood would start on Tuesday after what he did the last time out. But, I’m not opposed to going with the “Cat Man”. Short leash, then lots of lefties to turn around their left handed hitters.
I don’t want to see Kershaw come out of the pen. In fact, I would much rather see Urias come out of the pen if necessary. Bullpen rested, lots of options for the next two days.
I feel real good about taking the trophy home. I also thought Dodgers in 6 before the series. Then I thought it would be 5, forgetting the inevitable give-away game. The Rays are a gritty team, albeit less talented. There’s going to be a ton of pressure on them with Bueller looming for game 7 if necessary.
Sorry Mark, I can’t resist. With all due respect, calling for a position change for a 25 YO catcher with a career 937 OPS with less than a full season of MLB experience, who his “Genius” GM called a future Gold Glover is beyond silly and it is obviously coming from your over infatuation with Kay-Bear. It is beyond frustrating to see you write things like that, but at the same time is why I love reading your posts. You are more like an everyday fan than an analyst and that’s what makes you, you. Which keeps this site fresh and different. I watched that crappy throw from Muncy at least ten times yesterday. He choked, and threw a sweeping slider to the plate from 60 feet. Even if he caught the ball, he would have never been able to put down the tag.
I was glad to hear Joe Buck provide an unfiltered narrative of Kershaw’s 2017 performance. He clearly listed why his game 5 performance was due to sign stealing.
I am hopeful for Gonsolin to go 5 and Buehler to go 6, but I would not be surprised to see a bullpen game on Tuesday and if so it will be all pen hands on deck to finish out 2 games if needed. With that, we will likely see both Jansen and Baez, so, I hope they can get 3 outs each in low leverage situations. Hopefully we finish this quickly.
Don’t know what’s wrong with Smith but I agree it’s time to bench him. And let’s hope Mookie and Bellinger finish strong. This team looks a lot different with those two making so many outs.
My confidence level remains high.
When a manager tries to give a player confidence by playing him when he is struggling isn’t he also not playing someone else who deserves to play? When he has blind faith in a player does that send a signal that he’d rather gamble on that player than use someone else?
We all know that trust must be earned, and for Roberts to trust Kenley or Baez w the game on the line isn’t blind faith, is not smart!
Do not bring in Beuhler or Kershaw to close, who are not used to closing. Let Treinen finish. Yes, no more Baez or Jansen unless we are 10 runs up. This is not a time to play favorites. Win it with the players who are doing the job. Also Doc, do not pull Gonzo after one inning if he gives 1 or 2 runs. Usually starting pitchers struggle in first inning. Show some confidence in your young guns.
2,3,4,6,and 7 I agree Mark. We may not and should not c Baez and Kenley. If Baez is so ignorant to shake off the catcher from change to fastball he need not get in. Baez 5 or 6 only. Kenley nah. We got May, Gonzalez, Treinen, bazooka. and Kolarek for 7,8,9 both games if necessary. I would not use Buehler out of the pen based on his earlier relief work.
1. I think that Beaz and/or Jansen will have to contribute at some point… even if it is in the 5th inning.
2. I do not want to see Smith behind the plate again this World Series unless Barnes’ arm is hanging by a tendon. 2.3 Runs versus 7 Runs for Smith. This is not a hard decision. Smith looks lost at the plate anyway… maybe he needs to sit Game 6 and pinch-hit?
3. I think some of you are fixated on “Bullpen ERA” too much. To me, it’s “ERA Period” and the Dodgers team ERA is 4.03 while the Rays is 5.57. The Rays have given up 29 runs while the Dodgers have given up 21.
4. The Rays are scrappy, but the Dodgers are clearly better.
5. The Dodgers have no closer, but you will see Kenley again in this series.
6. Mookie and Belli need to get it going – it’s their time!
7. Just my opinion, but if Cody was in CF for Game 4, I think the Dodgers would have won!
8. I wrote this 3 days ago: “[May & Gonsolin] learned something, got some experience and will be VERY useful before this series is over” Their stuff is too good. Yes, they are young and so are many of the Rays pitchers. I believe that May and Gonsolin will rebound. WHY? Look at their stuff. They have been good in the past.”
Would like to see Barnes not Smith starting
Bear, I also expect to see a very different Tony Gonsolin this evening. Question: do you think they’ll bring back Dustin May to pitch an inning or two in game 6? Does he have enough gas in the tank?
And Jorge, I agree, I would let Buehler pitch the 9th with a lead. No reason to tempt fate with Jansen, and Kersh has already shaken off the demons of the past. He has nothing more to prove.
Kershaw didn’t have his best but he got the job done. I think Gonsolin is going to pitch a very good game tomorrow.
One question: If the Dodgers are leading Tuesday by 3 or more runs, who’s coming for the 9 inning? Jensen to try to get his honor back? Kershaw to finally get that damn ring he’s been denied so much? Or Buehler? I don’t think we would see someone else. I would go with Walker B because CK already has 2 wins, he has already demonstrated his quality, he is the only multiple Cy Young winner who does not have a world series ring, he no longer has to prove anything!
Dustin May was a different cat tonight. He came out with guns blazing, attacked the zone, and his pitches were crisp. Maybe Taylor’s lack of success at the plate is affecting his glove. He has missed a couple the last few days. Mookie just missed getting to Diaz’s hit and cutting it off, so he ended up on third. Another close one and a nail biter. But they get the win and hopefully 88 will become a distant memory and we can move on. Snell is a good pitcher, but they scored 2 and knocked him out before he could qualify for the win. And there will be no bottom of the ninth for the Rays now. I look for Gonsolin to be much sharper and more like the pitcher we saw earlier in the year. Yeah Jeff. Rub it in about the weather being 90. It is still snowing here.
Thanks for these wonderful write-ups, Jeff! Great to see how they came back from adversity. I hope this also changes perceptions of CK’s post-season career. He has pitched a great post-season this year. Really carried the team on his back when they needed him. They say the test of a pitcher is how they pitch when they don’t have their best stuff. Kersh passed that test with flying colors. One more to go!