Okay, the 25 year old Fresh Prince also comes through in the clutch as he has done so many times. Biggest hit in his 2 year career…a well timed 3-run HR.
After the first three innings my headline was:
Dodgers Look For Walks, Braves Look For Hits
A.J. Minter has never started an ML game. Minter’s previous high in IP was 1.2 (once). He goes 3.0 IP, faces 10 batters and gets 7 K’s. On the other side, Dustin May is pulled after two innings. I did not read any comments from the game, but this turned out to be a good decision. May was not on his game, but while the decision to pull Dustin may have been positive, inserting Joe Kelly was questionable. Braves get a couple of lead off line drive singles up the middle, and an Ozzie Albies grounds out to 2nd moves runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out, and Dansby Swanson coming up. Swanson goes the other way again and hits a little fly ball into RF where Mookie makes a fantastic grass top catch and makes a throw to the plate. If Marcell Ozuna tags at the right time, he gets thrown out, but because he left early, he still gets called out. Momentum change to LAD.
Tyler Matzek enters for the third game in the last four, and Seager’s hits HR #3 in the NLCS. A couple of warning track fly balls and a K, but there was life.
Blake Treinen relieves Kelly and throws two perfect innings to quiet the Braves bats, and the Dodgers enter the 6th still down 2-1. Mookie, who has been quiet all NLCS, beats out an infield single and steals 2nd. JT hits a ground ball to Albies, and Mookie attempts to go to 3rd, but Albies throws to 3rd to try and get the lead runner. Mookie stays in the run down long enough allowing JT to make 2nd. At first thought, the Braves have to be happy about getting the still hobbled JT at 2nd rather than the fleet footed Mookie Betts.
“The Other” Will Smith enters to relieve Shane Greene. Max Muncy, who John Smoltz earlier mentioned that Max will either walk, strike out, or hit a HR, watches 6 pitches and gets the walk. LAD’s Will Smith comes up to bat against The Other Will Smith, and watches the first 5 pitches to get a 3-2 count. The Other leaves a slider in a very hittable location and The Fresh Prince loses the ball into the LF stands for a 3-run HR and a 4-2 Dodger lead, they would never relinquish.
Pedro Baez continues the good relief pitching with a scoreless 6th with 2 K’s. LAD comes up in the 7th hoping to extend their lead. They will be facing Jacob Webb who has been outstanding all season. After a couple of K’s, CT3 comes to bat. CT3 has been struggling all NLCS and an inside pitch hits him, or at least that is what the umpire thought. Webb loudly complains and after a review, the pitch was correctly ruled to have hit the bat. Webb probably now wishes he had let CT3 take first on the HBP, because he proceeds to hit a double bringing up Mookie. Mookie gets his first RBI of the NLCS with base hit into left field extending the lead to 5-2. On the very next pitch, Corey goes deep for the 2nd time in Game 5, and the 4th time in the NLCS. LAD is now leading 7-2 and looking for 9 outs with their questionable back end of the bullpen.
Baez goes back out, but gives up a lead off single to Austin Riley. Victor Gonzalez is called on to shut down the mini-threat, but walks the first batter he faces. Christian Pache gets to a full count and proceeds to hit into a 5-4-3 DP. Riley is at 3rd with 2 outs and the dangerous Ronal Acuna coming to bat. Gonzalez induces Acuna to hit a routine fly ball to Mookie in RF.
Freddie Freeman leads off the 8th with a double to LF. CT3 makes a good play on the batted ball and makes a great throw to 2B that JT was unable to hold on to. Doc shows confidence in his young heat throwing RH Bazooka after his poor performance in Game 4. Brusdar gets Ozuna to hit a long fly to CF and Freeman moves to third. With the infield playing normal, d’Arnaud hits a ground ball to Seager who makes the out at 1st with Freeman scoring. Brusdar gets the third out with his K of Albies to end the 8th.
The Dodgers went quietly in the 9th, and now the excitement begins. KJ comes in to pitch the 9th and all Dodger fans are holding their breath. KJ needs all of 12 pitches to strike out the side (Swanson, Riley, and Camargo). His cutter was consistently at or around 91, and he struck out Camargo with a 94 MPH sinker. Doc put KJ in the right spot to succeed, and KJ came through.
Oh BTW, just for Eric, Kike’ got yet another single and is batting .429 with a 1.357 OPS in the NLCS. Dodger relievers pitched 7.0 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts.
With his 4th NLCS HR, Corey Seager became the first SS in MLB history to hit 4 HRs in a postseason series, and tied Steve Garvey (1978 NLCS) and Duke Snider (1952 and 1955 WS) with most HRs as a Dodger in a postseason series. With his 10 RBIs, Seager now has more RBIs than any Dodger in a postseason series.
A couple of other gems from Jessica Camerato:
“Seager became the first Dodgers shortstop to record a multi-home run postseason game. He joined Carlos Correa (Game 1 of the ALDS) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series) as the only shortstops to achieve multi-homer games during the 2020 playoffs. This year marked the first time in Major League postseason history there were three multi-home run performances by shortstops; heading into these playoffs, there were only seven such games.”
“And this particular neutral site gives Seager and the Dodgers an advantage: Seager’s five home runs at Globe Life Field this year (regular season and postseason) are tied with Rangers center fielder Joey Gallo for the second most by any player this season. Only Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor hit more in 2020 (six).”
Game 6 on Saturday at Globe Life Field at 1:38 PM. The Dodgers will be the home team and will match Walker Buehler against Max Fried. The Dodgers look to give Fried his first L of the season.
Discussion (133)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Well Tampa representing AL. I don’t think the AL is as good this season.
I would like to give a prop or two to Joc Pederson. His rolling catch in the 9 on a sinking liner was just as important for Kenley as Mookies was earlier in the game. Nice play Joc. All hands on deck for both teams tomorrow. Gonsolin will most likely get the start and be the opener. Depending on how efficient he is will dictate what happens later. I think the Dodgers are on a roll. They have been here before, and the Braves will be feeling the most pressure that they have in the series. Being up 3-1 and then losing is not good for your psyche. Oh yeah, I think the leash will be short
With Cash’s early use of the hook tonight, Charlie Morton counts to be the 15th starter (including openers) this postseason to be pulled before 6 full innings with a shutout intact.
To contextualize, in the 20th century, there were just 13 similar instances (where a starter was pulled before 6 innings with a shutout intact) and I’m sure some of those were due to injury!
Roberts will earn his money tomorrow. This is a very tough call as to whom to pitch, and in what order. Now, if the Dodgers score a bunch of runs early, then it’s much easier, but this is not likely with Anderson, and the Braves were able to rest their late inning relievers today. The only pitchers who can go three innings or even more are Gonsolin and maybe Urias, but he made about 102 pitches in Game 3, and I thought at the time that with such a big lead, we could have taken him out earlier.
Gonsolin pitched three good innings In Game 2, then sort of fell apart. But he seems like a gamer who will not be intimidated. Seems, is the key term, we do not really know, he is so inexperienced. Some of the postgame group on TV said that we should start Kershaw and see how many innings we can get from him. He did pitch well for five innings in Game 5, but one has to be wary of his inability to come through in the big games, though he did get that save in Game 7 in Milwaukee.
it’s an obvious point, but Roberts is going to have to be very precise with how long he lets someone stay in. One big inning for Atlanta, and their bullpen will probably hold onto the lead. We all remember Game 7 with Houston, where Roberts not only started Darvish, but left him in too long, until it was 4-0, and that was it for the game and Series. In the game that Gonsolin started we gave up six or seven runs in an inning, and we also did in Game 5. it would also be obvious to say that we need the lead, but with the Braves’ bullpen, and ours being iffy, i would love to see us get up just like today. We have the momentum, which means something. I would be very surprised if the game were not an absolutely excruciating nine innings, but of course very rewarding if we win. Then Tampa Bay, most likely, with an even better staff than the Braves, and again no off days! But that is what one is a fan for, though I would prefer us to have a juggernaut like some of those Yankees teams, and just roll through.
My feeling is that Urias is the key to this game on the pitching side, he has been very effective lately. Maybe Gonsolin three, Urias three or four, then Baez or Graterol, then Jansen? Or maybe start Urias, and see if he can go three or four, then Gonsolin? My hunch is that Gonsolin is not going to start. And I think we’ll see Kershaw. Did Roberts take Buehler out after six because he wanted to use him for an inning tomorrow? The problem is that if we do that, we are in really questionable shape for the World Series. Yes, the key is to get there, but if we use up Buehler and Kershaw, I don’t know what we are going to do for the first three games against Tampa Bay. So it’s a challenge.
If you could re-sign only one of Seager and Bellinger, which one would it be?
The game started here at 3:40 am. There was no way I was going to watch it but I was delighted to see the score when I did wake up. Mr. Blister seemed on point and we got two HRs which seemed to do the trick. Seager is the MVP of this team. Turner is still an important cog in this wheel. It must be a great feeling in the Dodger clubhouse to live to fight another day!
The game starts with Ocuna, Freeman, Ozuna.
So I’d start Gonsolin and give him 1 time thru the order. Then we have Kersh, May, Urias, and most of the pen.
Of course, if we can just cruise offensively, we could let Gonsolin go 5 and have the other guys ready for World Series games 1 and 2
Kershaw, May, Gonsolin, Price and the others, in the future, they will lead us to win the division for many years but Buehler and Julio will lead us to win the WS, they raise their level in important games, they have that, in games more important it is some pit bulls
Tomorrow could be Clayton’s side day, sooo…. start him and let him go one or two, bring in Gonsolin until he’s ready to stop and finish with Julio Urias. That’s my idea!
Great dodger win!! I don’t have any fingernails left for tomorrow. I have been scared to death of Kenley but I am so happy for him. I believe like Kershaw in his prime he was overused. It would be a Cinderella story if he continues lights out through the World Series.
Mark, I just want to see you say it: who is the dodgers ace?
Eric, I wish we could all be as “smart” as you. Sure would be nice to post your moves during the game rather than second guessing afterward. Roberts is always the idiot if his pitchers don’t deliver but never gets any props when they do. He’s made the right moves the last two days. Well done Doc. And Im pretty sure that Friedman is a lot smarter then anyone here (sorry Mark) and if Roberts is good enough for him he’s good enough for me! So let’s here the pitching calls now for game seven instead of whining after. R u pitching Kersh at all? Does Jansen pitch three days in a row? I’m going Gonsolin 4-5. May for 1-2. Urias for an inning. Then Graterol to close. No Kersh no Jansen.
Roberts is a genius when the players perform. He picked the right guys. Congratulations to all of them. Great gutsy win. Let’s get ‘em tomorrow. 5 more wins to the mountain top!
That may be the first really high leverage, high import game in which I think I agreed and understood each move Roberts made.
I know nothing, but even if they lost I’m not sure I’d pin it on him.
Gonsolin or Urias ito start game #7? both will play I’m sure but I wonder who Doc starts
Did I see Kershaw talking to Dave Roberts after the win?
Jansen only threw 12 pitches yesterday, none with runners on base. He only threw 6 pitches today. He could go again tomorrow, but not for long.
Gutsy win
2 pitches 2 outs..here comes the Panda…….and we will have a game 7!!!!!!! Panda’s stick turned to bamboo.
Most people don’t like to use their brain. Most people have the attitude of “just win” or “as long as the Dodgers win that’s all that matters”. Don’t get me wrong I’m just as happy as everyone else that the Dodgers are still alive.
But I’ve seen some bad pitching moves that Doc has made in this series. But he’s gotten away with it.
The Dodgers should have already won this series because Doc gave away game 2.
But anyways it probably shows how good this team is that they can win even with bad managing moves with the pitching.
Game 7 baby. Thank u Kenley
Here we go….bottom of the 9th……ulcer time.
This Cassidy person sure has a lot to say….
I mean it’s Jansen on back to back nights. That did NOT go well against the Padres. But who else is there?
McGee with his one pitch?
Floro can’t be used high-leverage.
Maybe Victor G, again? On his third straight day?
Jansen with Graterol throwing immediately, maybe?
Roberts Will take his chances with Jensen. Good luck
Jansen in the 9th. Hold on to your butt.
Still strike out machine. Putting the ball in play crucial. Can’t get a lucky hit if you don’t hit it! R u ready for Kenley on back to back appearances?
Muncy is killing us! How can they keep him at four?
Minimal damage but……
Roberts has an inability to use his BP properly, and an inability to understand the gravity of a must win game by pulling Buehler.
Dodger defense is SLOPPY (Muncy, Barnes)
In addition I agree with Badger, Lindor at SS, extend Seager and put him at another position.
How can we not hit his curveball? Sit on it!
For the love of all that’s good. Roberts better have someone up or coming in for the 7th.
Buehler is pretty expired and who would risk another trip through the lineup?
We need to tack a couple of runs on.
Not sure 3 is gonna be enough
If I’m not mistaken, Buehler hasn’t thrown a single curveball all game. I imagine it’s because he doesn’t want to aggravate the blister, or because he doesn’t trust the curve, due to the blister. He’s thrown some cutters and a few sliders, just to keep them honest, I think. But other than that, all fastballs. I know he throws a higher percentage of fastballs than almost any other starter in MLB, but I wonder if this time it’s even a higher percentage than usual.
Mooooookie! What a catch!
Worth every penny!!!!!!
Dodgers need to tack on a run or two. The game is starting to look like game 5 of last years nlds. Jumped to a 3-0 lead early. Relied on Buehler and did not score any more runs the rest of game. Just a run or two would help here.
Buehler is the MAN!!!!
That’s the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh! 3-0.
It’s a dream to think they will go over the LT…. by much!
Can the Dodgers afford Lindor and extend Kershaw, re-sign Turner, extend Seager, Buhler, and Bellinger?
I don’t think Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers after his contract expires.
Bellinger is getting more and more affordable.
Seager is getting more and more expensive.
Turner may not be re-signed and if so maybe for only one year. DH is not settled for 2021.
Lindor did not hit like a $300M payer this year and like Bellinger is getting more and more affordable especially with next year still not defined regarding fans in seats.
Today is a Kike kind of day.
Gonsolin might be the last. Hopefully they can save him for tomorrow but this is a war so there is no tomorrow if they don’t win today.
I would not be surprised if Urias pitches 3-4 innings today.
Cody is this year’s version of last year’s AJ Pollock. He looks beat before he gets in the batter’s box. His swing is sooo long and complicated (compared to, say, Seager). I agree with Bear about backing off the plate a bit. He has no chance on anything inside. Hope he figures it out and/or walks into one. He’s too good to let this go on much longer.
My son summed it up for Belly. He’s a role player at this point like Kike. Good defensively but anything you get from him now offensively is a bonus. Right now only Mookie, Seager, Turner are studs. And I doubt Smith will see another fastball this series!
Cody Bellinger, who was looking at one point like he was going to be a better hitter in the playoffs, has regressed this series. He already has struck out 12 times. I would have done the same thing to him that Roberts did with Joc. Drop him into the 8 hole in front of Barnes. His 17 K performance in the 2017 series is still fresh in all of the fans minds. He looked over matched in every single at bat yesterday. Some one needs to tell him to back off of the plate, Those inside strikes are something he cannot get around on. If the Dodgers win today, and there is a game 7, we will not have to listen to Joe Buck. He will be doing the Packers game on Sunday and Joe Davis would be in his place.
Taylor is day to day according to reports. I expect a fired up and focused Buehler out there today. Just my opinion. I think he probably feels he has something to prove. More innings like the first inning they had last time against Fried. Get his pitch count up. My pick, Rays beat Stros 4-2. Charlie Morton pitching against McCullers.
“If a player is injured during the course of the series, teams can also file an application to the Commissioner’s office to replace them. The one caveat is that a position player must be replaced by a position player and a pitcher by a pitcher.”
One appearance does not a delivery fix, but Kenley Jansen said he spoke with Rick Honeycutt and Charlie Hough over the past few days, checking in with coaches that helped him shape his delivery.
“This organization is first class. It’s how everybody cares.”
Today’s lineup:
Betts RF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Muncy 1B
Smith DH
Bellinger CF
Pollock LF
Hernandez 2B
Barnes C
Makes sense since CT’s right handed bat isn’t available and they expect Fried to go for a fair number of innings.
Image game seven of the current series.
Dodgers up by one in the top of the ninth, Braves have bases loaded no outs and Freeman hits a long fly to center field. Bellinger goes back and jumps.
Bellinger comes back down and showing an expression of despair,
Freeman bounces around the bases.
Bellinger starts walking back to the infield,,downcast and causally touches second base, then walks to toward third and touches 3rd.
He proceeds to the third base umpire, hands him the ball and the Dodgers go to the World Series.
It could happen.
Does anyone know when Urias would normally have his between games throw after his Wednesday start?
Could he give us an inning today if necessary?
I had a blast last night guessing who would be the next pitcher out of the bullpen for Doc. It was especially compelling considering the poor performances the night before, with Floro really being the only pitcher who looked good at all. Who would be in Doc’s Circle of Trust in this must win game? It was apparent after after seeing Kelly (one inning only thank you), a great 2 innings by Treinen and Baez in the 6th that KJ was being set up for the 9th. But how do you get there? Who will be the Bridge guys? I was pleased to see Gonzales get the call after a rough outing the night before after Baez gave up the lead off base hit. Doc showed a lot of trust in the kid. After a sinful walk, Gonzales went to a nervous 3-1 count to Pache. He got a nice strike call on the biggest pitch of the game and than got the double play ground ball. Everything hinged on that ONE PITCH. A walk there may have seen him exit and a whole different game. But who’s behind Door #2 for the 8th? I was pleased to see Gonzales go back out but more pleased to see Doc hook him after the lead off double to Freeman. I was pleased to see him go to Graterol who also sucked the night before but got his chance again being shown trust. I expected Floro actually. Gator got us out giving up only 1 run.
Smith’s homer sure made it more comfortable but KJ slammed the door in the 9th.
I thought Doc did a magnificent job running the bullpen after May only gave us 2 innings. It looked like our pitching advantage starting the game had vanished. Doc put the right guys in the right spots, showed trust in the youngsters and the players came through.
Looking forward to a win tonight. My wish is that we can get a quality start and some LENGTH out of Buehler.
The AL side is interesting and the Cheatos are hot. It appears Altuve has settled the demons in his head and his thowing woes in games 1 and 2 are behind him. His mechanics are back to normal where he’s letting it go confidently. Now if the play-by-play Brian Anderson who shut up about it, I can go back to just despising them. Every single time Altuve has made a throw since his last error, Anderson has pointed out the he had 3 throwing errors in the first 2 games. Enough already! Can I just be left alone to hate them without hearing this repeatedly?
Misc. Twitter stuff from this morning:
Kike says this is the highest energy level he’s seen in the clubhouse before a day game since he’s been a Dodger.
If we go to game 7, we’ll get Joe Davis in the booth instead of Buck (who will be doing the Packers game tomorrow).
Courtesy of Eric Stephen:
“Braves hope the NLCS is over, easy today with Fried, while the Dodgers try to poach a win and scramble those plans.”
Seager has proven he can play on the big stage. His only issues have been health. He has said in interviews that he values walks and that he has worked on staying in the strike zone. He may not be the best defensive shortstop but he is pretty darned good. If he can stay healthy he checks all the boxes.
Glad you are doing well Mark. It is good to have your definitive hard nosed attitude back. Mb the Dodgers can mirror your comeback.
Good review, Jeff.
Some things never change. Lindor? Seriously? The Dodgers have a great shortstop in Cory Seager and he wants to play short, not third. He’s young and having a great year, coming up repeatedly in the clutch. The Dodgers drafted him, brought him up through the system and they need to sign him long term to play short.
Just how many players can the Dodgers invest big money in after signing Betts to a massive contract? I get it, the Dodgers have money, lots of it, but it’s not endless. The pandemic has certainly put a dent in revenues. If they pursue Lindor as a free agent, who don’t they pursue? Seager? Bellinger? Buehler? Is Lindor the difference maker? Will he guarantee them two, three, four World Series titles? Will he produce a better playoff effort than Seager has this season? Unlikely.
I get it. Lindor is fun to watch, a defensive wizard with a bat. Exactly how much will that cost?
Isn’t all of this why the Dodgers chose to invest in Betts? The difference maker. The second best player in baseball, next to Mike Trout, many say. He’s certainly a great all around player. His catch and throw caused a mistake, leaving third too early and was a key factor in the win. Cory’s bat, two home runs, along with Will Smith’s three run homer, were the big offensive blows. But when it comes to the little things it was Betts hustle, steal that contributed to the turnaround.
The key today rests on Buehler. If he steps up and has a big game, similar to what he’s delivered in the past, the Dodgers most likely move on to Sunday.
So, no to Lindor.
Whether Seager plays short, or any other infield position, and he has looked great at second when the shift has put him there, he is going to be wealthy.
Lux, Seager, Turner, Muncy, Taylor, and Lindor make a crowded infield.
The Dodgers look like a pretty good team when they win.
No stats, no math, just my eye saying we need to keep Seager and a big no to Lindor. I am surprised that this subject is still coming up.
Good news, Mark, glad to see you are doing so well.
Thanks, AC, again for another fine write-up.
Congrats to the Dodgers on their game last night. Lots of excitement and good plays. More of that tonight I hope and also hope CT3 is okay to play again very soon. He is so good of a defensive player.
Any updates on Taylor?
Jeff D., you made an excellent point that I hadn’t even thought of. I was thinking that Ozuna gave us a big break by leaving early, but hadn’t thought about the fact that if he had tagged correctly he probably would have been out at the plate anyway. That play turned the entire game around and once Corey homered we were on our way.
Today will tell the tale – Striker Buehler better pitch like Schilling with a bloody finger. Unless it’s ball-on-bone, lay it on all the field. You don’t need that skin. No guts – No glory. If the Dodgers win today, they win the Series. Our pitching is shaky, but the Braves are down for the count. It’s time to Bludgeon Fried!
If the Dodger bats can get to Fried quickly, the Braves are toast! See what it did there?
Wrap your mind around this:
Among teams left in the playoffs.
Runs Scored:
1. Dodgers – 62
2. ASSTRICKS – 60
3. Rays & Braves – 53
ERA:
1. ASStricks – 3.40
2. Braves – 3.45
3. Rays – 3.46
4. Dodgers – 3.64
League Championship Series
Runs:
1. Dodgers – 32
2. Braves – 29
3. Rays – 21
4. ASStricks – 20
ERA:
1. ASStricks – 2.94
2. Rays – 3.27
3. Dodgers – 5.32
4. Braves – 6.20
WILD!
I get released the Hospital this afternoon after my last infusion cocktail. Two weeks, but I beat this Bi_____h!
A lot of people were talking about moving Seager on when he was banged up. Not me. He has such a sweet swing and a solid defender with a great attitude. He is a team first player and quite leader whose example is speaks louder than words!
Corey Seager does not need to be replaced at shortstop, he needs a contract extension that will make him a career Dodger. There is no need for a position change, at least for the next several years. Case closed!
I was very impressed with Will Smith’s home-run at-bat. The pitcher Will Smith started him with a 79 mph curve ball for a strike, then 3 consecutive 94 – 95 mph fastballs up and in, followed by a 83 mph slider down and in. Home run pitch, a 95 mph fastball at the bottom of the strike zone and inside corner. (Statcast velocities rounded). As a young hitter, Smith adjusts his swing path as well as any one on the team, and better than many. Couple of years ago Smith was mentioned as a possible trade piece for then Marlins catcher JT Realmuto — some of the best trades are those not made. In last two seasons, Smith’s OPS+ (baseball reference) was 134, and 164; Realmuto 109 and 123. Another young star has emerged from the 2016 draft class.