tHE dodgers JUST TOOK THE ADVANTAGE BACK!
We could also say: That ship has Saled!" At the very least, the Dodgers just guaranteed that if all else fails, they can clinch at home.
I was fully expecting to write a column called "The Annual October Blame Dave Roberts Festival Has Begun,” but that damn Doc messed it all up.
The same with Andy Pages... he went and messed up the same fans' chances to trash him some more with a 2-4!
Then the Mookster woke up with two hits himself... Kike (what did they sign him for?) Hernandez showed what they signed him for! Any questions? I did not think so!
Some fans had Freddie dead and buried.... but not so fast!
At the very least, the Dodgers just guaranteed that if all else fails, they can clinch at home.
Scott and Diaz pitched to contact to lock up the game. Sometimes that is better than strikeouts. It was in Game 3.
Question: Would the team be better or worse with DePaula at DH? Ohtani is obviously struggling physically (and mentally).
What a team effort!
... and yes, Yamamoto is not LH. I believe AI does that stuff on purpose... It's funny, and I am not inclined to fix it.
Rants and Raves
Quintero is tearing up the AFL (it's early), and Davalan is showing off amazing range at 2B. Will they reunite at OKC sometime next year?
With the Dodgers now up 2-1, Glasnow has a chance to close out the series without having to return to L.A. for Game 5.
US Water Systems now has a branch in Tampa... The new Rays stadium is 8 miles from our warehouse.
We are planning to open a manufacturing and distribution center in Phoenix next year. We are already looking at homes there... maybe!
Bear is under the weather... send him some good vibes and prayers if you will.
Sorry... but US Water Systems pays for this site...
Discussion (126)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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I've read all the comments and takes on last night's game. I concur and agree with most comments but disagree with the "confidence" that some have in Robert's managing skills. Again, I disagree with his lefty/righty use. Do starting pitchers worry about the batter being lefty or righty? No, the pitcher and catcher have a game plan for all the batters. I also wish that Robert's would play more small ball, especially against an opposing pitcher who is on his game, bunt to take him off his rhythm. Dodgers were fortunate to win last night because some of them looked bad at the plate.
Wednesday thoughts (1). Freddie is still Freddie when healthy. (2). Mookie has piss and vinegar in his blood. (3). Kike just earned his salary for the year in one game! (4). Rojas is not expendable. It would be a bad, bad loss. (5). Tucker ? Still believe he’s going to be big this postseason. So far so good! (6). Will Smith has been very quiet so far. Today he breaks out! (7). Teo needs to come back today too! (8). Edman looks lost at the plate. (9). Funny watching Pages at the plate. He wants to tap that helmet so bad! Maybe Doc finally got through to him. (10). Ohtani? Is it time to sit him? I guess that’s up to him and Doc. Right now he’s dead weight. But that could change in the next AB. (11). Yamamoto will go down in history as one of the greatest postseason pitchers ever. And he’s a long ways away from being done! (12). Tucker and Diaz . The reasons people have heart attacks! (13). Kenny Albert? I guess it could be worse. (14). If Rojas is down, could Kim see some time at second base? Defensively he can deliver the mail. Offensively? Can’t be any worse than Ohtani is presently. (15). Who would replace Rojas on the roster? Freeland or Call. I say Freeland. More versatility. (16). Does Arod make anyone else vomit? (17). Will Mason Miller be welcomed back with open arms after missing last night’s game? King took his place in the ninth. Just curious what others think. A baby is special! (18). If the Rays finish off the Yankees, will it finally be the end for Aaron Boone? (19). It’s unbelievable that the white Sox are 5 wins away from the World Series! (20). Contreras is sure begging for a padres pitcher to drill him after his home run trot. Or should I say home run strut. He put on a show! Some of the old school pitchers would crack that helmet!
Bear, hope you feel better soon! Really miss your posts and your brilliant work. Just like Yogi, you’re the smartest Bear in the woods! GET WELL SOON!!!
That last pick by Freddie is the reason why I always wonder why some here seem in such a hurry to replace him, many even by next year. Frankly, I want Freddie at first base for as long as Mookie is playing shortstop so Freddie can save Mookie from a ton of throwing errors. Plus, it appears that he can still hit when the need arises.
Time to bury the Braves.
Assuming Skubal would pitch G1 again, do you stick with the same rotation order?
I too am rooting for the Madres. But I have skin in the game. Most of my friends are diehard Madre fans. Book em
HEART of a Champion.
Get well soon BEAR.
Mahle's a righty.... With Rojas ailing, I suspect we'll see Edman at 2B. Doc could shake things up and go with Kim, but he's prefers veterans and would rather save Kim's legs for the late innings of a close game. Hawkeye says Kike and Max both have good track records against Mahle so Kike could get the nod. (Plus, it's October.) I'm with Jeff in hoping Mookie bats leadoff...at least until Shohei works through his issues. This would be a fun lineup: Mookie Freddie MAX Smith Shohei Teo Tucker Pages Kike
We're still waiting for Tucker to go off, aren't we?
Mark, you have Yamamoto in the AI generated opening as a left-handed pitcher. Let's finish the deal tonight! Will Glasnow finally earn that huge salary the Dodgers are paying him in a clinching game?
Bear! October is much too early for hibernation. Hope you feel better and get well soon to provide us Bear devotees with your historical acumen and contemporary commentary.... Speaking of history.... Great to see Kike and Freddie add to their October reputations, and let's not forget that Max is piling up post-season records of his own, while Mookie keeps cooking. These veteranos are coming through when Shohei, both a GOAT and a unicorn, shows signs of being human after all. Hoping the Dodgers can close it out with Glasnow, of course. But I'll also be rooting for the Padres, Yankees and Guardians to keep their seasons going....
Get well Bear. As far as the game goes: Yet another nailbiter. The Dodgers in the last years really have been hard on our health. The last out was a great defensive play on both ends by Mookie and Freddie. Just as good as the home run robbery by Dubon. Without it the Dodgers would have coasted. Both plays show how important good defense is in the playoffs especially. Yama was nails again and Kiktober has returned. Lets see if we can clinch today behind Glasnow. I certainly do not need the adrenalin of a game 5.
Both Kike and Muncy have hit Mahle well. Maybe Kike at 2B tomorrow?
No matter how much I bitch about the lack of hitting wRISP, and the team's too much reliance on the HR, the Dodgers do it again. Yes, a couple of hits early would have made the game a little less nerve-racking, but what would this team be without the angst. Kiké and Freddie provided the runs, but Yama was the star in this game. 7.0 IP, 1 run, 4 hits, 1 BB, and 10K. Yama gave up the same number of runs as he did the last game against Atlanta, but this time the Dodgers scored 3 off Sale, and that was all Yama needed. Yama is a warrior.
Tanner Scott and Edwin Díaz weren’t perfect, but they were effective. I really liked that Doc left Diaz in the game. He is going to need Diaz to believe in himself. Doc gave him confidence, now how long can Diaz ride that confidence?
Pages had some funny swings, but he did get a pair of hits. One of the hits was pivotal as it preceded Kiké’s HR.
Mookie got it going right away. He needs to stay at the top of the order. He is back to being a catalyst.
I know it seems like a popular play to insert JDP into the DH spot for a struggling (hurt) Ohtani. I might be in the minority, but I am not taking Shohei out. You don’t turn away from the stars.
Get well soon, Bear.
Just a great great bounceback performance after the G2 disappointment.
Ace of aces Yamamoto outpitched a nasty Sale. Our at-bats were focussed and grinding. Key HRs obviously paved the way but we threatened early and often.
Scott is perfectly cast as an 8th inning power arm. Kudos to Diaz for slamming the door.
Next man up.