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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No class Atlanta fans booing Freeman.
I’m watching the White Sox-Guardians game. I couldn’t help but notice how much Murakami’s mannerisms at bat resemble Shohei’s.
It’s amazing how thin the starting pitching is in this years playoffs. As opposed to the incredible depth in our rotation. Sheehan and Wrobo could be 3’s on many playoff teams.
6:00 PM ET FOX SPORTS 1
Dodgers (100-62) (2-1) Braves (94-68) (1-2)
SP Tyler Glasnow R 5-2 3.53 ERA SP Tyler Mahle R 7-10 3.99 ERA
Confirmed Lineup SS Mookie Betts R 1B F. Freeman L C Will Smith R DH S. Ohtani L LF T. Hernandez R 3B Max Muncy L 2B E. Hernandez R RF Kyle Tucker L CF Andy Pages R
77° Wind 3 mph In LINE LAD -156
Glasnow is 2-1 in six games vs the Braves with a 2.48 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched. He has given up 3 homers struck out 46 and walked 9. Mahle is 3-3 vs LA in 10 games with a 3.15 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched. He has allowed just 2 homers, struck out 33 and walked 16. He is 1-0 against LA this year with no runs allowed in 7 innings pitched.
A great win. We know that managers NEVER want to use rookies in the playoffs. And it would take a lot for Ohtani to be benched (even though he seems to wince all the time) So I don't expect to see JDP as DH instead of him. But would love to see him instead of Teo tonite.
Every professional ballplayer will gut it out, especially in Oct. even to the detriment of the team. It's how they're wired. Unless of couse you are Max Scherzer. So look for Shohei to keep grinding. Of the reserves, only Kike and Miggy will spot start, sans injuries. Book em
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!!!
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
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....