10 More!
In the Dodger s clubhouse, next to Justin Turner s locker is a whiteboard that people observed after last night s game. It simply says 10 Wins! That s the simplest way to write down the understood goal of winning the World Series. It takes 11 wins in the postseason. After last night, there are 10 to go. No more, no less. It s that simple Simple but not easy! The thing is: these guys,
In the Dodger’s clubhouse, next to Justin Turner’s locker is a whiteboard that people observed after last night’s game. It simply says “10 Wins!” That’s the simplest way to write down the understood goal of winning the World Series. It takes 11 wins in the postseason. After last night, there are 10 to go. No more, no less. It’s that simple… Simple… but not easy! The thing is: these guys, at least most of them were in a position to win the World Series last year, only to have their hearts broken in the end. That taste remained in their mouths and they carried it around like a hangover all season. It seems to me that they sobered up right before the Giants series.
Who was on the NLDS roster last year?
- Baez
- Hill
- Jansen
- Kershaw
- Maeda
- Wood
- Barnes
- Grandal
- Turner
- Bellinger
- Hernandez
- Puig
- Taylor
That’s it from last year. Almost 50% of the Dodger’s playoff roster were not on it last year. That is a huge turnover! Alexander, Floro, Kemp, Madson, Freese, Machado and Dozier were acquired via trade. Ryu was left off the roster last year… only to start Game 1 this year. Talk about from the outhouse to the penthouse! Then, there are the two rookies: Buehler and Ferguson and the minor league miracle: Max Muncy. Finally, Joc Pederson was left off the NLDS last year. That seems like a lot of roster turnover to me, but in many ways it is a testament to FAZ and how they are always seeing value and are unafraid of change.
The Baker’s Dozen left from 2017 are now the leaders, along with Chase Utley who is in the dugout with his brothers. Team chemistry may or may not be overrated, but the chemistry of this team is off the charts. Matt Kemp used to be the moody prima donna… now he’s one of the clubhouse leaders. Yasmani Grandal, Justin Turner, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Rich Hill. Those six players set the tone for the rest of the team and are the collective “voice” of this lockerroom. Of course, Kike, Mad Max and the Wild Horse are always good for some sound bites, but this is one teriffic lockerroom! I think that they all have each other’s backs.
This team is built for the post-season and it’s not how you start – it’s how you end, are things I have been saying all year. In many respects the season was ugly, although it did have it’s moments. The players struggled throughout the season. This new statistic-driven brand of baseball is still being sorted out. It’s evolving… The Dodgers struggled with it, so did the Cubs… and it ultimately killed them, along with the failed acquisitions of Chatwood, Darvish and Morrow… most of whom were boat anchors on the roster. I think you will see the pendelum swing back a little from some of the extremes of playing for the long ball… but I digress.
Last night, the Dodgers scored 6 runs on only 5 hits, 3 of which were homers. They also took 8 walks and stole 3 bases, while Grandal gunned down the only attempted thief! What should not be lost in all of this is that the Dodger pitchers did not walk a batter while striking out 11. It should also not be lost that Hyun-jin Ryu pitched like an Ace. Now, if Clayton and Striker can do that, the series is over. These guys reek with determination. When you have been so close to the mountaintop or goal, only to have it snatched away, you realize how difficult it is and how sweet it is. Thse guys can smell it – just 10 more wins to go!
Parting Shots
- It’s hard for me not to envision Kike Hernandez as the starting 2B next year!
- It won’t be lost on most GM’s how much less productive Manny Machado is outside of Camden Yards.
- Realize this: Clayton Kershaw WILL opt out, unless he can agree on a new deal before that.
- Caleb Ferguson has “bullpen” written all over him.
Discussion (96)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Wow! The stream I watched has about a 20 minute delay. Reddit if anybody interested
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Clayton Kershaw is still on top of the hill! Even when umpires squeeze what he has. He ain’t been dethroned yet by a damned sight. If one expects more from him then Kershaw has spoiled all eyes upon him. Simply spectacular!
Nice win
Nine more
Strong starting pitching from a leftie.
Home Runs
Good defense.
When’s the last time Kenley threw that pitch to a hitter like Freeman ? That looked good
Book ’em!
Kenley needs to pitch!
I’d let Kershaw finish. Let’s go Kenley
JUst when you think Puig is over his Knuckleheadedry, he shows out!
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Geeeeezzzzz!!!
Somebody said Grandal was lost,
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That ball was lost!
Bobby
My favorite College basketball final, was when Magic played for Michigan, and Larry Bird played for Indiana st.
My father always took the Celtics, and I took the Lakers.
I have always been big Laker fan, although I haven’t followed pro basketball that much, lately.
But I am definitely going to watch the Lakers this year.
Machado is a hot dog. Dodgers be chillin him out a little.
The Red Sox have a really good start today, I hope they keep it up.
It is a good thing the Astros gave up on JD Martinez, or the Astros would be even better.
Sale is pitching tonight.
Sale was another guy AC wanted the Dodgers to trade for, too.
I like Joe Davis, he’s growing on me.
I’m thinkin’ Kenley at Coors field is not going to be a problem. Kersh needs to put his foot on the Braves neck and put this thing on ice.
Colorado has forgotten how to hit.
Lineup is out:
Joc
JT
Muncy
Manny
Puig
Belly
Kike
Grandal
Kersh
Think of what would have happened if we had traded for Verlander instead of Darvish. It almost makes me sick. We missed big time on that one.
Here are some random thoughts….
I’m not eager to have to play the Rockies again, Go Brew crew. Kenley should not go to Colorado if that comes up.
Clayton is my favorite ball player but I can’t see blowing more than the current 2 year commit. I hope he makes me look like a fool for doubting his future! I just worry about his body holding up. Pitching may be a younger man’s game!
I like Manny, he’s been a good rental but I also think that’s a bridge too far financially. A WS may make him want to stay but spreading that $ to other places feels right to me
I’d really like to see how we can keep Ryu, get him some coin but not past a 3 year deal. See younger man comment above.
Walker can be our new legend. The legend continues Sunday….
I hope we get more guys hitting today in support of Clayton, he deserves a win!
Urias exceeded my expectations and I hope he continues to be solid for years. I saw one 97 on the gun. Hope there are way more in our future.
Max is fun and assuming no DH next year, how do the pieces fit together? I prefer Cody at 1st, but yesterday’s line up (swapping Seager for Manny) seems correct.
I thought we’d be disappointed but I am optimistic our team is built to win now. Go D’s!!
I agree wit J-Hair on Dodgertalk last night, we have the best starting pitching in the NL, and hopefully our bullpen holds up. My only concern is how up and down we are offensively. We can score 6 runs like last night and look good doing it, then go two games in a row and score 1 run. That is our biggest Achilles heal in this years play-offs, our feast or famine offense, which a number of you have posted that this is what FAZ built, who we are. They have been right the majority of these past few years, I hope they know what they are doing this time. Got the season in the balance with this offense.
Meanwhile, Verlander doing his best Walker Buehler impersonation so far: 5 hitless
here’s something to think about: in addition to [potentially] kershaw, dallas keuchel is one of the biggest name free agents this offseason. in fact, some pretty big numbers have been bandied about for DK’s next contract. so . . . who would you rather have, keuchel or ryu?
Josh Donaldson batting 5th and playing 3b for Cleveland today. Controversial trade due to injury/DL shenanigans. He could be an impact player this postseason.
yeah, i’m not sold on him as a franchise superstar. however, it’s nice when he can use his arm to make an out just when you’re feeling down on him.
Earlier, I mentioned Manny Machado’s splits at Camden Yards and Away:
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Camden Yards: 456 games/105 HR/.295 BA/.353 OB%/.534 SLG%/.887 OPS
All other venues: 469 games/69 HR/.271 BA/.319 OB%/.442 SLG%/.761 OPS
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He’s close to a superstar at Camden Yards. Away from there, he’s just a solid player… maybe a #6 hitter.
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Can’t see him in LA next year!
I think AC has been right far to often about different players and pitchers, in different times in their careers, to chalk it up to player’s development and scouting, and how a player or pitcher, are molded.
For example, AC was talking about Morrow, way early in the off season, before anyone was saying anything favorable, about Morrow.
And AC even talked about the pitcher Chacin, the Brewers started against the Cubbies, in that one game play off, for the Central Division, the other day.
These two guys are not prospects, but baseball teams saw the same value that AC saw, in these two pitchers, before the fact.