I hear some Dodger fans write or say that the Giants are just having their way this year, that the Giants are just lucky, that they have the Dodgers number. I hear that some don’t trust Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen, or several other pitchers. I say that they are a bunch of Negative Nellies, to which they say “No, that is not true. I am positive… that I am negative.”
The Giants won the Division by 1 game! One stinking game… but they won… fair and square, I would not call them lucky, but sometimes the Baseball Gods just smile on a team for a time. They may not be the best team, but they act like it… for a time. I think it happened in 1988, when the ragtag Dodgers minus the MVP won it all. On paper, the Mets and Athletics were the better teams, yet the Dodgers won and their best player had just one at-bat. In case you have forgotten, here is that at-bat:
Well, the Giants are this year’s “Ragtag Team” but they are pretty dang good… even if they don’t look the part on paper. The fact of the matter is that one of these two teams will end up with 110 wins and go to the NLCS and the other one will go home with a mere 109.
Here’s what I know: The Dodgers could lose… but I don’t think they will. On any given day, one team can beat another one. If they do lose, so be it! I will just move on and wait until next year. One game may end the Dodgers season, but it does not define it! It won’t change my outlook on this team. I believe that the Los Angeles Dodgers are the best organization in baseball, from top-to-bottom. Look no further than the “Dodger Alumni Tree” which is producing Executives for other teams at an unprecedented rate. The Dodgers could again lose several executives and coaches this year. Possibilities to be hired by other organizations include Josh Byrnes, Jeff Kingston, Brandon Gomes, Brant Brown, Aaron Bates, Clayton McCullough, Conner McGuiness, and/or Billy Gasparino. They won’t lose them all, but they could lose a few, as other items want to hire people from successful organizations.
That said, the Giants are tough, but I also know that the Dodgers are great at adjustments… however, so are the Giants. Logan Webb was dominant against the Dodgers earlier. They will adjust… will the Giants re-adjust? Farhan Zaidi is building another great organization and he is doing a great job, but this is a magical year. The question is “will the magic run out today?” I think it will, but win or lose, this is my team. One game does not define you, but it can end your season.
We had Dodger fans quit after losing to the Asstericks. We had Dodger fans quit after losing to Boston. We had Dodger fans quit after the 2019 loss to the Nats… and we even had Dodger fans quit after the latest World Championship – they had met their goal. Whatever! You are free to do whatever you want and spin it however you want, but I will be watching the Dodgers tonight and rooting for them, and win or lose, life will go on. Don’t forget: It’s a game.
We know that Gavin Lux and Cody Bellinger will be in the lineup. We don’t know where… exactly. Seager, Betts, and both Turners will be there. What about Albert at 1B in this Championship Game? It’s worth consideration. Yeah, I know about the “splits.” Sometimes you have to go with your gut. Sometimes experience can win out.
Craig Counsell is a Bum
At least that is what many Milwaukee fans and the national press are saying. A few weeks ago, he was one of the best managers in baseball. It’s amazing how stupid you become when your players do not execute. Dave Roberts can attest to the same thing.
Discussion (81)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Savor it, Brothers and Sisters!
NLCS I mean!!
Positives
All 3 Starters pitched very well during the series having all seemed fatigued previously.
Mookie – he looks in the mood.
Cody – massive improvement and has momentum.
CT3 – having some much better contact, just needs some luck.
Gavin Lux – what a time to find your stroke! Lengthens the lineup considerably.
Will Smith – I thought he called a great game last night and his blocking was much better.
Bazooker – the cannon is loaded and the aim is true.
Kelly – so much better since the surgery.
Treinen/ Jansen – is there a more dominant back end?
Knebel – back to fitness and form
at the right time.
Doc – keeps getting it right (execution obviously helps). But had definitely learned from Post Season mistakes of the past.
Negatives
TT – just looks a bit lost – especially for someone who has just won a Batting Crown. Looks very nervous to me, and keeps pulling off the ball. Needs a lesson from Cody.
JT – long season catching up on both sides of the ball?
However as witnessed before, he can rake at any time.
AJP – good to see him have a PH last night. However his Post Season numbers are a concern.
And the bench -but I think most here flagged this as an area of weakness pre season.
However, I think Albert will play a part.
The Starters – certainly have all been working hard – time for someone else, probably Gonsolin to step up big time, although I can’t remember the last time he pitched?
Possibly Price as an Opener, but definitely gonna need someone to put their hand up.
Muncy – big loss. His ability to get onboard is much missed – plus his clutch hitting of course.
Cannot see him featuring again this season I’m afraid.
So, all set for another NLDS – I pitch around Freddie all day long….
Just wish DBM were here to share this with us.
Glad JT used his HBP talent at the right moment. Maybe this will shake his slump. Maybe Trea will regain his two strike talents against Atlanta. And October Corey can’t be far away, can he? And maybe Max Muncy is starting to feel a bit better…
Sweet revenge for ’62.
They explained it after the game. Apparently a wildcard team cannot have home field advantage. That’s a rule that has to be changed.
Wildcard teams can not have home field advantage to start series.
Why do the Braves have home-field advantage? Dodgers have the best record.
Dear SF,
Close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades.
VR,
DodgerLover
Well to those who were afraid the play SF in Game 5…To those who said that the Dodgers should have kept Gavin Lux in AAA and trade Cody Bellinger. To those who said that Dave Roberts should be fired. I know I am glad that you have nothing to do with the Dodgers. I hope the crow tastes very good.
Logan Webb is legit, and will be a menace to LAD for a few years as was Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and MadBum. The Dodgers beat a good SFG team. I do not care whether they will be good in 2022. They were good in 2021, and the Dodgers beat them. The Giants did not lose. They were beat. BTW, if the Dodgers were unlucky when Darin Ruff was not rung up on his “checked swing” were the Dodgers lucky because Flores was rung up on a checked swing? Or is it just baseball?
Anyway, great win. My heart cannot take another one of these. Bring on the Braves.
What an exciting game! I was thinking, ” Treinen has to go two innings , and then Kenley one;” but then they pinch hit for him, and I thought, “Who are they going to pitch for the ninth? They can’t use Buehler?” I had forgotten about Scherzer.
I thought before Taylor got to bat, that they were going to squeeze. That was not a smart move. Taylor has been hitting some long fly balls, why give up an out?
And then I am already tired of hearing about the checked swing. Count was 1-2 if it is a ball, the odds are enormous, though not 100%, of course, that he would have made an out. Also, a lot of games end on questionable strike calls. From some of these national announcers, you would think that this was one of the most controversial calls in history. Actually, this makes up for 1951, when they were stealing signs, undoubtedly why Thomson hit the homerun. It sort of makes up for 1962, as well. And 1971. And some others.
Woke up in the Netherlands to watch Max get the final out. What a great feeling! To finally catch the Giants with, what is it, our 110th victory, is an unbelievable accomplishment. And give the oppenents respect. They were no Midgets. This was an epic series. And you have to feel great for Cody. That helps to wipe the slate clean. And all of Doc’s pitching moves seem to have worked out. If they hadn’t, we would have been blaming him. Just goes to show, it comes down to the players. Now on to Atlanta. You have to like our chances there. If the two Turners start hitting, we are going to be hard to beat. They are both too good not to break out.
Suck dick, SF bitches.
Full glass of pinot noir & full lungs of Oregon bud.
Good night, ladies.
Mine was a Boston Lager Octoberfest,,,,,,,Cheers! And as Jackie would say, How sweet it is….and that is sweet revenge for 51. and 62.
The indica is flowing!!
So freaking happy to advance to the NLCS by beating the Giants and so happy for Cody.
Can Y’all breathe now? What a sleigh ride that was. I can say that because there is snow in our forecast. Big hit for Bellinger. That had to feel awesome. Celebrating on the Giants field is the best feeling of all. They tried to discredit last years World Series win. Dodgers do not care about that either. Rule is, at least this year, if it looks like an attempt to swing, it is a swing.
Giants held to 2 runs per game average. That’s dominant pitching!
Folks are going to try to discredit the Dodgers win because of the check swing that wasn’t, but the Giants were only allowed that AB due to the error by JT. Nonsense I say! The best team won this series. Go Dodgers!
We did it.Kicked that Giants ass. Hell yes. You gotta love that Dodger Blue.
Karma!
EPIC SERIES!!!!!!!!!
Yaaaaaahoooooooo!
Dodgers win.
Let’s go Dodgers! Get ready to celebrate, Scherzer’s gonna close this out!
Bone. Head.
I don’t know who’s idea that was but it was dumb.
BELLI SAYS “ TAKE THAT CASSIDY”!!!!!!!!
The opener worked out, but I’m not sure why Julio was removed after only 4 innings pitched and 59 pitches. Using Treinen in the 7th and Jansen in the 8th seems odd as well. If the Dodgers do take a lead in the 9th who pitches the bottom of that inning or any other save inning?
Relief pitcher has to pitch to 3 batters, I just don’t see Bickford or Vesia being used, maybe Joe Kelly.
Horrible, absolutely horrible game by TT. Rookie pitcher, swings at first pitch with a lazy fly ball out. Horrible!
Scherzer has to be in play if this game goes long.
I would hate to pinch hit for Treinen. I’d let him go one more inning. The chances of a pinch hitter getting a hit are pretty slim.
If Taylor gets on, he can bunt.
If Taylor makes an out, he can hit, make an out, and then Mookie can hit one out.
Edit: oh well, they didn’t listen to me. Pollock up. I hope he makes me look bad. Why not Beaty?
I think I would have left Julio in. Other than the center cut FB to Ruff he has looked rather dominant and has only thrown 4 innings with 59 pitches. Thought this was the reason we used an opener so Julio could go deep.
I guess it is asking for too much to ask Lux or Cody to do something…
The inability of Trea Turner to do anything offensively, especially with one out and a runner in scoring position (to this point) rears its ugly head. Feels like JT is going to have a big moment in this game.
I thought they had Ruff set up for the curve but if he hit his spot on the fastball it most likely wouldn’t have mattered.
Mookie came to play…
MR MVP DOES IT AGAIN!
Too bad Trea is stinking it up….
Will just missed….
Come on Julio….1-2-3
Trea Turner looks horrible against Webb—-Captain Obvious
Doc listened to me and got Mookie running.
Third time through the order.
Finally a manufactured run!!!! Stolen base and taking an extra base.
Yeah even Lux and Cody look overwhelmed…..
I think Urias might be our best hitter after Mookie
It appears as if the Turners have not made an adjustment with the Webb offspeed and off the plate stuff. Couple of weak groundouts.
Too bad Seager and the Turners can’t hit off speed pitches. I bet Austin Barnes could.
I would have ran Mookie first pitch with Seager up. Fastball, Seager hits it. Off-speed Mookie steals the base.
It appears the only Dodger who learned anything from game one is Mookie. Weak balls put in play by the Turner’s.
Go the freaking other way with that offspeed off the plate BS Webb is throwing.
First game against Webb we swing at breaking stuff out of the zone and this game we’re taking fastballs right down the middle.
Webb has these dodger hitters off balance
Welcome back Eric! Now get your offense going!!!!!
Doc is playing with fire by using Graterol. He is a ROOGY.
Doc got away with it.
4 strikes you’re out!
First blown strike 3 of the night. Didn’t take long. Had to strike Crawford out twice.
This single game is bigger than most World Series games. It’s a good thing Dodgers faced Webb as recently as they did and hopefully developed a better plan and take it like after the 3rd time through abs. It’ll be interesting to see how our rotation experiment will work out as the computer designed. BIG-BIG game! Must see TV.
Bill Plunket: Kapler says #Dodgers Dave Roberts texted him last night to say Knebel was starting
This didn’t help my blood pressure:
Vin Scully
@TheVinScully
To my knowledge, tonight’s game between the @Dodgers and @SFGiants is the most important game in the history of their rivalry. With nearly identical records, and so much at stake, I believe this to be the case.
Just learned about Knebel as the opener. Wow, bold move by the Dodgers to say the least.
Principally I understand the reasoning behind it but couple of arguments against it: Julio has not pitched out of the pen all year long. Totally different warm up phase in contrast to starting a game. Yes, I know he has done it last year but back then he came out of the pen during the season some times and was used to it. Pre game warm up and a routine is important for a pitcher.
Plus when you decide to go with a RHP as opener why not start TG ? Knebel very likely will go one inning at max and only if he has good stuff and gets hitters out. When you start TG and he is on his game you can ride him for multiple innings. Maybe he has the stuff to throw the game of his life. Tony has the talents . But obviously the Dodgers do not trust him at all and then as was mentioned above by another poster his roster spot is wasted.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, just about 3 1/2 hours until game time. Time is dragging on…
I’m completely convinced that Julio will pitch a gem tonight and the Dodgers are going to get to Webb. I have no rational for this line of thinking, nonetheless, I believe this to be true.
Man, I hate openers. I just think there’s a lot of risk in having a reliever start the game in an unfamiliar routine and having a starter equally unfamiliar coming into a game that’s already begun. I just hate this micromanage kind of crap. But…
If you’re gonna do it, now’s a good time. The Giants are a platoon dependent team and this is a good way to exploit those splits. Julio has plenty of experience coming into games as a reliever and they gave Knebel a couple of openers, thinking ahead to prepare them for this exact scenerio.
This either guarantees that Knebel faces a righty heavy lineup at least the first time through, or it will be a very short bench if they start lefties and have to shift back to righties for Urias. Hell, I might even bring in Graterol to take down a couple of innings after Knebel if the Giants don’t adjust. If you go with Urias, to start the Giants can bring in their lefty bats late in the game against our best relievers who are all right handed, sans Vesia.
This would be a moot point if they included V-Gone and Bruihl on the roster instead of a couple guys they didn’t use. Price and Gonsolin look like wasted roster spots right now.
Living in Northern California, as my LADT user name implies, I put up with a lot of shit from the fair weathered fans who proudly wear Giant apparel when the Giants win but don’t say shit with a mouthful when they’re battling the Rockies or Diamondbacks for last place as they have done the last couple of years. Many of these “so-called” baseball fans couldn’t explain the difference between a suicide squeeze and a suicide by someone jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, but hey they’re baseball fans “all the time.”
Tonight is our night, our night to prove we are indeed the best team in baseball, the better depth, the better farm system, the better analytics, the better fans, the better veteran and young talent, the better FO, the better manager and a team destined for greatness.
We got this #WGT! Bring it home Julio with a big night from he Turner boys and a Bellinger bomb as well.
Tonight’s winning lineup:
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Corey Seager L
2B Trea Turner R
C Will Smith R
3B J. Turner R
CF Gavin Lux L
1B C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
P Corey Knebel R
Same lineup as Game 6
Lux gets to patrol that big centerfield
Didn’t see this coming,
Mike Shildt is out as manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, sources tell ESPN.
I don’t know if it is a good or bad move. I get the strategy but it’s certainly a big gamble. We’ll find out in about 7 hours. It’s certainly bold and will give us and the pundits plenty to talk about today and in the future.
Could be Urias is injured. Hope not!
Knebel gets the job as opener. And frankly, I think it is a good move. Twitter is going bat shit nuts over this. Look at it this way, if Kapler starts his lefty lineup, then when Julio comes in, he has a problem.
What’s up with the opener? I hope Doc isn’t overthinking this. Maybe he just wants to make sure his most reliable lefty bat (Julio) is available late in the game.
Knebel starting?
In baseball, my expectations rarely work out. Knowing that, I ditch my expectations which leaves me with new expectations — which rarely work out.
Last year my rally meal was taquitos & beer. Tonight it’s wings & wine. Hope this doesn’t mess anything up.
Loading the lineup with left handed batters should go a long way towards eliminating that outside pitch that the umpire was calling for a strike on right hand hitters during game one. I like the idea of replacing Pollock with Lux for this game for many reasons. Inherently, left hand hitters tend to be better low ball hitters. I expect a low scoring game but I see some of our left hand hitters playing pivotal roles tonight.
Julio Urias has proven to be a big game pitcher. I expect to see nothing less.
I am interested in seeing how the Gnats perform during an elimination game. The Dodgers have done it twice so far and are the more talented team. Will SF succumb to the pressure? Or will they rise to the occasion?
As a baseball fan, I have my money on the Dodgers. As a Dodgers fan, well, go Dodgers!
For those of us who still read the Athletic, there’s an interesting piece by Stephen Nesbitt on “Grading MLB Umpires”. A Boston U student named Ethan Singer uses twitter to grade out umpires and analyze performance. Kind of interesting (as I hope we are head toward the ABS.
byhttps://theathletic.com/author/stephen-j-nesbitt/
I think we have one advantage in that we have already played in an elimination game against STL. That experience has to count for something. 4-2 LA.
If the Dodgers can score 4/5 runs today they should be able to win.
The Giants have scored in this series 4, 2, 1, 2 runs.
There has not been 1 lead change in the first 4 games. So odd!
I truly believe that if our boys in blue can get to Logan Webb we will win the game. If he shuts us down for 7 or even 8 innings it will be tough but if we can get into the (worn out?) bullpen early then we are going to the NLCS. Will this be a feast or a famine night? ☺
I’m in alignment with Pengy’s line up thinking (wait the righties for Wood) and Red going yard.
Okay, the Red thing is a hope. I’d be okay with two doubles, a walk and single from Red! Time for the big Dodger in the sky to appear.
Baseball needs to make the check swing a reviewable call. Any mistake that the viewing audience can see, and there are literally hundreds of them over the course of the year, should be reviewable. Especially those that decide games.
These teams are evenly matched. They are better defensively, we have better pitching, not by much, and score more runs, not by much. Zaidi put that team together remarkably quickly but the fact their sleeping veterans woke up went a long way to bring them back. Crawford and Posey are only 34 so a good year from both should not be that surprising, but not that good either. Posey only played 114 games but his .889 OPS is his best since his MVP year at age 25. Crawford’s .895 OPS is his best year ever, obviously an outlier year, but he too played in fewer games. Surely those two play like 35 year olds next year. Right?
Would be nice to see our geezer contribute soon. Turner at .059 hurts, especially with Muncy gone.
Hopefully All shows up tonight.
Farhan is building a great organization? No, Farhan built a team that exceeded all expectations this year…
With a postseason rotation of Wood, Gausman, Desclafani, Webb and Cueto, only Webb is expected back next year.
How about their position players? Unrestricted Free Agents include Kris Bryant, Brandon Belt and Donovan Solano. They hold club options on Wilmer Flores (32) and Buster Posey (35).
Brandon Crawford (35), Evan Longoria (37), Steven Duggar (28), Tommy La Stella (33), Darin Ruf (36), Austin Slater (29), LaMonte Wade (28), and Mike Yastrzemski (32) are under contract.
So, next year their team looks like this…
Rotation
Webb and 4 guys they’ll need to acquire via free agency
C Posey (35)
1B Ruf (36)
2B LaStella (33)
3B Longoria (37)
SS Crawford (35)
LF Wade (28)
CF Slater (29)
RF Yas (32)
With half of their offense coming from guys on the wrong side of 35 and 2 more in their 30’s, only two players are clearly in their primes. I don’t call that building an organization. I call that augmenting what you have and waiting it out. Next year will be a rude awakening when they have to try to count on all those old guys to produce again. I don’t see that as a likely outcome unless Farhan can grab guys like Wood, Gausman and Desclafani to build a miracle rotation like he did this year. They’ll be the Padres 2.0 next year when all those position players come back down to earth like Hosmer and Myers did for the Padres.
So, let’s see what happens tonight. Urias vs Webb is going to be a fun game to watch. Both teams have been stifled by these pitchers earlier in the series and both have the advantage of seeing each other recently.
I would roll out the same lineup as last game.
Keep Albert and Pollock on the bench waiting for Wood to enter the game as a reliever.
Have faith in CT3, Lux and Belli and ride those hot hands.
Do not change the lineup based on Small Sample Sizes against Webb.
We’ve done this before against the Braves last year. Let’s do it again and send the Giants on vacation. All those old guys can use some time off!
Urias for 5
Knebel for 1
Treinen for 1
Jansen for 2
I would start Souza in CF batting leadoff. Have him charge the mound and take out Webb. Replace him with Lux and we’re good to go.
You’re welcome.
Actually Mark, they are both at 109. Giants 107 in the regular season and 2 in the playoffs. Dodgers 106 in the regular season, and 3 in the playoffs including the wild card win. During the regular season the Giants did it with the HR. And all except 1 of their runs in this series have come on homers. You avoid the long ball, the chances of beating them are pretty good. Dodger pitching keeps it in the park, they will win. And it is funny. Giants set a team record with 241 homers. Dodgers were right on their tail at 237. Consider this, Dodgers are tied in this series, and their all time best post season hitter has one hit. All of this and a team that won 109 games is going to go home. Baseball needs to seriously revamp the playoff system. Teams that are that successful in the regular season should not be playing each other in the first round unless you expand it to 7 games. I favor a seeding system like the NBA has where the 1 plays the 8. 2 plays the 7 and so forth. Baseball lost Ray Fosse yesterday. He caught for 12 seasons and was most remembered for getting flattened by Pete Rose in an all star game. RIP.
Correction Mark,both teams have won 109 and one will go home a winner with 110. The betting line is even money on either team so it’s anyone’s guess who advances.Let’s hope that the Giants charmed season ends tonight.
Julio will be schooling the Gigantes
All year we’ve been chasing the Giants. It’s only fitting that we finally surpass and eliminate them on their final game of the season.
TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT