Yeah, I know it is still mathematically possible that the Dodgers will catch the Giants. It ain’t happening! Accept it… move on and get ready for the Championship Round. If the Dodgers win the Wild Card Game, the NLDS, NLCS, AND the World Series, no one is ever going to say, “Yeah but you did not win the NL West!” Well, Giants fans may say it, but all Dodger Fans need to do is show them their 2021 Dodger World Series Championship shirts!
There was once a commenter – I think he called himself “Oldtimer.” He was from Canandaigua, NY and when it came playoff time, he always said that playoff baseball was different. He always said, “Some player’s sphincters get tight in the playoffs. Others don’t!”
The 2021 Dodgers are finally healthy. Bellinger, Taylor, and Muncy have been in slumps, but are all showing signs of breaking out. I think they have their swagger back. These guys are battle-tested and the cream always rises to the top. Sometimes it takes a while, but the cream always ends up on top. Go down the Dodgers and Giants lineups and compare. If you were building a team, who would you take?
- Catcher – You might take Buster Posey over Will Smith for one game, but Posey’s best days are behind him. I am riding Smith everytime.
- First Base – Based upon this year, Brandon Belt is having a better season, but is older. Would you take him over Muncy? Oh, and BTW, he is out for the playoffs,
- Second Base – Whoever plays 2B for the Giants can’t compare with Trea Turner. End of discussion.
- Shortstop – Brandon Crawford has had his career year, but would you take him over Corey Seager?
- Third Base – Bryant and Longoria (combined) may be close, but they are no Justin Turner.
- Left-Field – Darin Ruf or Pollock and Lux?
- Center Field – Maybe you would take Duggar, Dubon and Slater over Cody Bellinger, but if I had that choice, I would take Cody every time, as I believe he will be fine and his elite defense is huge.
- Right Field – Betts or Yas and Wade?
Statistically, the Giants are close to the Dodgers both in pitching and hitting, but if you line up the players, I do not see too many Giants players you would take over a Dodger counterpart. Yet, they continue to win. I can’t explain it. It’s an anomaly! Some things cannot be explained. Accept it and move on. The playoffs are a whole different animal. So, just be ready for that. Kershaw needs to pitch tonight so that it can be seen if he is ready for it. But no matter what, I would pitch Mitch White on Saturday and have a bullpen game on Sunday. Buehler and Urias need to rest.
Scherzer starts the Wild Card game and I would make sure to give several regulars Saturday and/or Sunday off to make sure they are fresh. Farhan Zaidi has to be the Executive of the Year as no one has done more with less. Gabe Kapler is the Manager of the Year… hands down. But, I am going to say that the possibility of not making the playoffs in 2022 is quite possible for the Giants. This has been a magical season and it leads me to believe someone sold their soul to the devil.
The World Championship is just a few wins away and this Dodger team is capable of going through the playoffs like a hot knife through butter. I have never been more confident than right this second! Let’s get ready to rumble!
Discussion (42)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It will a shame if Kershaw’s career with the Dodgers ended last night that way. Hopefully we can get him a second World Series Championship if this was the final inning he will ever pitch. A true Dodger in every sense of the word. Class personified. Next move the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
Two down with two to go. Personally, the best thing for the Dodgers right now is play the wild card game and not have to play game 163 up in San Francisco. Because if they have to play game 163, Scherzer would most likely start that game. Giants play tomorrow afternoon, so the Dodgers will know if they have a chance to tie or are the wild card team before their game starts. Padres have done an excellent job of folding. That team is a mess. Who let that Giant fan on here and what the hell does he know about Dodger fans???? They said that CK left the game with forearm discomfort. In my mind, that puts him out of the playoffs. I also think it reduces the possibility of Kershaw returning next season if it turns out to be something that needs to be repaired by surgery. Urias, Buehler and Scherzer are a pretty formidable trio for any team to face. Felt happy for Beaty getting the PH homer. Albert comes through again. I absolutely love that guy. He gave Beaty a real bear hug. And I am an expert on those!
Now Giants can kindly lose the next three games while Dodgers win the next three. That would be the ticket! yeah, let the Giants play the cards and Dodgers get home field advantage the rest of the way.
The Padres have to let Tingler go. They have basically given up and it appears he has lost the clubhouse.
Wonder if they’ll give Skip Schumacher a shot to manage or in the world of stranger things have happened how about Bochy to the Pads.
The bottom of the fifth. Pretty cool TT. Lets hope it catches. Rally boys! Show it like you know it.
If it’s the UCL I don’t see CK going out this way. Mark just may be right and he will retire or maybe he gets the surgery, sits out a year and comes back. It’s doable.
The Dodgers haven’t quit but unfortunately the Padres have.
No to trading Trea.
I hope nobody turned the game off.They done stepped up.
I just saw the way the giants scored their second run. it’s amazing, pure luck
Chip away. The guys need to step up so Kersh doesn’t get the L.
So I do. Sadly
Did you guys see Kershaw come out with the ball in his hands? do you think he knows something? or does it mean something?
Graterol sucks. He’s on my hope to get traded list.
Those games that Doc gave up on earlier in the season is haunting us. And those games that Doc rested multiple guys are haunting us.
It’s the UCL
Regardless of how far we advance this year, there is a chance he just threw his last pitch. Ever.
If that elbow hurt, does he really want to go thru surgery at his age? And then miss all 2022 anyway?
CK looks to have lost 4-5 MPH on his FB and will need to most likely go to the BP in the post season.
I hope he comes back on a two year contract and retires as a lifetime Dodger but it’s fairly obvious his best playing days, like maybe all of us, are in the rear view mirror.
Love the guy and do not want to see him ever in another uniform but he needs to re-sign for maybe a two year $25 AAV and that would be recognizing who he is, what he has previously accomplished and what he means to the community and his Dodger legacy.
It’s difficult to see this happening to Kershaw.
It’s crazy to think that this could be Kershaw last appearance on the mound as a Dodger
We don’t know, but every time Kersh walks out there, it has the potential to be his last DS start. I, for one, hope not.
Get the magic back, Clayton!
Tonight’s Lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
M. BettsRF 122-455 57 23 10 .268
C. SeagerSS 102-342 55 15 1 .298
T. Turner2B 190-585 68 25 32 .325
J. Turner3B 145-522 84 26 3 .278
M. Muncy1B 121-489 92 36 2 .247
A. PollockLF 113-374 67 20 9 .302
C. TaylorCF 128-501 73 20 13 .255
A. BarnesC 42-195 23 6 1 .215
C. KershawP 8-36 3 0 0 .222
You guys are a shining example of “spoiled fans.” Giants fans are happy if we even get into the playoffs. Frustrated you paid too much for players that don’t get you where you want? What exactly do you want? The dodgers have won over 100 games. I don’t see any room for complaint. True, the dodgers are not as glued together as the giants where every player is expected to fill in for almost every other player, but then you’d have to change things down to the basic infrastructure of the dodgers. But then it’s easier to hand over the money vs developing the well-skilled qualities and emotional bonds your players should have. Look at philly–toxic clubhouse–thanx to them we got highly skilled hunter pence, master team pastor who was DYING to leave the phillies! Their fans & ownership were atrocious!! oh thanx to them for gabe, too!
When I met Ted a couple of weeks ago, I was showing him my Volpe collection. The portraits they used to give out every week at Union 76 stations. I was explaining to him that I used to buy the packs of player pictures, 5X7 black and white photos that you used to be able to get at the souvenir stands at the coliseum and Dodger Stadium for 50 cents. There were 20 player photos in the pack. And usually Walt Alston or one of the coaches. I had bought some on EBAY a while ago, but misplaced them so I could not show him what I meant. Well, I saw something behind one of the Volpe prints and it was the pack of photos I had purchased. I looked them over and figured out they were from 1960. When the Dodgers moved to Dodger Stadium in 1962, the photos started having autographs on the bottom. The earlier ones had the printed names. The names on these were printed. So the players I have are Jim Gilliam, Frank Howard, Wally Moon, Maury Wills, Norm Larker, Larry Sherry, Norm Sherry, Charley Neal, Duke Snider, Stan Williams, Don Drysdale, Johnny Podres and John Roseboro. The cool thing is that they are in pristine condition. No stains or creases.
Here is what is happening in my world. This is a typical e-mail we have been getting from vendors:
XXXXXX, Inc. truly appreciates your business and the opportunity to service your water purification product needs. We are committed to delivering only the highest quality products and services that exceed your expectations and keep your business operations running smoothly.
As you are aware, the business conditions in North America have continued to become more challenging. What seemed to be a supply-demand imbalance as the markets recovered, is a rate of inflation that is higher than what businesses can control. We have seen cost increases come from freight, tariffs, material cost surcharges, utility costs, and production and wages increase requirements. This has added up to double-digit increases year over year and we have continually absorbed these costs, including those impacting the supply chain.
We have been successful this year not to pass through the various cost increases to our valued customers, but given the degree of inflation we must institute a minimum 12% price increase effective November 1, 2021, on all products. Please be assured that XXXXX has been working hard to minimize the impact of global shortages and cost increases during the pandemic. Our commitment will always be to offer excellent products and service at a fair price.
… and of course, we have to pass it on. I have never, ever seen these types of price increases. Many of you wished for this… Here you go!
Oh, and by the way, my Medicare went from $367.00 a month to $553.00 a month and my Aetna Supplemental insurance went to $207 from $145.00. This is insanity and you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
DODGERS NAME MIGUEL VARGAS AND HYUN-IL CHOI BRANCH RICKEY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers named infielder Miguel Vargas as the 2021 Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year and right-handed pitcher Hyun-Il Choi as the 2021 Branch Rickey Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Vargas, 21, hit .319 (154-for-483) with 23 homers and 76 RBI in 120 games split between Great Lakes and Tulsa. He started the 2021 season with Advanced-A Great Lakes, hitting .314 (49-for-156) with 11 doubles, one triple and seven homers in 37 games. He was promoted to Double-A Tulsa on June 6 and finished hitting .321 (105-for-327) with 16 doubles, one triple, 16 homers and 60 RBI. Among qualifying Double-A batters, Vargas ranked third in average (.321), sixth in OBP (.478), seventh in SLG (.523) and third in OPS (.909). The Cuban native was a Non-Roster Invitee to Spring Training this season, playing in eight games and scoring two runs in nine plate appearances. He has been with the Dodgers since signing as an international free agent on September 7, 2017 and has played in 297 minor league games, spanning four different levels with a .316 (371-for-1174) batting average and 32 homers with 183 RBI.
In his first full minor league season, Choi went 8-6 with a 3.55 ERA (42 ER/106.1 IP) and 106 strikeouts in 24 games (11 starts). The Seoul, South Korea native began the season with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga, posting an 8-3 record with a 3.17 ERA (23 ER/65.1 IP) and 75 strikeouts in 24 games (11 starts). He ranked third in Low-A with eight wins, while his ERA and WHIP ranked among the top 10 pitchers in the Cal League with at least 70.0 innings pitched. He was promoted to Advanced-A Great Lakes on July 31 and has made nine starts for the Loons, going 0-3 with a 4.17 ERA (19 ER/41.0 IP) and 31 strikeouts against 11 walks.
Vargas and Choi will both be presented with their respective awards and honored in a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 1 prior to the Dodgers’ game vs. Milwaukee and will be available for media at 5:00 p.m. on the field.
I have this to say about Bellinger. If you look back over all the seasons and look at the 15 youngest players, Cody was 23, to ever win an MVP award, only a couple, one would be Lou Gehrig, played at a high level the entire season. Some started hot and played at a lower level in the second half. Some started slow and got better as the season progressed. But there are only a handful of players who won the award at his age or younger. Most of them are in the Hall of Fame. Gehrig, Waner, Mays, Musial, Aaron, Ripken, Bench. A few were pitchers, Clemens, Blue. Hal Newhouser won back to back MVP awards when he was 23 and 24. Those not in the hall include Mattingly, Canseco and Jeff Burroughs. Canseco comes closest to Belli in average. Bench finished under .300 and had more HR’s in the first half and a lower average. Waner got much better the second half. Gehrig was a monster in both halves. Aaron, Mays, Musial, were pretty steady the entire year. Burroughs started off slow and then had a very good second half. His BA at the end was .301. SO yeah, I cut Cody some slack for his batting problems, especially this season. In 19 he played more games than he ever had at any level, and considering he was a third year player at age 23, expecting him to keep up the torrid pace he had early in the season is unrealistic in today’s game. Harper who won his when he was 22. He had a slight drop off in the second half, but he and Bellinger are the only two players from this era on the list. Will Bellinger rebound? That remains to be seen. But for now, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think for most of the rest of his career, he will average about .275 with 30 plus homers every year. His swing is still too violent to be a consistent .300 hitter. Something he will only achieve with a modified swing that means more contact.
No question, the Dodgers are better at pretty much every position, in the bullpen and in the starting rotation. So I agree with Mark. Yet the Giants are probably going to win the NL West title. The Dodgers certainly had chances to overtake the Giants, maybe an injury here and there or a bad outing or Kenley’s bad week left them short. A bad third strike non call by the ump. Or losing two out of three at home against the Colorado Rockies when they had a chance to take over. Obviously everything played right for the Giants even other teams faltering late in games, losing by not catching a fly ball, a routine play. Hey, stuff happens.
If the Dodgers can get past the wild card, which is definitely a crapshoot, they can win the World Series again — if they play like they are capable of playing.
The Giants are an old team with players producing big years and that likely won’t happen in the future. The reason the Dodgers won eight straight titles was the farm system, key trades (because of the farm system) and picking up an AJ Pollock, a couple of relievers and another move or two along the way.
But the Dodgers are going to have make the right moves this winter and there are some decisions to be made, Corey Seager being one. This is going to be one of those Adrian Beltre and Mike Piazza like decisions, impacting the Dodgers both short and long term. Honestly, Seager is a must. I really want them to sign Max Scherzer, but there is more risk. He’s older. Scherzer is a luxury. Seager is not. That said, I want them to sign both players.
Good article today, Mark.
With all those who disrespected Kenley Jansen do you still feel the same? When saying all those things against him, what do you say about now? I never lost faith in his ability to close and even after seeing him trip a few times and now again he looks the best.
Who woulda thunk?
That the Padres would not only miss the playoffs entirely, they would also finish under 500?
That the Giants would be guaranteed at least the second best record in baseball heading into the final series?
That the Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Mariners would be fighting for a wild card with three games to play?
That three of the top Cy Young award candidates in the National League would all come from the same team that also has Clayton Kershaw who isn’t?
That phenom to be Gavin Lux would lose the starting second base job while also be in the hunt for the starting Center Field job possibly taking it from a former MVP?
That the Dodgers would Lose May and Bauer for the season, Kershaw for a third of it and still be in the hunt for best record overall with 3 games remaining?
That Seager, Betts and Belli would all spend significant time on the IL and still be in the hunt for best record overall with 3 games remaining?
That AJ Pollock would be the best hitter on the team?
The bullpen would have the second best ERA in baseball?
That JT and CT3 would lead the team in games played?
That the Dodgers would be a 100 win team without anyone with 100 runs scored or 100 RBI?
That Julio Urias would be MLB’s only 20 game winner and not win the Cy Young award?
That David Price would have a higher OPS than Cody Bellinger?
Notes from Internet:
If you have a moment or two, listen to the latest Chin Music podcast.
They get into Cody Bellinger (on tendering/non-tendering him, on how confident the Astros were back in that horrible playoff season, about the Bellinger and their ideal playoff OF)
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/category/chin-music/
Trea Turner gets mentioned in this FanGraphs piece about who the NL MVP could be:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-fascinating-and-still-unsettled-nl-mvp-race/
Guess who the two Dodgers’ Minor League players of the year are for Dustin Nosler:
http://dodgersdigest.com/2021/09/28/2021-dodgers-digest-minor-league-players-of-the-year/
Yup! Vargas and Miller.
Guess who the two Dodgers’ Minor League players of the year are for MLB.com:
https://www.mlb.com/news/prospects-of-the-year-for-every-team-2021
Yup! Pages and Stone!
Editor’s note: I actually like that they’re different. (The two lists, that is.)
Don Szymborski Chat
Tiger Fan: Humor me – Tigers sign Chris Taylor to be a starting SS. Then they spend big on a SP like Guasman and a second SP like Heany. What else do they do to be a flawed, but legitimate, WC contender like Seattle or Toronto?
Dan Szymborski: They still need one or two serious bats
MLB.com’s top 100 has a new player at #100:
https://www.mlb.com/prospects/top100/
It’s the one-time almost Angel, Andy Pages. He’s the 5th Dodger on that list. It’s 5% Dodgers!
Diego Cartaya make the Baseball America top 10 Low-A Prospects out west ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-low-a-west-top-10-prospects/
Despite his laudatory year, AJ Pollock will not be able to trigger his opt-out:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/dodgers-aj-pollock-miss-opt-out-plate-appearances-free-agent.html
Editor’s note: I’m not sure if that’s good
Baseball America looks at Pitch Clocks, Robo Umps, raised mounds and more: ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/did-pitch-clocks-robo-umps-and-other-2021-minor-league-baseball-rules-changes-work/
Editor’s Note: I think Pitch Clocks are almost as certain as Bauer’s suspension.
MLB’s Thomas Harrigan notes that the Dodgers are on track to post best record by defending champ in divisional era
https://www.mlb.com/news/best-records-by-defending-world-series-champions
Ben Clemens Chat:
Editor’s Note: OLD friend alert.
Oneil Cruz fan: Oneil Cruz is destroying the ball since he got called up to Indy. I think it’s clear he’s not going to be the opening day SS for the Bucs for reasons *cough* service time *cough* but do you think we see him before June?
Ben Clemens: I do, and it’s going to be awesome! He’ll be the next big thing in Pittsburgh…
See what I did there? I’ll be here all week
joe schlabotnik: Why are so many folks suggesting corey seager will stay in LA? they have a equal or better shortstop already on the books, plus hes got FA with his brother. What are the odds that two great players, brothers, hit FA at the same time. Why wouldn’t they sign together?
Ben Clemens: I also think that the Dodgers will keep Seager. He can play 3b eventually, they like the depth, and there’s no guarantee Turner stays.
Now, if Turner signs an extension first, that changes things a bit.
Smiling Politely: People down here are drunk with tabloids and sports, but let’s humor them — what would a theoretical swap of Ohtani for Bellinger + $/others look like, and is there a meaningful, nonzero chance of it happening?
Ben Clemens: Um…. what?
Bellinger is sub-replacement level this year and he’ll probably make 17-20 million next year, more the year after that, then hit free agency. He’s been bad for two straight years, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to just say he’s an average player going forward, But one with huge salaries due to arb
Ohtani’s arb case next year will be interesting, and he’s a free agent the same year, but you’re looking at trading the likely AL MVP for a guy who is more expensive but also likely to be meaningfully worse. So like…. Ohtani for Bellinger (but first the Dodgers sign him to a two-year extension and cover 100% of the salary, say 40 million dollars) plus also Gavin Lux and Julio Urias? That sounds like an overpay but I think that’s probably the right range
The Dodgers have NO prospects to trade
5 Run Homer: Does Bellinger still have a good player somewhere in him? He was so, so good in his MVP season, I can’t quite reckon with the idea that he’s just broken now. He must!
But I totally agree with you… I’m not sure where it is, and wow he’s looked bad recently…But it’s there somewhere
Ben Asks Ben: What would your reaction before the season have been, if I told you that Cody Bellinger and Brandon Crawford would each have over 300 PAs and that Crawford would be worth more than 6 WAR more than Bellinger?
Ben Clemens: Let’s be honest, I just wouldn’t have believed you…
I wanted to say something more clever than that but no, I wouldn’t have believed you
Baseball America takes a look at the Dodgers’ Instructional League Roster ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2021-los-angeles-dodgers-instructional-league-roster/
Maddux Bruns and top 2019 International signee Luis Rodriguez highlight the players.
.All that could happen but they could also be eliminated in a single game, so the prudent thing is to go game by game, for now the Dodgers today still have the opportunity to close the gap to win the division and that is the game that matters, tomorrow it will be another day, another situation and the objective could be another, one game at a time.
MLB.TV has never in all the time I have subscribed to it shown the pre or post game shows. Over the last week, even when I am getting the LA feed, the commercials that they do show have been from Atlanta. Strange.
The reason most people don’t expect the Dodgers to win the World Series is that they are not likely to win the World Series.
In the best of years, with the strongest of teams they rarely exceed a 40% of winning.
It’s a crapshoot.
I switched over after our win in time to watch Lamont Wade walk it off against the long green insect with an affinity for arithmetic. Who are these guys?
I have Direct TV and subscribe to Extra Innings. Sports net LA is on channel 690 and I can receive that channel about an hour before and after the game.
I just heard on MLB Radio (I did not verify it) that the Dodgers have won more games than any other World Series Winner the next season EVER… and they still won’t win the division.
Hi fellow blue fans. Does anyone know why on MLB we never see the Dodger pre-game show? Seems like half or more of the teams we play or opponents pre-game is showed on MLB, but never ours. Both home & away games.
Just wondering
cheers
pb+
I’ll try it again:
Finish this sentence:
The Dodgers will finish the season as …
Castillo: not World Series champions.
DiGiovanna: a $262-million team with a hefty luxury tax coming due and no World Series title to show for it.
Harris: champions of the National League — but not the World Series.
Shaikin: still waiting for their first parade since 1988.
We aren’t eliminated yet. Win today. Get eliminated sometime later. Wild Card game isn’t for several days. We can figure all that out after the Division is settled. Scherzer or Buehler. At this point I rest Scherzer an extra couple of days and pitch him. If we play on Wednesday everyone should be well rested.
The wild card game is set for Wednesday at 5:10 PM. So they have 2 days off before they play? Okay, that gives the Dodgers plenty of time to figure out the best way to beat the Cardinals. The NLDS begins on Friday the 8th. Hitters are going to have to deal with those afternoon shadows at Dodger Stadium and the outfielders, RF especially the glare from the sun behind the stands. It’s time for playoff baseball. Funny, every game lately has felt like a playoff game.
Technically, the Rays did more with less last year.
Based on Bear’s last post, the LA Times writers must post here under aliases. Why would they think this 103+ win team can’t win the WS?
3 straight sweeps of the Padres? Talk about Karma.
Waino in the Wild Card game. If it’s high, let it fly. If it’s low, let it go.
Right on queue, Mad-Bum’s 5IP 4ER is par for the course. I didn’t think he was gonna help us out.
San Diego has lost 6 in a row and have just one win in their last 10. Get it together guys! Do you really want to be that team. Show some freaking pride.
Corey Seager is in full blown beast mode again.
A tip of the cap to Evan Phillips closing out the game last night in perfect fashion.
A lot has been said about Belli’s new swing. It only took 157 games to make an adjustment. Maybe the SVS team isn’t as good as we thought. It also seems like everyone’s fastball is down a tick this year. How are those driveline guys doing?
Belli’s swing. Feet are wider, not standing as upright, less head movement, further from the plate? Wow, that’s a lot of stuff to change. After looking at his homer two nights ago, over and over again, the biggest difference I could see was the dip with his hands, the hitch, was practically non-existent. His hands went from the load position, straight through the ball. That will keep the swing from getting too loopy if he can manage to keep that going forward. Now he just needs to stay in the zone.
It looks like CT3 played himself out of a starter conversation with the emergence of Gavin Lux. Now that Lux went down, and Belli is starting to heat up (keep calm after just two games), who’s going to win that CF job with all other positions set? I’ll keep Belli out there as long as he keeps producing.
Bueller or Scherzer, keep fighting, or let it go? If we lose tonight, the Dodgers will be the Wildcard. If we win, we still have a chance. The Padres are going to win one of the next three games and I have faith that they will try their best to win the series and end the season on a positive note.
If we’re one game back entering Sunday, do you pitch Bueller in 162 and try for the tie, or do you save him for 163?
If it’s me, I send Gonsolin down on Sunday morning and bring up Mitch White for Sunday’s game. Save Bueller for 163, if we don’t get there, he starts the Wild Card series on extra rest with Urias to follow. Max gets the Wild Card game. Even if we’re tied on Sunday, I hold Bueller out for a potential 163 game.
Two biggest surprises of the season; the Giants winning and the Padres imploding. As their announcers said after Wednesday’s lose, they’ve hit bottom. I
As I posted late yesterday, my original idea was to have Buehler pitch the wild card game because he is so dominant at Dodger Stadium and start Scherzer in game one at Oracle Park. I have since check the data….a rarity for me. Scherzer has NEVER pitched at Oracle. He also holds a 4-5 mark against the Giants. He also does not have a very good career record against the Birds….4-6. But his ERA against St. Louis is under 3. And they are hitting .223 against him. Buehler on the other hand is 7-1 lifetime against SF and 6 of those wins have come at Oracle Park. He is the obvious choice to start game 1 there. Kersh is 14-5 there with a sub 2 ERA. Urias is 2-2 there with a 2.92 ERA. I pitch Kersh in game 2 there. Urias in game 3 in LA.
IMHO the WC game will be the highest hurdle on our way to another WS title.
Having to face the hot Cards with AW on the mound in a winner takes all one game playoff is tough.
With our talent , deep starting pitching I worry less about a best of 5 or best of 7 series against any other contender.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I would have to agree with all of that. The Giants have a few players with playoff experience, but the bulk of the lineup has none. And except for a couple of their pitchers, most have never experienced playoff baseball. The Dodgers, even the younger ones, have been there before. Some want to atone for bad performances in the past, Pollock. Others are ready to add to the legacy. It should be one hell of a show. Interesting article in Yardbarker about the Padres announcers getting down on the team for the roll over in LA.