Boston Still Needs to Win One More
Did Alex Cora make a mistake by staying with ERod in the 6th? As a Dodger fan, I say absolutely not. A 3 run jack by Puig put the Dodgers up 4-0. And the Dodgers have not lost with a 4 run lead all year long. 54-0. But what will Boston fans say? Well now they could care less because of the lack of a bullpen by the Dodgers. And
Did Alex Cora make a mistake by staying with ERod in the 6th? As a Dodger fan, I say absolutely not. A 3 run jack by Puig put the Dodgers up 4-0. And the Dodgers have not lost with a 4 run lead all year long. 54-0. But what will Boston fans say? Well now they could care less because of the lack of a bullpen by the Dodgers. And the second guessers are going to be out in bunches on Doc’s use of the pen.
Okay, I’ll start. How do you take Rich Hill out while pitching a 1 hitter after striking out Eduardo Nunez in the 7th? Hill only had 91 pitches. He could have finished the 7th. After the game, Roberts said that Hill was tiring. What is he supposed to say? “I screwed up. I felt more comfortable with taking out a pitcher who was dominating the Red Sox for two pitchers who have not been able to get any Red Sox hitters out all series.” The genius of somebody was to replace Caleb Ferguson, arguably one of the best relievers the Dodgers had down the stretch, with Scott Alexander who is a walk machine. And what does he do when he comes in? 4 pitches for a 4-pitch walk, and then he’s gone.
In a replay of last year with the overuse of Brandon Morrow, for some brain dead reason, Doc brings in Ryan Madson who has allowed 5 inherited runners to score already in this WS. He inherited 2 more tonight, and now make that 7 inherited runners scoring in a WS for a new WS record. Mitch Moreland just unloaded on Madson to make it a one run game. But the fun is just beginning for the Red Sox.
Again, much like last year’s WS, Jansen cannot answer in the 8th. I do not know if I can be any more upset with what has happened. The pitch to Pearce was absolutely grooved. How does supposedly one of the best closers in the game (highest paid) groove two pitches in the WS in back to games to blow 2 saves? After doing the same last year. The pitch to Pearce could not have been any more of a hitter’s pitch. I am not sure how much more I can watch at this point. Just like last night, a great start by a Dodger starter is wasted. But unlike last night the bullpen was just a mess and the result was 9 unanswered runs before a 2 run HR by Kike’ in the 9th.
The Red Sox 9th proves what many of us had said at the trade deadline. GET SOME RELIABLE RELIEVERS. Floro was not the answer with allowing 1 run on 2 hits and a walk, leaving two inherited runners on for Alex Wood. Wood gets Benintendi to ground very softly to JT who could not get the speedy Benintendi out at 1st. It is not like Benintendi tattooed Wood, but unlike last night when Wood got more of a feel for the game as he continued to pitch and came through with a 6-4-3 DP, he was pulled after one batter in favor of Maeda who proceeded to give up a 3 run double to Steve Pearce. Maeda then intentionally walks JDM and allows the 9th run on a single by Bogaerts.
Six Dodger relievers, and each one of them gave up at least one run. But the big damage was done by Madson and Maeda who allowed 5 inherited runners to score.
Going back to the home half of the 8th, with the score tied at 4-4, Machado opens up and goes with the pitch, and lo and behold he gets a single into RF. He had not done that all series and with runners in scoring position. After Puig beat out a throw to 1st to negate a potential DP, CT3 singles into left and Puig continued to 3rd. But this year, that is where Dodger hitters stop hitting. With runners on 1st and 3rd and 2 out, Yasmani Grandal PH for Barnes and believe it or not, he struck out. Can you believe that???
The Dodgers are down 3 games to 1, and the chances for a WS victory seem to be fleeting. The Dodgers’ backs are against the wall, so hopefully they will fight through this, but something has to give. Either the hitters are going to have to get hits with runners in scoring position, and/or the relievers are going to have to shut down a Red Sox offense. If my math is right, the Dodgers are 4-18 wRISP in the series. The Dodgers have scored 9 runs in the last 27 innings. 2 came home on errors, and 7 came home on HRs. Tonight, the Red Sox go 5-7 wRISP, while LAD went 1-4, and that was Puig’s 3 run jack.
Clayton goes on Sunday in what some are already calling his final home start as a Dodger at Dodger Stadium. I still do not believe it. I also believe he is going to opt out because some organization is going to offer Kershaw more than $100MM. The question will be will the Dodgers be a participant in that starting pitcher auction.
My spirits are down, but I am not giving up. Let’s win Game 5 and go back to Boston and hope for the best.
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Discussion (247)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I guess FAZ knows a lot more than me. I can’t see that Grandal is worth $17.9 million, and wonder if any team is willing to give him a multi-year contract with an AAV anywhere near that. So if Grandal receives a QO, I wonder if he would consider taking it. So based on my limited knowledge concerning these things, I tend to think that offering Grandal a QO would be a gamble.
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Watching CT3 drives me crazy. I think the guy could actually be a good hitter if he concentrated on getting on base with simple base hits. If he could learn to concentrate on making contact, I’d be happy with him hitting 3 HRs and hitting for a much higher average. That would also enable him to make use of his speed. But I’m not holding my breath, so if the return is good, I’d prefer that the Dodgers move him.
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I also have very little faith in Kike’ and Joc.
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Should the Dodgers try to sign Machado. I have no problem with them doing so, but I also don’t know all of the alternatives that will available.
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Bullpen needs to be upgraded. Hopefully Jansen has successful surgery, and then perhaps he can fix himself over the winter. This was a trying year for him, but I’m not ready to throw in the towel on him. Maybe he comes back next year as good or better than ever, or maybe not. Only time will tell. And Baez hopefully will build on what he established in the second half of this year. Rest of the pen is full of question marks. Maybe there are trades that can be made, or maybe somebody from the farm will emerge. One guy I keep thinking about is Yadier Alvarez. I know there are character issues with him, and certainly he needs to develop a lot better command. But if his stuff is as good as advertised, he’s someone I see as possibly providing a big surprise. I’m not ready to give up on a young pitcher with an arm like his. And though some people never change their knucklehead ways, I don’t believe that once a knucklehead, you have to keep on being one. It might be rare, but even the most hopeless of people can sometimes be made to see the light. And in addition to possible trades, I imagine that there are other arms in the Dodgers system that might be candidates for the bullpen next year.
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As for Kershaw, if he opts out, then I think the Dodgers should use his money for two or three other players. And I’m not worried about loyalty. If Kershaw opts out he’s making a decision that could send him elsewhere. That’s a business decision on his part, and deserves nothing more than a business decision by the Dodgers.
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OK, that’s enough for now.
Doc will probably survive this shit show but Turner Ward has to be let go. On another blog I suggested this and was told but the Dodgers led the league in runs scored. Yes, when you lead the league in HR’s you’ll probably lead the league in runs scored but the K’s, the inability to make adjustments, the inability or reluctance to go oppo with pitches is astounding.
Grandal—gone
Kershaw–probably gone
CT3–maybe gone
Madsen–gone
Ryu–probably gone
Hawkeye is right, Roberts lost this series last night!
And he tried to make an excuse for himself, instead of taking responsibility for taking Hill out.
Frustrating night, not only watching the game, but getting on this thread also. After my last post (a long time ago) I was unable to get to this thread on my phone, which is what I was using while watching the game. I was able to get to the website, but everytime I clicked on this thread my iphone (the new XS Max) kept on flickering. It’s done that a few times before, but it always stopped. Tonight it just kept flickering, endlessly. Nothing I did, including turning the phone off, and then on again, worked. Not sure maybe it’s the phone, or maybe just the thread. I was able to get to other websites, and also to LaDodgerTalk.com. And when I clicked on a previous thread I could also get on. But any time I clicked on tonight’s active thread all I got was flickering, flickering, flickering.
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Suffice it to say, I’m now using my computer.
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I’ll need some time to decompress after watching the Dodgers flail away tonight. But I assume that talk of next season will begin here soon. I haven’t checked a baseball calendar, but if memory serves, free agency begins two weeks after the WS ends.
I can’t agree more with you too, Rick and Adam, about the strike outs!
It is also ironic how this front office values strike out pitchers, but have no problem with their players constantly striking out, when runners are in scoring position.
And what is funny, the Red Sox are just the opposite, and they hit more HRs today, then this group.
Because it is already a weakness for a hitter, to step into the box, and think they are going to hit one out.
Pitchers love hitters like this!
Great season everyone… you know, except for the whole losing the world series again part.
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Let the countdown begin to the day that Dave Roberts is (hopefully) relieved of his duties.
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On the bright side… at least Kike got 4 at bats tonight and was able to test out a new spot in the lineup.
Ending the game with strike outs was fitting for this team – they have been good at that this year!
last 6 Dodgers struck out. fitting, isn’t it?
Somehow fitting that Machado makes the last out.
Hardly knew you Manny, please return Diaz and Dean.
The constant chants between every pitch is so annoying . I don’t know any other park does that. Dodger fans must have mafor ADD.
The precorded chants and organ is constant and annoying.
Dave you tactician you, bringing Jansen in a non save situation, keep the good stuff coming DR
I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard a more giddy Joe Buck… he sure seems to have a real spring in his step at the moment.
Question about a closer for the Dodgers; I like Jansen but in 2 WS he has blown 3 saves and lost one game. What does that say about our need for a lock down closer on 5he highest stage?
And Kelly strikes out the side. Dodgers going down without a whimper.
Joc looking at strike 3 right down the middle when you are fighting for your playoff life, pretty much says all we need to say about this years team!
Jo’s swings at a ball needing base runners but looks at strike 3.
At least give Verdugo and toles an at bat. That’s the least numbnuts can do for this Dodger team
Kemp batting 3rd against Price would have made more sense than Kike and I’m not advocating for that.
Isn’t this the third game in a row for Kelly – so the story about the Dodger relievers not being available rings rather hollow
The DODGERS fun in the stadium are great. They continue to encourage the team. GREAT ….
Tweet from LAT Dodgers Beat reporter Andy McCullough and I agree with him……..
If your only trustworthy reliever is Pedro Baez, maybe the issue is roster construction, not in-game management.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) October 29, 2018
One team playing loose. One team knows the title was lost last night.
You cannot win anything when 5 out of 25 play well in a series.
Isn’t everyone happy that Baez is well rested for this game today?