How Sweet it is!

Gee, I was hoping Stoner (as I’ve heard him call himself) would be O.K. after rest. He looked promising and was mostly reliable.

Gavin Stone has shoulder surgery, expected to miss 2025 season

Stone led Dodgers in starts, innings pitched, and wins in 2024 after winning the 5th.

Last night’s game didn’t fallow what I had envisioned. I thought the scoring would be close and that the Dodgers would be the ones standing but I also thought there’d be a lot more runs for both teams. At least I had more insight than the high paid analysts who bought and tried selling that San Diego was the superior team. Alls Dodgers needed offensively was one Kike with one at bat. Did voodoo have part or did deserves simply not allow that injustice to happen. It was way, way too easy and a great victory, but it surely was not Dodgers at their best offensively. Darvish pitched a good game. It just didn’t matter. We best expect more from our hired guns and they owe Kike more than I can imagine.

Love we are where we are at going against the Mets. I’m going to vent a little about comments that I hear all the time, not just this blog but in sports in general. Someone will come out and have a great game and we read by the public that the player was really into it in this game, the team was really fired up etc. For example, what great leadership skills Manny Mc. Showed when he called his team together in the dugout. During the season it is physically and mentally impossible to be all in on every game. In the playoffs if a player needs a pep talk or any kind of motivational tool, the player shouldn’t be in the major leagues. The only times I heard anything like it was when Manny played for the Dodgers and didn’t run to First hard. Not running hard to first is one thing but then telling the press he didn’t need to run hard is another. The other time was when Kenley Jensen didn’t back up home plate in the COVID World Series, he said he didn’t need to backup. Again not backing up is an issue but not THE ISSUE, fundamental’s especially in the playoffs can’t be taken for granted. Baseball is hard, execution against the greatest players currently in the game is hard. I believe that ever player is playing like he should but sometimes execution of a pitch, swing, or whatever may be off. Let’s enjoy the ride.

Senga is to the Mets as Buehler is to the Dodgers–a key pitcher coming back from injury.

While the Mets will be rested, the Dodgers have home-field advantage.

Should be a very competitive series–and the fact that I’m feeling optimistic is making me a bit nervous. I was pessimistic about the Pads.

In other news, congrats to the Tigers for making such a great run to reach the playoffs before bowing in five to the Guard Dogs, due largely to Lane Thomas blasting a slam off Tarik Freaking Skubal. Of all the midseason trade acquisitions, it seems that Thomas has had the biggest impact.

But Flaherty, Edman and Kopech have all been Grade A acquisitions. This is so much better than previous seasons.

So I’m optimistic. Nervously optimistic.

TheAthletic article on Senga’s arsenal and velo in his last start ($$$$)

On the fastball, the velocity wasn’t good, but the movement was fine.

….

The sweeper swept, the slider dropped, and it was in the range of his demonstrated movements so far for the Mets. The one bit of worry might come from the fact that his slider averaged 83.5 mph, while it’s been 84.6 mph for his career, and 85 mph is currently accepted as a bit of a “magic number” for slider velocity.

…

The best news is that the vaunted Ghost Fork was no different from usual.

Mark. Your analysis before this past series was spot on. Will be looking forward to your take on the next round.

Hey boss. That’s you Mark. I just want to give you props for taking your blog to a new level. It was already loaded with good content and a loyal Dodger fan community. But now it’s loaded with smart, passionate and positive Dodger fans who love their team and do not suck. This is a magical year. Let’s win it for Quasimodo and all the cool old guys.

Book em

If Merrill can make it so can Freeland. Spend the SS money on Teoscar and roll with what we have.

Above

It is nice to find a forum like this. How is Freddy doing ? If he gets to 100%., for get about it! DODGERS WILL ROLL.

A FAN SINCE 1959 MET LARRY SHERRY AT THE FOX MARKET ON SLAUSON AND PASSIONS WHICH THEN WAS RIVERA ONLY; NOT PICO RIVERA. WHAT A RIDE!

I do believe that series matched the two best teams in baseball. For the fourth time since the start of September this team has responded when they were pushed. (Four game series in Arizona, getting a split in Atlanta after losing first two, winning two straight against Padres to win division, and winning this 5 game series.). Roberts has been adamant that this team is different and he knows better than any of us. Since the crazy six run inning against Buehler in game 3, the Dodgers basically turned the Padres water off.

On to the Mets. Roberts deserves a lot of credit. He had a vision for game 5 and he executed it to perfection. He would have been second guessed to death if Phillips struggled replacing Yamamoto but he stuck to his guns. Good for him. Kiké has a heartbeat for the playoffs. He delivered again. Great to see.

I read every day, but never post . I have been a Dodger fan since they arrived in 58. My dad would take us to games at the coliseum. Great place for baseball and for family.

Over all these years this is one of the most satisfying wins , beating those hotdogging , cry baby madres.

I believe Roberts is manager of the year, resign Teoscar, and build a stronger bench . That may mean dumping Taylor . Go Bums

Long time reader, seldom poster. Thoroughly enjoy reading your blog Mark! Dodger fan since around 1965. I grew up in Anaheim but was never an Angel fan. My Dad used to listen to most games on his garage radio, and that’s how I became a Dodger fan. I used to watch the games against the Giants on my 13 inch black and white TV. Very few games were televised back then so I mostly listened on the radio.

Great win last night! The best part was watching with my 13 year old grand daughter who is a huge fan and could not get her Spectrum app to work. I drove over in the 2nd inning to pick her up and brought her to my house to watch. She was literally crying thinking she wouldn’t be able to watch.

Go Blue!

I live in a very remote area in Brazil. I very rarely get to watch them play on tv, especially live, and don’t get much information on them. I have been reading this blog for about a year. If you had all the negative people commenting on it still, I would still be reading it, but just scanning past all the negativity like I did when they were on it. Watching the Dodgers and reading about them is a luxury for me. When you live in another country it becomes that. Especially one that loves soccer so much. I don’t think the people who are so negative understand this. In reality, it’s a luxury for all of us. We are spoiled as Dodger fans. Thank goodness!! The McCourt years were challenging.

I love the fight in this team. Thank you for keeping this blog going.

Don’t underestimate the Mets. They already knocked out two teams that were much better on paper. Never underestimate a team that gets hot at the right time.

That said, the Dodgers are one of those teams right now. No other way to describe the last two games. 10 runs to 0. You don’t shut up obnoxious teams by arguing with them. Dodgers pitchers showed how to shut them up.

Mets won’t come in arrogant like the Padres.

Mark,

Dodger fan since 1962, daily visitor to your site, love it, never commented, but you issued an invitation to first time commenters so here are a few thought:

1) I heard some talking heads yesterday talking about Roberts possibly getting fired if we lost. Shocking. Can’t believe it is even a discussion given his success. It would be a huge mistake.

2) Some guys just rise to big moments. You see it in every industry, not just sports. I’m sure you have seen it at US Water Systems. Kike is just one of those guys.

3) Mark, your baseball acumen is so good, may I be so bold as to suggest you focus on that instead of the “morons”. You have the best site content in the sport. You have been a highly successful businessman. Continuing to focus on them is beneath you. You made the right decision cutting them off. Enjoy that your site is now devoid of their unconstructive negativity and stay focused on your always insightful daily take on our beloved Dodgers. It is a high point of my day every day and I greatly appreciate it.

Senga will start Game 1 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Sunday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

“Senga managed to last only two innings during his start in Game 1 of the NLDS — his first time pitching since suffering a left calf strain in late July. There’s a good chance he makes another abbreviated start Sunday, opening up an opportunity for David Peterson to possibly work as a bulk reliever”.

Kike said something that caught my attention, that it was the first time he was able to celebrate at home having won a playoff series.

And I don’t remember when the last time was.

Good morning to all those who were so worried about those sons of bitches all season!

I’ve been saying for years that those little whores aren’t a problem, and I mean years, not just the most recent ones.

Mets? The only thing that “might” worry me a little is that they are on a good winning streak, since really their batting, beyond Lindor and Alonso, is not really a big concern.

Can you imagine a world series between LA and DET?

you can almost guarantee if teo isn’t resigned he’ll end up somewhere in the nl west! can’t stand the thought of him being a padre or giant! with profar a free agent, the friars would probably take a shot at teo. certainly the giants would. i feel confident the dodgers will resign him. (they better!)…. i agree about the mets pitching. they don’t scare me like the padres staff. BUT, don’t sleep on quintanna! he’s a junk throwing lefty that could cause problems. along with manea and peterson , that gives the mets 3 lefties to throw at the dodgers. which means the dodgers will go to their righty lineup. no lux, maybe no muncy! Which also means Taylor in the starting lineup! love Chris , but he hasn’t come close to hitting a ball yet! Looks like Senga pitching game 1. Time for Flaherty to shine!! .. And last time but not least, hope the Guardians finish off the tigers season today! nothing against the tigers players or fans, just don’t want AJ (trash can) Finch to advance any further! And in typical Alex Cora behavior, the sox fire 6 coaches and he stays! never his fault!

This win is almost as satisfying as beating the Giants a few years back.

Looking at the Mets pitching, they seem to be getting career years from older journeymen— Quintana, Severino, and Manea.

I feel like these guys are not as difficult at Darvish, Cease, Mistgrove, and also King.

Of Buehler and Flaherty can avoid big innings, I think our line-up can get to these guys.

I read this blog almost daily but rarely comment. Been a Dodger fan since 1959 but much more so now in my senior years. I enjoy the many comments by others who follow the Dodgers closely and with sharp analysis, which is so much better than can be found anywhere else. Dave Rogers has impressed me this year. In the past I have often wondered about his bullpen management, but as it is written here, “Progress is not linear” This victory is incredibly sweet after all the strutting, profane gestures, and taunting by the Pads, oh yeah!, and to shut them down with two shut outs in a row, couldn’t be better. Thank you Mr. Timmons for all your work here and for continuing this best of all blogs.

Great win!! The Mets will be another challenge. 8 more wins till the parade.

Great effort by Yamamoto, the bullpen again lights out. Kiki and Teo came up big time.

No question the Dodgers should bring back Teo. Hopefully, Vesia just has a cramp.

Thought the Padres certainly were the most formidable team the Dodgers could face in the NL playoffs. Definitely the hottest team the past few months. No doubt the least likeable as well . But all is good.