It All Comes Down to This!
I started to write an analysis of the World Series, but what could I write that hasn t been written and re-written? At one time, it seemed like it was me against the world as the FAZ-Bashers were relentless, but so was I, as I understood what they were trying to do, and I bought in early. Now, most Dodger fans are on the FAZ Bandwagon, but it s extra sweet for
I started to write an analysis of the World Series, but what could I write that hasn’t been written and re-written? At one time, it seemed like it was me against the world as the FAZ-Bashers were relentless, but so was I, as I understood what they were trying to do, and I bought in early. Now, most Dodger fans are on the FAZ Bandwagon, but it’s extra sweet for me because I was a champion of FAZ long before this 2017 version of the Dodgers. At this juncture, there’s not much to say except…
How Sweet it is!
This is what the 2017 Dodgers are playing for – The World Series. It’s wonderful that the Dodgers won their first pennant since 1988, but it’s not enough. They have to win four more for this year to be a resounding success… and it won’t be easy. This Astro team is very, very good and they have Jose Altuve! He is scary good!
Here are few things to consider:
- Corey Seager and Justin Turner have injury issues – We don’t know how well Corey can play and Justin Turner is battling an “unspecified” injury as he has been held out of BP and other drills. Farhan Zaidi said that Turner is “banged up.” How these two storylines play out remains to be seen. Seager and Turner have been the Dodgers top performers all season and losing one or both could be a huge blow.
- It seems that Austin Barnes has taken over as the Dodgers starting Catcher – I am a fan of both players and believe both will play in the series, but Barnes has reverse splits. I can see Grandal being the DH at times, but it’s more likely that Corey Seager will DH in AL games.
- Culberson has to make the roster due to uncertainty about Seager, so either Pederson, Farmer or Granderson won’t make it. My money says that Granderson is the odd-man out!
- I think it is essential that the Dodgers win on their home field. If they head to Houston 1-1, it could be rough.
- Can the bullpen keep up their Total World Domination?
- This is a perfect series for the Dodgers to run wild on Houston’s Catchers who cannot throw me out!
- Clayton, Here’s your opportunity to erase those bad 7th innings and flip the script! I’m rooting for ya’.
- With questions about Turner and Seager, it’s going to take a team effort to win this thing, but like Clayton said, this team has something he’s never seen… something special. I don’t think they will be denied. They see the finish line and will suck it up to win in 4 or 7 games – whatever it takes!
- What I know is this: It can be a total crapshoot, but it could be just as likely that a Logan Forsythe ends up as MVP over Jose Altuve. You never know who steps up… and when!
- Finally, it’s more of a distraction that Adrian Gonzalez is not with the team and headed to Italy than it would be if he were there. Why go during the World Series? Why not be with your teammates? I’m sorry, but this is who he is. There is no excuse. He gets no pass. I’m done with him! You don’t abandon your teammates! It’s selfish and classless… no matter how they spin it. Even if he were going for medical treatment, is it really going to make a difference if he waited a week? There have been whispers that he was not about the right thing in Boston and even in LA. His absence says it all for me. In my opinion, he can never wear The Blue again.
Arizona Fall League
Matt Beaty and DJ Peters continue to struggle at .154, while Diaz and Smith are both flourishing at .400. Remember, last AFL season, Cody Bellinger raked and Alex Verdugo flopped. It turns out that Cody was ready. Diaz and Smith are getting closer.
Other Stuff
Congratulations to Cody Bellinger for winning The Sporting News National League Rookie of the Year. What a surprise! NOT!
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Discussion (66)
Disagree, not disagreeable
That’s great Bill. Jealous of you and Bobby being there. Looked & sounded great.
In fact, I’m not sure Bobby’s got home yet, probably still partying…
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I’m not so sure we are gonna see Wood in game 4 if we happen to lose the next two.
I see Kershaw starting game 4 on 4 days rest if we are behind, and potentially starting a game 7 on 4 days rest, especially if, like last night, he only throws 80 pitches.
We can also line Darvish up to start game 6 on 4 days rest if need be.
McCarthy may be there for long relief in either case.
I’m not sure FAZ are convinced about Wood’s health – although they will definitely let him start game 4 if we have a lead, with McCarthy in the wings just in case. If we are behind I’m not sure they start him.
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Kiki cannot get a start against RH Pitching – he has the biggest differential between hitting LH & RH Pitching of any other player in MLB.
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I play Forsythe because of his plate discipline & ability to take a walk.
Barnes is better at blocking Hill’s Curve than Grandal, and has done well in the Post Season so far.
LF is the question for me. I’m tempted to give Ethier a shot for one game, although Taylor in Left and Joc in CF is strong defensively.
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Pressure on Houston tonight – think
Hill is gonna step up.
I checked another item off my bucket list last night. Went to the game and it was more exciting than the Super Bowl I went to in 2003. I can’t afford to go again this year but I wish I had the funds to do it again. 3 more wins to go…………………….
We need a good start from Hill. He just needs to get us to the 5-6 inning. Our bull pen is well rested. So far the bull pen has been awesome. Is Seager moving up to the second position in the batting order? My guess is yes.
Got a feeling they are all going to be like this, down to the wire. Better strap in boys, might be a bumpy ride! We can do this, just aint gonna be pretty. Astros are good.
Can we stop Verlander’s run??? His last outing was something to behold…
Patience, patience and grind…
Key playera clayton , Tayloy, Turner.. Taylor greats at bar, Turner a superar un playoff, Clayton almost perfecto. este es un trabajo en equipo. Seager loked very Good yo hit, but no to fielding because his back. morrow and Jensen perfects. Todas a ley gane Velsnder is them real as ir Dodgers got him. It would be great step in psiclogy way
Great game from Kershaw.
I was wondering where we were gonna score off Keuchel, and along cane JT.
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I wonder what Doc will do tomorrow night?
No Kiki for sure, but does he leave Forsythe at 2nd?
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3 more wins.
Secret tonight for CK was that slider. It had great movement tonight with the exception of the one pitch that flattened out up high in the zone to Bregman. He got away with one to McCann in the 7th. He is now 3-0 in October 2017, and the Dodgers won all 4 he started. Kershaw can come back in Game 5 with full rest.
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Corey gets two hits and his one out was a shot that Bregman made a good play on. 2 more perfect innings from Morrow and Kenley. This team looks solid and confident. Let’s take Verlander tomorrow and go to Houston 2-0.
Stole this (and expanded it) from McCullough, but I think he’s 100% right:
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The Dodgers run prevention — the combination of pitching, shifting, leveraging of relievers, framing, positioning, etc. — is something to behold.
Springer is not ready for the big stage yet.
Great game kershaw!!! Redturn at it again along with Taylor!!!
So it looks like this Kershaw guy is pretty good in October when he’s on regular rest.
During the nlds and nlcs I watched most of the games in our upstairs living room due to the start times where I live. Had to start watching the game in the basement tonight. After the wife got in bed I told our daughter to go watch tv in here room so I could watch the game in the upstairs living room. Turn tv on see the ball called a strike to Turner. Next pitch HR. I’ll be watching the rest of the games upstairs. Lol
Remembered his name. Dennis Gilbert.
I can’t recall his name, but the guy in the 5th seat to the right of Larry King is a former player agent. Just having a mental blank right now regarding his name. In fact, I think he was part of one of the groups that tried to purchase the Dodgers in 2012.
Does anyone know who the man in the suit 5 seat to the right of Larry King is in the front row behind the plate? He is at almost every game that I can see on TV.
I missed the greeting for Reddick.
Agone is in LA right now!
He has spent time with the team before and after the games, once he got back from Europe.
He is in the broadcast booth, with Orel, and everyone else tonight, and he was with the team today, until right now.
It’s time for Dodgers baseball.
Bluto –
Right on !!! But were dealing with deaf ears and torches… Anything good to say is fake news…
Same team as I had in my mind but not in that order.
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I had Seagar 2nd & Puig 8th.
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Still, that is a deep looking lineup.
If there is a team that can take us back to miserable memories of our pitching staff falling to pieces it’s the Astros and their pesky lineup. If they start smallball and have success loading the bases my fingernails may be getting short. BUT if there’s a pitching staff that’s an answer to the pesky Astro lineup it’s the guys in dressed in blue, who also provide a pesky lineup. Watford is right, HFA is monstrous! Advantage Blue! Go DODGERS!!!!!!! Time for my meds!
I am not looking for a conspiracy. I am just wondering why Agon is not in the dog out.
1. George Springer, CF
2. Alex Bregman, 3B
3. Jose Altuve, 2B
4. Carlos Correa, SS
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. Brian McCann, C
7. Marwin Gonzalez, LF
8. Josh Reddick, RF
9. Dallas Keuchel, P
Taylor
Turner
Bellinger
Puig
Kike
Seager
Forsythe
Barnes
Kershaw