Let s Get Ready to Rumble
Today s the day we have been waiting for. It seems like forever. It seems like 30 years to me But, today the Dodgers statrt the final leg of the journey to the World Series. Did I mention that 30 years was enough already? We have had so much analysis that we now feel paralysis. I m ready to wach the games. I m ready to see what the roster is. I ll keep
Today’s the day we have been waiting for. It seems like forever. It seems like 30 years to me… But, today the Dodgers statrt the final leg of the journey to the World Series. Did I mention that 30 years was enough already? We have had so much analysis that we now feel paralysis. I’m ready to wach the games. I’m ready to see what the roster is. I’ll keep the roster updated.
Thank You
I do want to take a minute and thank all our loyal readers and commenters – I really appreciate your input, passion and support. I started this blog back in the early 2000’s and then shut if down for a year around 2016 because it wasn’t fun with all the in-fighting and arguing. I finally figured out that I had to get rid of the bad actors and when you have a site full of straight-up Dodger fans, it becomes a joy again. I think this site is unique because we have a very diverse group of people all over the World who come together as a community and it is a joy for me to be here again. Additionally, there is a whole lotta’ knowledge here with this bunch. As we start this very important chapter in Dodger Lore, maybe you can take a minute out of your busy day and post Go Dodgers! and tell us where you are from. I think this could be pretty cool. You can say more if you like. I know that thousands read this blog every day, but don’t post… and that’s OK. Just let us know where you are. Godspeed!
Arizona Fall League Report
The Glendale Desert Dogs lost 10-9. Cody Thomas hit #3 and was 0-4, but scored a run. Keibert Ruiz hit #5 and was 1-3 with a run scored, and RBI and 2 BB. . Errol Robinson was 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI to go with a run scored. Andre Scrubb started the 10th inning and was the losing pitcher as he gave up two runs, neither earned, on an Errol Robinson throwing error.
Bowman Hitting Challenge by Dodger Chatter
The sixth annual Arizona Fall League (AFL) home run derby is scheduled for Saturday, October 13 beginning at 6:35 MST at Sloan Park at Mesa, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs. Fans attending the event will be treated to the Bowman Hitting Challenge.
The event was born and raised by Bowman Baseball Cards back in its inaugural season in 2013. This year’s sponsors include Bowman Baseball Cards, Rawlings, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Big AZ Promotions and Zinger Bats.
To call it a home run derby is perhaps a misnomer although home runs are certainly important in the final tally in the contest. However, the challenge is to do much more than hit home runs.
The Bowman hitting Challenge features 30 young sluggers, one from each of the 30 MLB organizations participating in the Arizona Fall League.
Like the MLB all-star home run derby the hitters face live pitching but unlike the annual slugfest prior to the MLB all-star game the home run is not the be all and end all. The contest includes some twists and turns as well as other opportunities for the hitters apart from the home run. In theory, at least, the contest could be won without hitting a home run although that might be most unusual.
- Each batter has two minutes to hit off live pitching.
- Points will be awarded for home runs on a sliding scale of difficulty valued between 100-500 points.
- Participants also can accumulate points by hitting a variety of targets placed around the playing field with a batted ball.
- Hitters will be penalized for foul balls.
- Batters must bunt the first four pitches at targets.
- Following each two-minute hitting period, the batter will be given one free swing at the Bowman Bonus Ball placed on a batting tee.
- The Bowman Bonus Ball is worth double points.
The hitting targets include:
- Bunting targets
- Bowman oversized baseball trading card targets (3)
- Eye Promise Batter’s Eye
- Moving human sphere (Zorb ball)
- Pepsi Power Alley triangle
- Rawlings Factory Store ball bucket pyramids
- Sports Chalet trampoline (jumping outfielder)
- Title Boxing inflatables sponsored (3)
- Zinger Bats vertical bat targets
Fans pay $8.00 to not only watch but participate in this hitting challenge. When targets are struck by batted balls, fans in the stands have the chance to win prizes. These prizes include baseball cards, gift bags, autographed items, event tickets, gift cards from area merchants and Arizona Fall League merchandise and admission tickets. Once inside the gates of Sloan Park, fans pick up their entry in the Lucky Number Booth and are then entered for a chance to win a prize as targets on the field are struck by the various players.
Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager represented the team in 2013 and responded with 1,050 points including a monster shot on his last swing. He did not win the competition taken by catcher Pete O’Brien with 1,575 points.
During the 2015 challenge Dodger outfielder Jacob Scavuzzo emerged as the winner by scoring a 50-point bunt hit, a 200-point home run and a 300-point home run. He also hit two balls off the 300-point Bowman cutout in the infield, a 700-point knockerball in the outfield and the final 800-point shot off the inflatable target in right field.
Oddly enough players find hitting the final ball off the tee the most challenging part of the competition and it sometimes comes down to the bonus ball on the tee to win the contest. Jacob Scuvuzzo did just that in 2015 striking a 400-point target for double points.
“That money ball, everybody’s trying to be the guy that hits the home run because it hasn’t been done before,” Scavuzzo said of the tee shot. “I luckily hit it off the end a little bit and it wound up hitting the target, and that wound up sealing the deal for me. I’m pretty happy with the way that worked out.”
I would expect Cody Thomas to be the Dodger player but would also be more than happy with Jared Walker. I will keep this updated – D.C.
UPDATE #1
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has a piece that is a very interesting read, entitled: Rosenthal: Get ready for managerial chess matches unlike any other in postseason history
UPDATE #2 – NLDS Roster
PITCHERS (12)
Pedro Baez
Walker Buehler
Caleb Ferguson
Dylan Floro
Rich Hill
Kenley Jansen
Clayton Kershaw
Ryan Madson
Kenta Maeda
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Julio Urias
Alex WoodCATCHERS (2)
Austin Barnes
Yasmani GrandalINFIELDERS (6)
Brian Dozier
David Freese
Enrique Hernandez
Manny Machado
Max Muncy
Justin TurnerOUTFIELDERS (5)
Cody Bellinger
Matt Kemp
Joc Pederson
Yasiel Puig
Chris Taylor
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Discussion (187)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Dang,, I guess we got old time first strike Kershaw instead of LDS soft out slider and big time curve Kershaw. Everybody talks about Kersh choking in the postseason. Love the guy, but he is his own worst enemy. The whole league knows that he is first pitch strike every time, and if that’s a ball, next pitch is strike for sure. For some reason, and I love the guy, his competitive ego still tells him he can physically over power hitters, instead of channeling his inner Greg Maddux at this stage in his career, and pitch instead of throw. Kind of like gettin hit on the back of the head by a two by four and still diggin it.
Here’s the good news:
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Kershaw, Woodruff and Hader likely won’t pitch tomorrow.
Not at this has anything to do with the outcome but…replacing Freeze in the 4th inning is asinine.
He will opt out even if he is and in game 5 also, the right move would likely to let him walk, but I still see he Dodgers offering like 4/125 mil.
How about some competitive at bats similar to what the Brewers have done all night, are we scared of this pen?
I love Kershaw but if he opts out I would not get in a bidding war. He no longer has a strikeout pitch, his shutout against the Braves was a mirage and the post season narrative will continue to be written that he “shrinks” on the bug stage.
The freaking 2 inning start for the Brewers and an effective BP game for them will allow the pundits to claim Counsell is a genius. Don’t get me wrong Kersh needs to be in Cooperstown with a Dodger cap, but he is not worth anymore than the next two years at $34 million. He’s just not that kind of investment and as Al Campanis used to say “you’ve got to get rid of a player before they lose it” (something like that!)
They gave in to Kershaw’s ego and let him go #1. Has he put 2 really good games together all season? I’m with Mark, let him opt out, he hurts us having to respect his past.
You will likely see Urias tonight!
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I am so disappointed in Clayton.
Nothing new with Grandal or Kershaw. Well I guess Grandal is actually much worse tonight but he always seems to have a passed ball at an inopportune time. Kershaw well he gave up a homer to the cardinal pitcher to start a big rally. I think Kershaw has now given up the third most homeruns in playoff history behind Andy petite. That may be wrong but suffice it to say he has given up a bunch. Now he can’t get the 7 and 8 hitters out. Turn out the lights!
There have been errors and passed balls, but Clayton Kershaw looks like a #3 or #4.
Could not agree more, inconsistent to say the least and what a surprise seeing Kershaw’s history with this umpire
This plate umpire has no business being in the umpire business.
Grandal’s inability to play defense and hit with RISP is between his ears as much as anything.
Bad throw by Bellinger.
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Bad cather by Grandal.
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2 PB – 2 E.
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Wow!
Get Baez and Urias up.
I’m sorry, but that is really stupid. Pitchers can hit too when you groove it!
Dumbass Clayton!
To the Brewers BP already, but the 3rd inning was suboptimal. Hope we can crack that code and shut up the pundits about the Brewers much vaunted BP.
Some Great Names on here today:
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2demeter2
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dodgerpatch
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DavidBlaineFan1
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Bluto
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But the winner is: BigBadVoodooDaddy
Right now on milbrewertalk.com, BrewerRick is posting a stat: Brewers 0-3 already with runners in scoring position. You can’t win this way!
Lay off Gonzalez’s change and his fastball is a meatball!
Oh sorry forgot to add this to my last post: wish you well IdahoAL, glad they caught it early, and though I don’t know you my thoughts are with you during this time.
Mark I like the positivity on Urias’s usage and his stuff is good enough to make your scenario play out. However being out for so long could also rear its ugly head, leading to him being a negative factor. Hope the stuff plays over the long layoff.
Worry about Gonzalez a little, getting too him early will be key. We hit him a bit in 2016 when he was with the Nats but wasted a lot of opportunities. Need to not waste early chances tonight, Milwaukee wants game 1 and will likely empty the pen if they get an early lead. Let’s render that impossible.
The Athletic has an interesting article about Stripling.
Seems he was tipping pitches towards the end of the year, which may explain some of his results…
Open on theathletic.comhttps://theathletic.com/582786/2018/10/11/the-pitch-tipping-that-plagued-ross-striplings-all-star-season-and-the-changes-made-to-boost-his-nlcs-hopes/I have been thinking about when they use Urias and I think it will be sooner than later. For example, if Kershaw only goes 5, then bring in RH Baez for an inning. I would have Urias getteing lose in the lockerroom in the 5th, so that late in the 6th he could start warming up in the pen. As a starter, I surmise it might take him a little longer to warmup. Then, let him rip, 7, 8 and maybe 9. I could see him pitching in 3 games and giving the Dodgers 5-8 innings. That could be huge.
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Insofar as the decision to put him on the roster… if it works out, it’s good, It it doesn’t, it’s a bad decision. Indecision may or may not be part of my problem….
Arriba los Dodgers cabrones!!!
Hermosillo, Mexico
Grew watching Fernando “el toro” Valenzuela with my Granpa and dad.
I read this page almost everyday, specially when they win!!
Hoy macaneamos a los Brewers!!!