Mookie’s Glove and Corey’s Bat Push Dodgers to Game 6
Okay, the 25 year old Fresh Prince also comes through in the clutch as he has done so many times. Biggest hit in his 2 year career…a well timed 3-run HR. After the first three innings my headline was: Dodgers Look For Walks, Braves Look For Hits A.J. Minter has never started an ML game. Minter’s previous high in IP was 1.2 (once). He goes 3.0 IP, faces 10 batters
Okay, the 25 year old Fresh Prince also comes through in the clutch as he has done so many times. Biggest hit in his 2 year career…a well timed 3-run HR.
After the first three innings my headline was:
Dodgers Look For Walks, Braves Look For Hits
A.J. Minter has never started an ML game. Minter’s previous high in IP was 1.2 (once). He goes 3.0 IP, faces 10 batters and gets 7 K’s. On the other side, Dustin May is pulled after two innings. I did not read any comments from the game, but this turned out to be a good decision. May was not on his game, but while the decision to pull Dustin may have been positive, inserting Joe Kelly was questionable. Braves get a couple of lead off line drive singles up the middle, and an Ozzie Albies grounds out to 2nd moves runners to 2nd and 3rd with one out, and Dansby Swanson coming up. Swanson goes the other way again and hits a little fly ball into RF where Mookie makes a fantastic grass top catch and makes a throw to the plate. If Marcell Ozuna tags at the right time, he gets thrown out, but because he left early, he still gets called out. Momentum change to LAD.
Tyler Matzek enters for the third game in the last four, and Seager’s hits HR #3 in the NLCS. A couple of warning track fly balls and a K, but there was life.
Blake Treinen relieves Kelly and throws two perfect innings to quiet the Braves bats, and the Dodgers enter the 6th still down 2-1. Mookie, who has been quiet all NLCS, beats out an infield single and steals 2nd. JT hits a ground ball to Albies, and Mookie attempts to go to 3rd, but Albies throws to 3rd to try and get the lead runner. Mookie stays in the run down long enough allowing JT to make 2nd. At first thought, the Braves have to be happy about getting the still hobbled JT at 2nd rather than the fleet footed Mookie Betts.
“The Other” Will Smith enters to relieve Shane Greene. Max Muncy, who John Smoltz earlier mentioned that Max will either walk, strike out, or hit a HR, watches 6 pitches and gets the walk. LAD’s Will Smith comes up to bat against The Other Will Smith, and watches the first 5 pitches to get a 3-2 count. The Other leaves a slider in a very hittable location and The Fresh Prince loses the ball into the LF stands for a 3-run HR and a 4-2 Dodger lead, they would never relinquish.
Pedro Baez continues the good relief pitching with a scoreless 6th with 2 K’s. LAD comes up in the 7th hoping to extend their lead. They will be facing Jacob Webb who has been outstanding all season. After a couple of K’s, CT3 comes to bat. CT3 has been struggling all NLCS and an inside pitch hits him, or at least that is what the umpire thought. Webb loudly complains and after a review, the pitch was correctly ruled to have hit the bat. Webb probably now wishes he had let CT3 take first on the HBP, because he proceeds to hit a double bringing up Mookie. Mookie gets his first RBI of the NLCS with base hit into left field extending the lead to 5-2. On the very next pitch, Corey goes deep for the 2nd time in Game 5, and the 4th time in the NLCS. LAD is now leading 7-2 and looking for 9 outs with their questionable back end of the bullpen.
Baez goes back out, but gives up a lead off single to Austin Riley. Victor Gonzalez is called on to shut down the mini-threat, but walks the first batter he faces. Christian Pache gets to a full count and proceeds to hit into a 5-4-3 DP. Riley is at 3rd with 2 outs and the dangerous Ronal Acuna coming to bat. Gonzalez induces Acuna to hit a routine fly ball to Mookie in RF.
Freddie Freeman leads off the 8th with a double to LF. CT3 makes a good play on the batted ball and makes a great throw to 2B that JT was unable to hold on to. Doc shows confidence in his young heat throwing RH Bazooka after his poor performance in Game 4. Brusdar gets Ozuna to hit a long fly to CF and Freeman moves to third. With the infield playing normal, d’Arnaud hits a ground ball to Seager who makes the out at 1st with Freeman scoring. Brusdar gets the third out with his K of Albies to end the 8th.
The Dodgers went quietly in the 9th, and now the excitement begins. KJ comes in to pitch the 9th and all Dodger fans are holding their breath. KJ needs all of 12 pitches to strike out the side (Swanson, Riley, and Camargo). His cutter was consistently at or around 91, and he struck out Camargo with a 94 MPH sinker. Doc put KJ in the right spot to succeed, and KJ came through.
Oh BTW, just for Eric, Kike’ got yet another single and is batting .429 with a 1.357 OPS in the NLCS. Dodger relievers pitched 7.0 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts.
With his 4th NLCS HR, Corey Seager became the first SS in MLB history to hit 4 HRs in a postseason series, and tied Steve Garvey (1978 NLCS) and Duke Snider (1952 and 1955 WS) with most HRs as a Dodger in a postseason series. With his 10 RBIs, Seager now has more RBIs than any Dodger in a postseason series.
A couple of other gems from Jessica Camerato:
“Seager became the first Dodgers shortstop to record a multi-home run postseason game. He joined Carlos Correa (Game 1 of the ALDS) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series) as the only shortstops to achieve multi-homer games during the 2020 playoffs. This year marked the first time in Major League postseason history there were three multi-home run performances by shortstops; heading into these playoffs, there were only seven such games.”
“And this particular neutral site gives Seager and the Dodgers an advantage: Seager’s five home runs at Globe Life Field this year (regular season and postseason) are tied with Rangers center fielder Joey Gallo for the second most by any player this season. Only Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor hit more in 2020 (six).”
Game 6 on Saturday at Globe Life Field at 1:38 PM. The Dodgers will be the home team and will match Walker Buehler against Max Fried. The Dodgers look to give Fried his first L of the season.
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Discussion (133)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I was very impressed with Will Smith’s home-run at-bat. The pitcher Will Smith started him with a 79 mph curve ball for a strike, then 3 consecutive 94 – 95 mph fastballs up and in, followed by a 83 mph slider down and in. Home run pitch, a 95 mph fastball at the bottom of the strike zone and inside corner. (Statcast velocities rounded). As a young hitter, Smith adjusts his swing path as well as any one on the team, and better than many. Couple of years ago Smith was mentioned as a possible trade piece for then Marlins catcher JT Realmuto — some of the best trades are those not made. In last two seasons, Smith’s OPS+ (baseball reference) was 134, and 164; Realmuto 109 and 123. Another young star has emerged from the 2016 draft class.
Corey Seager does not need to be replaced at shortstop, he needs a contract extension that will make him a career Dodger. There is no need for a position change, at least for the next several years. Case closed!
A lot of people were talking about moving Seager on when he was banged up. Not me. He has such a sweet swing and a solid defender with a great attitude. He is a team first player and quite leader whose example is speaks louder than words!
Wrap your mind around this:
Among teams left in the playoffs.
Runs Scored:
1. Dodgers – 62
2. ASSTRICKS – 60
3. Rays & Braves – 53
ERA:
1. ASStricks – 3.40
2. Braves – 3.45
3. Rays – 3.46
4. Dodgers – 3.64
League Championship Series
Runs:
1. Dodgers – 32
2. Braves – 29
3. Rays – 21
4. ASStricks – 20
ERA:
1. ASStricks – 2.94
2. Rays – 3.27
3. Dodgers – 5.32
4. Braves – 6.20
WILD!
I get released the Hospital this afternoon after my last infusion cocktail. Two weeks, but I beat this Bi_____h!
Today will tell the tale – Striker Buehler better pitch like Schilling with a bloody finger. Unless it’s ball-on-bone, lay it on all the field. You don’t need that skin. No guts – No glory. If the Dodgers win today, they win the Series. Our pitching is shaky, but the Braves are down for the count. It’s time to Bludgeon Fried!
If the Dodger bats can get to Fried quickly, the Braves are toast! See what it did there?
Jeff D., you made an excellent point that I hadn’t even thought of. I was thinking that Ozuna gave us a big break by leaving early, but hadn’t thought about the fact that if he had tagged correctly he probably would have been out at the plate anyway. That play turned the entire game around and once Corey homered we were on our way.
Any updates on Taylor?
No stats, no math, just my eye saying we need to keep Seager and a big no to Lindor. I am surprised that this subject is still coming up.
Good news, Mark, glad to see you are doing so well.
Thanks, AC, again for another fine write-up.
Congrats to the Dodgers on their game last night. Lots of excitement and good plays. More of that tonight I hope and also hope CT3 is okay to play again very soon. He is so good of a defensive player.
Whether Seager plays short, or any other infield position, and he has looked great at second when the shift has put him there, he is going to be wealthy.
Lux, Seager, Turner, Muncy, Taylor, and Lindor make a crowded infield.
The Dodgers look like a pretty good team when they win.
Good review, Jeff.
Some things never change. Lindor? Seriously? The Dodgers have a great shortstop in Cory Seager and he wants to play short, not third. He’s young and having a great year, coming up repeatedly in the clutch. The Dodgers drafted him, brought him up through the system and they need to sign him long term to play short.
Just how many players can the Dodgers invest big money in after signing Betts to a massive contract? I get it, the Dodgers have money, lots of it, but it’s not endless. The pandemic has certainly put a dent in revenues. If they pursue Lindor as a free agent, who don’t they pursue? Seager? Bellinger? Buehler? Is Lindor the difference maker? Will he guarantee them two, three, four World Series titles? Will he produce a better playoff effort than Seager has this season? Unlikely.
I get it. Lindor is fun to watch, a defensive wizard with a bat. Exactly how much will that cost?
Isn’t all of this why the Dodgers chose to invest in Betts? The difference maker. The second best player in baseball, next to Mike Trout, many say. He’s certainly a great all around player. His catch and throw caused a mistake, leaving third too early and was a key factor in the win. Cory’s bat, two home runs, along with Will Smith’s three run homer, were the big offensive blows. But when it comes to the little things it was Betts hustle, steal that contributed to the turnaround.
The key today rests on Buehler. If he steps up and has a big game, similar to what he’s delivered in the past, the Dodgers most likely move on to Sunday.
So, no to Lindor.
Seager has proven he can play on the big stage. His only issues have been health. He has said in interviews that he values walks and that he has worked on staying in the strike zone. He may not be the best defensive shortstop but he is pretty darned good. If he can stay healthy he checks all the boxes.
Glad you are doing well Mark. It is good to have your definitive hard nosed attitude back. Mb the Dodgers can mirror your comeback.
Misc. Twitter stuff from this morning:
Kike says this is the highest energy level he’s seen in the clubhouse before a day game since he’s been a Dodger.
If we go to game 7, we’ll get Joe Davis in the booth instead of Buck (who will be doing the Packers game tomorrow).
Courtesy of Eric Stephen:
“Braves hope the NLCS is over, easy today with Fried, while the Dodgers try to poach a win and scramble those plans.”
I had a blast last night guessing who would be the next pitcher out of the bullpen for Doc. It was especially compelling considering the poor performances the night before, with Floro really being the only pitcher who looked good at all. Who would be in Doc’s Circle of Trust in this must win game? It was apparent after after seeing Kelly (one inning only thank you), a great 2 innings by Treinen and Baez in the 6th that KJ was being set up for the 9th. But how do you get there? Who will be the Bridge guys? I was pleased to see Gonzales get the call after a rough outing the night before after Baez gave up the lead off base hit. Doc showed a lot of trust in the kid. After a sinful walk, Gonzales went to a nervous 3-1 count to Pache. He got a nice strike call on the biggest pitch of the game and than got the double play ground ball. Everything hinged on that ONE PITCH. A walk there may have seen him exit and a whole different game. But who’s behind Door #2 for the 8th? I was pleased to see Gonzales go back out but more pleased to see Doc hook him after the lead off double to Freeman. I was pleased to see him go to Graterol who also sucked the night before but got his chance again being shown trust. I expected Floro actually. Gator got us out giving up only 1 run.
Smith’s homer sure made it more comfortable but KJ slammed the door in the 9th.
I thought Doc did a magnificent job running the bullpen after May only gave us 2 innings. It looked like our pitching advantage starting the game had vanished. Doc put the right guys in the right spots, showed trust in the youngsters and the players came through.
Looking forward to a win tonight. My wish is that we can get a quality start and some LENGTH out of Buehler.
The AL side is interesting and the Cheatos are hot. It appears Altuve has settled the demons in his head and his thowing woes in games 1 and 2 are behind him. His mechanics are back to normal where he’s letting it go confidently. Now if the play-by-play Brian Anderson who shut up about it, I can go back to just despising them. Every single time Altuve has made a throw since his last error, Anderson has pointed out the he had 3 throwing errors in the first 2 games. Enough already! Can I just be left alone to hate them without hearing this repeatedly?
Does anyone know when Urias would normally have his between games throw after his Wednesday start?
Could he give us an inning today if necessary?
Image game seven of the current series.
Dodgers up by one in the top of the ninth, Braves have bases loaded no outs and Freeman hits a long fly to center field. Bellinger goes back and jumps.
Bellinger comes back down and showing an expression of despair,
Freeman bounces around the bases.
Bellinger starts walking back to the infield,,downcast and causally touches second base, then walks to toward third and touches 3rd.
He proceeds to the third base umpire, hands him the ball and the Dodgers go to the World Series.
It could happen.
Today’s lineup:
Betts RF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Muncy 1B
Smith DH
Bellinger CF
Pollock LF
Hernandez 2B
Barnes C
Makes sense since CT’s right handed bat isn’t available and they expect Fried to go for a fair number of innings.
One appearance does not a delivery fix, but Kenley Jansen said he spoke with Rick Honeycutt and Charlie Hough over the past few days, checking in with coaches that helped him shape his delivery.
“This organization is first class. It’s how everybody cares.”
“If a player is injured during the course of the series, teams can also file an application to the Commissioner’s office to replace them. The one caveat is that a position player must be replaced by a position player and a pitcher by a pitcher.”
Taylor is day to day according to reports. I expect a fired up and focused Buehler out there today. Just my opinion. I think he probably feels he has something to prove. More innings like the first inning they had last time against Fried. Get his pitch count up. My pick, Rays beat Stros 4-2. Charlie Morton pitching against McCullers.
Cody Bellinger, who was looking at one point like he was going to be a better hitter in the playoffs, has regressed this series. He already has struck out 12 times. I would have done the same thing to him that Roberts did with Joc. Drop him into the 8 hole in front of Barnes. His 17 K performance in the 2017 series is still fresh in all of the fans minds. He looked over matched in every single at bat yesterday. Some one needs to tell him to back off of the plate, Those inside strikes are something he cannot get around on. If the Dodgers win today, and there is a game 7, we will not have to listen to Joe Buck. He will be doing the Packers game on Sunday and Joe Davis would be in his place.
My son summed it up for Belly. He’s a role player at this point like Kike. Good defensively but anything you get from him now offensively is a bonus. Right now only Mookie, Seager, Turner are studs. And I doubt Smith will see another fastball this series!
Cody is this year’s version of last year’s AJ Pollock. He looks beat before he gets in the batter’s box. His swing is sooo long and complicated (compared to, say, Seager). I agree with Bear about backing off the plate a bit. He has no chance on anything inside. Hope he figures it out and/or walks into one. He’s too good to let this go on much longer.
I would not be surprised if Urias pitches 3-4 innings today.
Gonsolin might be the last. Hopefully they can save him for tomorrow but this is a war so there is no tomorrow if they don’t win today.
Today is a Kike kind of day.