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My Greatest Strength Lies Solely in my Tenacity

If you didn t know that quote was from Louis Pasteur, you would have no difficulty in believing that Clayton Kershaw said that. Clayton s tenacity is his greatest strength it also might be his greatest weakness. I know! I am wired the same way! While I was never a professional athlete, my best games came when I was under the weather or sick. I think that sometimes when healthy, I

By Mark Timmons2 min readJump to 60 comments

If you didn’t know that quote was from Louis Pasteur, you would have no difficulty in believing that Clayton Kershaw said that.  Clayton’s tenacity is his greatest strength – it also might be his greatest weakness.  I know!  I am wired the same way!  While I was never a professional athlete, my best games came when I was under the weather or sick.  I think that sometimes when healthy, I had “too much” adrenaline.  Adrenaline can be a good thing, but here’s the definition of it:

a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.
“performing live really gets your adrenaline going”

Increased heart rate and circulation, coupled with increased carbohydrate metabolism causes you to wear out, to get tired and even crash at about the 7th inning.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. If Clayton could somehow control how amped up he is, then maybe he could avoid that “Seventh Inning Crash.”  Until then, Doc had better get his hook out in the 6th.  Really though, this is Clayton Kershaw’s team and if he comes out strong, the team will be inspired.

Jose Quintana is going for the Cubs today and it’s almost time for Dodgers baseball! LA has unfinished business and it’s a hard to stop a tight-knit group of people who have a common goal! Last year, the Cubs were the favorites and they lived up to that billing.  This year, the shoe is on the other foot.  The Dodgers are the favorites, but they have to deliver.

There’s a good chance Corey Seager will miss game one with back tightness. That issue could cause Joc Pederson to make the roster, so that CT3 can play SS if needed.  However, I think Charlie Culberson will make the roster as a caddy for Corey. The Dodgers need Corey healthy and won’t push it… nor should they.

The roster will be out soon.  I’m interested to see what they do. Maybe they drop el Gasolino and add another position player.  Quintana can be very good at times.  He has never pitched on such a big stage in such a big game.

My guess on the lineup today:

  1. Taylor  CF
  2. Forsythe  2B
  3. Turner  3B
  4. Bellinger  1B
  5. Puig  RF
  6. Grandal  C
  7. Hernandez  LF
  8. Culberson  SS
  9. Kershaw P

Andrew Sopko pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 hits (one a HR) and walked and struck out zero to get the win yesterday.  No other Dodgers played.

UPDATE

DODGERS NLCS ROSTER

Pitchers (11): Tony Cingrani, Yu Darvish, Josh Fields, Rich Hill, Kenley Jansen, Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Brandon Morrow, Ross Stripling, Tony Watson, Alex Wood.

Catchers (3): Austin Barnes, Kyle Farmer, Yasmani Grandal.

Infielders (5): Cody Bellinger, Charlie Culberson, Logan Forsythe, Justin Turner, Chase Utley.

Outfielders (6): Curtis Granderson, Enrique Hernandez, Andre Ethier, Joc Pederson, Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor

El Gasolino is gone.

Will Barnes or Forsythe play LF?  Get both of their bats in there.

Discussion (60)

Disagree, not disagreeable

Be civil — moderation is real. Links may need a moment of review.

  1. the truth hurtsOctober 15, 2017

    Hahahahhahahahahaha Puigggghg!!!!!!!!! Christ has risen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  2. IdahoalOctober 15, 2017

    That breaking ball of Jansen has really become a weapon.

  3. MJOctober 15, 2017

    Didn’t Ron Darling make you all sick?

  4. QuasimodoOctober 15, 2017

    More so all along, MJ. I guess we should just continue to plow into catchers at every opportunity in order to shut up those who don’t understand what the new rules are for. It took awhile to get the language right and it saved players from getting hurt. That was the point, period.

  5. Vegas DodgerOctober 15, 2017

    In 4 playoff games Puig has 6 hits and 6 RBI’s with 2 doubles, a triple and a homer.

    MJ, Darling reminds me of Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver, over analyzing every play and almost every pitch like we have never watched a baseball game before.

    I will go out on a limb and say it looks like a Dodgers-Astros World Series.

  6. QuasimodoOctober 15, 2017

    I’d say we best walk that little feller every chance. Altuve is hitting everything in the strike zone, and with power!

  7. the truth hurtsOctober 15, 2017

    Does anyone doubt who our RF will be next year?

  8. IdahoalOctober 15, 2017

    And probably our centerfielder. Taylor had two hits last night.

  9. OC DodgerOctober 15, 2017

    As an arm chair Dodger manager,I really like Dave Roberts work last night. Managing the last 12 outs was excellent. Only wish Kershaw could have picked up the win. Very happy to see Kenta’s success and contribution! Let’s do it again today. Go Dodgers!

  10. AlwaysCompeteOctober 15, 2017

    Great team victory last night. All except the LF, C, and P spots in the lineup got a hit. Although Barnes did draw two walks and played a stellar game behind the plate. If Yasmani is with the Dodgers in 2018, he will be backing up Barnes. JT may not have had the big stick in Game 1, but he was on defensively. Culberson showed what a MLB hitter can do. He may go 0-4 with 4 K’s tonight, but he is capable of having a key AB.

    .

    The bullpen was masterful. 5 pitchers, 4 IP, and 40 pitches. I would have still preferred Avilan as a 12th pitcher, but who can argue with success. One has to wonder if Kershaw is really healthy. 5 post season HR’s in 11 IP? That is not CK. Only 4 K’s in 5 IP. That’s not CK. His pitches are flattening out . Even though the one pitch that Pollock hit in the DBack series was low, it would normally have gone in the dirt if he was on. Almora killed that ball last night. Clayton is a warrior, but I do not think he is fully healthy. I look forward to his next game when he throws a no-no.

    .

    Finally, while I am not fond of the antics, I cannot deny the skill, athleticism, and found patience of Yasiel Puig. I have come around. He is fun to watch, but he is a knucklehead.

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