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
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:
- Taylor CF
- Forsythe 2B
- Turner 3B
- Bellinger 1B
- Puig RF
- Grandal C
- Hernandez LF
- Culberson SS
- 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.
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Discussion (60)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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.
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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.
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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.
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!
And probably our centerfielder. Taylor had two hits last night.
Does anyone doubt who our RF will be next year?
I’d say we best walk that little feller every chance. Altuve is hitting everything in the strike zone, and with power!
In 4 playoff games Puig has 6 hits and 6 RBI’s with 2 doubles, a triple and a homer.
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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.
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I will go out on a limb and say it looks like a Dodgers-Astros World Series.
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.
Didn’t Ron Darling make you all sick?
That breaking ball of Jansen has really become a weapon.
Hahahahhahahahahaha Puigggghg!!!!!!!!! Christ has risen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Puig!! Hitting lefties hard again! Culberson on fire release seager lol
Church of Christ Taylor! Puiiiggg!!
This, I gotta figure, is the Forsythe the team thought they would have all year round.
I cannot remember ever seeing Justin Turner have a worst at bat. I guess he’s human.
Was Puig pointing to the outfield before his hit? He does a bat flip on a single and now on a double. There is only one Puig and thank goodness.
Puig got a ball in the air…I agree with Roberts move in that situation to PH for Kershaw. Cingrani has become a quality loogie. Maeda a quality roogie? Let’s see how it works out.
Charlie Culberson does his job!
So much for jetlag. Roberts won’t have to take out kershaw in the 7th tonight. With the pitch count he will be lucky to make 6.
kershaws is no an as anymore
Dodgers hitters look like they have had 4 days off…need to get the ball in the air. Kershaw looks good, both pitchers are on their game through 3 innings.
Astros up 2-0.
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I’ll take Kershaw, Hill, Darvish and Wood over any other playoff teams Top Four.
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I thought Verlander was washed up. He’s pitching lights out now, but FAZ did not want to give up Verdugo and/or Buehler. It’s as simple as that.
Whoever thought Verlander was washed up needs to watch him today. He just struck out the side in the eighth and didn’t have to throw strikes to do it. He was missing the strike zone sometimes by a foot and the Yankees were still swinging. 13 strikeouts today so far. I prefer this Verlander over darvish but I wouldn’t have spent the money. Just think if we hadn’t been in the luxury tax category what faz might have done. Which ace would you rather have in this postseason Verlander, Keuchel, Lester, Severino, Hendricks, Arrieta; or your very own kershaw? Houston has 2 very hot pitchers right now. However Yankees still tied 1-1 in ninth.
Mmmm
To be without Seagar for one game, ok.
To beat the Cubs over 7 games without him?
Big ask.
Chris Taylor, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Cody Bellinger, 1B
Enrique Hernandez, LF
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Austin Barnes, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Charlie Culberson, SS
Clayton Kershaw, LHP
Kike clean up, please be that next man up….
I don’t understand why they didn’t give Corey the eipdural injection, at the beginning of this week, instead of today at 1.