Right Back In!

William in 1965 and 1963 two teams played in the World Series. In 2021 10 teams are in the playoffs. Apples and oranges.

JT is out of the playoffs with a grade 2 strain of his hammy/ Not sure who will replace him on the roster. but ,most likely s McKinstry Dodgers sent P Zack Wilemann to the Royals completing the Duffy trade

Atlanta’s up 3-1. What could go wrong?

Dodgers were down to three very good starters, no fourth starter at all. And all three of them are worn out and overworked. Maybe it was not avoidable, but so far we have used Scherzer in relief in an understandable situation, and he said his arm was dead even when they gave him an extra day off. Urias substantially lost speed on his fastball in both the very unnecessary relief appearance, and then coming back to start three days later. Buehler is just tired, has tailed off the last month, though did pitch very well in the last regular season game.

In retrospect, while I did not want us to concede the division to the Giants, maybe they should not have used Buehler then, because the odds were high that the Giants would win, making our game irrelevant. And even if they lost, we would still have to go up there for a playoff game, and if we lost that, then a Wildcard game against St. Louis. Having Buehler get that game off would have helped all our pitchers, And we could have won it anyway.

I felt, and I was not the only one, that once Kershaw went out (and he was having problems his last few weeks pitching), we did not have enough starters. Koufax, Drysdale and Osteen did it in 1965, and Koufax, Drysdale and Podres in 1963. But these starters cannot do it. And Gonsolin, the default starter, is not very good at this point in his career. And we certainly did not want to use Urias, who was already overworked, in relief. If we had left Treinen in for Game 2, and gotten the win, then Urias would have had extra rest, and just maybe we could have won both those games and been up 3-2. It is not at all inconceivable.

Match the player with the following NLCS post season offensive stats:

.214 avg, .389 OBP, .286 SLG

.167 avg, .167OBP, .167 SLG

.000 avg, .286 OBP, .000 SLG

.200 avg, .333 OBP, .200 SLG

All you need to know about why the Dodgers are down 3-1 is right there. We can debate the use of Urias in game #2, some of Doc’s decisions, the 4.2 inning start by Scherzer, the BP game in game #1 or any other reason why we’re down 3-1, but the reason we are is Betts, Trea Turner, Lux, and JT are doing very little in either getting on base or coming up with a big hit when most needed.

I doubt a 14 pitch one inning outing had anything to do with how bad he was tonight. He left way too many pitches up in the zone and the Braves hammered them.

I wouldn’t have believed they could play that bad IN THEIR OWN HOUSE after the HUGE momentum of yesterday’s comeback win.

Betts 0-4. That’s a problem. In a HUGE game like tonight.

Who knew that Rosario was the pickup of the year at the deadline!! Props to Anthopoulos

Giants fan here.

Getting a bit tight around the neck I imagine, eh? Another choke job coming up? I think so!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Headline: DODGERS LOSE UGLY — Braves Scalp Uninspired Dodgers – Questions remain about Urias’s relief appearance.

No late inning magic tonight. We will be down 3-1 with a bullpen game looming. The injuries played a huge part as has the sudden lack of offense since the playoffs began. When your table setters are not getting on you are not going to win many games. Except for a couple of games, they have been unable to score. That puts a lot of pressure on your pitching staff to be damn near perfect, And with the momentum and high of last nights win, to come out as flat and listless as they have been tonight? That just shows a huge lack of preparation. This is going to be about as disappointing an end to a season as I have ever seen. A team with this much talent being totally out played, out pitched and out managed. The pitchers look gassed. The players look gassed. Atlanta has taken advantage of every opening they have recieved. Give them and their players a lot of credit.

Down 3-1 after four games. We’ve been here before. We’ve got them right where we want them!

Gonsolin is not a relief pitcher! How good would this Brave lineup be with Acuna and Ozuna! Wow! What a pickup with Rosario!

CT3, as much as I love him, just might be the dumbest player the Dodgers have. He comes up to bat with two new relief pitchers once with runner at 1st and 3rd and swings at the first pitch with not so much of a tough out at all. He then leads off the 8th with a new pitcher and swings at the first pitch when they needed base runners.

That has to drive Doc crazy….is that circular reasoning, asking for a friend?

They lose Turner to what looks like a balky hammy. That is a blow. If he was hitting like he usually does, it would be even worse. Team looks listless.

Down 5-2 in the eighth. We’ve been here before! We’ve got them right where we want them!

Julio had his worst start since June today. His worst start of his last 20 starts. And the only start this year giving up 3 home runs. He clearly did not have his good stuff today, but gave his best effort. I have to think the decision to throw him on Sunday on minimal rest disrupted his routine and negatively impacted his performance today.

I believe it was much more a Friedman decision than Dave Roberts. Sometimes smart people overthink things.

They received a lot of credit for Scherzer closing out game 5 against the Giants, but it was likely that Kenley closes that game out as well.

The decision to use Julio instead of Treinen, Jansen and Graterol probably cost them game 2 and probably hurt their chances in game 4 as well. I didn’t like the move from the minute he was put into the game Sunday. Not only are you messing with your game 4 starter, but you are asking a young pitcher who overcame major shoulder injury, and has pitched by far a career high of innings this year to pitch three times in 5 days, in super high stress innings.

We will never know if the relief stint had any impact on Julio today or not. But to me it appears that the decision negatively impacted two games this series. Even if there was no impact today, it was not worth the risk, and not a wise move.

The Dodgers are currently losing this series more so due to the lack of hitting than any management decisions. Hopefully, they can start hitting and turn the series around. They still have the talent and ability to win this series even down 2 games to 1 and 5-2 in this game.

Let’s go, Dodgers!

Wow. TT totally lost up there! Hard to hit balls bouncing in the dirt!

Nice AB by AJ. At least we got 2.

So, now Roberts double switches which brings up the pitcher sooner. Probably not a big deal but not how one usually uses a double-switch.

Instead of pulling off that pitch Pollock went the other way

With our lineup we should be playing with leads not deficits.

It’s ridiculous to have to depend on a miracle to win a game with our lineup.

Kudos to belli also

Playoff Pollock has a new meaning now. That was huge. Going the other way gets us two runs. Lesson learned?

I think Roberts left Urias in there because he is going to have to have a bullpen game tomorrow. Neither Scherzer or Buehler will be ready to go. But 5 runs? They had never overcome a 3 run lead until yesterday. Now they get 2 on with 1 out and dumb ass Taylor pops out on the first pitch. They do that way too frippen often. And look who comes through with a 2 run single, Pollock.

When Julio’s change up is working he’s an all star and when it’s not they sit on his fastball and well the results aren’t the same. But cmon 2 no nothing pitchers have shut us down so far. That’s unacceptable!

Why is Urías still in there Robert’s? One more run was huge but Robert’s let’s him die on the hill, if he was pitching well he would have been taken out last inning.

In the old days they’d never let somebody get that comfortable at the plate. Go ahead and try to dig in against Gibson or Drysdale. Rosario just looks too comfortable in there

Of course that has nothing to do with our poor hitting, it just irks the shit out of me

Can’t win if ya don’t score, can’t score if ya don’t hit.

Atlanta bullpen working on a perfect game.

What they need to do, and have not been doing at all, is string together a bunch of hits,

PH for Julio. He’s done. Will JT and TT show up tonight? Julio not able to equal last year’s post season magic this year and the baseball gods will always have the ball find the inexperienced “out of place” player. Lux ain’t no CF right now and it’s evident.

Urias is off tonight get him out of there.

Gotta hit with ’em.

Is it my imagination, or did it seem that Lux hit that ball harder than both the Braves’ HR’s?

Memo to Julio….stay away from the 3-2 FB away.

Tonight’s 8pm ET Lineup:

RF Mookie Betts R

SS Corey Seager L

2B Trea Turner R

C Will Smith R

3B J. Turner R

CF Gavin Lux L

1B C. Bellinger L

LF Chris Taylor R

P Julio Urias L

Gavin dropped a ball that was in his glove. He got to it.

He almost had it.

It likely had to do with the sun.

Otherwise, Lux has looked fine there.

You don’t switch two players.

Lux is OK.

No need to panic!

New SP for Atlanta tonight.

Dodgers need to be in hunt and destroy mode.

Changing everyone’s position in a pressure packed postseason series when you’re down 2-1 is not a smart move. What I’ve seen so far from Lux was 1 really botched play in unusual conditions with afternoon sun. I’ve also seen him make some good plays like the double play the other day.

I agree that he could play 1B, but he wouldn’t even be as good as Beaty at 1st base if you throw him out there now. Put everyone where they feel comfortable.

I think the way the lineup is constructed, they plan on pinch hitting for Lux at some point anyways. I thought it would be a good idea to seperate Belli and Lux with a couple of right handed hitters. By putting Lux right in front of Belli, they’re setting a trap to accomplish the same thing, make the lefty face two righties instead of two lefties by pinch hitting for Lux.

Gavin batting 6th and in CF again.

Ynoa opening for the Braves.

I would have put TT in CF and Gavin at 2b. TT has experience in CF and Gavin at 2b is an excellent defender there.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!

The umpiring in the Red Sox-Astros game was atrocious. And the main source was the home plate ump, Laz Diaz. That guy’s K zone was so bad. Lots of parting ways going on. It looks like Kyle Seager’s option is not going to be picked up by the Mariners. I was surprised to read that he had not spoken with DiPoto for several years.

So is the plan for Urias to pitch tonight, bullpen game [or Gonsolin] tomorrow, then Scherzer/Buehler in ATL?

Or will Doc do something surprising in Game 5?

I don’t have an opinion, but I do think whatever happens tonight shouldn’t determine our course of action.

Anyone else notice Eovaldi got hammered yesterday? Another instance of overmanaging by using a starting pitcher in relief, perhaps.

Aren’t pitchers really almost at the knife’s edge of performance based on their respective roles? If I’m a starter and I have a set routine and predetermined amount of recovery between throwing 100 pitches, doesn’t getting put in a relief situation in the middle of my recovery period kind of throw a wrench in the whole process?

If Urias comes out and is flat we will be having this conversation about his relief appearance again.

Last year Urias was nails in relief … but that was his role. He wasn’t expected to start and could focus on being a long relief guy. I think it’s too much to ask a starting pitcher to do both. But what do I know.

Well you get back to the idea that the Dodgers should have let go of the division and here I go again:

The Brewers won the division early in September and they did just what you wanted the Dodgers to do: they put players to rest, they played at half gas, they lost a lot of games, in the last series they were swept by the Dodgers and minimized the result Counsell said: “we are preparing for October”, as they had no urgency to win they got cold and when they wanted to start the engines they could no longer do it and they ran out, they were eliminated.

Yesterday the Dodgers bullpen did another great job, only allowed one run and gave the team a chance to win, they are not gassed.

Again a gutty performance to come back from the walking dead yesterday.

* The bullpen saves the day again. What a performance giving up one run the last 5 and 1/3. KJ is Good Night Irene.

*The starting pitching is concerning for sure. Striker getting 3.2, Max at 4.1 and the opener game where Gonzo was supposed to eat some inning that didn’t happen has caused 25 pitching outings in 3 games. That has to be a record. We could sure use at least 5 out of Urias today. (I assume he’s starting and this isn’t a bullpen game but every game is a bullpen game).

* You could see it coming with Charlie Morton. He’s at a standing 8 count in the 1st inning. CT3 could have put a huge nail in his coffin with a big hit with the bases juiced. And it didn’t happen. Morton settles in and by the time Minter took over in the 6th we were down 3 runs and had used 5 pitchers.

* Our water spigot offense again shut off with 3 hits in innings 2 – 7.

* I have been critical of Bellinger’s swing but I’ve like the changes he’s made lately. I absolutely never suggested that he be benched or platooned. He has to be in the lineup every day for his defense and for exactly what we saw yesterday. He’s always capable of running into one and change the game. That was some at bat. The previous fastball up in the zone was what we’ve seen too much of; moving parts, a little head dip and he was tardy. The next elevated fastball had to be a height Jackson wanted it. And Belli somehow got it timed up and squared it up. Great bat path to that ball, on time. Great results.

* With those little cards in use, I’ve never seen so maybe cross-ups by all the teams.

* Could the announcers over-spectulate and over analyze any more than the do?

“You know Ron this 2:00 start time is unusual and could really throw a pitcher off”

“When Bellinger called Smith off that pop up, the sun could have been a factor for him more than it would have been to the catcher”

“You wonder if Buehler had a bowl movement this morning. If not, that can really effect your game. And if he did, was it a good one or just subpar? Lauren do you have anything on that?”

Okay, I made the last one up.

* Am I really seeing a Draft Kings Sportsbook tote board on my TV screen multiple time during the game telling me I’d win $205 for betting $100 on a strikeout of the batter, with the over-under? Questions:

How is this legal and with MLB being a partner? To me this is such a shift from the age old posture that gambling and striking an umpire were the 2 original sins posted on every clubhouse door since 1919. Now MLB is openly promoting gambling. While Pete Rose still sits out of the HOF. Time to rethink that one.

* Brutal job by Jerry Meals behind the dish especially the missed called strike in the 4th on Joc that added to Strikers demise. I mentioned it sometime back and so has Bull&Pen a couple of times. If they don’t go to the ABS. I’m all for eliminated the box superimposed on the TV screen showing pitch location. If the strike zone is going to be each umpires interpretation of the zone than that’s the standard and what pitch trap says doesn’t matter.

* Did you catch Belli jackin Joc in the nuts with his glove after Joc’s single? Despite the age, 8th grade PE antics never get old.

* I hope it’s Urias and I hope he’s better then what we’ve been getting from the starters.

October 21 20:53 (Los Angeles)–Two days after Cody Bellinger saved the Dodgers season with his dramatic 8th inning homer, LA finished off their home portion of this year’s NLCS with a resounding 8-0 victory behind the arm of Tony Gonsolin and the bat of Corey Seager. Gonsolin, who retired the only batter he faced in Tuesday’s come-from-behind win and was held back in Wednesday’s 12th inning series-knotter, pitched seven scoreless innings, striking out nine and plating a run in the 2nd inning with a bunt double that scooting through a charging Freddie Freeman’s legs. Another first inning home run by Corey Seager, who later added a bases-clearing double in the decisive 4th, set the tone for a game that put the Dodgers ahead 3-2 heading back to Atlanta for at least more game. Brusdar Graterol, who battled back from being down 3-0 to strike out Ozzie Albies in the bottom of the 11th with the bases loaded in Wednesday’s five-hour classic, pitched the final two innings to put the Dodgers one win from their fourth World Series appearance in five years. Unfortunately, the game was not without controversy, as manager Dave Roberts, who was spotted by a TBS camera in the 5th inning holding a corkscrew in his left hand, tripped while attending to an injured Matt Beaty–who had fouled a ball off his knee the next inning and had to be removed from the game–and was immediately administered an on-field sobriety test by crew chief Jerry Meals after huddling for over ten minutes with Brian Snitker and a league lawyer. Roberts was shown on the stadium’s video monitor reciting the alphabet backwards, laughing uncontrollably when he couldn’t continue after finally spitting out a loud and comically extended “O” after a long pause for a barely audible “P” with the entire left field bleacher section jumping on their seats and chanting “Dave!” over and over despite’s Meals’ amplified pleas for total silence in the stadium. Roberts was eventually ejected and carried to the dugout steps by Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen, both of whom had jogged in from the bullpen during the delay. Waving his hands and blowing kisses to the thundering sell-out crowd, Roberts was later caught on camera bleary-eyed on the clubhouse couch, eating Triscuits and sipping from a Cup O’ Noodles cup. League discipline will be announced early tomorrow morning and is expected to be at least as severe as that handed out to Travis d’Arnaud, who sat out Thursday’s contest after being suspended for one game for pulling his cup out of his pants and throwing it in the direction of Lance Barksdale after being called on a checked swing.

It’s the players. Bellinger came through, Roberts was on the bench when he did. Urias failed, Roberts was on the bench when that happened. We can question every move with our opinion of it but it’s players who make plays.

The other day after Taylor killed a rally with a base running gaffe I made a off the cuff comment that suggested the Dodgers weren’t necessarily a good base running team and BullP jumped on it immediately, of course, with a stat sheet that on base running. I found little in it that suggested one way or another whether the Dodgers as a team were good or bad. The go to stat for base running at fangraphs is BsR and I found this:

https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2021&month=0&season1=2021&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2021-01-01&enddate=2021-12-31&sort=19,d&page=1_30

Notice the first Dodger on that list.

We all know baseball games can turn around, but this was remarkable. The Dodgers looked absolutely listless after the Braves took the lead in the fourth. Maybe some of it was due to the shadows, no game should start here at 2pm. We weren’t hitting the ball hard, we were striking out, popping up, hitting weak ground balls. Two more innings and the season was essentially over. And then we somehow got two men on base, Pollock actually got a hit. And I thought that the only possible way we could win this game is if Bellinger hits a three-run homer. And he did. And suddenly we woke up, players and fans.

Will this turn around the entire series? Very possibly. The Braves are still very good. But their bullpen has to be tired. It will depend on whether our three starters ca regain their earlier form. They all have tired arms. It may be that the bullpens will decide this series, and that seems to be the case in the AL series, too, the game has turned into a succession of relief pitchers coming in. I lost count as to how many we used, but I guess you could look it up, as Ring Lardner would say.

We obviously need to win the next two, we do not want to have to go into Atlanta needing to sweep. We are now actually slightly favored to win the series, but we have been favored to win the championship all year. We are going to need some people in the lineup to actually hit: Trea Turner, Justin Turner, and AJ. The two Turners are automatic outs right now, and it is hard have a big inning when your third and fifth hitters just make easy outs.

Lux should not be playing center field. He’s had this problem going back on balls before. The Braves’ four-run inning was directly due to his misplay. He will get better, but not this year. Put outfielders in the outfield. Souza is another one who may have cost us a game. Put good outfielders in the outfield. You do not have to double switch each time you take a pitcher out, it is not in the rulebook.

There are some people who will say that every game we win is due to Dave Roberts’ managing, and every loss we have is due to players not executing, and that if they had, Roberts would be called a genius; which means that managers are exempt from criticism. That seems like a preconceived perception which nothing can shake. Win the title and Roberts is incredible, and everyone should admit how stupid they are to criticize him, or lose the title, and the players were tired, and did not play well enough, and everyone who blames it on Roberts is stupid. That is like a religious article of faith which takes precedence over everything else.

That was a great win, thrilling just for the emotional and improbable aspect. It is rather too bad that we have to play again today, and cannot bask in it, as we did after the Cardinals game, and the final game against the Giants. Will it be just the one shining moment of this series for us, maybe like Joe Ferguson’s throw to home in Game 2 of the 1974 World Series, or will it turn everything around? I think we would win the World Series if we got into it, and assuming our three starters are healthy enough. Like last year, the harder part is beating the Braves to get there.

Its easy to say that you were right that we shouldn’t have tried to win the division because we lost anyway. But what would the feelings be if we gave up, then lost the one game to the Cards. Then we all would be saying that we should have tried tow in and then we came up flat vs Cards. So I guess that’s circular reasoning.

Anyway GO DODGERs

Great Piece in The Athletic by Andy McCullough:

https://theathletic.com/2901332/2021/10/20/mccullough-cody-bellinger-cant-explain-how-he-saved-the-dodgers-but-he-did/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

Here’s a snippet:

“On Tuesday, [Bellinger] saved a season.

When the eighth inning began, the Dodgers were, in the words of Roberts, “dead in the water.” The team trailed by three runs. The offense had not advanced a runner past second base since the first inning. The at-bats looked feeble, futile. Atlanta was six outs away from securing a 3-0 series edge.

The 2021 campaign was hell for Bellinger. Offseason shoulder surgery reduced his ability to lift and train heading into the spring. Scouts noticed his slimmer frame and diminished power. Pitchers challenged him and won. His body betrayed him. Bellinger broke his leg, then hurt his hamstring, then fractured a rib.

The nadir, to Dodgers officials, came after a road trip to San Francisco and St. Louis in early September. Bellinger went hitless on the trip. He struck out six times in 22 at-bats. His OPS dipped to .524. For Bellinger, Roberts said, this was “rock bottom.”

The coaching staff commissioned a series of alterations to his approach. Bellinger was receptive, hitting coach Brant Brown said. He did what they suggested. He choked up on the bat. He dropped his hands. He ditched his trademark uppercut for a flatter path. Brown emphasized contact. Bellinger was still strong enough that any contact would be productive.

“We just basically tried to put him in a position where he could go straight to the ball,” Brown said. “I don’t think it’s going to wind up there for the rest of his career. But for where he’s at now, I just think it was an important change. His stance almost premeditates his intent, not trying to do too much. And I think he’s reaped the benefits, despite where he’s at physically.”

Passan was on the Tony Kornheiser podcast.

He said that the games in this playoff series are interesting, but interminable.

I think that’s right, they’re way too long. Every team is too cute by half with pitcher management.

I’m not sure what the solution is, because these moves aren’t being done on whims.

But enough is well past enough.

An incredible win for the Dodgers and their fans last night. Bear posted yesterday that he bailed after the 6th and I did as well. I was getting more pissed off after each awful AB by the Dodger hitters. And, tired of one broken bat hit after another by the Brave hitters. I mean, come on, it was crazy. I returned just after Will got a hit. When Belli got to the plate I was hoping he would approach the AB like he had recently. But, after two big swings I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I guess if there was a time to hit a 500′ HR it was then. And, then he goes all Joc and tomahawks an eye high pitch and completely changed not only the game, but the series with the Braves. Good for him.

Let’s continue the offensive onslaught today.

Crazy series…..the starters for both teams are not lasting long….except Max Fried I think he went more than 5 (6).

And by the way. Roberts is batting a lot higher than any of the players! As long as he doesn’t bring Kersh in relief!

Let’s not forget the great job Phillips did to keep us in the game. His stuff looked electric! And the rest of the pen. What a closeout by Jansen. We were on our feet going crazy during his 3 K inning!

The Braves were beaten by the Ghost of Tommy Lasorda. I could feel his presence in the ballpark. Not in our house he said. Dodgers have won 18 of their last 19 games at home. Losing only the 1-0 game to the Giants.

Dave Roberts gets a reprieve. I was about ready to call for him to be ritualistically drawn and quartered in the middle of the Dodger Stadium diamond to appease the Blue Gods in the Sky. The Blue Gods were angry with Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman.

Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts are very smart. They know they are very smart. They tell themselves that often.

They sat and pored over the numbers. They hypothesized potential match up scenarios. “We are going to outsmart the game!” They were going to play 12D chess in a traditional game of checkers.

So they crafted The Script. It was brilliant. They looked at their creation with pride – probably the same kind of pride Icarus had many years ago when he looked upon his wings crafted from wax. By the way, Icarus was very smart, too.

The Script was brilliant. The Script was perfect. They were going to outthink the game. Did I mention they are very smart?

So, out with Treinen, even though Treinen has the absolute nastiest stuff on the staff, even though he has been the most dependable reliever throughout the year, even though he was absolutely dealing and unhittable … no, no no! The Script called for Roberts to use a key starting pitcher between starts (a starting pitcher, btw, how has pitched more innings in his entire career and saw a dip in velocity at the end of the season). It was almost dastardly in its brilliance. They are very smart. The Script was perfect. They were going to stick to The Script no matter the game situation.

But the Dodger Blue Gods looked down from the Great Blue Sky and their brows furrowed. They were displeased. This was not the Dodger Way. This was not the 1988 Dodgers. This was not grit, resilience, determination – of letting go and putting faith in the Blue Gods in the Sky; of trusting themselves and trusting the game. Dave Roberts didn’t flail his arms in the dugout and yell at people like Tommy did. It was pride and arrogance and hubris. The Dodger Gods punished the Dodgers for their insolence, and might still punish them if Urias has a dead arm in today’s start.

Bellinger let go. He didn’t think of The Script. He didn’t think. He put his faith in the Dodger Gods. He switched off his targeting computer. The Dodger Gods looked down on him, and they were pleased.

May the Blue Force be with us.

https://youtu.be/KuKqcfO31is

Where’s TM? If this was a loss, he would have posted two hours ago.

Well, that was a hell of a game and a hell of a comeback. It was pretty crazy to put up bookends of 2 runs in their first inning and 4 in their last. Baseball is such a random game.

It sure felt like the Boys in Blue were feeling the pressure. I’m pretty sure a couple of guys had to go to the clubhouse and change the bottom half of their uniforms. They played really tight in that 4th inning and imploded a little bit. Or a lot of bit. Bueller was cruising before that dropped fly ball and that gift from the umpire. Then the broken bat hit and Bueller fell apart. 15 or 20 relievers and the biggest bomb of the season later and we’re on top and in this thing.

I really love Belli and felt so good for him getting that big one on a pitch that everyone decided he could never hit. That cheese was so high and out of the zone, I could hardly believe it. And boy did he crush it! Lost in the moment, Pollock also delivered. Maybe that will get him going. With so many players not hitting, I think you have to ride the hot hand and go with Pollock over Lux in the next game. Especially since it will be a bullpen game and Pollock’s splits aren’t as extreme as Lux’s.

This lineup is stacked with great hitters. Someone needs to get hot. Not an easy task against a very good Brave’s pitching staff. But, like Mark said, the more they see these pitchers, the better the bats are going to get. It’s great that the Boys didn’t quit. They’ll ride this momentum into the next game and hopefully throughout the series.

Doc was pretty funny in the post game interview. He’s riding on cloud nine. You can tell he really loves these guys and was proud of Belli. It was a good learning experience for Cody. You don’t have to swing with all your might to get the right result. Doc mentioned Belli getting that loop out of his swing and that he would never had hit that ball with that big uppercut he was doing. He also said that was as loud as he’s ever heard at Dodger Stadium. The crowd should be in full effect today.

Let’s not forget that if it weren’t for CT3’s catch in center, Belli’s big Bomb wouldn’t have been enough to secure victory.

Now we just need a gem from Julio and we’re right back in there. I was a bit surprised that they decided to give him game 4 instead of opting for additional rest after his hiccup the other night. But, as it turns out, it looks like there’s no other way around it after using everyone just about in the pen yesterday.

I think Trea is just about to turn the corner. We was jumping on everything yesterday and was a bit early in several AB’s. He sure picked a hell of a time to start slumping, like most everyone on this team. I think I’m mostly concerned about the other Turner. Will the real JT please step up?

I’m not sure why every post has to be about Doc. It seems like Mark is as obsessed with Doc as Eric is about the bullpen and pitching splits. Let it go. Even TM finds a different player to rip on as soon as the one he’s been bashing starts to produce. You even said that no one makes the right decision all the time. For once, point out a decision that you disagree with. It will be a refreshing change of pace.

My name is Cassidy and I was a Belli basher. I am now 2 weeks woke. I’m still in shock. ON A HIGH FASTBALL! Very high! Bellinger had an historically bad season. He was swinging at air on every high fastball. And there was NO way I thought it could change in the post season. I was wrong. Mr Timmons has called me a moron, an idiot and a bag of nails. Well I will admit to being the happiest moron in all the world! Happy that I was wrong, Happy for Bellinger. Amazing! He’s choking up, he’s moved off the plate a good bit and he’s tightened up his strike zone. And he’s gained some confidence. So much for the stubborn and won’t take coaching advise! In my defense I’m not a Roberts basher or an AF can’t build a bullpen guy and I have said two years ago that Urias would be a co ace with Buehler. But I was wrong to give up on Belli. Now I need to work my magic on the Turner boys. Common AF, get rid of those guys! Trade them, DFA them or send them down. But they should never play another playoff game for the Dodgers again! OK, my work is done!

Nice post, Mark.

Carson Taylor is a guy to keep an eye on. 4th round pick in ’20, he’s a SH catcher with potentially enough bat to move off the position if needed. He spent all of this year in A+ so AA seems like a lock. He put up a 45/63 BB/K line last year so he has a good eye.

If I am DR and the Dodgers brain trust I would think about putting TT at CF and Lux at 2b. TT has played cf before and done pretty well . Lux would be at his regular 2b position and we keep his bat in the lineup. He did not have a hit yesterday but he worked two BBs with good at bats.

As you said the two Turners have to start to produce NOW.

Lets hope Julio can give us 5-6 solid innings today. That would be huge with another bullpen game coming up tomorrow.

Ride the momentum, Dodgers!!!

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!