The Bullpen Game Plan Was Perfect…
Unfortunately, the Dodger hitters did not execute. As good as Mookie Betts was in Game 5 of the NLDS, he stunk it up last night. Chris Taylor committed an unforgivable base-running blunder and I want to remind all the IDIOTS that wanted to get rid of Cody Bellinger that they are…
Unfortunately, the Dodger hitters did not execute.
As good as Mookie Betts was in Game 5 of the NLDS, he stunk it up last night. Chris Taylor committed an unforgivable base-running blunder and I want to remind all the IDIOTS that wanted to get rid of Cody Bellinger that they are just that: IDIOTS! See, I took a lot of flack from fans (some of whom have left this blog because they called me an idiot for defending Bellinger and Roberts). This is Payback for that! Mookie Betts leads the Dodgers in Post Season Batting Average at .380. Cody Bellinger is 2nd at .333 with a .400 OB%.
It does piss me off that you IDIOTS (and you know who you are) maligned Cody for his play and me for saying he would come back from his .165 hitting woes! Can you tell I am mad? Actually, this rant is mostly directed to some IDIOT called 48Hodges or some such thing. (Not to be confused with Hodges54) I am calling him an IDIOT because that is what he called me. OK, now I will stop. It’s a Good Morning and the Dodgers will be just fine.
Love it or hate it, the Bullpen game was effective. Everyone who pitched yesterday should be ready today. No pitcher is gassed.. and that includes ATL’s bullpen. The Dodgers bullpen struck out 14 and did not issue a walk! Man does it hurt to waste such a performance! I had thought that Doc might have used Kenley to pitch the 9th since he had only thrown 8 pitches in the 8th inning, but I think he was sticking to the the script, which was to make everyone available today. Blake Treinen doesn’t mess up much, but when he does… it hurts. Maybe once a month… OK – we have that out of the way. Do you remember when certain people on this blog lost their minds because “Andrew Friedman doesn’t know how to build a bullpen?” The only “bull” involved was on their side. I assured you it would be OK.. Settle Down! 😉
Ossie Albies stole second in the 9th inning with 1 out, which led to Riley’s game-ending hit. When CT3 walked, there were 2 outs, so unless you are someone faster than Chris Taylor, I do not believe it is wise to try and steal 2B with 2 outs in the 9th. You don’t want to be the last out of the game, caught stealing. Joc Pederson charged the ball and make a quick throw to 2B. I have watched the video three times and it is my opinion that a good relay throw from the second baseman would have gotten CT3 at 3B. Dino had the stop sign up as CT3 came around 2nd. He was just slow to recognize it. It was another nice hit by Cody Bellinger – he is getting his confidence back (which was obviously shattered) by just doing the “little things” right now.
Game over! Today is a must-win and the Dodgers face a righty in Ian Anderson. Lux and Belli will be in the lineup. I wonder if Barnes starts at Catcher? Now, they have to play at least 5 games, The Dodgers were behind the Braves in the series last year and came back – They will do it again.
P.S. Will Smith is the best catcher in the NL… maybe the best in baseball – Right Behind Yasmani Grandal 😉 (that was for Bear).
P.S. 2 – No IDIOTS were harmed in the production of this blog!
More from Dodger Talk
Dodgers Food Trailer
I did this interview a couple of weeks ago with Chef Mike, who runs the Dodgers Food Trailer for the Great Lakes Loons. They are there for every home and road regular season and playoff game. They prepare three meals a day for approximately 50 people (players and coaches). Since games end late most evenings, they do not prepare breakfast. Many of their hotels have a complimentary breakfast anyway. However,…
Meet LAD 2026 Draft Picks 1-12
3 picks were High School players (2 SS and 1 OF). There was a college OF, college catcher, college SS, and 10 college pitchers. Of all the talk for a need for a catcher, the only catcher the Dodgers selected was Luke Bard, son of LAD bullpen coach Josh Bard. Bard was a 4th year senior from Houston Christian University. He is not a prospect, so the Dodgers are still…
Interview with Paul Beachy – Team Bus Driver For The Great Lakes Loons (LA Dodgers Minor League Team)
It’s been a few days since I did this interview. We have evidently been working my son-in-law (the video guy) like a rented mule at US Water Systems. However, I am taking him to London with me in a few days, so maybe Watford will buy him a pint as a tip, but he’s a dang Red Sox fan, so there is that! I thought that it would be interesting…
Thanks for Your Service: Chris Taylor
I was going to do this post when Chris announced he was retiring, then he changed his mind, but since the chances of him ever playing for the Dodgers again are slim and non-existent, I will go ahead with this post. He unretired, went on the IL, then decided to call it quits on May 24th. Taylor was born in Virginia Beach VA on August 29th, 1990. He attended Great…
Discussion (117)
Disagree, not disagreeable
On the contrary, if Seager was ever to play 3rd base for the Dodgers, I think he would become a gold glove caliber 3rd baseman. He’s quick enough to handle the position, has a cannon for an arm, and in my opinion he has no problem getting in front of balls. And unlike shortstop, there would be no questions about his range. But at this juncture, there is no reason to argue the point, since Seager has never played the position, and there is no evidence on either side of the argument.
How is it even possible to lose a game with that much traffic on the bases all night?
Some of you have discussed Seager’s play on the last batter above. Granted it was a very hard hit ball, but he just refuses to put his body in front of a ball. He likes to think of himself as a matador out there at shortstop.
And, that is exactly why I think he’d make a crappy third baseman for those of you who would like to re-sign him and ask him to move there.
He is far from the worst of our problems and definitely contributes on a regular basis so I’m not saying I wouldn’t want him back here, but under no circumstances would I want him to be our starting third baseman.
I have said this before, Roberts thinks he is Matisse. He wants to paint a beautiful portrait. He did that two years ago, using Kershaw with a two-run lea,d, and we lost. He did it again. I know that Urias was very effective in relief in the last playoffs, but he was starting all year, pitched four innings on Thursday, and now you put him in the eighth inning with a two run lead, and then leave him in?? He couldn’t have used Treinen for one more inning?
He wanted to look like a brilliant painter or composer, making brilliant strokes. I do not know why he escapes being blamed for this, but he mostly does. He will be here for decades. He is not a good game manager, not consistently. This is not blaming him for some hits or errors, this is blaming him for using up his bullpen in the playoffs, using each reliever for one inning, a dab of blue, a little yellow, a stroke here. Treinen is a good reliever. If he struggles in the eighth, take him out But do not put a tired starting pitcher out there for one inning. Use Knebel, he is a reliever. This is absolutely ludicrous, and he has done it before. People can defend him all they want. He has blown another playoff series. The team did not help enough, of course, but we had a two run lead going into the bottom of the eighth, and our two best relievers not used up, and we lost the game by putting in a starter after four innings two days ago.
OK I am somewhat skeptical when some post that they walked to the kitchen and when they came back into the TV room the score flipped/flopped and ask what happened? In complete sincerity I had to drive home from a BBQ leaving just after the Dodgers scored the two runs in the 7th and listened to the game on ESPN radio on the way home.
John Scirambi said on radio that Trae Turner’s fly ball out out to the wall in the 9th would have been a home run in 29 other ballparks.
Had to watch the game winning hit by Rosario after I got home and I must say the play by Seager was horrible. Got to make that play at all costs and the effort was suspect at best. If JT can go Tuesday AJ Pollock never sees the field except for a “mop up” or an end of the bench PH opportunity. His game sucks and is very similar to the post seasons of past when he was 0-13 with 12 K’s. Utter garbage.
Why didn’t JT score on CT3’s bases loaded base hit that got under Heredia’s glove? I know JT is not fast but with two outs and a base hit that gets behind and outfielder should have cleared the bases.
How about treinen for 4 to 5 outs amd Jansen for same, with Urias’s first inning problems all
Year move made no sense, defend Robert’s now. Can’t wait for his Pollyanna speech without blame.
Scherzer told Doc he was feeling it so that clarifies that move. I still don’t get going to Julio there. The team needs to bounce back. Trea had a couple of good AB’s that didn’t turn into hits. He has to show up with Muncy out and JT ailing.
Too much time between innings. Game way too long.
Disagree that this one is on the bullpen. This one is on an offense that couldn’t tack on runs throughout the game and preserve their early lead. Too many missed opportunities to score.
It’s very simple now. Dodgers must sweep in Dodger Stadium. And most importantly they need to start scoring some runs. Of course there is precedent for the Dodgers coming back from 0-2 in a 7 game series. If memory serves, the Dodgers did it in 1955 and 1981, both against the Yankees.
After two games , score says: Braves’s bullpen 2 , Dodgers’s Bullpen 0…it hurts!!
So I guess we want to outdo down 3-1 last year! Atlanta just more clutch than us! The lack of offense also to blame Eric. Two walks, a hit batter and a bloop single is hardly raking after one Seager bomb. Four hits!
This one is on the bullpen.
They trust Knebel to be the opener against the heart of the order but not to pitch there. Rosario hits lefties better, Albies hits lefties better. I assume Riley does too
I just don’t get taking Scherzer out of the game so early. Not enough good bullpen guys to fill up all those innings left.
They had just double-switched and Treinen had thrown 9 pitches. Nine!
In must win games you ask your two best relievers to finish it, not your starter on his throw day. Wake up roberts
I don’t get the use of the staff tonight at all. I’m sorry someone enlighten me.
Urias bullpen inning didn’t turn out so good. Get him out of there.
I”m not sure who’s flailed at more pitches so far out of the strike zone so far in the playoffs, Trae or Pollock?
AJ Pollock is a moron. In this AB and his previous one he was swinging for the fences when all he needed was to make contact and get a base hit. Two of the dumbest at bats I’ve ever seen.
Things begin to change!!!
Why Pollock dose not try to hit to the opposite side?
So this is healthy Joe Kelly. Awesome! The next time we have a runner on third with less than 2 outs I’m pinch hitting Urias!
Just like yesterday, the Dodgers seem to be in control of the game because the bullpen make good job and offense has many runners on base and generate greater danger. But they do not score and in the final, Braves score and win the game. Hope things change
I love Joe Kelly!