In the bottom of the 3rd, Blake Dewitt singled and went to third on an error by rightfielder Garret Jones. Clayton Kershaw walked, but then tried to g to second on a wild pitch and was thrown out. I thought he was safe, but regardless, it was the second out of the inning. Russell Martin grounded to third to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 4th, Matt Kemp singled with one out and then Andre Ethier singled, moving Kemp to third and Ethier moved up on the throw. Second and third, one out. Of course, Casey Blake proceeded to strike out, and after a walk to James Loney, Jamey Carroll grounded out to third to end the Dodgers best scoring opportunity of the night.
That's two runs lost in a game that the Dodgers lost 2-0. Honestly, it was one of the most disheartening games I've seen in quite some time. Kershaw walked the first two hitters of the game. Kemp misplayed another ball in center into the Pirates two runs, then in his next at-bat swung at a ball that bounced three feet in front of the plate and grounded to the pitcher on a pitch that literally would have hit him in the chest if it hadn't hit the bat. Blake once again struck out with a runner at third and less than two outs. It was a miserable game to watch, and while I said just yesterday it's early, there is no way the Dodgers can compete playing the way they are now. I'm disgusted.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Runs Lost - Multiple
4.24.10 vs. Washington
With the Dodgers leading 2-1, Rafael Furcal tripled with one out in the top of the 6th. Russell Martin followed up by striking out and Andre Ethier flied out to center, stranding Furcal at third. The Dodgers went on to win 4-3 in 13 innings, extra innings that could have been avoided by picking up a run in the 6th.
4.25.10 vs. Washington
With one out in the top of the 1st, Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney all singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, Casey Blake followed with a strike out and Ronnie Belliard flied out to center, ending the threat. The Dodgers lost this game 1-0, and a run in the first inning could have significantly changed the way the game played the rest of the way. A brutal day for the offense.
4.27.10 vs. New York Mets (First Game)
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 3rd, Reed Johnson tripled with one out. Andre Ethier ripped a line drive, but it was right at first basemen Ike Davis. Matt Kemp followed with a groundball to third, ending the inning. That was the only real scoring opportunity of the day as the Dodgers were shut out 4-0.
4.28.10 vs New York Mets
Trailing 7-3 in the top of the 9th, Belliard walked with one out and Xavier Paul followed with a double to left. With runners on second and third and one, Jamey Carroll and Garret Anderson struck out, ending the threat, the game, and the Dodgers' miserable 2-7 road trip.
It was a brutal 9-game stretch all the way around, and the offense completely shut down after Manny Ramirez went on the disabled list. The good news is, 9 games is only a small fraction of the season, and there is still plenty of time to turn it around.
With the Dodgers leading 2-1, Rafael Furcal tripled with one out in the top of the 6th. Russell Martin followed up by striking out and Andre Ethier flied out to center, stranding Furcal at third. The Dodgers went on to win 4-3 in 13 innings, extra innings that could have been avoided by picking up a run in the 6th.
4.25.10 vs. Washington
With one out in the top of the 1st, Martin, Matt Kemp, and James Loney all singled to load the bases. Unfortunately, Casey Blake followed with a strike out and Ronnie Belliard flied out to center, ending the threat. The Dodgers lost this game 1-0, and a run in the first inning could have significantly changed the way the game played the rest of the way. A brutal day for the offense.
4.27.10 vs. New York Mets (First Game)
Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 3rd, Reed Johnson tripled with one out. Andre Ethier ripped a line drive, but it was right at first basemen Ike Davis. Matt Kemp followed with a groundball to third, ending the inning. That was the only real scoring opportunity of the day as the Dodgers were shut out 4-0.
4.28.10 vs New York Mets
Trailing 7-3 in the top of the 9th, Belliard walked with one out and Xavier Paul followed with a double to left. With runners on second and third and one, Jamey Carroll and Garret Anderson struck out, ending the threat, the game, and the Dodgers' miserable 2-7 road trip.
It was a brutal 9-game stretch all the way around, and the offense completely shut down after Manny Ramirez went on the disabled list. The good news is, 9 games is only a small fraction of the season, and there is still plenty of time to turn it around.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Um, Joe?
I'm listening to the Dodgers' game on the radio right now. It's the bottom of the 7th inning, and the Dodgers are down 4-0 with the bases loaded and two outs in the 7th. Because of a rainout last night, there is a doubleheader today with the second game starting about 30 minutes after the first game ends. Joe just brought in George Sherrill, the third pitcher he has used in THIS INNING. It is rare, very rare even, that once a pitcher is used in a game, the manager will turn around and use him again in the second game. Meaning that since John Link, Ramon Troncoso, and George Sherrill have already been used, they are most likely unavailable for the second game today, reducing the bullpen to four men. And we haven't played the eighth inning yet.
My question: do you think Joe Torre knows they are playing two games today?
I mean, I am never one to give up on a game. I don't want us conceding just because we are down four runs with six outs left. Having said that, IF we put together a rally and score a few runs, we're going to need a pinch-hitter as it will get around to the pitcher's spot in the lineup. So, then we use a fourth reliever. Say we take the lead... does Torre bring in Broxton to close it out? Because that would be five relievers, leaving only two in the bullpen to back up Charlie Haeger in the second game. The same Charlie Haeger that has gone a total of 9.1 innings in his last three outings. So, assuming he even hits the high end of that average and gets through four innings, do we really trust two relievers to pitch the final five innings? Wouldn't it have made a heck of a lot more sense to just leave Troncoso in to get the third out of the 7th inning rather than burning another reliever? I mean, the worst that happens is he gives up a hit and we're down 6-0. Well, that's not much worse than 4-0 to be honest.
Seriously, what exactly was Joe thinking there? I really am curious.
UPDATE: Forget everything you just read. Joe used Troncoso, Link, and Sherrill in the second game, too. Do you think he forgot about the first game? Do you think he still thought it was the first game? I have never seen a manager use three of the same pitchers in both ends of a doubleheader. Consider my mind blown.
My question: do you think Joe Torre knows they are playing two games today?
I mean, I am never one to give up on a game. I don't want us conceding just because we are down four runs with six outs left. Having said that, IF we put together a rally and score a few runs, we're going to need a pinch-hitter as it will get around to the pitcher's spot in the lineup. So, then we use a fourth reliever. Say we take the lead... does Torre bring in Broxton to close it out? Because that would be five relievers, leaving only two in the bullpen to back up Charlie Haeger in the second game. The same Charlie Haeger that has gone a total of 9.1 innings in his last three outings. So, assuming he even hits the high end of that average and gets through four innings, do we really trust two relievers to pitch the final five innings? Wouldn't it have made a heck of a lot more sense to just leave Troncoso in to get the third out of the 7th inning rather than burning another reliever? I mean, the worst that happens is he gives up a hit and we're down 6-0. Well, that's not much worse than 4-0 to be honest.
Seriously, what exactly was Joe thinking there? I really am curious.
UPDATE: Forget everything you just read. Joe used Troncoso, Link, and Sherrill in the second game, too. Do you think he forgot about the first game? Do you think he still thought it was the first game? I have never seen a manager use three of the same pitchers in both ends of a doubleheader. Consider my mind blown.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.20.10 vs. Cincinnati
Top of the 7th
After Matt Kemp flew out to right to lead off the inning, Andre Ethier singled and Manny Ramirez walked. A wild pitch moved them to second and third, respectively, before James Loney and Casey Blake stuck out to end the inning. The Dodgers were trailing 9-5 at the time, and while they managed to tie the game in the 8th inning, Joe Torre may have played things much differently had the four runs in the eighth led to a 10-9 lead rather than a 9-9 tie. As it was, Cincy scored two in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.
After Matt Kemp flew out to right to lead off the inning, Andre Ethier singled and Manny Ramirez walked. A wild pitch moved them to second and third, respectively, before James Loney and Casey Blake stuck out to end the inning. The Dodgers were trailing 9-5 at the time, and while they managed to tie the game in the 8th inning, Joe Torre may have played things much differently had the four runs in the eighth led to a 10-9 lead rather than a 9-9 tie. As it was, Cincy scored two in the bottom of the eighth to seal the victory.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.16.10 vs. San Francisco
Bottom of the 7th
This one really had no affect on the game at all. Up 10-3 in the bottom of the seventh, James Loney singled leading off the inning, followed by a Casey Blake single and a Blake Dewitt single to drive in Loney. After Russel Martin flew out to right, moving Blake to third and Dewitt to second, Garrett Anderson hit for Vicente Padilla. He hit a groundball to short and Blake was thrown out at the plate. At least Anderson gave the team a chance to score. Rafael Furcal walked and Matt Kemp lined out to end the inning.
This one really had no affect on the game at all. Up 10-3 in the bottom of the seventh, James Loney singled leading off the inning, followed by a Casey Blake single and a Blake Dewitt single to drive in Loney. After Russel Martin flew out to right, moving Blake to third and Dewitt to second, Garrett Anderson hit for Vicente Padilla. He hit a groundball to short and Blake was thrown out at the plate. At least Anderson gave the team a chance to score. Rafael Furcal walked and Matt Kemp lined out to end the inning.
Runs Lost - 4.15.10 vs. Arizona
Bottom of the 2nd
With Arizona ahead 2-0, Manny reached on an error to lead off the inning. Loney singled to center, moving Manny to third, and James moved to second on a wild pitch. Second and third, NO OUTS. This, of course, was followed by strikeouts of Casey Blake and Russell Martin. After an intentional walk to Jamey Carroll, Hiroki Kuroda struck out ending the inning. With no force play on and the infield back early in the game, all Blake and Martin had to do was put the ball in play. Absolutely inexcusable.
Bottom of the 6th
With the Dodgers still trailing 3-1, thanks in large part to the failures of the second inning, Manny lead off the sixth with a walk and Loney followed with a single, moving Manny to third. Blake grounded out to second, scoring Manny and moving Loney to second. Loney then stole third with one out. Once again, Martin failed to execute and struck out, followed by Carroll flying out to right to end the inning.
Luckily, an error by Stephen Drew bailed the Dodgers out in the bottom of the ninth and Ethier's execution in runner on third, less than two out situation in the bottom of the tenth. But, as we can see, it never should have gotten to that point if not for the failure to bring in runs from third much earlier in the game. Disaster averted.
With Arizona ahead 2-0, Manny reached on an error to lead off the inning. Loney singled to center, moving Manny to third, and James moved to second on a wild pitch. Second and third, NO OUTS. This, of course, was followed by strikeouts of Casey Blake and Russell Martin. After an intentional walk to Jamey Carroll, Hiroki Kuroda struck out ending the inning. With no force play on and the infield back early in the game, all Blake and Martin had to do was put the ball in play. Absolutely inexcusable.
Bottom of the 6th
With the Dodgers still trailing 3-1, thanks in large part to the failures of the second inning, Manny lead off the sixth with a walk and Loney followed with a single, moving Manny to third. Blake grounded out to second, scoring Manny and moving Loney to second. Loney then stole third with one out. Once again, Martin failed to execute and struck out, followed by Carroll flying out to right to end the inning.
Luckily, an error by Stephen Drew bailed the Dodgers out in the bottom of the ninth and Ethier's execution in runner on third, less than two out situation in the bottom of the tenth. But, as we can see, it never should have gotten to that point if not for the failure to bring in runs from third much earlier in the game. Disaster averted.
Runs Lost - 4.14.10 vs. Arizona
Bottom of the 6th
In a game where the Dodgers battled back multiple times only to fall in extra innings, the one extra run they lost in the sixth innings looms large. The inning started well, with a double by Ronnie Belliard followed by Rafael Furcal singling him to third. Matt Kemp hit a long sacrifice fly to right driving home Belliard and moving Furcal to second. After Ethier singled with Furcal going to third on the hit, Manny Ramirez was walked to load the bases with one out. Once again, Not-so-big-game James Loney struck out swinging for the second out and Casey Blake fouled out to end the inning.
While the Dodgers ended up losing in extra innings, things could have gone a lot differently had Loney been able to pick up the run in the sixth. In fact, Blake's game-tying double would have been a game-winning double, and the Dodgers would have been in line to sweep the D-Backs going into Thursday. Unfortunately, after Wednesday's game, the series was split, in large part due to the inability to execute once again.
In a game where the Dodgers battled back multiple times only to fall in extra innings, the one extra run they lost in the sixth innings looms large. The inning started well, with a double by Ronnie Belliard followed by Rafael Furcal singling him to third. Matt Kemp hit a long sacrifice fly to right driving home Belliard and moving Furcal to second. After Ethier singled with Furcal going to third on the hit, Manny Ramirez was walked to load the bases with one out. Once again, Not-so-big-game James Loney struck out swinging for the second out and Casey Blake fouled out to end the inning.
While the Dodgers ended up losing in extra innings, things could have gone a lot differently had Loney been able to pick up the run in the sixth. In fact, Blake's game-tying double would have been a game-winning double, and the Dodgers would have been in line to sweep the D-Backs going into Thursday. Unfortunately, after Wednesday's game, the series was split, in large part due to the inability to execute once again.
Runs Lost - 4.13.10 vs. Arizona
Bottom of the 8th
With the Dodgers already leading 9-5, Matt Kemp doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch with one out. Andre Ethier followed with a popout to short and Manny Ramirez struck out swinging. Being up four runs in the eighth, this loss a run would not end up hurting the Dodgers as they held on to the 9-5 lead for a win.
With the Dodgers already leading 9-5, Matt Kemp doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch with one out. Andre Ethier followed with a popout to short and Manny Ramirez struck out swinging. Being up four runs in the eighth, this loss a run would not end up hurting the Dodgers as they held on to the 9-5 lead for a win.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
the Adventures of Frank McCourt. pt 3
this is frank giving the dodgers franchise a prison raping that would even make the neo-nazis in American History X uncomfortable.
the Adventures of Frank McCourt. pt 4.
this is frank, taking a dump on the dodgers franchise. the prison raping was just foreplay.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Brilliant Strategy or Unfortunate Coincidence?
What is this strategic coincidence you ask? Well more on that later, but first let's get a few things straight. The Dodgers suck, this much we know. Starting pitching has me less than impressed, and as a whole the team that was not good enough to win the World Series last year has made zero moves to make the team better. So we are going to improve our chances at winning it all by doing nothing? OK, I guess this is why I am not a general manager in the big leagues because this has me thoroughly perplexed.
About the pitching... Bills and Kershaw are bright spots that could/should really dominate.... someday. But last year proved they aren't there yet and I may not be convinced this is the year either. Padilla has proven that he sucks as bad as the Rangers thought last year. Haeger is a knuckleballer.... if he doesn't even know where the ball is going, how am I suppose to have any confidence in the guy. He is fun to watch, and has had pretty good success so far all I am saying is I don't think it is going to last. Prove me wrong Chuck. Kuroda was a fun story a few years ago, I like him, and think he has good stuff but he has a lot of innings on that wing of his and I don't trust him to stay healthy. Feel free to disagree with me but all I'm saying is personally, I won't be betting my future children's college fund on the Dodgers pitching staff this year.
So now those moves to make the team that couldn't win it all not better... no offense to Reed Johnson or Garrett Anderson but uhhh I don't think they were the big bats that Dodger fans were hoping for. We have a steroid-less Manny Ramirez, which is not nearly as cool as the Manny Ramirez we had who was on steroids and spraying line drives and jacks everywhere, a not so powere hitting 1B in James Loney who realistically just will never be one... especially now that roiding is really hard to get away with. A Belliard and Blake who are old and losing a defensive step every game and have a tendency to leave me in want after they come to the plate. And just to round out the infield woes I will attempt to reverse jinx our shortstop and mention the fact that he has not had a productive and healthy full season since 2006.
We could illustrate the Dodgers shortcomings all day but that is not the point of this little exercise. The real question here is not if the Dodgers are bad or why are they physically/on paper bad necessarily.... the question is why is management trotting this National-esque crime of a squad out every day? I suspect it is an elaborate scheme by Frank McCourt. A scheme so sinister that in the case he owes his harlot wife a 50% or any % share of the franchise upon the finalization of their divorce it will be as miniscule as possible. As worthless as a Condfederate bank note circa 1866. Rather than having a full scale fire sale i.e. the Padres of 2009, McCourt is simply going to let his team slip into the abyss of KC Royal-dom. I charge you Frank McCourt with attempted murder... the attemted murder of a franchise, with the outcome yet to be determined.
Let it be known, the aforementioned attempted murder may not have happened yet, but it is the writer's opinion that it will happen. The results of which may extend beyond attempted murder and reach into the realm of murder in the 1st. Time will tell, stay tuned.
About the pitching... Bills and Kershaw are bright spots that could/should really dominate.... someday. But last year proved they aren't there yet and I may not be convinced this is the year either. Padilla has proven that he sucks as bad as the Rangers thought last year. Haeger is a knuckleballer.... if he doesn't even know where the ball is going, how am I suppose to have any confidence in the guy. He is fun to watch, and has had pretty good success so far all I am saying is I don't think it is going to last. Prove me wrong Chuck. Kuroda was a fun story a few years ago, I like him, and think he has good stuff but he has a lot of innings on that wing of his and I don't trust him to stay healthy. Feel free to disagree with me but all I'm saying is personally, I won't be betting my future children's college fund on the Dodgers pitching staff this year.
So now those moves to make the team that couldn't win it all not better... no offense to Reed Johnson or Garrett Anderson but uhhh I don't think they were the big bats that Dodger fans were hoping for. We have a steroid-less Manny Ramirez, which is not nearly as cool as the Manny Ramirez we had who was on steroids and spraying line drives and jacks everywhere, a not so powere hitting 1B in James Loney who realistically just will never be one... especially now that roiding is really hard to get away with. A Belliard and Blake who are old and losing a defensive step every game and have a tendency to leave me in want after they come to the plate. And just to round out the infield woes I will attempt to reverse jinx our shortstop and mention the fact that he has not had a productive and healthy full season since 2006.
We could illustrate the Dodgers shortcomings all day but that is not the point of this little exercise. The real question here is not if the Dodgers are bad or why are they physically/on paper bad necessarily.... the question is why is management trotting this National-esque crime of a squad out every day? I suspect it is an elaborate scheme by Frank McCourt. A scheme so sinister that in the case he owes his harlot wife a 50% or any % share of the franchise upon the finalization of their divorce it will be as miniscule as possible. As worthless as a Condfederate bank note circa 1866. Rather than having a full scale fire sale i.e. the Padres of 2009, McCourt is simply going to let his team slip into the abyss of KC Royal-dom. I charge you Frank McCourt with attempted murder... the attemted murder of a franchise, with the outcome yet to be determined.
Let it be known, the aforementioned attempted murder may not have happened yet, but it is the writer's opinion that it will happen. The results of which may extend beyond attempted murder and reach into the realm of murder in the 1st. Time will tell, stay tuned.
Runs Lost - 4.11.10 vs. Florida
Top of the 9th
With the Dodgers trailing by one, Russell Martin puts together a good at-bat to work a walk leading off the ninth inning. After Rafael Furcal struck out looking, Garret Anderson singled to rightfield, moving Martin to third. Once again, runner on third and one out. Matt Kemp strikes out late in the game again, failing to drive in the runner from third. Putting the ball in play here would have brought the tying run home and extended the game. Instead, James Loney grounded out to first and that was it.
An opening road trip of 2-4 where the Dodgers lost at least one run in all four defeats. Inexcusable. I don't know about you, but watching this kind of failure on a daily basis has made this season terribly frusterating to this point. Let's hope the execution improves going forward.
With the Dodgers trailing by one, Russell Martin puts together a good at-bat to work a walk leading off the ninth inning. After Rafael Furcal struck out looking, Garret Anderson singled to rightfield, moving Martin to third. Once again, runner on third and one out. Matt Kemp strikes out late in the game again, failing to drive in the runner from third. Putting the ball in play here would have brought the tying run home and extended the game. Instead, James Loney grounded out to first and that was it.
An opening road trip of 2-4 where the Dodgers lost at least one run in all four defeats. Inexcusable. I don't know about you, but watching this kind of failure on a daily basis has made this season terribly frusterating to this point. Let's hope the execution improves going forward.
Runs Lost - 4.10.10 vs. Florida
Top of the 2nd
This was similar to the situation I wrote about on opening day. Vicente Padilla came to bat with bases loaded and one out. We don't really expect him to drive a run home here. What we do expect, however, is for him to know and be able to decipher the signs from Larry Bowa. He clearly blew a suicide squeeze sign here and Casey Blake came tearing down the line on the pitch, which was up and in. Padilla made no effort to get the bunt down and instead swung through the pitch, leaving Blake hung out to dry. After failing to execute, Padilla struck out to end the inning.
We all know how this one ended as our bullpen couldn't hold a two run lead going in to the bottom of the ninth. More on this game and Joe Torre's ridiculous use of the bullpen later. The point for now is, the failure to execute a squeeze bunt once again led to a loss.
This was similar to the situation I wrote about on opening day. Vicente Padilla came to bat with bases loaded and one out. We don't really expect him to drive a run home here. What we do expect, however, is for him to know and be able to decipher the signs from Larry Bowa. He clearly blew a suicide squeeze sign here and Casey Blake came tearing down the line on the pitch, which was up and in. Padilla made no effort to get the bunt down and instead swung through the pitch, leaving Blake hung out to dry. After failing to execute, Padilla struck out to end the inning.
We all know how this one ended as our bullpen couldn't hold a two run lead going in to the bottom of the ninth. More on this game and Joe Torre's ridiculous use of the bullpen later. The point for now is, the failure to execute a squeeze bunt once again led to a loss.
Runs Lost - 4.9.10 vs. Florida
Top of the 1st
Rafael Furcal doubles to left and moves to third on a wild pitch. Runner on third, NO OUTS! Reed Johnson, starting for the injured Andre Ethier, hit a hard groundball to third and Furcal was forced to hold there. James Loney, who has been thoroughly unimpressive so far, struck out swinging and Manny Ramirez followed with an easy flyball to centerfield.
Luckily, it didn't hurt them too badly today as they were able to come up with enough key hits with runners on base to produce a seven runs and lead to a 7-3 victory. Only one run lost, but it sure would have been nice to get on the board in the first inning.
Rafael Furcal doubles to left and moves to third on a wild pitch. Runner on third, NO OUTS! Reed Johnson, starting for the injured Andre Ethier, hit a hard groundball to third and Furcal was forced to hold there. James Loney, who has been thoroughly unimpressive so far, struck out swinging and Manny Ramirez followed with an easy flyball to centerfield.
Luckily, it didn't hurt them too badly today as they were able to come up with enough key hits with runners on base to produce a seven runs and lead to a 7-3 victory. Only one run lost, but it sure would have been nice to get on the board in the first inning.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Welcome Back, Mr. Furcal
from the ESPN player page:
...and he has swiped 3 bags in the 1st week without getting caught. By no means do I expect this level of production to continue, but i hope its a sign of things to be. This easter inspired resurrection would make Jesus (the one from the Bible, not some random guy hanging outside of Home Depot) proud.
Rafael Furcal #15 SS
| 2010 STATS | ||||
| BA | HR | RBI | OBP | SLG |
| .400 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .600 |
...and he has swiped 3 bags in the 1st week without getting caught. By no means do I expect this level of production to continue, but i hope its a sign of things to be. This easter inspired resurrection would make Jesus (the one from the Bible, not some random guy hanging outside of Home Depot) proud.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.8.10
Good news! I just wanted to point out that the Dodgers didn't leave any extra runs on third base last night. Result? A 10-2 victory. That's more like. Let's see if they can keep it going tonight against the Marlins and Chris Volstad.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Really? You're that tired already?
From ESPN.com, the Dodgers' lineup for the third game of the season:
1. R. Furcal, SS
2. R. Johnson, LF
3. M. Kemp, CF
4. J. Loney, 1B
5. R. Belliard, 3B
6. G. Anderson, RF
7. J. Carroll, 2B
8. B. Ausmus, C
9. C. Billingsley, P
Yes, you're seeing that correctly. Five out of our normal eight starters are not playing today. I guess the game on Monday, then day off on Tuesday, then game on Wednesday has really taken it out of them. I'm going to talk to my boss today about only working every other day. If it's ok for guys making multi-millions, I'm sure it will be fine for me.
1. R. Furcal, SS
2. R. Johnson, LF
3. M. Kemp, CF
4. J. Loney, 1B
5. R. Belliard, 3B
6. G. Anderson, RF
7. J. Carroll, 2B
8. B. Ausmus, C
9. C. Billingsley, P
Yes, you're seeing that correctly. Five out of our normal eight starters are not playing today. I guess the game on Monday, then day off on Tuesday, then game on Wednesday has really taken it out of them. I'm going to talk to my boss today about only working every other day. If it's ok for guys making multi-millions, I'm sure it will be fine for me.
Runs Lost - 4.7.10 vs. Pittsburgh
Another day, another two runners left on third base with less than two outs. Two runs that would have led to the game never going to extra innings and Ramon Ortiz not having to be used. Let's go to the tape...
Top of the 4th
Trailing 3-0, Andre Ethier walked and went to second on Manny Ramirez's single to right. James Loney hit a flyball to deep left center, moving Ethier to third with one out. As I discussed after Monday's game, the goal here for Casey Blake is not to necessarily get a basehit, but to get something up in the strike zone that he can hit in the air to the outfield and score Ethier. If he gets a hit on a pitch up, all the better, but that's not the ultimate goal. Blake got a pitch up and in, didn't get his hands through in time, and ended up fisting a short popup to right that wasn't deep enough to score Ethier. Blake Dewitt followed with a flyball to right to end the inning.
Top of the 9th
This is the absolute killer. With the score tied at 3, Jamey Carroll pinch hits leading off the inning and doubles to center before moving up to the third on a wild pitch by Pirates' closer Octavio Dotel. Runner on third, NO OUTS. Granted, the infield is playing in at this point, but that should actually make it easier to get a hit on a ground ball, and still anything hit fairly deep to the outfield will score the run to take the lead. What happens? Rafael Furcal hits a weak ground ball back to the pitcher and Carroll has to hold at third. While it is a terrible at-bat, it's ok as there is still only one out and a runner on third. Matt Kemp, who we all know is a stud and will only continue to get better, shows how much he still has to learn by taking a called third strike. This is literally the ONLY THING that he absolutely cannot do here. He must battle in this situation and put something in play. It is absolutely inexcusable to take a called third strike. Anyway, Kemp's strikeout is followed by a walk to Ethier and Manny grounding out to second. Had we been able to push across a run in the top of the ninth, our stud closer, Jonathon Broxton was warm and ready to come in and shut the door. Instead? Extra innings and the need for Ramon Ortiz. Which of course ultimately led to the loss.
Just a disheartening game all around. So here we are, two games into the season, with four runs lost to this point resulting in an 0-2 record. My goal for the year is to NOT have to write a "runs lost" entry every day. But so far, I'm 2 for 2. Until tomorrow...
Top of the 4th
Trailing 3-0, Andre Ethier walked and went to second on Manny Ramirez's single to right. James Loney hit a flyball to deep left center, moving Ethier to third with one out. As I discussed after Monday's game, the goal here for Casey Blake is not to necessarily get a basehit, but to get something up in the strike zone that he can hit in the air to the outfield and score Ethier. If he gets a hit on a pitch up, all the better, but that's not the ultimate goal. Blake got a pitch up and in, didn't get his hands through in time, and ended up fisting a short popup to right that wasn't deep enough to score Ethier. Blake Dewitt followed with a flyball to right to end the inning.
Top of the 9th
This is the absolute killer. With the score tied at 3, Jamey Carroll pinch hits leading off the inning and doubles to center before moving up to the third on a wild pitch by Pirates' closer Octavio Dotel. Runner on third, NO OUTS. Granted, the infield is playing in at this point, but that should actually make it easier to get a hit on a ground ball, and still anything hit fairly deep to the outfield will score the run to take the lead. What happens? Rafael Furcal hits a weak ground ball back to the pitcher and Carroll has to hold at third. While it is a terrible at-bat, it's ok as there is still only one out and a runner on third. Matt Kemp, who we all know is a stud and will only continue to get better, shows how much he still has to learn by taking a called third strike. This is literally the ONLY THING that he absolutely cannot do here. He must battle in this situation and put something in play. It is absolutely inexcusable to take a called third strike. Anyway, Kemp's strikeout is followed by a walk to Ethier and Manny grounding out to second. Had we been able to push across a run in the top of the ninth, our stud closer, Jonathon Broxton was warm and ready to come in and shut the door. Instead? Extra innings and the need for Ramon Ortiz. Which of course ultimately led to the loss.
Just a disheartening game all around. So here we are, two games into the season, with four runs lost to this point resulting in an 0-2 record. My goal for the year is to NOT have to write a "runs lost" entry every day. But so far, I'm 2 for 2. Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Runs Lost - 4.5.10 vs. Pittsburgh
Top of the 4th
This may be the most excusable situation for not driving in a run from third base with less than two outs we will see all year. James Loney leads off with a fly out to center. Casey Blakes singles to the hole at short and Blake Dewitt follows with a line drive single to right, moving Casey to third. At this point, the pitcher is up. Now, there are very few options in this situation that will produce a favorable outcome. First, and most likely, Vicente Padilla strikes out and there are still runners on first and third but now with two outs. Second, he hits a groundball anywhere on the infield, which, unless it is PERFECTLY placed, will result in a double play as he is a pitcher and not only are they slow, but they rarely run hard to first for fear of getting hurt. Third, he hits a weak fly ball to the outfield that isn't deep enough to score the not so fleet-a-foot Blake from third. Finally, Padilla gets a basehit or a fly ball deep enough to score Blake (and let's throw walks into this category as well since it would produce a desirable result).
Padilla has an outstanding career OBP of .163, so the chances of him getting on base here are, well, not good. Now, about the sacrifice fly. Do you know how many sac flies Padilla has in his 267 career plate appearences? Well, it's one more than you or I do (assuming you aren't Albert Pujols... and if you are, heck of a way to start the year yesterday, huh? You think you can keep up your 324 homerun pace? If so, I'll need to trade for you in fantasy). When Vicente hasn't been asked to lay down a sacrifice bunt (or has simply failed to do so), he has come to the plate 241 times. While I have tried to find the information on how often a given player comes to bat with a run on third and less than two outs (meaning a sacrifice fly situation), I can't seem to find it anywhere (if anyone can point me in the direction, let me know and I'll update the numbers). Anyway, let's assume it's 10% of the time to be conservative. So, in Padilla's 241 non-bunting plate appearances, he has come up in a sac fly situation approximately 24 times. He has managed to succeed in driving the runner home on a sac fly once, so 4.2% of the time. If he reaches base 16.3% of the time and hits a sac fly 4.2% of the time, that means the chance of him being successful in that situation was approximately 20.5%. Seems high, doesn't it? Nevertheless, this is not what happened as Joe Torre asked him to lay down a sac bunt and move Dewitt to second, setting up a second and third situation with Rafael Furcal coming to bat. I am going to assume that he has been successful in 75% of his sacrifice attempts, thought that number is not based on anything beyond a guesstimate on my part. So, 75% of these situations result in second and third with two outs. The other 25% result in first and third with two outs if he fails to get the bunt down (this assumes he makes one out if he does not get the bunt down rather than hitting into a double play). Regardless, let's assume that if he is asked to bunt, the inning will continue to Furcal either way. Furcal's career OBP is .350, meaning 35% of the time the at-bat will end successfully. While I would love to dig deeper and show the odds of scoring one run, two runs, or more than two runs based on each situation, let's just show this as there being a 35% chance of success if Torre has Padilla bunt versus a 20.5% chance of success if he is allowed to swing away. While Furcal was unable to drive in the runs, this appears to be the correct strategic decision on Torre's part. The Dodgers should score in that situation, but it is tough to find someone to blame for the lack of scoring.
Top of the 8th
With the Dodgers trailing 8-5, Dewitt leads off the eighth with a groundout to second. Garrett Anderson pinch hits and grounds a single up the middle. Furcal follows with a base hit to right to move Anderson to third. Now, in this situation, down three runs, Russell Martin should be looking to get on base one way or another as the Dodgers still need at least one more baserunner to tie the game. Instead, he takes two quick strikes and ends up striking out looking. Brutal. Even a sac fly in that situation would have cut the deficit to two runs and brought up Andre Ethier as the tying run with Manny right behind him. Even if Ethier makes an out, our two best hitters would be coming up to lead off the ninth with a chance to tie the game. As it turns out, the Pirates scored three in the bottom of the eighth to put the game away. But, maybe Torre plays it differently if it is a two-run game. Martin has got to find a way to foul off tough pitches and put the ball in play somewhere to give the Dodgers a chance to score.
Two runs left on base in the first game of the season. Despite an overall decent day at the plate, they are runs that simply cannot be given away. Something we will keep an eye on the rest of the way.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Opening Day...Opening Thoughts
From Yahoo Sports:
“There’s not much positive to take out of this,” manager Joe Torre said.
Padilla (0-1), who came to camp expecting to be the No. 4 starter and pitched like one, gave up seven runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings for his first loss with Los Angeles.
... and that is why Texas released him last year. looking at his stats from today reminded me of watching the movie "Bring It On"...a train wreck without the hot chicks.
From the dodgers website:
Manny's focus on production, not power
Torre says Dodgers slugger will use altered approach.
...i suppose this means we can expect a batting average floating around .270-.280 with an OPS floating around .850 which i can deal with if he's spraying line drives around like john mayer spreads his seed....but he won't
manny, those steroid-laden days will be missed.
“There’s not much positive to take out of this,” manager Joe Torre said.
Padilla (0-1), who came to camp expecting to be the No. 4 starter and pitched like one, gave up seven runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings for his first loss with Los Angeles.
... and that is why Texas released him last year. looking at his stats from today reminded me of watching the movie "Bring It On"...a train wreck without the hot chicks.
From the dodgers website:
Manny's focus on production, not power
Torre says Dodgers slugger will use altered approach.
...i suppose this means we can expect a batting average floating around .270-.280 with an OPS floating around .850 which i can deal with if he's spraying line drives around like john mayer spreads his seed....but he won't
manny, those steroid-laden days will be missed.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Opening Day....soon
From the MLB website.
PHOENIX -- Vicente Padilla, released just seven months ago by the Rangers, was named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter on Thursday by manager Joe Torre.
Padilla will start on April 5 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and be followed in the rotation by Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and an as-yet-unnamed fifth starter who the Dodgers will need on the first Saturday of the season in Florida.
Torre said that Padilla's selection demonstrates that the Dodgers, while lacking a true ace, have four quality starting pitchers.
"We just had to pick somebody, and he was the one," Torre said. "Am I saying he's better than the other guys? I'm not saying that. We decided to line them up that way -- the fact that we don't have a No. 1, we have four guys who have pitched important games for us."
....yuck.
PHOENIX -- Vicente Padilla, released just seven months ago by the Rangers, was named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter on Thursday by manager Joe Torre.
Padilla will start on April 5 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh and be followed in the rotation by Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda and an as-yet-unnamed fifth starter who the Dodgers will need on the first Saturday of the season in Florida.
Torre said that Padilla's selection demonstrates that the Dodgers, while lacking a true ace, have four quality starting pitchers.
"We just had to pick somebody, and he was the one," Torre said. "Am I saying he's better than the other guys? I'm not saying that. We decided to line them up that way -- the fact that we don't have a No. 1, we have four guys who have pitched important games for us."
....yuck.
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