Itttttttttttttttttttt's time for Dodger baseball

[Dan Druff]

In the LA area this weekend and decided to go see the Dodgers tonight.

I have only been to one game since I saw them lose during the 2009 NLCS versus the Phillies.

That game was last year's opening day, where the Brian Stow beating happened.

I didn't see anything of note (I only found out about it later), but Hollywood Dave was also there, and he said that he had a terrible time getting out of the parking lot. I got out easily because I was close to the exit.

Today was supposed to be a Kershaw-Strasburg matchup, but the Washington rainouts messed that up. Instead it will be Kershaw-Detwiler. At least that gives the Dodgers a better chance to win.

Dodgers threw away a win on Wednesday by leaving in Guerra in the 9th inning after he got hit in the jaw by a baseball. WTF was Mattingly thinking?

Unfortunately the Dodgers are 2-4 against decent teams (Milwaukee, Atlanta) and are 11-2 against terrible teams (San Diego, Pittsburgh, Houston). So I'm not sure what to make of this season, other than the fact that Matt Kemp is awesome.

Got very good seats on the field level, and Jewishly waited until the last minute so I only had to pay $76/each. Was hard to get good seats because I needed 3, which is uncommon. I do have to go to some stupid downtown office to pick them up, which will be a pain in the ass.



Anyway, I hope they can win. There will be a fireworks show at the end of the game, as there is every Friday at Dodger stadium.

They had some lame promo for this game where all reserve-level seats were $9 for tonight, so I can only imagine all of the fighting and other bullshit that will go on up there. Fortunately I'll be far, far away from that.

[Dan Druff]

Was hit with brutal traffic on the way in, and missed the first 1 1/2 innings, including Ethier's home run.

Kershaw looked really good other than that one mistake he made to LaRoche. He only gave up 3 hits in 8 innings.

I like Jansen a lot better as closer than Guerra.

Fireworks show was really good, seats were excellent.

[gut]

Was hit with brutal traffic on the way in, and missed the first 1 1/2 innings, including Ethier's home run.

Kershaw looked really good other than that one mistake he made to LaRoche. He only gave up 3 hits in 8 innings.

I like Jansen a lot better as closer than Guerra.

Fireworks show was really good, seats were excellent.

Agree on Jansen, he may be one of the top 10 relief pitchers in all of the MLB now. Closer or not really doesn't matter, the saves stat is so outdated and meaningless...its up there with rbi's. Hypothetical situation, Dodgers pitching, up 5-2 in the 8th, bases loaded with 1 out. Jansen comes in and strikes out the first guy, then induces a ground ball out to get out of the jam given to him by the previous pitcher. Then guerra comes in for the 9th with same score...and even if he gives up nothing, strikes out the side even, which reliever was more important to the game? Guerra gets a save and Jensen a hold, but of course holds aren't a baseball card stat so noone cares much.

Anyway, the best reliever should be used for high leverage situations.

[son of lockman]

Was hit with brutal traffic on the way in, and missed the first 1 1/2 innings, including Ethier's home run.

Kershaw looked really good other than that one mistake he made to LaRoche. He only gave up 3 hits in 8 innings.

I like Jansen a lot better as closer than Guerra.

Fireworks show was really good, seats were excellent.

Chuckles here...Todd you goofball...Living in L.A. most of your life you know getting in and out of Chavez Ravine is a b*tch...



But Kershaw is the man and watching him the last several years his curve ball is every bit as wicked as Koufax's...If he can add on 2-3 mph on that fastball he could rival Sandy as one the best that ever pitched in the bigs...He threw an 82 mph change up late in the game also that left the batter frozen like stone as if he'd looked at Medusa....But Koufax received little run support in his career which could also be Kershaw's case...

As it looks now Kemp is still on his way to that tripple crown and well worth 20 million a year...

And we still have to do something about 1st base...Pathetic Lonely couldn't even sacrifice a man on 3rd base with one out last night...

[Dan Druff]

Bryce Harper is making his debut tonight for the Nationals.

He's only 19, and looks really good. He drilled a double in the 7th inning, and made a great throw to the plate (which the catcher ended up dropping).

Steven Strasburg was throwing 100 mph and looked great, as well.

Dodgers holding at 1-1 in the 8th, though.

The team REALLY needs another bat. Take away Kemp and Ethier, and the rest of the team is hitting .223 with 3 HR for the entire season. Ouch.

[Hockey Guy]

Bryce Harper is making his debut tonight for the Nationals.

He's only 19, and looks really good. He drilled a double in the 7th inning, and made a great throw to the plate (which the catcher ended up dropping).

Steven Strasburg was throwing 100 mph and looked great, as well.

Dodgers holding at 1-1 in the 8th, though.

The team REALLY needs another bat. Take away Kemp and Ethier, and the rest of the team is hitting .223 with 3 HR for the entire season. Ouch.

Isn't Bryce Harper a catcher? Did he change positions or am I thinking of someone else?

[bukowski72]

Isn't Bryce Harper a catcher? Did he change positions or am I thinking of someone else?

The Nationals had more room for outfielder than a catcher so thye asked him to convert so he could get to the bigs quicker.

[ErickAA]

LUcky tie in 9th with wild pitch. Gordon had 0 chance of getting a hit that at bat. The nationals are gonna need a better catcher with Rodriguez, who throws 101 into the dirt.

[ErickAA]

Damn, kemp has so much power. Hits that look like they should be lazy fly outs turn into homeruns.

[Dan Druff]

Damn, kemp has so much power. Hits that look like they should be lazy fly outs turn into homeruns.

I actually sighed when it left the bat because I was sure it was a high, easily catchable fly ball to the outfield.

And this was at Dodger Stadium where the ball doesn't carry well.

Kemp and Ethier are the entire offense. And I really mean the entire offense.

This can't last, but boy he's become an amazing hitter.

[lewfather]

I have no idea what is more faggot, the guys behind home plate that mooned the cameras during Harpers first hit or Bryce Harpers already established faggotry and hair cut.

They better put a lid on that kid, comes off like he could become potentially the most hated player in the game.

[NaturalBornHustler]

I have no idea what is more faggot, the guys behind home plate that mooned the cameras during Harpers first hit or Bryce Harpers already established faggotry and hair cut.

They better put a lid on that kid, comes off like he could become potentially the most hated player in the game.

He is going to be so fucking good that he will be able to act however he wants good or bad. The jury is still out on that one.

I don't think many people realize we are talking about a Jordan like talent here, some scouts said he is the best all around player they have ever seen on a baseball field.

Back to Kemp, you see what happens now that he isn't distracted by that little sex fiend slut Rihanna anymore. Ever since he dropped her he has been on a tear.

[Dan Druff]

Dodgers now 16-6, after sweeping the Nationals.

BUT...

I am seeing a clear pattern emerging.

When they're up against a team with a weak offense (San Diego, Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington), they do well, because they also have a weak offense, but Kemp and/or Ethier give them a few runs to work with. Their pitching is good enough to shut down the light-hitting teams to very few runs, and they win.

When they're up against teams that can hit (Milwaukee, Atlanta), they don't do as well, as they don't hold them to as few runs, and their offense isn't good enough to keep up.

Dodgers are now 14-2 against teams with lousy hitting, and 2-4 against teams that can hit.

Washington might eventually be able to hit when Zimmerman and Morse (both of whom I'm unfortunate enough to own in my fantasy leauge) come back, but for this series, they had a weak lineup.

[Dan Druff]

Also hopefully Mattingly finally realizes that Jansen should be closer, and the Guerra days have come to an end.

[Dan Druff]

Matt Kemp hit his 12th today.

Almost exactly 2 years ago, GM Ned Colletti almost drove Kemp away from the team:

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5145724

[son of lockman]

F*ck Kershaw melts down yesterday...Putz blows the save in the 9th, and Hamilton doesn't play...God D*mnit!

Not to mention the first place team in my league hasn't even logged in since the start of the year...



And what's the matter with that bum Kemp?...Fake hasn't hit a home run in several days?...

[son of lockman]

Matt Kemp hit his 12th today.

Almost exactly 2 years ago, GM Ned Colletti almost drove Kemp away from the team:

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5145724

Another reason Colletti has to go...

[Dan Druff]

Boy, I'm so tired of the Dodgers fucking up in late innings (especially on the road).

How many 9th inning leads have they blown now? Seems like a lot.

Guerra sucks and shouldn't be closer anymore. Ever since he got hit by that batted ball, he hasn't been the same. Jansen should be the closer.

Jamey Wright was terrible even when he was young. Why the Dodgers are running him out there in close, late-inning situations when he's in his late 30s is beyond me.

[Dan Druff]

Dodgers finally do the right thing and boot Guerra from the closer's role.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/s...dodgers-closer

One thing that tilts me is when a manager sticks with a closer when he clearly no longer "has it", and they throw away game after game.

Kenley Jansen is the new closer, and he frankly has better stuff than Guerra anyway.

Josh Lindblom was named as the new setup man, which is also smart, because he's been good this year.

[Dan Druff]

Chalk up another win, and another great outing for new closer Kanley Jansen.

22-11 record is the best in baseball.

Dodgers are 6 games up on 2nd place San Francisco.

I think this team is going to win the NL West. They need another big bat to be viable in the playoffs, though.