Dodgers have had limited success against Hendricks
Yu Darvish will need to be on this game tonight, as the current Dodger roster has had very little success against his opponent Kyle Hendricks. If history holds true, this should be a pitching matchup with the game once again decided by the bullpen.
Particularly the left hand bats that you would expect to see in the lineup. Granderson, Grandal, and Chase have combined to go 2 for 28 with zero extra base hits. This is the game they may sorely miss Corey Seager.
Name PA H HR RBI BB SO OPS Justin Turner 14 2 1 3 2 2 .702 Curtis Granderson 11 1 0 0 0 4 .182 Yasmani Grandal 9 0 0 0 2 3 .222 Joc Pederson 9 0 0 0 1 4 .111 Chase Utley 8 1 0 0 0 2 .250 Enrique Hernandez 4 1 0 0 0 1 .500 Yasiel Puig 4 1 0 0 0 1 .500 Andre Ethier 3 1 0 0 0 0 .667 Total 65 8 1 3 5 18 .383
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/17/2017.
On the flip side only two Cubs have more than four plate appearances against Yu. I would expect Alex Avila to start this game instead of Contreras. In fifty plate appearances against Yu, the Cubs have managed only two doubles.
Name PA H 2B BB OPS Alex Avila 18 3 1 5 .752 Ben Zobrist 14 2 0 2 .452 Leonys Martin 4 1 0 0 .500 Kris Bryant 3 0 0 0 .000 Tommy La Stella 3 1 0 1 1.167 Willson Contreras 2 0 0 0 .000 Jason Heyward 2 0 0 1 .500 Anthony Rizzo 2 1 1 0 1.500 Addison Russell 2 0 0 0 .000 Total 50 8 2 9 .584
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/17/2017.
The Golden Gate bridge of the Dodger bullpen
The Dodger bullpen has rolled an almost perfect eight innings of relief so far in the NLCS. Almost every failure in the past NLCS during this century can be pointed directly at the Dodger bullpen but in 2017 they have been tasked with with getting twelve outs per game and have responded brilliantly. The only blemish being the HBP of Rizzo by Jansen in the 9th last night.
Jansen has pitched in both games and struck out six of his seven outs.
Morrow has pitched in both games and has eight perfect outs
| Player | Date | Series | Gm# | Outs | H | ER | BB | SO |
| Tony Cingrani | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenta Maeda | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Morrow | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Tony Watson | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenley Jansen | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Brandon Morrow | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Josh Fields | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tony Watson | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenley Jansen | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
Justin Turner and the LAD Postseason 3-Run Dong
Justin Turner isn’t just hitting home runs this postseason, he is hitting three-run home runs and is now the first Dodger to ever hit a three-run home run in both the NLDS and NLCS.
The only other LAD with multiple three-run home runs in the postseason is Ron Cey who hit one in the 1978 and 1981 World Series.
The Dodgers went fourteen years between their first three-run postseason home run by John Roseboro in 1963 and Dusty Baker hitting the second one in 1977.
Twenty years between Mike Marshall in 1988 and Manny Ramirez in 2008
| Dodger | Date | Series | Gm# | Type | Opp | Rslt | RBI |
| Justin Turner | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 3 Run | CHC | W 4-1 | 4 |
| Justin Turner | 10/6/2017 | NLDS | 1 | 3 Run | ARI | W 9-5 | 5 |
| Howie Kendrick | 10/12/2015 | NLDS | 3 | 3 Run | NYM | L 7-13 | 3 |
| Carl Crawford | 10/6/2013 | NLDS | 3 | 3 Run | ATL | W 13-6 | 3 |
| Manny Ramirez | 10/10/2008 | NLCS | 2 | 3 Run | PHI | L 5-8 | 3 |
| Mike Marshall | 10/16/1988 | WS | 2 | 3 Run | OAK | W 6-0 | 3 |
| Kirk Gibson | 10/10/1988 | NLCS | 5 | 3 Run | NYM | W 7-4 | 3 |
| Pedro Guerrero | 10/28/1981 | WS | 6 | 3 Run | NYY | W 9-2 | 5 |
| Ron Cey | 10/23/1981 | WS | 3 | 3 Run | NYY | W 5-4 | 3 |
| Reggie Smith | 10/14/1978 | WS | 4 | 3 Run | NYY | L 3-4 | 3 |
| Ron Cey | 10/11/1978 | WS | 2 | 3 Run | NYY | W 4-3 | 4 |
| Davey Lopes | 10/10/1978 | WS | 1 | 3 Run | NYY | W 11-5 | 5 |
| Steve Garvey | 10/4/1978 | NLCS | 1 | 3 Run | PHI | W 9-5 | 4 |
| Steve Yeager | 10/16/1977 | WS | 5 | 3 Run | NYY | W 10-4 | 4 |
| Dusty Baker | 10/14/1977 | WS | 3 | 3 Run | NYY | L 3-5 | 3 |
| John Roseboro | 10/2/1963 | WS | 1 | 3 Run | NYY | W 5-2 | 3 |
Turner launches Lackey into infamy
With Wade Davis watching from the bullpen, John Lackey watched Justin Turner launch a game-winning three-run home run to dead center field to give the Dodgers their second victory in two nights.
#ThisTeam needed a hero.@redturn2 answered the call. pic.twitter.com/6AY1XnPj8z
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 16, 2017
This night was all about Rich Hill, the Dodger bullpen, Yasiel Puig, Charlie Culberson, and ………………………Justin Turner
Rich Hill pitched five brilliant innings with just one mistake giving up just one run
The bullpen was simply brilliant. This is isn’t just a bridge, this is the Golden Gate bridge. Kudos to Morrow, Fields, Watson, and Jansen who pitched a perfect four innings except for a HBP of Rizzo by Jansen which was cool too.
Puig walked three times, never chasing bad pitches. The last time a Dodger walked three times in October was Hanley Ramirez in 2013 but two of those were intentional. The last Dodger to walk three time in October without an intentional walk was Bill Russell in 1981.
Player Date Series Rslt PA R H 2B RBI BB IBB Yasiel Puig 2017-10-15 NLCS W 4-1 4 1 0 0 0 3 0 Hanley Ramirez 2013-10-11 NLCS L 2-3 6 1 0 0 0 3 2 Manny Ramirez 2008-10-13 NLCS L 5-7 5 0 2 1 1 3 2 Bill Russell 1981-10-07 NLDS L 0-1 5 0 0 0 0 3 0 Joe Ferguson 1974-10-09 NLCS W 12-1 5 2 1 0 1 3 0 Jim Wynn 1974-10-09 NLCS W 12-1 5 3 1 1 1 3 0 Steve Yeager 1974-10-09 NLCS W 12-1 5 1 0 0 0 3 1 Jim Wynn 1974-10-06 NLCS W 5-2 5 0 0 0 0 3 2
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/15/2017.
Charlie Culberson hit a leadoff double in the fifth inning and scored the tying run when Justin Turner drove him in with a seeing-eye single to right field.
Just like Steve Finley in 2004, Justin Turner overkilled his at-bat by hitting a home run when they only needed a single:)
Granderson has had some success against Jon Lester
Curtis Granderson has seen a lot of Jon Lester, and for the most part, has had the greatest success against him. I could see him playing LF tonight with Kiké playing SS.
Turner, Puig, and Forsythe have all struggled against the talented Lester going a combined 4-52 with zero extra-base hits and three walks.
Two key players tonight will be Barnes and Bellinger who have tallied only four plate appearances against him.
Name PA H 2B 3B HR RBI BB OPS Curtis Granderson 59 16 2 1 3 8 3 .876 Justin Turner 21 1 0 0 0 0 1 .145 Enrique Hernandez 20 4 0 1 2 6 3 1.056 Corey Seager 18 7 1 0 0 1 1 .915 Logan Forsythe 14 1 0 0 0 0 1 .220 Yasiel Puig 14 2 0 0 0 0 1 .368 Chase Utley 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 .333 Yasmani Grandal 8 2 1 0 0 0 0 .625 Chris Taylor 7 1 1 0 0 0 1 .619 Andre Ethier 6 3 0 0 1 3 0 1.500 Austin Barnes 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.000 Cody Bellinger 2 1 0 0 1 3 0 2.500 Total 188 43 5 2 7 21 11 .710
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/15/2017.
Jose Lima still sits on top of best score by a LAD pitcher this century
With Justin Verlander reminding everyone that elite games in October aren’t obsolete, it is Lima time that still reigns supreme in October in the 21st century for the Dodgers.
The greatest pitcher of the 21st century has yet to post one postseason game score above 79, but 48 other pitchers have done so. Clayton does have however four game scores of 70 or better, so while he hasn’t been elite he has bubbled just on the outside. You can’t say he hasn’t had the opportunity, Clayton has now made fifteen postseason starts. In the regular season, he has had 41 games scores of 80 or greater in 290 starts or one every 7 starts.
Player Date Series Gm# Opp Rslt IP H ER BB SO GSc Jose Lima 2004-10-09 NLDS 3 STL W 4-0 9.0 5 0 1 4 80 Clayton Kershaw 2016-10-16 NLCS 2 CHC W 1-0 7.0 2 0 1 6 78 Zack Greinke 2014-10-04 NLDS 2 STL W 3-2 7.0 2 0 2 7 78 Clayton Kershaw 2013-10-03 NLDS 1 ATL W 6-1 7.0 3 1 3 12 76 Zack Greinke 2013-10-11 NLCS 1 STL L 2-3 8.0 4 2 1 10 75 Clayton Kershaw 2015-10-13 NLDS 4 NYM W 3-1 7.0 3 1 1 8 74 Hyun-Jin Ryu 2013-10-14 NLCS 3 STL W 3-0 7.0 3 0 1 4 74 Rich Hill 2016-10-18 NLCS 3 CHC W 6-0 6.0 2 0 2 6 72 Vicente Padilla 2009-10-10 NLDS 3 STL W 5-1 7.0 4 0 1 4 72 Vicente Padilla 2009-10-16 NLCS 2 PHI W 2-1 7.1 4 1 1 6 71 Clayton Kershaw 2013-10-12 NLCS 2 STL L 0-1 6.0 2 0 1 5 70
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/15/2017.
How about in LAD history? Two game sevens are on that list with the 1965 game seven by Koufax one of the greatest postseason starts in the entire history of baseball.
Player Date Series Gm# Tm Opp Rslt IP H ER BB SO GSc Don Drysdale 1963-10-05 WS 3 LAD NYY W 1-0 9.0 3 0 1 9 89 Sandy Koufax 1965-10-14 WS 7 LAD MIN W 2-0 9.0 3 0 3 10 88 Sandy Koufax 1965-10-11 WS 5 LAD MIN W 7-0 9.0 4 0 1 10 88 Orel Hershiser 1988-10-16 WS 2 LAD OAK W 6-0 9.0 3 0 2 8 87 Don Sutton 1974-10-05 NLCS 1 LAD PIT W 3-0 9.0 4 0 1 6 84 Tommy John 1978-10-05 NLCS 2 LAD PHI W 4-0 9.0 4 0 2 4 81 Jose Lima 2004-10-09 NLDS 3 LAD STL W 4-0 9.0 5 0 1 4 80 Orel Hershiser 1988-10-12 NLCS 7 LAD NYM W 6-0 9.0 5 0 2 5 80 Burt Hooton 1977-10-12 WS 2 LAD NYY W 6-1 9.0 5 1 1 8 80
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/15/2017.
Verlander cracks top 25 best Games Scores in 21st century postseason
As great as Justin Verlander was yesterday, he barely cracked the top 25 game score in the postseason in the 21st century.
Postseason starts since 2000 with a game score of 80 or greater:
Player Date Series Gm# Tm Opp Rslt IP H ER BB SO GSc Roger Clemens 2000-10-14 ALCS 4 NYY SEA W 5-0 9.0 1 0 2 15 98 Tim Lincecum 2010-10-07 NLDS 1 SFG ATL W 1-0 9.0 2 0 1 14 96 Roy Halladay 2010-10-06 NLDS 1 PHI CIN W 4-0 9.0 0 0 1 8 94 Josh Beckett 2003-10-12 NLCS 5 FLA CHC W 4-0 9.0 2 0 1 11 93 Randy Johnson 2001-10-28 WS 2 ARI NYY W 4-0 9.0 3 0 1 11 91 Randy Johnson 2001-10-16 NLCS 1 ARI ATL W 2-0 9.0 3 0 1 11 91 Cliff Lee 2010-10-18 ALCS 3 TEX NYY W 8-0 8.0 2 0 1 13 90 Justin Verlander 2012-10-11 ALDS 5 DET OAK W 6-0 9.0 4 0 1 11 89 Curt Schilling 2001-10-09 NLDS 1 ARI STL W 1-0 9.0 3 0 1 9 89 Jake Arrieta 2015-10-07 NLWC 1 CHC PIT W 4-0 9.0 5 0 0 11 88 Madison Bumgarner 2014-10-01 NLWC 1 SFG PIT W 8-0 9.0 4 0 1 10 88 Mike Hampton 2000-10-16 NLCS 5 NYM STL W 7-0 9.0 3 0 1 8 88 Bobby Jones 2000-10-08 NLDS 4 NYM SFG W 4-0 9.0 1 0 2 5 88 Madison Bumgarner 2014-10-26 WS 5 SFG KCR W 5-0 9.0 4 0 0 8 87 Justin Verlander 2013-10-10 ALDS 5 DET OAK W 3-0 8.0 2 0 1 10 87 Josh Beckett 2007-10-03 ALDS 1 BOS LAA W 4-0 9.0 4 0 0 8 87 Roger Clemens 2000-10-22 WS 2 NYY NYM W 6-5 8.0 2 0 0 9 87 Cole Hamels 2010-10-10 NLDS 3 PHI CIN W 2-0 9.0 5 0 0 9 86 Cliff Lee 2009-10-18 NLCS 3 PHI LAD W 11-0 8.0 3 0 0 10 86 Cole Hamels 2008-10-01 NLDS 1 PHI MIL W 3-1 8.0 2 0 1 9 86 Jason Schmidt 2003-09-30 NLDS 1 SFG FLA W 2-0 9.0 3 0 0 5 86 Justin Verlander 2017-10-14 ALCS 2 HOU NYY W 2-1 9.0 5 1 1 13 85 Curt Schilling 2001-10-19 NLCS 3 ARI ATL W 5-1 9.0 4 1 2 12 85 Derek Holland 2011-10-23 WS 4 TEX STL W 4-0 8.1 2 0 2 7 84 Chris Carpenter 2011-10-07 NLDS 5 STL PHI W 1-0 9.0 3 0 0 3 84 Josh Beckett 2003-10-25 WS 6 FLA NYY W 2-0 9.0 5 0 2 9 84 Madison Bumgarner 2016-10-05 NLWC 1 SFG NYM W 3-0 9.0 4 0 2 6 83 Cliff Lee 2009-10-28 WS 1 PHI NYY W 6-1 9.0 6 0 0 10 83 Johnny Cueto 2016-10-07 NLDS 1 SFG CHC L 0-1 8.0 3 1 0 10 82 CC Sabathia 2012-10-12 ALDS 5 NYY BAL W 3-1 9.0 4 1 2 9 82 Cliff Lee 2010-10-12 ALDS 5 TEX TBR W 5-1 9.0 6 1 0 11 82 Chris Carpenter 2006-10-24 WS 3 STL DET W 5-0 8.0 3 0 0 6 82 Brandon Backe 2004-10-18 NLCS 5 HOU STL W 3-0 8.0 1 0 2 4 82 Mark Prior 2003-10-03 NLDS 3 CHC ATL W 3-1 9.0 2 1 4 7 82 Stephen Strasburg 2017-10-11 NLDS 4 WSN CHC W 5-0 7.0 3 0 2 12 81 Sonny Gray 2013-10-05 ALDS 2 OAK DET W 1-0 8.0 4 0 2 9 81 Kyle Hendricks 2016-10-22 NLCS 6 CHC LAD W 5-0 7.1 2 0 0 6 80 Matt Moore 2016-10-11 NLDS 4 SFG CHC L 5-6 8.0 2 1 2 10 80 Noah Syndergaard 2016-10-05 NLWC 1 NYM SFG L 0-3 7.0 2 0 3 10 80 Johnny Cueto 2015-10-28 WS 2 KCR NYM W 7-1 9.0 2 1 3 4 80 Max Scherzer 2013-10-13 ALCS 2 DET BOS L 5-6 7.0 2 1 2 13 80 Homer Bailey 2012-10-09 NLDS 3 CIN SFG L 1-2 7.0 1 1 1 10 80 Tim Lincecum 2010-11-01 WS 5 SFG TEX W 3-1 8.0 3 1 2 10 80 Madison Bumgarner 2010-10-31 WS 4 SFG TEX W 4-0 8.0 3 0 2 6 80 Jonathan Sanchez 2010-10-10 NLDS 3 SFG ATL W 3-2 7.1 2 1 1 11 80 Roberto Hernandez 2007-10-05 ALDS 2 CLE NYY W 2-1 9.0 3 1 2 5 80 Kenny Rogers 2006-10-22 WS 2 DET STL W 3-1 8.0 2 0 3 5 80 Jose Lima 2004-10-09 NLDS 3 LAD STL W 4-0 9.0 5 0 1 4 80
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/15/2017.
Updated NLCS LAD Home Runs
Ha ha, quite an update this time. With Kiké doing something no LAD has ever done by going deep three times.
Some thoughts on the list:
- The three unlikely on this list for me are AJ Ellis, Orlando Hudson, and Mike Scioscia
- Rick Monday and Mike Scioscia hit the most important NLCS home runs until 2017
- Bill Madlock tore up 1985 just as Garvey tore up 1978 but hey – Kiké Hernandez
- The Dodgers haven’t hit a home run in an NLCS game after the fifth game since game six in 1985. Still haven’t, because they didn’t need too.
- Six different Dodgers hit home runs in the 2017 NLCS.
| Dodger | Year | Date | Series | Gm# | HR |
| Enrique Hernandez | 2017 | 10/19/2017 | NLCS | 5 | 3 |
| Cody Bellinger | 2017 | 10/18/2017 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 2017 | 10/18/2017 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Andre Ethier | 2017 | 10/17/2017 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Chris Taylor | 2017 | 10/17/2017 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 2017 | 10/15/2017 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Yasiel Puig | 2017 | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Chris Taylor | 2017 | 10/14/2017 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Andre Ethier | 2016 | 10/15/2016 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 2016 | 10/16/2016 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Yazmani Grandal | 2016 | 10/18/2016 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 2016 | 10/18/2016 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| A.J. Ellis | 2013 | 10/16/2013 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 2013 | 10/16/2013 | NLCS | 5 | 2 |
| Carl Crawford | 2013 | 10/16/2013 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| James Loney | 2009 | 10/15/2009 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Manny Ramirez | 2009 | 10/15/2009 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Matt Kemp | 2009 | 10/19/2009 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Andre Ethier | 2009 | 10/21/2009 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| James Loney | 2009 | 10/21/2009 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Orlando Hudson | 2009 | 10/21/2009 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Manny Ramirez | 2008 | 10/10/2008 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Rafael Furcal | 2008 | 10/12/2008 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Casey Blake | 2008 | 10/13/2008 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Manny Ramirez | 2008 | 10/15/2008 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Kirk Gibson | 1988 | 10/9/1988 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Mike Scioscia | 1988 | 10/9/1988 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Kirk Gibson | 1988 | 10/10/1988 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Greg Brock | 1985 | 10/10/1985 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Bill Madlock | 1985 | 10/13/1985 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Bill Madlock | 1985 | 10/14/1985 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Bill Madlock | 1985 | 10/16/1985 | NLCS | 6 | 1 |
| Mike Marshall | 1985 | 10/16/1985 | NLCS | 6 | 1 |
| Mike Marshall | 1983 | 10/7/1983 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Dusty Baker | 1983 | 10/8/1983 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Mike Scioscia | 1981 | 10/13/1981 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Pedro Guerrero | 1981 | 10/13/1981 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Steve Garvey | 1981 | 10/17/1981 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Rick Monday | 1981 | 10/19/1981 | NLCS | 5 | 1 |
| Davey Lopes | 1978 | 10/4/1978 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Steve Garvey | 1978 | 10/4/1978 | NLCS | 1 | 2 |
| Steve Yeager | 1978 | 10/4/1978 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Davey Lopes | 1978 | 10/5/1978 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Steve Garvey | 1978 | 10/6/1978 | NLCS | 3 | 1 |
| Ron Cey | 1978 | 10/7/1978 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Steve Garvey | 1978 | 10/7/1978 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Ron Cey | 1977 | 10/4/1977 | NLCS | 1 | 1 |
| Dusty Baker | 1977 | 10/5/1977 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Ron Cey | 1977 | 10/6/1974 | NLCS | 2 | 1 |
| Dusty Baker | 1977 | 10/8/1977 | NLCS | 4 | 1 |
| Steve Garvey | 1977 | 10/9/1974 | NLCS | 4 | 2 |
And now for something completely different
The Dodgers did something they hadn’t done since 1985, win a game one in the NLCS. The tried and failed in 2008, 2009, 20013, and 2016 but 2017 was a different story, and it was a complete team effort.
Date Series Gm# Tm Opp Rslt 1985-10-09 NLCS 1 LAD STL W 4-1 2008-10-09 NLCS 1 LAD PHI L 2-3 2009-10-15 NLCS 1 LAD PHI L 6-8 2013-10-11 NLCS 1 LAD STL L 2-3 2016-10-15 NLCS 1 LAD CHC L 4-8 2017-10-14 NLCS 1 LAD CHC W 5-2
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 10/14/2017.
Highlights:
Clayton Kershaw struggled with his command but only made one mistake which cost him two runs. Given his pitch count and his struggles, the choice to pinch hit for him in the 5th seemed like the right move. Something to consider though, when the Dodgers face a left-hand starter the right-hand pinch hit options are very limited. Kyle Farmer is on the roster to give the Dodgers flexibility with Barnes but if Barnes is going to start 80% of the games, maybe they could use a better right-hand pinch hitter.
Forsythe and Barnes worked Quintana for walks, and Puig delivered a booming double to LCF to plate Forsythe. With Kershaw on deck and Barnes at 3rd with one out all the pressure was on Culberson to deliver the tying run. With the count 0 – 2 things looked bleak for the improbable game one starter, but he delivered a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
For some reason, Cingrani has been reduced to a one-out pitcher and he got his out before Kenta Maeda came in to finish a perfect 6th.
Chris Taylor almost hit a home run in his second at-bat and did hit a home run in his 3rd at-bat giving the Dodgers their first lead of the series and game.
With the score 3 – 2, Kenta was allowed to get one out in the 7th before Brandon Morrow came up to finish up the dreaded 7th inning. The bullpen had pitched two clean innings.
In the bottom of the 7th, Puig had his most memorable postseason at-bat. He kept his bat on his shoulder as Montgomery threw the first pitch. He watched it all the way, and shrugged as if, “is that all you got”. The next pitch was high and inside and moved him off the plate. The next pitch was sent soaring high into the night and for most of the flight it looked like Schwarber had a play but as he got ready to leap he had gone to far and the wall kept him grounded while the ball cleared the fence.
Later in the 7th, Culberson would score on a play where the catcher Contreras obstructed his ability to touch home plate. On one hand, you have to like that no one got hurt, on the hand, damn, home plate collisions were the bomb. John Lackey is right, the game is getting soft, but I can’t complain, breaking players only gave fans a few seconds of thrill while ending careers.
Morrow and Jansen finished up and the Dodgers have a game one in their pocket. We won’t talk about 1985 again.
Happy Kershaw Day
Once again the Dodgers turn to Clayton Kershaw to start the first game of a postseason series, and once again Dodger fans are optimistic that the best pitcher in baseball in the 21st century can help deliver a victory in game one.
Since I’m turning a cold shoulder to the recent postseason past, I’m not going to talk about how often this optimism wasn’t rewarded for the Dodger faithful.
Today is a new Happy Kershaw Day, and it will be without their star shortstop Corey Seager. This is a huge blow and it means that Charlie Culberson will be playing SS in game one. The Dodgers left Corey Seager and Pedro Baez off the NLCS roster and added utility infielder Charlie Culberson and Joc Pederson.
Baseball being baseball, I now expect Joc Pederson to do something memorable.
Or not,
I have no idea what to expect, but I only hope that we have an entertaining NLCS as the two best teams in the National League go head to head until one of them wins four games.
Dodgers, Yesterday and Today 