Ah, October… the leaves changing color, the cool crispness of the autumn air, the almost surreptitious development of visages on pumpkins, the promise of happy holidays… yeah, right. It’s been 95 degrees here until recently and I’m broke, the country’s broke, the world is broke and the best team didn’t win the World Series – didn’t even make it to the World Series. No, I’m not talking about our beloved Dodgers, or even the Halos. I’m talking about the Cubs and The Red Sox. The Cubs were undone by an untimely slump and the Red Sox were undone by a great team with a lot of heart – the Tampa Bay Rays.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES, your 2008 World Champions. Winning their first title since nineteen hundred and eighty, Phillie is an excellent team, but they aren’t as good as Tampa Bay. Yet, they were able to win 2008, and they were able to win the Fall Classic in a cold, rainy and windy 5 games. The Phils are an Utley, a Howard, a Hamels, a Rollins and a Lidge away from being terrible. That’s right. 5 good players. The rest, including Burrell, Werth and Victorino, are simply strong role players. The Rays, on the other hand, have Longoria, Upton, Crawford, Pena, Iwamura, Navarro, Shields, Kazmir (though he had a bad 2nd half) Garza, Balfour, Price – a better cast of young stars. So, why did they get punked? Many reasons:
Reason #1: Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena went bye-bye for the entire series, each going one for the World Series. Longoria fanned, like, 9 or 10 times. Absurd. When your 2 best hitters take a powder during the most important stretch of games you’ve ever played, what can you do?
Reason #2: Their defense went bye-bye. They’d played solid defense all year and picked a bad time to do their circus clown imitation.
Reason #3: They were grossly out-managed. I’m a big fan of Joe Maddon, but he was very Joe Torre & Mike Scioscia-like in this series. He made an array of odd choices, including letting the shaky Kazmir start Game 5 instead of the well-rested Shields. He constantly shuffled his right fielders, initially leaving power hitting Eric Hinske off the W.S. roster. Rocco Baldelli should’ve played everyday in my opinion, not Gabe Gross and Ben Zobrist. Floyd and Hinske would’ve been my only 2 choices for DH in the first 2 games. The final straw, of course, were his moves and non moves during the suspended Game 5. How does he not go with his young, hard throwing phenom David Price to start things off? I would’ve thrown Price until he got into trouble, then gone to Balfour, Bradford, Wheeler and the rest of my trusty bullpen. Odd.
Reason #4: Their youth showed. Lots of poor at bats and nervousness from their pitching staff.
Reason #5: The umpiring. It was perhaps the worst I’ve ever seen in the World Series. So many obvious class just completely blown. Most of them going against Tampa Bay. The strike zone for the games in Philly heavily favored the Phils’ pitchers. It was a joke. The plated umps, Fielding Calbreath or whatever his name is, was especially horrible. It actually meant the difference in Game 3, and possibly, Game 4.
Reason #6: The weather. The Rays were taken out of their game. Forget the rain. No World Series should be allowed to be played in 40 degree weather with a wind chill factor below 40. It’s not real baseball. I don’t favor moving the Fall Classic to a neutral site like some idiots, but I feel you have to wait out the weather.
Reason #7. The confusion over the Rays’ name. Come on, already. You guys have a sting ray patch on your shoulder, but you have a ray of sunlight on your jerseys. So, which “ray” is it? You have to decide. I’m surprised you don’t also have a silhouette of Ray Charles on your other shoulder. Maybe Ray Romano? What about a finite straight line? That’s called a ray, isn’t it? In order to be champions, you need to decide which kind of ray you are.
At any rate, Cole Hamels has been amazing. Chase Utley, my favorite player, did it with guile and defense and Ryan Howard finally made an appearance. They will NOT repeat next year. The Rays, on the other hand, could easily be back. They’re still cheap and they’re still quite young. They’ll only get better. What a team.
So, the Dodgers, according to Times baseball writer, Bill Shaikin, will likely not be among the highest bidders for Manny’s services, nor will they be for the services of CC Sabathia. If this is the case, the Dodgers will not contend in ’09. The Hot Stove league starts Monday and there’s talk of the Dodgers going after the Angels free agent closer Frankie Rodriguez. If that’s who the Dodgers are going to spend their money on, you can forget it. From what I know of K Rod, he holds the Major League saves record, but he can’t hit or play the outfield or start games. As far as I’m concerned, it’s Manny or bust. Frank McCourt, you MUST SIGN MANNY!
I hear there’s an election next week. Personally, I think it’s a crime to hang effigies of Barak Obama on your tree out front, but it’s perfectly acceptable to hang effigies of Sarah Palin. Happy Halloween.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Rays In 6
For anyone who wants to know, I like Tampa Bay in 6. The Phillies are good, but in my opinion, the Rays are better. Much better. And with the amazing youg talent they have, both offensively and on the mound, they'll be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. More tomorrow.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Wrapping Up The Blue
I was there to witness the carnage and the garbage. Along with all the celebs in my Donal Fehr seats, I went to my first game all year and witnessed the Blue play like crap and their season end. It was an awful series. And from those five games, what did we learn about our 2008 NLDS Champion Los Angeles Dodgers? What was wrong with their club? What do they need to do for the upcoming season?
During the NLCS, all their weaknesses were exploited by the wiley, opportunistic Phillies. The Dodgers became the Cubs, in other words. Without taking anything away from Phillie, who were clearly the better ball club, these are the things that were brought to light: Torre’s weakness as a field strategist was perhaps the most glaring. He should have removed Lowe much sooner in Game 1 and Billingsley much sooner in Game 2. Then there was his inexplicable decision to remove a breezing Derek Lowe – his ace – with only a 1 run lead n the 6th inning of Game 4. I’m still confused by it. You don’t remove your ace when he’s breezing in a Championship series that you happen to be trailing with only a 1 run lead. Also, he made some other odd choices. Why let Hong Chi Kuo bunt with 2 men on base and only one out in the 7th with only a 2 run lead in Game 4, if you’re just going to take him out after giving up a lead off single in the 8th? Why would you take Kuo out after giving up one cheap single to Ryan Howard? Just because he’s a lefty or because he looked “different” warming up that inning? He should not have burned all his lefties in Game 4. He should’ve gone to James McDonald in Game 4 instead of Park. And, yes, in spite of Kershaw being a lefty against a lefty lineup, instead of Kershaw. He should not have started Kemp in Game 2 or Game 3. Juan Pierre was his man. He didn’t start him until Game 4. He should’ve started Kent against the lefty, Cole Hamels, not Blake DeWitt in Game 5. And why does he insist on batting Russell Martin so high in the order?
Chad Billingsley was Bad Billingsley. The kid just fell apart in so many ways, one has to wonder about his fortitude and his ability to perform in the post season, should the Dodgers ever make it back. He should be their ace next year unless the Dodgers pick up a frontline starter like Sabathia or Peavy.
Young Blake DeWitt, aside form his huge 3 run triple in Game 3 and a few sac flies and fielders choice RBI’s was beyond horrid. However, I think he’ll improve and I think they have a solid ballplayer in him.
James Loney was actually very impressive in the Playoffs, but he sure can’t hit a fastball up an in and he has a weird demeanor out there. I’m actually not as crazy about him as I once was. He has warning track power for the most part and hits into many DP’s. Hopefully, he’ll improve on his power numbers next year, unless they get Mark Teixeira, which is doubtful.
In spite of his 80 or so RBI’s, Matt Kemp was a huge disappointment. His swing is horrible and he proved himself to be a sporadic singles hitter with no idea whatsoever at the plate. He has a great arm in the outfield, but, in spite of his youth, I don’t see him getting any smarter any time soon. Trading him for Jake Peavy in the off season may not be the worst decision the Dodgers have ever made.
Andre Ethier came back to earth a full week and a half before the Playoffs. When all is said and done, we still don’t know for sure what kind of player Andre will become. Hopefully, he’ll become more like the Andre that was hitting in front of Manny in September.
I think we have a better idea, however, what kind of player Russell Martin is and will likely continue to be – an overrated one. The wild pitch he allowed on a Chan Ho Park breaking ball in Game 4 was terrible. A good catcher surrounds that ball and keeps it from getting by. That happens to Martin all the time. In spite of last year’s Gold Glove (had to be a mistake) he actually makes me miss Mike Piazza’s defense. He’s a questionable pitch caller and he can’t throw out a base stealer to save his life. He does block the plate well when a runner is coming home, but so what? Though extremely streaky, Martin is not a very good hitter. He has some power but not enough, and he’s easily fooled by a good change of speed and anything on the outer part of the plate. He hits way too many grounders to short and grounds into way too many DP’s. His insistence on playing every day ultimately hurts the team. Let’s bring up Santana. Oh wait, we traded him for Casey Blake.
Rafael Furcal’s performance in Game 5 was like a trip to the circus. In fact, his post season in general, was not great. But he sure made a damn good first impression in April before his back problems started and you gotta give the guy credit for working hard enough to come back for the last week of the season and the Playoffs. He’s a weird fielder – one of the better shortstops I’ve seen, but he still makes a lot of errors. You gotta re-sign him unless young Ivan Dejesus is the next Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes or unless you can get your hands on Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes.
Casey Blake played well, but not well enough to make us forget we could’ve had Miguel Cabrera. He’s a lunger, strikes out a ton and has no power to the right side. Very solid defensively. He’s likely just a rental who played 2 months in Dodger Blue and will opt to sign elsewhere. They need a third baseman or a second baseman, depending on where they want to play DeWitt. Jeff Kent’s playing days are over… I think. Nomar is done as a Dodger and may be done for good. Too fragile to be anything but a utility guy or pinch hitter and not enough pop to DH.
Jonathan Broxton has 5 months to develop the skills to be a closer. Frankly, I just don’t see it happening. Saito’s days as a Dodger may be over. They need a closer. No reason not to hang onto Beimel. Unless they plan to make him a starter, or unless he becomes more comfortable in his nebulous relief role, they should let Chan Ho go. Their bullpen needs a lot of work.
They MUST replace Derek Lowe who will surely leave as a free agent, likely to his hometown Tigers. That means C.C. Sabathia must be a Dodger, and if not him, it’s gotta be Sheets, Burnett, or Peavy, and it really should be 2 of those guys. They need a better starting staff. Hiroki Kuroda is tough to figure out, but I think he’s a better pitcher than his overall record. Bring him back. He’s got balls. I like that. Greg Maddux should retire and wait for the Hall to call. Let Brad Penny go. James McDonald and Clayton Kershaw could both be the real deal, but they still have much to prove. And to count on the return of Jason Schmidt would be the definition of insanity.
Their bench is also going to need improving with the departure of the old vets like Kent and Nomar. Pierre wants to be traded and rightly so. My hope is to never have to look at Andruw Jones in a Dodger uniform again. I have a feeling I’m not going to get what I want.
Manny MUST be a Dodger. The Dodgers had, in their midst for 2 short months, the greatest right handed hitter I have ever seen. Free agency stumping or not, this guy is too valuable to the organization to lose to the Yanks, Cubs or Mets. Make an offer of 4 years at 84 million, and be prepared to offer 5 years at 110 million. If you lose Manny, you’d better be making a deal for Albert Pujols or Evan Longoria or both. I realize there’s a limit to how much and how long a deal you can give a 36 year old outfielder who’s defensive skills are questionable, but this is a special player and the Dodgers are no Red Sox. They just don’t have enough offense to compete without Manny.
And so, that’s it. The best team in the NL didn’t win. No, not the Dodgers. The Cubs. Hate to burst your bubble, but the best team in the league isn’t necessarily the team that makes it to the Fall Classic. The Cubs were far and away the best team in the NL in ’08, but they went cold at the worst possible time against a Dodger team that was flying high. The Phillies are a great team – far more balanced than our Blue, and they should lose to either Boston or Tampa Bay in the World Series who are both better teams, but anything can happen. All in all, it’s been a strange, but great season. It all depends on McCourt and Manny in the fall and winter.
During the NLCS, all their weaknesses were exploited by the wiley, opportunistic Phillies. The Dodgers became the Cubs, in other words. Without taking anything away from Phillie, who were clearly the better ball club, these are the things that were brought to light: Torre’s weakness as a field strategist was perhaps the most glaring. He should have removed Lowe much sooner in Game 1 and Billingsley much sooner in Game 2. Then there was his inexplicable decision to remove a breezing Derek Lowe – his ace – with only a 1 run lead n the 6th inning of Game 4. I’m still confused by it. You don’t remove your ace when he’s breezing in a Championship series that you happen to be trailing with only a 1 run lead. Also, he made some other odd choices. Why let Hong Chi Kuo bunt with 2 men on base and only one out in the 7th with only a 2 run lead in Game 4, if you’re just going to take him out after giving up a lead off single in the 8th? Why would you take Kuo out after giving up one cheap single to Ryan Howard? Just because he’s a lefty or because he looked “different” warming up that inning? He should not have burned all his lefties in Game 4. He should’ve gone to James McDonald in Game 4 instead of Park. And, yes, in spite of Kershaw being a lefty against a lefty lineup, instead of Kershaw. He should not have started Kemp in Game 2 or Game 3. Juan Pierre was his man. He didn’t start him until Game 4. He should’ve started Kent against the lefty, Cole Hamels, not Blake DeWitt in Game 5. And why does he insist on batting Russell Martin so high in the order?
Chad Billingsley was Bad Billingsley. The kid just fell apart in so many ways, one has to wonder about his fortitude and his ability to perform in the post season, should the Dodgers ever make it back. He should be their ace next year unless the Dodgers pick up a frontline starter like Sabathia or Peavy.
Young Blake DeWitt, aside form his huge 3 run triple in Game 3 and a few sac flies and fielders choice RBI’s was beyond horrid. However, I think he’ll improve and I think they have a solid ballplayer in him.
James Loney was actually very impressive in the Playoffs, but he sure can’t hit a fastball up an in and he has a weird demeanor out there. I’m actually not as crazy about him as I once was. He has warning track power for the most part and hits into many DP’s. Hopefully, he’ll improve on his power numbers next year, unless they get Mark Teixeira, which is doubtful.
In spite of his 80 or so RBI’s, Matt Kemp was a huge disappointment. His swing is horrible and he proved himself to be a sporadic singles hitter with no idea whatsoever at the plate. He has a great arm in the outfield, but, in spite of his youth, I don’t see him getting any smarter any time soon. Trading him for Jake Peavy in the off season may not be the worst decision the Dodgers have ever made.
Andre Ethier came back to earth a full week and a half before the Playoffs. When all is said and done, we still don’t know for sure what kind of player Andre will become. Hopefully, he’ll become more like the Andre that was hitting in front of Manny in September.
I think we have a better idea, however, what kind of player Russell Martin is and will likely continue to be – an overrated one. The wild pitch he allowed on a Chan Ho Park breaking ball in Game 4 was terrible. A good catcher surrounds that ball and keeps it from getting by. That happens to Martin all the time. In spite of last year’s Gold Glove (had to be a mistake) he actually makes me miss Mike Piazza’s defense. He’s a questionable pitch caller and he can’t throw out a base stealer to save his life. He does block the plate well when a runner is coming home, but so what? Though extremely streaky, Martin is not a very good hitter. He has some power but not enough, and he’s easily fooled by a good change of speed and anything on the outer part of the plate. He hits way too many grounders to short and grounds into way too many DP’s. His insistence on playing every day ultimately hurts the team. Let’s bring up Santana. Oh wait, we traded him for Casey Blake.
Rafael Furcal’s performance in Game 5 was like a trip to the circus. In fact, his post season in general, was not great. But he sure made a damn good first impression in April before his back problems started and you gotta give the guy credit for working hard enough to come back for the last week of the season and the Playoffs. He’s a weird fielder – one of the better shortstops I’ve seen, but he still makes a lot of errors. You gotta re-sign him unless young Ivan Dejesus is the next Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes or unless you can get your hands on Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes.
Casey Blake played well, but not well enough to make us forget we could’ve had Miguel Cabrera. He’s a lunger, strikes out a ton and has no power to the right side. Very solid defensively. He’s likely just a rental who played 2 months in Dodger Blue and will opt to sign elsewhere. They need a third baseman or a second baseman, depending on where they want to play DeWitt. Jeff Kent’s playing days are over… I think. Nomar is done as a Dodger and may be done for good. Too fragile to be anything but a utility guy or pinch hitter and not enough pop to DH.
Jonathan Broxton has 5 months to develop the skills to be a closer. Frankly, I just don’t see it happening. Saito’s days as a Dodger may be over. They need a closer. No reason not to hang onto Beimel. Unless they plan to make him a starter, or unless he becomes more comfortable in his nebulous relief role, they should let Chan Ho go. Their bullpen needs a lot of work.
They MUST replace Derek Lowe who will surely leave as a free agent, likely to his hometown Tigers. That means C.C. Sabathia must be a Dodger, and if not him, it’s gotta be Sheets, Burnett, or Peavy, and it really should be 2 of those guys. They need a better starting staff. Hiroki Kuroda is tough to figure out, but I think he’s a better pitcher than his overall record. Bring him back. He’s got balls. I like that. Greg Maddux should retire and wait for the Hall to call. Let Brad Penny go. James McDonald and Clayton Kershaw could both be the real deal, but they still have much to prove. And to count on the return of Jason Schmidt would be the definition of insanity.
Their bench is also going to need improving with the departure of the old vets like Kent and Nomar. Pierre wants to be traded and rightly so. My hope is to never have to look at Andruw Jones in a Dodger uniform again. I have a feeling I’m not going to get what I want.
Manny MUST be a Dodger. The Dodgers had, in their midst for 2 short months, the greatest right handed hitter I have ever seen. Free agency stumping or not, this guy is too valuable to the organization to lose to the Yanks, Cubs or Mets. Make an offer of 4 years at 84 million, and be prepared to offer 5 years at 110 million. If you lose Manny, you’d better be making a deal for Albert Pujols or Evan Longoria or both. I realize there’s a limit to how much and how long a deal you can give a 36 year old outfielder who’s defensive skills are questionable, but this is a special player and the Dodgers are no Red Sox. They just don’t have enough offense to compete without Manny.
And so, that’s it. The best team in the NL didn’t win. No, not the Dodgers. The Cubs. Hate to burst your bubble, but the best team in the league isn’t necessarily the team that makes it to the Fall Classic. The Cubs were far and away the best team in the NL in ’08, but they went cold at the worst possible time against a Dodger team that was flying high. The Phillies are a great team – far more balanced than our Blue, and they should lose to either Boston or Tampa Bay in the World Series who are both better teams, but anything can happen. All in all, it’s been a strange, but great season. It all depends on McCourt and Manny in the fall and winter.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Sabateur Joe
Hey, great win for the Blue on Sunday Night. Kuroda pitched extremely well, they even showed some huevos retaliating at the Phils for throwing at Manny and Martin. Young Blake De Witt appeared to be making the most of his AB’s and the bullpen looked pretty good. With ace Derek Lowe going on 3 days rest for Game 4, if he’s at all sharp at home, the Dodgers should have a good chance to tie the series at 2 apiece, right?
Not if Joe Torre can help it. Last night, at approximately 7:40 PDT, Joe Torre effectively ended the Dodgers’ season. Like I’ve always said, I love Joe. Think he’s a class act – a terrific guy. He’s also, in spite of his 13 straight post season appearances with the Yankees, a perennial collection of high paid superstars, possibly the worst strategic field manager I’ve ever seen. His decisions are topsy turvy, rhymeless and reasonless, flimsy, all over the place, nonsensical. Yes, it was (finally) a great decision to start Juan Pierre over Matt Kemp, and starting Derek Lowe was not a bad decision either. He’s your ace, he’s a slightly better choice for a do or die game than the elderly, rickety Maddux or the wet behind the ears Kershaw, and you MUST win Game 4. After a rough first inning in which he allowed 2 runs, Lowe was strong. After throwing only 74 pitches through 5 innings, having just thrown a 1-2-3 inning, and his team in the lead 3-2, Joe Torre mysteriously and foolishly, removed Lowe from the game. WHY?????? His rationale was ultra flim-flam. He said something like, ‘since he had the lead, he didn’t want Lowe to tire and fall apart like he did in Game 1, so he thought he’d prevent that from happening again by taking him out sooner than later.’ Huh? He’s your ace, dummy. He’s got a lead. He’s breezing. What the hell is the matter with you????? So, he starts the 6th inning with the nervous puppy, Clayton Kershaw, who proceeds to walk the lead-off batter, at one point throws 6 straight balls. In comes Chan Ho Park. Park throws a “wild pitch” which allows Ryan Howard to score from 3rd base. Russell Martin is, perhaps, one of the 5 worst defensive catchers I’ve ever seen. That should NOT have been a wild pitch. A Major League catcher has to surround that ball and keep it in front of him. Martin is terrible. How he could’ve won a Gold Glove last year is beyond my comprehension. But the fault lies squarely on the shoulders of Torre. Then he brings in Beimel, leaving him with one lefthander left in the pen for the remainder of a game against a predominately left handed lineup.
Once the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead on a Casey Blake dong and a double by Juan who later scored on a Ryan Howard throwing error, they could’ve held onto it. But because Torre had already burned half his bullpen by taking Lowe out too early, they were screwed. Kuo, who came back from the dead to shine in this series, pitched a beautiful 7th 1-2-3 7th, striking out Chase Utley rather convincingly. But after he gave up a lead off single to Ryan Howard in the 8th, Torre decided to take him out. He says he didn’t like the way Kuo looked warming up that inning and felt his injured shoulder was tightening up. Hmmm… A case of over managing? He brings in the overworked Corey Wade and the floodgates open. Then the Apocalyptic event with Broxton and Matt Stairs, who almost hit the ball to Eagle Rock. The Phillies are a very good team, but the Dodgers are giving them this series. Their pitchers are making horrible pitches – throwing the ball low and in to left handers like Victorino, who feast on the low and in pitch. But the fact remains, 3 days rest or not, had Torre left Lowe in to pitch the 6th and possibly the 7th, the Dodgers go into Game 5 tied 3 games a piece.
The aftermath of this series and this season is obvious. The Dodgers need to re-sign Manny. If they don’t, they will lose. Make no mistake. The Dodgers would not be in the NLCS or the NLDS without Manny. There’s no hitter in the league like him and they can’t afford to part ways with him. It would be an insult to the fans. Offer him 4 years at 80 million and see what happens. If he wants more, give him more. They also need one more bat to protect him. Ethier is not enough and Martin and Kemp stink. The Dodgers need to get their hands on an ace like Sabathia and another quality starter to replace Lowe. If they don’t, they will lose. The Dodgers need a closer. Saito’s skills appear to be waning from his many injuries and it appears Broxton is just way too inconsistent. If “Big bad John” doesn’t develop another pitch, he can’t be counted on day in and day out. In short, Frank McCourt, you’d better plan on loosening your purse strings.
Just to give you an idea of what being in pilot hell means to a hack TV writer like myself, I received a call yesterday around noon from my second cousin, Donald Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association. He invited me, your humble blogger, to attend last night’s game with him and I HAD TO TURN HIM DOWN!!!! I had to write and I couldn’t afford the time it would’ve taken to drive to and from the game. He did give me 3 tickets for Wednesday Night’s game, however, but I have to pay for those. And, really, who wants to go to Wednesday night’s game? Thanks to Joe Torre, it’s a death watch now. It's over, folks. There's no way the Dodgers can win tomorrow and then go back to Philly and win both those games. In fact, the way Billingsley looked in Game 2 along with the demoralizing way they lost last night, I think the Phils go home with the NL pennant. Yes, it's done. The patient has but a few breaths left and the family is gathered around. Not sure I want to attend my first game of the season just to say good-bye.
Just got a call from Cousin Donnie. The head of the MLBPA is coming to my house to drop off the tickets. Guess I have no choice.
Not if Joe Torre can help it. Last night, at approximately 7:40 PDT, Joe Torre effectively ended the Dodgers’ season. Like I’ve always said, I love Joe. Think he’s a class act – a terrific guy. He’s also, in spite of his 13 straight post season appearances with the Yankees, a perennial collection of high paid superstars, possibly the worst strategic field manager I’ve ever seen. His decisions are topsy turvy, rhymeless and reasonless, flimsy, all over the place, nonsensical. Yes, it was (finally) a great decision to start Juan Pierre over Matt Kemp, and starting Derek Lowe was not a bad decision either. He’s your ace, he’s a slightly better choice for a do or die game than the elderly, rickety Maddux or the wet behind the ears Kershaw, and you MUST win Game 4. After a rough first inning in which he allowed 2 runs, Lowe was strong. After throwing only 74 pitches through 5 innings, having just thrown a 1-2-3 inning, and his team in the lead 3-2, Joe Torre mysteriously and foolishly, removed Lowe from the game. WHY?????? His rationale was ultra flim-flam. He said something like, ‘since he had the lead, he didn’t want Lowe to tire and fall apart like he did in Game 1, so he thought he’d prevent that from happening again by taking him out sooner than later.’ Huh? He’s your ace, dummy. He’s got a lead. He’s breezing. What the hell is the matter with you????? So, he starts the 6th inning with the nervous puppy, Clayton Kershaw, who proceeds to walk the lead-off batter, at one point throws 6 straight balls. In comes Chan Ho Park. Park throws a “wild pitch” which allows Ryan Howard to score from 3rd base. Russell Martin is, perhaps, one of the 5 worst defensive catchers I’ve ever seen. That should NOT have been a wild pitch. A Major League catcher has to surround that ball and keep it in front of him. Martin is terrible. How he could’ve won a Gold Glove last year is beyond my comprehension. But the fault lies squarely on the shoulders of Torre. Then he brings in Beimel, leaving him with one lefthander left in the pen for the remainder of a game against a predominately left handed lineup.
Once the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead on a Casey Blake dong and a double by Juan who later scored on a Ryan Howard throwing error, they could’ve held onto it. But because Torre had already burned half his bullpen by taking Lowe out too early, they were screwed. Kuo, who came back from the dead to shine in this series, pitched a beautiful 7th 1-2-3 7th, striking out Chase Utley rather convincingly. But after he gave up a lead off single to Ryan Howard in the 8th, Torre decided to take him out. He says he didn’t like the way Kuo looked warming up that inning and felt his injured shoulder was tightening up. Hmmm… A case of over managing? He brings in the overworked Corey Wade and the floodgates open. Then the Apocalyptic event with Broxton and Matt Stairs, who almost hit the ball to Eagle Rock. The Phillies are a very good team, but the Dodgers are giving them this series. Their pitchers are making horrible pitches – throwing the ball low and in to left handers like Victorino, who feast on the low and in pitch. But the fact remains, 3 days rest or not, had Torre left Lowe in to pitch the 6th and possibly the 7th, the Dodgers go into Game 5 tied 3 games a piece.
The aftermath of this series and this season is obvious. The Dodgers need to re-sign Manny. If they don’t, they will lose. Make no mistake. The Dodgers would not be in the NLCS or the NLDS without Manny. There’s no hitter in the league like him and they can’t afford to part ways with him. It would be an insult to the fans. Offer him 4 years at 80 million and see what happens. If he wants more, give him more. They also need one more bat to protect him. Ethier is not enough and Martin and Kemp stink. The Dodgers need to get their hands on an ace like Sabathia and another quality starter to replace Lowe. If they don’t, they will lose. The Dodgers need a closer. Saito’s skills appear to be waning from his many injuries and it appears Broxton is just way too inconsistent. If “Big bad John” doesn’t develop another pitch, he can’t be counted on day in and day out. In short, Frank McCourt, you’d better plan on loosening your purse strings.
Just to give you an idea of what being in pilot hell means to a hack TV writer like myself, I received a call yesterday around noon from my second cousin, Donald Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Players Association. He invited me, your humble blogger, to attend last night’s game with him and I HAD TO TURN HIM DOWN!!!! I had to write and I couldn’t afford the time it would’ve taken to drive to and from the game. He did give me 3 tickets for Wednesday Night’s game, however, but I have to pay for those. And, really, who wants to go to Wednesday night’s game? Thanks to Joe Torre, it’s a death watch now. It's over, folks. There's no way the Dodgers can win tomorrow and then go back to Philly and win both those games. In fact, the way Billingsley looked in Game 2 along with the demoralizing way they lost last night, I think the Phils go home with the NL pennant. Yes, it's done. The patient has but a few breaths left and the family is gathered around. Not sure I want to attend my first game of the season just to say good-bye.
Just got a call from Cousin Donnie. The head of the MLBPA is coming to my house to drop off the tickets. Guess I have no choice.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Why, Joe?
Why, Joe? Why is Matt Kemp playing in the NLCS? What, besides a better arm, does he bring to the table that Juan Pierre doesn’t? Power? What power? Matt Kemp has hit 2 lousy home runs in the last 7 weeks. His awful straight up and down swing won’t allow him to generate any power. He can't hit a breaking ball. He can't even recognize a breaking ball. The young man is confused. With runners in scoring position and no outs he can’t even put the ball in play. He’s an adventure in center field. Juan Pierre is a seasoned veteran with post season experience. He has speed and he puts the ball in play. Why is Matt Kemp playing over Juan Pierre?
Why, Joe? Why did you allow the visibly shaken, scared Chad Billingsley to allow 5 straight hits with 2 outs in the 2nd, then a walk to Utley and leave him in the game? Why do you give a kid the pooprtunity to allow 8 runs? It's the Playoffs? You have a fresh Clayton Kershaw. Billingsley was clearly having the worst outing of his career. Why did he allow him to do so?
Why, Joe? Why do you keep switching around the batting order and screwing with Andre Ethier? The Dodgers won the division with Ethier batting in front of Manny. Why do you keep screwing with guys’ heads? Why can’t you just let them hit in the same order for awhile? Ethier hitting behind Manny is an average hitter. Ethier hitting in front of Manny is an extremely dangerous hitter. Why do you keep doing that?
Why, Joe? Why do you let young pitcher, James MacDonald have his first big league at bat down 3 runs in Game 2 of the NLCS with only one out and a runner on in the 5th inning? Congratulations to James. He did a great job. But down a game in the NLCS, you gotta go for the wins. Why didn't you pinch hit for him, Joe?
Why, Joe? Why do you allow Brett Meyers to throw behind Manny Ramirez in the 1st inning and not have your pitcher restore order? Instead of drilling someone, Billingsley was as gentle as a lamb. Then he has a chance to send a message to Meyers himself and what does he do? He soft tosses him and the dude gets three hits against him. It's that heart thing we talked about all season. Where's the pride, Joe? Why did you let them get away with that?
Well, faithful readers, it’s been a long season. Thankfully, much longer than expected, It’s not unheard of that a team can come back from 2 games to zip and win a best of 7 series, but not this team, I fear. It seems I was wrong again. Before the NLDS I said the Dodgers didn’t belong on the same field with the Cubs. But it seems it’s the Phillies with whom they don’t belong on the same field. The Phils are simply a better team. Better starting pitching, a deeper bullpen, and much better hitting and defense. Outside of the great Manny, the Dodgers, in that shoe box of a ballpark, can suddenly only generate warning track power. Yes, I’m afraid the series is done. In fact, I’m thinking sweep. Let’s face it, when the bottom of the Phillies order, including their weak-hitting starting pitcher, is beating you to submission, you’re pretty much sending a signal you’re gonna get broomed. I think Sunday night, Utley, Howard and Burrell are going to get back into action against Kuroda who’s due for a bad outing and the Dodgers last whimper of protest will have been Manny’s homer in the 5th today at the band box.
As always, my dear readers, I hope I’m wrong. And, as always, I don’t think I will be. Perhaps the Dodgers just play better on TBS. We can spend the offseason blaming the MLB TV contracts.
Why, Joe? Why did you allow the visibly shaken, scared Chad Billingsley to allow 5 straight hits with 2 outs in the 2nd, then a walk to Utley and leave him in the game? Why do you give a kid the pooprtunity to allow 8 runs? It's the Playoffs? You have a fresh Clayton Kershaw. Billingsley was clearly having the worst outing of his career. Why did he allow him to do so?
Why, Joe? Why do you keep switching around the batting order and screwing with Andre Ethier? The Dodgers won the division with Ethier batting in front of Manny. Why do you keep screwing with guys’ heads? Why can’t you just let them hit in the same order for awhile? Ethier hitting behind Manny is an average hitter. Ethier hitting in front of Manny is an extremely dangerous hitter. Why do you keep doing that?
Why, Joe? Why do you let young pitcher, James MacDonald have his first big league at bat down 3 runs in Game 2 of the NLCS with only one out and a runner on in the 5th inning? Congratulations to James. He did a great job. But down a game in the NLCS, you gotta go for the wins. Why didn't you pinch hit for him, Joe?
Why, Joe? Why do you allow Brett Meyers to throw behind Manny Ramirez in the 1st inning and not have your pitcher restore order? Instead of drilling someone, Billingsley was as gentle as a lamb. Then he has a chance to send a message to Meyers himself and what does he do? He soft tosses him and the dude gets three hits against him. It's that heart thing we talked about all season. Where's the pride, Joe? Why did you let them get away with that?
Well, faithful readers, it’s been a long season. Thankfully, much longer than expected, It’s not unheard of that a team can come back from 2 games to zip and win a best of 7 series, but not this team, I fear. It seems I was wrong again. Before the NLDS I said the Dodgers didn’t belong on the same field with the Cubs. But it seems it’s the Phillies with whom they don’t belong on the same field. The Phils are simply a better team. Better starting pitching, a deeper bullpen, and much better hitting and defense. Outside of the great Manny, the Dodgers, in that shoe box of a ballpark, can suddenly only generate warning track power. Yes, I’m afraid the series is done. In fact, I’m thinking sweep. Let’s face it, when the bottom of the Phillies order, including their weak-hitting starting pitcher, is beating you to submission, you’re pretty much sending a signal you’re gonna get broomed. I think Sunday night, Utley, Howard and Burrell are going to get back into action against Kuroda who’s due for a bad outing and the Dodgers last whimper of protest will have been Manny’s homer in the 5th today at the band box.
As always, my dear readers, I hope I’m wrong. And, as always, I don’t think I will be. Perhaps the Dodgers just play better on TBS. We can spend the offseason blaming the MLB TV contracts.
What Was THAT About?
Well, that wasn’t so good, was it? I gotta agree with LA Times’ Bill Plaschke. Torre kept Lowe in at least one batter too long. He looked done at the end of the 5th inning, but I saw no reason, with a 2-0 lead, to not let him start the 6th. After Furcal’s error, I still would’ve left him in, but I may have come out and talked to him and settled him down before letting him make a pitch to Utley. And there’s no way I leave him in after Utley’s dong. His sinker was clearly hanging up. I’m surprised Ryan Howard didn’t take him deep as well. Park was fresh, warmed up and ready to go. Why did Torre leave him in? What was that about?
Did anyone notice that with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, on a swung and missed 3rd strike that bounced and got away from Phils’ catcher. Carlos Ruiz, James Loney simply chose not to run to first base? What was that about? Did anyone notice that when Raffy Furcal hit that shot back to Hamels and it glanced off his glove and rolled to Rollins, the play at first still wasn’t even close? Did Raffy simply decide not to hustle to first because he thought he’d grounded back to the pitcher? They were a run down in the NLCS. What was that about?
Anyway, glad Torre took my sage advice and resumed hitting Ethier in front of Manny. May revert back to Martin batting in front of Manny when Moyer pitches. I still think the Blue have a chance, but the Phillies are better than I thought – maybe better than everyone thought. They just have a nasty lineup 1 through 6 and Cole Hamels’ changeup was devastating. I actually think Brett Myers is going to be even tougher this afternoon in the late afternoon shadows. The way they looked at the plate, I don’t like the Dodgers chances of heading back to La La Land tied at a game apiece. I think the Phils win this afternoon and the Dodgers have their work cut out for them at the Ravine. Hope I’m wrong.
Did anyone notice that with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd, on a swung and missed 3rd strike that bounced and got away from Phils’ catcher. Carlos Ruiz, James Loney simply chose not to run to first base? What was that about? Did anyone notice that when Raffy Furcal hit that shot back to Hamels and it glanced off his glove and rolled to Rollins, the play at first still wasn’t even close? Did Raffy simply decide not to hustle to first because he thought he’d grounded back to the pitcher? They were a run down in the NLCS. What was that about?
Anyway, glad Torre took my sage advice and resumed hitting Ethier in front of Manny. May revert back to Martin batting in front of Manny when Moyer pitches. I still think the Blue have a chance, but the Phillies are better than I thought – maybe better than everyone thought. They just have a nasty lineup 1 through 6 and Cole Hamels’ changeup was devastating. I actually think Brett Myers is going to be even tougher this afternoon in the late afternoon shadows. The way they looked at the plate, I don’t like the Dodgers chances of heading back to La La Land tied at a game apiece. I think the Phils win this afternoon and the Dodgers have their work cut out for them at the Ravine. Hope I’m wrong.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Day Of Atonement?
Today’s the day. Screw the global economy, screw the election, screw the kids – don’t have any, but screw ‘em anyway - forget about the Jewish holiday, screw atonemnet, and who cares about my pilot and my career? It’s important to recognize what really matters and what really matters in the Dodgers and Phillies meet today for Game 1 of the NLCS. The first pitch is around 5:22 PM PDT, and regardless of what I’m doing or what I have due at a major network, I’ll be in front of the TV by 5:00.
I’m excited, nervous and a little scared. It’s like I said in my recent blog. The Phillies have some scary ass left handed bats and all the Dodgers starters, with the exception of young Clayton Kershaw, are righties. I’m worried about Jimmy Rollins. I’m worried about Shane Victorino. I’m very worried about Chase Utley and I’m super worried about Ryan Howard. The ball jumps off his bat like it was shot out of a cannon. And, yes, truth be told, I’m also worried about Pat Burrell and ex-Dodger, Jayson Werth. Let’s go pisition by position like we did with the Cubbies: 1st base – Howard vs. Loney. Big Edge: Phils. 2nd base – Utley vs. DeWitt. Big Edge Phils. Shortstop – Rollins vs. Furcal. Edge: Even. 3rd base – Feliz/Dobbs vs. Blake. Edge: Even. Left field – Burrell vs. Manny. Edge: Dodgers. Center field – Victorino vs. Kemp. Edge: Phils. Right field – Werth vs. Ethier: Edge: Even. Catcher – Ruiz/Coste vs. Martin. Edge: Dodgers. Starting pitching – Hamels, Meyers, Moyer, Blanton vs. Lowe, Billingsley, Kuroda, Kershaw/Maddox. Edge: Even. Bullpen - No Kuo. Phils’ bullpen, including Romero and a resurgent Lidge have the lowest ERA in the league. Edge: Phils. Bench – Edge: Dodgers. Manager – Manual vs. Torre. Edge: Dodgers. All in all, it’s pretty even. But the Philadelphia club has home field advantage and both teams have momentum. I gotta give the Dodgers the nod, here in 6 or 7. Hope I’m not screwing them up. They seem to do better when I predict them to lose. Tonight is a big one. They win the first one, they take home field advantage away, maybe establish Lowe’s dominance, and acquire the renewed confidence they need to go to the World Series. They must find a way to neutralize Utley and Howard and look for Joe Beimel to be used a lot, with the possibility that you’ll see Kershaw out of the pen.
The media likes to make a lot out of the Dodger wins over Philly in the NLCS’s of ’77 and ’78 and the Phils win over the Dodgers in ’83. It’s a new ballpark for them – a bandbox – and a new game.
I love the Rays’ spunk and I’d like to see them punk the hated Red Sox, but how much fun would a Dodgers/Bosox World Series be? Especially with the Manny factor. I think it’s a distinct possibility because I think Boston is better than Tampa Bay and will prove it in the ALCS.
The sun and sky and smell of the air say Fall and the Dodgers are still playing ball. How about that? GO DODGERS!
I’m excited, nervous and a little scared. It’s like I said in my recent blog. The Phillies have some scary ass left handed bats and all the Dodgers starters, with the exception of young Clayton Kershaw, are righties. I’m worried about Jimmy Rollins. I’m worried about Shane Victorino. I’m very worried about Chase Utley and I’m super worried about Ryan Howard. The ball jumps off his bat like it was shot out of a cannon. And, yes, truth be told, I’m also worried about Pat Burrell and ex-Dodger, Jayson Werth. Let’s go pisition by position like we did with the Cubbies: 1st base – Howard vs. Loney. Big Edge: Phils. 2nd base – Utley vs. DeWitt. Big Edge Phils. Shortstop – Rollins vs. Furcal. Edge: Even. 3rd base – Feliz/Dobbs vs. Blake. Edge: Even. Left field – Burrell vs. Manny. Edge: Dodgers. Center field – Victorino vs. Kemp. Edge: Phils. Right field – Werth vs. Ethier: Edge: Even. Catcher – Ruiz/Coste vs. Martin. Edge: Dodgers. Starting pitching – Hamels, Meyers, Moyer, Blanton vs. Lowe, Billingsley, Kuroda, Kershaw/Maddox. Edge: Even. Bullpen - No Kuo. Phils’ bullpen, including Romero and a resurgent Lidge have the lowest ERA in the league. Edge: Phils. Bench – Edge: Dodgers. Manager – Manual vs. Torre. Edge: Dodgers. All in all, it’s pretty even. But the Philadelphia club has home field advantage and both teams have momentum. I gotta give the Dodgers the nod, here in 6 or 7. Hope I’m not screwing them up. They seem to do better when I predict them to lose. Tonight is a big one. They win the first one, they take home field advantage away, maybe establish Lowe’s dominance, and acquire the renewed confidence they need to go to the World Series. They must find a way to neutralize Utley and Howard and look for Joe Beimel to be used a lot, with the possibility that you’ll see Kershaw out of the pen.
The media likes to make a lot out of the Dodger wins over Philly in the NLCS’s of ’77 and ’78 and the Phils win over the Dodgers in ’83. It’s a new ballpark for them – a bandbox – and a new game.
I love the Rays’ spunk and I’d like to see them punk the hated Red Sox, but how much fun would a Dodgers/Bosox World Series be? Especially with the Manny factor. I think it’s a distinct possibility because I think Boston is better than Tampa Bay and will prove it in the ALCS.
The sun and sky and smell of the air say Fall and the Dodgers are still playing ball. How about that? GO DODGERS!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Angels Guardian Fails Them
Congrats to the Tampa Bay Rays for advancing in their first playoff series ever. My sincere condolences to the Halos for blowing it in Boston tonight. The games were as amazing and exciting as can be. They were what October baseball was all about. But it became quite clear to me that the hated Red Sox are the better team. They’re deeper, more skilled and stronger in every way possible. So, they only won 95 games while the Cherubim won 100. The Red Sox played in the formidable AL East and the Angels played in the weak AL West. Yes, the Halos outplayed the Bosox head to head, but that means very little in the Fall. When they lost the first 2 in Anaheim, they were essentially done. They played tentative, crappy, dumb ball. Howie Kendrick played tight and clearly didn’t want to be out there. (Why Mike Scioscia contuned to send Kendrick and Aybar out there every game is beyond me) Garret Anderson evidently retired before the series started and just didn’t bother to tell anyone. Vladimir Guerrero is simply a bad player come playoff time, with one lousy home run back in ’04 in countless at bats in the post season. In yesterday’s game, Kendrick let his team down with his awful play behind second base, where he simply let Ellsbury’s pop up drop, allowing 3 runs to score. Torii Hunter, the class act that he is, took the blame, but Kendrick was under the damn ball. They were very fortunate that Mike Napoli carried them on his shoulders to their first win against Boston in the post season in 12 tries, but today, it was a collective failure. The great Mike Scioscia was outmanaged by Terry Francona (who resembles a grown up Charlie Brown) When Kendry Morales doubled to lead off the top of the 9th in a 3-3- tie, he had Kendrick bunt him to 2nd. Okay, I agree with that move. All Erick Aybar has to do is hit a fly to the outfield or get one past a drawn in infield to allow the speedy pinch runner, Reggie Willits to score from 3rd. But Scioscia wanted Aybar to squeeze in the go ahead run. The problem with that was, everyone in the ballpark – the announcers, the fans, the users, and most importantly, everyone wearing a Red Sox uniform – knew they were going to squeeze. Masterson’s first 2 pitches to Aybar were way inside to prevent him from bunting. Once Scioscia saw the Red Sox clearly recongnized the squeeze was a distinct possibility and they were taking steps to foil it, he should have called it off and let Aybar swing the bat. But no. That stubborn fat dude wouldn't budge. Next pitch to Aybar is low and in – a difficult pitch to bunt. He misses it completely and Willits is hung out to dry. (And, no, Varitek had the ball securely in his mitt when he made the tag) No runs score and Shields (who should’ve been removed after the hard line drive that was speared by Teixeira) loses the game in the bottom of the 9th. What a way to end a season and how I despise the Red Sox and their obnoxious fans. All 500 billion of them. Scisoscia is a great, great skipper, but he sure is set in his ways and in the end, that stubbornness really hurt his club and their fans. The Angels have a lot of decisions to make. The first one they should make is promote Jose Arredondo - who costs nothing – to closer and let K Rod and his 62 saves go elsewhere. That way they can afford to pay Teixeira and maybe go out and get one more bat. I have spoken.
My Wrongitudinal Cynicity Has Clearly Paid Off. GO DODGERS!
I figured it’d be best if I just shut my mouth for a couple of days. This thing that’s happening – not the bail out, the Depression, the election, the bitch from Alaska – this thing with the Dodgers is beyond words for me. You can chastise me, call me a negative ass and bask in the glowing warmth of my glaring wrongitude. All you have to do is to read almost any of my past blogs to see that, not for one minute, did I believe the Dodgers had any real chance of advancing in the Playoffs. For most of the season, I was a firm believer that the Dodgers had little chance of even winning their awful division. When it appeared they were going to pass the Snakes, they lost 8 straight in late August and I claimed the season was over. I mean, they were playing horrible ball. They got swept by the Washington Nationals for Christ’s sakes. But, I learned you can’t count Manny and company out, especially when you have the inept D’backs in front of you. On September 6th, the Dodger’s fortunes changed for good. They took over first place and never lost it. Still, I counted them out. Thought they played poorly against the midget Giants and criticized the likes of Kemp, Casey Blake, Martin and Loney. I mean, let’s face it, they only won 84 games. Then came the division clincher when AZ lost to St. Louis and I faulted the Dodgers for partying too hard. I declared too much satisfaction and complacency had set in, that Torre let things get out of control and that they would not be ready for the Playoffs. I prayed that the Mets would win the Wild Card so the Dodgers wouldn’t have to play the Cubs in the first round. Well, all went sour… until the 5th inning of Game 1. Then, the magic took over. What it comes down to is the team has changed. Suddenly, they’re executing, they’re taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes – every mistake – and they’re working counts and delivering timely hits with smart at bats. But, don’t for a minute think that the Dodgers swept – that’s right SWEPT – the great Chicago Cubs with hitting, even though they beat three of the toughest pitchers in the NL in Dempster, Zambrano and Harden. They did it with pitching, pitching and more pitching. Lowe was sensational in Game 1. Billingsley pitched a gem in Game 2. Kuroda pitched very well in Game 3 – especially in his later innings. Cory Wade has really arrived and Jonathan Broxton really answered the call, pitching better than he’s pitched all season. So, now that we’ve proven miracles can happen, it would no longer be considered such a miracle if the Dodgers can beat the Phillies and advance to the World Series. In fact, even though Philly has home field advantage in their band box ballpark, most experts pick the Dodgers. But, surprise! I have my reservations and doubts.
- First of all, the Dodgers, with Manny and Blake, were swept in Philly 4 straight just a little more than a month ago – the beginning of their 8 game losing skein.
- Secondly, the Dodgers top three pitchers – Lowe, Billingsley and Kuroda – are righties. The best hitters in Philly’s lineup are lefties. The trio had little difficulty with the predominately right handed Cubs lineup, but how will they fare against Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and the switch hitting Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino?
- Philly is pretty damn hot right now and Brett Meyers was one of the hottest pitchers in the league the last couple months of the season.
- The Phils have 3 players – Howard, Utley, Burrell – with more than 30 home runs. Jayson Werth hit over 20 and Rollins and Victorino are extremely tough.
- The overconfidence factor. Once you get past a team like Chicago, it’s easy to take that Philly team too lightly. Hopefully, Torre doesn’t let them do that.
- And, of course, the obvious: The Phils have home field advantage, so that means the Dodgers would have to win at least one game at Citizens Bank Ballpark to take the series.
I’m still confused as to why Torre elected to move Manny up to the 3 hole and bat him in front of Ethier instead of behind Ethier. It’s obviously hurt Ethier and helped Russell Martin, and I know they swept the Cubbies with that batting order, but is it really the best thing to neutralize Ethier’s bat that way? Also, should Torre consider letting lefty Clayton Kershaw, 20 years of age, get a start against that lefty Philly lineup? Good question.
Now, my prediction. I just hope I’m not wrong again, because I actually think the Dodgers, in spite of all my concerns, are going to win this series. You got 3 hot pitchers, you got Furcal back at the top of the order, you got Manny, you got a happy, poised team all of a sudden and you got that elusive October Mojo. Dodgers in 6.
- First of all, the Dodgers, with Manny and Blake, were swept in Philly 4 straight just a little more than a month ago – the beginning of their 8 game losing skein.
- Secondly, the Dodgers top three pitchers – Lowe, Billingsley and Kuroda – are righties. The best hitters in Philly’s lineup are lefties. The trio had little difficulty with the predominately right handed Cubs lineup, but how will they fare against Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and the switch hitting Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino?
- Philly is pretty damn hot right now and Brett Meyers was one of the hottest pitchers in the league the last couple months of the season.
- The Phils have 3 players – Howard, Utley, Burrell – with more than 30 home runs. Jayson Werth hit over 20 and Rollins and Victorino are extremely tough.
- The overconfidence factor. Once you get past a team like Chicago, it’s easy to take that Philly team too lightly. Hopefully, Torre doesn’t let them do that.
- And, of course, the obvious: The Phils have home field advantage, so that means the Dodgers would have to win at least one game at Citizens Bank Ballpark to take the series.
I’m still confused as to why Torre elected to move Manny up to the 3 hole and bat him in front of Ethier instead of behind Ethier. It’s obviously hurt Ethier and helped Russell Martin, and I know they swept the Cubbies with that batting order, but is it really the best thing to neutralize Ethier’s bat that way? Also, should Torre consider letting lefty Clayton Kershaw, 20 years of age, get a start against that lefty Philly lineup? Good question.
Now, my prediction. I just hope I’m not wrong again, because I actually think the Dodgers, in spite of all my concerns, are going to win this series. You got 3 hot pitchers, you got Furcal back at the top of the order, you got Manny, you got a happy, poised team all of a sudden and you got that elusive October Mojo. Dodgers in 6.
Friday, October 3, 2008
I'm Dreaming. Please Don't Wake Me. Please.
???!!!??!
Can this actually be happening? Can people actually think Sarah Palin did well in last night’s Vice Presidential debate? Can people actually think Sarah Palin would make a good Vice President? Can people actually think John McCain would be a better President than Barack Obama, especially after having demonstrated his Presidential judgment by selecting Palin as his running mate? Can the best fielding team in the National League suddenly perform like circus clowns in the infield with big floppy shoes and rubber gloves? Can the 8th best team in the National League actually be leading the BEST team in the National League 2 games to zip in their own ballpark???!! Strange things are happening in this country and, as far as I’m concerned, very few of them are good, except the latter baseball-related phenomenon. Yes, friends and enemies, your Los Angeles Dodgers made mince meat out of the Cubbies last night at Wrigley for the 2nd night in a row. Yes, the Dodgers I’ve complained about all year – the dumb as a stump Kemp, the overrated Martin, the dispassionate, inconsistent and power starved Loney, the strike out waiting to happen, Casey Blake – those Dodgers – are one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series. The fabled NLCS. It would be the first playoff series the Dodgers have won since the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Eight. As I type, out of the corner of my eye, the Tampa Bay Rays are now crushing the hapless Chisox in Game 2 of their series in an ALDS game, and the Dodgers are rested after a practice day at the Ravine and ready to go. I just don’t believe it, and, frankly, I just don’t trust it.
The best of 5 playoff series was born in 1969 when the Padres and Expos were added to the National League and the Royals and the Pilots (became the Milwaukee Brewers the following year) were added to the AL. That’s when they broke the now 12 team leagues up into divisions (just 2 divisions in each league back then) and that’s when the need for a playoff round prior to the World Series began. Since that time, no NL team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a playoff series. Hopefully, the Cubs won’t be the first. Now, as far as the AL is concerned, it may have happened more than once. The one that sticks in my mind, of however, was 1982 when the Halos had a 2 game to nothing lead over the Milwaukee Brewers – an AL team back then – and wound up getting swept the next 3 games and being knocked out of their first shot at a World Series. Heartbreaking. A couple of years later – ’85, I think, maybe ’86 – they changed the playoff series to best of 7 games. Had they not, the Dodgers would never have gotten to the World Series in ’88. But when they added another division to each league – ’94 - and another tier to the Playoffs in 1995, they made the Division Series best of 5. Okay, enough history. My point is, if there was ever a team that was capable of breaking the hearts of LA fans, it’s these Chicago Cubs. They’re pissed off, their manager is pissed off, their fans are pissed off. Did ya see their faces last night at Wrigley? It was pitiful. I wanted to hug them, pour souls. There’s a reasonable chance the Cubs could come into the Ravine tomorrow with their backs against the all and, with murder in their hearts, they can decide to make sashimi out of Hiroki Kuroda. The slumping Kosuke Fukudome will not be in their lineup, so they’ll be one hitter better. Rich Harden has been called their best pitcher by many peops. He can shut the high flying Blue down. Hopefully, this does not occur. Hopefully the Dodgers close this thing out tomorrow night and we go crazy. But if it does happen, then we have Professor Maddux going Sunday against Ted Lily and thatt’s by no means a good match up for the Blue. If the Cubs manage to gain some momentum and win both games, then we have to go back to Wrigley and our dream can get flushed and their 100 year dream can still be realized. After all, three games are a lot easier to win in a row than four. It can be a close game and we can bring Saito or Broxton in and if they look anything like they did last night – especially Saito – we can lose. But, doom saying and moribund fantasies aside, lets face it. The Dodgers are sitting in the catbird seat. They have beaten the Cubs in Wrigley 2 straight and are primed to move on to face the Phillies or Brewers. (Likely the Phils who are up 2-zip) They are playing great ball, they’ve gotten excellent performances from Lowe and Billingsley, great at bats from Manny, Ethier, DeWitt, Furcal, Loney and Martin and they have that October mojo, that autumnal equinox spell that’s been cast over them, that magic dust that’s been sprinkled upon them by dancing sprites and fairies in the crisp Chicago air. The Dodgers will win. They have to, now, don’t they?
Can this actually be happening? Can people actually think Sarah Palin did well in last night’s Vice Presidential debate? Can people actually think Sarah Palin would make a good Vice President? Can people actually think John McCain would be a better President than Barack Obama, especially after having demonstrated his Presidential judgment by selecting Palin as his running mate? Can the best fielding team in the National League suddenly perform like circus clowns in the infield with big floppy shoes and rubber gloves? Can the 8th best team in the National League actually be leading the BEST team in the National League 2 games to zip in their own ballpark???!! Strange things are happening in this country and, as far as I’m concerned, very few of them are good, except the latter baseball-related phenomenon. Yes, friends and enemies, your Los Angeles Dodgers made mince meat out of the Cubbies last night at Wrigley for the 2nd night in a row. Yes, the Dodgers I’ve complained about all year – the dumb as a stump Kemp, the overrated Martin, the dispassionate, inconsistent and power starved Loney, the strike out waiting to happen, Casey Blake – those Dodgers – are one win away from advancing to the National League Championship Series. The fabled NLCS. It would be the first playoff series the Dodgers have won since the Year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Eight. As I type, out of the corner of my eye, the Tampa Bay Rays are now crushing the hapless Chisox in Game 2 of their series in an ALDS game, and the Dodgers are rested after a practice day at the Ravine and ready to go. I just don’t believe it, and, frankly, I just don’t trust it.
The best of 5 playoff series was born in 1969 when the Padres and Expos were added to the National League and the Royals and the Pilots (became the Milwaukee Brewers the following year) were added to the AL. That’s when they broke the now 12 team leagues up into divisions (just 2 divisions in each league back then) and that’s when the need for a playoff round prior to the World Series began. Since that time, no NL team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a playoff series. Hopefully, the Cubs won’t be the first. Now, as far as the AL is concerned, it may have happened more than once. The one that sticks in my mind, of however, was 1982 when the Halos had a 2 game to nothing lead over the Milwaukee Brewers – an AL team back then – and wound up getting swept the next 3 games and being knocked out of their first shot at a World Series. Heartbreaking. A couple of years later – ’85, I think, maybe ’86 – they changed the playoff series to best of 7 games. Had they not, the Dodgers would never have gotten to the World Series in ’88. But when they added another division to each league – ’94 - and another tier to the Playoffs in 1995, they made the Division Series best of 5. Okay, enough history. My point is, if there was ever a team that was capable of breaking the hearts of LA fans, it’s these Chicago Cubs. They’re pissed off, their manager is pissed off, their fans are pissed off. Did ya see their faces last night at Wrigley? It was pitiful. I wanted to hug them, pour souls. There’s a reasonable chance the Cubs could come into the Ravine tomorrow with their backs against the all and, with murder in their hearts, they can decide to make sashimi out of Hiroki Kuroda. The slumping Kosuke Fukudome will not be in their lineup, so they’ll be one hitter better. Rich Harden has been called their best pitcher by many peops. He can shut the high flying Blue down. Hopefully, this does not occur. Hopefully the Dodgers close this thing out tomorrow night and we go crazy. But if it does happen, then we have Professor Maddux going Sunday against Ted Lily and thatt’s by no means a good match up for the Blue. If the Cubs manage to gain some momentum and win both games, then we have to go back to Wrigley and our dream can get flushed and their 100 year dream can still be realized. After all, three games are a lot easier to win in a row than four. It can be a close game and we can bring Saito or Broxton in and if they look anything like they did last night – especially Saito – we can lose. But, doom saying and moribund fantasies aside, lets face it. The Dodgers are sitting in the catbird seat. They have beaten the Cubs in Wrigley 2 straight and are primed to move on to face the Phillies or Brewers. (Likely the Phils who are up 2-zip) They are playing great ball, they’ve gotten excellent performances from Lowe and Billingsley, great at bats from Manny, Ethier, DeWitt, Furcal, Loney and Martin and they have that October mojo, that autumnal equinox spell that’s been cast over them, that magic dust that’s been sprinkled upon them by dancing sprites and fairies in the crisp Chicago air. The Dodgers will win. They have to, now, don’t they?
Thursday, October 2, 2008
My Kind Of Mojo
WOW. Well, as I’ve said on numerous occasions, I love being wrong when it means the Dodgers win. Yesterday’s game was a thing of beauty. The Dodgers won only their second post season game since 1988 and they did it IN Chicago against the best team in the NL! Could it be that the Dodgers are, in fact, the best team in the NL? Since Torre has fulfilled my wish by leaving Scott Proctor off the ALDS roster, they may just be.
If you’re anything like me, you were certain James Loney was done after flailing away on the first 2 pitches from Dempster with the bases juiced and 2 outs in the 5th. How does he crush that ball like that to dead center with the wind blowing in? One grand slam and one grand victory and the Dodgers could advance for the first time since my grand-mas were still alive. Like I said, they have this intangible – this mojo. I still don’t believe, even with a healthy Furcal, they belong on the same field with the Cubbies, but Id love for them to prove me wrong. And they’re off to one hell of a start. Manny gulfs a pitch with one hand half way up the left field bleachers. Never seen anything like it. Magic. Mojo. Russell Martin sure hit the ball hard yesterday batting in front of Manny, but still, I’m a little fuzzy on why Torre has Manny hitting 3rd and Ethier hitting behind Manny, when they had so much success with Andre hitting in front of Manny. I won’t question anything if they can keep winning. However, in spite of yesterday’s surprising turn of events, I’m still a little dubious regarding their chances. It seems odd that the Cubs would simply go away, but stranger things have certainly happened in past Octobers. My feeling is, whoever wins tonight takes the series. Here’s hoping Billingsley returns to his August form and can keep the mighty Cub bats quiet. This is fun, isn’t it?
Not so fun for the Angels and their fans. Boy were they flat yesterday and boy, do I fkn’ hate Red Sox Nation. Ironic that 2 of the 3 teams with the best records in baseball, lost yesterday. (Angels – 100 wins, Cubs – 97 wins) Look, in all honesty, I felt the Angels were potential World Champions from Day 1 and I still feel that way (in spite of my prediction in my last blog, in which I make the Cubs fans’ 100 year wait finally pay off) but the Red Sox, pound for pound, are the slightly stronger team and the Halos can ill afford to let them get off to a lead in the series. Cancer survivor John Lester shut them down and Vlad Guerrero pulled a Matt Kemp on the bases, but he’s without Kemp’s speed, so it looked even worse. The Red Sox have now won 10 consecutive playoff games against the Angels and, at what point do the Cherubim get pissed off and finally say, “enough is enough.” They did it in the regular season, but that means nothing now. They must win tomorrow night and they must beat Beckett in Boston on Saturday. Guerrero is going to have to make a name for himself in the post season for the Angels to prevail. God, I hate Boston. I sure would love if the Angels can get off the floor and impose an embargo on Red Sox Nation.
The Phils/Brewers series will even out today with C.C. Sabathia getting the start for Milwaukee and the Rays, in thier first post season game ever, will beat up on the Chisox. It’s gonna be hard to decide what to watch between the Dodgers/Cubs playoff game tonight or the Biden/Palin debate, but I could always see the latter on SNL this weekend. If she’s smart, she’ll just call the whole thing off.
GO DODGERS!!!
If you’re anything like me, you were certain James Loney was done after flailing away on the first 2 pitches from Dempster with the bases juiced and 2 outs in the 5th. How does he crush that ball like that to dead center with the wind blowing in? One grand slam and one grand victory and the Dodgers could advance for the first time since my grand-mas were still alive. Like I said, they have this intangible – this mojo. I still don’t believe, even with a healthy Furcal, they belong on the same field with the Cubbies, but Id love for them to prove me wrong. And they’re off to one hell of a start. Manny gulfs a pitch with one hand half way up the left field bleachers. Never seen anything like it. Magic. Mojo. Russell Martin sure hit the ball hard yesterday batting in front of Manny, but still, I’m a little fuzzy on why Torre has Manny hitting 3rd and Ethier hitting behind Manny, when they had so much success with Andre hitting in front of Manny. I won’t question anything if they can keep winning. However, in spite of yesterday’s surprising turn of events, I’m still a little dubious regarding their chances. It seems odd that the Cubs would simply go away, but stranger things have certainly happened in past Octobers. My feeling is, whoever wins tonight takes the series. Here’s hoping Billingsley returns to his August form and can keep the mighty Cub bats quiet. This is fun, isn’t it?
Not so fun for the Angels and their fans. Boy were they flat yesterday and boy, do I fkn’ hate Red Sox Nation. Ironic that 2 of the 3 teams with the best records in baseball, lost yesterday. (Angels – 100 wins, Cubs – 97 wins) Look, in all honesty, I felt the Angels were potential World Champions from Day 1 and I still feel that way (in spite of my prediction in my last blog, in which I make the Cubs fans’ 100 year wait finally pay off) but the Red Sox, pound for pound, are the slightly stronger team and the Halos can ill afford to let them get off to a lead in the series. Cancer survivor John Lester shut them down and Vlad Guerrero pulled a Matt Kemp on the bases, but he’s without Kemp’s speed, so it looked even worse. The Red Sox have now won 10 consecutive playoff games against the Angels and, at what point do the Cherubim get pissed off and finally say, “enough is enough.” They did it in the regular season, but that means nothing now. They must win tomorrow night and they must beat Beckett in Boston on Saturday. Guerrero is going to have to make a name for himself in the post season for the Angels to prevail. God, I hate Boston. I sure would love if the Angels can get off the floor and impose an embargo on Red Sox Nation.
The Phils/Brewers series will even out today with C.C. Sabathia getting the start for Milwaukee and the Rays, in thier first post season game ever, will beat up on the Chisox. It’s gonna be hard to decide what to watch between the Dodgers/Cubs playoff game tonight or the Biden/Palin debate, but I could always see the latter on SNL this weekend. If she’s smart, she’ll just call the whole thing off.
GO DODGERS!!!
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