Well, the only baseball action today will be the Yankees and Guardians in game 5. On the other hand, there is plenty of college football and some interesting matchups. Last night Oregon, #2 in the nation, shut out Purdue, 35-0. BYU beat Oklahoma State 38-35. The two LA teams, USC and UCLA are both on the east coast. UCLA is playing Rutgers in New Jersey and the Trojans are in Maryland to play the Terps.
MLBTR has started their series on the offseason outlook for each team. It gives a list of their financial obligations, who is arbitration eligible and how much they might be getting plus a list of their free agents. So far, they have profiled about 8 teams including the Orioles, Tigers and the Royals. The Dodgers are now back in LA and getting ready for tomorrow’s game six. I would have to believe that when all is said and done this winter, the front office is going to have to address the arm problems epidemic that has hampered the team all year, and a different approach to how the pitchers prepare for the season. You can use this post to express your opinions on tomorrow’s game and any other subjects pertaining to the Dodgers and baseball.
I myself am sort of a prisoner here in our building. The elevator has been out of order for several days. I did get out the other day to meet up with one of our posters. We had a nice sit down for a couple of hours and talked about Dodger baseball and some other topics. He has never been to a game at Dodger Stadium. He lives in Kansas and was going to Denver for a meeting. I enjoyed it as much as I did when I went to a sports bar and met 3 of the fans who were posting on LADT. Bulldogs and Penguins, Watford Dodger and Patch. Always great discussing my favorite subject.
I would sincerely like to apologize to anyone I might have offended in any way. I do not like to get into arguments on this site. And yesterday there was a running feud that just pissed me off. I do not want this site to become a battleground when we disagree. Jeff is already stressed enough. I got enough of that on LADT when I wrote there. It takes a lot of personal time to research story lines and even recap the games. I do this because I love the game and the team. I have only met a few of the fans who post on these sites. They are passionate, and for the most part, very knowledgeable fans. I want to keep doing this for as long as possible. I myself might have to go to California soon. My best friend, who lives in Lancaster, is in a care facility. His wife called me the other day to let me know. She does not expect him to return home. He has severe diabetes, an infection in his leg, plus he is suffering from dementia. Gary is a great guy, a close friend, and a native Brooklynite.
Very sad to hear about your friend.
Lost a long time friend a few months ago to pancreas cancer. It was a long and painful death over almost 12 months. Extremely painful to hear from his wife how he died.
I am trying to help her with all the organizational/bureaucratic (?)things that come when someone dies.Insurances, bank accounts etc.etc.
You and Jeff are doing a great job to keep this blog up and filled with excellent content.
I was very angry how we lost that game yesterday and want to apologize if I offended other posters here.
Lets knock those Metropolitians out on Sunday. Won´t be a day too early.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rooting hard for the Dodgers to score early & often against Manaea, then win game 6, so we can just sweep all the rancor about Doc’s earlier pitching decisions ..under the rug.
See Bear, in the previous thread a lot people here were agreeing with the point I was making yesterday that you were arguing with me about yesterday. It was unnecessary on your part.
By the way guys, Bear sent me some nasty Emails with a lot of F bombs and Mother Fers too. I have the Emails for proof if anyone would like to read them.
Also, if you delete this post Bear, it shows something about you.
I am sure Dodger management had long discussions about how to approach yesterday’s game and the next two. One consideration had to be whether to give Flaherty more rest and start him Sunday which would have meant yesterday would have been a bullpen game. I wonder how sure they were of themselves with their decision.
If Sunday’s game uses the team’s best relievers and the team still has to play Monday, then Yamamoto will have an opportunity to earn his paycheck. I like the Dodgers chances more than I like the Mets.
Teo can get into a rut and when he does it’s not pretty. Max is looking good but could look better if he were open to going to the opposite field on away pitches but he seems locked in for the pull.
I wish Outman were getting at least bench experience during the playoffs. It’s not like Kiermaier is being used, not even for the designated bunt.
Pages is hitting better when the other team has a big lead and pitchers are not being all that careful with him. He has made three strong throws to home but two of them have been up the third base line. It’s like a pitcher who can’t throw a great fastball over the plate.
Edward is having a great playoff.
We are all sharing our opinions and we cerainly are usually wrong about what the FO will do so If you don’t agree w someone just say from my pov I see it this way. Of course we all have a lot of knowledge and history in this game and egos that make us want to be right, but after all these years we should have learned to have the grace to let someone share their thoughts wo arguing w them. Yes some people come across as arrogant(me?) and some like to take them down. And of course we want to correct factual errors. But haven’t we also learned that this form of communication lacks in some ways? Lets just share our opinions and enjoy the ride!
Michael, thanks for all the hard work as always.
That day watching the game with you, B&P and Patch was the favorite part of my trip. Hope Patch is ok, I miss his posts.
Don’t stress on people’s opinions because you’re never goanna keep everyone happy. Be happy knowing that you’re bringing a lot of happiness to a lot of us Dodger fans out here.
Looking like the Rays are going to have to find a temporary home for the 25 season. Damage to Tropicana from the hurricane was extensive.
Eric – hope you’re good.
You know I’ve got a lot of time for you, but i’m not sure what’s going on, and what your agenda is?
You are a very knowledgeable baseball fan but you must understand that not everyone is gonna agree with your takes, and that’s fine because that’s how life works.
It seems you take affront when this happens and then go on the attack determined to prove your point, over and over and over again.
You then belabour the point and find it impossible to let it go, referencing posts made in previous threads etc.
We all like to be right, and i’m no exception, but you don’t have to be right, and especially have the last word.
Please don’t be offended by this, but I just wanted to say something to you before you get banned from this place, and I know you would miss being part of this community.
.
You alienated yourself from Mark, and now you’re doing it again here a with Jeff.
You have a lot to offer, and I know you’re a good guy, just try and enjoy it because it’s not a competition.
Was a post by Eric removed?
According to MLBTR, the Rockies are expecting to cut payroll this winter. And one of the ways they plan to do that is by shopping second baseman, Brendan Rodgers, and starters Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill.
Go Guardians. I hope they can at least get the series to 6 or 7 games and stretch the Yankers pitching. Would benefit us if we get to the WS.
Damn, I knew I should have read yesterday’s posts, sounds like I missed something. Why am I not surprised that Eric was in the middle of things.
How about some Dodgers love in here, fuck really! (that’s my Mr. October blast, lol)
The pressure is on the Mets, we have been very tough this series, especially our bullpen (why the f didn’t go to it in yesterday’s game before it all blew up in the 3rd inning, really poor managing IMHO).
Okay, I’m off until tomorrow, resume your fighting, pissing and moaning, I won’t be seeing it.
Peace, Love and waterbeds, y’all
Question. You are going in for surgery and your surgeon is not 100% because he is under the weather. You know that ahead of time. What would you do??
Looks to me like maybe Soto would be worth the money.
As I’ve said all along, no worries here. The Dodgers will prevail. We’ve already shown who we are. Enjoy the games!
No Dodger game…. But we now we know that Yankees, as expected, will be in the World Series.
The world should be rooting for another Dodgers-Yankees classic, but there are a few million Mets fans and Dodger haters who would prefer a Subway Series. (Still hoping for an October Freeway Series before I die.)
But poor, poor pitiful Cleveland. Hated to see the rookie Rocchio botch that force play, paving the way for Soto’s HR. Ouch.
In happier news, my 15-year-old, the crafty southpaw, is coming home to Hong Kong from Shanghai today as a champion in eight-team tournament that featured two international schools from Japan, two each from Shanghai and Beijing, and one from Manila. Go Dragons!
And Bear… I’ve always been appreciative of all your efforts in the blogosphere. LA Dodger Chronicles is an excellent, informative site that is usually free of the rancor and insults we find elsewhere.
DR talking Game 6 options , injuries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VtpeK_foYc
Doc among other stuff says they will be able to go with all their high leverage guys both in Game 6 and if necessary Game 7.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
You guys are just as passionate as we are. But someone has to drive the bus. We realize it’s not easy.
You protect Roberts. I get that too. But he is not perfect. We will never know. But this series may be over if Knack never takes the mound. If I grill the perfect BBQ ribs, why in the H would I change the recipe?
The Dodgers do weird shit. They just do. And it makes your job harder because the people in here are intelligent fans.
Why start JF when you clearly have other options? Why watch him absolutely implode? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I only really come here to share Dodger stuff. The other blogs/Reddit/X…all toxic. This is a nice place to hang out.
Rule #1 in the Blog handbook….
It’s fine to challenge comments. It is never OK to attack the commentor. They are not attacking YOU. It’s not personal.
Keep up the great work 😁
I have to believe that a key to winning this series is Teo becoming more like he was than what he has done in this series. He hasn’t hit a single ball hard, and he has no hits. Also, I would sit Freddie. It is obvious that he is still having problems with his ankle. Sit him today and don’t play him again until the Series starts. They won without him before; they can do it again.
Will post a summary after the game. Hopefully we are World Series bound.
Lineup for NLDS game 6:
DH Ohtani L 1.205
RF Betts R 1.235
LF Hernández, T. R .280
SS Edman S .891
1B Muncy L 1.482
3B Hernández, K. R .841
CF Pages R 1.218
C Smith R .396
2B Taylor R .629
No Freddie. Teo batting 3rd??? Would really help if Teo shows up.
Ok gents (and any ladies we have here), today is birthday #53 for me.
My best bday present I ever received? My 17th bday, Oct 20, 1988, when the Dodgers won the World Series over Oakland.
My 2nd best bday present I ever received? Oct 20, 2018. I was at Laker Opening Night (actually Lebron’s first game in a Laker uniform), but I spent most of that game in the suites watching Dodgers at Milwaukee NLCS Game 7, which we won to go to the World Series.
I’ll be at Blue Heaven tonight, so seeing us win and celebrate and head to the World Series will become #2 if/when it happens.
Let’s get this!
Kopech named the opener. Smith is hitting 8th.
Here’s hoping we put the Mets to bed in game 6…..At my age, I try to minimize stress to my aging heart. Game 7s are not wanted. Go Dodgers….get it done today…..PRETTY PLEASE! Thank you….TM
Almost game time. Let’s win one for Fragile Freddie!
“Michael, thanks for all the hard work as always.
That day watching the game with you, B&P and Patch was the favorite part of my trip. Hope Patch is ok, I miss his posts.
Don’t stress on people’s opinions because you’re never goanna keep everyone happy. Be happy knowing that you’re bringing a lot of happiness to a lot of us Dodger fans out here.” – Watford Dodger
Hey Roger! I was very touched to see you mention me. Thank you! If you’re ever back in OC, don’t hesitate to look me up. Would love to take you out on the town … or just grab a beer. Right now I even have a spare bedroom and can hook you up. spamail12003@yahoo.com is a throwaway email I don’t mind being public. Send something there and I’ll get your info in my legit email addy.
Saw your note to Eric, too. It was very well meaning. I’ve just checked out of these these blogs, and have recently popped my head back in now that it’s playoff time. Same nonsense – both here and on Timmon’s site. Just drama and babies and egos.
Eric, as someone who has given you advice and defended you, I mean this sincerely when I say stop being a whiny bitch. Yes, that was blunt, but you need to stop obsessing over having to be right about a particular point about baseball that really means nothing. You have funneled your self-esteem into somehow getting people to acknowledge that you are right about some thing. No one cares, and people have egos of their own that they aggressively protect.
Personally, Eric, I would say that you have legitimate space to second guess Doc on the decision to leave in Flaherty in the last game. I don’t know what “under the weather” actually means, but something was clearly off.
I was sitting in a bar watching the game and I actually yelled during the 1rst inning, “What is going on with Flaherty!” I think I saw him throw 10 consecutive breaking balls at one point, and the occasional four seamer I did see him throw was high effort, no control and 90-91 MPH. “That can’t be right!” I told myself, and had to look up his four seamer stats for the year. He usually sits at 93-94.
He was fooling nobody. The Alonso homer was actually not a terrible pitch – low breaking ball. He was able to dig it out and hit it over 430 feet because he knew it was coming and had no respect for Jack’s fastball. The Mets were just drilling him because he simply couldn’t mix in an effective four seamer.
It was apparent in the first inning that Flaherty was not effective and was not going to be effective. So, by leaving him in Doc was effectively writing off game five in the first inning.
BTW – all the chattering about Flaherty being a big boy and going out there and toughing it out even if he wasn’t 100% is just really dumb. He was ineffective! That’s the point.
I think you can legitimately question that decision. I don’t know that it was the wrong decision. There would have been serious downstream consequences to changing up The Plan and going with a bullpen game on Friday, but it is certainly something to be questioned and to discuss in good faith.
So now you can make the argument that the edge now goes to the Mets. It’s going to be a bullpen game, and if a bullpen game works the manager looks like a genius (San Diego), but it only take one of those eight pitchers to have a bad game and shit the bed and now the game’s out of reach (Landon Knack).
So, now we go to a game 7 with Walker Buehler on the mound. That inspires NO confidence. Buehler had a great game mixing up pitches and getting the Mets to chase during the last game, but the Mets are going to be going over his sequencing strategy from the other night and are going to adjust. If it was me as Mets coach, my strategy would be to make Buehler beat you with his four and two seamers in the zone. His four seamer has been terrible all year. He’s just not the pitcher he was. He’s likely going to get rocked if the Mets have good plate discipline.
So, Dodgers lose in seven. It could very easily happen.
So, you have a point, Eric. But people aren’t obligated to agree with you. And, you know, a think lesson I’ve learned is to simply not care what other people think about you or your opinion. They have their own issues.
So, to put a fine point on it, I think you’re right about Mark. I think the genesis of that whole flap between you and him was you criticizing a player he had a ridiculous man crush on. The Miguel Vargas nonsense was just embarrassing. He didn’t like it. His ego couldn’t handle it. He had to punish you for it. He understood how to press your buttons and manipulate your insecurities to get you to overreact, and then he played the martyr – like he was some victim.
I thought what he did to you was BS, and I no longer go to his site, in large measure, because that and his stupid personality cult.
I come here and Jeff does the same thing.
“Someone had an opinion I don’t like, and I’m going to take my ball and go home …and then you’ll all really be sorry!”
“We love you, Jeff! Don’t go! We’re sorry! We’ll try not to offend you again!”
It’s such childishness. LOL.
Poor Badger phrases his criticism of Doc like he’s got battered wife syndrome.
“If I was to mildly criticize Doc about one thing it’s that maybe, kind of, sort of, possibly he left Knack in the game too long. Don’t be upset, Jeff!” It’s hysterical.
I enjoy spirited arguments. I don’t think I fit in here. I don’t care about egos and people’s fragile psyches.
You shouldn’t either, Eric. Have an opinion. Don’t suck with it. When arguing with someone, ALWAYS attack the premise of their argument or their bad behavior, and don’t engage in personal attacks of your own.
Stick to your guns. Argue in good faith. Don’t be afraid to piss people off so long as you’re arguing with integrity. And if people attack you that’s on them and they can go suck a bag of dicks.
Words to live by, my friend.
Go Dodgers!
Brasier is a bewildering pitcher:
Lots of HRs (3 in 6.0 IP) not a lot of missed bats (just 3 Ks),
Diving deeper: FIP of 7.75 coming into this outing, BUT 95% strand rate
Brasier gets the team through five.
four more innings:
one each for Trienen, Hudson and Phillips for one each.
knack and Henriquez for one?
that is best case, anticipating nobody has an off-day.
fine line
At one point this season, can’t remember who, Roberts brought in a relief pitcher with a 2-strike count.
I’d love to see that kind of thinking for the 8th. Just get 3 outs.
For the record, I hate Treinen for 6 outs.
Nice little nugget on Dodger pitcher development:
https://x.com/bymichaelrosen/status/1848151474624229720
Might be a little easier now…..
Is it weird I’m hoping for Honeywell to finish it off?
The Dodgers win the pennant, The Dodgers win the pennant, The Dodgers win the pennant!!!!
Awesome victory for the Dodgers!
Every player made this happen. A total team effort. On to play the Yankees.