Connect with us

Dodger Baseball

Game 3 Summary: LA Pitches Another Shutout 8-0

                                     Over 60 % of the teams who win game 3 end up winning the pennant. Walker Buehler faced off against Luis Severino. The Dodgers went down 1-2-3 in the first inning. Buehler then got the first two Mets hitters before Nimmo singled. Alonso then struck out to end the first. 

                                      In the top of the second, Muncy walked and then moved to second when Teo hit a ball that the catcher Alvarez grabbed and threw to second and it was not caught cleanly by Iglesias.  Lux grounded out and the runners moved to second and third. Smith hit a ball off of Severino that went for a single with Muncy scoring the first run. Edman hit a sac-fly to right and LA led 2-0. Kike struck out to end the inning. 

                                    Top of the second, Marte grounded out. JD Martinez walked, and Iglesias singled. Buehler walked Taylor loading the bases with one out. Buehler struck out Alvarez and then he struck out Lindor to end the inning.  The Dodgers loaded the bases in the top of the 3rd on walks to Ohtani and Betts and a single by Muncy after Freeman flied out. Hernandez struck out and Lux grounded out to end the inning. 

                                    Buehler gave up a single to Viento before getting Nimmo to line out and Alonso on a fly ball to Teo. He hit Marte with a pitch and then got Martinez to strike out. In the LA 4th, they went down 1-2-3 on two pop ups and a fly out. Bottom of the 4th, Buehler got the Mets 1-2-3. He would leave the game after 90 pitches in 4 innings.  In the 5th, with 2 outs, Freeman singled and Muncy walked. Teo struck out to end the inning. Kopech relieved Buehler and retired the Mets 1-2-3. 

                                      In the sixth, Lux and Smith made outs to open the inning. Edman singled and was balked to second. Kike then homered to left and the Dodgers were up 4-0. Brasier took over for the bottom of the sixth. He struck out Alonso, gave up a single to Marte and then Iglesias hit into an inning ending double play. Top of the seventh, the Dodgers now were facing Tyler Megill. Betts singled, Freeman flied out and Muncy walked. Teo grounded out and Lux struck out to end the inning.

                                   In the bottom of the inning, Blake Treinen came in to pitch. Taylor took over at second for Lux. McNeil flied out and then Treinen struck out Alvarez and Lindor.  In the top of the 8th, Smith walked, and Edman flied out. Kike then singled and Ohtani hit a three-run homer to right. Betts grounded out and Freeman lined out to end the inning. Kiermaier took over in CF, Kike moved to third and Muncy moved to first. Casparius came in to pitch with the Dodgers up 7-0.  Vientos struck out and Nimmo walked. Alonso flied out to Betts and Marte struck out. 

                                    Ninth inning, Muncy homered. Teo struck out and Taylor walked. Smith got his second hit of the game. Edman hit into a force play. Kike struck out to end the inning. In the bottom of the ninth, Casparius got the Mets 1-2-3. Dodgers in the game 8-0 and now lead the series 2-1. Ohtani’s homer naturally came with men on base. He seems like he can’t hit with nobody on base. At least the big three contributed some hits. They were 3-13 with 3 Ks. They were 4-13 with RISP. But the story tonight was the great pitching by the pen and Buehler wiggling out of a bases loaded jam and clutch hitting by Kike. 

Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear

103 Comments
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
103 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rodgerdodger

So happy for Walker!! What a great clutch performance. And happy for us! Huge dub.

Two incredible picks on bad throws by Freddie that were in huge moments tonight. They needed everyone and dominated.

Happy for Roberts too. Game plan worked to perfection.

Jeff

He wasn’t exactly efficient but he was effective. I give him an E grade.
How about Kike!! Man, he is on a tear. Not a care in this world.

Old Bear 48

If one can believe this, Kike has the fourth highest postseason OPS in baseball history. He also has better postseason numbers than Judge in almost the same amount of at bats. Muncy tied the Dodger record for postseason homers with Seager and Turner at 13. Kike now has 15, 10 of them as a Dodger.

Phil Jones

No close game yet. These blow-outs games are either relaxing and comfortable or disgusting and uncomfortable. I like the relaxed ones more in my old age, when it’s the Dodgers.
Some game thoughts:
*To start with, Marvin Hudson blew up my HPU scouting report to hell early, calling strikes on balls to Smith and Edman.
 
*Hats off to Walker Buehler. I was confident and saw a good outing coming. I thought he showed a lot to be optimistic about, even after the Padres game when he gave up an unfortunate 6 spot in that 6 out inning. But his four shut-out innings, showed he was getting better then the line score. 
*He showed his stuff last night. His breaking balls showed more snap and he had some swing and miss. The guy is still re-inventing himself and learning how to get guys out differently. I loved the adjustment to go exclusively to the stretch because of the mound? Great effort and I love his competitiveness. I think he’s back to being a trusted starter.

*Doc and the staff had another great game plan and the guys executed it to a tee. Kopech in the 5th is an awesome match up, all planned for Lindor.

*Jeff D made a statement recently that was spot on – “I have been steadfast in my opinions that it is more than luck and getting hot at the right time, but finding those players who do not run from the spotlight.” He was talking about Kike Hernandez. Nice call Jeff D.

*Too many missed opportunity to create damage early in this game, before it got out of hand. Teo and Lux both need to produce a run with the bases loaded and less than 2 outs.

Rogerdodger mentioned Freddie’s picks at first. One own another lame turn from Lux at 2nd and another on Edman’s tweener hop from short. Both picks, especially Edman’s were way harder than he made that look. Awesome hands. And how comfortable for an infield?  
*I love Edman’s game. Smoltz said when Tommy showed bunt with runners at first and third early, that they “used to call it a safety squeeze”. I think they still do John.  
Except when it’s called non-existent
*I love the play and hope to see it used later with Tommy. It’s uindefensable.  
Then Smoltz said “ideally you bunt the ball to the first baseman”. I disagree. It helps to notice whether the defense wants to run the Wheel Play to defend it. The Mets weren’t. So I want the bunt to go to the third baseman, leaving nobody at 3rd. Sorry John, I want the third baseman fielding the ball.
 
*I tried to employ the empathetic advice I got last week from Jeff (not Jeff D.)
I was complaining about Davis and Smoltz over-talking during the game and I asked “Have you ever heard two guys ramble on more and say less than Smoltz and Davis?”
And Jeff replied “Only you, Phil. Only you. Turn off the volume and save your whining.”
*So I did that. I didn’t whine at all. Well, out loud anyway. I just muted the TV. I found I missed the sounds of the game, especially the fan noise and excitement.  
So I switch from Mute to Sound, back and forth. What I found way that after a Mute, even 3 or 4 pitches remove, when I unmuted – Smoltz was still talking. I’m out of ideas.
Do we get him through the World Series?

Wally Moonshot

If it’s any help, I turn the sound down so I can barely hear the sound of Smoltz’s voice but not the constant word salad. I still get some fan noise, etc. it’s the best thing I’ve come up with.

Jeff

I am more concerned about you, Phil, than Smoltz!  😁 

Phil Jones

You have no idea how happy that makes me, Jeff.

Bluto

WRT this weird side discussion about (my phrasing) luck vs. clutch.

it’s not binary! It’s both!

Take last nights game. The first two runs were scored with luck. The second two runs were scored with kike coming through like he traditionally does. You need or would like to have both!

Jeff Dominique

The great catch by Tyrone Taylor taking a XBH from Tommy Edman was luck too? I guess I just do not consider the plays as luck. For me, they are baseball plays. Not every play is clean. There are errors. Are errors luck? Was it luck that Knack grooved two pitches with 2-strikes, one for a double to the #8 hitter, and one for a GS? Or just bad pitching? Was Ohtani’s 3-run blast luck because it did not go foul? For me, luck is something that comes out of nowhere and is totally unexpected. Balls bouncing out of gloves is not luck. Bad throws into a runner is not luck. They are baseball plays that were played poorly by the defense. IMO players make their own luck with their play.

Bluto, you and I will always disagree as to how “luck” plays into the game.

OhioDodger

Luck is purely an abstract thing. An idea or a thought, not a concrete material thing. The Dodgers won game 3 of the NLCS last night. Some may feel that it was lucky. However in reality it happened because our players had a better effort and they outperformed their opponent. You can believe it was just luck or that it was because we performed better. Neither is wrong. Just depends on your point of view.

The force that causes things, especially good things, to happen to you by chance and not as a result of your own efforts or abilities.

By the definition of luck, nothing that happens on the baseball diamond is by luck as the play results are all dictated by the players ability and effort. Taylor’s catch of Edman’s ball happened because he made the effort to get to the ball and had the ability to catch it.

Now getting a foul ball at a ballgame can be considered lucky. You can just be sitting there and the gets hit your way and ends up under your seat and you pick it up. Pure happenstance. You made no effort and it took no ability. A perfect example happened to me at Vero Beach. I was walking along outside Holeman stadium and a foul ball just plopped down in the grass in front of me. I just picked it up and kept walking. Pure luck.

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Bluto

Don’t be lazy.

that’s not the only definition of luck.

silly.

Here is the primary definition:

success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one’s own actions.
“it was just luck that the first kick went in”

by that example, you can be someone with the skill of Messi who still gets lucky when a goalie slips and the first kick goes in.

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
OhioDodger

Why is it silly? Because it is not what you believe or feel. You are an ass.
If you want to believe that something happened because of luck and I believe it occurred because the person made a good effort, neither is wrong or “Silly”.

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Bluto

It’s silly because you went through the trouble of looking up a definition, and then only cherry picked the one you wanted!

OhioDodger

Well show me a different definition of it Mark, oops Bluto.

Bluto

I already did.

Carolina, oops, Ohio.

Happy face

OhioDodger

And you cherry picked your definition. Which by the way is basically the same as the one I cited.

Bluto

How do you figure I cherry – picked it?

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
OhioDodger

How do you figure I cherry picked?

Bluto

You cited something as THE definition, when it was not.

I replied with another (conveying there was more than one definition ) and used the word “primary” (which implies there are secondary (more))

If that isn’t cherry picking, apologies, but it is poor form

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
OhioDodger

The definition I used came from the Cambridge English Dictionary. It was the first listed. AH

Bluto

Irrelevant, but you know that.

OhioDodger

Get help dude.

OhioDodger

A couple of examples of what I would call luck. The play where Ohtani got thrown out by Machado. It was pure dumb luck that the ball hit the umpire and Machado was able to just pick it up and make the play. It was pure dumb luck that Bartman was sitting in that seat when the foul ball came down.
Some people may feel Buehler got lucky last night. I believe he just out performed the Mets hitters

Last edited 1 month ago by OhioDodger
Bluto

Not every good play needs luck!

not every lucky play excludes skill.

not every win is dependent on the loser having bad luck.

Every bad bounce does not happen to bad fielders.

even “making” your own luck implies that luck occurs! It can be made or, as depicted below, stumbled upon!

luck and skill can coexist or not.

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
Scott Andes

I’ve never seen anyone as obsessed with luck as you are,

My advice, shove a rabbits foot up your butt. You’ll be very lucky then.

Last edited 1 month ago by Scott Andes
OhioDodger

LMAO!!

rodgerdodger

Well I just tried this and I can tell everyone here I do not feel luckier. I just walk funny. Thanks a lot Scott.

Last edited 1 month ago by rodgerdodger
Jeff Dominique

As I said, you and I disagree on how luck factors into the game. That does not make my point or OhioDodger’s point silly. Is every opinion that disagrees with you silly?

Bluto

disagreement is often good! Who wants to be anywhere where everyone thinks the same way and agrees on the same things. Disagreement leads to reflection, to consider one’s priors.

Again, what made that guy/girls point was just that they went through the trouble of looking at the definition and didn’t take the primary one, only the one that supported the point.

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
OhioDodger

The definition that I cited and the one you cited basically said the same thing. You need to look up the definition of obtuse.

Bluto

This original post was needless. Edited to spare everyone

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
Old Bear 48

Sheesh guys, give it a frippen rest. Who cares if they are lucky or not, winning is what matters.

Northmsdodger

Is someone having a terrible sickness ,bad luck. Cancer per say.

Bluto

I’m sure someone, somewhere.

try to stay on target.

dodgerram

Big win!Assures that the series at least will return to DS if necessary.
Buehler was nails in that bases loaded situation. Just like the old Striker . Game could have turned right there.
Despite scoring 8 runs the Dodgers left a lot of men on base. There is room for improvement in that department .Got to get those runners in from 3rd with less than two outs more often.

Bullpen was fantastic again. Lets hear it for CAsparius especially. Only his 5th MLB game and then showing the poise and stuff is remarkable.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Old Bear 48

Hell with that, lets finish the job in NY just to piss off that stupid purple thing that sits in the stands and they can take that OMG sign and use it for something useful.

Wayne

I like the idea of Edman batting 8th followed by Mr. October/Kiki batting 9th. Edman is like a bottom order lead-off hitter, that sets up Kiki’s RBI bat nicely, with Ohtani up next.

Last edited 1 month ago by Wayne
rodgerdodger

I agree and hoping for more runners on base for Ohtani. That stat is just getting weird.

How cool is it when your most dangerous hitter is hitting 9th, with Ohtani on deck? Talk about a pitcher’s nightmare.

Old Bear 48

The main reason I do not think he should be hitting leadoff.

Old Bear 48

I thought from the beginning that the trade that brought Edman to LA was a great trade. Can play most anywhere and he can hit when needed. Day game and his shot to right center might have left the ball park.

Wayne

Edman’s a jack-of-all-trades master – like a prime CT3 with less power.

Farhan Friedman

I’ll take listening to John Smoltz any day of the week over Orel Hershiser.

I have studied and analyzed this and have come to the determination that Will Smith’s hitting problems are due to his lack of a turtleneck. If Will only wore an authentic Brett Butler style turtleneck, his hitting woes would be solved.

Old Bear 48

I can’t stand listening to either of them, but we have no control over who the networks hire.

Badger

I have little to add other than it’s thrilling to watch this team do what it is designed to do. I know it can’t happen every game but 4 out 7 the rest of the way will be good enough.

norcaldodgerfan

Didn’t use Banda, Hudson or Phillips last night. If Yamamoto can give us 5 or 6 strong innings I like the idea of them taking down the back end of the game with a strong Kopech in the mix also.

Qunitana can be had just like the Dodgers did in game #5 in the NLCS against the Cubs. Qunitana pitched 2 innings giving up 6 hits and 6 runs with 1 K and 1 BB. Got to stay off the off speed stuff on the corners of the plate and get him middle and go hunting.

Go Dodgers!

Cassidy

Quintana has been very good his last 7-8 outings. Something has clicked for him. Sure would be nice if we could do some first inning damage like game one and take some stress off Yamamoto

Last edited 1 month ago by Cassidy
Old Bear 48

Due for a bad game.

Make Mine Blue

Hudson scares the shit out of me, btw. He was nails the beginning of the season and just got bad as time went on, wild and walking people, then giving up HRs. Nah, I’m glad we didn’t need him last night, hope it stays that way.

I knew Beuhler would be very good last night (and said so prior to the game). He is learning to be a pitcher and not just a thrower, I think he had 17 or 18 swings and misses in 4 innings, against Padres he had zero, yes zero. I don’t know what he did but it worked. Getting runs early really helped Buehler, he could just pitch his game. Bravo boys, bravo! Now let’s do it again tonight.

Swearing Alert:

Mr. Fuggin October!!! Again Kike comes thru with the brightest lights glowing. Never did I think an injury to one of our key players allow for maybe one of the most run producing players to be on the field every night. Thank you Mr. Fuggin October, you sure are making Roberts look like a genius.

Moving Smith down in the order was a blessing to us and to Will Smith, now leave him right there and let him just play and bat under a little less pressure (than batting 4th or 5th). It made a difference last night, now don’t screw it up.

Mr. August showed a few signs of life but there is room for a lot of improvement. Hope Mr. August is at Citifield right now in the batting cage.

I had no idea that Ohtani worked for Elon Musk at SpaceX, that HR left the atmosphere for a brief period of time. Any more elevation and it would have been sent into orbit. That was a truly crazy blast, and I do mean BLAST.

Max Muncy is starting to look more like Max Muncy, working the count taking walks and mashing mistake pitches. He’s not chasing anymore (at least for now). Max is at his best when he does not expand his zone, chasing. Good job Max!

Old Bear 48

Hudson has not given up a run in his last 5 games. He has given up 2 hits and walked 1. He had a bad stretch, but he sure is past that now.

Bluto

As Badger has intoned, the team should keep scoring eight!

WSJ ($$$) looks at how Quintana relies on getting batters to chase, to me this should favor the Dodgers approach/

https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/mlb-mets-dodgers-jose-quintana-f6f44198

Badger

No can read but I think I get the point. Don’t chase.

Ohtani still does on occasion, looking awkward opening up early then leaning over, reaching for a ball out of the zone. I think he’s big enough to reach those outside strikes, just barrel them oppo. If you have to reach bending over like that the odds of solid contact have to be around 10%. If I were the Mets I wouldn’t wouldn’t throw him anything inside unless it’s something that makes him back up.

8 runs. That should keep the team in any game.

TennisMenace (TM)

A lot of great comments already posted here, so I will just add a few of my thoughts that are on my chest:

we must re-sign both Hernandez boys. Why scramble to find guys for October when we already have two right now in LA
make sure Michael Kopech does not leave LA…he is exactly the kind of closer we need…a hard thrower who can come in and blow people away. Please don’t let him go any where else
Im glad Tommy Edman will definitely be with us next year…he is so invaluable on several levels…and he actually knows how to bunt besides play great defense at SS and CF
Who is this version of MANEA? I used to feel sorry for him when he played us….not any longer. He made Ohtani look so overmatched …..I sure hope that was a one time thing.
I confess, I had no confidence in Buehler, but even though it took him 90 pitches in only 4 innings, the results were impressive…how can I complain?
Go LA…win tonight and then maybe I can start breathing again.-TM

Last edited 1 month ago by TennisMenace (TM)
Jeff Dominique

It may get bumpy, and it may not have the happy ending we all hope for, but it sure is a fun ride. Breathe and enjoy!!

dodgerram

With moments like bases loaded, 3-2 count, Lindor up it is really, really tough to breathe. 😀  I did not check it but my heart rate must have been close to 200!

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cassidy

Roberts lives to manage another game. Can we fire him if we win the WS?

Badger

I think we can count on bumps. Just out grind them and we should be fine.

I know Buehler fought hard and kept runs off the board. But, 4 innings? That’s ok now? Apparently so.

His slider was breaking hard, but he couldn’t control it. Throw that pitch for strikes when you want to and you’ll get 6 innings on 90 pitches.

3 straight games. Some in the pen won’t be available for the next two.

Maybe Smith is close. Doesn’t feel like Lux is but, maybe he will surprise.

Don’t chase. The Mets are counting on it. Don’t give it to them.

Jeff Dominique

Kopech, Treinen, Phillips, Banda, Hudson are probably considered the high leverage relievers and in that order. Last night Kopech and Treinen each pitched 1 inning. Neither pitcher was overextended due to # of pitches. Kopech had 12 pitches (9 strikes) and Treinen had 11 (10 strikes).

Phillips has not yet pitched in the NLCS. Hudson has not pitched since Game 1, and Banda has not pitched since Game 2. If needed to close out the game, both Treinen and Kopech will be available for Game 4. Doc indicated that every one of the relievers said they would be available for all three games in NY. Reliever usage:

·      Casparius – 2 games, 3.0 IP
·      Honeywell – 1 game, 3.0 IP
·      Brasier – 2 games, 2.0 IP
·      Henriquez – 1 game, 2.0 IP
·      Knack – 1 game, 2.0 IP
·      Hudson – 1 game, 1.0 IP
·      Banda – 1 game, 1.0 IP
·      Kopech – 1 game, 1.0 IP
·      Treinen – 1 game, 1.0 IP
·      Phillips – 0 game, 0.0 IP

Even though Buehler only had 4.0 IP, the use of Casparius limited the use of high leverage to just two pitchers and 1.0 inning each. The Dodgers are set up for the next two games, and then they can reset before going back to LA.  Hopefully LAD wins the next two games in NY, and the ALCS goes 7.

rodgerdodger

Kopech is under Dodger control in 2025. Last year of arbitration (I think). Makes the trade even better than it already is.

Last edited 1 month ago by rodgerdodger
Old Bear 48

Kopech has one year left. Kike could be resigned, but with both Taylor and Edman coming back next year, he is redundant. Not sure they want to carry three utility guys. They have other needs. Teo is going to get a nice deal from someone, I do not think he comes back. Rojas has an option, he might return.

TennisMenace (TM)

Say what? Why would LA not want to protect the two guys who are super clutch for us? Taylor is useless….no way can we drop Kike for Taylor….i don’t care how much Taylor is making….just eat it….its only money. Kike is Mr October….you know that.

As for Teo….you have to be joking? That guy bleeds blue and he is the ultimate team player. We absolutely cannot let him go, no way no how. How many games did he win for us with big clutch hits this year? Too many to count.

Bear….you are disappointing me with your perspective here….you don’t think the Dodgers reward loyalty and clutch play? We only have one asterisk WS since 1988 and you don’t think we care enough to win some more? If you want to win WS, you need proven clutch players….Kike is top on my list. Teo will prove to be close by.

Old Bear 48

First off, the Series win in 20 is just as legitimate as any other year, including the strike year of 81. All teams played under the same rules, and you can make the argument that playing in a bubble like that without fans is much harder to do. Plus, they had to play their playoff games on neutral fields. Perspective? I think the Dodgers might make Teo an offer. I also think Boston, who was () that close to signing him, makes him a larger offer. Yes, Teo had a hand in many wins, including some big hits in the series with the Yankees. He hasn’t had a very good NLCS since he is ofer and has struck out 7 times in 14 at bats. All he has to show is 4 walks. Kike is a clutch postseason hitter; we all know that. So was Joc Peterson. Taylor has a guaranteed deal for next year. Maybe they try and trade him, maybe they release him, or maybe they keep him. Taylor has better postseason numbers than Teo. You can believe that or not. Muncy leads LA with 13 postseason homers. Kike has 10 as a Dodger and 15 overall. Taylor has 9. He is a .242 hitter in the postseason, he plays all three outfield positions, SS second and third base. And he defends well at all of them. To you Taylor is useless. To the Dodgers, he is a valuable player. You sign Teo for say 4 more years. What do you do with Rushing who has been moved to left field from catcher? Where are you going to play Andy Pages if Mookie stays in right? Those are legitimate questions. Some of the answers will be forthcoming this winter as the Dodgers make some adjustments to the roster. And don’t forget Rojas who has a team option.

Jeff Dominique

That was pretty to watch. Last night’s Walker Buehler reminded me of his 2020 Game 6 NLCS against Atlanta. Like last night, Buehler loaded the bases in the 2nd inning, but with zero outs. He allowed three straight singles to Travis d’Arnaud, Ozzie Albies, and Dansby Swanson. Austin Barnes went out and told Buehler to do what he tells him to do. Don’t think, just pitch. He struck out Austin Riley, Nick Markakis, and got Christian Pache to ground out. No runs. He grinded through 6.0 scoreless innings in that one. 89 pitches in 6.0 innings. Last night was just 4.0 innings, but they were a good 4.0 innings.

Certainly neither of Ben Casparius’ games could be considered high leverage, but he did what he was supposed to do. He shined in the opportunity that was presented to him. He got through 2.0 innings in this game with only 1 base runner. Could he have pitched as effectively if he was in Landon Knack’s role in Game 2? We will never know. But he may have earned that chance for Game 6 (if needed).

Max Muncy was my darkhorse star for the NLDS and he did nothing. He seemingly has saved it for the NLCS. He has reached base 8 consecutive times. 5 BB, 2 HR, 1 single. He had a 2 run single in Game 1. Thus far he is 4-8 with 5 BB in the first three games. 

We saw two great defensive plays in this one. Tyrone Taylor came out of nowhere to take a XBH from Tommy Edman with a circus catch. It did score a run on a SF. The second was a one-hop missile from Mookie to Francisco Lindor who somehow caught the one hopper and made a perfect throw to Alonso at 1B. Very pretty play. The great LAD defensive plays were by a hobbled Freddie digging two balls at 1B. Mookie almost made a great play in RF on a Mark Vientos fly ball. I just love great defense.

Four shutouts in the last five games. Is this just on the players or does Dave Roberts get some credit? For those who like to blame Doc for the losses rather than allay the blame to the players, you cannot have it both ways. Roberts has been managing the bullpen expertly. He has made one mistake and that was to let Knack keep pitching after Tyrone Taylor’s double. He was hoping to get out of the inning.  Roberts is managing who his relievers are facing in each game to minimize the exposure to the NYM batters, especially his high leverage guys. When perfection is your standard, you will always be disappointed.

Will Smith may not be getting key hits, but he very much is a MVP candidate (IMO) with his brilliant work with the pitchers. You do not get 4 shutouts in 5 games without a fantastic game plan and one that is called to near perfection. I know this goes against the grain of the fantasy league GMs who only look at the back of baseball cards to determine who should play, but Smith’s work with the pitchers has not gone unnoticed. I also have noted that Smith is not dropping to one knee as much behind the dish. This has helped him keep the balls in the dirt in front of him. This has been Will Smith’s best run as a catcher. 

José Quintana pitches for NYM in Game 4. He has been a nemesis for LAD. In 61.2 career IP, Quintana has a 2.04 ERA. He has pitched better against only Washington. In 47.0 IP he has a 1.91 ERA against the Nationals. Quintana lives on the edges, and relies on chase. The Dodgers have not been chasing, so this could be very interesting.

Phil Jones

Great points Jeff D, especially pointing out the value of Will Smith. When Casparius had a brief issue with throwing strikes, Will trotted out there and obvious reminded the youngster that he had an 8 run lead to there’s no need to nibble or trick anybody. Ben proceeded to take his advice and pumped one good fastball after another in the zone, challenging the hitters. Good stuff.

Badger

On Edman’s fly ball, it was the right fielder’s ball all the way. He had it in his sights and would have caught it standing up. Taylor was lucky he caught it.

Freddie’s plays were terrific.

Mookie’s play was odd to me. He went down a knee first which slowed him down and he came up short of the ball by inches. Had he sold out he might have made the play. It of course was safer to slide into it.

Good point about Smith. Hope his power shows up before too long.

Quintana. Success might depend on the umpire. If he gives extra inches on the edges, it will be tough on Dodgers hitters. It will be tough on Mets hitters too. Take note Yoshi.

Jeff Dominique

We will never know, but I do not think Marte catches that ball. Marte is one of the worst defensive OF in MLB.  -8 OAA, -6 DRS. IMO, that ball gets past him.

Badger

Looks to me like Marte was just cruising raising his arm up to catch it.

dodgerram

Doc has managed great so far. Only decision you could debate IMHO: Not going with one of the high leverage relievers after Knack gave up the ringing double in Game 2.
Other than that he is flawless.

The Dodgers have owed Manaea before Game 2 and he shut us down. Maybe we can reverse our fortunes vs Quintana in the same way and hang a crooked number on him tonight.

A 3-1 lead would be HUUUUGEEEE!

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!

Bluto

Baseball America’s Future Projection podcast looks at how the four remaining teams built and developed their teams:

Scouting & Player Development Lessons To Learn From LCS Teams, Oct 16, 2024
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-projection/id1555299031?i=1000673280742

its an awesome listen for Dodger fans. I was reminded that the last time the Dodgers had a high draft pick was….

CLAYTON KERSHAW!

from the podcast:

““That’s understandable. At the same time, I really feel like the Dodgers have been probably the best team in baseball for the last 10 years. They consistently win in the Major League level.

They’re consistently in the playoffs. I think it’s now 12 straight years where they reach the playoffs. They also maintain a strong farm system and continue to scout to develop at a high level.”

Last edited 1 month ago by Bluto
Cassidy

And yet we still whine on. I was quilty of that last night with Smith. He is a big part of our pitching staff’s post season success so my bad. And he has a history of late big hits so hopefully he can turn it around

Last edited 1 month ago by Cassidy
Norcaldodgerfan

If my umpire rotation is accurate we will see Bill Miller as the HPU tonight since he was at 1B last night.

My recollection of him when I watched the WS against the Astros was he called a lot of strikes off the plate and down. If he’s consistent for both pitchers I guess I’m OK with it, just hope he doesn’t let Quintana get strikes too wide and does t give Yamamoto the same

Old Bear 48

Teams are looking at Dodgers and former Dodgers for their managerial vacancy’s. Danny Lehmann and McCullough are both on lists for the Sox and Marlin jobs. As are AJ Ellis, George Lombard and Skip Schumaker, who might be the front runner for the Sox position. That organization in flux with Reinsdorf exploring selling the team.

Bluto

Looks like no Freddie and some (gulp) CT today….

says the following and ducks:

Dodgers may need some luck tonight.

Singing the Blue

CT will not let us down. Will have at least one hit and one RBI, possibly more.

Bluto

I will be surprised and happy

Bobby

Let’s see more success like this 2021 walk off hr vs the Cards!

dodgerram

No Freddy today.

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Mookie Betts, RF
3. Teoscar Hernández, LF
4. Tommy Edman, SS
5. Kiké Hernández, 3B
6. Max Muncy, 1B
7. Will Smith, C
8. Andy Pages, CF
9. Chris Taylor, 2B

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cassidy

This is your moment Mookie!

Norcaldodgerfan

Yes Mookie!

OhioDodger

Was it luck????

Bobby

We’re lucky that the pitcher grooved a pitch to him.

Cassidy

Give the guy a break! Mookie delivered big time. Great ab by Ohtani to pass the baton and not swing at stuff out of the zone.

Bobby

That was for you, Dr. Cassidy!

Bluto

Skill.

But Alonso being in a cold slump , that’s probably a bit of luck

Bobby

That was the best stuff Yamamoto has had since maybe that Yankee game in June.

Cassidy

Mr Augtober!!!!

Bluto

The good news extends to Arizona:

Three innings, one hit, five Ks, 11 whiffs the final line for Eriq Swan.
Has a chance to be a prospect if consequence.

Bobby

Love it!

Old Bear 48

I do not want to hear another gripe about Mookie Betts.

Keith

Phil or bear, was that interference

Cassidy

Can I still gripe about Smith’s bat?

Keith

The way he’s handling the pitchers I don’t care if he gets another hit

Cassidy

Gutsy call by Robert’s to leave Phillips in against McNeil. Eric must have been going nuts!

Last edited 1 month ago by Cassidy
Norcaldodgerfan

We need good Banda not wild one. Come on dude just get outs.

Norcaldodgerfan

My bad good Treinen not Banda

Keith

I never would have believed Max would set a playoff record for most consecutive times on base, good for Max

Last edited 1 month ago by Keith
Cassidy

Mr Cleanup! What a pickup! Another 9th inning for our new closer Mr. Casparius!

Bluto

Henriquez for two?

Keith

I think so maybe probably IDK

Bobby

So this means Kopech is fresh for tomorrow. Phillips maybe can throw an inning. Treinen has pitched 2 in a row, so I’d guess they rather not use him. Hudson will be fresh. Banda will be very fresh.

Jack can seal this

OhioDodger

Dodgers in the drivers seat.

Must See

More in Dodger Baseball

103
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x