Stephen Fife is starting for the Dodgers today in place of Clayton Kershaw. If he pitches well, he might keep starting. There is also talk of the Dodgers using a four-man rotation for the stretch run, though that would mean some guys going on three days’ rest.
Anyway, given the possibility that Fife might not stick in the rotation, leaving only Josh Beckett, Joe Blanton, Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano, I was wondering what the Dodgers’ record is for most consecutive starts by a non-homegrown player. That is your research assignment for the day …
Anonymous
Does Ishii count as a home grown player? The Dodgers were his first team, but he spent no time in the minors and was established in Japan. If he does not, then the entire 2002 season except for Victor Alvarez start in game 162.
Anonymous
Ted Lilly was 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA through his first 5 starts of the season. In his last start of the season, May 23, he was charged with 8 earned in 3 1/3 innings, never to pitch again this season. Billinglsley was arguably the best pitcher in baseball after the All-Star break before blowing out his elbow. Kemp injured off and on for most of the season, now looking nothing like the player who started the season as the best hitter in the game. Now Kershaw. One of the most important things to an eventual Championship team is the ability to avoid injuries to key players, and remain relatively healthy. With all that has gone on for the Dodgers this season, even if they don’t make the playoffs, I’ll still give them credit for providing some great moments, and hanging in the hunt for the postseason for as long as they have.
Go Fife!
Anonymous
Today is a day that is not good for fans of the Pirates, Phillies, and Brewers. With the Dodgers and Cardinals tied and playing each other, no one can make up ground in the playoff race. Also, the Dodgers and Cardinals are both off on Monday.
The Phillies getting shut out in Houston last night was very baseballish.
Anonymous
The Pirates have decided to move James McDonald to the bullpen for the rest of the year. He’s run out of gas and he’s been hit very hard since the All-Star Break. (7.08 ERA)
veryolddodgerfan
Still have no interest in these store-bought Dodgers. Cosmic justice has been served for making the most arrogant and financially stupid trade in baseball history. I just wish I had been on the Interweb when Donny Baseball pinch hit Rivera for wonder boy A.J. Ellis. That would have been fun.
T.M. Brown
Let’s see that’ll be one Rule 3 and one Rule 6 violation with a side of animal fries.
veryolddodgerfan
what are animal fries?
Anonymous
For the record, I’d also like to know what animal fries are.
Anonymous
French fries from In n Out burger that are served with Thousand Island dressing
KT
and cheese
Linkmeister
Poutine!
foul tip
Does that mean only animals will eat them?
Linkmeister
If my memory is accurate, it’s also a Rule 8 violation.
Anonymous
Probably Rule 11 too
Anonymous
It’s gotta be 5:00 somewhere. Or maybe an oxy scrip.
Fredo's Dog
Hey guys, is Clayton okay? My buddy said the Dodgers will win the division five games ahead of Arizona, with the Giants even further behind. That will be tough to do if Clayton isn’t dealing. I hope he’s okay!
Anonymous
Your friend believes the Giants will drop over 12 1/2 games in the standingd in 3 weeks?
Anonymous
Must be a friend of WBB.
KT
^_^
foul tip
Was your buddy sober at the time? ;-])
Fredo's Dog
Hey guys, be nice. My buddy is still smarting from the 2010 World Series. He said it would be “1989 minus the seismic phenomena” and boy was he wrong. I hope we can at least get to the Wild Card game, because my buddy is not looking very good these days!
Anonymous
AJ Ellis with the day off. M Ellis down to 7 spot. Treanor bats 8th. Victorino in leadoff spot with Either in 2 hole.
foul tip
Instead of the homework assignment, I’ll thrown in that if Ely is added to the mix, there’s one more not homegrown.
Neither is Jamie Wright, in the highly unlikely event they would go to him. Don has said he likes Wright in the pen, and he seems to have done well there lately. Not sure when he last started, but talk was when he came that he could do either.
foul tip
Based on pictures at dodgers.com over the season, including today, it appears Kemp is the designated mauler of any teammate who gets a GW hit.
At least he feels good enough to do it. Maybe that’ll translate to the batter’s box.
KT
Let’s go DP
Anonymous
Fife has no windup, very odd motion
KT
Come on Matt pay attention
KT
looks like it will definitely be a bullpen day…Fife w/ 31 pitches
Anonymous
Fife on pace to give up 18 runs and strike out 27.
Anonymous
Still on pace for 27 strike outs. 6 K’s in two innings…
T.M. Brown
For those watching on TV: With all due deference to Vin, I think I remember Holliday for taking a line drive in the cojones (or in the general area) to give us a playoff win a few years ago. That was Matt, wasn’t it?
KT
yes
Hunter Owens
18 K pace, but 3 two strike outs in the 3rd.
KT
Come on Shane bring him home
KT
DRE!!!!
T.M. Brown
Dre really does have a beautiful stroke when he’s on top of a ball.
Anonymous
Wow – I was wondering if Wainwright would sort of pitch around Ethier to get to Kemp.
Nope!
KT
I know I would at this point in time
KT
All tied up
underdog
BOOM. Tied.
Squee-thier!
underdog
Meanwhile, painful to say but Kempie needs to sit a day or two. :( He’s obviously just not right at the plate.
Anonymous
Cubs with a grand slam to go up on Pirates 10-9 in the 6th inning. Astros up on Phils 7-6.
underdog
Nice!! A win today would be huge, especially on heels of winning yesterday, facing the Cardinals, and not having our ace going.
Linkmeister
No-o-o-o-o! (IN RE: the Pirates)
KT
I’ll take a DP here
KT
Great catch Shane
foul tip
Gameday says Barney’s second pitch to Craig in the first was an 86 mph…changeup.
It says the third was an 86 mph…fastball.
Finely tuned instrument, Gameday, to be able to tell the difference, especially back-to-back pitches.
KT
Nice hit Luis
Anonymous
The ‘Stros have once again flogged the Fillies.
KT
Astros 7-6 over Fillies
KT
Come on Mark
T.M. Brown
You know, isn’t it completely conceivable that we end the month down 3 games to SF going into the season ending series? We’d make up 4.5 games (yes, most definitely a lot) and end up in a situation where a sweep ends up in a tied divisional leader. Potential excitement methinks.
Anonymous
I don’t know how likely this is, but if we were to win 5 games more than the Giants over the next several weeks – I think I would like our chances for the wild card anyway.
Meaning, we would be winning a lot of games.
T.M. Brown
It’s definitely the optimistic track. And I assume if we’re in a position to win the division going into that season ending series we’d probably be in a position to win the 2nd WC regardless of the outcome of that series.
And Fife only strikes out sides. He doesn’t believe in moderation.
KT
Come on Guys let’s scratch this inning
Anonymous
Do you let Fife bat in the bottom of the inning? Or better yet, do you throw him out there to pitch the 6th inning?
Seems like he is still got a bit left in him today…
underdog
Wow, who had 9 Ks in the Stephen Fife pool? :)
KT
Way to get on Matt
KT
Come on Elian
Hunter Owens
Damn. and we lose fife.
KT
WoW…Wbb that’s what happens when the doesn’t make contact when ordered to hit and run
Anonymous
I still approve of the attempt – if you want reward, you have to take risk.
KT
Good bunt Elian
Come on Shane
Anonymous
That was idiotic
KT
Come on Dre
Anonymous
Vogelchirp got banged around for the Gnats again, giving up a bases-loaded triple to Patrick Corbin (.069 hitter), six earned runs in four innings. Their starting pitching is real shaky, very lucky to have winning records.
KT
Ok Matty start if off…take a walk if need be
KT
There you go matty…I knew your next hit would be to RF…keep going that way
KT
Come on Gonzo
KT
Let’s go Hanley…bring him home
Anonymous
We are only a couple days away from the 6th anniversary of the 4+1 game. I am surprised that the almost unbelievably perfect BR website does not list this game in their calendar list of events, births and deaths that occurred on September 18. http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/September_18
T.M. Brown
Holy cow I could waste a lot of time there…
T.M. Brown
I’m pretty sure Hanley did that on purpose so Wainwright would head back to the bench. He is the cagiest of veterans!
KT
generous scoring of a base hit there
Come on DP
Anonymous
Ooh, some of Hanley’s plays at SS are a bit embarassing.
Linkmeister
Hitting with RISP, what is it?
Anonymous
runners in scoring position
Linkmeister
Thanks. I was expressing my doubt that the Dodgers recognize the concept. ;)
Anonymous
The Dodgers are 1 for 6 in this game. The Cardinals, right now, are 1 for 3.
Anonymous
And now the Cardinals are 1 for 4.
KT
It’s done by good teams frequently…that’s what it is
Anonymous
I believe Jamey Wright’s plan is to have his career end with his right arm flying out of its socket getting somebody out in the next two weeks.
KT
Jamie pitched well
Come on Paco get the final out so we can score some runs to give you the win
KT
cubs win
Anonymous
Which puts the Brewers ahead of them now.
KT
of the cubs…I thought that was a given since the cubs are eliminated ^_^
T.M. Brown
Donnie’s strategy that inning: Bore the Cardinals to death with pitching changes.
KT
it worked ^_^
KT
By the way…everytime I see your handle I think of my sister whose married name is T.M. Brown
Anonymous
How do you know it isn’t your sister posting?
KT
she baseball illiterate
T.M. Brown
I wish I had something funny to say to this but I don’t.
T.M. Brown
The initials provide a great androgynous pseudonym. Good to know the handle isn’t automatically male-associated even though I am a guy!
Anonymous
Bad news on the steal attempt.
Anonymous
Gordon went back to sliding head first. Not that it helped.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I know Molina is behind the plate but, anybody else think Dee hasn’t looked that great trying to steal the last couple of days? He seemed to get a little lucky last night.
Anonymous
I think it’s a matter of Molina just throwing very well right now. It’s quite a sight.
Anonymous
By far the best catcher in baseball.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Yeah, I agree with both of you. I guess I just expect Dee to steal everything off of anybody.
Anonymous
Hey, not bad–he was within 2 inches on that attempt. Its what I want to see–exciting baseball!
KT
Even if Dee would have been safe on a close call He was going to lose after all the lobbying by the Cards manager / players last night
Anonymous
This is true. But somebody might make a mistake. I wouldn’t expect anyone to hit.
KT
who do you think hits for League
KT
sorry gameday had league up…forgot Bobby pinch hit for the pitchers spot
KT
Come on Shane start it off
KT
Come on Dre base hit
KT
Come on DP king…ground into one
KT
Now that I got my DP
I want a run here in the 9th
Anonymous
Paging Luis Cruz. Five minutes til curtain.
You are staring in a little show called Cruz vs the Cardinals.
Anonymous
Not that it matters much but the Rockies and Padres are tied 11-11 in the 8th.
At PETCO.
KT
well aren’t the Padres creaping into the WC picture
Anonymous
Was that Rodriquez. I know he should be better once adjusted, but he really does look a plug.
I’m probably just being grumpy>
KT
who…oh do you me Adrian gonzales
Anonymous
Yeah-sorry. Having trouble keeping names straight after the big trade. But I must say seems like half the hispanic ball players are named Rodriquez, Gonzoles, or Ramirez. Even Manny!
Anonymous
I would take a walk, stolen base and a wonderful single right about… now.
Anonymous
Ah, well the next guy (Hanley?), made him llok OK.
Anonymous
Now Cruz is good and hot! Come on Luiz!
KT
Come on Belli throw strikes
KT
there you go
KT
need a line drive DP here
KT
there you go
Come on Ellis connection let’s get it done
KT
Nice Mark
Come on AJ
KT
Come on Juan two days in a row
KT
YES…I’ll even take another WP
KT
smart move
KT
Squeeze?
KT
In the dirt Shane…come on make contact
Anonymous
Non GDP contact that is.
KT
way to stay in the rundown mark
KT
another smart move
KT
Make them throw you strikes matty
Jeffrey Thomas III
Walking Ethier to get to Kemp? Shows how much Matty has been slumping. I hope he makes them regret it.
Jibin Park
Mark should have gotten back to 3rd. He’s the better runner than Juan and he would have had the right to the bag. With 2 outs, not a big deal, but why give up?
T.M. Brown
My first reaction was: “Wow! They want to pitch to Kemp?! Things have sure changed for Bison in a hurry.” Then I realized that they’re doing R/R matchups, force out, etc. but I think Matty is taking this sort of thing personally.
Jibin Park
Time for Kemp to earn his money…
Anonymous
I actually wish Matt was a good bunter here; Due for a mistake!!
Anonymous
Oh, shirt.
Anonymous
Well, hopefully this will be one of those times where he can;t find the zone after the IBB. I feel like the Dodgers of recent times have had success with the walk off walk.
Anonymous
It says a lot when I actually wished it was someone other than Matt coming up to hit. :(
T.M. Brown
Blugh, frustrating. A walk is as good as a 600′ HR there. Good thing about this lineup: Don’t have to wait to go round again before we get some good hitters up.
Anonymous
This is a good game, but Mat has just about used up the relievers. A one game playoff might be fun.
But I don’t want to go into the play-offs missing Billz, Kershaw, and Lilly, at the same time with a gang of sluggers colder than the bottum of the popsicle cooler.
KT
Neep a DP here…what do you say
T.M. Brown
My favorite kind of DP!
KT
mine too
KT
Nice DP
KT
Come on Gonzo…you are due
KT
Nice hit Hanley
Come on Luis
KT
Vinny and the camera man had me thinking that was in the stands
T.M. Brown
(-___- ; )
Anonymous
Well, we’re to John Ely- the other guy who was could have started today.
KT
Come on John…throws strikes
KT
Come on K
KT
I like it can I have another
Jibin Park
Oh boy.
Jibin Park
My least favorite Supreme Court Justice.
Anonymous
Double on an 0-2 count :(
KT
means another come from behind, come from behind walk off to win it like yesterday
Jibin Park
That’s why walking Beltran was probably a bad idea to begin with.
KT
got to hold here…Come on Ely
Jibin Park
Hanley is terrible.
Jibin Park
He should have just gone to first on that. Lazy play on Hanley’s part. Just lazy. Unacceptable.
KT
was moving in the wrong direction…I rewound to check that myself
Jibin Park
You have to make that play there. No excuses.
KT
couldn’t get it out of his glove
Jibin Park
This is painful to watch.
Jibin Park
Why did we walk Beltran again?
KT
to get to holliday who hasn’t been hitting in this series like beltran and only got on twice by HBP
Jibin Park
Still. Down already by one run, doesn’t make sense to give free passes and add more pressure to Ely.
KT
we did it before and no one complained
KT
well it looks like we will be 1 game back…had that feeling once we got deeper and deeper in free baseball…Still a chance be we need the final out now
Anonymous
And the collapse is complete. Only 2 runs in 12 innings, only costing them about $100 million per run?
KT
we are 1 game back instead of 1 game ahead when before we were a few games back and now the collapse is complete?
KT
Come on Nick we need base runners
KT
Way to get on Nick
Come on Shane same thing runners
KT
Alright Dre do your two out magic
Anonymous
I do not like Shane Victorino.
I didn’t like him as a Phil.
I didn’t like the move to get him.
A simple sac fly wins the game in the 10th.
But he couldn’t even do that.
Go stink up somebody else’s line-up next year, thank you.
plaza23
Who knew the Dodgers would tank and the primary reason would be Matt Kemp being horrible?
Jason Ungar
Gonzales and Victorino going 0-11 didn’t help. The whole offense is just brutal.
Anonymous
Let’s not vilify our best player. Despite his injuries and toubles, he has managed to put up a 145 OPS+ and has a lot to do with them even being able to sniff at a playoff spot at this point.
Anonymous
“Bad teams blame their best player for their problems.” Bill James.
Anonymous
And yet, the Dodgers are still just one game out of a playoff spot.
underdog
The Dodgers are reminding me of about the only quote from Godfather III anyone remembers.”They keep pulling me back in!”
And then they stomp on my feelings and hopes and dreams again.
Anonymous
Well, yeah, but it’s the mild card.
underdog
Welp, for a game I kind of thought would be a loss before it started due to sudden pitching matchup advantage — but then Fife settled down and pitched well, our pen outside of Ely was outstanding, and… the offense just blew countless opportunities. I blame t hat more than I blame Ely, painful though he was to watch. I also give credit to at least one Cardinals reliever, Rosenthal, whose stuff is outstanding and threw near 100 for almost all of 2 innings. But anyway, for a game I thought might be a loss. they sure teased us with this one.
If they didn’t have such a tough schedule and key injuries I’d still feel reasonably optimistic about making the playoffs, but they do have a shot, and if some key guys get hot together you never know. Making the playoffs, even if a one and done deal, would be a victory.
Anonymous
Wow – walking Dre to get to Kemp. Man, this past series has been a soul crushing experience for #27 – save for the great throw yesterday! I feel for Matty. Just wish he would choke about an inch and calm down and get on base. A two out single would have won it and completely changed this whole series for him!
Adam Luther
Abreu did not help on Gordon’s steal attempt. LH batter 2-0 count and does not swing to protect, and a perfect throw gets him by a foot. It’s the little things that matter.
Anonymous
matty is not our best player right now, even the cardinals know it. we’ll see where we’re at after this coming week with wash and cincy. with kershaw down anything’s gravy at this point since i don’t expect us to make the playoffs.
plaza23
What could possibly be wrong enough with Kershaw’s hip that he’d need surgery that would cost him 8 months? I can understand any type of arm problem causing a long absence…but lower body?
Anonymous
Labrum problems can keep players out a while. Doctors usually give the longest possible time someone would be out because they need to be realistic.
KT
try having both your hips seperately replaced and then you can ask that question…I’ll let you in on a little secret…Having them replaced is easier on the body then having surgery to repair them…ask Bo Jackson
Kirk Davenport
Regarding the lack of home grown pitchers among the starters now..I cannot figure the “consecutive” starts issue, but as early as 2005, the Dodger pitching staff only had 6 starts by a home grown pitcher all year. Edwin Jackson made those 6 starts so 156 starts during the year were by store bought pitchers (Weaver,Lowe, Penny, Houlton, Perez, Dessens, Erickson, Wilson Alvarez and Derek Thompson)
Jon Weisman
NPUT