(Bob here. The software makes it looks like Jon is the author)
For those of us who are old, as in “over 30”, we still think of the Reds as an NL West team, which they were from 1969-1993, winning the NL West eight times (the most of any team in that time span), and having the best overall record in the division in 1981 to boot. So there used to be a lot of intradivisional games that started at weird times for those of us in L.A., but we liked it! Or maybe we didn’t like having to watch Bench, Morgan, Rose and company so much. And so much Ron Oester and Gary Redus too.
If the Dodgers win tonight, their winning percentage will be .6. No need for other digits. If they win they would be 84-56. 84 and 140 are both evenly divisible by 14, (14 X 6) / (14 X 10) = 6/10 = .6 (Do I get a better grade for showing my work?)
Tonight’s series marks the Dodgers last games against a team outside of the NL West. Which is somewhat remarkable with their being five teams in each division and 15 teams in each league. But, the Dodgers managed to get a travel-friendly schedule for the end of the year. After they return home, they travel to the distant lands of Phoenix, San Diego, and San Francisco.
The interleague series to take you home: Mets at Cleveland this weekend, Pittsburgh at Texas from 9/9-11, Seattle at St. Louis 9/13-15, Cincinnati at Houston 9/16-18 (an NL West reunion!), San Francisco at Yankees 9/20-22, Boston at Colorado 9/24-26, and, finally, Detroit at Miami, 9/27-29.
Hyun-Jin Ryu’s back is a little ouchy, so he’s being rested in favor of Chris Capuano.
In happier health news, Reds third base coach Mark Berry found out that his most recent scans showed no return of the throat cancer that sidelined him for parts of the year.
UPDATE: Tony Jackson reports that Matt Kemp’s rehab has been shut down for the time being because of recurring hamstring tightness.
KT
Go BLUE!!!!
KT
BT, Do think Matt Kemp will have enough time to rehab now and come back to the team and be productive?
btimmer
Don’t know. But I updated the post with info from Tony Jackson.
ASW1
The longer his absence, the longer the odds grow I would imagine. I wouldn’t rule him being productive for the playoffs completely out just yet though.
KT
less than a month away from the beginning of the NLDS…it getting tougher to be ready
ASW1
I agree, but although his chances seem to be dwindling, I still think it’s too early to rule him out.
DS1981
A certain parking magnate is still scheming.
http://therealdeal.com/blog/2013/09/03/former-dodgers-owner-swings-for-the-fences-with-167m-far-west-side-buy/
ASW1
Better in New York than Los Angeles.
Much better.
Linkmeister
Same old McCourt. Buy at the high.
NoahUCLA
It’s ok to buy at the high if you sell at 4 times what you bought it for (not that I’m a McCourt fan, but he made quite a bit of money).
Linkmeister
Yeah, on the Dodgers deal.But on this one he’s paid three times the purchase price.
WBBsAs
I never thought of the Reds as “West,” and really disliked those mid-1970s Cincy teams.
btimmer
Unlike those “Western” teams from Atlanta.
WBBsAs
That was even worse.
ASW1
I’ve said here before that when it comes to baseball, I’m reluctant to change – but, I have to say realignment made perfect sense and I was glad to see both Cincy and the ATL get the hell out of the West, where they didn’t belong.
btimmer
When Fay Vincent tried to shift the Cubs and Cardinals from the East to West, the owners found that to be the last straw and the reign of King Bud the Eternal started.
Linkmeister
“Bud the Horrible,” perhaps?
Jack Dawkins
Knee seems ok today so far.
Jack Dawkins
Announcers say it is Joe MOrgan weekend in Cincy. Hope it doesnt involve him speaking much.
KT
Honoring Joe tomorrow and the 75 76 starters for two days this series
ASW1
Rocket shot!
Jack Dawkins
Wow, second deck and it got there in 3 seconds.
Bob_Hendley
Hanley, if you wanna do things right!
Jack Dawkins
That was as impressive as the one in SD that hit the western metal building.
KT
yes it was and I was there for the western metal hr
ASW1
C’mon Cappy – shutdown inning.
KT
Dodgers PR @DodgersPR2m
Estimated distance on Hanley Ramirez’s home run: 432 feet.
RBI
Wow.
Jack Dawkins
Wonder how they estimate. Thing was still on the way up, or at least near the apex when it collided with the seats in the second deck.
ASW1
I’ve wondered that before – obviously it makes a HUGE difference where the apex is in the flight of the ball, along with the velocity the ball is travelling – an inexact science they are employing most likely.
Jack Dawkins
The speed of it was impressive. Im sure steiner only got out this is way ba…..
before it was out.
scooplew
Perhaps a combination of trigonometry and physics.
WinnipegDave
I can’t believe he only has 16 HR’s. It seems more like 26.
KT
Hit many in the short time with us this year…wish he was here from day 1
dalegribel
Still, he has to be considered when looking at NL MVP candidates.
Bob_in_Vegas
Especially since everyone is aware of the timeline of the turnaround, i.e. after Puig arrived AND Hanley returned.
Bob_in_Vegas
Our local station doesn’t carry all of all the Dodger games — they opt for college football at times and their own shopping network at others. Since I was in the car, I didn’t hear the top of the 1st but greeted on Gameday with the results, then here with the specifics — yay! . . . Hanley is right at AGon’s heels for the team HR lead . . . and Puig is at his heels, right?
Meanwhile, lock down a postseason roster spot, Cappy (and lower Magic’s #)!
dalegribel
Well crud. There goes the drive home tonight.
Bob_in_Vegas
They switch over at 5 or 6 . . . questionable priorities, but once upon a time NO ONE carried the Dodgers!
dalegribel
Ah yes, but once upon a longer time, KDWN did. I miss those days.
Bob_in_Vegas
Yep — not fighting static.
Bob_Hendley
Who 8 second?
ASW1
Nice job Cap.
KT
good inning cappy
KT
Los Angeles Dodgers ✔ @Dodgers
Here is an absolute monster off the bat of @HanleyRamirez in the 1st: http://atmlb.com/17F8bpu
KT
http://www.dodgersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/130906-Hanley-2-Run-Shot.gif FFWD version
KT
Training staff to the mound
dalegribel
What’s it appear to be?
KT
looks like we had good cappy for the game…no longer in the game
Bob_in_Vegas
that was two consecutive games for good Cap
Bob_in_Vegas
Not good, but at least it’s in September with a padded roster. Whoever goes in gets as much time as they want — take it, especially if not a reliever.
KT
peter Moylan coming in with Fife warming up…one and done
dalegribel
Moylan? Interesting choice over Fife immediately since he has unlimited time to warm
KT
pitcher spot due up second next inning…one and done situation…Fife already warming up
btimmer
Moylan can warm up faster than most, so he’s better for that sort of situation.
KT
agree also why it was a good time for him instead of Fife…fife maybe would have rushed his warm ups
Bob_in_Vegas
I agree — even if you know you get all the time you want, I would think one would feel the pressure to get on with it . . . . So we agree some nice thinking on the part of Donnie and/or Honey?
John_from_Aus
Maybe Fife needs more time than Moylan to get warm (us Aussies are used to getting warm quickly) :)
Bob_Hendley
three dogs and all that…
scooplew
What happened to Capuano necessitating his removal?
KT
something “caught” in his last pitch…seemed leg related, maybe hip, side
ASW1
Steiner and Monday said he limped off
btimmer
If the Dodgers never surrender the lead in this game (which I think is a 50/50 proposition), the official scorer will get to pick whomever he thinks deserves the win the most. Except it can’t be Chris Capuano. And if there’s a save situation involved, they won’t give it to the closer.
Bob_in_Vegas
I know it won’t happen, but that same discretion is what I argued about before: when a reliever comes in, blows the save but is the pitcher of record when the team takes the lead . . . so the guy who blew it gets the win. Life ain’t fair and that’s a perfect example!
WinnipegDave
Probably wont be Moylan either. Not that he wasn’t effective.
John_from_Aus
Why not, he was 100% effective :)
KT
Dee hit by the throw and went down
Bob_Hendley
Thought he could run faster than the ball.
Bob_in_Vegas
Puig says he can!
Bob_Hendley
He has never had a faster guy on in front of him (if he gets a hit).
KT
hit in the back of the neck
btimmer
It’s wabbit season!
Bob_in_Vegas
Come on!
btimmer
As they say in the Vatican, Lepus est solveris
RBI
Ummm, translation? (I have a feeling this may become really embarrassing for me.)
Bob_in_Vegas
You’re the only one with guts to ask!
WinnipegDave
What is going on in Cincy tonight? Man.
RBI
Dangerous times…
Bob_in_Vegas
Besides the obvious, it would’ve been nice to have Puig on base behind Dee — and see them both racing for the plate.
btimmer
Stephen Fife’s first appearance for the big club since August 4. Moylan hadn’t appeared since June 28.
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s hope Fife matches Moylan’s effectiveness — for the rest of the game!
John_from_Aus
Good start Fife
ASW1
Fife! – queue the bagpipes!
KT
good inning Stephen
WinnipegDave
Interesting game so far.
Bob_in_Vegas
Remember, “interesting” is part of a Chinese curse.
Bob_in_Vegas
Except now I see you’re using it as a code, huh>?
WinnipegDave
Wink wink, nudge, nudge, say no more.
Bob_in_Vegas
Got ya! . . . Slow, and sometimes steady.
WinnipegDave
Fascinating. I did not know that.
Bob_in_Vegas
“May you live in interesting times.”
WinnipegDave
Okay big inning, big inning.
KT
Hanley!
ASW1
Definition of the “hot corner” on that one.
KT
I think Uribe would have had that one
ASW1
Terrible call
KT
bad call
RBI
Bad call.
KT
DP Time
KT
lucky that wall had padding
KT
DP!!
ASW1
That was a purty un
ASW1
Followed by an ugly un
scooplew
One batter late, KT, but I’ll take it.
WinnipegDave
Good thing too or else this would be a tied game – or worse.
scooplew
With 22 games remaining after tonight, Greinke is 14-3, Kershaw 14-8, and Ryu 13-5. The last time that the Dodgers had three or more pitchers with at least 13 wins was 2004 — Weaver 13-13, Ishii 13-8 and Lima 13-5.
KT
get someone up
KT
Let’s get Moar runs
Bob_in_Vegas
That went from coded “interesting” to Chinese curse “interesting” quickly!
WinnipegDave
Mystery victory scenario that Bob mentioned earlier still in play.
Bob_in_Vegas
Let’s hope the question becomes practical and not theoretical!
WinnipegDave
Agreed.
RBI
Okay. Now we need Good Fife.
scooplew
Walking the pitcher on four pitches after giving up four hits in the prior inning? It was time for a change.
KT
DP!!
KT
Mild left groin strain for Cappy.
ASW1
The dreaded groin injury : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg9ruee3Vos
RBI
Ugh. He served that one on a platter.
Bob_in_Vegas
Scorer’s quandary averted . . . unfortunately.
Bob_in_Vegas
Offense has to show up now.
WinnipegDave
The 6th is often a good inning for the Dodgers.
WinnipegDave
That’s it. I’m done prognosticating for tonight.
Bob_in_Vegas
Not only Cappy hurt but Fife unimpressive.
DS1981
The dodgers won’t need either of them in the playoffs so it’s irrelevant.
WinnipegDave
Irrelevant perhaps but not inconsequential.
DS1981
So what consequences can come from Capuano being out and Fife being Fife?
scooplew
If Cappy pitches well down the stretch, he could be on the post-season roster for long relief.
Bob_in_Vegas
He would get my vote, the way he has been going. (But I’m not counting on getting a ballot.)
Bob_in_Vegas
AGon is in a bit of aslump, isn’t he?
scooplew
1-for-17, including tonight.
Bob_in_Vegas
Sure felt that way, if not longer.
KT
good inning Yosemite
ASW1
Aside from Hanley’s bomb, a whole lotta nothin’ from the Dodgers offense tonight.
Bob_in_Vegas
And this isn’t their best pitcher.
KT
10:05 PST game time tomorrow
Linkmeister
7:00AM HST for me.
WinnipegDave
Can we give the win to Withrow even if he doesn’t qualify?
Or even if the Dodgers don’t qualify?
KT
Young!
btimmer
Another rabbit is loose!
btimmer
Eric Collins complaining about Billy Hamilton being on the Reds roster ignores the fact that the Dodgers have used Peter Moylan for one batter, Dee Gordon to pinch hit in the third inning, and a revolving door on the pitcher’s mound.
btimmer
The Yankees 8-3 lead over the Red Sox disappeared in the 7th, in part due to a Mike Napoli grand slam. Cardinals leading the Pirates 5-0.
btimmer
I believe Brian Wilson entering the game now is, to use Vin’s parlance, up to his hips in alligators.
Linkmeister
Wow.
RBI
I take back everything I ever said about the Beard…
KT
1-5 DP!!!
btimmer
I enjoyed watching Mark Ellis dive for a ball that was not anywhere near him.
WinnipegDave
A KT DP special.
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K!
btimmer
The phrase “up to your hips in alligators” looks to have been around a while. And there are references to it being “like the guy who drained the swamp only to find himself up to his hips in alligators.”
Guest
In these parts it’s called being up to your slightly different part of the anatomy in gators.
And usually expressed as when you’re up to your … in them, it’s hard to remember that your objective was to drain the swamp.
With all the gator talk, you might think we had some native gators. But not.
There have been a few to survive in the wild, probably former pets.
University of Florida types don’t count.
KT
Now let’s score some runs
Bob_in_Vegas
Wilson!!! C’mon, hitters!
btimmer
I found a lot of cites about “up to your hips in alligators” but most of them violate Rules 1 and/or 5.
Bob_in_Vegas
Get Brian the W! We want a bottom of the 9th . . . today and thru the weekend!
4d3fect
Ice water flows in that man’s veins, I swear. But please get rid of that asinine-looking rubber band, Wilson. Do you think you’re captain Lou Albano or something?
KT
if he keeps pitching like this I don’t care if his hair was pink
4d3fect
Yeah, I’m ok with the hair, just can’t explain what ticks me off about the rubber band.
Bob_Hendley
I like that its blue. A tribute to the team (I am guessing that there are not rules governing the color of rubber bands that one can wear in the Bigs).
btimmer
Their Cuban is better than our Cuban.
Linkmeister
Yep.
WinnipegDave
I don’t know why but that sounds a bit – not right.
Linkmeister
A little “pre-Emancipation Proclamation,” you think? ;)
Bob_Hendley
Trick is to keep him in the pen.
RBI
Dang, he throws fast!
4d3fect
“What was that?”
“It sounded like a strike”
KT
ok now comes our fastball hitter
Bob_Hendley
Are the Reds doing the rest of the league a favor by having him as their closer?
4d3fect
Welp.
RBI
Hard to argue with that kind of heat.
Linkmeister
And control.
Bob_in_Vegas
As bad as the pitching was, it was still a “quality” game as far as runs allowed. Scoring two runs is NOT quality for the hitters. Worst news: this wasn’t their best pitcher.
Silver Lining: Hanley’s HR, Michael Young, Brian Wilson
RBI
He was pitching like he was their best, though. Either way, that Wilson DP was amazing, and perked me right up.
foul tip
Just now able to check in, but looks like Withrow was excellent. 2 IP, 5 Ks, else 0s,
Bob_in_Vegas
Definitely another Silver Lining, thanks! I missed that, tho I DID notice mention of his good work here.
Besides the frustration of the game itself was my following it. It wasn’t on our local radio (at all — I thought they would switch to it after their shopping stuff, but they didn’t), MLB Audio was drastically behind real time,and I am soo behind work that I finally had to focus on that.
rumped6
Boston and now these guys: a taste of what’s to come, for those local and national
witnesses who got a little giddy with the amazing run against mostly moderate opposition.
I was way wrong about this team. Thought they would be as disappointing as the Jays.
But I’m still skeptical of this lineup in post-season. And still think they may have already played their best ball.
Curiously, their record is better against the best division in the league, and worse against
the surprise-return-to-awfulness NL West.
IIWIICUB
stuff like this happens when you’re 6th-ish starter leaves with an injury in the 2nd inning.
IIWIICUB
stuff like this happens when your 6th-ish starter leaves with an injury in the 2nd inning. funny you would say this before kersh and grienke have a chance to go though.
Bob_in_Vegas
I’m with you regarding the 1-2 (or 1-1A) pitchers for the Blue . . . but I also feel the hitters have to step it up. Still, if anyone’s gonna limit the opposition, their past performances have shown it’s Kersh & Zack!
ASW1
It keeps getting curiouser and curiouser around here.
Bob_Hendley
That they have played their best ball (.800) is a bit hard to dispute. Against the better teams during this stretch (Rays, Cards, Reds and Bosox) they did manage to go 10-4. Their record against the West is not that curious, if you keep in mind that many of those losses were in April-June. What is curious is that the West overall is 82-59 (.580) against the Central (.550 excluding the Dodgers).
ASW1
Cap was lookin’ good, he had to leave after 5 outs with a lead – Dodgers bully did fine – can’t be perfect every single time out – held the Reds to only 3 runs – basically lost the game on one great swing – the pitch was not bad to Votto on the HR, it was down and away. This loss squarely on the bats – collecting 2 hits back to back and 3 random others throughout the game more often than not ain’t gonna get her done.
DS1981
The mustachioed bandit really has to explore what he could get for Kemp in the off season. The farm system is still weak, so if some sucker is willing to give him a top level prospect i think he’d seriously consider it.
Bob_in_Vegas
Interesting game in SF, bottom of 7th, 2-0, Giants.
Pains me to say, but with a clear conscience, “Go, Giants!”
ASW1
UUGGGHHHH !
Bob_in_Vegas
It is actually a VERY interesting game in SF, now through 8 AZ at-bats.
ASW1
Terrible AB there.
ASW1
Dbacks are Dodgers closest competition in the West? Wow.
ASW1
Oh…..shoot…..what a bummer….
Bob_in_Vegas
Perfecto lost with 2 outs in 9th.
Bob_in_Vegas
DBacks lose . . . Magic’s # now 11?
RBI
I was rooting for the perfecto. Soooo close.
Bob_in_Vegas
Me too, especially since I was rooting for them to win . . . actually, for the DBacks to lose.
KT
Magic Number
http://imgur.com/nhXkb1I
Bob_in_Vegas
So it’s only Magic’s # with a victory?
KT
No The guy who usually posts it was around that I asked to use over here wasn’t around…so beggars etc…
ASW1
Who the? What’s that impostor doing in here???!!!
KT
The only copy I could get a hold of
KT
Never seen this before the Gnats are ahead of SD because of the tie and head to head but have a smaller magic number because of more games played:
http://i.imgur.com/LSbLR9H.jpg
btimmer
San Diego has a better record than the Giants. Those standings shortchange the Padres a win. They’re really 63-77.
KT
They hadn’t won yet when I posted it
foul tip
Had to miss last night. So a couple questions–
What did Withrow get his 5 Ks on? His FB velocity?
What was Chapman velocity, and I gather one of his 3 victims was Puig?
Thx.
ASW1
I didn’t get to see Withrow or Chapman pitch either – did hear on the radio that Chapman was hitting 100+ to all 3 of Puig, Gonzo, and Hanley.
KT
Dodgers lineup:
Crawford LF
Puig RF
Gonzalez 1B
Ramirez SS
Ethier CF
Young 3B
Schumaker 2B
Ellis C
Greinke P
ASW1
Cincinnati Reds Lineup
CF: Shin-Soo Choo
2B: Cesar Izturis
1B: Joey Votto
RF: Jay Bruce
LF: Ryan Ludwick
3B: Todd Frazier
SS: Zack Cozart
C: Devin Mesoraco
SP: Mat Latos
btimmer
NPUT