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TAFKA_Gagne55
Go BLUE!!!!
Adam Luther
Just secured tickets for NLDS home game #2 and for NLCS home game #3 via the Dodger lottery. Make it so!!
scooplew
Congratulations.
Adam Luther
Thanks.
Bob_in_Vegas
Good for you! Was that where you had to register with your email and phone? Did they contact you and tell you which games were available, then you purchased — or is it open-ended? (I did that other registering.)
Adam Luther
Registered online. Drawing was Tuesday. Notified yesterday via email with an individual password. I could purchase for any/all (potential) home games for the NLDS and NLCS but not the WS, at least at this point.
Bob_in_Vegas
Thanks . . . guess that means I didn’t win that lottery. (Deja vu all over again from Comic Con this year!)
I got word there’s a public sale tomorrow.
scooplew
At 10 games, the Dodgers are on their longest road trip of the season. There were two 9-game trips.
btimmer
12 Ks in 6 IP for Gerrit Cole against the Padres today. Ian Kennedy got hit hard. This makes my UCLA/Dodgers heart happy.
Adam Luther
Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day.
scooplew
Argggggh.
scooplew
Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA is one of the best places to watch a game. I have been there twice on visits to L.A.
KT
Let’s do this right guys and win today…otherwise not until Sunday
Bob_in_Vegas
If needed, how about we buy you a ticket to Friday’s game?
Waiting until Sunday means Kersh doesn’t win.
Let’s make it all moot with a WIN TODAY!
KT
no if we lose today and Volquez loses tomorrow while the dbags win the next two against Colo, Kershaw and Greinke for the NL West championship
Linkmeister
Aesthetics, who needs ’em? Let’s win early. ;)
KT
I want them to clinch in AZ to rub it in but if not and they are going to clinch in SD might as well hope they do it while I’m there…Never experience that feeling/celebration before
Linkmeister
THAT’S understandable.
Linkmeister
Heh. The Gameday link above goes to the Mets – Giants game. If that’s the one you want, fine. Here’s the Dodgers’ Gameday link: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_09_19_lanmlb_arimlb_1&mode=gameday
KT
They were trying to fool you Link…kidding
Linkmeister
It’s so easily done, I hope the gremlins aren’t overly proud of themselves.
btimmer
I believe I fixed the Gameday link. You will need to hit refresh.
KT
yep
Linkmeister
Yep, you did.
Linkmeister
Okay, Mr. Nolasco, do yourself (and us) proud.
foul tip
DM takes a good bit of heat for being in love with bunting. And asking people to at wrong times, or who don’t do it very often, or who maybe just aren’t very good at it.
It depends in part on number of outs, runners on and where. But as many numbers as are kept, what do they say about success probability of swinging away v bunting or sacrificing in given situations?
If the probabilities differ from what DM usually does, why wouldn’t Dodger stat guys let him know, assuming he’d listen?
Could be I about halfway answered my question in those last 3 words above…
TAFKA_Gagne55
Vin Scully has told stories about how Allan Roth would give cards of statistics to Walter Alston who would then drop them in the trash.
btimmer
Cardinals trailing 1-0 and the Rockies are threatening for more. Roy Oswalt slinging for the Rockies today.
KT
Hanley!
btimmer
Pirates beat the Padres, 10-1
TAFKA_Gagne55
Nice. That would have been a mere foul ball in Dodger Stadium.
foul tip
Dodger pitchers are plunking D-backs left and right.,,what a shame. Any danger of setting a hit batters over two games record? If so, and if it’s irrelevant to game outcome, go for it.
TAFKA_Gagne55
The umpire is giving the low and away pitch today. Nolasco should take note of that.
Jeffrey Thomas III
So should Puig.
scooplew
It is difficult for me to understand why Mattingly put Hairston in the No. 2 slot today (or started him at all). He is hitting .169 since the All-Star Game and .125 in September. If he is going to bench Gonzalez (or is he injured?), why not start Young at first base?
foul tip
Maybe giving Hairston a shot to show he can contribute, or maybe not make playoff roster.
scooplew
I think his roster spot for the post-season is up in the air.
John_from_Aus
I don’t think he will make it, there is enough cover for 1st base with Young and even Van Slyke or Ethier in an emergency
WBBsAs
It’s Don, Jake…
KT
Way to get on Ricky
KT
Nice two walks in a row…I think He’s setting up the HBP
John_from_Aus
Jerry can handle it
John_from_Aus
Lets make it count
TAFKA_Gagne55
Horrible base running by Puig!
KT
He was in No man’s land…if caught He’s doubled up
Linkmeister
Vinnie pretty sure Puig didn’t know where the ball was.
TAFKA_Gagne55
I felt like he could have taken two or three more steps toward second without risk of getting doubled off at least. Not sure if it would have mattered.
Jeffrey Thomas III
After seeing that replay he definitely could have been closer to second.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Really wasn’t much for him to do there.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Wow.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Hanley!!!!
KT
Hanley!!!!
John_from_Aus
I somehow think he is the key to the rest of our season :)
John_from_Aus
and that man too
John_from_Aus
Nice to have the early(ish) lead for a change
TAFKA_Gagne55
Prime Ticket just showed a replay of the Puig base running incident. He completely misjudged it.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Saw that, replied to you below. He should have been further off first.
twaseverthus
He should have been halfway, and made it to second. Was Miley or Montero even covering first? Not that Puig was looking.
KT
DP Time
Linkmeister
Dodgers can’t stand prosperity.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Oi.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Nolasco has become a human pinata :(
Jeffrey Thomas III
Come on. This is getting old.
Adam Luther
Hook time.
twaseverthus
Puig needs a reset. This series has been chock full of baseball sins.
Linkmeister
Good grief.
Jeffrey Thomas III
What a joke. Take a shower Ricky.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Grabowski Principle
Linkmeister
Reporter: “Why didn’t you pull him in the middle of that inning?”
Mattingly: “He was throwing good.”
Reporter (under his breath): “They were hitting him even better.”
TAFKA_Gagne55
I was wondering why they didn’t have a mound visit at least after the first few hits. He seemed to be hitting his location, so the D’Bax may have figured out the signs. So a mound visit and changing the signs should have been done.
TAFKA_Gagne55
No PH for Nolasco?!
Linkmeister
Don, please hit for this man. Why, three runs down, are you letting him
hitmiss?TAFKA_Gagne55
And that’s the Grabowski Principle on Miley
scooplew
twaseverthus: Regarding “Puig needs a reset. This series has been chock full of baseball sins.” What did he do?
TAFKA_Gagne55
There was a really bad base running play.
twaseverthus
Today’s nonchalant baserunning blunder (cost us a run, and an out). Bobbled the double by Prado in the corner, in a fit of Dee Gordon-style overzealousness (forgivable). Got picked off second yesterday. Same inning: Eaton stretched a single into a double on a routine grounder thru the hole while Puig napped. I don’t even remember the first two games.
DS1981
And they still would’ve lost all these games even if he didn’t do all that stuff. Pitching is the problem, not Puig.
twaseverthus
There’s room for more than one problem. All I ask is that they play the game right. Puig, more often than not, does not.
DS1981
And even with him not playing the game “right”, the positives he brings overwhelm the negatives.
TAFKA_Gagne55
See, sometimes a mound visit helps!
Linkmeister
Oh, yay for runners left on base. This is a reversion to April – June Dodgers baseball, and it stinks.
KT
The Sky is falling…The Sky is falling
scooplew
It is more a case of aggravation at what I, and perhaps others, view as odd managerial decisions by Mattingly, decisions that will be magnified in the short series to follow.
DS1981
Why so negative?
KT
exactly…why is everyone so negative
KT
Let’s go Ricky…Nice
KT
Let’s get some of those runs back
scooplew
Said was I grumble: All the injuries have handicapped our ability to put our best lineup out there in many, many games. So, why does Donnie insist on resting players who are apparently not hurt, such as Crawford and Gonzalez today? Let’s clinch this darn thing and then tinker with the lineup.
RBI
Agree. Whatever you gain by resting you lose by the sense of scratching, scrambling and losing.
DS1981
It’s too bad Ricky Nolasco couldn’t wait another month or so to turn back into Ricky Nolasco.
KT
Hanley!
KT
Juanito!!
KT
SVS!!
KT
2 more doubles this inning guys
KT
AJ!
DS1981
Chaz Roe is an awesome sounding name.
RBI
Long, skinny drink of water.
Michael fliegel
I haven’t commented all year but now I’m ready. When the team went 42 and 8 I thought Mattingly was doing a good job, but lately I think next year he should be replaced. My thinking is this. Clinch the division then give Kershaw, Ramirez , Gonzo and Kenp 2 weeks off if you have to. Send them all to Mexico on vacation until the playoffs, but this is ridiculous. Let them clinch then replace them He makes terrible in game decisions, just like last night. Let Crawford hit even against the lefty, he wouldn’t hit into a double play. And today Hairston is terrible, never was a good ball player , if you want to rest Gonzo and I’m not sure why you would at least play Michael Young. I hope don is gone next year.
RBI
He’s head-scratchingly hot and cold. Like his team.
KT
Myung Sac!
TAFKA_Gagne55
Montero tried to make the tag before catching the ball.
KT
also was too far in front of the plate he should have been blocking
RBI
Puig needs more patience. Or something.
Jeffrey Thomas III
I’m guessing Young stays in at first, so why not hit for Jerry?
RBI
Good question.
KT
because then the pitcher hits after Puig? I don’t know
RBI
Three more innings. Let’s do this, guys!
KT
Let’s go ahead now
KT
HANLEY!!!!
Linkmeister
Well well well.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Hanley again!
RBI
Yeah!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
In Hanley we trust.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Bison patience puts the go ahead run on
TAFKA_Gagne55
Roe really likes licking his fingers
TAFKA_Gagne55
Scully just said Roe has only faced two batters. Guess he forgot about last inning.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Well, at least they tied it. Seventh inning stretch time.
RBI
6-6 a whole lot better than 6-3.
Linkmeister
Okay, now that we’re tied, can we admit League is probably not the best guy to hold that lead and get a quality pitcher in to try to do so?
Scratch that. “Can Mattingly admit . . . “
TAFKA_Gagne55
Yeah, but we got to get innings from somebody. That’s the tough part of when the starter lasts 5 innings.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Withrow left for the birth of his first child so he’s not an option.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Ah, I was about to ask why he hasn’t pitched in so long.
KT
Juanito is so spectacular!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Just able to see what’s up (no Internet connection and our local station — in their finite wisdom — is not carrying the game) . . . wow! Starting pitchers are not making favorable impressions, are they?
No doubt in my mind anymore . . . Hanley gets my vote as the LA MVP.
Let’s clinch it!!!!!
TAFKA_Gagne55
It was a strange 3rd inning. Nolasco had good stuff and was hitting his spots but was getting beat around like a human pinata. And after it was over, he just started cruising again.
Bob_in_Vegas
Thanks for the clarification — Gameday just gives the facts to us sirs and ma’ms.
Linkmeister
I applaud your “finite wisdom” terminology.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Thanks for the 3-0 swing, Parra!
KT
Now Let’s go ahead
Bob_in_Vegas
AJ!!!!!!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
AJ!!!!
KT
AJ!!!!
Jeffrey Thomas III
He was way, way overdue.
RBI
Woot woot!
TAFKA_Gagne55
So, Beard for the hold and KJ for the save? I do not want to see Bellisario today. Get some insurance runs!
Bob_in_Vegas
Yes to all the above, especially the Oliver runs (please, sir, can I have some more?)!!!
RBI
Ditto and ditto.
Bob_in_Vegas
AJ feels the pressure from that Fed Dude (not an -Ex Man today, in deference to KT)?
Bob_in_Vegas
Remember when Puig wasn’t hitting into any DPs?
KT
hip must still be bothering him
Bob_in_Vegas
All the better to clinch and heal.
Bob_in_Vegas
6 outs before a score wins the West!
Linkmeister
I need to shower. Please hold the lead, y’all.
Bob_in_Vegas
Hopefully it works out, but credit to Donnie to wait until the batter was announced before changing pitchers and forcing Kirk’s hand.
Bob_in_Vegas
K-Beard!
TAFKA_Gagne55
Sick movement on that pitch by Wilson to hit the inside corner.
KT
4 more
Bob_in_Vegas
Wilson: Let KJ deal with Goldschmidt, please.
Bob_in_Vegas
Get the K, Beard!
KT
Good Inning BW…Now for insurance runs
Bob_in_Vegas
Uribe!!!!!!
3 more outs!
Bob_in_Vegas
Hopefully the Dodgers can borrow the Galaxy commercial soon: “Champions live in LA.”
TAFKA_Gagne55
Put up an H for the bearded one!
Bob_in_Vegas
Credit Colletti for picking him up, along with Young and Nolasco.
Bob_in_Vegas
Steiner’s props to Hanley running that out makes me appreciate him even more (Hanley, not Charlie) — and I already held him in high esteem! (Plus, he wears my favorite #, 13!)
Jeffrey Thomas III
Come on KJ for the division!
Bob_in_Vegas
Jinks — you owe me a Diet Pepsi!
Bob_in_Vegas
C’mon, KJ! 3 up, 3 down for the Division!
foul tip
If Brian Wilson is going to keep pitching like this, maybe the Dodgers should check into signing the rest of the Beachboys.
Bob_in_Vegas
Wouldn’t it be nice?
Bob_in_Vegas
HUGE K!!!
TAFKA_Gagne55
Alright, the toughest part is done with; now do that twice more.
Bob_in_Vegas
. . . I’d be okay with two weak groundouts.
TAFKA_Gagne55
I’m particularly fond of the first pitch pop up.
Bob_in_Vegas
I defer to your wisdom!
underdog
How about 3rd pitch pop-into-the-umps-nards?
KT
lucky that got the ump instead of the batter
RBI
One to go!
Bob_in_Vegas
KK J!
Bob_in_Vegas
uno mas!
TAFKA_Gagne55
The owners came to Phoenix for the game!
RBI
Kasten looks like I feel.
Bob_in_Vegas
nervous?
RBI
Totally. But not now!
underdog
Just stopped by to say I’m too nervous to comment so I’m just commenting that I’m too nervous to comment. Good luck to us all!
Also thank God that we’re done with Goldschmidt for the year. One more to go!
KT
Ball Game!!!!
Dodgers Clinch!!!!
There is no Magic Number!!!!
http://i.imgur.com/AMbO5zV.jpg
Bob_in_Vegas
YES!!!!!
TAFKA_Gagne55
Dodgers win the west!
Bob_in_Vegas
Great to hear the cheers!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Wooooo!!!!
RBI
So happy!!!!!
Bob_in_Vegas
Love the descriptions . . . I envy those of you able to see this.
Bob_in_Vegas
High 5s to all of you!
TAFKA_Gagne55
Time for some Randy Newman!
foul tip
Or, maybe some Tennessee sippin’ whiskey. My good friend Jack Daniels may drop by.
Jeffrey Thomas III
First team to clinch division title, who saw that in June?
KT
Figured we had a chance but never in my mind did I think we would be 1st to clinch
Linkmeister
Okay, I’m now clean and you guys and girls held the lead. Well done!
DS1981
Congrats to all! Hanley is perhaps the most complete hitter i’ve ever seen play for the dodgers.
Bob_in_Vegas
Definitely the Difference Maker!
underdog
First time in the playoffs, too — amazing. Yes he really deserved it this year, came back strong from injury and really carried the team multiple times
WinnipegDave
Happy! Oh so happy!
underdog
HURRAH!
EASY PEEZY LEMON SQUEEZY! ;) Or water dripping on rocks. But whatever! Yay!
John_from_Aus
just arrived at work, very excited. I left this morning when we were 3-0 up!
foul tip
For those without eyes, did the team ignore the grinch D-backs owner and celebrate on field?
TAFKA_Gagne55
Yeah, they brought out hats and t-shirts and everything.
Jeffrey Thomas III
They were only told not to come back out after celebrating in the locker room.
RBI
On the field, and now off the field!
WinnipegDave
I’m so glad that Dodger Thoughts is up and running this season. Who knows what may come, but I would be sad not to share this with the Dodger Thoughts community!
Thank you Jon!
Bob_in_Vegas
Amen to Jon.
And Amen to you, Dave. I remember sharing here that the futility of the early season was bearable because we needed “an outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers and baseball” — the DT raison d’etre.
Now it’s an outlet to share our hopes, pride, and joy in the 2013 NL West Champs!
RBI
Puig and Co. bounding around in ski masks! So happy AJ hit the winning run.
Jeffrey Thomas III
This is fun to watch.
RBI
I’m actually tearing up, without champagne in my eyes.
WinnipegDave
I’m very glad I increased my internet speed, and sprung the $8 for MLB.TV! Growing up in Winnipeg, following the Dodgers for over 30 years – I never imagined as a little kid, I would be able to watch them win a division title on my phone! The best I got growing up was a very rare tv appearance during the regular season.
Bob_Hendley
They phoned it in?
underdog
Brian Wilson just pulled a mini-fridge from his beard! Nice.
KT
http://imgur.com/O3LYcVJ
TAFKA_Gagne55
Hanley looked like he didn’t want to be interviewed. He kept looking away from Lyons and the mike until he had to speak.
TAFKA_Gagne55
Lol. The Dodgers storm the pool!
Jeffrey Thomas III
I was on the phone with my brother and stopped him mid story to tell him about it. That was awesome!
KT
http://i.imgur.com/LWZB9Fg.jpg
KT
http://i.imgur.com/o2FyiCQ.jpg
Bob_in_Vegas
Love hearing the play-by-play of the celebration on MLB Audio (our local station is still selling discounted tickets to Grade B shows . . . and I wrote them that they blew it!).
KT
wish I knew how to stream it
Bob_in_Vegas
kshp.com — BTW, I have a tinge of sadness in that you don’t get to be there for the clinch, but get some more autographs for the postseason! (but just a “tinge” :) )
Bob_in_Vegas
Thank you, Kasten & Co.!
Hopefully we’ve only just begun!
KT
From MSTI:
Off The Wall 79 just now
http://i.imgur.com/81bBZGU.jpg
John_from_Aus
I give credit to Picard for ‘making it so’
Jon Weisman
NPUT