September 2014 – Page 5 – Dodger Thoughts

On September 12, 2014

In Tickets

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers sold out of season tickets in 2014 and started a waiting list for the first time in 20 years, capping sales at 35,000. That same 35,000 limit will apply for next year, but if you’re interested, you can sign up for the wait list now.

Season ticket holders retain the right to purchase postseason tickets for that season, collect promotional items and secure tickets for Opening Day and interleague matchups.

Prices are increasing in many areas of the ballpark, but more than half of season tickets continue to be priced at less than $20, many less than $15, and there will be tickets on the Reserve level for as little as $5.

“We are tireless in our efforts to field the best possible team, provide a first-class fan experience at the stadium and to be an integral part of making Los Angeles a better community,” Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “We implemented these adjustments in price structure with a continuing priority to offer a variety of ticketing options that will accommodate any family or individual budget.”

Following are highlights of the 2015 Dodger season ticket offer:

99 percent of all season tickets increase $5 or less.
79 percent of all season tickets increase $4 or less.
All seats, like the one listed on chair rentals las vegas, under $20 increase $2 or less.
The one percent of season seats that increase $6-$10 consist of the front row of Field level seats between the bases and the newly-renovated Executive Club level seats.
Tickets on the Reserve level will increase no more than $3.
The Dodgers will continue to have tickets available for as little as $5.
There will be no increase for general admission season parking, while premium season parking will increase by $200 for the 2015 season.

For more information or to be placed on a waiting list to purchase season tickets, please call (323) DODGERS or visit dodgers.com/seasontickets.

Will Dodgers face Giants in October?

In Postseason

LOS ANGELES DODGERS AT SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Hanley Ramirez is safe at home with the Dodgers’ final run in their 4-3 victory July 27 over the Giants. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

It’s September showdown time for the Dodgers and Giants. Two or three games apart in the National League West standings, pending the Giants’ game against Arizona today, Los Angeles and San Francisco play six times in the two weeks, beginning with three at AT&T Park this weekend.

But even after September and the regular season end, the Dodgers and Giants might square off for a series of super-heavyweight bouts.

First, there’s the possibility of an NL West tiebreaker game on September 29, should the two teams finish even in the standings. Home-field advantage for that game will be determined by head-to-head records. San Francisco currently holds that advantage, 7-6, with the six games remaining.

Also, if both teams advance to the playoffs — a good possibility, given San Francisco’s 1 1/2-game lead in the wild-card standings — the Giants and Dodgers could meet in the postseason for the first time since … well, technically, ever, although the two teams had their epic NL tiebreaker series in 1951 and 1962.

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Since the wild-card era began in 1994, the Dodgers and Giants have never been in the playoffs in the same year. The 2014 MLB postseason schedule can be found here.

A Giants-Dodgers playoff battle could come as soon as the National League Division Series. Since 2012, there has been no prohibition against teams from the same division playing in the first round of the postseason. As of this writing, the Dodgers are .001 behind Washington for the best record in the NL, with St. Louis 3 1/2 games back and San Francisco in between — whoever emerges on top will play the winner of the wild-card game.

And if the Giants and Dodgers are in separate NLDS contests, they could reunite for the National League Championship Series, a concept that is forcing me to do all I can not to make earthquake comparisons.

I need to catch my breath just thinking about that.

Getting ahead of myself? Sure. The Dodgers themselves are focused on Friday’s game; I can picture Don Mattingly’s eye-roll if you asked him about next month.

But if your heart starts beating as fast as ever in October, don’t say you weren’t warned.

As for Dodgers-Angels in the World Series? Even I won’t start speculating about that yet.

Video: Vin Scully speaking on September 11, 2001

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A Happier 9/11

Every year at Dodger Thoughts, I would run this remembrance of the September 11, 1983 game at Dodger Stadium that was, at least until 2006’s 4+1 game (four homers in the ninth, one on the 10th), the most incredible game in Dodger Stadium history. (It’s amazing to me that the story itself is now 11 years old.)

Here is a link to the story.

— Jon Weisman

On switching outfielders

In Managing, Offense

For more photo highlights from Wednesday, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

I remember thinking in 2008, when Andruw Jones was in an ugly slump, that the Dodgers had no choice but to stick with him, because they weren’t going to win anything if he didn’t right himself. And then, as it turned out, the Dodgers created another choice, named Manny Ramirez.

But I also remember, in 2014, calls to bench Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp when they were struggling.

On June 4, a week after Crawford had gone on the disabled list, Kemp had a .291 on-base percentage and .398 slugging percentage. The cries for Joc Pederson were probably never louder. Since that time, Kemp has a .380 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage (a .915 OPS) while finding a home in right field.

It was even worse in Crawford’s case. On May 2, Crawford had a .212 on-base percentage and .259 slugging percentage. He then started 17 of the Dodgers’ next 23 games — playing nearly every day against righties — and had a .389 OBP while slugging .565.

Crawford went on the disabled list for six weeks, and when he came back, the stats would indicate he was lost. On August 9, he was down to .268/.333 on the season — a .601 OPS. And people wondered aloud why Andre Ethier wasn’t playing.

But Don Mattingly saw good at-bats amid those struggles, and committed to Crawford. The reward: the hottest hitter in the majors, a .478 OBP and .614 slugging percentage, including an astonishing 9-for-12 with a walk, four doubles (three in Wednesday’s 4-0 victory) and home run in this week’s Padres series. On the just-concluded homestand, Crawford had a .533 OBP and slugged .897.

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People will criticize Mattingly for this and that, but rarely does he get credit for what turned out to be something quite savvy — recognizing that it was too soon to forsake Crawford and Kemp, even when others would have.

It’s hard to watch someone who has been as important to the Dodgers over the past decade as Andre Ethier languish on the bench. It’s natural to wonder what would happen if he received the everyday opportunities that Crawford, Kemp and Yasiel Puig have since the All-Star Break, and whether that would have made a difference in a season that has stuck him with a sub-.700 OPS. (As it happens, Ethier is 9 for 25 with a .448 on-base percentage off the bench since August 17, evidence that he has made the best of a reserve role and/or an argument that he should play more.)

I would only say that it’s also natural to wonder what Puig is capable of when he comes out of his own long slump, and based on what happened with Crawford and Kemp, it would be odd to assume he won’t. In other words, unless you think 2014 Puig is 2008 Jones, it might be worth waiting this one out.

Dan Haren has a 1.70 ERA in his past seven starts

On September 10, 2014

In Midgame, Pitching

Dan Haren, to say the least, has stepped up. He has also gone 94 batters since he last allowed a home run.

– Jon Weisman

A rare start at second base against a righty for Justin Turner

On September 10, 2014

In Pregame

For more photo highlights from Tuesday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Yasiel Puig, CF
Justin Turner, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Dan haren, P

By Jon Weisman

Since Australia in March, Dee Gordon has been as regular as they come against right-handed starting pitching in 2014, but the charms of hot-hitting Justin Turner have given Don Mattingly the opportunity to give the speedy second baseman to have an extra day of rest heading into Thursday’s off day.

Turner has a .437 on-base percentage and .517 slugging percentage in 229 plate appearances since May 11.

Gordon has been on a hot streak of his own in the past week, going 10 for 29 with a walk and two doubles for a .367 on-base percentage and .414 slugging percentage. For what it’s worth, Mattingly mentioned Gordon not having a strong history against Kennedy (4 for 21, including a double and a triple, with one walk and six strikeouts).

Some other quick hits (some courtesy of the Dodgers’ PR department):

Paco Rodriguez threw a bullpen session today at 100 percent and it went really well, according to Mattingly, who added that the key is how the lefty reliever feels the day after.
Over the past month, Carl Crawford is first in the big leagues in batting average (.405), fourth in on-base percentage (.453) and seventh in slugging percentage (.557).
Though it has taken him a month to do it because of how rarely the Dodgers have been facing lefties, Scott Van Slyke has quietly put together a 10-game hitting streak with a .985 OPS since August 8.
Matt Kemp has an even longer hitting streak going: 15 games. His career-long is 19.
Adrian Gonzalez is on pace to become the first Dodger to lead NL in sacrifice flies in back-to-back years since Gil Hodges (1954-55).

Video: Young Scully meets Babe Ruth

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Dee Gordon in a stolen-base race with Billy Hamilton

In Baserunning, Pregame

For more photo highlights from Monday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Padres at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Yasiel Puig, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Roberto Hernandez, P

By Jon Weisman

The Major League stolen base title is nearly up for grabs, though it would be an exaggeration to say Cincinnati outfielder Billy Hamilton is coming up fast on Dodger second baseman Dee Gordon. Each player has one stolen base in the first eight days of September, with Gordon ending a seven-game drought in the first inning Monday.

Gordon now has 59 steals and Hamilton 55. After Gordon stole five bases in three games from August 13-15 to take a 12-steal lead, Hamilton narrowed the gap in the last half of August, stealing 11 bases to Gordon’s three.

Neither, clearly, is going to have the kind of September that Maury Wills had in 1962, when he stole 27 bases in the Dodgers’ final 27 scheduled games, to reach 100 on the nose. Wills then stole four more bases in the three-game playoff against the Giants, October 1-3.

Both Gordon and Hamilton do remain likely to become the first players to steal at least 60 bases in the big leagues since Michael Bourn in 2011. The last Dodger to do so was Juan Pierre, who stole 64 bases in 2007, and the last Dodger to get more than that was Davey Lopes with 77 in 1975.

Gordon’s rate of success has fallen from 83 percent before the All-Star Break (43 of 52) to 67 percent since (16 of 24). Opportunities have declined in part because he has walked four times with 38 strikeouts since the All-Star Break.

* * *

Captured in photography: Clayton Kershaw tosses the Dodgers’ three-error play to the past. Photo by Juan Ocampo (click to enlarge).

Video: Happy anniversary to Koufax’s perfect game

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It was 49 years ago today, but it never gets old.

— Jon Weisman

Special tickets available for Wednesday’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

In Dodger Stadium, Promotions

For Wednesday’s first annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers are offering a special event ticket package that includes a ticket to the game and a commemorative Law Enforcement Appreciation Dodger mug.

Pregame ceremonies will honor law enforcement groups throughout Southern California, including a special tribute to officers who lost their lives in 2014: Police Officer III Nicholas Choung Lee, Police Officer II Chris Cortijo and Police Officer II Roberto C. Sanchez. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck will be on hand to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Limited tickets are still available. To purchase or find out more information, visit dodgers.com/lawenforcement.

— Afton Kurth

The Dodgers won, life (and Kershaw) is good …

On September 8, 2014

In Postgame

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… so how could we not show the above video.

The Dodgers had made two errors in their previous 91 innings before making three on that one play in the sixth inning tonight.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) September 9, 2014

Needing only 89 pitches in eight innings, Clayton Kershaw allowed one earned run in addition to these two unearned runs, lowering his ERA to 1.68 while boosting his strikeout count by eight to 210 in the Dodgers’ 9-4 victory over San Diego tonight. Hanley Ramirez went 4 for 5 with two run-scoring hits, while Carl Crawford had two singles and a three-run home run.

Los Angeles leads the National League West by 3 1/2 games with 18 to play.

– Jon Weisman

Notebook: Three weeks to go …

On September 8, 2014

In Health/injuries, Pregame

For more photo highlights from Sunday, visit LA Photog Blog.

Padres at Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCVI: Kershawffice Space
Dee Gordon, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Yasiel Puig, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

I’m starting today’s pregame notebook with perhaps the least relevant note, but today before batting practice, Erisbel Arruebarrena and Alex Guerrero were practicing 6-4-3 and 4-6-3 double plays, and they put on a show in my eyes.

Arruebarrena has had some recent injury issues, but he was healthy today and back to showing as quick a release after fielding a grounder as you’ll ever see. And I know Guerrero doesn’t have as great a reputation at second base, but he looked smooth on the turn to me.

Of course, what do I know? For one thing, there weren’t any actual baserunners bearing down on Arruebarrena and Guerrero, but Don Mattingly agreed that they looked good, so there’s that.

In other notes:

The Dodgers have definitely benefited from the month that Clayton Kershaw missed, Mattingly said, in terms of being fresh for the stretch run and able to go longer in games.
Zack Greinke had no issues after Sunday’s six-inning start, Mattingly said.
Carlos Frias is not expected to start another game for the Dodgers this year, and Mattingly said that Frias’ two shutout innings Sunday in relief explains why — there’s increasing viability for him to become a more integral part of the bullpen. “First inning he comes in, he pretty much attacks, throws strikes, gets three outs and then he’s able to go back out,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had some kind of middle-innings issues of where to go at certain times, so he could be a valuable guy right there where he was at yesterday.”
Sixteen of Frias’ past 17 innings have been scoreless, with only three hits and one walk in those 16 frames. Only blemish: three runs in his fourth inning of work August 24 vs. the Mets.
Onelki Garcia is healthy and a contender to see MLB game action before this season is over. Garcia, who made his big-league debut on September 11, 2013 but had two offseason surgeries, pitched a shutout inning for Chattanooga in their Southern League semifinal-round victory Sunday.
Injured reliever Paco Rodriguez threw on flat ground and is moving forward again.
Three weeks and 19 games remain in the regular season. The Dodgers’ magic number is 17, but in reality, 15 victories would guarantee the title because of the number of games they play against second-place San Francisco. (Thanks to Bob Timmermann for the note.)

Dodgers to honor longtime employees tonight

On September 8, 2014