Seems like most of the National League Division Series material I read today isn’t about today’s Game 3, but rather Monday’s Game 4 and whether Clayton Kershaw will start for the Dodgers on three days’ rest.
For what it’s worth, I’m not as gung-ho about using Kershaw on Monday if the Dodgers lose tonight. I mean, I realize you pretty much have to use him, but the downside is you really don’t know how pitching four days after a 124-pitch outing will affect him, both in terms of overall effectiveness and duration.
But for now, the focus should be on tonight’s Game 3, which offers a pretty great matchup between Hyun-Jin Ryu (amid some mystery of his overall health) and Julio Teheran, with the stakes the highest we’ve seen all year. After dominating Game 1 and coming within several different eyelashes of stealing Game 2, the Dodgers would seem to be well-positioned to take the upper hand of the series at home. But of course, I’ll be sitting on the edge of my fingernails like the rest of you.
Carl Crawford, LF
Mark Ellis, 2B
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Skip Schumaker, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P
RBI
About to go inside the stadium. I am SO excited!
NoahUCLA
I’m on my way. I’m catching a Hanley home run tonight and donating it to DT.
Jack Dawkins
TBS spends 5-10 minutes talking about the shark tank in Pittsbrgh and how dominent their bullpen has been in the series. Next Batter, Beltran, sends a bomb to center.
Please dont praise the dodger bullpen today.
14hodges
So nervous. Please, please let Ryu be his best at-home self. Dodger bats, please awake together.
4d3fect
Those of you going, be well, and represent.
John_from_Aus
1 more Ryu
WinnipegDave
Drat.
John_from_Aus
Not the best start
Linkmeister
Okay, I’m panicking.
John_from_Aus
Time for Uribe to calm him down (as per article)
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/odd-couple-hyun-jin-ryu-juan-uribe-become-best-of-friends?ymd=20131006&content_id=62565708&vkey=news_mlb
Jeffrey Thomas III
Dang it. Bats better be active tonight.
Linkmeister
Now I’m REALLY panicking.
RBI
Okay, we seriously need to get those back!
WinnipegDave
Maybe the Dodger crowd should do some sort of 1st Nations/Native American chant to get the stadium rocking. Or not.
Linkmeister
Korean, if there is such a chant.
WinnipegDave
That would be amazing!
WinnipegDave
That will help stay out of the conventional DP. And maybe even a few unconventional ones as well.
WinnipegDave
Let’s go Han Ram.
John_from_Aus
pop one over the fence to calm us all down
Jeffrey Thomas III
Not too reassuring.
RBI
Rats.
Linkmeister
1 LOB so far.
Bob_Hendley
We are keeping count?
Linkmeister
“For those of you keeping score at home. . .”
Bob_Hendley
Sure, but we had 8 in the first game and 7 in the second.
Linkmeister
Here you go, all you DTers inside the stadium:
we sang:
“Oh, pil seung Ko-re-a, oh, pil seung Ko-re-a, oh, pil seung Ko-re-a,
o- ho-o-ho-o HEY HEY HEY!” (We had a good time trying to figure out the
words to that one; it means “certain victory” in Korean.)
http://www.noaura.com/korea2.html
WinnipegDave
I think Ryu settles down from here and keep things close.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Nice inning Hyun-Jin!
scooplew
I just got home. I missed the first inning. Was Ryu hit hard?
Jeffrey Thomas III
A double from Upton that Skip couldn’t get to, then two singles.
scooplew
Thanks.
John_from_Aus
C’mon skip
John_from_Aus
or not
Jeffrey Thomas III
Can’t blame him for taking that pitch, questionable at best.
Bob_Hendley
Too close to take.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Really? It was a borderline strike, nasty.
Bob_Hendley
FWIW, Game day had it pretty firmly in the strike zone.
scooplew
As this series continues, I feel we will be missing Ethier more and more.
DS1981
Being in a hole right away in baseball is just a killer. Players start pressing, pitchers too, takes the crowd out of the game, etc.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Time for Baby Ryuth!
scooplew
That went a lot farther than I thought it would.
Jeffrey Thomas III
He drove it pretty good.
Bob_Hendley
You and Upton
Jeffrey Thomas III
Got one back!
Jeffrey Thomas III
Gone!!!!
Bob_Hendley
CC my baby!
WinnipegDave
Crawford!!!!
Jack Dawkins
Earl Weaver offense! Love it!
Jeffrey Thomas III
PIcked a perfect time to find his power swing again!
scooplew
Goodness Gracious!
John_from_Aus
Yahoo!!
scooplew
Are you at work now?
John_from_Aus
at home on school holidays
scooplew
Spring break?
John_from_Aus
yep, popping in to work tomorrow to do some work while the students are not there (with the game on as I work!). Back at work properly Monday
WinnipegDave
There are the Dodgers 2 out runs!
Jack Dawkins
I am officially overdosed on TBS and their love of the term “shutdown innning.”
Jeffrey Thomas III
Settle down now Ryu…
scooplew
DP! (in lieu of KT.)
Jeffrey Thomas III
I’m sure he’s yelling it from his seat!
alex7
Ryu keeps missing up in the zone. HR territory.
John_from_Aus
Triple play?
Alex7
Feels like Capuano time almost regardless of what happens here.
John_from_Aus
just thinking exactly the same thing
Alex7
why wouldn’t you come home with that grounder?
Alex7
ehh, looking at the replay Adrian was pulled off a bit towards the 2nd base side.
scooplew
Gonzalez was playing deep at first.
Alex7
hit really hard though, thought at first he had a shot at home.
scooplew
He might have, but he had a sure DP had Ryu found the first-base bag.
scooplew
What was Ryu (not) thinking? OMG.
rumped6
Dinna worry: Harold Reynolds assured everyone listening to MLB this weekend
that Ryu’s stints in the WBC would have him ice for this start:-).
And he got no help from his catcher on that foolish throw home. Passive AJ strikes again.
I’ also keep scratching my head that Clayton’s pitch count was apparently limitless,
while Zach was done at 84, and now the [possible best arm in baseball might be jeopardized
again if Ds lose this one.
Donnie has Joe Torre disease?
Jeffrey Thomas III
He’s not long for this game.
scooplew
I hope he can get out of this inning.
Jeffrey Thomas III
That DP just a little too late.
scooplew
Nice to have a glove man like Uribe at 3rd.
RBI
Ryu costing himself two outs and at least one run there.
Spence
This game might be a battle of the bullpens with the way the starters are going
John_from_Aus
That actually could have been a lot worse
John_from_Aus
So we start again
John_from_Aus
Nice start Hanley
Jack Dawkins
Lead off runner on all 3 innings.
Jeffrey Thomas III
The butter & eggs man!
John_from_Aus
Nice!
John_from_Aus
Lets hold the lead now (and increase it)
WinnipegDave
This is turning into Denver vs Dallas.
foul tip
About time for one of those Puig swings to connect.
foul tip
Guess that’ll do….for now
4d3fect
Hit it to Gattis!
John_from_Aus
That sort of worked out Ok
Jeffrey Thomas III
Better than Adrian at second with Puig out!
Alex7
Nice aggressive slide by Adrian.
Jack Dawkins
Puig trying to cost us a game again.
John_from_Aus
What did he do?
Jeffrey Thomas III
He hustled, some nerve!
John_from_Aus
:)
Linkmeister
Relay to first got away from the first baseman and Puig didn’t hesitate; he just took off for second. Made it, too.
Jeffrey Thomas III
HIt it to Gattis indeed!
Alex7
Tehran throwing pitches down the middle of the plate. Might be his last inning as well.
Bob_Hendley
Skippy!
John_from_Aus
nicely done
Bob_Hendley
Puig run.
John_from_Aus
Does Ryu bat if AJ gets on?
Bob_Hendley
I believe so.
Bob_Hendley
But Honey on the phone.
4d3fect
Well forecast
WinnipegDave
This has been a long 3 innings.
Linkmeister
Capuano warming in the pen.
WinnipegDave
One more hit!
John_from_Aus
Just saw McCann RBi ground out come up on gameday, I see what you all mean
WinnipegDave
Either time?
Jeffrey Thomas III
MIchael Young.
WinnipegDave
That makes sense.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Both starters are done.
John_from_Aus
so who lasts the longest, do we call it at TKO tie
Jeffrey Thomas III
Ryu went 3, Terehan just 2 2/3.
Bob_Hendley
and ahead on points
John_from_Aus
lucky Ryu wasn’t up against an ace
John_from_Aus
of course
WinnipegDave
A double here would be heavenly.
scooplew
Time for Young to hit his first homer as a Dodger.
das411
man oh man it’s amazing what deep lineups can do
Bob_Hendley
ex-Filly!
das411
eh you can have him, that’s kind of like saying shane victorin…er, maybe more like mike edwards is an ex-dodger!
bluegeorge
Take him to the Wood-shed!
4d3fect
Simmons to Gattis: “this is how it’s done grandpa”
Jack Dawkins
Ripkin christens Young as a professional hitter.
scooplew
I guess the others all work for free.
WinnipegDave
I stand by my comment: a double here would be heavenly!
Bob_Hendley
Single OK
4d3fect
McCann: not playing the game the right way.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Where’s Jerry Hairston Jr. when you need him?
scooplew
When was the last time a Dodger starting pitcher didn’t make it to the 4th inning?
Alex7
Carlos Perez comes to mind. Gagne as a starter…
Bob_Hendley
Cap?
Bob_Hendley
Ricky went 1.1 Sept 14th.
scooplew
Thanks. I hadn’t realized that it was that recently.
John_from_Aus
You tend to want to put those sort of outings out of your memory banks
John_from_Aus
Hopefully we can keep the 2 run lead this time
Jack Dawkins
Ok, time to make Ned look like a genius for putting cap on the playoff roster.
Bob_Hendley
Alrightie!
foul tip
Would you buy one-inning genius, and counting? [He said, hopefully.]
scooplew
Getting Heyward on that 3-1 pitch was huge.
WinnipegDave
Absolutely.
John_from_Aus
Nice Cappy!
4d3fect
Time to break out a can of whup-a** on the Barves bullpen.
foul tip
From your lips to the Dodgers ears/bats.
scooplew
You nailed it.
Linkmeister
I feel like that little dog in the Traveler’s insurance commercial. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ea2elPCEfqk
Worry, worry, worry.
John_from_Aus
Think Bobby McFerrin “Don’t worry, be happy” instead
Jeffrey Thomas III
A couple more innings like that out of Cappy would be wonderful.
WinnipegDave
Carl needs to be the spark for the Dodgers this postseason.
WinnipegDave
Man, Han Ram is a beast. An absolute beast.
Bob_Hendley
Hanley Man!
Jack Dawkins
Mattingly wanted Hanley to have a healthy rest so he could show the world what a hitter he is. Hanley is upholding his end of that bargain.
John_from_Aus
nice insurance
Bob_Hendley
We will need more, I think.
John_from_Aus
we have it!
WinnipegDave
Who is feeling less tense now? I know I am.
Bob_Hendley
These Braves can score
WinnipegDave
Granted, it may be temporary relief. But I will take this feeling for as long as I can.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Twice AGon got squeezed on that pitch.
foul tip
AGon is just flat out cool a customer. Talk with McGwire, time out to field a foul ball with his battling glove, flip it into the stands, then nonchalantly right back to talking with McGwire.
The AB didn’t go so well, so back to chatting with McGwire, I guess.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Puig!
WinnipegDave
HR!!!!
Bob_Hendley
Uribear!
WinnipegDave
Big fly Juan!
foul tip
Well, not to worry about when the Dodger offense is going to show up.
4d3fect
U!
4d3fect
Ribe!
Bob_Hendley
Uribis
Linkmeister
Wow.
das411
man oh man now what will he and ryu sort of talk about??
foul tip
Something on the order of “I helped bail your a… out, dude. Get ’em next time.”
Jack Dawkins
Over 2 hours to play 4 innings. I am not complaining however.
SaMoDodger
Feels like a yankees redsox game.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Ok bull pen, let’s finish this off.
PismoBruce
Is it too early for a Booyah?!
WBBsAs
Now I’d like a nice easy 1-2-3.
SaMoDodger
Theres a first time for everything. Hasnt been a 123 all game. But that was close enough.
foul tip
Appears Hanley is dead serious about this winning thing.
foul tip
Oooh, what white bear say after pitcher strike him out… Shame, shame. Rule 1 violation.
Go now, talk with other cavemen about what do next.
scooplew
At the moment, the Dodgers are batting .352 in this series — 32-for-91.
Jack Dawkins
Starting to feel like our July offense may be back.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Dodger fans mocking the braves chop chant, awesome.
WinnipegDave
Big smile on Hanley’s face!
Jon Weisman
Belated URIBEAR!
Bob_Hendley
Go ahead and expand the strike zone.
SaMoDodger
Cap proving he was a good roster addition. Sad face from hairston.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Getting his one walk per inning out of the way..
SaMoDodger
I must have jinxed him.
RBI
DP time!
Bob_Hendley
There you go.
SaMoDodger
way to unjinx him!
Linkmeister
What is this with walking the leadoff man? I hope somebody’s warming up in the pen. I don’t trust Capuano to go very far.
The folks at Braves Journal have written this game off, and partly it’s because of Capuano who they seem to think is a Braves-killer.
foul tip
He pretty much was earlier this year.
WinnipegDave
I love it when lead off walks lead to DP’s!
scooplew
Cappy continues to walk the tightrope.
WinnipegDave
Yeah, but the net is still looking good and firm.
WinnipegDave
Sweet.
Bob_Hendley
Nice job Cappy.
foul tip
I know about Cappy’s 2 TJs and all that. But did he ever have overpowering stuff?
WBBsAs
Decent, I think, but never a true power pitcher.
TAFKA_Gagne55
I’ll admit that I thought Volquez should have been the 11th pitcher when the roster was posted, but I’m quite content with Capuano’s performance today.
WBBsAs
No more Steiner, thank you!
Jeffrey Thomas III
How are you listening tonight? For me the radio is ahead, the computer is ahead, and the phone is behind..
WBBsAs
My computer is about a pitch ahead of TBS.
WinnipegDave
Glad we are ahead by 6 because it makes it a whole lot easier to say – that was a beautifully executed DP by the Braves.
foul tip
That time out Cap caught whatever Marmol has—-3 IP, not a single hit, 3 Ks. But 3 BBs.
Hope it’s not contagious.
Jack Dawkins
TBS says Howell pitches out of a yoga position, the downward facing dog.
John_from_Aus
2 nice sliders for strikeouts out of the zone there
RBI
Nancy Bea!
TAFKA_Gagne55
The chatter here has really died down. I guess the 6 run lead isn’t so interesting.
John_from_Aus
more interesting than trailing by 6 :)
Jack Dawkins
As things stand I assume the scorer will give the potential win to Cappy.
WBBsAs
The only reasonable choice, by the rules. Ryu did not go five.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Oh please don’t get hurt out there guys…
Bob_Hendley
Careful CC.
Alex7
that lady looked so concerned. rare to see that reaction from a fan despite how much sense it makes.
Alex7
and the guy she’s with is just delightfully clapping.
ASW1
Good thing he didn’t get hurt – losing Crawford would be a killer.
ASW1
Not having to use Kershaw on short rest is a beautiful thing, guys.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Yes, now let’s hope for a good start from Ricky!
John_from_Aus
Is it time to take some players off the field who are a bit fragile, such as Hanley and maybe Crawford?
John_from_Aus
Nice Beli
Jack Dawkins
Ripken: “You don’t want to play with your backs against the wall.”
ASW1
That’s going to need a lot of ice later.
4d3fect
Ouch Ouch Ouch
Bob_Hendley
Hairston and Butera households stirring.
4d3fect
DRE!!
WinnipegDave
I really like it when Hanley is hot like this. Simply amazing!
ASW1
A joy to watch, no doubt.
4d3fect
Thwack Thwack Thwack *sound of Braves being spanked*
ASW1
A cool dozen.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Now a baker’s dozen.
ASW1
Lucky number 13
WinnipegDave
At this moment – cool line score filled with 0’s, 2’s and 4’s.
Oh, nevermind – Puig gets another RBI…
foul tip
Dodgers not too impressed with vaunted Braves bullpen, at least not tonight.
foul tip
So….Schu to pitch the 9th? ;-])
ASW1
Was just thinking who hasn’t been used in the series yet….
Bob_Hendley
From centerfield
scooplew
The last time that the Dodgers scored as many as 13 runs in a post-season game was a 13-8 victory over the Yankees in the second game of the 1956 World Series. I don’t know if they ever scored more in the post-season.
foul tip
TBS saw your comment and put it up as a graphic. You should demand a royalty.
scooplew
Absolutely! Nice to know TBS is a fan of Jon Weisman and Dodgerthoughts, (LOL)
Bob_Hendley
Paco facing Reed Johnson.
WBBsAs
IBB, Don…
scooplew
The Rodriguez-Heyward match-up is not working.
WinnipegDave
Oh Paco!
Jack Dawkins
So I think we should avoid Paco v Hayward from here on out.
ASW1
Well, I think we have established Heyward owns Paco
scooplew
Ironically, this would have been a game for League or Marmol.
scooplew
We’ve used the entire bullpen except for Withrow, Wilson and Jansen. I hope Nolasco is on his game tomorrow.
Spence
I’m really surprised the Braves thought Eliot Johnson/Freddy Garcia were better than Uggla/Maholm for their playoff roster. Freddy Garcia’s made 3 starts since June and they are giving him the ball with their season on the line.
Bob_Hendley
Might they rethink that?
scooplew
Darling just said Jansen is up in the pen. No way.
foul tip
Way.
Spence
Dodgers are huge favorites tomorrow. -145 Today they were -141
scooplew
About to reach the four-hour mark. My wife is being very patient tonight (as usual).
ASW1
If the Dodgers do make it to the NLCS, I would consider Marmol or Volquez over Paco. I think Paco has used all his bullets this season.
Jack Dawkins
If we make it to next round, I anticipate a Marmol for Paco swap.
SaMoDodger
agree.
ASW1
I said it 1st :)
WinnipegDave
Sad to see a tired, struggling Paco. He was fun to watch throughout the season.
scooplew
I am first-guessing, not second-guessing. I think using Jansen tonight with a game tomorrow night is the wrong thing to do. Why not Wilson?
ASW1
He only needs one out – not a big deal.
scooplew
Yeah, good point.
Spence
Not sure what Donnie’s doing using Jansen in these blowout games. He’s only got so many pitches in his arm in a given year. Save em till you need em.
TAFKA_Gagne55
With the postseason schedule the way it is, the only way someone could pitch three days in a row is the middle three games of the LCS or WS. So overuse isn’t much of an issue.
Spence
overuse is an issue cumulatively over the year.
WinnipegDave
If it were to be done, better to be done quickly. Let’s finish this KJ.
Jon Weisman
NPUT
scooplew
I enjoyed communicating with all of you tonight. Here’s to a victory on Monday Night Baseball.