Monday, April 27, 2009

Game 20 Thread: April 27 @ Giants, 7p

Randy Wolf (1-1, 4.26) vs. Barry Zito (0-2, 5.63).

COMMENTS: As the Dodgers bravely zero in on their Bay Area battle zone and a resurgent Barry Zito, Big League Stew brainy lead scribe 'Duk ponders a barely likely situation:

If someone walked up to you today with a suitcase containing a million dollars and said you could have it in October so long as you correctly predicted just one of baseball's division winners, you'd have to pick the Dodgers right now ... right?

Settle down there, you with your big lofty scenarios, before you lose your senses! Of course, 'Duk acknowledges the usual caveats, including the Diamondbacks' 18-7 record of one year ago, but also cites the Dodgers topping yet another (useless) Power Rankings poll.

Please recall, however, that Power Rankings are paltry reminders that even the best sportswriters occasionally write puff reads. In fact, sometimes Power Rankings seem little more than public relations press releases that play right into popular requests for a palatable recital of factoids.

Meanwhile, the pressure is on Randy Wolf to deliver a quality start (as opposed to a Quality Start) tonight. With Dodger starters feeling really worked over, a righteous win by Wolf would boost the staff, even if the ready and willing relievers were to help out.

193 comments:

koufax said...

maybe barry zito will be to preoccupied with the backlash from his "gingerbread activities" to pitch well tonight. http://deadspin.com/5229770/barry-zitos-obscene-gingerbread-twitter-photos-are-somewhat-disturbing

Dusto_Magnifico said...

It wouldn't take much to think that Zito won't pitch well tonight.

koufax said...

kemp cleaning up tonight

Erin said...

Zito threw maybe seven pitches in that inning. Nice going there, Dodgers.

NicJ said...

Well so much for attacking zito early.

koufax said...

my parents are at the game 2nite, say its very windy

karina said...

Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Martin, C
Loretta, 1B
Blake, 3B
Wolf, P

koufax said...

right on cue

Erin said...

That was quite an embarrassing pop-up.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I think Kemp called it, but Ethier kept going.

karina said...

Renteria doubled, but it looks someone didn't catch a fly well...

karina said...

and then, Wynn triples.

Hated ones 1-Dodgers 0

NicJ said...

Already thinking about changing it to the laker game.

Erin said...

Kemp doesn't look so great in center so far. I know it's windy, but come on.

koufax said...

i dont know that line drive moved so much, im pretty sure most center fielders dont make that catch

Erin said...

Well, to be fair, my MLB.tv connection is hampered by a crap internet signal. So, I mostly get a frozen image accompanied by Vin's voice, with the occasional moving picture.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp doesn't look too good, but Wolf can get out of the inning unscathed.

Erin said...

For instance, right now it's frozen on Rowand's utterly ridiculous batting stance, in which he looks for all the world like he's trying to poop while standing.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nevermind

koufax said...

hell of a start

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

so I guess the Lakers will have my undivided attention tonight

karina said...

I gotta say Pablo Sandoval with a bat scares the hell out of me.

Erin said...

Jesus. This sucks. It's only the first but it feels like it's already over.

koufax said...

classy giants fans start chanting beat la when they are up 3 in the first

Erin said...

A better throw would have had Rowand there. Martin had to jump for it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I was scared to death Manny would drop it. That kind of night I guess.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Upside: This is very similar to Wolf's outing against the Rox, and the Dodgers won after Wolf clamped down for the rest of the game.

karina said...

Right. Sandoval RBI single, 3-0. Just the bottom of the first, it;s going to be along game.

Wolf had 20 pitches. It looked like he did more, which means what he threw, was hit hard.

karina said...

You can't blame them, koufax. If the Dodgers were up by 3 in L.A., what would the crowd chant?

NicJ said...

Pablo sandovol is good. But is worse than matt kemp when it comes to patience. Just don't throw him anything hittable.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I hate the new MLB Gameday. You can't even get video.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Pablo Sandoval without a sandwich scares the hell out of me.

koufax said...

zito's fast ball commin in at a hot 85 mph

NicJ said...

It's not over yet. It's zito, and those will probably be the only runs they get all night.

karina said...

Bison walks!

Dusto, i watched this guy Sandoval closely in winter baseball, he's real good and he could be outstanding on defense, in spite his frame. Shame he plays on a very lousy team.

koufax said...

karina, probably not beat la!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Is it just me, or is Ethier hitting into more DP's?

Erin said...

Man, I really thought Ethier was going to get us right back in the game there. Blah.

Erin said...

We'll probably get no-hit tonight.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Martin still needs to work on his swing. He's impatient and clearly pull-happy.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

too close from Furcal. Everything that happens in this game is gonna scare the shit out of me.

koufax said...

better inning

NicJ said...

Wolf seems to be hitting his stride. Now let's get some runs.

karina said...

Very nice, koufax!

It's already the 3rd inning and i have a bad feeling about this

koufax said...

no more negativity, its only three runs, we got this

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Still a nice at-bat for Loretta. Need to see one of those out of Martin.

Erin said...

A hit!

Erin said...

All right, I'm on the positive bandwagon. We can do three runs without a problem.

koufax said...

here we go o dog

koufax said...

damn

NicJ said...

Damn.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

It's one of those nights

Erin said...

I guess we should be happy they at least made Zito throw some pitches in that inning.

koufax said...

nice catch

Erin said...

All right, this is when we do our damage.

Erin said...

Wow, Chris Young of the Padres allowed eight steals tonight. Crazy.

Zito had 50 pitches entering this inning. Wolf is at 44 through three.

karina said...

I couldn't see the catch, but i do wish it helps to clean tonight's karma.

Erin said...

Wouldn't be good to lose tonight, since we have to face Lincecum Wednesday.

Erin said...

Let's go Loretta.

Erin said...

Ugh.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That's an LOB of four now

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Lakers are tied at the end of the first quarter, for anyone who's curious.

karina said...

Now, Burriss is going to DP. Crossing fingers.

karina said...

He didn't, but he and Zito had back to back grounders.

Blake, Wolf and Furcal coming up.

NicJ said...

runs on three!

one!

two!

three!

Erin said...

We sure are making this easy on Zito.

karina said...

I can understand they can't win every game, even when they play against the Giants, but a shutout is humiliating, no matter if Zito is pitching well.

Fred's Brim said...

hi all - this has been frustrating but i bet Manny breaks out of him mini slump this inning

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

So far this is really giving me Deja Vu.

Fred's Brim said...

it's a Barry Bonds lovefest on the Giants broadcast

NicJ said...

yay start it off manny

Fred's Brim said...

Zito got lucky on that hanger

Erin said...

All right, now let's see how we can blow this chance.

NicJ said...

kemps really showing he likes hitting 7th.

NicJ said...

its that kinda night.

Erin said...

I'm not so sure about that called third strike there. But whatever. It's not like our hitters are doing much to get the calls going their way.

Erin said...

Damn it. At least this is moving quickly, so as to get the pain over with as soon as possible.

NicJ said...

hey the giants have a female PA announcer. i think.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Wolf is piching very well. Sucks that all three runs are charged to him.

Fred's Brim said...

Why didnt the white sox or phils want Rowand? that dude's a good ballplayer. Is he super religious or something?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Only 19 pitches have missed the strike zone, no walks, four K's. Really good night for Wolf

NicJ said...

goofy batting stance

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Lakers lead by 13 at halftime.

Erin said...

Wolf is doing very well. If not for that misplayed pop-up in the first, we might be in a scoreless tie.

NicJ said...

the bats just arent there tonight.

NicJ said...

stults vs. lincecum?
yikes

Erin said...

Yeah, if we lose tonight, we'll be lucky to get one win in the series.

Fred's Brim said...

heh heh Merkin

Fred's Brim said...

that was an old Gas-House Gang move

Fred's Brim said...

Casey!

NicJ said...

casey!!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

YEAH BABY!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I am having a strong case of Deja Vu.

Erin said...

Ha. You guys are ahead of my MLB.tv feed. But in this case, that's just fine. Now we're talking!

Fred's Brim said...

attaboy Jaunny! Lewis was playing so far in on that one but still couldn't get there

NicJ said...

casey got all of that pitch.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Slappy McPopup might just save us.

Fred's Brim said...

i am on mlb.tv too - do you have the premium? maybe the HD is slower?

NicJ said...

merkin!!!

Erin said...

My stupid internet in Puerto Rico is slow, and though it's been going well for a few minutes now, sometimes it just freezes. Then it just starts up where it left off, which means I'm automatically behind. I think I'm about a minute or two behind the rest of you right now.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Blake earning his bobblehead night

Erin said...

And look at that--I was comment #100!

Fred's Brim said...

that happens to me sometimes too. not sure why it doesnt let you catch up. maybe you can refresh the page between innings

Erin said...

Good idea, Fred. I'll try that in the next break.

Fred's Brim said...

nice work, Huddy!

Erin said...

YES!!!!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Like I said, Deja Vu

Erin said...

I refreshed my page as Hudson was coming to the plate, then suddenly he had a 1-2 count. So I think I'm pretty close to even with the rest of you now.

Fred's Brim said...

Orlando, do not steal second!

Fred's Brim said...

do they black out any games in PR? Yankees maybe?

Fred's Brim said...

it's got eyes, as big as jolly ranchers!

Erin said...

I haven't seen any blacked out yet. I have the Extra Innings package on the DirecTV down here, but it really sucks. There are only three channels, and sometimes only one of them shows a game. It kind of doesn't make any sense, which is why I had to also get the MLB.tv package. I've only got one more month to go down here, and I can't wait to get back to the real Extra Innings. And regular Dodgers broadcasts, of course.

And the Dodgers take the lead. We all knew it was just a matter of time, right?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Manny!

koufax said...

Manuel Aristides Ramírez Onelcida!

Fred's Brim said...

damn DPs :/

Erin said...

Oh, Kemp. Way to be a rally killer.

Fred's Brim said...

good inning though!

koufax said...

lets go bullpen

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp is not helping his stock.

Erin said...

Who was getting warm?

Fred's Brim said...

Erin, that's strange - is it a PR-specific package? you would think you could get any game you wanted down there!

Fred's Brim said...

Belly to ?? to Brox?

koufax said...

hold on to your hats its ronald mcbelisario

Fred's Brim said...

keep it down, Belly. No HRs!

Erin said...

Yeah, it's "DirecTV PR." I'm just renting an apartment that has DirecTV, and this is the only package available. They seem to show virtually every Yankees game, but that's the only consistent thing about it. I'm a Red Sox and Dodgers fan, and neither of those games were on tonight. I'm moving into a hotel on Friday, though, so it'll be only MLB.tv from now on anyway.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

barry zero point zero. back to back hard luck no decisions. ha ha.

Fred's Brim said...

oh gawd - yankees broadcasts might be the most boring in baseball. Michael Kay puts me to sleep

Erin said...

Wow. That sure looked like it should have been called strike three.

Fred's Brim said...

this ump is a d!ckl!cker!

koufax said...

great movement on that sinker

Erin said...

And the one called looked like exactly the same pitch. Oh well.

Yeah, Kay is really boring. And I also just don't think his voice is pleasant at all. It's very annoying, in fact.

Fred's Brim said...

nice catch Dre!

Erin said...

Nice recovery, Ethier!

Fred's Brim said...

i saw Kay at a sports bar once - he came in and ate a giant plate of chicken wings, then a giant plate of chicken fingers and then left.

koufax said...

damn dps

Erin said...

Is that three or four DPs?

Fred's Brim said...

cmon, McBelly - three quick outs!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Three

Fred's Brim said...

i repeat, keep it down, Belly. No HRs!

Erin said...

Well, let's get one from their side now. Please.

Erin said...

Son of a bitch.

Erin said...

We need a K, then a DP. Or a pop-up and a DP. Nothing else.

koufax said...

K

Erin said...

Okay. That's step one.

koufax said...

i really dont like rich aurielia

Erin said...

I do not understand new parks that incorporate the bullpen on the field.

Fred's Brim said...

wack

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dammit

Erin said...

That was pathetic. What the hell, dude?

Erin said...

Just tag the guy right in front of you. Yes, the run would score, but there would be two outs. Now you're in big trouble.

koufax said...

u gotta tag the runner there wtf!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Aw crap

Fred's Brim said...

christ on a bike

Erin said...

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Erin said...

Molina is going to kill us here. Walk him.

Erin said...

That should do it.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Aw crap

Fred's Brim said...

farts

Erin said...

This is the cheapest comeback I've ever seen. Dribbler and a stupid play by a young pitcher, then who knows what the hell happened to Blake here. Damn it.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

hmmm....

Fred's Brim said...

2 ground balls through the infield, a tapper, a wild pitch and a chopper = 2 runs, somehow

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Blake, PH, Furcal up next to try and tie

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

How does Sandoval steal second!?

Erin said...

Blake will be swinging for the fences trying to make up for whatever the hell just happened to him.

Fred's Brim said...

sorry, Randy :/

Erin said...

That was maybe the worst all-around inning so far this season.

Orel said...

What the hell is going on here???

Erin said...

What is up with Brian Wilson's hair? Is it a mullet or a mohawk?

Orel said...

Remember, Brian Wilson walked in the winning run last time.

Erin said...

Nothing good, Orel. Nothing good.

Orel said...

It's both, Erin.

Orel said...

We can do something here.

Orel said...

Full count to Casey.

Fred's Brim said...

what's up w Wilson's hair? is that a rat-tail mullet?

Orel said...

Way to swing at one in the dirt, Casey.

Erin said...

Damn it!! That was an embarrassing pitch to swing at, Casey!

Time to be a hero, DeWitt.

NicJ said...

wow, swing at a ball four in the dirt, and it was a fastball.

Orel said...

Two weak-ass strikeouts.

Erin said...

Painful.

Fred's Brim said...

take 3 pitches, Raffy

Erin said...

Does Torre always wear earplugs?

Erin said...

Ugh. I'm going to bed.

Fred's Brim said...

that ump was cold and wanted to get back to the hotel

Orel said...

Perfect. Caught looking to end it.

Fred's Brim said...

this late-relief situation is getting annoying

NicJ said...

well thats a loss for the series, were not beating lincecum

Fred's Brim said...

gnite - i quit

NicJ said...

i dont want to hear anymore complaints about kemp hitting 7th in the lineup.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

May Joe Torre at least learn something from this. Belisario clearly cannot pitch in the eighth inning. Torre needs to get over his "favorite pitcher" complex. The same thing happened with Procter, and he stinked.

Orel said...

Lakers doing their usual fade. Let's see if they can hang on.

NicJ said...

did the lakers put bellisario in? what the hell happened?

NicJ said...

well, who else could torre put in? he doesnt have that many options.

Orel said...

Post-Game Thread is up, if anyone cares.