Chad Billingsley (10-5, 3.72) vs. Adam "Loudon" Wainwright (11-6, 2.95).
COMMENTS: Once again, the Dodgers sit on the precipice of a three-game losing streak, something they've avoided all year long. So it's fitting that, two days after a hack LATimes writer called him out, Billingsley gets the chance to show if he can be that ace under pressure that the Dodgers apparently "don't have." True, Bills has struggled a bit of late, needing the Manny pinch hit grand slam to earn his 10th victory. But I'm guessing Chad has enough gumption tonight to win it for himself--and not for the fear of a three-game losing streak or the hack journalists without a clue. Just win it for you, Your Royal Thighness!
As a reminder, this game also debuts the new SoSG insipid time-wasting game, "One Hundred Splendid Sons", or 100SS. Complete rules are posted here, but the point is for us to have fun in the Game Thread competing for the 100-multipled comments. That way, even if the Dodgers fall to the Cardinals, we SoSGers can still have fun while it's grey in LA. I mean, when it's grey in LA, I sure like it that way, 'cause there's way too much sunshine 'round here. I don't know about you; I get so sick of blue skies whenever they always appear.
271 comments:
1 – 200 of 271 Newer› Newest»10 minutes and no comments yet? Let the stalling begin!
Furcal
Hudson
Manny
Ethier
Blake
Loney
Martin
Kemp
Bills
100
DAMMIT
*sits in recliner*
*turns on TV*
*Homemade version of Dodger Dog with mustard and onions*
*Pours drink in glass*
*Takes our binoculars to pretend I'm sitting in nose bleeds*
I'm ready.....
What stalling?
3!
So Mr.Sax, recognize my picture?
I would like one game without any incessant boobery in the infield.
(Unless it comes from Team Fredbird.)
"incessant boobery in the infield"
Thats easy to fix, just have the national anthem sung by guys the rest of the season........
Strange Weirdos? that's an interesting image for the thread...
10?
Missed it!
Erin, your avatar is awesome. It looks like it has a story!
I made that sign in the spring of 1982. I was 14 years old and Steve Sax was my very favorite baseball player. I would take it with me when he made appearences or at games. I had it with me when he appeared as grand marshall for the christmas parade, his appearence at Florin mall, and at least ten others. I use to take it with me to "Candlestink" park until someone tried to rip it out of my hands and tore it.
And then when Steve Sax left the dodgers, I got a Steve Sax voodo doll and poked it with a sharp pen everytime he got up to bat..... I replaced him quickly with a new favorite!!
Erin, I can drop by and spray the hose at you between innings, to make you feel like you're at Bleacher Beach.
Speaking of Bleacher Beach (and ignoring the easy hose set-up), are the Marlins announce team interviewing the Bleacher Beach lifeguards during this clip?
Crack broadcast journalists.
Erin, your first story is reason #5473492826256282 to hate the Giants. Who does that to a 14 year old girl?
Who was the player that replace Sax?
@karina, you had me at your lovely first comment. You lost me with the voodoo pin epigraph.
@JoshS: You're just jealous you didn't think of the hose thing.
Sax, do you realize this Erin is not Erin from Robots are Everywhere?
By the way, I can't play in today's GT, but I am really really interested in knowing how it plays out. Go get 'em, guys!
@karina. Whoa. I did not realize that.
Okay, that changes everything.
Maybe I'd use a different hose.
I can be bought for assisting your claim for 100, 200, 300 and 400. I reserve 805 for ME!
@karina: I had dinner with a venezuelan friend tonight and--no joke--he said there were 30-odd Venezuelan players in the majors. I could recite some of them from your comments (Abreu, Ordonez, Cabrera, etc.), but I was missing a ton...who are your faves?
Wait, we have two Erins?????????????
@Neeebs: Ventura area codes don't earn any points, my friend
@Steve Sax:i haven't ever made a voodoo doll, which breaks my heart because i've spent a little more of a year trying to win your heart. There is always another girl!
*sigh*
Sax said, "different hose"
LMFAO
But I claimed the last comment on the SOSG's world record thread at 805
BTW, the Dodgers are 0-2 since I returned from vacation.
@karina: I'm losing my mind. Of course you wouldn't have a voodoo doll. I apologize, I'm going nuts here.
Needless to say, I'm not in LA right now...so that can explain it. Maybe.
Take me back, please!
Yes, I am a lurker Erin that doesn't post alot. However I am on vacation this week and thought I would try. And I was spring cleaning and came across my poster that someone doesn't recognize! DRATS!!
I'm just going to ignore the whole "hose" comment........
See how I'm cleverly beginning to set someone up for the first 100.
I should go back to work.
@karina, my friend was really impressed with the Venezuelan MLBers I could recite...
My faves right now? Bob Abreu is a big favorite, though he plays for Leones del Caracas. Gerardo Parra and Carlos Gonzalez because they are the new stars of Aguilas del Zulia. Miguel Cabrera is awesome, it's incredible how hitting looks when you see him swinging a bat. Got a big crush on Ramon Hernandez...
I love Santana and Zambrano, Big Z is never dull to watch...
Karina, you can have him! I'm going for younger! :)
What part of Venezuela is your friend from?
Torn between two lovers.
Feeling like a fool.
Man, I suck. I'm going to bed.
If you want to impress him more, i can teach you a couple of things:
Ask him if the Brewers should trade Alcides Escobar (in Venezuela he plays for Cardenales de Lara) to get someone useful for the play-offs.
You can also tell him there's no surprise Marco Scutaro is having a great season, because he was underestimated working as an utility, when you play him everyday he can make it all...
Hahahahahahahahaha, Erin!. Sax doesn't want me, he's a lost battle!
Cuando amor no es locura, no es amor.
lets go chad!!
Sax, there are Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen, Ramon Hernandez and Henry Blanco. They are icons of venezuelan winter baseball from the 90's.
Ordonez is known as "Caribe Mayor", because he's the biggest star of that team, Caribes de Anzoategui, expansion team from the early nineties. He hasn't played in awhile, he's very beloved, that's why people got so upset when he took side in internal politics.
In the late nineties, Ordonez, Victor Martinez and Zambrano played for Caribes. No championships, if a MLB team had those three, it might be a dream (pretty aware this season by Ordonez sucks).
Some people are surprised Henry Blanco is almost a God here. He always plays winter baseball, he's a great defensive player and he was the captain of the most popular team in the country:Leones. He was traded last season for the smallest team in the country and Leones fans were very angry. Witout any doubt, he's one of the most popular people here.
Neeebs, have you read Love in the Times of Cholera?
Tus deseos son ordenes para mi.
De verdad?
I'm running out of "clean" lines here.
Those were the two big ones when I was wooing La Chilena.
No I haven't read that book. What is it about?
Hey I posted 1/2 of 100. Do I get any points?
Should the 100 claim count if it occurs before the first pitch?
Josh S.: Nothing in the rules prevents a pre-first pitch claim for 100.
Plenty of time to reach "100" before gametime. Maybe we can get to "200" as well. That would really set up a run for 805!
No wonder La Chilena married you!
Love in the Time of Cholera is a novel about a guy who was in love and waited for a woman during 53 years, seven months and 11 days.While he waited, he slept with 600+ women. For somewhat reason, you reminded me of the book when you said: cuando el amor no es locura, no es amor.
Quad, the more talkative, the more and juiciest comments to grab!
This game requires tons of team work.
Tons
Of
Teamwork
60
*Taps microphone*
Testing Testing...
*Clears throat*
"Take me out to the ballgame*
Do the Dodgers have a fan site on Facebook?
*Looks to see if anyone is listening*
"Take me out with the crowd"
"Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks"
Also would like a beer, a dodger dog and a chocolate malt*
Lets see, this should put it at 65!
You can count out Halladay. The Dodgers are focusing mostly on Cliff Lee.
Neeebs: Yep!
Also, Mark P. Sweeney has a Twitter @Sweendog9 (That sound's filthier than Sax's hose comment for some reason.). I know you all were dying to read it.
@Neeebs: they do.
By the way, i'm not staying for the game, i gotta go to a birthday party. I'm just a good sport abd want you to have some fun :)
Ack! Inappropriate apostrophe!
Neeebs, the Dodgers also have an official profile on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/DodgertownUSA
I don't do Twitter.
I'll join the Facebook page.
Why don't Twitter?. It's useful for news.
73!
I can barely turn on my computer and it took me forever to do Facebook. I think I'll stop while I'm ahead.
I don't twitter either. As a matter of fact, I don't even tweet!
74
Mega Millions Lottery for tonight is 60 Million!
It's time for Think Blue TV!
With Gary Miller and Erik Karros!
Featuring Larry Bowa!
80 for practice.
Chances of rain today. Imagine what could happen to the thread if that happens.
*Gets out umbrella*
82?
Unbearded QuintoSpock!
No chance for me to get 100. About to head home. You guys will probably have passed 200 by the time I get there.
Josh S. with the long commute.
Maybe this Spock is better.
Tarp is on the field.
Since Tarp in on the field, Josh will have plenty of time to make it home...
Alternate programming?
Lame.
Aw nuts, it's the Tim McCarver show.
damn it now what am i gonna do
heading into the first turn.
Let's discuss crazy DodgerTalk callers.
As much as I hate Plaschke, I tend to agree that there is no proven pitcher on this team that can shut an opponent down. Say what you will about the bullpen, its not enough come playoff time. If you lineup every playoff contending team, nearly all of them have a better #1 than the Dodgers. Sorry Chad, if you're #1 you can't be tied for 5th most walks in the league. You have to go deeper into games.
Here they are, HLACK's contending teams and their Aces.
St. Louis: Carpenter/Wainwright - both of these guys are having great seasons, and Carp is already established his post season ability.
Philly: Hamels (Halladay?) - he proved it last year against the Dodgers. Hasn't looked as sharp this year, but his K/BB is still stellar. I blame most of his ERA misfortunes to the sore elbow in the beginning of the season.
Chicago: Zambrano - as nasty as they come. Got robbed by his defense last post season. Peripherals aside, this is a guy who I'd give the ball to in a big game, easily.
Houston: Oswalt - been kicking ass for years.
SF: Lincecum - baseball's best pitcher, period.
Atlanta: Lowe/Vasquez - Lowe hasn't been as good as he was for the Good Guys last year, but he's tough as nails, we all know this. Look as Vasquez's numbers, they speak for themselves.
Colorado: Marquis/Jimenez - advantage Billingsly.
Milwaukee: Gallardo - unproven in the post due to injuries last year. Can be dominant, but I'd side with Bills in this matchup as well.
Florida: Josh Johnson - best fastball in the game right now. Is on a 16 game stretch of allowing 3 ER or less. That's tough to beat, as the Dodgers found out. Tough to say on this one. Billingsly's tendency to walk batters and Johnson's shut down stuff make me want to give JJ the edge.
I'm no hater boys and girls, I just watch way too much baseball. I don't know who the right piece is, or maybe the Dodgers can stop stranding 10 runners a game and just score 8 runs an outing and win that way (our tendency to be in 1 run game situations doesn't lend itself to that hypothesis).
Is Billingsly really an Ace? Kershaw will be, that I feel safe about saying. I can't say the same for my man Billz.
Caller #1: Trade Loney for Adam Dunn.
So, HLACK: you think we should trade for Lee and Halladay, even if we have to let some members of our young core go?
I'd package a trade that includes EITHER Martin or Loney for Halladay.
Really? King James for Dunn? i'm not sure if Dodger Stadium is the kind of environment for hitter like Dunn
Let this be 100
Ok, let me try it again!
Go Dodgers!
100
I'll take the 25 point discount.
100
100
100
I'M GONNA KILL YOU, NEEBS
my house radio dosent get am stations
=( i wanna hear how we need pitching on the radio since its on tv online newspaper
Neeebs nailed #100!
Damn, Erin foiled my plan
But I didn't call "100" so I don't get any points and I get penalized for calling 100 at 103.
Damn that Erin......
MLASF:
Before you kill me, you will need to learn how to spell "Neeebs"
I'll spel it how I damm well want too.
Already people are complaining about the pitching.
The head of Fire Ned Colletti is on Dodger Talk.
Here's who I wouldn't trade: Kemp, Billingsly, Kershaw, Martin (unless its in a deal for Victor Martinez). I'd trade anybody else on the club for an Ace pitcher that makes us the odds-on favorites to win the World Series.
HLCK: Including Ramirez?
@Neeebs (got the spelling down bro). In all honesty, I don't think that Manny's name comes up in any trade talks for pitchers. Toronto and Cleveland are trying to shed payroll, so a Manny trade makes no sense. Would I trade Manny for Tim Lincecum or Dan Haren? I'd have to think about it.
Let's trade Schmidt for Halladay. Maybe Toronto will throw in some prospects too.
If the rain does not let up, there could be a double-header tomorrow.
i think the game is headed toward postponement. The weather reports are not looking good.
Do points for the 100's game thread game count if there is no game played?
Manny has a full no trade clause.
There's a huge storm system, and St. Louis is right on the edge of it.
any new news?
are we playing tonight?
i hate the midwest
That cell is reaching from the top of Arkansas to the bottom of Michigan.
oh Jackie <3
Game time is scheduled for 6:32
they are gonna start the game, buy by the looks of the weather map i doubt its gonna go the distance
Randy Johnson has a torn rotator cuff and will be out longer than originally expected, that kinda sucks.
HLACK:
I threw the Manny name out there because it wasn't on your list, knowing full well that Manny would not be part of any trade.
Notwithstanding, why keep Martin on the untouchable list? His numbers and upward potential don't really merit untouchable status. Ya think?
That's just it Neeebs. Martin's numbers don't give him much trade value.
i think it would affect the pitching staff in a negative way to trade the catcher midseason. Plus we already traded our top catching prospect for blake last year. Im not too sure that Ausmus and Ellis could fill that hole.
MLASF:
I think that Martin definitely has value to the right team, including the Dodgers. But my question was more in line with why HLACK thought he was an "untouchable" for the Dodgers.
I think we're on the same track here.
Red Sox management upset with Dice-K about some negative comments he made of the organization in a japanese newspaper.
How long before Papeldouche calls him a cancer?
Off to the short commute home.
According to Eric Collins, Martin painted his fingernails white.
If we reached more than 130 before the game even started, imagine what we'll get during the game!
forget getting the starting pitcher out of the game, we need to work on getting ludwick out.
This looks like a long game.
Error!
This is gonna be one frustrating game.
Show'em Bills!
Nice inning for Bills.
1-2-3 inning. That was easy, we should try that more often.
Oops, late to the party - GAME ON!
Bills' stuff is dead sexy tonight. His mechanics look great.
Having Clint Hurdle on the MLB network is almost as dumb as having Matt Millen on sunday night football.
This is so incredibly frustrating.
damn Ryan and his awesome stirrups and sani's.
we finally got one through!!
Skip seems to have gotten much better at 2B. Collins already said something dumb, saying he had never played the infield in his life. The reason they converted him is because he played 2B at UCSB.
Nice to see One Drop going up the middle again.
Kemp singles to set up (sigh) Billingsley
two on and two out with the pitcher up.
:/
Wainwright is showing Chad and his new aggressive approach at the plate.
Almost for Bills. But as we learned last night, almost doesn't cut it.
that was some good TV right there.
Collins tried to pull a Scully and be quiet to hear a reaction. EPIC FAIL.
Nice Manny Defense.
Bills can't fall behind when he gets ahead. He's just making unnecesarry pitches.
lookin' good bills.
It wasn't kensai on Dodger Talk, it was me.
alright, leadoff single. Lets produce a run.
Ali was on Dodger Talk? Cool!
Don't worry about Furcal trying to steal!
This is gonna be another LOB
MLSF - I call in from time to time.
What is it with the porn staches on Wainwright and Ryan?
I guess unless you call yourself "Alireza, the commenter from Sons of Steve Garvey" I won't realize it's you.
its a team unity thing, most of the cards have them.
1st and 3rd with two out, again.
Oh goodie, a two LOB!
i could go for a WP, right about now.
our team unity thing is leaving men on base.
The worst part is you can't do anything to improve clutch hitting.
you could rip your shirt off in the club house and challenge the players to a fight.
Oh wait....
I wonder if Furcal will ever have his speed back? Why bat him lead off if he can't get on base and get a steal?
MSTI noted that Blake is platoon splitting and also noted that Tony Abreu (remember him) is murdering the baseball. Bring him up to give Casey rest against tough RHP, like Adam Wainwright.
Nice D from Beard, however.
Maybe Ryan and Wainwright are forming a Stan Van Gundy fan club.
Tony Abreu would probably sprain his ankle boarding the team charter.
I thought Tony Abreu didn't exist?
Dusto - Furcal seems to still run well, but hasn't been taking SB chances.
Abreu had a really terrible injury. We shouldn't be hard on him. That sports hernia led to a torn hip labrum that went undiagnosed for a long time.
Kemp with nice D and Holliday reaches to break up the no no.
Lyons and Collins have no clue what BABIP is about and Ruth didn't K very much at all.
Someone please fire Steve Lyons.
I would rather Rick and Charley do a simulcast than listen to these two.
maybe tony abreu can do color.
PS re:100SS, scoring totals will not be posted until well after the game (and not in the PGT).
We've got the SoSG summer intern on it.
BS, that was a ball.
its like deja vu all over again.
I can't wait to here the Dodger Talk calls trying to remedy this nonexistent clutch hitting.
this is starting to remind me of the horrible 8 game losing streak we went on last year.
No mo LOB
Yeah, the offense is pretty demn depressing right now. I hope Chad's performance doesn't go to waste.
at least Bills has solved his problems of the last few starts.
Five innings, six hits, 0 runs (0-for-4 with RISP)
Yay.
Bills looks much better.
the campers must be getting a little antsy.
I hope this Billingsley performance shuts Plaschke up.
Bills in no way deserves a no-decision today. They gotta try to get him the win.
The 200 tension is high (sorry if my blackberry is slow)
Nic J - the campers are definitely creeping.
Yes!
If Martin does nothing then I give up on this inning.
Yo
B2oo-yah!
200
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