Sunday, July 26, 2009

Game 98 Thread: July 24 vs. Marlins, 1p

Jason Schmidt (1-0, 5.40) vs. Chris Volstad (7-9, 4.34).

COMMENTS: Jason Schmidt, Take 2. If I had any idea what Schmidt will bring to the table today, I'd be playing the ponies instead of watching the Dodgers. As it is, he showed enough moxie to get through five innings in his last outing. Building on that would be a great next step for him. Otherwise we'll have to resurrect the whole fifth-starter discussion again.

The 22-year-old Volstad is 1-1 lifetime against the Dodgers. He's tied for second on the Marlins' pitching staff in wins, but today's start will likely put his innings count over 40 above last year's. Will he be a victim of the "Verducci Effect"?

140 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

Here's me, explaining to my wife why the day revolves around game time today...making all sorts of end-of-the-earth ramification arguments with regard to Schmidt's start. Not sure she's buying it. Yet.

Orel said...

Promise her you'll take her to see The Ugly Truth after the game.

rbnlaw said...

No one should have to pay such a steep price, Orel.

Going to the game, kids in tow (plus my daughter's friend).
Look for us in Loge 161.

Kyle Baker said...

The Ugly Truth is what she's been calling me lately.

Kyle Baker said...

Watching Hall of Fame induction now. Koufax is dressed as fly as anyone out there, except for Rickey Henderson.

Kyle Baker said...

Beard Mode and Manny sit today:

Furcal SS
Hudson 2B
Ethier RF
Loney 1b
Kemp cf
Martin c
Loretta 3b
Schmidt p
Pierre LF

Kyle Baker said...

Dodger Thoughts takes on LA Times columnists:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgerthoughts/2009/07/plaschke.html

Go get 'em!!!

Kyle Baker said...

Only 7 pitches for Schmidt to get the first 3 outs.

Kyle Baker said...

Hate to be critical given our success, but base running decisions are just poor these days.

Josh S. said...

21 pitches through two. Wowzers.

Orel said...

1-0 after two innings for Schmidt, I'll take it.

Orel said...

Spanked!

Orel said...

Bison single, steal.

Orel said...

C'mon Schmidt, help your own cause.

Orel said...

That hit him???

Orel said...

Two dropped balls in one play.

NicJ said...

Technically you can argue that he didn't make an attempt to get out of the way if the pitch

Kyle Baker said...

Calling Ladbroke's for over-nder numbers on how long Schmidt makes it today.

NicJ said...

Well, he had one good outing.

Fred's Brim said...

this is turning into Friday night

Orel said...

4-0 Marlins. Schmidt being Schmidt.

Orel said...

More two-out madness.

Brandon said...

Reminder: In the other two games the Marlins lead by multiple runs and we came back to tie it.

NicJ said...

Why has our defense been so sloppy lately. That's a little worrying.

Orel said...

The Flash!

karina said...

Finally, this inning is over. Do any of you think the Dodgers should go after a starter?

Orel said...

Sloppy baserunning today too. It's a getaway day — do the players really want to get on that plane so soon?

karina said...

@Brandon: thanks for the reality check.

Orel said...

That throw was Hanigan-esque.

karina said...

There was bad baserunning last night too.

Orel said...

Trouble brewing? Dodgers, Indians "In Serious Discussions" About Lee, Martinez (MLBTR)

Orel said...

O-Dog killing us today.

NicJ said...

That inning fell apart rather quickly.

Orel said...

5-0 Marlins.

Steve Sax said...

Well, this start is saying a lot about the limits of a 85 mph fastball ceiling.

NicJ said...

Cliff Lee? Hmmm, Im pretty sure someone is getting traded off the roster. I'm just scared to see who.

karina said...

That link is interesting, Nic j. So i guess the plan would be getting a qualified starter and Martinez playing first base, giving way much power to the lineup, however i do have a doubt: how much power can Martinez contribute playing in the NL everyday?. A down side to Martinez is he's injury prone and not a very good defensive catcher, that's why he's been playing at first base.

Kyle Baker said...

Victor Martinez is C/1B. Don't follow Indians closely to know how much he's played 1st. Anyone know?

karina said...

Trading for Lee means tearing the Baby Blue apart. Not fan of that and let's get real: resisting the temptation of trading this young core of home grown players is the key of the success this team, imho at least.

Orel said...

Revenge of the Fish. 7-0 Marlins.

Josh S. said...

Can we get a puzzle since the Dodgers are clearly taking the day off?

Orel said...

Including Bills or Kershaw in that deal would be insane.

karina said...

Dusty Baker: in fact, not only he's spent a good time playing first, he was sort of injured and has been a DH for a few games, as we all know, we need players who can play offense and defense on a daily basis, that's why i'd consider a trade of Victor Martinnez to a NL team very risky.

Orel said...

@Josh S. "Can we get a puzzle since the Dodgers are clearly taking the day off?"

Sure, here you go: Figure out how the Dodgers can acquire Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee without giving up anyone on the 25-man roster.

Kyle Baker said...

Very much agree Karina. I also think this latest rumour is more about, as a commenter on that site noted, being a plant from the Cleveland front office that really isn't about Dodgers.

Kyle Baker said...

"It's too hot for the fat lady to sing." -Scully

NicJ said...

I'm not a fan of breaking apart the team, but we are clearly lacking starting pitching depth.

Fred's Brim said...

agreed Orel. that sounds like a big mistake to me. if Joe covets an experienced starter, trade for Andy Pettitte

Kyle Baker said...

Colletti has been pretty clear that he isn't considering trading Kershaw.

Kyle Baker said...

And besides, why would Colletti indicate he would not give up Kershaw or Billingsley for Halladay yet give one up for Lee?

karina said...

That's why it makes sense trading for Loney...

Orel said...

Get it all out of your system, boys.

Fred's Brim said...

yes it'd be nice to leave all of this crappy play behind and refocus on the road

karina said...

@Nic j; I totally agree with Dodgers Thoughts (thanks for the link Dusty Baker). They could trade minor league talent because they have a core of very young and HEALTHY players on the 25 man roster, which means this team could be cheaper and competitive for a few years.

Kyle Baker said...

Update on that trade rumour:

"4:31pm: Kevin Baxter of the LA Times quotes a Dodgers executive saying there is "less than zero truth" to the rumors regarding the trade.

4:26pm: Rosenthal now says that both clubs have "strongly denied" the previous reports that the teams were in serious talks about Martinez and Lee.

Rosenthal says the clubs are talking, but the question now, becomes: about what? The Dodgers have had interest in Lee, but including Martinez is a new development, if it's true.

The names in previous reports have surfaced in talks, but club officials say that trade is not currently in the works."

NicJ said...

We will just have to wait and see if we are a team built for the regular season or a team built for the postseason.

karina said...

From the DodgerGM guy in Twitter:

"Just gave Kershaw and DeWitt a list of apartments in Toronto with vacancies."

NicJ said...

Less than zero? Wow that's not much.

karina said...

and my favorite:

"Tough time working out a deal for Halladay. Can't agree on Dodgers prospects. Maybe I should save us all time and offer them Logan White."

karina said...

That's more complex than that, last season team wasn't even built for the regular season or at least they played like it for two quarters of the season and they accomplished way beyond our expectations, who would have thought they went into NLCS?

NicJ said...

Less than zero might be our score at the end of this game.

Maybe we will get to see loney pitch!

NicJ said...

Yeah, but we got to the NLCS because we traded for a few key players.

karina said...

that's hilarious, Nic j!

Maybe that's why Cleveland would trade for him: a first base who can also pitch!

karina said...

They didn't trade the young core...

Kyle Baker said...

Weaver's walk-up song has been the highlight of the afternoon, sadly.

NicJ said...

All in all I don't want to see anyone on the team leave. I love my team. I just don't want to turn into the angels and get bounced out of the playoffs every year.

karina said...

I'm watching the Indians-Mariners game, it's the only one on TV now.

Kyle Baker said...

There's gotta be a way not to be Angels but preserve what's made us so good this year...

Kyle Baker said...

Have we really gone an entire GT - if not the entire series - without making a lame John Baker/CHiPs reference?

Orel said...

The Phillies probably started those rumors to get the Blue Jays to lower their price for Halladay.

Kyle Baker said...

Rox 4 Gints 2 in bottom 8th.

karina said...

On TV, the broadcaster said the rumor is:Bills or Kershaw with Loney. Too much.

Orel said...

Plunk!

Orel said...

It's nice to see our pitcher show some balls.

Kyle Baker said...

Karina, I think the TV broadcasts are a bit behind as most if not all of these rumours have been denied and are likely bunk.

TV just can't get up w/ the blog/twitter-osphere. ;-)

karina said...

hahahahaha right, Dusty!

karina said...

O Dogg lead off double!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Thank goodness I did not go to this debacle.

Orel said...

Vin almost advocating Volstad plunking someone because he's about to be removed.

karina said...

2009 Los Angeles Dodgers: upgrading ordinary starting pitchers into Cy Young worthy material.

Kyle Baker said...

On the board, at least. Not respectable, but not less than zero.

karina said...

Ethier singles and J. Loney in play (runs)!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Yay Loney!

karina said...

King James 2 RBI double, does he know about the rumor?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I just heard about it on MLB Trade Rumors. What use would the Dodgers have for Vic Martinez?

Orel said...

Silver lining!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Yay Russell! Show 'em no mercy!

Kyle Baker said...

Russell! Now you have three times as many HRs as Bills!

Orel said...

@Karina "2009 Los Angeles Dodgers: upgrading ordinary starting pitchers into Cy Young worthy material."

A rare moment of cynicism from Karina!

NicJ said...

No, your increasing your trade value!!! Do you want to leave?!?

Kyle Baker said...

Rox win. Gints fading.

karina said...

My son homered!

Kyle Baker said...

Orel-

Will you point it out if I ever have a rare moment of optimism?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

DeWitt-double!

Orel said...

Almost, DeWitt!

Orel said...

@DB "Will you point it out if I ever have a rare moment of optimism?"

Only if your cynicism stands out from our cynicism.

Kyle Baker said...

Generally my cynicism stands out, but around here is mere mortal.

Kyle Baker said...

Still some game left.

karina said...

@Orel "A rare moment of cynicism from Karina!"

I was frustarted for the score...npw they're back to the game.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Yay Kemp!

Orel said...

The Bison looked like a gazelle there!

Fred's Brim said...

fight!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

YER OUTTA HERE, BASTARD

Orel said...

It's war!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I WANT BLOOD

Orel said...

I love how Badenhop will say the pitch just got away from him.

NicJ said...

High fives for throwing at a guy, great example for the kids.

Orel said...

That was a great HBP, actually. Right on the asscheek.

Orel said...

He's promoting teamwork!

Kyle Baker said...

Let's jump on these fucking a-holes now!

NicJ said...

Haha, he hit him right in the ass.

Fred's Brim said...

get a couple of runs here, guys

i hope we can get it to a situation where we bring Manny up as a pinch hitter in a game-tying or winning situation

makes all those extra runs we gave up after Schmidt left all the more painful

Orel said...

Everyone is changing their avatars!

Kyle Baker said...

MLB should take a harsh look at the reaction in the dugout by Marlins players. Great way to advertise the sport. Hit the nicest guy in baseball because his own pitcher accidentally nailed a batter or two when he was clearly not meaning to.

NicJ said...

O dogs face in slo mo was hilarious.

Kyle Baker said...

I was thinking we were far enough behind that changing the avatar wouldn't hurt, and may even help.

Kyle Baker said...

No, leave Pinto in!

Fred's Brim said...

damn - could have used some there

Orel said...

sigh

Orel said...

@DB "Hit the nicest guy in baseball because his own pitcher accidentally nailed a batter or two when he was clearly not meaning to."

Very nice.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT

Fred's Brim said...

our fielding and pitching mistakes seem to hurt us much more than they should.

karina said...

If my Gameday right, back to back HBP?

Orel said...

He forgot to grab O-Dog's package there.

Orel said...

I wonder what that little girl just said to Hanley Ramirez. "You're going down"?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is getting dull.

Kyle Baker said...

MLASF-

Were you answering Orel's question or just saying that? Because what you typed might have been what the little girl said.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Just saying that

Orel said...

Fooky triple!

Orel said...

Raffy had to turn on the afterburners there.

Kyle Baker said...

Come on, O-Dog! Revenge being hit about the buttocks.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ethier keeps things alive

Kyle Baker said...

Right where Beardness put it last night!

Kyle Baker said...

Come on, J-Lo! One bad move and you're traded (kidding).

Kyle Baker said...

On my feet.

Orel said...

My Post-Game Thread is undergoing more reconstruction than Elizabeth Taylor's face.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was anti-climactic

Orel said...

Damn. PGT up.

NicJ said...

Dewitt going back down, Kuo coming back up.
I went to go watch a 66ers game friday and Kuo pitched. Lights out, looked like he did last year. Lets just hope his arm can stay attached.

Granted this was against A+ pitchers.

Green Lantern JBJ of Sector 1138 said...

this is what the marlins did to our bullpen

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FdEdvFQfwAU/SP_nLzXw8sI/AAAAAAAAIJM/uNo97IX8CZY/s400/beating+a+dead+horse.bmp