Monday, July 27, 2009

Game 99 Thread: July 27 @ Cardinals, 4p

Randy Wolf (5-4, 3.45) vs. Chris Carpenter (8-3, 2.26).

COMMENTS: Uh-oh. The possibility of the Dodgers' first three-game losing streak of the season just became a lot more real: They face Carpenter tonight and Adam Wainwright tomorrow.

In roster news, Blake "Elevator Man" DeWitt was optioned to Albuquerque, presumably to make room for none other than Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo's return to the bullpen will be much welcomed by the team and fans alike, but with Kuo it always feels like this is going to happen. Also, True Blue LA tells us Cory Wade and Doug Mientkiewicz will be rehabbing in Albuquerque this week.

But enough on-field business. Let's talk baseball dance squads. The Marlins have their Mermaids, the Brewers have their Diamond Dancers, and the Cardinals have Team Fredbird (above) — which is mildly surprising. One of baseball's most storied franchises has a dance team? It would almost be like finding out the Yankees had cheerleaders.

Still, you can't begrudge a team for wanting to appeal to as many fans as possible. (Right, Dodger fans?) Speaking of which, the Cardinals also have some sort of reddish avian mascot as well. Not quite nightmare fuel, unless your unfit parent took you to Busch Stadium on a regular basis. And that would hardly make them unfit, right?

Tonight's game is being broadcast nationally on ESPN, so out-of-market fans can watch the action live. Join us in the Game Thread to bitch and moan about our Dodgers!

Team Fredbird photo from Uncoached; Fredbird photo from Jamon Abercrombie

222 comments:

1 – 200 of 222   Newer›   Newest»
Orel said...

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

koufax said...

Not a large sample size (i think only one game vs. carpenter) but blake, ethier, hudson, kemp, loney, and martin are all o-fer versus carpenter.

Whereas, vs. wolf, ankiel -.333, holiday -.286, larue-.500, ludwick -.333, yadier-.286 and a pu .400.

Lets hope the dodger's bats can turn that disturbing trend around.

Kyle Baker said...

For the record:

Bitch. Moan.

Roberto Baly said...

Dodgers will be giving away another Manny Ramirez bobblehead!

Orel said...

Really? Details?

JL said...

the one in the middle blowing a kiss. and the one on the far right

JL said...

oh and cool news:

"Andre Ethier, who led the Majors in batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage last week, has been named NL Player of the Week, his second weekly award"

Roberto Baly said...

The details:

http://www.vinscullyismyhomeboy.com/2009/07/breaking-news-another-manny-bobblehead_27.html

JL said...

oh that sounds awesome!
i didnt go to the first bobble night, im going for that one!

thanks for the heads up

Wesley Vento said...

Sweet for Ethier. Ok Ned, sell high!!!

This message brought to you by the Commission for Trading Andre Ethier for a #1 pitcher (CTAE1P)

Orel said...

Thanks, Roberto!

Orel said...

HLACK: Who plays right then?

Jimbo said...

"Orel said...
HLACK: Who plays right then?"

Matt Kemp. Pierre in center.

What, you don't like that field?

Josh S. said...

Kemp in right is a waste of his talent.

Wesley Vento said...

Josh,

Will you be saying that when the Dodgers win a ring after they bring in Halladay by moving Ethier?

It'll be more like, "Andre...Who?"

My point is, we need a starter. Billingsly, Kershaw, Wolf, Kuroda, Mystery SP is not going to win in the post season, period. There aren't enough pieces down on the farm to get that kind of arm. If its got to be someone on the big league roster, its Ethier.

Dodgers this year w/o another SP = 2008 Cubs.

Orel said...

One pitch, one out.

Alex Cora said...

So do you watch the game on Prime ticket and listen to Lyons and Collins or ESPN and listen to Orel et al.?

Orel said...

Hudson works the million-pitch walk!

MR.F said...

Nobody throws out 5-man rotations in the playoffs.

Josh S. said...

"Will you be saying that when the Dodgers win a ring after they bring in Halladay by moving Ethier?"

Eh, Halladay can't pitch EVERY postseason game. People seem to be forgetting that. (Not you specifically, though, just people in general.)

Orel said...

Damn.

Orel said...

If the Phillies can't pry away Halladay without giving up Drabek and Happ, the Dodgers aren't going to get him without giving up Bills or Kershaw. Which would put us back to square one.

MR.F said...

Orel makes the best point. It's going to take a LOT more than Ethier to get Halladay.

Josh S. said...

A quality 6-inning start followed by three scoreless bullpen innings can win postseason games too.

Also, an un-gutted farm system can win multiple championships.

Orel said...

Lugo must be so happy to be out of Boston.

Orel said...

Not that I wouldn't welcome some pitching reinforcement. But not at the expense of the current 25-man roster.

Orel said...

Why are we hitting so many guys???

Fred's Brim said...

how many home runs will Rick Ankiel hit against us this series?

Fred's Brim said...

dunno, Orel - it's so frustrating and unnecessary

Josh S. said...

"Why are we hitting so many guys???"

Practicing for an October rematch with the Phils.

Orel said...

Is this the special Pujols-approved squeezey strike zone?

Orel said...

Take a lesson from Jeff Weaver: If you're gonna hit a guy, HIT him!

Fred's Brim said...

damn, Holliday. i hated when we had to face him as a Rock

Orel said...

@FB "how many home runs will Rick Ankiel hit against us this series?"

25, maybe 30

MR.F said...

We're trying to show all the pundits that we're tough.

Orel said...

Rockies play the Mets while we play the Cards. Look for them to make up some ground this week.

Fred's Brim said...

we'd have a tough time winning if he hits that many. we better make sure we keep guys off the bases ahead of him

Fred's Brim said...

dammit he was meat at home!

Josh S. said...

Crappity crap crap.

Orel said...

Kemp misjudged the ball, Wolf made a bad cutoff, Furcal wasn't covering second. A real team effort on that play.

Fred's Brim said...

god I am already tired of the Cards

Orel said...

Wolf already at 22 pitches.

Fred's Brim said...

get this guy, Randy. no more 2-out runs

Orel said...

I hear ya, FB. They are becoming the Red Sox of the NL for me.

Fred's Brim said...

ahh the boys are on against Atlanta on Sunday night too

Josh S. said...

So, are our guys just tired or is the trade talk getting into their heads?

Fred's Brim said...

Loney cut it off and then turned around to look at home!

Orel said...

These TV angles are weird. I understand the home plate shot is straight-on, which is good, but the view of the field seems really high.

Fred's Brim said...

if I had to guess, i bet they are feeling the pressure of the grind, the expectations, the trade talks, the criticisms (I know I am). That's where Joe comes in and keeps it all sane. Wins help too :)

Orel said...

Clean-shaven Loney looks odd.

Josh S. said...

Oh good lord.

Orel said...

Fuck! We are DPing our way out of this game.

Was Loney the cutoff man in the first?

NicJ said...

Russ, you're killing me.

STOP PULLING THAT BALL!!!!

Josh S. said...

Orel, are you watching PT or ESPN?

Fred's Brim said...

cripes another DP.

i am tired of Carp too

Fred's Brim said...

what was up with that Ducky Medwick picture? that bat looked 60 inches long!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Let's review.

Take the first pitch: Most likely will end in walk or hit.

Swing at first pitch: out.

What should the Dodgers do? I don't know, how 'bout STOP SWINGING AT THE FIRST GODDAMN PITCH!

Josh S. said...

Dodgers fear the first pitch strikeout.

Fred's Brim said...

christ why cant we get that guy out?

Orel said...

I'm on PT.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Carpenter will do more damage with two on and one out than Martin.

Orel said...

Two out. Time for the Cards to open a three-spot.

Fred's Brim said...

get this bum out, Randy

Orel said...

That was a disturbing picture, FB.

Orel said...

shit shit shit

Alex Cora said...

Orel: turn to PT = the view is better.

Fred's Brim said...

damn that was shite - another 2-out run

Randy's getting ground balls at least

Josh S. said...

This is definitely feeling like a team-wide slump.

Fred's Brim said...

finish this, Randy

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least Randy is limiting the damage to just a run per inning. It could be a lot worse.

Orel said...

One run an inning for the Cards.

One DP an inning for the Dodgers.

Fred's Brim said...

not saying this game is over by any means, but does anybody want to get a 3-game losing streak over with now instead of later (like in the playoffs)?

Fred's Brim said...

i think it's time to start drinking

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'll get the scotch

Alex Cora said...

Yeah Matt!

Orel said...

Dammit, Matt Kemp with another first-pitch — oh wait, he singled.

Orel said...

Clearly Torre and Mattingly decided on a first-pitch approach tonight.

Fred's Brim said...

good bunt, Randy. thank you, I appreciate that.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Kemp to third on the WP! How will we blow this one?

Fred's Brim said...

WP, and it wasnt thrown by a Dodger!
Matty to third. Get him home, Raffy!

Alex Cora said...

Come on Furcal, get him in!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Oh, a pick-off. I wouldn't have bet on that.

Fred's Brim said...

haha the cynicism is ripe in here!

and Matty tried to blow it for you, MLASF

Orel said...

Virtually any contact scores Kemp here.

Orel said...

SCORAGE

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Hooray for contact!

Alex Cora said...

We'll take it. On the board! Phew.

Fred's Brim said...

nice, Raffy! FUNdamentals are FUN!

NicJ said...

Nice to see some small ball.

Orel said...

I think the lack of crowd support has a subconscious effect on us.

Fred's Brim said...

haha fake HBP for O

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I WANT BLOO-no wait that was yesterday

Orel said...

Retaliatory plink?

Alex Cora said...

Boy that Chilis banner was annoying on PT.

Orel said...

Way not to swing at the first pitch, Manny.

Fred's Brim said...

@Orel - and also the lack of fan hatred. Damn goody-goody Cards fans

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

We need Ted Lilly to produce some boos

Alex Cora said...

Darnit.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

One is better than nothing.

Fred's Brim said...

Manny is working up to something....

Orel said...

Well, they are booing Manny. Or does that make then even truer baseball fans?

Fred's Brim said...

well they are perfect, so maybe we shouldn't cheer Manny. I am so conflicted....

rbnlaw said...

Collins called the last shot by Pull-holes a "pop-up."

Went about 320 feet, but still a pop-up.

Orel said...

1-2-3! Good job, Wolf!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

1-2-3 inning against the heart of the lineup. Maybe Wolf is turning it around.

Fred's Brim said...

jeez - Jose Oquendo. For the Lima-time playoff game, I sat 3 rows behind the Sklar brothers. This was the year when they were waging their half-serious campaign to get Jose Oquendo into the hall-of-fame as a utility player. They sat there with their Oquendo jerseys on trying to figure out more ways to be unfunny

Orel said...

Aflac: Since 1900, two Cardinals have won the batting triple crown. Can you name them?

Fred's Brim said...

Hornsby and Medwick

they had it on ESPN

Orel said...

C'mon Andre, show 'em why you're the POW.

Orel said...

Andre is so streaky.

rbnlaw said...

Who said trade Ethier?

Fred's Brim said...

there it is, Dre

rbnlaw said...

"Andre is so streaky"

So is Blake and he needs to wake up.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Some guy on Dodger Talk said trade Ethier.

Fred's Brim said...

that was a gift pitch

rbnlaw said...

Ya think Collins goes anywhere without his Baseball Encyclopedia?

Orel said...

Heck, some guy on this thread said trade Ethier.

rbnlaw said...

HLACK calls Dodger Talk?

Orel said...

Not that we don't love ya, HLACK!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fucking Ludwick

Orel said...

Collins has a Baseball Encyclopedia where his heart is.

Orel said...

Nice catch by Ludwick. At least Ethier didn't get doubled off.

Fred's Brim said...

nice catch by Ludwick. looked like Casey hit that harder than he did

rbnlaw said...

OK, I hate this Ludwig guy now.

Fred's Brim said...

i repeat....

I hope MLASF repeats what he said too

Orel said...

It's the freakin' Ryan Ludwick show.

karina said...

Ludwick again? epale, everyone!

rbnlaw said...

I could actually see trading Loney over Ethier.

Now I really hate Ludwick, Ludwig, Loodvig, whatever.

Orel said...

Russell stole Loney's stubble.

Orel said...

Epale, Karina! We're an especially surly bunch today.

rbnlaw said...

Wow, what an inning we could be having if it weren't for freaking Ryan Ludwick.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

"Collins has a Baseball Encyclopedia where his heart is."

What's in Lyons' heart? Hustle?

karina said...

They can't trade Ethier or Loney...

Fred's Brim said...

hi karina! it's been a frustrating start but we're in it

karina said...

@Orel "We're an especially surly bunch today."

That's why you need some female influence!

rbnlaw said...

I'm ready to go slobberknocker on St. Louie. I hate the fucking Cardinals almost as much as the Gnats.

Alex Cora said...

Nice Eye Matt!

Fred's Brim said...

nice UIBB

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Bases loaded for (sigh) Wolf.

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo! si se puede!

Orel said...

Okay, bases loaded with two out. For the pitcher.

rbnlaw said...

Bases juiced for Wolfy.

karina said...

Why do you hate the Cardinals?

Fred's Brim said...

Randy broke is only bat! send the batboy to the Walmart to get another

rbnlaw said...

Wolf gets a jam sandwich from Carpenter.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

That was a waste.

Orel said...

Well...at least we made him throw some pitches?

Fred's Brim said...

throwing curves to the opposing pitcher? weaksauce

rbnlaw said...

@karina.
We've always struggled against the Cards, even when they were middling. Most recently, sweeping us out of the play-offs and we go and shake their hands as to say, "Thanks."

Fred's Brim said...

@Orel: and we cleared the pitcher

Fred's Brim said...

throw strikes, Randy

Fred's Brim said...

Orel, you look handsome in your shirt and tie tonight

Fred's Brim said...

and we let them clear the picther

Orel said...

@FB "not saying this game is over by any means, but does anybody want to get a 3-game losing streak over with now instead of later (like in the playoffs)?"

Maybe. Maybe.

"Orel, you look handsome in your shirt and tie tonight"

Thanks! I'm not even watching myself.

karina said...

Orel sometimes wear beautiful ties, sometimes his ties are interesting. Conclusion: he's never dull

karina said...

I wonder why some people call Furcal "Foky"

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Furcal leads off with a single.

karina said...

Foky lead off single!

I don't know why you're a little bit surly, game is still close.

karina said...

Great bunt!, Go Blue!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

What the hell just happened?

Fred's Brim said...

yikes - i worry about the hand on slides like that

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Manny's due.

Fred's Brim said...

great polite boos from the Cards fans

"i beg to differ!"

karina said...

We could use a HR or at least a double here.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'd settle for no outs.

Fred's Brim said...

damnation

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Goddamn Manny, what the hell is wrong with you?

Fred's Brim said...

ratsratsrats

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I don't know what's more frustrating: the Dodgers just blew two on and nobody out or that it excites Charley Steiner.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At the rate this game is going my mouse will be destroyed.

Orel said...

More frustration.

I gotta make like a baby and head out. Thanks for holding down the fort. I expect to return to news of another comeback victory!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This isn't looking good.

Fred's Brim said...

no more 2-out runs!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Whew, that was close.

Fred's Brim said...

seeya Orel! we'll get you the win!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is really pathetic. If they don't start taking pitches, Carpenter's gonna be in there until the eighth.

Fred's Brim said...

what a lifeless inning

karina said...

Wow! defensive jewel!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Oh son of a bitch

Fred's Brim said...

no two-out runs, dammitall!

karina said...

Furcal has had a great game.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Goddamn, not another DP.

Fred's Brim said...

unreal

karina said...

Four DP for the Dodgers tonight.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

This is fucking unbearable.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Now it's over.

Fred's Brim said...

Jimmy Mac doesnt want that 5th starter spot either

NicJ said...

This is a nice little potential playoff preview.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

They should have saved some of those runs from yesterday

Fred's Brim said...

stay tough, James

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Albert got greedy

Fred's Brim said...

asshole

karina said...

"Matt Kemp has a machete in his arm"

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Matt-chete Kemp

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

J-Mac's lucky Kemp gunned Albert

Fred's Brim said...

gotta make either of those plays

NicJ said...

Maybe someone should get traded so they get their crap together and stop this poor play.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

You just know people will call up Dodger Talk with crazy trades for position players because of this game.

NicJ said...

Lets trade jmac for sabathia straight up.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I want Belly back

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 222   Newer› Newest»