Wednesday, October 07, 2009

NLDS Game 1 Thread vs. Stanfords, 6:30p

Randy Wolf vs. Chris Carpenter.

COMMENTS: Not to say this first game is huge, but we're going up against a heavily-hyped powerhouse in Carpenter that really needs no other introduction; his league-leading ERA speaks for itself. And Carpenter goes deep, as well--not only as a pitcher (in his two games against the Dodgers this year, he went seven and eight innings, winning both), but also as a hitter (one grand slam this season). This will be quite a test; even AccuScore has us at only a 42% chance of winning (for reference, we had a 46% chance of winning 2008 NLDS Game 1 vs. the Cubs).

But the Divisional Series are crapshoots, gentlemen; anything can happen. Goliaths can be toppled.

Meanwhile, if there was ever a time to give Wolf a reward for a season full of No Decisions, this would be it. Wolf is 0-1 against the Cardinals this year, but can be counted on to go equally deep into games and is quite durable (leading the NL in starts with 34, and leading the Dodgers with 214.1 IP). Tonight is Wolf's first career playoff appearance. Let's win one for the Wolfer, Dodgers!

I will be at the game today and hope to see you all there. I'll be the one in the Dodgers road jersey and cap.

Go Dodgers!

612 comments:

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Josh S. said...

OK since we clinched on Star Wars Night, I was trying to think of a good Star Wars allusion for this series:

Jeff Weaver and Ronnie Belliard, our own personal C3PO and R2D2, have the stolen plans for Cardinals postseason success. The Dodgers will use those plans to topple a supposedly menacing, but surprisingly weak opponent.

(I'll try to think of another one for each series, but the Rockies advancing would really help so I could work in a "city in the clouds" reference.)

Kyle Baker said...

Per Kershaw:

"I'll probably be nervous for sure. ... I think it's how you handle the nerves, how you channel it"

That's the attitude, brother!

Kyle Baker said...

Just to dot all the "i's" and cross all the "t's":

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

Kyle Baker said...

Headed to the Loge Lounge w/ Mrs. Dusty-in-law. Hit me up at bakerkm45@gmail.com if you're out and about that area/level.

Josh S. said...

For the Ordinals, per TBLA:

Schumaker 2b
Ryan SS
Pujols 1b
Holliday LF
Ludwick RF
Molina C
DeRosa 3b
Rasmus CF
Carpenter P

Lakers are Winners said...

Damn, I am again forced to root for the Red Sox due to the fact that they are playing the DEVILS. GO RED SOX!!!

rbnlaw said...

Almost there. . .

DB, consume in my place. I'm fixing dinner for the family.

Nostradamus said...

@rbnlaw

Stay on target!

MR.F said...

Let's beat that junior college! I hate Stanfurd!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I can't remember, maybe someone can help me.

Who did the media pick in the 1988 series against the Mets?

I also forgot last year.

Who did the media pick to win the 2008 series against the Cubs?

Were they spot on or did they eat crow?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

My patented predictions for today's game:

Dodgers win 3-2.
Randy Wolf gives up two runs.
Carpenter gives up one run.
Both starters go six innings.
The Dodgers score each run individually, not in bunches.
One of the Cards' runs will come on a solo-homer.
The Dodgers will have at least two doubles, one of which will be an RBI-double.
The top of the order (#1, 2, and 3 hitters) will combine for five hits.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I am now properly pumped up.

Xeifrank said...

Need to likely win 2 games in which Carpenter and Wainwright start in. Let's get the first one tonight.
vr, Xei

rbnlaw said...

Got my tickets for Monster Jam in Anaheim, January 16.
Ohhhhh yeaaah.

My kids love watching big trucks run over little cars. What can I say?

karina said...

I want time to go on fast forward!

rbnlaw said...

Frickin Yank-mes just scored again vs. the Twinkies. 4-2.
A-Fraud with his first RBI in forever, post-season wise.

Nostradamus said...

"Are we there yet?"
"No!"
"Are we there yet?"
"No!"
"Are we there yet?"
"No!"
....

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

"For all of you who are worried about how good Carpenter is just remember that he has lost before, so he can lose again."

- Tommy Lasorda (via Twitter)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

THE ANTICIPATION IS KILLING ME!


Wait, that's another thread...

Paul said...

tick tock tick tock.

"But how will I know the good side from the bad?"

"You will know, when you are calm, at peace."

Kyle Baker said...

@ RB

I've got u covered plus some while u take care of the fam.

Checking in!

Lots of Jackie jackets out tonight, making me proud and pumped. Lots of Brooklyn gear out tonight (I'm rockin the "B" cap myself).

Let's start this shizz already!

Ps-MLASF I hope you're right w your prediction. It sounds right to me! Can we get Nostradamus to weigh in w a quatrain? Or Erin?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

ARGH! IT'S GETTING CLOSER!

Paul said...

why do we have to wait AND watch the Yankees win? blah.

Paul said...

Man I want a Dodger Dog right now.

karina said...

50 minutes until game time...

LLCoolL said...

I'm at a hotel tonight. Of course there is no TBS so I'm having to spring for the $10 postseason.tv. I have to admit it is pretty cool. It'll be cooler when I get a faster internet connection. BTW, when did TBS get the rights to these games? Isn't it un-American to not have them on broadcast TV?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

IT'S HERE! ARAGAHSHAFAHAHF (foaming at the mouth)

Fred's Brim said...

woop woop! cmon Randy!

Fred's Brim said...

yikes :/

Alex Cora said...

AHHH,, come on Wolf!

karina said...

I'm late to the broadcast, got my schedules WRONG, will someone explain to me this alleged "fan interference"?

Fred's Brim said...

damndamndamn

Nostradamus said...

Sonovabitch

Fred's Brim said...

Matt just take that, no more deferring

karina said...

Why didn't Kemp catch that ball?

Fred's Brim said...

karina, the Ryan hit a double past Casey and it went to the padding where a fan reached out and maybe touched it. it may have kept Shumaker at third, but probably didnt

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

HELL FUCKING YEAH!

Fred's Brim said...

woo! i'll take it! now let's get it back!

Alex Cora said...

Phew!!! Come on guys!!

Alex Cora said...

Lost my internet connection for the game, so am flying blind! Dammit!

LLCoolL said...

And to top it off, postseason.tv just crapped out.

karina said...

Breathe and exhale!

karina said...

Thanks, Fred's Brim!

Nostradamus said...

Ok, then!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nice start for Raffy.

karina said...

Lead off single! (hopefully September Furcal will continue to October)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

AOHWAPOHJTGOIHAIHFKHJOLAHFOHJFHJALHDSFUHSJAF

Nostradamus said...

OH HELL YES!!!!!!!!

karina said...

Bison HR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's difficult to stay angry at this guy!

Alex Cora said...

HELL YA!!!! That's my boy Kemp!!!

chexxum said...

BISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!

Fred's Brim said...

attaboy Matty!!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm foaming at the mouth right now.

Orel said...

I wish Ethier had swung on the first pitch after Kemp's HR. He would have crushed it.

karina said...

That single extends King James' immaculate hitting streak in postseason games to 9.

karina said...

"truebluela Loney has a hit in each of the 8 playoff games he has started...hitting .382/.447/.559 in postseason career #dodgers #nlds"

Orel said...

Nice to see the boys making contact. No Ks for Carpenter yet.

Alex Cora said...

Yes! Got the connection back on the internet.

Orel said...

Loney single! Beard single! Bellytoo up!

Orel said...

Just wondering, would Hudson have caught the first-inning pop fly?

Orel said...

2 LOB

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Ouch. Not a good AB for Belliard. He needs to redeem himself. So far, Fangraphs is right on the button.

LLCoolL said...

O-dog makes that play, no problem.

NicJ said...

Hopefully we can keep
that going. That might be a stretch though.

NicJ said...

Is Randy going to keep us in the game? Settle down Randy.

karina said...

Am i a bad person because i only worried about King James? that i noticed DeRosa's injured hand in the second replay?

Fred's Brim said...

Orlando gets that one too

NicJ said...

O dog could have got that.

Fred's Brim said...

thank you Manny!

Orel said...

Wolf at 48 pitches. Who comes in next?

Orel said...

RAFFY TRIPLE!!!

Orel said...

Boy is Raffy getting hot at the right time.

karina said...

Furcal triple!

Orel said...

I listened to the first inning on radio and I hate to say Vin didn't sound right. He hardly paused for breath, told too many stories, contradicted himself and mispronounced a lot of words and phrases. "Discombobulated" came out "discomboobulated," for instance. Here's hoping he settles down too.

Orel said...

Carpenter's first K, on Kemp. 3 LOB.

Orel said...

My bad, Belliard struck out too.

Fred's Brim said...

agreed Orel. it's almost like wasn't properly prepared or something

NicJ said...

I wish that triple hadn't come with two outs. Something tells me we have to hold them to this one run.

LLCoolL said...

I think it's Garland or Weaver if Wolf keeps laboring.

Fred's Brim said...

Lyons is on the Steve Garvey Cruise too? They probably shouldn't advertise that...

Orel said...

One pitch, one Pujols out!

LLCoolL said...

That helps.

karina said...

Good. No damage from Pujols.

Orel said...

Two pitches, one out, one single.

Fred's Brim said...

damn I wish Holliday could have stayed in the AL

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Just checking in.

Go Blue.

Sporadic posting to follow.

Fred's Brim said...

damn that was a strike, blue

NicJ said...

This playoff strike zone isn't doing wolf any favors

Orel said...

Fuck, Wolf. Settle down.

Fred's Brim said...

dammit Randy

Orel said...

WHEW, nice snag by Andre!

Fred's Brim said...

wow great catch Dre!

Orel said...

Ethier is developing the Magglio-fro.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Whew! Wolf is dancing a fine line here. Let's hope he can finish well.

Fred's Brim said...

nice

6 LOB for St Louie

Orel said...

Cards 6 LOB. We are really walking the tightrope here.

Fred's Brim said...

for real - gotta cut down on the walks

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

At least we know Furcal is all well. Now we need to get some production from Manny and Andre, and I think we're good.

Orel said...

Carpenter only at 33 pitches. But the first-pitch strategy has paid of so far....

Nostradamus said...

@fb

I thought the exact same thing when they mentioned Lyons.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Leadoff...HBP?

Orel said...

Andre's foot takes one for the team!

Josh S. said...

Epale, everybody!

I've got Vin synced up nice with the TV, and I'm feeling oh so good.

Furcal=Carpenter Killer.

Ohhhhhh...Andre Ethier = MOSTHBP! Now I get it, Orel!

Fred's Brim said...

Mr C I can see Lyons sitting at a table all by himself, eating a sad dinner, while everybody else hangs out with Garvey, the ship captain or the bartender

Fred's Brim said...

Josh! how is Luke enjoying his first playoff game?

i am pretty close TV vs Radio. Radio is about a second fast

Orel said...

All part of the bigger plan, Josh.

karina said...

Manny gets the walk! please, don't waste this chance

Orel said...

How do you delay the radio to match the TV?

Fred's Brim said...

damn I thought he got that

Orel said...

Oh man. Crowd reaction was huge on Loney's fly ball.

Josh S. said...

We worked some kind of mojo in that last Lincecum game that robs aces of their powers when they enter the Ravine.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Don't put it on the ground, Beard.

Fred's Brim said...

Orel I wish I knew

Orel said...

If this matchup were decided by the manliness of the player's facial hair, Casey would win.

Orel said...

The crowd is on such a hair trigger. It's great.

Orel said...

Third straight post referencing hair.

Fred's Brim said...

man oh man - Torre is 26 games over .500 in the playoffs

Orel said...

Glad to see Carpenter building up the pitch count.

Fred's Brim said...

"torre" is Sicilian for hair btw

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Full count to Beard!

Orel said...

Good eye, Beard!

Orel said...

Very nice, FB.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

More than an hour, and this game is not even a third underway.

Orel said...

Molina: What's up?

Carpenter: I'm scared.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

INSURANCE!

Orel said...

AIR MAIL

Fred's Brim said...

woop!!

Orel said...

fair by a mile

Nostradamus said...

Gift run accepted.

Orel said...

Does Loney get an assist for stepping on DeRosa's hand?

Fred's Brim said...

why couldnt Manny move up? Did it go straight to the right fielder?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I don't like runs on those cheapies, but I'll take it. Beggars can't be choosers.

karina said...

I thought he was going to throw at home

Fred's Brim said...

take your time, Ronny

Orel said...

Belly likes to hack.

Orel said...

FB: basically.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Fangraphs 3 - Belliard 0

Fred's Brim said...

dammit Belli2 - you dont have to swing at everything

Orel said...

Russell can redeem his whole season right here.

karina said...

Another K? what's up Belli 2.0?

Josh S. said...

Belliard not silencing the doubters...yet.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'd be surprised if Carp doesn't just walk Russ.

Orel said...

Fuck you, announcer making obligatory "late fans" crack.

Orel said...

RANCHO LOBOIENDO

karina said...

Rancho Ardiendo, guys!

Fred's Brim said...

clearing the pitcher at least

Nostradamus said...

@fb

Rancho suck it Ravetch

Orel said...

Remember that game when Wolf did all the pitching and scoring?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Walk the pitcher to get to the guy who's 2-for-2

Orel said...

Good point, FB.

Orel said...

fark

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Dammit Randy, take pitches.

Orel said...

Carpenter threw 30 pitches that inning.

NicJ said...

Drawing a walk to load the bases with the pitcher up always works.

We got one though keep it going.

Josh S. said...

Steiner time!

Still better than Stockton.

Nostradamus said...

Sorry, fb, started another comment and got distracted. Not aimed at you.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Jeez, those three innings took forever.

NicJ said...

Wolf needs an easy inning.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

163...the amount of games needed to determine the AL Central winner.

Orel said...

Wolf doing it the hard way.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Funny. The leadoff man has reached base in three of the four innings. The guy who didn't? Albert Pujols.

NicJ said...

you're killing me Larry (Randy)

Fred's Brim said...

throw strikes, please!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

This is the inning that we need to shut down and take command.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Now Randy must get Skippy out. No dancing around Mr. OF-turned-2B.

Orel said...

Shit. 3-2 Dodgers.

Fred's Brim said...

crapboobs

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Gaht dangit. WTF with the leadoff guys today?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Way to listen to me boys.

NicJ said...

Christ, Randy is horrible tonight.

Fred's Brim said...

that damn walk. that was a lucky hit, but the walk is avoidable

Orel said...

Weaver up and throwing in the bullpen.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

THROW STRIKES, RANDY

Josh S. said...

Gameday Audio crapping out. It damn well better be back up for the 7th.

Fred's Brim said...

i think Ryan's mustache is blocking the ump's view of the strike zone. it's like a freakin curtain!

Orel said...

Cards should incur an extra out for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Fred's Brim said...

me too Josh. seems to be back up now, but not sure for how long

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Another IBB to Albert. Two on, two out for Holliday.

Mike Sharperson Lives! said...

Fear the Pujols.

Fred's Brim said...

ugh i hate facing Matt Holliday

Orel said...

Pujols should just walk from the on-deck circle to first.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

The first time we get to see Holliday's dome in October. Fantastic.

NicJ said...

Passing on Albert for holliday is like passing on being shot to be stabbed

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Baldy in the hole, 0-2

Orel said...

Holliday has a freakishly large jaw.

Orel said...

On your feet!

Fred's Brim said...

damn, Randy. get this next bum!

Orel said...

Uh, no replay on non-home run calls.

NicJ said...

Weavers in? Ugh

Josh S. said...

Wolfie done. Kinda sad.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Wow. That's it for Randy. He just did not pitch well at all.

Fred's Brim said...

i dont like this...

Orel said...

See ya, Wolf. Hope you loosen up for next time.

Josh S. said...

They have replay on every play in Stocktonia.

NicJ said...

Thanks for very little tonight wolf.

We were lucky to score that many runs off carp.

Orel said...

I have a bad feeling about this.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I have a bad feeling about this.

NicJ said...

I think were gonna need a bigger boat.

Josh S. said...

Come on, guys! Weaver loves jams!

His own, usually.

Fred's Brim said...

oh sweet jesus

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