Vicente Padilla (0-0, -.--) vs. Joel Pineiro (0-0, -.--).
Thursday's game-time temperature at Dodger Stadium: 71 degrees. Today's high in St. Louis: 60 degrees. Today's low: 38 degrees. In other words, the Dodgers can expect a chilly reception at Busch Stadium in more ways than one.
While a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals is pretty much a dream come true, a road win is the next big test the Dodgers must pass. And they would prefer not to stay in St. Louis for a second longer than necessary.
With his game-tying hit in Game 2, Ronnie Belliard has officially displaced Orlando Hudson as the Dodgers' starting second baseman. The O-Dog is handling the situation with his usual class: "I'm all right, I'm all right....I'll do whatever they need me to do," he told the Daily News.
Most of the other regular starters have already made offensive playoff contributions: Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier have homered, and Casey Blake worked that incredible nine-pitch walk to set up Belliard's Hudson-bumping RBI.
RBI-less so far are James Loney and Manny Ramirez. Will Road Loney make an appearance in St. Louis? Can Manny erase a disappointing regular season with one big postseason swing?
And then there's the question of Vicente Padilla. Whether he's earned the right to start a game before Chad Billingsley is a subject for debate, but the Dodgers have shown that while a spectacular start would be welcome, a solid start will suffice. Fortunately, Padilla has pitched effectively and remained on his best behavior since joining the team, knowing a strong playoff performance will enhance his value as a free agent this off-season.
So there you have it. One game from the NLCS. Momentum on our side. The team feeling loose and confident, but not cocky. Let's give the Cards something to talk about with the Cubs.
GO BLUE!
1: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers; 2 & 3: AP photos
505 comments:
1 – 200 of 505 Newer› Newest»Tony Abreu was sent to Arizona to complete the Garland deal, if anyone cares.
"Fredbirds", I love it. I've always found that funny, even though I'm not sure it makes any sense. Easily assumed I guess.
Not losing any sleep over Abreu. It was time to cut bait with him. Even if he's halfway decent with the Snakes I'm cool with it. Garland was a worth while deal, and either DeJesus or DeWitt will be our 2B of the future, not DeAbreu.
same line-up for us
they switched it up:
Shumaker, 2B
Ludwick, RF
Pujols, 1B
Holliday, LF
Rasmus, CF
Molina, C
DeRosa, 3B
Ryan, SS
Pineiro, P
DodgertownUSA twitter reports same lineup for today's game. I guess that's a reliable enough source.
La Russa is panicing. Giving the lineup a major make over for Vicente Padilla?
While i do want to see manny perform waaaay better. Im a little more worried about kemp. Maybe its because im not expecting a whole lot from Manny. Either way im sure they will both come around soon.
Also, lets not forget what a great job furcal has done at the plate.
"Giving the lineup a major make over for Vicente Padilla?"
No one expects the Nicaraguan Inquisition!
Look, JP found a hat that fits!
Ivory Coast and Germany get the first invitations to the big dance (World Cup dance that is).
"Look, JP found a hat that fits!"
Yeah, Lucas said it was OK if he borrowed it for the trip.
UCLA up 3-0 on Oregon. Maybe if they beat a ranked opponent, they can break the top 27.
That Lucas; always a giver.
Nice picture on Matt Kemp's blog. Loretta, Kemp, JP (in a Beast Mode shirt) Belly 2.0, and Ethier all looking intense.
Pssst...MLB Network! The Yankees aren't playing today. You might have missed that.
It's like some voodoo curse. If they stop talking about the Yankees, they drop dead on the spot.
Mitch Williams: "John Smoltz knows every hitter on this Dodger team. He should close one of these games."
He does?
Let's get this done today, boys. I like my TV. I don't want to smash it in talking head stupidity-fueled anger.
@Josh - I just looked up Baseball Reference. In 145 AB's, current Dodgers are batting .268 against Smoltz. It's decent, but I wouldn't say it's very overpowering. Besides, of current starters, only Ronnie Belliard and Rafael Furcal have had at least 10 PA's against him.
Stay tuned, kids. After the break, MLB Network is going to explain to us why tonight is a must win...
...for the Dodgers.
I shit you not.
I should just turn it off, but it's getting me FIRED UP!
To sum up, the Dodgers must win because they don't want to face Carpenter and Wainwright again.
Because facing a guy on short rest after a shaky outing is just TERRIFYING.
Now they're praising our bullpen and admitting that maybe the Dodgers won because the team has the lowest opposing AVG with RISP. Thanks for noticing, chumps.
Josh, please tell me what the MLB network says.
I read your mind, Sax. See 2:35.
Oh, and Mitch Williams tooted Smoztz's horn again, saying he might be the key to beating the Dodgers.
Smoltz's
Wow!
Mitch Williams again:
"Of the teams down 0-2, the Cardinals have the best shot of coming back to win. If they can force a Game 4, they've got a good shot of winning it all. If they can't, then...uh...then...uh...of course they have no shot."
Mitch Williams = Tool.
Ask Joe Carter about Williams' ability to close out big games.
On second thought, he was great at closing out games. . .for the Jays.
Keep on underestimating the Dodgers, and they'll keep on "surprising" people.
Oh thank God, the game is starting soon.
OH MY GOD THEY HAVE TOWELS.
Lets rack up a few 1st inning runs. It'd be nice to be the first one to score this time.
@Josh,
Cheaters
I have my white rally towel in hand while I sit on the couch.
Hello fellow Dfans...yes, 'up here in SF' the Gnasty fans are descrying Holliday as the newest v of Kfred, aka Fred Lewis...is that the same logic behind the Fredbirds handle?...
THE, CARDINALS, THE!!!
Raffy home run right here.
here we go! let's finish this tonight!
Actually, the Cards' mascot is named Fredbird.
Sorry.
as Sax would say, wow Pineiro is pitching a no hitter already!
ty, O...
PERFECT GAME FOR PINEIRO
Crowd: He fouled a pitch! Let's cheer!
Kemp finally with another hit. Come on Dre.
Kemp reaches Mendoza for the playoffs.
sweet...steal 2nd...single...run #1...
he caught it!
haha nice cheer from the hometown fans
They cheer because he didn't drop it.
MANNY!!!!
attaboy Manny!
MANNY!!! 1-0 Blue!
nice...
Woot! That was fast.
MANNY WOULD!!! BELEE IT!!
MANNY!
Ha, suckers. You forgot we had Manny.
(I did too.)
Oh man, how I love Vin.
Work the walk, James. Just work the walk.
Ok Padilla, time to go to work.
Well, at least we got a run.
I'll take 1-0 after one....the fans in Cardville sure breathed a huge sigh of relief after Holly made the catch...
Have you all seen this strange youtube video of a girl singing off-key about how great Colby Rasmus is?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI8l87uyDXM
nice stab!
fanerman...too funny...she sings as well as ashley simpleton...
Hose time...
Uh-oh...
Albert set up to Kemp us here
"walk your dog, not Pujols"
Really? You're gonna go with that?
Whatever, Cards fans.
I'll take a single. Time for a GIDP.
Alright. Man in scoring position. That means will get the next two batters out.
I don't have a good feeling about Padila.
a DP sure sounds great right about now...
"Matt Holliday is 2-for-8 with the bat and 0-for-1 with the glove." —Vin
what is that? a dust storm?
"these great fans in st Louis..."
please, make me vomit
ok one more
Slugga...
Alright, now just one more out.
Sorry I'm late, ladies and gents.
@MLASF:
I forgot about that.
Now 3-23. Come on, one more out.
scully rules...
what is all that detritus floating in front of the camera? it looks like they are playing under the ocean
too damn close!..
Padilla already going for Rasmus' head
Just one more strike...
cmon, V
Cone on Vicente. You're making Martin stay alert back there...
Can a starting pitcher actually not make me shake?
Wait, those great st Louis fans arebooing? Impossible!
Hoo boy, is garland ready?
Oh boy...
Come on Vicente!
Rancho Cardiendo
Padilla sure is sweating.
No padilla!
Rancho LOBiendo
Padilla's nervous. Vin said his mom is there.
YES!
Wiggles off!
Phew!
there it is
3-25
My witty remard stands up!
3-25 RISP!...love it...
Let's get some more...
*remark
Good padilla
Way to wiggle out Vicente!
Now lets pile it on.
Okay, I just put dick and bob down, and Vin up.
That's what she said.
RB has pretty good wheels...
Russ homer right here.
Scratch that.
Vin's about 2 second ahead of TBS for me. I can't handle it. If something big happens I'll turn the radio up to get Vin's take, but for now I'm stuck with TBS. (very funny)
Siddown, Markie
So far so good.
Nice and easy.
I didn't know starters could get 1-2-3 innings!
Hooray for Raffy!
Raffy!
Kemp homer here.
Pujols is wearing thirty grand around his neck...
MLASF, try predicting Ks and GIDPs :)
Oh Matt
Epale, all!
Let's go E!
Work the walk, 'Dre, work the walk.
BYE BYE!
DRE!!!!
DRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
w00t!
DEE ARR EEE!!!!
Nice and easy!!!!
TAKE THAT, SUPERMAN'S FATHER!!!
Poppin'...Manny!...
Wow, what a shot!
Manny! Another double! Pour it on!!!
haha MLASF! I give you 70% of the credit for that one (Dre gets the other 30% for hitting it so far)
MANNY'S ON!!
@FB - I was originally going to put "Homer for Kemp/Ethier right here," but I didn't want to hedge my bets :)
hahahaha
It must've been the towels.
that's why you hustle
James Loney with the hypnotic powers!
Hah. Jor-El pulled a Holliday. He really Schruted that thing.
rats - he hit that hard too
Ok, I'll take the 2. 3-0 Blue! Lets go Vicente!
James Loney is hypnotoad?
Three zip...nice...
No Beecentay...lights out compadre...
My eldest child called the Ethier HR.
I promised I would do a dance if he hit one.
I'm still dancing!
The error at least takes Padilla out of the leadoff spot in the fifth. That's good.
keep 'em down, V!
Loney is the lucky knome. Wish we could have taken advantage of that.
Good evening fellers.
@fb
No, Padilla is the hypnotoad. James Loney just induces dropped fly balls, bad coverage, and other errors.
that's a mighty fine jig, Saxy!
Just when you want to see Albert: with nobody one base.
Pujols batting is basically hitting with RISP, so this should be an out.
i want to see Albert at his home enjoying the off season.
cmon V, lets split Pujols and Holliday
If you'll look closely, you'll see the rare Albert Pujols in the batters box. My, what a creature. You'll notice something very peculiar about this particular Pujols. His BA is under .300, something very uncommon for the mighty Albert.
keep them down, V
Albert doing his best Casey Blake impression.
Padilla reminds me of a drywall taper I know from La Puente...same build and journeyman appearance...but...dude could carry a bazooka all day long...I hope V holds up through 6...
Nice stroke Albear...
There can only be one Beard, Albert.
spread the word, says Vin!
@fb
I initially read your comment as "let's send Pujols on holiday"
I heartily agree.
hehe that definitely works too!
A third of the way there.
Tender-Ronnie!
Fangraphs is wrong again.
This just in: Andre was temporarily blinded by the sea of red and accidentally hit the ball too far for the outfielders to make a play.
shorten that swing, Russ
you got another hit in you, Raffy?
You know what I just realized: Carl Pavano is starting for the Twinkies against the Stankees. I wonder if he will finally help Da Bronx succeed in the postseason.
Raffi...
yes you do!!
RAFFY DELIVERS!!
4-0! No mercy, Blue!
Fooooooky!!!
Wow, Furcal has been the bomb in the postseason so far. Wow!!!
Vicente is looking pretty good.
I love Hot Furcal.
cmon Matty - put a good swing on it. don't worry about the results
Kemp has sucked this series.
That was pretty sorry looking, Matt.
Another run, 4-0. Feeling good.
They keep on bringing it, even though it had already been broughten.
I hope Matty can refind it
damn - they've had a lot of lucky pokes down the lines this series
Come on, VP. Gotta get through this.
Molina grounds out. OK V, one more
Now it's 3-for-43252 w/RISP
WOW great snag by V!!
Nice stab!
Reyes in for Jo-El
take your time, Manny
Eyes Manny...EYES!...
Well, Superman's father did not last long.
that wasnt a strike
sheesh Manny - two of those werent even close
I think this ump owes Dennis Reyes some money
Bad inning. Lets not get content, boys.
Loney grounds out to end the inning
OK V keep it going
The strike zone better be that big in the bottom half of the inning too.
I think the strike zone adjusts to the pitcher's size, not the batter's.
After a 21-pitch first inning, Padilla's made only 37 pitches.
John Smoltz is warming up.
As are Mitch Williams' pants.
Post a Comment