Monday, October 19, 2009

What Is Momentum?

It's been a wild and crazy postseason for the Dodgers.

They've beat up on aces, and they've been beat up by other aces...only to feast on the bullpen. They've held MVP sluggers in check, but they've been killed by a number-eight hitter. They've received a couple of gift errors and parlayed them into wins, and they've been three-hit into submission.

If the Dodgers ever had momentum, it was after sweeping the Cardinals in the NLDS. Yet they lost Game 1 of the NLCS. After their come-from-behind victory in Game 2, they got their asses kicked six ways to Sunday in Game 3. So maybe momentum only carries as far as the first inning of the next game.

Which brings us to tonight's matchup. The guy you want starting, Randy Wolf, is the team's steadiest, most consistent pitcher. But Mr. Reliable also gives up most of his runs in his first three innings of work. Which isn't exactly when you want to spot the Phillies a few runs.

The hangover from last night's game doesn't have to carry over to tonight's. And if Wolf can get off to a strong start, Game 5 will seem more like a new opportunity than an accident waiting to happen.

26 comments:

Josh S. said...

Toonces, NOOOOOOOO!!!

karina said...

Mr LASF is right. I'm broken.

Though i do believe Wolf is gonna give some momentum.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

NOOOOO!

Kyle Baker said...

I am still sad this morning.

Fred's Brim said...

Toonces just gave up a 2-run double to Chase Utley

Fred's Brim said...

karina, now is the time for you to step up, as this is the time we need you most. We have come too far to just give up now. You know Randy's gonna pitch well tonight - I know you believe that. I hope you can un-break yourself before this evening

rbnlaw said...

Let me begin by saying, "Meh."
Look, that game was over with 1 out in the first. Kuroda didn't have it, but we had to suffer with him until the designated sacrificial lamb could get warm.
Welcome to the play-offs, Scott Elbert.
The Fills feasted and got fat all in one night. Everyone believes they can't be stopped. Fine.
Let's play today's game for shits and giggles and see what happens.
Losing 11-0 is better than losing 2-1 when you've led most of the game. . .right Fillies?
Hit reset and start over.

BTW, that ringing sound you hear is the wake-up call for the bats and pitchers. Time to stop leaving so many balls out over the plate and just pitch to contact. . .just not HR contact.

Josh S. said...

I really hope they laughed that one off. A lighthearted, but serious when he needs to be, guy like The Wolf is just what the doctor ordered right now.

I really believe they can feast on Blanton. Then, if they can repeat their last performance against (Come on) Cole (Keep pounding the corner!) Hamels without the whole giving up two 3-run homers thing, we'll be up 3-2 coming home.

rbnlaw said...

That's what I'm saying Josh.
Also, no more Kuroda for this series. Finally, seeing Elbert pitch yesterday makes me wonder where Jon Garland is right now.

Alex Cora said...

Sweet avatar DB. Got me laughing...

Kyle Baker said...

Karina, as Patron Saint of Pessimistic Dodger Fans, you have to give us something to believe in. We're ready (as evidenced by Josh, FB, and RB's comments); you just need to show us the way.

We'll kill Blanton today.

See, I can do it, too!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

When in doubt, there's always Richie Rich.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Funny thing happened this morning.

I woke up with both wrists slit and caked with dry blood. Must have had a terrible nightmare yesterday. Can't remember what happened.

Oh well, today's a new day.

Josh S. said...

Also, we need to win this damn series because PHILADELPHIA DOES NOT DESERVE THE CAST OF GLEE.

rbnlaw said...

I like that "Manhands" girl.
She's sassy.

Wesley Vento said...

Time to get geared up for some Lakers' basketball!

karina said...

After reading Tom Lasorda's tweets, i've decided we can't just give it up. It's our duty, as fans of a team with lots of pride and tradition, to believe.

We could be down in spirits but we refuse to be defeated. It was just one battle, not the war.

rbnlaw said...

karina, you're right.
Remember it wasn't that long ago when the BoTox were down 3-1 to the Yank-mes in the ALCS and came back to win it all. Their odds were longer and their opponent seemingly invincible.

The Dodgers task is winning today. Wednesday will take care of itself when it arrives.

Erin said...

rbnlaw, the Sox were down 3-0 to the Yanks in 2004, and they had lost game 3 by a score of 19-8. That's about as hopeless as things look.

They were down 3-1 to the Indians in the ALDS last year, and came back to win the series.

Now, I don't know if the 2009 Dodgers are the 2004 Red Sox, but I can say for certain that the 2009 Phillies are not the 2004 Yankees.

Which is to say, they suck. And we're better than they are. And we're going to win.

rbnlaw said...

Thanks for the correction, Erin. And you're absolutely right about the opposition.

Correct me (again) if I'm wrong, but wasn't Game 3 of that series in Fenway? I just remember thinking, "Looks like another year of 'The Curse' from Sox fans."

QuadSevens said...

I'm looking forward to today's Dodger win so much, that I'm walking around work singing DSB to myself. And I may or may not be using a few familiar hand motions.

Orel said...

I'd follow Karina and Erin into battle right now!

Kyle Baker said...

*paints self blue, takes up battle axe*

Paul said...

Based on what I have seen happen the last week and how the Dodgers looked after the game last night I don't see how they win tonight.

And that is why I think they will win tonight.

Erin said...

Yeah, rbnlaw. The Yanks had home field advantage that year, so game three was the first one at Fenway. That was a terrible game, but Wakefield saved the team's bacon by eating innings in a blowout, thus saving the bullpen for the rest of the series. I thought maybe Billingsley would do the same thing last night, but Torre didn't really give him the chance.

Paul said...

God Bless Dave Roberts. Even if he was a Giant for a bit.

I would love to see Manny go crazy tonight and get this team fired up.

The team needs a spark from a player...any player...please.