Thursday, August 26, 2010

Game 128 Thread: August 26 @ Brewers, 11a

Carlos Monasterios (3-4, 3.63) vs. Yovani Gallardo (11-5, 3.28).

COMMENTS: EK, this one's for you.

[Orel here.] Hold your breath, folks: The Dodgers are in position for their first series sweep since 1932. What's that — it's actually since the end of June? Whatever, same diff. But it'll be a hard-earned win; Munosterios has been yo-yoing back and forth between the bullpen and starting rotation, while Yovani Gabba Gabba will apparently be wearing an orange jumpsuit under his uniform. Yo-yos versus jumpsuits. Is that what this season has come to?

Oh yeah, and there's this (courtesy of SoSG stalwart Josh S):

Tomorrow is the real test of the Collins Curse. If they win, it will be the first non-NL-West road sweep since 6/19/08.

So here we go! Morning baseball, everybody!

(That main paragraph brought to you by Dalwhinnie 15-year-old Scotch.)

191 comments:

QuadSevens said...

I'm making a note of that Scotch so that I can try it out in the future.

Kyle Baker said...

I have the day off work...there's an early game on the telly...I can't quite put it together yet, though - what should I do?

Josh S. said...

Dalwhinnie this early? Neigh, I say!

Josh S. said...

Foofa looks jacked up in that pic.

Kyle Baker said...

What do you think I am, Josh, some kind of quack?

Kyle Baker said...

Podsednik
Theriot
Ethier
Kemp
Loney
Blake
Carroll
Ausmus
Monasterios

Kyle Baker said...

MMmmmmm....curvy lineup symmetry.

karina said...

Epale everyone!

another curved lineup

Kyle Baker said...

Epale, Karina!

karina said...

Dodgers day game and Champions League draw, how am I supposed to get some work done?

Josh S. said...

Pssh...work.

Booo! No Barajasterios!

Kyle Baker said...

Milan and Real drawn in same group...

Kyle Baker said...

^AC not Inter

Kyle Baker said...

Oh my god, why don't we start a European Champions League blog and...

Kyle Baker said...

Marseille in Chelsea's group! These French pansies are going down.

Josh S. said...

Whoa. Sneijder's wife.

Um, what?

rbnlaw said...

HA! Arsenal draw the Ukrainians.
So far, so good.

Bayern could have its hands full with Roma, although the Gunners killed them last year.

Kyle Baker said...

ManU v Rangers

karina said...

Another rossoneri against merengues, which mean there will be tension between my younger brother and I.

There's gonna be more tension between my good friend and I, given he doesn't talk to me since yesterday :(

karina said...

AC Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax in the same group...this is the group of death.

Kyle Baker said...

I can't say that's a very pretty group, Karina. Hard to spin it very positively.

Meanwhile, RB's Arsenal have a cakewalk.

Kyle Baker said...

ManU look to be in good shape. Dammit.

karina said...

Chelsea's turn

Kyle Baker said...

Olympique Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina for Chelsea. Definitely doable for the Blues.

Kyle Baker said...

This is a bye for Arsenal essentially.

Kyle Baker said...

Group G is just plain scary!

karina said...

By the way rbnlaw, I'm sorry, I thought you were a Chelsea fan, my bad.

Who's the other Chelsea fan here,besides Dusty and Small Sample size?

karina said...

Dusty, whoever in the second place of the Milan group, might face Chelsea in the next round #fear

rbnlaw said...

No sweat, karina.

Yes, an easy group for the Gunners, and Spurs get screwed. A good day overall.

Inter and Bayern also get good draws.

Poor, poor, Rangers.

Betsy said...

Dodgers are anemic..hehe maybe they are pregnant? Waiting to give birth to another championship?

Kyle Baker said...

At Betsy

Dodgers definitely aren't getting enough iron. They could probably stand to bulk up on some calcium, too.

Kyle Baker said...

At Karina

I think just SSS and I.

Kyle Baker said...

Great Champions League draw for Chelsea. In each pot we got one of the two lowest ranked teams.

Betsy said...

i like to think the new players are the new brand of prenatal vitamins. haha..sorry guys having my 2nd fert appt this afternoon so i have babies on the brain! Lyons - yes you are stupid...

Josh S. said...

I'm looking for a team to root for, if anyone wants to make a pitch.

Kyle Baker said...

At Josh

Blue is an awfully good color.

Anyone but ManU (Yankees, essentially).

Steve Sax said...

Let's play ball, I can't wait!!!

Steve Sax said...

Just realized Manny ain't in the lineup...

Josh S. said...

Sax: Day game after night game. No big deal...yet.

Kyle Baker said...

Anyone catching the pregame ghost story re k jansen?

Josh S. said...

DFA MEG WHITMAN

Josh S. said...

Can Monster Cheerios give us at least a solid 5 today? Have we seen Weaver since he was reactivated?

Josh S. said...

Steiner waited one whole sentence before mentioning the shadows.

Pods!

rbnlaw said...

@Josh:
I'd go with Arsenal. Loads of young talent; an almost legendary manager who's had tons of success in the past; the potential for glory or heartbreak.

In other words; the Dodgers of the EPL and Champion's League.

Steve Sax said...

Why couldn't ScottyPods score from first on Theriot's double?

Kyle Baker said...

Quick re-cap of that story, as told by Steiner and Monday:

There is a famous old hotel in Milwaukee that has long been rumored to be haunted. Many sports teams know of this tale and some actively refuse to sleep in it when their team is visiting. So Dodger players decided to do some rookie hazing on Kenley Jansen using the ghost tale as a theme. Apparently they started working on him for around two weeks, telling him about the hauntings and generally freaking him out.

Yesterday, some of the players rigged up a system using fishing line attached to the curtains in Jansen's room that can be manipulated from the outside.

After yesterday's game when Janesn got back to his room, and had a chance to settle in, they started with the curtains. This freaked himn out of course as he sat and read in his room.

THEN he was further freaked out by an elk call that Broxton had put under the pillow, and Jansen ended up bolting from the room.

The final piece of the puzzle is that Jansen ended up sleeping on the floor in Kuo's room, presumably with the light on.

Good times, unless Jansen is too tired to pitch well today.

Josh S. said...

Sax: Double was of the ground rule variety.

Josh S. said...

@rbn: Arsenal is a pretty cool name.

Steve Sax said...

Kempy with a cheapie RBI!

spank said...

Drive by comment:

Let's go Doyer's
Ajax Rocks(don't get crazy, I just dig the name)
Later Everyone

(blows Artest game 7 style kiss)

Kyle Baker said...

@Josh

Pick a team that none of us supports...makes friendly banter more fun.

On the other hand, this is an opportunity not to be born into futility but instead pick a winner. So don't choose Bolton.

Just not ManU.

Josh S. said...

Steiner: "Fly ball! Right field! If it's fair, it's foul ball."

Kyle Baker said...

ps- Did I mention that Chelsea is Blue?

Steve Sax said...

Well, [one run] > [nothing]

@__@

karina said...

@Josh cool kids like calcio

Kyle Baker said...

Wow. Way to really chew at the ump for that bad call, Torre!

karina said...

What? Did Weeks try to charge the mound?

Josh S. said...

Geicorey Hart.

Steve Sax said...

HBP on a 2-1 count to start the game. Not good, Cheerios.

Josh S. said...

Hmmm...I'd take a solid third of an inning from Monny at this point.

Kyle Baker said...

Sax

That wa NOT HBP. Player swung then was hit, but umps blew call and awarded first to him. Pathetic umpiring. But spare Monster Cheerios the blame.

Kyle Baker said...

Are most of you following on Game Day?

MR.F said...

I am following on SoSG.

Kyle Baker said...

Lots of Dodger fans in the stands.

Kyle Baker said...

That's the best approach Mr F!

Josh S. said...

I am listening to Gameday Audio.

SHADOWS
SHADOWS
SLOW TO THE PLATE
SHADOWS
MEG WHITMAN
SHEET METAL WORKERS
BEEP BEEP
SHADOWS
BAD PUNS

Kyle Baker said...

Monster C challenges Fielder with a fastball on 3-1, getting him to miss, then strikes him out looking. 1-0 going to top second.

Kyle Baker said...

God knows we won't tolerate bad puns around here.

karina said...

So, the HBP wasn't Monasterios' fault which means he had a solid first inning

Josh S. said...

Carroll has Planter's Fascism too?

Josh S. said...

Steiner: "And now, the Shadow Update."

He's trolling me now.

karina said...

Dusty, in case you don't get on Twitter soon:

http://twitpic.com/2iehq7

one more "Kill" and you could sue :)

karina said...

Escobar was the average leader of last season's venezuelan winter baseball while Monasterios was the best venezuelan starting pitcher of the league.

Glad Monny got him!

Josh S. said...

OK, that's it. I'm calling Miller Park and telling them to shut the roof. I can't take the shadow talk anymore.

Josh S. said...

Oh good, they've moved on to schnitzel talk now.

karina said...

JOsh, why are you so mad? were they talking about shadows for three innings?

if they did,it was sort of numb, it's nearly noon, of course there are shadows here and there

Josh S. said...

It's nearly non-stop, Karina.

Kyle Baker said...

Thanks for the heads up on that, Karina. @Dodgerthoughts, I'm watching you!

Josh S. said...

Although I do like it when Rick sounds little bit buzzed: "Hey folks, you bring your kids to the Dodger Stadium...games..."

Josh S. said...

^a little bit

Kyle Baker said...

Does Corey Hart also wear his sunglasses when there are shadows?

rbnlaw said...

The Party will not tolerate talk of any fascism on this thread; plantar or otherwise.

Love the fact that Steiner could be trolling you, Josh.

Oh, and avoid rooting for Tottenham Hotspur, aka, Spurs. They're bastards. Blackpool will be fun to watch, although they will be stomped regularly. Bad colors as well.

They were on top in the EPL for exactly 1 hour this season.

karina said...

Beatles Festival at Santa Monica

http://fb.me/wfunIr6d

someone just tweeted it...three days with the Beatles!

karina said...

@Josh see the bright side: you can watch the game,I'm stuck on GameDay

Steve Sax said...

Rick Monday is just a weeeeeeeee bit too excited about this Kenley Jansen ghost story

Kyle Baker said...

On the even brighter side, Netflix is now available on iPhone. (hat tip: Josh)

Kyle Baker said...

Uh-oh. Ignore my previous comment re the ghost story, then, Sax.

Kyle Baker said...

STOOPID BOWA RUIN KEMP'S PERFECT BASE-STEALING RECORD (IN IH8COLLETTI'S HEAD)

karina said...

Steiner was trolling Josh with the shadows and now Monday is trolling Sax with the Jensen ghost story. That's why Vin can't ever retire :)

Steve Sax said...

Kemp learning TOOTBLANs from Theriot

Alex Cora said...

Kemp is like Manny on the basepaths

Kyle Baker said...

I don't care about the fucking spelling bee!

Alex Cora said...

C-R-U-S-H-E-D

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Epale everyone.
Damn Prince just Jacked that one.

Steve Sax said...

Btw for those watching: who was out by more at home plate: Kemp today, or Reed Johnson a week or so ago?

karina said...

Ausmus got the second single of the game!

it's sad but the platoon of catchers are hitting better than my son :(

MR.F said...

Pods!

Josh S. said...

Oh hey, we done got another run!

Steve Sax said...

Scotty Pods with a rare RBI!

Steve Sax said...

Theriot pulls a DeWitt

(okay, I know that's harsh)

Steve Sax said...

We pause for some comment thread cleanup

1) thanks DB for explaining what Gameday called a HBP

2) also thanks for the ghost story detail. Rick can't get off the ghost story thing; it's making him giggly

Steve Sax said...

Monday would have been ALL OVER that Kenley Jansen fishing-wire-to-move-curtains prank. That is, if he wasn't taking time off...from a good union job.

He's earned it!

Steve Sax said...

@DB: can I blame MonoStereo for walking Yo Gabba Gabba?

Steve Sax said...

Yay, another HBP

Steve Sax said...

Where is everybody? Don't tell me blogger is down again...

Ubragg, help us!

Josh S. said...

Sax: The Kemp play at the plate is available for viewing on the iPhone At Bat app. The Johnson play was worse. Kemp was in the frame when the ball arrived and he made an effort to knock the ball out.

Josh S. said...

So, no solid 5 from Monny.

Unless the 5 refers to hit batsmen.

Nostradamus said...

Epale, everybody! Just checking the scores and the game thread between gigantic piles of work.

@Josh

I'd make my argument for Liverpool fandom, but you've already got the Dodgers providing you with uninspired on-field performances and suspect ownership situations. I do find that it's a smooth transition between seasons, though.

Josh S. said...

Monny poured the gas. Will Beli light the match?

Nostradamus said...

Holy crap, the Phils are getting swooped by 'stros again!

Josh S. said...

*exhales for a moment*

Kyle Baker said...

Good going Belli! Lines on me.

Nostradamus said...

Hmmm. What could possibly go wrong?

Josh S. said...

Beeyooteeful!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Tag Team Bullpen.

Josh S. said...

Whoomp! There it is.

Steve Sax said...

We escape the fifth-inning jam!

Let's go out there and hit more batsmen!

Nostradamus said...

Crisis averted, and now back to the grind (and not the good kind).

Josh S. said...

Thanks for the input, everybody. Be sure to tune in to the Josh S. Football Fandom Selection Show (Check your local listings!) to find out if your club made the cut.

Josh S. said...

DRE TOSSED!

MR.F said...

For arguing?

Josh S. said...

Yup. Or moping, if Steiner is to be believed.

It's sort of BS because it happened after Kemp struck out and the first pitch to Loney was delivered.

MeanieBreanie said...

Epale Y'all - I'm a little late to the party. Are we looking to make it a sweep?

QuadSevens said...

Argueing with an ump through the next two batters is impressive.

Josh S. said...

BEARDUS IS RISEN!!

QuadSevens said...

Beard with the shot!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

El Barber

karina said...

Fear el poder de la Barba! go Beard!

QuadSevens said...

Guess I came back from lunch just in time for an exciting half inning.

Steve Sax said...

Just saw the Kemp highlight (thanks Josh S!). I love how Bowa us just standing there watching (with disgust I'm sure) as Kemp decides to try and be a hero.

Agreed that at least he tried to dislodge the ball, unlike Reed.

Steve Sax said...

Blake bomb, screw the haters!

Steve Sax said...

Kenley with a two-pitch first at bat out. Awesome! It's almost like he's pitching...scared.

Josh S. said...

Ghost story is back.

How dare Jansen sleep on Kuo's floor! What if Kuo's elbow exploded when he opened the door for him?

Josh S. said...

1-2-3 4 KJ-74.

QuadSevens said...

Love the ghost story prank!

Steve Sax said...

At this stage, who is in line for the win? Beli?

Kyle Baker said...

Piping in from my lunch date with Mrs Dusty to say: La Barba!

karina said...

Pods is on fire!

MeanieBreanie said...

And sPODs get's a hit!

Josh S. said...

Ha! Jansen > Kemp.

Josh S. said...

PILE IT ON.

MeanieBreanie said...

Gotta love it!

rbnlaw said...

Optimism abounds on the telecast.

How 'bout them shadows?

Josh S. said...

IBBing the struggling guy to get the other struggling guy who is also the guy that hit a home run today.

Got it.

Josh S. said...

^to get to

Steve Sax said...

FREE pass JAMES LONEY!

Kyle Baker said...

Medium Hitting White Guys unite!

rbnlaw said...

The ad behind the plate says, "Have your beer. . ."
I'm finding that hard to ignore.

Kyle Baker said...

@ RBN

Beer status: Mirror Pond Pale Ale on draught

->

Gin status: Tanq and tonic

Josh S. said...

KenJan getting his cult hero mojo back.

Josh S. said...

Beer is generally frowned upon at work. Thankfully, I have tomorrow off. I'll update my beer status then.

rbnlaw said...

New blog I'm following:

sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com

"I've waited my whole life to meet somebody like you. Now fuck off and let me get on with my life. You're a disappointment. Always a disappointment."

There's more where that came from.

rbnlaw said...

Argh!
I have practices to get kids to. No beer for me until later.

DB,
Another, if you will.

Kyle Baker said...

That's weak Josh. Sometimes is better to do the right thing and get frowned upon than...well, there's some saying in there somewhere.

Nostradamus said...

@rbn

Yeah, that site's freakin' brilliant.

MeanieBreanie said...

RB - that sort of sounds like my feelings for my date the other night. Funny how they never reveal they are married until after the fact.

Paul said...

Hola!

Is the baseball game still going on?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Bottom of ninth.

Josh S. said...

Shaggy to close.

MeanieBreanie said...

We lead 7 - 1

Paul said...

One of those things seems probable to me.

karina said...

"All I want out of life is ice cream and cuddles. Is it too much to ask? Is it?"

awwwwwwwww

Rbnlaw, this is the discovery of the month

Paul said...

Finally have the scoreboard up and working.

We are going sweeping?!?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

SWEEP!

Kyle Baker said...

I"m not exactly how this here broom works.

Josh S. said...

WE'S GOIN' SWEEEEEPIN!!!!

Collins Curse lifted? (You're welcome, Eric.)

Josh S. said...

Woooooo!!!

Three one-game winning streaks in a row!

karina said...

We make sweep!

MeanieBreanie said...

WE SWEEP = WE MAKE PARTY!

karina said...

Smash Mouth-I'm a believer

Paul said...

In 3's- Beastie Boys.

Josh S. said...

"It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over" - Lenny Kravitz

Kyle Baker said...

Stranger Things Have Happened - Foo Fighters

Kyle Baker said...

^ I'm also not sure how to celebrate a sweep.

#LazyNoChoresPost

Josh S. said...

NOW GO KICK DINGER IN THE DONG!

Kyle Baker said...

*implements no Dinger conversation rule in the Baker-Ikemiyashiro household*

karina said...

This is a pretty tame celebration for a sweep.

Josh S. said...

How come I never realized Dodger Talk streams online?

karina said...

@Josh may I have a link, please?

Josh S. said...

@karina: Here! (Click on "Listen Live")

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Van Halen-Dancing in the Streets

karina said...

@Josh now I listen to the news but, wow, I'm speechless.I'll be able to listen to DodgerTalk, wow

THANK you VERY much, wow

Josh S. said...

@karina: Yeah, the station does the news at the top of the hour.

It's back now!

karina said...

DodgerTalk just started!

I'm shaking of pure emotion, thank you again, Josh!

Josh S. said...

@karina: After about three callers, you'll probably be cursing me. ;)

karina said...

blah blah Ned Colletti has to think about the Dodgers future, blah blah

Josh, this is unbelievably great.You have no idea how I'm enjoying this. I have to run but I'm not moving 'till the shows ends

Kyle Baker said...

I always listen to DodgerTalk online because AM reception is almost as shitty as ATT reception at my crib.

Karina- don't listen to other, non-Dodger crap on that station as it is chock-full of right-wing drivel. It might give you a bad picture of us!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Podsednik
Theriot
Ethier
Kemp
Loney
Blake
Carroll
Ausmus
Monasterios

The game starts in an hour, right?

spank said...

Cheers Children!

SWEEEEPP!

Fire-Ohio Players

Kyle Baker said...

WTF am I supposed to do tonight with no Dodgers game on? I guess I can scoreboard watch and hate on other teams. That's not nothin'.

Steve Sax said...

PGT up!

SWEEEEEEEEPAGE!