Friday, October 11, 2013

NLCS Game 1 Thread: Oct. 11 vs. Cards, 5.30p

Zack Greinke (0-0, -.-- ERA) vs. Joe Kelly (0-0, -.-- ERA)

This NLCS matchup is what most so-called experts predicted at the beginning of the season, by all accounts. Yet the two teams took different paths to get here. St. Louis mostly took the direct path, i.e., they were pretty damn good all season. The Dodgers, on the other hand, took a winding path that almost got them lost and eaten by rabid dingoes, but ended up right back where the predictions originally had them.

We send Zack Greinke, our Ace #2, out to try to take the first game from under the Cards and keep the momentum going from the NLDS. We'll need it, especially from the hot bats of Ramirez, Crawford, Uribe, and Puig. The addition of Ethier, who is likely to gets the start tonight, should add to that firepower. The Cards will counter with an offense that is driven by manufacturing runs, especially with RISP,  by a bunch of light-to-medium-hitting white guys.

Let's pause a moment to taunt St. Louis:

Cardinals 2013 Team Picture

Personally, I started out the day nervous. Then I read Sax's morning post about the cliched media narrative on the Dodgers and Cards, and I got angry. Then I saw the post-season roster, and I got thirsty. Then I listened to analysis of the matchup on a few radio shows, and got nervous, angry, thirsty all at once. And that's pretty much where things stand now. After all the predictions, though, and all the analysis, it will come down to what it always does: Dodgers gotta keep pitching.*

cc: Fred's Brim

*That, and which shirt SoSG Sax wears

Dodgers tickets

image: courtesy Ft. Wayne, IN Civic Center

428 comments:

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Dusty Baker said...

Crawford LF
Ellis 2B
Ramirez SS
Gonzalez 1B
Puig RF
Uribe 3B
Ethier CF
Ellis C
Greinke P

BJ Killeen said...

Kinky, Spank...odd, but kinky.

Dre is back, and I'm happy about it. I don't just want to win, I want to beat them until they're crying uncle, then pour hot sauce in their eyes. No, I don't need an anger management class, thank you.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

I'm ready for this! I had a NLCS ceremonial lunch, chicken parmesan... get it? Red birds? With extra cayenne pepper!

Let's get it on!

Dusty Baker said...

I like the symbolism, DBT!

Dusty Baker said...

I like the symbolism, Spanky!

Dusty Baker said...

And I like the symbolism, BJ!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

CERGPUEEG

Dusty Baker said...

NICE catch, DBT!

Dusty Baker said...

Where is everyone watching from?*






*Sorry for ending that sentence with a preposition.

Orel said...

"From where is everyone watching it at?"

Steve Sax said...

Thank you for doing the GT, DB!

One minor point: in your first paragraph, should that be an i.e. rather than a e.g.?

Steve Sax said...

I am watching the game at from my home living room around through before in.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Going to the BON JOVI concert tonight. Missing most of the game.

*cries*

I hope that the boys in blue won't be Livin on a Prayer.

Orel said...

You give glove a bad name, Neeebs.

Steve Sax said...

Neeebs: that is some bad medicine right there

Hideo Nomo said...

FUCK THE ORDINALS.

Steve Sax said...

Neeebs: why does Bon Jovi get the all-caps treatment?

Steve Sax said...

I've got friends at the game tonight. And they're Dodger fans.

We better rock this tonight.

spank said...

kill Kill KILL

Fred's Brim said...

well said Dusty

Fred's Brim said...

gotta keep pitching

Fred's Brim said...

not sure where or if I will get to see the game tonight - found out some bad news and need to drink with some friends

I wish you all good luck tonight, hope we get a good one

Steve Sax said...

I know what you mean, FB. I didn't want Dee Gordon on the roster, either.

Steve Sax said...

In all seriousness, hope you and your friends are okay and good luck with the drinking FB.

Dusty Baker said...

At Sax

You are correct! Now I have e.g. on my face!

Dusty Baker said...

I'mma get belligerent up in dish bish tonight.

Hideo Nomo said...

Going with Erin's "Deuces Are Wild" shirt for tonight. Praise be to Vin.

Paul said...

Neeebs really screams a lot at BON JOVI

Cliff Beefpile said...

Let's go Dodgers!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Meanwhile, the Kings have been infected with the Noffense virus.

spank said...

I want to destroy shit.

Hideo Nomo said...

Furcal was introduced with the Cards, per Bill (Whole Lotta) Shaikin.

QuadSevens said...

Pumpkin ale in hand and ready to start the game on the couch.

spank said...

Ernie Johnson can you just go away. Everybody hates you.

BJ Killeen said...

I'll be behind in my comments as I'm listening to vin but watching tv

spank said...

That was a nice at bat,crawdude.

BJ Killeen said...

Cool shoes, craw daddy

BJ Killeen said...

Mellis!

spank said...

kill Kill KILL

QuadSevens said...

HanRam gets plunked in the ribs. Two on one out.

spank said...

Bring 'em in AGon!

spank said...

wild pitch bishes

Cliff Beefpile said...

Come on! Make 'em pay!

BJ Killeen said...

C'mon agony!

spank said...

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cliff Beefpile said...

Ball four, AGon.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Been a while since a Puig homerun.

spank said...

Puig swings at a pitch that was caught in Kansas city.

Steve Sax said...

Dammit I am so nervous

Steve Sax said...

Puig Ks. I still think we can get to Kelly tonight.

spank said...

Goddamn Puig. You need a ten foot bat to hit pitches like that.

BJ Killeen said...

Yasi: still haven't learned

QuadSevens said...

Go get em Zack!

Hideo Nomo said...

Matt Carpenter looks like he's trying to do the Aarron Rowand squat, but can't make his body do it.

spank said...

Long ball that you mutt.

Cliff Beefpile said...

1-2-3 for Greinke.

spank said...

St.Louis Cardinals : the only MLB team still playing in the pre Jackie Robinson days.

spank said...

Oh no. Hanram is hurt. Broken ribs i bet.

Hideo Nomo said...

Plunked in the robs, then having to stretch that same side on the catch. Can't feel good.

Dusty Baker said...

Finally on the sofa after work, Vinny!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Just hot home did I miss anything?

Dusty Baker said...

So HanRam got knofed in the robs? Vin wasn't sure where he got hit.

Dusty Baker said...

Both Dusties got home at the same time.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Gnarly traffic, but it's all better now. Greinke is dealing

Dusty Baker said...

Greinke looks great.

Just opened a nice cold Sam Okt.

Dusty Baker said...

Crawdaddy double!

spank said...

Crawdude doubles to lead off. Rally!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Crawford ropes one into left! Coulda been a triple if he hadn't slipped. On the other hand...the Adventures of Matt LOLliday begin.

Cliff Beefpile said...

HanRam makes them pay here.

Mrs. Dusty said...

Dusty told me to tell you all this, "On my way home in the car, Vinny!" Viva Los Doyers!

Dusty Baker said...

Mrs Dusty had some log-in problems. I had wanted her to post that while I was driving home.

Dusty Baker said...

Come on, bat boy, have a fuggin bat ready already. It's your only gd job.

Dusty Baker said...

Way too many signs from the Shards dugout. Just tug on your ear a coupla times, dude. Damn.

Hideo Nomo said...

No garbage ABs please.

spank said...

Bases are juiced

Dusty Baker said...

That was going to be a fastball away a mile away. And now the bases are rachinedoed for Puig.

Dusty Baker said...

Where the hell is Karina??? Did you stop following the Dodgers or what?

Cliff Beefpile said...

C'mon, kid.

Dusty Baker said...

Good first pitch take, YP!

Dusty Baker said...

51 pitches for Kelly.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Not sure if I've said this yet, but FUCK THE CARDINALS!

spank said...

Damn. that was weak.

Dusty Baker said...

Fuck YP you gotta lift that ball in that situation. We'd still have Loney if we wanted to see that shit.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Fuck.

Dusty Baker said...

@Cliff

It bears repeating.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Uribear!

QuadSevens said...

Jazz Hands comes through!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Goddammit, Ethier. That could have gone better.

Steve Sax said...

Uribe! 2-0 good guys

BJ Killeen said...

I'll take it!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kings tied 1-1 in OT, about to go on the power play though. 2:38 left in OT. Just FYI.

Dusty Baker said...

Joe Kelly gets a hit of course. Throw at his face on first, Greinke!

BJ Killeen said...

F**k

spank said...

Sack up,Greinke.

Paul said...

Beltran.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Come on, Greinke.

spank said...

Fuckity shit

Cliff Beefpile said...

Goddammit.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Gotta catch that, Ethier...a tough play, but still.

Paul said...

Beltran.

Steve Sax said...

Ethier you should have had that

Paul said...

All because we couldn't get the pitcher out.

spank said...

I hate that shit. Runs score with two outs then a lazy pop fly to end the inning. i'm pissed off.

BJ Killeen said...

Should have walked him. Donnie being a bad manager AGAIN

Paul said...

Gotta get the pitcher out.

Dusty Baker said...

That's a tough play for anyone to make, much less a slow white guy who hasn't played center (not his natural position) since Sept 13. Not gonna jump on Dre for that.

Greinke is the one we need to blame. Terrible inning from him.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Kings win. Dodgers manage to piss me off.

Dusty Baker said...

Thanks for that crack reporting re Kelly's glasses, Sager.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Also, why didn't he plunk Beltran?

Cliff Beefpile said...

As baseball announcers go, these guys are good basketball announcers.

Paul said...

Think we could take a pitch guys.

Dusty Baker said...

God dammit we're letting this Kelly pussy off the hook. First give him a 2-out hit that starts a rally, then go weakly against him the next inning.

Dusty Baker said...

Fatt Adams.

Dusty Baker said...

It seems like we're flailing a bit here. Need to sack up. I mean the team, not us.

Although Stubbs does need to sack up.

Dusty Baker said...

Is Neeebs really at a Bon Jovi concert? That is about the lamest thing I've ever heard.

Dusty Baker said...

MDIL: Vinny was talking about two players on the Cards who are getting married --

Dusty: To each other?

#Belligerent

Dusty Baker said...

A Gon has himself a base hit with two down.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Adams is on the Panda Sandoval diet.

Dusty Baker said...

16 minutes between me commenting and someone else commenting. Sack up, people!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Loretta Lynn warming in the bullpen?

Dusty Baker said...

Lance Bass warming in the bullpen?

Cliff Beefpile said...

The only analyst worse than Cal Ripken Jr. is Billy Ripken.

Dusty Baker said...

Dodgers go down in the fifth.

Dusty Baker said...

I'M ONLY ON MY FIRST BEER!

spank said...

Dave Campbell sucked major ass back in the day for ESPN.Dude was boring as fuck.

spank said...

Greinke is bad ass. too bad he sucked last inning.

Dusty Baker said...

The optimist in me says it's a 0-0 game with Greinke dealing and we're deep into a pitcher we can get to.

The pessimist says we squandered a 2-0 lead that could have been more and have lost all momentum going into late innings against a team with lockdown relief.

spank said...

Greinke!

Dusty Baker said...

The liver in me says "Beer me!"

Cliff Beefpile said...

Uribaybay!

Steve Sax said...

My kid just looked at me and said, "Uribe's good now!"

Dusty Baker said...

He always has been a smart one, Sax.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Personally, I blame Sax's shirt for giving up the lead.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Could use a little of your clutchiness here, AJEllis.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Please let them bring in Choate.

Steve Sax said...

Come on Zack

QuadSevens said...

Time for Zack to help himself.

QuadSevens said...

Shit.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

HELP ME

Steve Sax said...

I'm sick to my stomach nervous

QuadSevens said...

That slow curve is working well for Zack.

QuadSevens said...

Have another drink Sax. It'll help.

QuadSevens said...

1-2-3 inning for Zack.

Paul said...

Someone other than Uribe and Crawford need to step
Up.

spank said...

Eh. Look at Neeebs. We all know going to see Bon Jovi was his idea.

Paul said...

Another first pitch out by Crawford.

QuadSevens said...

Timely ad for NCAA march madness.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Cards bring in m'anus. Tee hee.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Well this has turned into a big poop sandwich in a hurry.

Cliff Beefpile said...

Come on, HanRam. We need one of those 'angry' swings from you right now.

Dusty Baker said...

Perfectly synced with Vinny, Vinny!

Orel said...

Has Neeebs thrown his panties at Jon Bon Jovi yet?

Neeebs (The Original) said...

My jock strap is on stage. Score some runs mofos

Hideo Nomo said...

I hate squeaky bum games.

Steve Sax said...

Holy smokes that was close at second there.

We are all so nervous, the comment pace has slowed

QuadSevens said...

Ha! Bunting screwed them there.

BJ Killeen said...

This game is dull. Sorry, but both teams look tired

Orel said...

Puig pulls off another 9-3 DP!

QuadSevens said...

Puig with the patented 9-3 double play!

Steve Sax said...

PUIG baBY! Nice play!

Dusty Baker said...

Puig awoke Orel from his slumber!

Cliff Beefpile said...

Puig lights the fire again! Here come the runs! And I don't mean the Daphne's Greek I had earlier.

BJ Killeen said...

Well that was better. Maybe it will give them some energy

QuadSevens said...

Beat me to it Orel.

Dusty Baker said...

Wait, Neeebs panty throwing apparently awoke Orel from his slumber.

Dusty Baker said...

Hopefully that is a momentum swing back our way.

Good job, Zack! (Assuming he's done)

Steve Sax said...

Listen to Ripken guys, and get energized from those two plays

Cliff Beefpile said...

Time for AGon to do something.

Steve Sax said...

Leadoff walk to AGon here in the eighth

Steve Sax said...

And here's Dee. Wtf.

Cliff Beefpile said...

I don't like this move, only because I'm afraid Adams might try to eat Dee.

Steve Sax said...

I do not like this, sam I am

Dusty Baker said...

WTF w Dee?

Steve Sax said...

Tim Wallach is giving signs to first saying "why are you on the roster skinny guy"

Steve Sax said...

DEE GORDON IS WORTHLESS ON THIS ROSTER

Steve Sax said...

"That's where Gordon's speed could have come into question on that base"

"Gordon really wanted to run but did not get a good jump"

WHY the fuck is Gordon on this roster, he is useless

And now we don't have A-Gon, either

spank said...

i'm done with Dee Gordon.

Steve Sax said...

Fuck. Uribe GIDP.

Leadoff walk leads to nothing. 2-2

spank said...

goddamnitsonofabitch

Cliff Beefpile said...

Goddammit.

Orel said...

Wow. Inning-ending DP and AGon is subbed out of the game. So much for momentum.

Steve Sax said...

Can we please get Dee Gordon stuck in the arch or something

BJ Killeen said...

Well, now what

Wicks said...

Donnie just screwed us if this goes extras :(

Cliff Beefpile said...

Even Juan Pierre wasn't this useless.

Steve Sax said...

NIce putout, A-Gon oh wait it isn't A-Gon because Dee Fucking Gordon ruined his night

Dusty Baker said...

Even Eugenio Velez wasn't this useless.

Dusty Baker said...

I had to go take a dump. Was it a UJTD or did Dee help matters?

Cliff Beefpile said...

Has Young done anyfuckingthing since coming to the Dodgers? Besides be some kind of "locker room presence?" Which, frankly, just sounds creepy.

Steve Sax said...

Zack with a sweet K there

QuadSevens said...

9 K's for Zack now.

Steve Sax said...

@DB 8:26p: Dee did help matters if we're talking about your dump

Cliff Beefpile said...

This ump's strike zone is all over the fuckin' map. Works to our benefit that time though.

Dusty Baker said...

@Cliff

He's odds on favorite to scribble on Tommy's nuts if the occasion presents itself.

Steve Sax said...

Greinke is gaming here. I'm waiting for Donnie to bring in Belisario and blow it all to hell

Cliff Beefpile said...

And here I had Punto pegged as the designated nut-scribbler.

Dusty Baker said...

Greinke is Verlandering - getting better as the game gets late.

QuadSevens said...

You called it Sax. Belli is warming up.

Orel said...

At least Zack still has it. KKKKKKKKKK

BJ Killeen said...

Beli? NO FUXKING WAY

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