Monday, August 04, 2014

Game 113 Thread: Aug. 4 vs. Angels, 7p

Zack Greinke (12-6, 2.65) vs. Garrett Richards (11-4, 2.74).

Well, isn't this exciting. Both Southern California baseball teams meet for the first time this season, both in legitimate contention for postseason play.

The Dodgers (63-49, in first place ahead of the Giants by 2 games) have stumbled a bit, losing two of three to the last-place (we know, we know) Cubs after spirit-raising sweeps of the Giants and Barves. The Angels (66-44, in second place behind the A's by a game), would be in first place in any other division.

Richards, the Angels' best pitcher to date, takes on the Dodgers' second-best in Greinke. The tenor of both Western divisions could be impacted by this series, so give 'em An-hel, Dodgers!

40 comments:

Hideo Nomo said...

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

Steve Sax said...

There are 50 games left in the season. Any starter we pick up from the garbage bin now will give us only ten starts.

Given Haren and Beckett are automatic losses, our rotation (not accounting for days off / skipped starts) would give us a 30-20 record if Kershaw, Greinke, and Ryu win every single one of their starts (or at least, they lose as uncommonly as Haren / Beckett win).

If we go 30-20 down the stretch, 93 wins should be enough to win the West and avoid the wild card. The Giants, at 61-51, would have to go 32-18 or .640 to tie. This is possible, just unlikely.

A long way of saying, I don't know if picking up a spot starter gives us that much hope. If we can get Zach Lee to get us a win or two in September, that might be enough.

Hideo Nomo said...

35-15. Book it.

Steve Sax said...

@Gnomes: us, or the Giants?

Fred's Brim said...

why doesn't Crawford get reamed for his bad defense?

Fred's Brim said...

@Gnomes, I don't think we're gonna score 15 tonight. The 35 might be right on though

Fred's Brim said...

unacceptable

Fred's Brim said...

what a bunch of assholes

Fred's Brim said...

@Saxy 29-21?

Fred's Brim said...

I know our defense was well below average but when did it turn terrible?

Fred's Brim said...

Goddammit I hate the Angels, why are we so pathetic against them?

karina said...

épale everyone!

@FB do not panic

Steve Sax said...

Shit, Greinke pounded in the first. 4-0 Angels.

Fred's Brim said...

@karina - Stay calm and only tune in for Clayton's games if you don't want to be driven crazy

Fred's Brim said...

I need help. How do I not think awful things about this team. I need a sports therapist to get me out of these mental funks

Steve Sax said...

So does Zack

Steve Sax said...

Greinke Ks Garrett Richards.

TAKE THAT, ANGELS

Fred's Brim said...

Is Carl waiting for the playoffs again to hit?

Fred's Brim said...

Carl doesn't make that catch

Fred's Brim said...

Can Grienke find his bat from last season?

Fred's Brim said...

take a goddamn pitch

Orel said...

What the hell happened in the first?

Orel said...

Just read the recap. What a cluster

Fred's Brim said...

@Orel
Trout sinking liner to Crawford that he misplayed into (just) a double, Calhoun scores
Pujols double into the gap to score Trout
Hanley with an awful throw to let in the third run, should have been out #3
Grienke wild pitch lets Kendrick get to second who then scores on a single

in short, a bunch of pathetic boolshit that is even more painful now that Grienke is throwing no-hit quality stuff

Orel said...

Thanks, FB. Looks like another guaranteed one-run loss

Fred's Brim said...

@Orel are they going to take runs away from the Angels?

Fred's Brim said...

OK enjoy this win without me
gnite, folks

Orel said...

That's a premium burn right there, FB

karina said...

I think we need to play the Giants again

Steve Sax said...

Giants demote, release Uggla

Orel said...

Then re-sign him to a one-day contract so he can retire a Giant

Steve Sax said...

let's get a goddamn run here

Steve Sax said...

Ellis is now batting .192. This is a joke.

Steve Sax said...

Ellis' OPS+ is 67, the worst in his career besides his first two seasons. Ellis has a 99 career OPS+

Steve Sax said...

5-0. Where's the pride, Dodgers?

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

The Angles are kicking the Dodgers dicks in he dirt.

karina said...

*daydreams about a walk-off*

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

That's the problem, Karina. The whole team is daydreaming right now. Oh well, let's get them tomorrow.

Steve Sax said...

Time for the bottom of the ninth, five-run comeback

Steve Sax said...

Didn't happen. PGT up.