Tuesday, October 07, 2014

NLDS Game 4 Thread: Oct. 7 @ Cards, 2p


Bracing for oblivion.

Clayton Kershaw (0-1, 10.80) vs. Shelby Miller (0-0, -.--)

*sigh* So, it comes down to this. The entire Dodgers season rests in the hands of Clayton Kershaw, the undisputed "Best Pitcher in Baseball Who Also Gets Knocked Around Inexplicably by the Cardinals in October"™. We stand one Cardinals win and one Giants win away from the most insufferable NLCS since the last one the Dodgers weren't in (which, coincidentally, featured the same two teams...barf). Times are grim.

But...somehow...there is hope.

Dad has hope...

Trusted SoSG associate Todd has hope...

Do the rest of us dare have hope? For me, the true crushing blow came in Game 1. I've been more or less numb since then. At his point, why not have hope? At the very least, let's have this damn thing decided in OUR house. Everything has come too easy for the Cards. Everything has gone their way. Make them work for it. And for Vin's sake, DON'T THROW STRIKES TO CARPENTER!

Oh, and somebody lock the bullpen gate.

GO KERSH!!! GO BLUE!!! GO...GET A DRINK*!!!

UPDATE: WELP.



*If you're somewhere you can drink at 2pm on a Tuesday.

144 comments:

Orel said...

Dylan Hernandez ‏@dylanohernandez 1m1 minute ago

Kenley Jansen said he thinks he can pitch 2 innings, if necessary.

Hideo Nomo said...

The 9th inning on April 6th, and the 9th inning on April 7th.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

There's no time for numbness Nomo. We need you here in full body and spirit!

Fred's Brim said...

Fred's Brim @effbee 1m minute ago

Stress level update: pants pooped

Orel said...

WAIT A MINUTE YOU'RE NOT @Effbee

Hideo Nomo said...

OK, guys, I'm officially on the Fire Donnie bandwagon.

Unless this works, in which case, WOO DONNIE.

Hideo Nomo said...

Wait, I'm not going to woo Donnie. Dammit.

Hideo Nomo said...

I dunno, I think FB would know how to own prime NYC real estate and only have to tweet about it once.

Hideo Nomo said...

Twitter's a scary place right now, kids.

And by right now, I mean all the time.

Steve Dittmore said...

Don't need more that 140 characters...

This is dumb. Just total stupidity.

Orel said...

It's the digital version of an angry mob

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Let's talk Kershaw for a bit.
The stats for pitchers in playoffs on 3 days rest show that mostly for a good outing they go five innings. I think Tim Hudson went seven innings on three days rest.

That means......Even IF Kershaw has a good outing, be prepared for having to use the pen for significant innings.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Hideo Nomo said...

So, is Dan Haren available to back up Kershaw? Not saying that's ideal, but I'd feel a tiny bit better about it than other bullpen options.

Orel said...

Plus Kenley for two

Neeebs (The Original) said...

I think EVERYONE is available Gnomes.

*cries*

Orel said...

Quick, can someone disrespect Ethier so he can get that chip on his shoulder again?

Hideo Nomo said...

Drew Butera? Awesome!

Hideo Nomo said...

If I must...

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

Orel said...

It had to be you, Gnomes

Orel said...

Oh, real Orel...

Orel Hershiser ‏@OrelHershiser 29s30 seconds ago

Send encouragement to the Dodgers! Keep your faith strong! You never know if a player will see it right before he takes the field! It helps!

Hideo Nomo said...

I hope they're not checking Twitter right before taking the field, Real Orel.

Steve Dittmore said...

Co-worker of mine (Cardinals fan) who drove to StL for today's game told me local radio there saying Puig hurt his hand hitting his bat last night. Take that for what it is worth (possible troll job).

Orel said...

DTJ

Definite
Troll
Job

Steve Dittmore said...

But, but, but...

#bestfansinbaseball

Orel said...

Best Fans in Baseball joining Red Sox Nation as most annoying fan bases

QuadSevens said...

I can feel the hate rising in me. We better get some runs early or I'm gonna be a wreck.

karina said...

épale!

stress level: unable to concentrate on anything. Considering booze.

karen said...

Epale Karina!

Stress level here: Total spaz. Eating nachos.

Orel said...

Épale, SoSG sistahs!

Always wanted to say that

Betsy said...

Epale Friends, been a while since i've been to this bar - but i needed to be with my kind since i'm stuck behind the Orange Curtain today.

karen said...

Epale, Bro!


karen said...

Epale, Betsy!! It has been a long time! We need you today.

#girlpower

karina said...

Épale Orel, long tome no see Betsy!

Orel said...

Betsy! Nice to see you! Help us commisserate

Orel said...

Nah, don't really need to see the Matt Carpenter highlight reel

karen said...

Orel...Nah, not so much.

Orel said...

Off to a GREAT start

Orel said...

Weak as kittens

karen said...

For some strange reason this sounds like a Cardinal broadcast.

Hmmm...

Orel said...

Probably just coincidHEY MY DAD WAS THE VIN SCULLY OF THE CARDINALS

Orel said...

KK

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

I'm relying on this GT for my game updates.

Orel said...

KK






K!

QuadSevens said...

2 K's ain't enough Jack, you better make it 3!

Orel said...

15 pitches for Kershaw in the 1st

QuadSevens said...

Kemp with a basehit. How did he manage that with these shadows?

Orel said...

Kemp infield single to lead off the 2nd!

Orel said...

Aaaaaand Hanley with the DP yay

QuadSevens said...

5-4-3 DP erases Kemp. Ethier coming up.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

If anyone asks, I'm working!

Orel said...

Tight strike zone

QuadSevens said...

If anyone asks, I'm relaxed about this game.

Orel said...

Ethier with the Ruthian plate discipline

Orel said...

At least...they're making contact?

QuadSevens said...

It's more than the Shards can say so far.

Hideo Nomo said...

Man, we can't even get a sun double?

Hideo Nomo said...

LOLing at what Real Orel just retweeted.

Orel said...

whalk

karina said...

https://twitter.com/LosDodgers/status/519556091735048192

a little remainder that in 1981, the Dodgers were behind 2-1 twice

Orel said...

Orel, still a dweeb

Hideo Nomo said...

GIDP!

karina said...

that double play is poetry

karen said...

UJTD!! Hot damn Boys!!

Orel said...

HOLY HANLEY D

karen said...

What did Real Orel tweet??

Hideo Nomo said...

Orel Hershiser retweeted
40m
Yessi Duran @yessssid27
I like @OrelHershiser confidence on Kersh. Let's fucken goooo! 🙏

(The emoji is prayer hands.)

Orel said...

No "It's Miller Time at Busch Stadium" headlines?

karen said...

Thanks Gnomes.

karen said...

Thanks Gnomes.

karen said...

AJellis in scoring position. Let's not blow this.

QuadSevens said...

LOB. These are the Dodgers we know.

Steve Sax said...

Dee Gordon: you have about two more ABs to try and be Kolten Wong from Game 3. Otherwise, we're going to Justin Turner (whom I think Donnie is saving for NLDS Game 8)

karen said...

Very pretty breaker by Kid K.

Steve Sax said...

Uribe .071 and Gordon .133 are killing us

Steve Sax said...

to be fair, there are many in the cards' lineup not batting well either. baseball gods are just against us

Hideo Nomo said...

We're certainly sprinting toward the end.

Hideo Nomo said...

Grichuk singles after being struck out by Kershaw.

karen said...

My cats, Vinny and Elvis, brought home a dead bird this morning.

I'm hoping that might turn out to be a sign of things to come.

Orel said...

Good job, Mssrs. Vinny & Elvis!

karen said...

Orel...I didn't think so at the time but now I'm rethinking it!!

karen said...

Dee with RISP again.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

So, anything exciting going on?

I just poured myself a cup of Calm-Chamomile tea. I'm holding up pretty good...

Orel said...

AWO

karen said...

DBT...All is calm and well. Plus I just poured myself a great big glass of cough syrup.

karen said...

NO CHALLENGE DONNIE??? W T F!

karina said...

Adult beverage is served, can't handle the anxiety

QuadSevens said...

Crawford with the leadoff single.

QuadSevens said...

To leadoff the 6th that is. Still no score.

karen said...

Nice. FOX comes back from break and CC is already on first.

QuadSevens said...

Crawford to third as AGon singles to right.

QuadSevens said...

Kemp grounds into a DP, but gets Crawford home to score. 1-0 good guys!

karina said...

ha! it worked! cheers :)

Hideo Nomo said...

A run?!

karen said...

Good. That virgin we sacrificed paid off.

QuadSevens said...

Ramirez hit by the pitch. Grazed his jersey.

karen said...

When all else fails throw for the ribs.

#thecardinalway

Hideo Nomo said...

"Good. That virgin we sacrificed paid off."

And we will miss Dusty IMMENSELY.

QuadSevens said...

Cards going to the pen.

QuadSevens said...

Uribe with an RBI single!

karen said...

JUANDERFUL!!

QuadSevens said...

Jazz Hands lives!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Woop woop!

QuadSevens said...

Passed ball and Ethier is almost picked off of third. Might be a challenge here.

QuadSevens said...

Challenged, and he's out. Ethier playing in place of Puig, and he makes a baserunning gaffe. Headlines should be fun tomorrow.

karen said...

That didn't look conclusive from where I'm sitting.

Hideo Nomo said...

Kershaw went full Beast Mode to strike out the side in the 6th. Now coming up to bat.

QuadSevens said...

Kershaw strikes out the side in the 6th. 9 Ks now

Hideo Nomo said...

Vin kinda sounds like he's still finishing his dinner.

Steve Sax said...

steal second, and score, and you will redeem yourself for that crappy strike two bunt attempt

Hideo Nomo said...

Gotta bounce. Hoping they hold on, because I won't be able to express my anguish online.

karina said...

leadoff single, time to get optimistic the Crads don't score

QuadSevens said...

Kid K back out for the 7th. Holliday with an infield single.

Steve Sax said...

oh no, another seventh-inning meltdown coming

Steve Sax said...

this is brutal. just brutal.

karina said...

it ain't over, right?

karen said...

I hope this experience doesn't fuck with the Kid's head.

QuadSevens said...

Baez in now. He hit John Jay in the back. 1 out.

QuadSevens said...

Going to the 8th. Unbelievably lucky mofos 3 - Team with no bullpen 2.

Puiggy Puiggy said...

Last game for Donnie Baseball

Franklin Stubbs said...

New plan! We play a seven-game series of six-inning games, instead. Make it happen, people!

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Are they just giving up?

QuadSevens said...

K, weak liner, weak grounder. Bottom of the 8th coming up.

karina said...

we still got one chance, totally doable

QuadSevens said...

Gonna be a salty offseason.

Franklin Stubbs said...

The '14 Dodgers were a "sneaky bad" team.

MR.F said...

The reason I'm not really around is because getting close means it hurts so much

Franklin Stubbs said...

So, when can we have a club that has this much talent, but a little less mentally fragile? Am I asking too much?

karina said...

so, Cubs, Indians and the Dodgers.

totally heart-broken, Venezuelan winter baseball so I guess I can look forward to another heartbreak courtesy from Águilas.

Sad night for the Stubbs home :(

karina said...

I do hope the Nats do their part

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Hey all. It's time for LA Kings hockey. Now there's a heart of a champion.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

And the rest is silence...

karen said...

Alanno Rizzo is talking to Clayton. He said "the season is over and a lot of it is my fault". Asked by some douche reporter How crushing was it to see that ball go out of the park he said "What do you think? Is that even a question?" Asked by another reporter How long will it take for you to get over this he said "I don't know. I'll give you a call". Genius questions by the St. Louis Press.

This Kid has been nails all season. I am so heartbroken by this loss that I can't think of words to do the feeling justice. But I love this kid's heart.

Steve Sax said...

I feel so bad for Clayton, it breaks my heart.

Steve Sax said...

Dusty's text: I feel bad for me

AC's text: I feel bad for Mattingly, being out of a job and all

Pistol Pete Reiser said...

This is not my beautiful wife.

Hideo Nomo said...

Go Royals, so I can squint and pretend.

Rookie For Now said...

So are we thinking Wallach will be running things next season?

Hideo Nomo said...

Beer status: New Begium Rampant IPA.
Tear status: Flowing.

karen said...

Rook4Now...I would much rather have Eli driving the bus. Donnie isn't a Dodger anyway, he'll always be a Yankmee.

BJ Killeen said...

Agreed Karen

Dusty Baker said...

(Mr. Fs)

Orel said...

sigh

Dusty Baker said...

I'm trying folks, but I just can't talk about it yet. So fragile, so hurt, so angry, so bitter. More than usual I mean.

Steve Sax said...

PGT up, boys and girls.

Now, back to drinking.