Series Thread (Games 131-133): August 29-31 @ Rockies

Can we keep on rolling over the Rockies?

8/29, 5:30p: Kenta Maeda (13-7, 3.37) vs. Jon Gray (8-6, 4.61)
ROCKIES 8, DODGERS 1

8/30, 5:30p: Rich Hill (10-3, 2.09) vs. Tyler Anderson (4-5, 3.69)
RAINED OUT

8/31 GAME 1, 12n: TBD Ross Stripling (3-5, 4.13) vs. Tyler Anderson (4-5, 3.69)
ROCKIES 7, DODGERS 0

8/31 GAME 2, 5p: Rich Hill (10-3, 2.09) Bud Norris vs. Jeff Hoffman (0-2, 8.10)
DODGERS 10, ROCKIES 8. Dodgers, down 8-2 to start the 8th, score 8 runs over the last two innings — capped by Andrew Toles' two-out grand slam in the 9th. Holy shit! [Orel]

After taking two of three from the rival Giants and potential playoff opponent Cubs, the Dodgers appear to be plugging along, with today's playoff odds at 98%. But aside from the first game of the homestand, the wins didn't come from continued potency of our offense. Let's see if a three-game series at Coors Field provides that remedy to our bats.

Post-Series 128-130 Thread: Dodgers Take Two Of Three From Cubs

Brock Stewart's expression doesn't look like he believes what just happened, either.

The Dodgers just took two of three from the Cubs, the runaway best team in baseball, following a narrow 1-0 victory Sunday which was won "by a toenail" (see embedded video below; thanks to Vin Scully for that one) as well as an impressive shutout efforts from five pitchers, at least three of which most people didn't know at the start of this season.

Taking the series from the Cubs is honestly much better than I had ever expected we would do.

From David Schoenfield of ESPN.com:

2. Five Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers shut down the Chicago Cubs' potent offense: Led by left-handed starter Brock Stewart, who had allowed 15 earned runs in his three previous appearances this season, Los Angeles took two of three from the Cubs with a 1-0 victory Sunday. Stewart, 24, spun five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight. He also picked up his first MLB hit. Four relievers combined to finish the job.

Chicago came in ranked third in the majors with 655 runs scored. Los Angeles had a chance to sweep the series, had the new Kenley Jansen-Carlos Ruiz battery not failed in the opener Friday. Nevertheless, the Dodgers will take it. They have won four 1-0 games this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information, tied with the rival San Francisco Giants for the most in the majors.

The only run was scored as a result of a bang-bang play at second. With the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth, Adrian Gonzalez hit a grounder to third. Javier Baez tried to get the force, but Corey Seager slid in safely a fraction before Ben Zobrist touched the bag after receiving the throw. The play stood upon review. Dodgers announcer Vin Scully called it best, saying the final result came down to a “toenail.”

Baez could've gone to first for the easy out but had a mental lapse and threw to Zobrist, who was positioned in the shift and had far to go to reach the bag.

Look, it's not like the Dodgers exactly lit it up on offense this series, winning two games 1-0 (including Wednesday's game against the Giants), and almost getting no-hit by the Giants on Thursday. But wow, 4-2 on the homestand. That's pretty unexpected, and a pleasant surprise.

Dodgers lead SF by two games in the NL West. We play in Colorado for a quick three-game series starting today, before returning home this weekend.

photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images

Vin Scully, on Getting the Beatles out of Dodger Stadium

Series Thread (Games 128-130), Aug 26-28 vs. Cubs

8/26, 7p: Bud Norris vs Mike Montgomery
CUBS 6, DODGERS 4 (10)

8/27, 1p: Julio Urias vs Jason Hammel
DODGERS 3, CUBS 2. Urias: 6.0 IP, 1 R, 8 K

8/28, 1p: Kenta Maeda TBD Brock Stewart vs Jon Lester
DODGERS 1, CUBS 0

Did A.J. Ellis Get Traded? Yes.

Thank you, @AJEllis17! #ThankYouAJ pic.twitter.com/7JQMgWF8P6

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 25, 2016

Series Thread (Games 125-127), Aug 23-25 vs. Giants

Make sure to talk really slowly the next three days, when near any giants.

8/23, 7p: Kenta Maeda (12-7, 3.29) vs. Ashley Madison (12-7, 2.25)
DODGERS 9, GIANTS 5 Toles, Segedin both get their second HRs

8/24, 7p: the mythical Rich Hill (9-3, 2.25--IF he actually exists) vs. Johnny Cueto (14-3, 2.90)
DODGERS 1, GIANTS 0 Turner solo HR; Rich Hill done good (6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 Ks, 0 BB)

8/25, 7p: TBD Ross Stripling (3-4, 4.04) vs. Matt Moore (7-10, 4.18)
GIANTS 4, DODGERS 0 Matt Moore fell short of a complete-game shutout. That's all the history books will say.

The Dodgers enter this series with a meager one-game lead over the Giants in the NL West, yet our playoff odds are 94% vs. only 78% for our opponents. (We also have a 8.1% WS win percentage; SF has a 3.0% projection.) Looking at our starters for this series, however, you can't feel good about those playoff odds, especially with two of our three named starters currently sitting in the "vaporware" category.

But who knows, maybe the offense will pick up from yesterday's pummeling of the Reds. But just in case it goes pear-shaped and we get bludgeoned at home, the Dodgers have wisely scheduled a Health Care Appreciation Night on Wednesday (in between Dodgers headphones and Corey Seager bobblehead giveaways), just to make sure that medics will be on staff.

Now let's go get some giants.

Pretty generic face on this bobblehead (sorry, Corey!)

UPDATE 8/24: I'm usually not a fan of reporters making themselves the story, but if it's about slumping Giants, I can make an exception. Dylan Hernandez of the LAT caused the Giants' downward spiral, according to Brandon Belt.

Dodgers Peak With Week 20 Power Ranking Ascension

Even without Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers ascended to first place in the NL West for ESPN Power Rankings (and seventh overall):

Back in the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers moved ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the NL West and the rankings, climbing to No. 7. The NL West rivals will get a chance to settle things on the field this week in a big three-game series starting Tuesday in L.A. Despite all the injuries to the pitching staff, including the continued absence of Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers have made up 6½ games on the Giants since the All-Star break. The Dodgers are just 17-15 since the break, while the Giants are 11-23.

This is the first time the Dodgers have been ahead of the Giants in the rankings since Week 6. [...]

7. Los Angeles Dodgers
Record: 68-55
Week 19 ranking: No. 8

Clayton Kershaw threw about 25 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday. His next step will be a bullpen session on Tuesday, scheduled for 40 to 45 pitches. Brett Anderson left Saturday's start with a blister on his left index finger. Los Angeles, 38-24 at home, will be home for 12 of its next 16 games. -- Diane Firstman (@dianagram), Value Over Replacement Grit

Honestly. what more is there to play for this year? May as well pack it in, boys. We've done what we've set out to do this year!

Series Thread (Games 121-124), Aug 19-22 @ Reds

8/19, 4p: Bud Norris vs Tim Adleman
REDS 9, DODGERS 2

8/20, 4p: Brett Anderson vs Brandon Finnegan
REDS 11, DODGERS 1

8/21, 10a: Kenta Maeda vs Anthony DeSclafani
DODGERS 4, REDS 0. Urias: 6.0 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 6 K, 0 BB. Back in first!

8/22, 9:30a: Scott Kazmir vs Homer Bailey
DODGERS 18, REDS 9. Adrian Gonzalez: 3-for-6, 8 RBI. Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin: back-to-back first MLB HRs, for the first time in Dodgers history. Seager: 4-for-5 with 3 RBI. Scott Kazmir, Josh Reddick: still not very good. [Sax]

Welcome to the (Pre-Show) Jungle

Pre Guns N Roses warm up music. Beach Boys Pet Sounds.  The. Entire. Album!  (A personal DeShields fave)

GUNS N' F'ING ROSES - DISCOUNT F'ING TICKETS

Who's got one and a half thumbs and spent FULL PRICE for Guns N' Roses Tickets at Dodgers Stadium.

This Guy.

Fortunately, you loyal readers don't have to fall down the same rabbit hole.

GUNS N' ROSES! FRI NIGHT SHOW! $22.75 Tickets! Click here

If you're going tonight, Delino and Lady DeShields will be there in our full-price Loge level seats while chowing down on homemade 99-Cent Store bread and butter-substitute sandwiches.

And hoping beyond hope the show's not a repeat of this GnR train wreck from 2002. The 2:10 mark is especially painful.

Series Thread (Games 118-120), Aug 16-18 @ Phillies

8/16, 4p: Kenta Maeda vs Vince Velasquez
DODGERS 15, PHILLIES 5. Utley: 90-second standing ovation before first PA, solo HR, grand slam, 5 RBI. Dodgers in sole possession of first place for first time since May 10.

8/17, 4p: Scott Kazmir vs Jake Thompson
DODGERS 7, PHILLIES 2. AGon: 2 HR, 5 RBIs

8/18, 4p: Bud Norris Ross Stripling vs Jerad Eickhoff
PHILLIES 5, DODGERS 4

Didn't we just play these guys? Anyway, a Philadelphia series is all about Chase Utley's homecoming, so expect to hear plenty about that. And we better take at least two of three here — enough with letting the Giants stay in first place.

Series Thread (Games 115-117), Aug 12-14 vs. Pirates

Sunday's stadium giveaway. Paging SoSG Nomo?

8/12, 7p: Ross Stripling vs Ivan Nova
PIRATES 5, DODGERS 1

8/13, 1p: Brandon McCarthy vs Gerrit Cole
DODGERS 8, PIRATES 4

8/14, 1p: Brett Anderson vs Chad Kuhl
PIRATES 11, DODGERS 3

Extreme Loaded Dog alert! From the Dodgers:

For the series against the Pirates, Levy Restaurants will offer the Pittsburgh "Primanti" Dog at the Extreme Loaded Dog concession areas located on the field, loge and reserve levels. The Pittsburgh "Primanti" Dog is an all-beef hot dog topped with French fries, provolone cheese, coleslaw and tomatoes.

We want a full report if you try one of these!

Series Thread (Games 112-114), Aug 8-10 vs. Phillies

Philly Cheesesteak Dodger Dog, available at Extreme Loaded Dogs stands (Reserve 4, Loge 133, Field 48) at Dodger Stadium this homestand.

8/8, 7p: Julio Urias vs Zach Eflin
DODGERS 9, PHILLIES 4. HR: Seager (2), Grandal, Utley

8/9, 7p: Kenta Maeda vs Vince Velasquez
DODGERS 9, PHILLIES 3. TIED FOR FIRST PLACE!

8/10, 12n: Scott Kazmir vs Jeremy Hellickson
PHILLIES 6, DODGERS 2

photo via @alexchilling

Legendary

Series Thread (Games 109-111), Aug 5-7 vs. Red Sox

Papi understands that the SoSG love their Scotch

8/2, 7:10p: Scott Kazmir (9-4, 4.41) vs Steven Wright (12-5, 3.20)
RED SOX 9, DODGERS 0. Ouch.

8/3, 1:05p: TBD/Bud Norris? (?-?, ?.??) Ross Stripling (2-3, 4.14) vs Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.91)
DODGERS 3, RED SOX 0

8/4, 5:30p: Maybe Rich Hill?/TBD (?-?, ?.??) Brandon McCarthy (2-2, 2.76) vs David Price (9-7, 4.30)
DODGERS 8, RED SOX 5. AGon: 300th career HR, Segedin: 4 RBI in MLB debut

Such is the state of affairs with the starting rotation these days. But hey, it's only an August marquee interleague matchup with the Red Sox, so who really cares, right?

Assuming that someone is eventually penciled in to pitch on Saturday and Sunday, they might face (if he pinch hits or, heaven forfend, plays a position) Big Papi David Ortiz. This is Big Papi's last season, hence the last time he will be appearing in a homestand at Chavez Ravine. To catch an AB or glimpse of him is worth getting out to the Yard as he is not only having a great season, but he's one of the genuinely terrific guys in the game and really fun to watch. I once saw him in a game at Fenway Park where, between innings, he stopped to talk to a young girls sitting in the front row of the stands near his dugout. He got so deep into conversation with the wee lass - even putting both elbows on the railing and leaning in to listen to her - that he lost track of the fact that the next inning was starting. The umpire eventually came over there and told him he needed to get off the field (he was DH so not playing a position). Papi heard him, talked for another fifteen seconds, then slowly walked to the dugout. A little girl's night was made. That's Papi, and we'll miss him.

Series Thread (Games 106-108), Aug 2-4 @ Rox

No word on how Justin Turner is simultaneously able to pitch for the Rockies on Tuesday night as well as play third base for the Dodgers.

8/2, 5:30p: Brandon McCarthy (2-1, 2.39) vs Jon Gray (above) (7-4, 3.94)
ROCKIES 7, DODGERS 3

8/3, 5:30p: Kenta Maeda (9-7, 3.23) Brock Stewart (0-1, 9.00) vs Tyler Anderson (3-3, 3.33)
ROCKIES 12, DODGERS 2

8/4, 5:30p: Scott Kazmir (9-4, 4.41) Kenta Maeda (9-7, 3.23) vs Tyler Chatwood (10-6, 3.50)
DODGERS 4, ROCKIES 2

Lots to catch up on!

• Say hello to Rich Hill, Josh Reddick, Jesse Chavez and Josh Fields.
  
• Say goodbye to Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton, Frankie Montas, Mike Bolsinger and Yordan Alvarez.
  
• You may have heard...Yasiel Puig is getting sent to the minors.
  
• Rockies are starting two Tylers this series, but the Dodgers just picked up two Joshes. No word if the Rockies are scouring the waiver wire for a Chase or Kenta.
  

Sign Her Up

From yesterday's game at Dodger Stadium:

2016 Trade Deadline Thread

A little under three and a half hours to to before this year's (non-waiver) trade deadline. Who do the Dodgers get?

Jay Bruce? (Maybe already on his way to the Mets.)
Matt Moore?
Chris Archer?
Chris Sale?
Chris Pratt?
Chris Evans?
Chris Hemsworth?

Discuss your elation and/or disappointment below!