Monday, September 14, 2020

Series Thread (Games 48-50):Sept 14-16 @ Padres

It's a heavyweight matchup.

Mon 9.14 6p: Kershaw vs. Lamet
Tue 9.15 6p: TBD vs. TBD
Wed 9.16 1p: TBD vs. TBD

In a first for this blog, I'm going to write the words "this series between the Dodgers and Padres is a heavyweight matchup." What seemed like a ridiculous statement in any of the blog's 14 years of existence is now suddenly realistic, a by-product of a coronavirus-shortened season as well as the potent powers of Fernando Tatis Jr. and ephemeral Dodger Manny Machado. The Padres are only 2.5 games behind the Dodgers with 13 games to play, with both teams having beaten up on the NL West (LA is 22-11, SD is 19-13), but their head-to-head record is pretty balanced (LA 4 games to SD 3). Tatis is tied with Dodger Mookie Betts for the NL home run lead (15), with both in the conversation for NL MVP.

And the Padres meet the Dodgers with multiple starters sidelined (Buehler, May), not to mention continued offensive struggles from Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger (whom I hope are just starting slow, but whom are running out of time here). The one positive note is Will Smith, who has lit it up recently to provide some pop behind the plate. But of course Will Smith is rocking it now; after all, we're talking about the Wild Wild West.

Holy smokes, that video doesn't hold up well.

51 comments:

Steve Sax said...

ROUND 1

Betts RF
Seager DH
Pederson LF
Muncy 1B
taylor SS
Bellinger FC
Rios 3B
Lux 2B
Barnes C

Of course we're sitting Smith. Yay.

Orel said...

Better for Kershaw

spank said...

that was not good Dodgers baseball

QuadSevens said...

Bellinger wearing his pants above his knees looks too much like Hunter Pence. Not a fan of it.

Orel said...

Kershaw pitched well but he has a knack for giving up dramatic home runs

Orel said...

Petey letting it all fall apart, as per usual

Steve Sax said...

Wow we got spanked.

Orel said...

GAME 2: THE RECKONING
Betts, RF
Seager, SS
Turner, DH
Smith, C
Bellinger, 1B
Taylor, 2B
Pollock, CF
Pederson, LF
Rios, 3B
Gonsolin, P

karen said...

For so long the Padres have been nothing more than an annoying insect in the Dodgers exulted orbit. But crap they are coming hard at us in this weird 2020 season. We may need to wheel out the HATE we usually reserve for the Evil Empire in NoCal.

karen said...

JT has gone 3 for 3 so far on his first night back from DL. 3-1 Blue in 5th.

QuadSevens said...

Kenley in for the ninth with a 2 run lead. I hope somebody in the bullpen pissed him off.

Orel said...

Oh no it's Kenley

Orel said...

One down

karen said...

Hey Orel...Kenley is scaring the crap out of me.

Orel said...

Still one down

Orel said...

ME TOO KAREN

Orel said...

I look at it this way: If Kenley succeeds, good for us. If Kenley fails (once again), it gives Doc the rope he needs to demote him in the playoffs

karen said...

The plate must be floating all over the park to Kenley.

karen said...

Deep breathes Karen, deep breathes.

Orel said...

Pitching Under the Influence

Orel said...

One more strike...

Orel said...

WIN

karen said...

Kenley took us on an E ticket ride but finally nails down the save.

QuadSevens said...

That was scary!

Orel said...

Kenley closing the in playoffs...oh boy

Steve Sax said...

wow that was too close for comfort.

Steve Sax said...

1pm game tomorrow, kiddos

Orel said...

GAME 3: BULLPEN GAME, NO NEED TO PANIC
Betts, RF
Seager, SS
Turner, DH
Muncy, 3B
Smith, C
Bellinger, 1B
Pollock, CF
Taylor, LF
Lux, 2B
Graterol, P

Orel said...

Ferg to IL. Joc to family medical emergency list. Hope everything's OK with his new baby

Steve Sax said...

how did ferguson get injured yesterday?

Steve Sax said...

oh no, i just saw the highlight. that looks bad. Ferg to get an MRI in LA today.

karen said...

Orel...That's the first thing I thought, the baby. Thoughts and prayers to the Pederson family.

karen said...

Ferg's injury is his elbow according to Joe and Original Recipe Orel. He had Tommy John surgery his senior year in high school. Sending good thoughts his way too.

Orel said...

AJ HR!

Orel said...

Pads tie it up

Orel said...

Somehow we escape the 2nd with the bases loaded

Orel said...

Muncy slices a double to give the Dodgers the lead!

Orel said...

3-1 on a Will Smith dribbler that Lucchesi can't handle

Orel said...

Tatis picked a good time to slump

Orel said...

May looking good. Gets thru the 4th in 10 pitches. WAIT IT'S ONLY THE 4TH INNING???

Orel said...

Mookie has three stolen bases in this game

karen said...

Fresh Prince double brings in 2 runs. 5-1 Dodgers.

Orel said...

Fresh Prince 2-run double!

Orel said...

DAMMIT

karen said...

Belli brings in the Fresh Prince. Maybe Cody is breaking out of his slump.

Orel said...

CT3 moonshot! 7-1 Dodgers

Orel said...

May retires the side on 9 pitches in the 6th inning

karen said...

Profar launched that mofo.

Orel said...

Nice pick by Cody on a nice throw by Corey to retire Tatis in the 8th

Orel said...

Important, because Machado launched that mofo too. 7-4 Dodgers

Orel said...

WIN