Friday, October 23, 2020

World Series Game 3 Thread: Oct 23 @ Rays, 5p

Aha, there's the corrrect logo.

Buehler vs. Morton.

When it comes to the Dodgers, my emotions run higher and lower than a normal mortal's calibration. I was simply euphoric after Game 1's victory. But after Game 2's loss, I was despondent--a sulking which has lasted for 36 hours given the off-day for "travel" to the opposite clubhouse in Globe Life Field.

I know this isn't rational or logical. But I can't help it. And everything I have read just spikes the emotions further, in the direction of how I'm feeling.

The LAT's Bill Plaschke says Dodgers fans should be worried.. (I'm worried.) The LAT's resident grump, Dylan Hernandez, assures that we've got this. (I'm still worried.)

And so it comes down to this pivotal Game 3, a must-win start for Walker Buehler, beset with blisters and 2-1 lifetime in the postseason (including no decisions in two four-inning 2020 postseason starts), against Charlie Morton, who is on the verge of an eighth-consecutive winning postseason decision..

The Dodgers wasted opportunities all over the place in Game 2, in which we were 0-for-6 with RISP and let Blake Snell carve us up like a deli counter employee over the first four innings. Snell was at a pace of two Ks per inning before Chris Taylor broke through with a two-run HR in the bottom of the fifth.

The Dodgers worked 7 walks in Game 1's win. We had only 4 walks in Game 2's loss. And as MLB.com's Ken Gurnick pointed out about the Dodgers' walk rate (we trail only the 1997 Marlins for the postseason record), when we're not patient, we're not as successful.

And from a pitching perspective, I think we've established from NLCS Game 7 and World Series Game 2 that Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May are not up to it this postseason. One can blame Dave Roberts for throwing these young arms in such critical situations. But the results speak for themselves: neither one is up to the pressure of this national stage, not yet. Which shatters the illusion of "bullpen games" with the reality of an early white flag, demonstrated no more clearly than Alex Wood taking over in the seventh with the Dodgers down 6-3.

So I'm worried. Like Wildstorm's Midnighter, I have taken the extra day off to play out thousands of scenarios in my mind, and there are too many potential game outcomes in which the Dodgers come up short.

I know, the Dodgers have been in much worse situations this postseason, like when we were down 0-2 in the NLCS and yet at which point I was more positive. Now, the series is tied, and I'm a mess.

I know this is profoundly negative. Like I said, I'm on the swing of a pendulum that is much wider than a normal person's. My stomach lining is probably in shreds.

Who knows what Dodgers team will emerge from the visitors' dugout this game. All I know is, I'm freaking out with worry. We need a win tonight.

LET'S GO, DODGERS!

95 comments:

QuadSevens said...

I've avoided reading any articles about the Dodgers' chances after that loss. I won't start to feel comfortable until we have a 5 run lead.

Orel said...

Betts, RF
Seager, SS
Turner, 3B
Muncy, 1B
Smith, DH
Bellinger, CF
Taylor, 2B
Pederson, LF
Barnes, C
Buehler, P

Orel said...

It was a pleasant surprise that we were able to get to Glasnow. No reason why we can't touch up Morton too

Steve Sax said...

well it didn't work in 2017 WS Game 7

(cries)

Orel said...

Subtract trash cans. Add Mookie

QuadSevens said...

Also add the fact that most of our team is pissed off about 2017. I think they will be extra focused on playing well against Morton.

Orel said...

It's crazy to me that that kind of extra motivation is even needed but hey whatever works

Steve Sax said...

Joe Buck couldn't be any more gushing over Charlie Morton. No mention of the CHEATING in 2017.

Orel said...

HEART OF A LION GUYS

karen said...

Buck singing morton's praises. Dude is still a cheater alum.

Orel said...

JAYTEE!

karen said...

JT STRONG!!!

QuadSevens said...

GINGER POWER!

karen said...

Someone have a beer for me. I think I need it.

Orel said...

Muncy single!

Orel said...

On it, Karen!

karen said...

I knew I could count on you Orel!

Steve Sax said...

Pretty good start: 1-0 lead on the JT HR, and 22 pitches from Morton. But Morton looks sharp.

Steve Sax said...

@karen, I'm helping out as well :)

karen said...

My favorite sons have my back.

karen said...

Butane lookin wicked in the 1st.

Orel said...

Buehler looking sharp too

Steve Sax said...

Great first inning for Buehler, 10 pitches, 2 Ks.

1-0 LA through 1

Steve Sax said...

Ms. Sax just surprised me with a bag of Dodgers peanuts, to go with my beer.

She's a keeper

QuadSevens said...

Octoberfest in my glass here! Cheers all!

Orel said...

Nothing doing in the 2nd

karen said...

KKK

Orel said...

KKKK

Steve Sax said...

Walker with a great second. He's got 4 Ks through 2

Orel said...

On only 22 pitches

Orel said...

Corey HBP with two out

karen said...

FOX showing Cheaters win in 2017 just to piss me off.

Orel said...

JT double! Corey stops at third

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

The pride of Lakewood CA!!! JT coming through

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

Need sum more runs here

QuadSevens said...

How many times can they mention the Astros and 2017 and not say “cheating”?

Orel said...

Max 2-run single!

karen said...

Cheater Alum is probably some kind of cousin or something (same last name). What's the nicest way to say that that branch of the old family tree was quite generous with their seed?

karen said...

MIGHTY MAX BABY!!!

Orel said...

Karen that is hilarious

karen said...

3-0 BOYS!!!

Orel said...

All runs scored with two out by the way

Steve Sax said...

Muncy was HUGE in that AB! 3-0 LA, mid-3

karen said...

@Orel...yeah, it makes for interesting family reunions.

Steve Sax said...

Fox says 48 2-out runs scored by the Dodgers this post-season, a new all-time record

Steve Sax said...

And seriously, how can they show Morton holding the 2017 trophy WITHOUT EVEN MENTIONING THE CHEATING?!?!

Horrible, Fox.

Steve Sax said...

Sorry I've got the laptop in another room. I'll be back

Orel said...

JT on fire on both sides of the plate

QuadSevens said...

Great GIDP started by Turner!

karen said...

Great play by JT to get the DP.

QuadSevens said...

Buehler is looking mighty fine tonight.

Steve Sax said...

What a pick by JT to start that double play. Wow.

3-0 LA through three full.

Orel said...

Belli single. That'll do

QuadSevens said...

Joc with a shot down the right field line.

Orel said...

BARNSEY BUNT

karen said...

SQUEEZE!!!

QuadSevens said...

Barnes follows with a perfect safety squeeze! 4-0!

QuadSevens said...

Starting to feel comfortable with this game.

karen said...

MOOKSTER!!! 5-0 BOYS!

Orel said...

That was the Mookiest Mookie ever

Orel said...

Dodgers 5-0 after 3.5 innings

Orel said...

Buehler scoreless thru 4 — 51 pitches

karen said...

So much for the 'heart of a lion'.

QuadSevens said...

Stick a fork in Morton. He’s done.

QuadSevens said...

These “facts” keep getting more and more obscure.

“Player X is the only player with 7 letters in his last name and dirt on his right knee to a hit a ball into right center field during the top of the 5th inning and not get a double.”

karen said...

Rest easy Don Larson

Orel said...

So true Quad! (Except when they involve our players)

Orel said...

KKKKKKK

Orel said...

Rays get one back

Steve Sax said...

5-1 through 5 full.

Orel said...

CT3 not having a great night. His third K so far

Steve Sax said...

BARNES, INJURY ATTORNEY!!!

Steve Sax said...

Mookie Mookie mookie

Orel said...

More two-out magic!

Steve Sax said...

Mookie SB

Steve Sax said...

Corey works a walk

Orel said...

Attn: Quad https://twitter.com/MLBStats/status/1319824119077216258

Steve Sax said...

I’m so happy, I’m going to upgrade to the sparkly pack on cupcake conquest

Orel said...

KKKKKKKK

Orel said...

KKKKKKKKKK

QuadSevens said...

@Orel 7:14pm That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Happy for Mookie though.

Steve Sax said...

So walker is done. Hope that is the right call

6-1 LA through six

Orel said...

Remember the blisters

Steve Sax said...

Treinen! Great inning

Orel said...

Treinen and Graterol with smooth innings

QuadSevens said...

Kenley coming in for the ninth to get some work.

Orel said...

It's Kenley!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

KENLEY time!!

Orel said...

That seemed inevitable. 6-2 Dodgers

QuadSevens said...

That cutter didn’t cut.

Orel said...

WIN

karen said...

DODGERS WIN!!!!

QuadSevens said...

Winner!!

Orel said...

Feel better, Sax?

Steve Sax said...

Yeah, a little bit.

The beer helps too