Thursday, July 07, 2022

Games 82-85 Thread: July 7-10 vs. Cubs

Thu 7: Gonsolin vs. Leiter Jr.
Fri 8: Anderson vs. Thompson
Sat 9: Kershaw vs. TBD
Sun 10: Urias vs. TBD
All games at 7p except Sunday 1p

The Dodgers are still injured all over the lineup, with Walker Buehler, Daniel Hudson, and Chris Taylor all out (and Hudson definitely not coming back this season). Max Muncy is still batting .167 (though he had a nice defensive play in yesterday's 2-1 victory); Cody Bellinger is barely over Mendoza (.213), and we stil don't have a cleanup hitter (Slappy usually inhabits the four-hole, and his OPS at .799 is worse than our top three hitters).

And yet, we're off to a 5-1 start in this homestand, we're ekeing decent starts out of players like Mitch White (5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB and 6 Ks yesterday), and we have the best record in the National League and a six-game lead over the Padres.

It doesn't seem like the Dodgers are clicking yet. But that may be because we all know the bar is so high.

So into town roll the Cubbies, who sport a record even worse than the NL West cellar dweller Rockies (whom we just swept). Wednesday's victory only came through manufacturing a late run in the ninth (the team was 0-for-7 with RISP yesterday). Will the Dodgers limp to victory this series, or utilize the opportunity to really start firing on more cylinders?

61 comments:

QuadSevens said...

GAME 1

Betts RF
Turner SS
Freeman 1B
Smith C
Muncy 3B
Turner DH
Bellinger CF
Thompson LF
Lux 2B

Gonsolin P

Steve Sax said...

It’s 4-2 LA. Lux, Betts, and JT have all homered.

We are playing baseball like a beer-league softball team.

Steve Sax said...

Oh no. graterol is hurt.

Steve Sax said...

This is unbelievable. The baseball gods are against us this season.

Steve Sax said...

Whew, Kimbrel can’t get the save, but Vesia does.

5-3 victory!

WIN

QuadSevens said...

When was the last time Kimbrel had an easy save? I heard there were chants of "We want Kenley" at the stadium last night. Yikes.

spank said...

@Quad- kimbrel had an 8 pitch save on Saturday against the Padres. 3 up 3 down.

Neeebs said...

Let's go Dodgers

Steve Sax said...

I’m unavailable for Game 3. Let’s hope for another walkoff win

karen said...

GAME 3

Betts RF
T Turner SS
Freeman 1B
Smith DH
Muncy 3B
Lamb LF
Lux 2B
Bellinger CF
Barnes C

Kershaw LHP

karen said...

HAPPY KERSHAW DAY!!!!

Steve Sax said...

Another win! No need for the walkoff, Kimbrel with the save!

karen said...

GAME 4

Betts RF
T Turner SS
Freeman 1B
Smith C
J Turner 3B
Muncy DH
Thompson CF
Alberto 2B
Lux LF

Urias LHP

karen said...

Happy Sunday Everybody!!

karen said...

So Sad to hear about Mike Brito. RIP

I have been concerned about Vinny. He wasn't at Sandy's statue ceremony Not many things would've kept him from being there.

Steve Sax said...

What happened to Urias? He’s playing about as bad as Bellinger these days

Steve Sax said...

Urias is laying a huge egg here. He gives up a grand slam and there is only one out in the first.

He’s frustrated. But he needs to keep his shit together.

karen said...

5-0 in the first. C'mon Julio!!!

Steve Sax said...

5-0 CHC, first inning

karen said...

MR URIAS finally gets out of the inning but not before digging his team into a 5 run hole.

Steve Sax said...

Ok it’s 5-2 LA in the bottom of the first. Let’s go

Steve Sax said...

Urias had 45 pitches in that first inning. That’s a season high for a Dodger pitcher.

Muncy and his .160 average up.

Steve Sax said...

Hey, Max shuts me up!!!

Steve Sax said...

It was only a sac fly to center but at least it scores Slappy from third. So it’s 5-3 Chicago with two out.

Steve Sax said...

Thompson gets jobbed on a called strike three, high and over the zone.

Steve Sax said...

5-3 Cubs, end 1

karen said...

Okay Urias, the offense got 3 runs back for you. The rest of the free world is sitting here waiting for you to show up and do your job.

Steve Sax said...

Urias lasts only two damn innings. And Bickford comes in and serves up a three-run dong. It’s 8-3 Cubs. Geez.

Steve Sax said...

Giants up 8-0 on the Padres, though

Steve Sax said...

Cubs starter Drew Smyly also knocked out, facing one batter in the bottom of the third (Freeman doubles; no out).

So let's see if we can get to their bullpen and make up this gap.

karen said...

Sorry, but I'm pretty sure bitch Karen is driving the bus today and I just have no patience with our (supposed) A-1 pitching staff when they pitch like a bunch of little girls.

'Nough said.

Steve Sax said...

Passed ball, and then Slappy sacrifice ground out, scores Freeman,

8-4 CHC

Steve Sax said...

This would be so great if this game was a barn-burner, and we came back to win.

Steve Sax said...

Lux works a bases-loaded walk (good AB, too). It's now 8-5, bases loaded, and Mark Leiter Jr. replaces Matt Swarmer for the Cubs.

karen said...

Leave it to our golden oldies, JT and Muncy to get things started.

Against my better judgement, I'm beginning to feel hopeful. God help me.

karen said...

Hey Sax....You are being so much nicer than me!!! So unlike us! I promise to try harder.

Steve Sax said...

Freeman and Slappy both snubbed from the All-Star Game.

I get it for Slappy, but not Freeman?!

Steve Sax said...

@karen: nah, I was salty too after Urias' start! Thanks for holding down the fort. The next two weeks are going to be horrible for me...

karen said...

The baseball gods are shining on us and blinding the Cubby defense!!! 8-7...

Steve Sax said...

Cubs 1B error scores two more off an easy Mookie grounder to third!

8-7 LA

Steve Sax said...

Giants have a NO-HITTER through five

Steve Sax said...

DODGERS TAKE THE LEAD!!!

9-8 LA!

Steve Sax said...

I called this a half-hour ago!!!

karen said...

@Sax...Geez, I don't know what the next 2 weeks hold for you but God Bless you, I know you'll do fine. After all, you're Steve effing Sax!!!

Steve Sax said...

Trea steals second. Freeman up for the second time this inning

karen said...

Good grief!! Is this a Coors Field game???

Steve Sax said...

Dammit. Freddie grounds to second to end the inning.

LA 9-8 through 3 full.

Steve Sax said...

@karen: oh, sorry. Not too horrible from a life perspective, just out of contact for keeping up with baseball :)

Steve Sax said...

Wait, call on the field overturned...Freddie is safe.

Runners at the corners and two out for Slappy.

Steve Sax said...

Slappy Ks.

Steve Sax said...

9-8 LA through three full. Again.

Steve Sax said...

1-2-3 inning for Yancy Almonte, including a three-pitch K of Patrick Wisdom.

9-8 LA, through 3.5

Steve Sax said...

Padres got a hit, so there is no Giants no-hitter today.

karen said...

So, so happy that Kersh has been named to the All Star game. I worry that other cities are going to be (rightfully pissed) I totally gt it. Clayton Kershaw is a first round ballot HF

Steve Sax said...

Freeman HR in the bottom of the sixth, so it's 10-8 LA with two out

Steve Sax said...

SF is up 12-0 on the Pads today, in SD. Yikes.

Steve Sax said...

Lamb Ks with the bases loaded to end the sixth.

10-8 LA

karen said...

As Vin used to say "Hope burns eternal"

Lets go Boys!!!

karen said...

Dodgers ahead 11-8. I was so ready to go back to the Breaking Bad marathon. So glad I didn't.

karen said...

GREAT WIN DODGERS!!!! I was so wrong to doubt you!! You guys are the best!!!!

Steve Sax said...

WIN