Great Moments in SoSG History: Vol. I, Issue I

From a 3/31/2008 GT:

NLCS Game 5 Thread: Oct 15 vs. Phillies, 5.22p

Chad Billingsley (0-1, 27.00) vs. Cole Hamels (1-0, 2.57).

COMMENTS: Did you get all that out of your system?

We're asking you, Joe Torre (who started the collapse by removing Derek Lowe early).

We're asking you, Dodger bullpen (which surrendered 5 ER in 4 innings).

We're asking you, (non-Manny) Dodger bats (which left 12 LOB).

And we're asking you, Dodger fans (who responded with garment rending and tooth gnashing of epic proportions).

Because at 5:22 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, we put all of Monday's bullshit behind us and focus on one thing: getting the Dodgers to board a flight from LAX to PHL tomorrow.

Whether you contend it was a weak pitching staff or bullpen mismanagement that doomed the Dodgers in Game 4 is irrelevant today, as everyone should be available to play—starting with Chad Billingsley, famously knocked for his lack of aggressiveness in Game 2. Chadley has nothing to lose and everything to prove this evening, and we expect he will be pitching with a chip on his shoulder the size of Defiance, Ohio.

The bats will be facing Cole "East Coast Fans Are More Passionate" Hamels, and it may be the last chance for the likes of Russell Martin (.154 with 1 RBI in the NLCS), Matt Kemp (.250, 0 RBI) and Andre Ethier (.278, 0 RBI) to prove they're worthy of playing deep into October. Until they do, the Phillies will continue working around Manny Ramirez.

And Torre will be trying to pull out another miracle from his bag of tricks that has already provided so many pleasant surprises in 2008. Torre gave the team a much-needed day off yesterday; let's hope they used the time to get their swagger back.

So pull up a chair, grab your favorite talisman and show a little love, Dodger fans. Just remember that anything can happen (it has in the past, after all). Let's ignore the odds and see if we can add a few more heroes to the pantheon. And if we catch a few breaks, the Dodgers flying from LAX to PHL will be easy as ABC.

Gibson: AP photo

NLCS Game 4 Thread: Oct 13 vs. Phillies, 5.22p

Derek Lowe (0-1, 3.38) vs. Joe Blanton (0-0, -.--).

COMMENTS: What a difference one game makes. We're back in this, mofos! The Dodgers, with fire in their belly and yearning in their souls, return to the field today after yesterday's 7-2 shellacking of Jamie Moyer and the Phillies.

But lest anyone get complacent, let's not forget one more Phillies win puts them a breath away from taking the series. The Dodgers trot out Lowe on three days' rest in hopes that he can sinkerball his way to his first NLCS victory; although Nomar Garciaparra performed admirably in his first playoff start this year, expect James Loney to start against the right-handed Blanton.

In 11 innings of work over two games against L.A. this season, Philadelphia's mid-season acquisition Blanton gave up 15 hits, five runs, two home runs, and six walks, but also had ten strikeouts. (The Dodgers and Phillies split those two games.)

However, Blanton also beat the Brewers in the NLDS, so let's strap on a pair (while keeping the peace) and tie this sucker up!

DeWitt photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Furcal: AP photos

NLCS Game 3 Thread: Oct 12 vs. Phillies, 5.22p

Jamie's Cryin'! Play it loud!

Hiroki Kuroda (0-0, -.--) vs. Jamie Moyer (0-0, -.--).

COMMENTS: Chin up, Dodger dudes and dudettes. Sure, being down 0-2 is a crapload of suck, but consider this:

• The Phillies don't love L.A. They are 0-4 at Dodger Stadium this year.
• Jamie's Cryin'...against the Dodgers. Moyer is 3-5 with a 5.19 ERA lifetime against L.A.
• Jamie's tryin'...to last more than the four innings he went when the Brewers beat him in the NLDS.
• Kuroda may have been born in Osaka, but he lives at Dodger Stadium. He's 6-2 at home, allowing half as many walks at home than on the road.
• Manny's loose. Andre's determined. The fat lady ain't sung yet!

To that end, Delino and I will be at this evening's game, making some noise and cheering on the Boys in Blue as they look to make this a series. Let's send Moyer home in tears!

NLCS Game 2 Thread: Oct 10 @ Phillies, 1.35p

Chad Billingsley (0-0, -.--) vs. Brett Myers (0-0, -.--).

COMMENTS: What is this strange feeling? A post-season loss? The Dodgers' post-NLDS glow has been replaced by the frustration of their Game 1 defeat to the Phillies. Derek Lowe pitched well, but not well enough. The defense was good, but not good enough. The bats did some damage, but not damage enough.

Well that was yesterday, dammit. Today we've got our ace, Bills (16-10 regular season record, most wins on the Dodgers) going against Myers (10-13 regular season). But we've also got a team that may be pressing to hit home runs after so many near-misses yesterday. The Phillies, meanwhile, have already established their power stroke in their bandbox of a stadium.

So what do the Dodgers need today in order to avoid returning home in a 0-2 hole? At least six strong from Chadley and getting to Myers early, before he can settle into a rhythm. In other words, a little bit of that ol' Cubbie magic. So fire up, Dodger fans! Let's follow a loss with a win and welcome our boys home with some Dodgertown drive!

photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

NLCS Game 1 Thread: Oct 9 @ Phillies, 5.22p

Derek Lowe (0-0, -.--) vs. Cole Hamels (0-0, -.--).

Apparently they reset stats for each round of the playoffs. Who knew? I sure didn't because the Dodgers haven't been in a NLCS since 1988! (Have we mentioned that yet?)

Anyhoo, we're nervous as hell about this game. There are all sorts of forecasts and predictions out there, but we've learned our lesson about those. All we know is Derek Lowe gives us a chance to win. According to Dodgers.com:

The Dodgers can start Lowe in Game 1, bring him back on three days rest for Game 4, then have him on regular rest for a Game 7, if the series lasts that long and they so choose. It's a nice situation to be in, having someone on the staff who's already pitched winning clinchers in a Championship Series and World Series, as Lowe did with the Red Sox in 2004.

And as the league-best Cubs (XCVII wins) and Angels (C wins) have shown us, the regular season counts for naught once you make the playoffs. It's who's hot now that matters. The Dodgers are hot. The Be Sharps? They are not.

Unfortunately for us, Hamels is pretty hot stuff himself. During the regular season he had an impressive 196 strikeouts and a 1.082 WHIP. In the NLDS Hamels shut down the Brewers over eight innings, giving up only two hits and getting nine strikeouts.

And this morning brought the news that Takashi Saito is off the NLCS roster, to be replaced by Hong-Chih Kuo. This move strengthens the Dodgers' middle relief and will certainly make for some nail-biting moments with Jonathan Broxton on the mound. Let's hope we see more scenes like last Saturday.

Tonight's Dodger lineup:

Furcal, SS
Ethier, RF
Manny, LF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
DeWitt, 2B
Lowe, P

GO BLUE!

AP photo

NLDS Game 3 Thread: Oct 4 vs. Cubs, 7p

Hiroki Kuroda (0-0-, -.--) vs. Rich Harden, RHP (0-0, -.--).

COMMENTS: I can scarcely believe I'm writing this Game Thread. In the past three days, the Dodgers have doubled their playoff victory total of the previous 19 years. And this NLDS has provided us with many intriguing story lines: the emergence of the Dodger "kids" while veterans find new roles, the media's obsession with the Cubs alleged curse, the NL playoff team with the worst record leading the NL's best team.

But the only story line I care about is the Dodgers winning this series. Tonight. We nervous and/or superstitious Dodger fans aren't content with only having to win one of the next three games. (Then again, some of us are.) No, tonight is the time to end and extend the Cubs' misery (Nostry's prediction notwithstanding).

And why not? For those praying for Good Hiroki to show up tonight: Kuroda has a microscopic 0.59 ERA in two starts against the Cubs. And if you thought Ryan Dempster surrendered a lot of walks (seven) in Game 1, just wait—Harden has the worst BB/9 rate (3.80) of any Cubs starter with at least ten starts.

So conditions are ripe for a Dodger sweep—which, of course, guarantees nothing. Enjoy the ride while it lasts, Dodger fans. Both Sax and I will be attending tonight's game (Mrs. Orel and I will be dining at Alegria on Sunset pre-game), and we'll be decked out in full Dodger regalia and cheering our little hearts out.

Are you going too? Drop us a comment—let's get an SoSG head count! Let's root, root, root for the Dodgers! And maybe, just maybe, we'll all return from Dodger Stadium one step closer to the World Series....

photo by Amber Matsumoto/Dodgers

NLDS Game 2 Thread: Oct 2 @ Cubs, 6:30p

Chad Billingsley (0-0, -.--) vs. Big Z (0-0, -.--).

Comments: Oh, that crazy Nostradamus. I'm generally pretty wary of handing the floor over to him, as he can sometimes be a loose cannon. But he really insisted this time, and since he had good tidings to portend, I decided to let him have his say. Be warned though, he's been drinking pretty heavily and listening to The Beastie Boys almost constantly. But there you have it, straight from the mouth of everyone's favorite French prophet (who's apparently aligned with Anni-Frid) - Les Dodgers en quatre!

NLDS Game 1 Thread: Oct 1 @ Cubs, 3:30p

Derek Lowe (0-0, -.--) vs. Ryan Dempster (0-0, -.--).

COMMENTS: Welcome to Sons of Steve Garvey's inaugural post-season Game Thread! There will be a minimum of three and a maximum of 19 such threads in October; the more, the merrier.

Much has been written about today's Dodgers-Cubs match-up. Want a stat-friendly breakdown of the Dodgers' roster? Dodger Thoughts has you covered. How about a positional comparison from the Cubs' point of view? Look no further. Looking for the opinions of national baseball journalists? Here they are.

"But Orel," you say. "Where is the ABBA-related playoff material?" Fret not—SoSG has you covered! Would you like some bitching and moaning about extortionary merchandise pricing? No problem. Can we interest you in our mining the country's current fiscal crisis for Dodger-related parallels? Enjoy!

Unfortunately, if you read enough (real) analysis of this series, one conclusion becomes inescapable: The so-called experts and odds don't favor the Dodgers. Fortunately, we do!

Of course, this game is important to both the Dodgers and Cubs...but it's more important to the Dodgers. Why? Call it the Big Z Factor. Tomorrow, Carlos Zambrano starts Game 2 against Chad Billingsley. Bills is the Dodgers' ace, but home-field advantage and experience give Zambrano the edge. Since the Dodgers don't want to come home down two games, Game 1 is more important to them. Ipso facto voilà.

The biggest wild card in the Dodgers' lineup? Rafael Furcal batting leadoff. The biggest surprise? Maybe Casey Blake batting seventh eighth, although Joe Torre seems pretty into the whole lefty-righty-lefty thing. If Furcal is even close to his old self, this will be by far the strongest lineup the Dodgers have fielded this year. And just in time! GO BLUE!

UPDATE:

TBS has live footage online.

Thanks to Dodger Thoughts for passing along this online viewing option as well.

Game 162 Thread: Sept 28 @ Giants, 1p

Hiroki Kuroda (9-10, 3.84) vs. Tim Lincecum (17-5, 2.66).

COMMENTS: This is it, folks. Game 162. The last regular-season game of the year. The Dodgers' last tune-up before they take a breather and head into the playoffs on Wednesday against an opponent yet to be determined.

Honorary manager Nomar Garciaparra and his bench coach Mark Sweeney have decided to give catcher A.J. Ellis the first start of his career, according to Diamond Leung. Note to Nomar: Pull Kuroda after three innings, please.

Giants phenom Lincecum—already the holder of the San Francisco-era single-season strikeout record and the majors' leader in strikeouts—tries to bolster his Cy Young case today. It doesn't matter that he plays for the Giants; this kid is a pleasure to watch. We're just glad his start against us today is meaningless.

UPDATE:

Tanyon Sturtze is today's pitching coach, according to Dodger Thoughts.

Game 161 Thread: Sept 27 @ Giants, 6p

Greg Maddux (7-13, 4.31) vs. Matt Cain (8-13, 3.80).

COMMENTS: Is anything more inspiring than potential? This post-clinch glow is akin to the beginning of the season, when every team is in first place. Right now, the Dodgers could win the World Series. And what Dodger fan isn't loving that?

Meanwhile, back in the rest of the National League, the Phillies, Mets and Brewers are squabbling over the two remaining playoff spots. Who will the Dodgers play? Keep watching the scoreboard!

Game 160 Thread: Sept 26 @ Giants, 7p

Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.29) vs. Brad Hennessey (1-2, 8.65).

COMMENTS: A meaningless weekend series in San Francisco kinda takes the air out of the balloon for the Dodgers, but it should give Joe Torre a great chance to rest key players, well-deserved after a long 159-game grind, and also test out the potential of players like Jeff Kent and Rafael Furcal, both recently reactivated from the disabled list, to see if they're fit for the Dodgers' NLDS roster. (Psst, Torre! If you leave .132 "hitter" Mark Sweeney off the roster, taking into account he has ONE hit in his last NINETEEN GAMES (he struck out last night), that would gain you another spot for either Kent or Furcal!)

But back to the other scrubs that Torre will surely be playing this weekend, despite the fact that we may incur the Braff of Giants manager Bruce Bochy for not suiting up Manny and Friends (after all, Giants fans aren't exactly flocking to see John Bowker play). It's not like Delwyn Young (30 H in 81 AB; Sweeney has 12 H in 97 AB) won't have his game Faison, as will Pablo Ozuna and Ramon Troncoso, as they also vie for a postseason spot. And Chin-Lung Hu has been hustling down the Chalke lately, with a double on September 24th and couple of hits (and an RBI) in last night's game. I don't want to unfairly Reyes expectations about how competitively the Dodgers might battle this weekend, but remember, our boys will be on a plane back home for a celebratory rally, McGinley whoopee back with the Dodger fans!

Game 159 Thread: Sept 25 vs. Padres, 7p

Greg Maddux (7-13, 4.31) vs. Jake Peavy (9-11, 2.77).

COMMENTS: Your 2008 NL West Division Champions take the field tonight, having clinched the division without even lifting a bat. Of course, pounding the Padres 12-4 last night does help the cause a bit, but tonight look for a lineup full of benchwarmers and recently reactivated veterans. As for Maddux, still with only one win since coming to the Dodgers and still teetering on the precipice of owning eighth place on the all-time career wins list outright (banishing 'Roid Rage Roger to ninth place), the Dodgers second-string lineup plus a pitching matchup against Peavy does not seem to indicate an happy ending. Win or lose, however, the Dodgers should be celebrating tonight--and all you fans lucky enough to be there in person (like SoSG Alex Cora) had better enjoy every minute of it! Congratulations, Dodgers!

Game 158 Thread: Sept 24 vs. Padres, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 4.28) vs. Shawn Estes (2-3, 4.73).

COMMENTS: Five regular-season games left! Estes knows the Dodgers, having pitched for every other NL West team over his career. However, that doesn't mean Estes knows how to beat the Dodgers, as he's 6-9 with a 5.27 ERA lifetime against them.

Last time the Dodgers faced Estes, they beat him by scoring five earned runs in five innings. They'll need some more of that bat magic tonight, especially since Kershaw figures to be on a short leash and the bullpen, already used in yesterday's game, will probably work tonight too.

As for the Diamondbacks, seeing them lose early yesterday was inspiring, but the only way for the Dodgers to make the post-season (and prepare to play actual winning teams) is to win win win themselves. The magic number is three. Pray we alter it even further.

Game 157 Thread: Sept 23 vs. Padres, 7p

Chad Billingsley (15-10, 3.22) vs. Wade LeBlanc (1-1. 5.63).

COMMENTS: Six games to go, magic number at five--the same number as the interstate that links tonight's two teams. It's crunch time, and the Dodgers will need to get some mojo back after dropping the series to the Giants, courtesy of limp bats in two of the three games. Billingsley is coming off a rough start in Pittsburgh, giving up six earned runs and two HRs to Adam LaRoche; he is 0-2 against the Padres this year. LeBlanc got pummeled by us on Sept 3, but pitched six innings of one-run ball against us in his next start, so perhaps he has figured our lineup out. I don't want to say this is a must-win game--every game is must-win, until we are fortunate enough to clinch--but I can't envision a homestand-ending series getting much more important than this.

Game 156 Thread: Sept 21 vs. Giants, 1.10p

Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.40) vs. Matt Cain (8-13, 3.91).

Dodgers' magic number: 5.

COMMENTS: It's fitting Cain is facing Lowe; just as Lowe has become accustomed to minimal run support from the Dodger offense, the Giants have been held scoreless during seven of Cain's appearances. "I feel you, bro."

The Diamondbacks won yesterday, reminding the Dodgers they can't just sit back and expect the baseball gods to hand them runs on a silver platter. No, that's the Giants' job.

Lowe pitches tough at Dodger Stadium, and Cain has never beaten the Dodgers. Conditions are ripe to drop that magic number to four or three.

Game 155 Thread: Sept 20 vs. Giants, 7.10p

Hiroki Kuroda (9-10, 3.77) vs. Brad Hennessey (1-2, 8.04).

Dodgers' magic number: SIX.

COMMENTS: Ever have one of those work days where you do nothing but surf the Internet and at day's end your boss comes by and thanks you for doing such a great job? Me neither (who has such a kind boss?), but the Dodgers sort of did yesterday, getting crushed by the Giants 7-1 yet trimming their magic number thanks to the Diamondbacks' 11th straight road loss.

The Dodgers haven't lost two in a row in September, and they look to continue that streak tonight. Although the Dodgers have won his past three starts, Kuroda doesn't fool the Giants, having given up eight runs in 11 2/3 innings against them. But Kuroda is far more effective at Dodger Stadium, so the Dodgers' magic number could fall from the Joy of Six to Five Alive (or even to the Fab Four).

Game 154 Thread: Sept 19 vs. Giants, 7.40p

Greg Maddux (7-12, 4.08) vs. Barry Zito (9-16, 5.48).

COMMENTS: Not a lot of heat coming off the mound tonight, as two crafty veterans try to paint corners and bend curves to their advantage. Instead the heat will be in the stands, as Sax and I will be attending the game. (I have no idea what that means.)

Game 153 Thread: Sept 18 @ Pirates, 9.30a

Clayton Kershaw (4-5, 4.41) vs. Paul Maholm (9-8, 3.68).

COMMENTS: Morning, sleepyheads! For the first time in 17 days, the Dodgers didn't trim at least one game from their magic number, which remains at eight. The Dodgers' lead over the Diamondbacks is 3.5 with ten games left. The Dodgers are 12-3 in September. Things are looking good, but the post-season? We're not talking about it.

So what are we talking about? Kershaw, for starters. The Dodgers have won his past three starts, but Kershaw has already thrown 157 innings this year (96 for the Dodgers and 61 for Jacksonville). If you believe in what SI.com's Tom Verducci calls the "Year-After Effect," then Kershaw, after throwing 122 innings between Jacksonville and Great Lakes last year, should be done for the season. Instead, he's in the thick of a pennant race. Present versus future? It's a tough call.

In the other dugout, Maholm is nearing 200 innings pitched himself. If the Dodgers can make him throw a lot of pitches early, then maybe they can get to the Pirates' bullpen, which they touched up for three runs yesterday before their own bullpen imploded. In any case, this has already been a winning road trip for the Dodgers; today's outcome determines if they will have gone 7-3 or 6-4. Ah, September baseball!

AP photo

Game 152 Thread: Sept 17 @ Pirates, 4p

Chad Billingsley (15-10, 3.02) vs. Zach Duke (5-14, 4.84).

COMMENTS: Lest we start getting cocky, with a 4.5 game lead over the Diamondbacks with 11 to play, plus having won the first two games of this Pirates series with ease (assuring the Dodgers of at least a series split), let us remind you: This is Zach Duke about which we're talking. Fifth in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year in 2005. Only two starts removed from a complete game shutout. And Duke is 1-0 against us this year. So we should approach this hazard, and today's game, with the requisite amount of seriousness. (No need to wear the Daisy Dukes, Manny!)