Game 22 Thread: April 27 vs. Fish, 7p

Scott Kazmir (1-1, 6.63) vs. Justin Nicolino, (0-0, -.--).

Both of my GTs this series have resulted in losses. And tonight, we're starting Kazmir, whose 6.63 ERA doesn't fit him for a starting rotation let alone a #2 slot.

But I'm still excited for tonight's game, notable because we know at least FOUR SONS will be in attendance at the game tonight. As statistical analysis as scientifically proven, when the Sons win, the Dodgers tend to win. So with four sons in the Stadium at once, could even Kazmir have a decent start? Could Carl Crawford successfully navigate left field at the high school level of competency? Could we actually win a game against Don Mattingly, Dee Gordon, and the rest of the day-glo Marlins?

At least I can be certain that we'll be consuming a lot of beer this evening. Post something in the GT thread if you want to join us!

illustration swiped from here

Game 21 Thread: April 26 vs. Marlins, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (2-0, 1.50) vs. Tom Koehler (1-2, 4.80).

The Kohler Beckon (TM) electronic pull-down kitchen sink faucet saves over 30% more water than typical 2.2-gpm faucets. That's great and all, but I still have to think Clayton Kershaw has the upper hand against a guy with a similar last name to a touchless faucet.

Carl Crawford is supposed to be reinstated for tonight's game, allowing Crawford to rejoin the 15-day DL up to five more times before the all-star break (assuming efficient injury stints).

Oh, and it's USC night at the Stadium tonight. The Dodgers' NL West lead shrunk to 1.5 games thanks to last night's loss; the Giants are only 2.5 games behind, in third place. Maybe a nod to the trojans will help us protect the lead.

Game 12 Thread: April 16 vs. Giants, 6p

Let's hope that's Kazmir on the right.

Scott Kazmir (1-0, 5.40) vs. Johhny Cueto (2-0, 5.40).

When we last saw these "number two" (and I use that loosely, as well as metaphorically) starters square off, both had ERAs around 1.00. Since they both allowed six earned runs last weekend, we're now looking at ERAs loser to 5.00. The Dodgers have since found their footing in a series at home vs. Arizona, while the Giants lost theirs in Colorado.

The mlb.com preview indicates that Chase Utley is 11-for-27 lifetime against Cueto. We haven't seen Utley for two games, however, so they'd better make sure the driver pulls by the retirement home on the way to the Stadium, if Dave Roberts wants to use Utley. UPDATE: holy Bengay, Utley is indeed confirmed as leadoff hitter today.

Round 2, boys and girls. Who's got the shoryuken tonight?

Game 11 Thread: April 15 vs. Giants, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.20) vs. Ashley Madison (1-0, 3.27).

42s all around for Jackie Robinson Day today, as the division-leading Dodgers and Giants square off at the Ravine. I could say a lot about how Kershaw led the team to victory five days ago against this same opposing starter, or how the Dodgers have rebounded from a difficult series last weekend up north, or even how much I really dislike the Giants.

Instead, let me take the high road and honor Jackie Robinson with one of my favorite quotes of his:

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

I also liked reading what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said about his first time wearing #42:

Among those in uniform No. 42 will be Dave Roberts, the first minority manager in the history of Robinson's franchise.

"I think I'm going to make a conscious effort tomorrow to really understand and take in the scope and magnitude of tomorrow," said Roberts. "It's a big deal. Jackie's obviously impacted me and many others, so I want to take some extra time to reflect for sure."

Let's go get this one, boys.

Other League LDS Games 5 Thread

The Texas @ Toronto game is going nuts. Blue Jays up 6-3 in the eighth, with two benches-clearing events and the Rangers giving up the lead by allowing three errors in one inning.

Houston @ Kansas City later tonight: Collin McHugh vs. Johnny Cueto. Said Cueto, poignantly:

"Obviously this is the deciding game," Cueto said through a translator after the Royals worked out Tuesday afternoon. "We either win and stay or you go home."

Uh, yeah.

Both are winner-take-all games. It's crazy out there!

Other Less Important Games Thread: October 11, 2015

This game is happening:

Kansas City vs. Houston - 1pm
Volquez (13-9, 3.55) vs. Keuchel (20-8, 2.48)
Series tied 1-1

Then this one will happen:

Toronto vs. Texas - 5pm
Estrada (13-8, 3.13) vs. Perez (3-6, 4.46)
Texas leads series 2-0

NLDS Game 1 Thread: Mets @ Dodgers, 6.30p

Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.13) vs. Jacob deGrom (14-8, 2.54).

After almost a week of waiting, this is IT. The weight of past postseason shortcomings, on the shoulders of our three-time Cy Young Award winner and reigning National League MVP. The pressure of a first postseason appearance on the pulse of the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year. The hangover from nightmare NLDS' past, tightening any Dodger fan's sphincter to total constipation.

Let's get this party started. Let's grab the first of 11 wins, starting tonight!

Mattingly on NLDS photo: Chris Carlson / AP

UPDATE FROM SOSG AC: Let's do this.

Other LDS Games Thread: October 9, 2015

Rangers (Cole Hamels, 13-8, 3.65) @ Blue Jays (Marcus Stroman, 4-0, 1.67). Rangers won Game 1; Game 2 is already 3-3 in the second inning.

Astros (Scott Kazmir, 7-11, 3.10) @ Royals (Johnny Cueto, 11-13, 3.44). Astros are up 1-0 on this series.

Cubs (Jon Lester, 11-12, 3.34) @ Cardinals (John Lackey, 13-10, 2.77). We probably won't even care about this one given the BIGGER game is later tonight.

Game 162 Thread: Oct. 4 vs. Padres, 12n

Clayton Kershaw (16-7, 2.16) vs. Frank Garces (0-0, 5.00).

Welcome to Game #162! Over their first 161 games the Dodgers have won their division and secured home-field advantage against the Mets in the NLDS, so the only regular-season points of suspense today are:

• Will Clayton Kershaw reach 300 strikeouts? He only needs six more to do so.
  
• Will the Dodgers win 91 or 92 games?
  
• Who will Don Mattingly select as his honorary manager? Last year it was Juan Uribe (cries).
  

Buckle in and enjoy, because this is your only Dodger baseball for the next five days!

Game 161 Thread: Oct. 3 vs. Padres, 6p

Once more with feeling!

Zack Greinke (18-3, 1.68) vs. Robbie Erlin (1-1, 6.30).

Penultimate regular-season game! Cy Young vs. American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (thanks, Wikipedia)! Dodgers gunning for home field advantage while the Mets, having just been shut out by the Phillies, are battling the weather and a doubleheader against the Nats. We're in a position to succeed...let's not fuck it up!

On a sadder note, longtime Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley announced her retirement yesterday. We'll dedicate a proper post to her soon, but wanted to recognize it here. We love you, Nancy Bea!

photo by @ThkBleu

Game 160 Thread: Oct. 2 vs. Padres, 7p

Alex Wood (11-12, 3.89) vs. Casey Kelly (0-1, 9.00)

Unlike SoSG GT posting, Dodgers cannot afford to let their foot off the gas as home field advantage is still very much in play. Perhaps Mother Nature may be of some help as Hurricane Joaquin (presumably, in honor of the esteemed ex-Cardinals pitcher, Joaquin Andujar, RIP) has caused the postponement of tonight's Mutts game vs. Nationals. They are in line for a double bill tomorrow, leaving the Dodgers ripe for winning their remaining three games and overtaking the Mutts to gain home field advantage and taking on a team that will, presumably, be in starting pitching and bullpen disarray because of the weather. Unfair, perhaps, but we'll take it.

Game 159 Thread: Oct. 1 @ Giants, 12:45p

What? It's a working lunch!
Brett Anderson (9-9, 3.75) vs. Tim Hudson (8-8, 4.30)

Meaningless lunch baseball! Well, mostly meaningless. There is the little matter of chasing the Mets for home field advantage. (Mets lost today, so Dodgers sit a half-game back. They need to pass them outright though, because the Mets hold the tiebreaker.) There's also the matter of pride, as surely the Dodgers don't want to finish the season with only one win in San Francisco.

But what a win, huh?

Game 158 Thread: Sept. 30 @ Giants, 7p

Mike Bolsinger (6-5, 3.48) vs. Mike Leake (10-10, 3.89).

Home field advantage or rest the starters? One look at today's lineup will tell you where Don Mattingly's head is at. The afterglow lasts until October 9, so enjoy!

Game 157 Thread: Sept. 29 @ Giants, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (15-7, 2.25) vs. Madison Bumgarner (18-8, 2.88)

Take 2...

So, it's come to this, huh? Despite plenty of chances to have this thing closed out before this series, the Dodgers roll into are still in Frisco needing one win out of four to clinch the NL West. I'm certain we were all hoping this would be long done by now, but alas, it was not to be.

There are some upsides to this scenario, though. First, the Dodgers are throwing co-ace Greinke Kershaw against a perfectly an occasionally beatable Peavy Bumgarner tonight, meaning this might not drag on much longer. Second, Enrique Hernandez is back. That might not seem like that big of a deal, but it will be was helpful to have the human rally banana around, should when the Dodgers manage managed to fall behind. And last, but in no way least, when the Dodgers seal the deal in SF, Vin Scully will be there to call it. Eh, never mind that last one.

OK kids, here we go...again. Cross your fingers, clench your cheeks, and pray to your relevant deities...again. This one's gonna be...also something!

Game 156 Thread: Sept. 28 @ Giants, 7p

(Thanks again to ThkBleu!)
Zack "Spongeworthy" Greinke (18-3, 1.65) vs. Jake "Skeevy" Peavy (7-6, 3.83)

So, it's come to this, huh? Despite plenty of chances to have this thing closed out before this series, the Dodgers roll into Frisco needing one win out of four to clinch the NL West. I'm certain we were all hoping this would be long done by now, but alas, it was not to be.

There are some upsides to this scenario, though. First, the Dodgers are throwing co-ace Greinke against a perfectly beatable Peavy tonight, meaning this might not drag on much longer. Second, Enrique Hernandez is back. That might not seem like that big of a deal, but it will be helpful to have the human rally banana around, should the Dodgers manage to fall behind. And last, but in no way least, when the Dodgers seal the deal in SF, Vin Scully will be there to call it.

OK kids, here we go. Cross your fingers, clench your cheeks, and pray to your relevant deities. This one's gonna be something!

Game 155 Thread: Sept. 27 @ Rockies, 1p

DIE DINGER, DIE is German for THE DINGER, THE.

Alex Wood (11-11, 3.60) vs. Chris Rusin (5-9, 5.39).

Magic number is stuck at two; likely playoff opponents Mets have clinched and are currently putting Matt Harvey's arm on ice. Can Wood deliver? Giants play the A's at the same time as the Dodger game, so by 4 p.m. we could be playoff-bound...or still two games back. Either scenario calls for drinking!

Game 154 Thread: Sept. 26 @ Rox, 5p

Brett Anderson (9-9, 3.52) vs. Kyle Kendrick (6-13, 6.37).

Isn't Kyle Kendrick a NASCAR driver? Anyhoo, the Giants are currently tied with the A's 10-10 in the 8th. If the A's win, it's all up to Brett Anderson. Go Blue!

UPDATE: Probably shoulda gone with the Kendrick theme. Here ya go:

UPDATE: Giants just went up 14-10. Not gonna happen today.

Game 153 Thread: Sept. 25 @ Rockies, 6p

Mike Bolsinger (6-4, 3.25) vs. David Hale (4-5, 6.32 after the first inning).

Dammit, we Sons celebrated so hard after dropping the magic number to three Thursday night (thanks to the Dodgers' 6-3 win over Arizona, plus the Giants' late inning collapse against San Diego), that we forgot to queue the GT up today...and we are already up 1-0 in the first inning following an Adrian Gonzalez run-scoring grounder to first. But wait, Colorado has two on and two out in the bottom of the first inning! I'd better get this GT up quickly!

Game 152 Thread: Sept. 24 vs. DBacks, 12p

Magic Number

Clayton Kershaw (14-7, 2.18) vs. Patrick Corbin (6-4, 2.99)

What the what? Didn't SoSG AC, Sax, Nomo, and Dusty just leave the last game about twenty minutes ago? Felt like it after trying to get out of the parking lot last night. Today features the extremely rare home weekday get-away day game, or as we at SoSG call them, hangover days.

Fresh off last night's miraculous non-Greinke start win and the much-appreciated Padres win over the Gnats, Dodgers now have the number five in their minds. Interestingly, Kershaw has only started against the DBags once this season, an outing in which he got his ass kicked. Turn that around, get out of town, and put this NL West title to bed, boys.

photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea - USA Today Sports

Game 151 Thread: Sept. 23 vs. DBacks, 7p

We've secretly replaced Lucille Bluth's regular Zack Greinke with Curly Fries. Let's see if she notices.
Zack Greinke Carlos Frias (5-5, 4.27) vs. Chase Anderson (6-6, 4.52)

Jesus, what an awful week. After suffering through a four-game losing streak, Dodger fans got the news this morning that reliable stopper Zack Greinke has been scratched from tonight's start due to calf soreness. Sure, that doesn't sound all that serious, but coming on the heels of everything else that's happened, it feels like a good, solid kick to the nads. Curly Fries gets the spot start. Fun!

There will be FOUR Sons in attendance tonight (Sax, AC, Dusty, and yours truly). Second time this season we've managed to scrape that many of us together. Come say hi! We'll be the surly guys* double-fisting beers.

*Curly Fries...surly guys...there's something there, but I can't quite get to it.