Game 122 Thread: Aug. 17 @ Phillies, 4p

Bow Down Before King K

Clayton Kershaw (11-7, 1.88 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (10-9, 4.48 ERA)

Yesterday the Phillies looked a shell of their former selves. Their squad is a) way too old and b) way too young to be a contender. One could see their frustration on their faces and in their body language. This wasn't helped by the oddly-timed firing of their manager of nine years, Charlie Manuel. [Regular MLB Network Radio listeners can only hope that his firing means an end to his unbearable weekly appearances on morning drivetime programming.] Former Cub Ryne Sandberg takes over as skipper; he's 0-1 so far.

The win last night, coupled with a Dbags loss, put the Dodgers up 8.5 games. They'll battle the Pie Rats this afternoon. The Dbags, injuries, lethargy, and the fickle whims of the Baseball Gods are all that stand between the Dodgers and the NL West.

It's August 17th today, and we have only lost one game this month. Gotta keep pitching, and we can only assume Clayton will. Let's make this an even ten games won.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports

Game 81 Thread: June 30 vs. Phillies, 1p

Stephen Fife (2-2, 3.41 ERA) vs. Kyle Kendrick (7-4, 3.46)

One is reminded of Buster Poindexter today: hot hot hot. The day game today should be miserably hot with the temperatures expected to reach well over a hundred. Feels like it's 145 already. And Hanley Ramirez; since coming back from the DL, he's hot hot hot, including dropping a 3-run bomb last night estimated at 441 feet and seeming to get a hit every time he's up.

You know who else is hot hot hot? The new pre-game ceremonies co-host at Dodger Stadium.

So grab a few cold ones, find some shade, tune in with Vin, and settle in for today's game that could mean a series win before heading off to take on the Rockies.

Unnamed onfield co-host photo courtesy SoSG Orel