Post-Game 34 Thread: Bats Back Kershaw in Return

Sight for sore eyes.

DODGERS 8, NATIONALS 3

The Dodgers treated The Kid with kid gloves when he went on the DL, and it's hard to argue with the results: seven innings, zero runs, nine strikeouts. Kershaw threw only 89 pitches, 68 of them for strikes. He also picked off Anthony Rendon in the sixth inning, which proved crucial because Werth and LaRoche followed with singles. Naturally, Kershaw struck out Hairston and Desmond to escape the jam.

The Dodgers got the party rolling in their half of the sixth by loading the bases without hitting a ball out of the infield. Hanley, Ethier and Uribe each collected an RBI and the Dodgers led 3-0. Then they broke out the fireworks starting with a seventh-inning triple by Dee (he later scored on an error). Hanley made an error in the top of the eighth but atoned with a homer in the bottom of the inning. Then Butera, of all people, jacked a three-run blast. Perez coughed up three but Kenley pitched a scoreless ninth with a five-run lead.

Game 34 Thread: May 6 @ Nationals, 4p

Against Kershaw, do we expect to see the Nationals' Blake lively?

Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 1.35) vs. Blake Treinen (0-0, 1.35).

All the talk today will be about the return of Clayton Kershaw to the Dodgers, who have struggled with a triple-A revolving door of talent while waiting for the ace's return of a six-week DL stint. Some savages would have you believe that the Dodgers' season is already lost. But I refuse to have accepted the Dodgers' mediocre 18-15 record as a portent of things to come (after all, last season's 42-8 tear came only after a 30-42 start, midway through June), and instead think that Kershaw's return, coupled with some timely slump-busting sports from [whomever in our outfield is healthy enough to play tonight], will be the talk of the town.

The Nationals call up Blake Treinan to the majors for his first career start today. He's given up two runs in 11.2 IP in Syracuse. Anecdotally, the Dodgers tend to struggle with pitchers we have not seen prior. So in a clutch situation with a hitter's count, coming off yesterday's shutout loss, it will be interesting to see if Mattingly gives the green lantern to swing for the fences. (My word, that was a painful setup.)

photo swiped from here

Dodgers Offer $5 Parking...If You're Willing to Walk

From a Dodgers press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers will offer $5 parking in lots 13 and 14, beginning with the next homestand, May 8-11 against the San Francisco Giants and May 12-14 versus the Miami Marlins. The $5 fee is available in advance and the day of the game on a first-come, first-served basis. The special offer is being made on a trial basis.

Lots 13 and 14 are located across the street from each other on Stadium Way, adjacent to the Los Angeles Fire Department training center, a short walk east of the main Elysian Park Avenue-Gate A entrance to Dodger Stadium. The lots will open to the public at the same time as the other Dodger Stadium parking lots. A free shuttle will be available for disabled fans.

“We have added this parking availability to provide our fans with another savings option that offers easy in and out access and is a 10-to-15 minute walk to the stadium,” said Dodgers’ President and CEO Stan Kasten. “By parking in lots 13 and 14, fans can avoid some of the traffic entering and exiting the stadium lots before and after games.

“We continue to experiment with ways to improve access to Dodger Stadium. The more drivers that park in lots 13 and 14, the fewer the cars that will enter the Dodger Stadium lots through the auto gates and it will help in our ongoing efforts to ease traffic congestion.”

Notes: B.J. Killeen Edition

Thanks to B.J. Killeen for the above photo of Dodger Stadium from the trailer for the upcoming movie "Million Dollar Arm" (where's the hyphen in that compound adjective, Disney?).

B.J. also would like to point out: The Mets' starting pitchers don't have any base hits. Thanks, Mets, for making us feel better about our team!

Post-Game 33 Thread: Crying In The Rain

NATIONALS 4, DODGERS 0

The Dodgers had to sit through a 3:17 rain delay to fully shit the bed on this one, which was bookended by a two-run homer in the first off of Zack Greinke (who suffered his first loss of the year in a 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB and 1 K outing), as well as a two-run homer in the eighth off of Pedro Baez. Meanwhile, the Giants clawed their way back from a 8-2 deficit to win in extras against Pittsburgh, 11-10. So the 18-15 Dodgers now sit 3.5 games off the lead (which is even better than the pythagorean expected win-loss record would have our record).

We almost turned a triple play today. But we didn't. (cries)

Someday, when my crying's done, I'm gonna wear a smile and walk in the sun. Actually, that day might be tomorrow, when Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to pitch, and hopefully reverse our recent slide. A-ha! That's the answer!

Game 33 Thread: May 5 @ Nationals, 4p

Google "Zimmermann", and this is what one gets*. Oh wait, there's a GT to write!

Zack Greinke (5-0, 2.04) vs. Jordan Zimmermann (2-1, 3.27).

We swept the Twins, and then flailed against the Fish. Our bullpen has provided a lot less support than the bikinis of the models up above.

But one of the few rocks we've had this season includes Zack Greinke, who is on such a roll (18 consecutive starts of 5+ innings with two runs or fewer), that the Dodgers don't want to interrupt his five-day cycle, even at the benefit of bringing ace Clayton Kershaw back. So Kershaw moves to Tuesday, and Zackster goes today.

Zimmermann won 19 as an All-Star last year, but this year has only two wins to show for his six starts, which includes a 1.2 IP performance against the Marlins (which the Nationals ended up winning). And though Zimmermann has gotten great run support from his team in his starts (9 and 10 runs in two separate outings), both he (and Greinke, for that matter) have to be tense about all those errors behind them (Washington's 27 errors have them slipping back to 26th in the majors, well behind the Dodgers' majors-leading 32 Es). Will today's session be a error-filled comedy on both sides? Or will Zimmermann be as relaxed as other Zimmermanns appear to be?

(*) if one looks really, really deep in the search results

I Feel Better Already

Vegas odds entering May have the Dodgers second in line to win the World Series:

From Bovada.lv, updated odds to win the World Series:

• Tigers: 13/2
• Dodgers: 15/2
• Yankees: 10/1
• Cardinals: 10/1
• Braves: 11/1
• Nationals: 11/1
• A's: 12/1
• Red Sox: 14/1
• Brewers: 14/1
• Giants: 14/1

Those are the top 10. The biggest drops from March 31 belong to the Phillies (33/1 to 75/1), Pirates (28/1 to 50/1) and Mariners (33/1 to 50/1).

Of course, those are betting odds, which are different from sabermetric projections. The Yankees have better odds of winning here because more bets are placed on them. The numbers guys don't think the Yankees are near that good.

According to FanGraphs' playoff odds, which factor in current results and season-long projections, the top 10 teams with the best chance of winning the World Series:

• Tigers: 15.3 percent
• Dodgers: 11.0 percent
• A's: 10.7 percent
• Red Sox: 8.8 percent
• Nationals: 8.8 percent
• Cardinals: 6.4 percent
• Braves: 5.5 percent
• Giants: 5.0 percent
• Angels: 4.7 percent
• Rangers: 3.8 percent

The series loss to Miami left a bad taste in my mouth. Hopefully Vegas gamblers' optimism rings true.

Pictures To Hang In One's Elbow Room

Look, it is an actual place!

Darren Rovell brings word of one of the strangest baseball memorabilia auctions of which I've heard: signed pictures of Tommy John's elbow, inscribed by both John and the late Dr. Frank Jobe:

In the world of oddball memorabilia, this ranks right up there.

Tommy John is selling a collage of four MRI's of his elbow signed by himself and the late Dr. Frank Jobe, who performed the famous surgery in 1974.

The print, of which there will only be 99, costs $1,295, with proceeds going to John's "Let's Do It" Foundation.

The images were taken two years ago, when John went to an Indianapolis facility to check on a problem with his shoulder. At that time, the doctor -- out of curiosity -- took pictures of the famous elbow reconstruction.

"Nobody had ever thought of taking pictures of what the nerve looked like on 'Patient Zero,'" said his agent, Kim Berger. "When the images came up, it was like looking at the Titanic. It happened so long ago and it was so beautiful."

Last year, Berger brought 100 prints of the collage to Jobe, who signed them. John gave one of them to the Los Angeles Dodgers last month as the team dedicated its training center to Jobe, who passed away in March.

SoSG World Headquarters isn't picking up one of these prints, so bid away.

Post-Game 32 Thread: Flounder

MARLINS 5, DODGERS 4

After battling back to tie the game at 4 in the top of the ninth, on a none-out Andre Ethier double that scored Chone Figgins (who had walked, PH for Drew Butera), the Dodgers couldn't score Ethier, and then paid the price. A two-out Jeff Baker double to right off of Jamey Wright not only won the game for the Marlins, it also took out Yasiel Puig, whose valiant attempt to catch the ball at the wall led to Puig crumpling on the ground during the Marlins' walk-off revelry. Our bullpen continues to be unable to hold any game close. So we leave Miami bruised and battered (literally and figuratively); whereas I would have much preferred some battered Fish (and chips).

With the Dodgers having dropped the series, and the Giants' sweep of the Braves, the Dodgers are now 2.5 GB in the West. If there was ever a time to not be able to watch this agony, I suppose, this is it. #idontneedtowatchthis

Game 32 Thread: May 4 @ Marlins, 10a

Ah, he's just a mama's boy!

Stephen Fife (0-0, -.--) vs. Jose Fernandez (4-1, 1.59).

The Dodgers aren't the only team with an energetic Cuban. Today they face the red-hot Fernandez. How good is he? From ESPN Stats & Info:

The 1.00 [home] ERA is the lowest for a pitcher in his first 19 career home starts in the last 100 years. The previous low was Vida Blue’s 1.28 (1969 to 1971).

And this from Jayson Stark:

Fernandez actually had a higher batting average last season (.220) than the hitters who faced him (.182). But as that shouting match with [Brian] McCann last year illustrated, Fernandez's flamboyance has been known to light an occasional fire in the other dugout. So his teammates often have some explaining to do -- that their ace doesn't mean any harm. He merely has only one speed on his transmission.

So, I'm not confident about today's game — but you never know what might happen. That's why they play the games, as they say.

photo by Pedro Portal/Miami Herald

Post-Game 31 Thread: Un/pleasant Un/expectations

DODGERS 9, MARLINS 7 (11)

There are unpleasant expectations, like the Dodgers getting dragged into another bullpen-sapping extra-innings game.

There are pleasant unexpectations, like Dee Gordon turning in another boss-like performance (5 for 6, 2 RBI, 2 SB).

Unpleasant expectation: The bullpen blew a five-run lead.

Pleasant expectation: Puig destroying a fourth-inning home run.

Pleasant unexpectation: The slumping Carl Crawford crushing the game-winning home run.

Pleasant unexpectation: Brandon League pitching two innings for the win.

What can we expect next? Who knows?

Game 31 Thread: May 3 @ Marlins, 4p

Paul Maholm (1-2, 4.74) vs. Jacob Turner (0-0, 7.50)

Catching up on baseball news this morning and reading about the Atlanta Braves, who just got swept by the Marlins, claiming that Marlins players were stealing signs. Belly aching about this is always the last refuge of sore losers. If you're not stealing signs, you're not giving your team all the tools to win. Shut up, Barves.

I have no idea who this Turner guy is, so true to form he will pitch a masterpiece today. According to the official preview, Turner has not pitched since April 3 because of a shoulder strain he acquired while taking BP. That seems like the thing that would happen to one of our own pitchers. Don't underestimate the Marlins' pitching, though. It's all been one way for them in their last nine starts at home, where they have a 1.16 ERA. Nothing a little A-Gon mash can't put a stop to.

We all knew yesterday's game was going to be a dead end after a strange week on the road, the cold weather, the double header, and late travel. But no excuses today boys. Get the job done and make it exciting so that those of us who will be listening on the radio will be able to experience the drama.

This will also serve as your LA Kings vs. Anaheim Mighty Dicks GT, too. Let's Go Kings!

photo stolen from here

Ryu Joins Kershaw On Another Trip...To DL

Blame Australia, right? Because now Hyun-Jin Ryu is headed to the DL, joining Sydney starter Clayton Kershaw:

It could be just coincidence that the Dodgers opened the season early in Australia and their two starting pitchers were soon after headed to the disabled list, but then maybe not.

Hyun-Jin Ryu joined Clayton Kershaw on the disabled list Friday, the Dodgers placing him on the 15-day DL because of left shoulder inflammation.

Kershaw has been on the DL since winning the season opener with an upper back strain but is expected to be activated early next week.

The Dodgers also optioned reliever Paco Rodriguez back to triple-A Albuquerque and called up right-hander Jose Dominguez and infielder Chone Figgins. Rodriguez had thrown 48 pitches in the last two days.

Ryu has made seven starts for the Dodgers this season, going 3-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average. He struggled in his last outing (five innings, nine hits, five earned runs), however, and his velocity appeared down.

Manager Don Mattingly told reporters in Miami they did not believe the Ryu injury was serious, and since no MRI exam is currently scheduled, it at least doesn’t appear to be. Ryu told reporters he had the same issue three years ago, rested for 10 days and it went away.

Hoping it goes away soon, Ryu!

Post-Game 30 Thread: Koehler Flushes Blue

MARLINS 6, DODGERS 3

Josh Beckett came back down to earth, allowing four earned runs despite going a relatively deep 6 2/3 innings. Tom Koehler kept the tired Dodgers off-balance, pitching seven scoreless innings. The Dodgers chipped back in the late innings with RBIs by Gordon, Puig and Crawford, but it wasn't enough.

How tired were the Dodgers? "Twice a bloop single dropped among three Los Angeles fielders to allow a run to score," according to the ESPN recap (what, you think I watched this game?). Surprisingly, the Dodgers did not commit any errors in this game.

Also on the plus side, Puig had two stolen bases and Flash had one (and a CS) to bring his total to an MLB-leading 16.

Game 30 Thread: May 2 @ Marlins, 4p

Beckett, by Carl Köhler

Josh Beckett (0-0, 2.45) vs. Tom Koehler (2-2, 2.97).

One might say that Beckett has been waiting for his first win of the year, in all four of his other starts. But if Beckett can replicate his last start, an eight-inning, 2 ER outing, the Dodgers could certainly use that shot in the arm now. The bullpen, gassed after a doubleheader (and extra-inning game, in which Kenley Jansen, who leads the league with 18 appearances, threw a season-high 34 pitches), needs a rest. So if Beckett can keep that left-center-field monstrosity of Marlins Park from going off, while pitching deep into Friday's game, it would be awesome.

The Dodgers snagged a hard-earned series sweep in Minnesota. But the Marlins are coming off a sweep themselves, over the Braves (now reeling, the Braves of course face the Giants this weekend). The Dodgers enter the weekend a half-game out of first place and a half-game ahead of the Rockies (who host the Mets this weekend). Lots to watch. Let's go, Blue!

Post-Game 29 Thread: Twins Swept

Sorry I couldn't maintain the Star Wars theme.

DODGERS 4, TWINS 3 (12)

Well, imagine that, we did in fact get the sweep! It was a close one in the nightcap, with the Dodgers battling back from a 1-0 deficit in the sixth on a Juan Uribe RBI single to tie the game at 1, as well as in the seventh when Adrian Gonzalez homered to left to tie it at 2.

But the home runs really were clutch in the 12th, when Andy Scott Van Slyke hit a solo shot to leadoff the inning, and Drew Butera added a HR with two out to make it 4-2. The Dodgers gave one back in the bottom of the 12th when Kenley Jansen (who really, really needs a rest) let one run score on a sacrifice fly, making it 4-3. But Jansen shut down Trevor Plouffe and Chris Colabello to preserve the victory and earn the Dodgers a sweep in Minnesota.

Red Patterson went 4.2 IP over 87 economical pitches, but Jamey Wright notched the victory with three innings of one-hit, scoreless ball; Jansen got his 11th save. And what about errors? Two more (Uribe, throw; Brandon League, throw). Try and catch us now, Nationals!

photo swiped from here

Post-Game 28 Thread: Dodgers Stay On Target (Field)

DODGERS 9, TWINS 4

Despite the Twins getting to Dan Haren early for two runs in the first (Jason Kubel, two-run single to left, that was benefitted by errors by both Carl Crawford and Miguel Olivo), the Dodgers rallied to retake the lead in the second and didn't look back after that. Dee Gordon had an RBI FC followed by a Yasiel Puig double to make it 3-2 through 1.5 innings. Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe each had an RBI in the third to make it 5-2 Dodgers. Uribe, Olivo, and Crawford all had RBI in the 7th to make it 8-4 Dodgers, and then Olivo snuck in a sacrifice fly to left to score Andre Ethier and make it 9-4 in the ninth.

All in all, 15 hits for the Dodgers, while Haren went 6.2 IP and gave up 6 H and 4 R, 3 ER, 7Ks with 3 BBs. Haren's depth into the seventh allowed us to save our bullpen for the second game of the doubleheader this evening. If not for adding three more errors to our season tally of 29 errors (leading the majors; Gordon had a throwing error to add to the other two), this would be a pretty good win. Now, if we could only win the night game and notch the sweep...

Games 28/29 Thread: May 1 @ Twins, 10a/4p

"Red Ten standing by."

"Red Three standing by."

"Red Six standing by."

"Red Two standing by."

"RED PATTERSON STANDING BY."

10 AM: Dan Haren (3-0, 2.03) vs. Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.32).
4 PM: Red Patterson? (0-0, -.--) vs. Kris Johnson (0-2, 6.10).

OK, I know Red has the flu and might not pitch today. But how often do we get a pitcher named Red? Cut the chatter, Red Two!

How bad is the Twins' pitching? They have the second-worst team ERA (5.04) in the majors, ahead of only the Diamondbacks' 5.26. (Oh, how we miss the D'bags.) The Dodger bats got healthy at Target Field yesterday, and there's no reason why they can't continue to tee off of Pelfrey and Johnson.

As for the doubleheader, well, these things are a rarity nowadays, so you might as well call in sick and stay in front of the TV today. What's that, you don't have Time-Warner? Neither do I. Get clear, Wedge, you can't do any more good back there!

ESPN's Bowden: Trade Ethier Now, Crawford Later

ESPN.com's Jim Bowden looked at the Dodgers' crowded outfield, and concluded that Andre Ethier should be traded now, with Carl Crawford to go after 2014 (link insider only):

The Dodgers’ long-term blueprint for their outfield should be Puig in right field, Pederson in center field and Kemp in left field. All three are All-Star-caliber and complete players in their 20s. Crawford and Ethier, meanwhile, are both 32.

If it were me, I’d deal either Crawford or Ethier now and the other in the offseason because Pederson will be ready to start in 2015, if not before.

Ethier is valuable because he can play all three outfield positions, while Crawford is limited to left field. Crawford is valuable, though, because he’s an important table-setter at the top of the lineup and the team’s second-best stolen base threat, while Ethier is better suited for the sixth or seventh spot in the lineup. Both have great makeup and love L.A.; neither wants to be traded.

The problem is that both of their contracts are so exorbitant that it will be difficult for the Dodgers to trade them unless they get a bad contract in return or are willing to eat a significant amount. Ethier is due $15.5 million this year, $18 million in both 2015 and 2016 and $17.5 million in 2017, and he has a vesting option for the same amount in 2018 with a $2.5 million buyout. Crawford is due $20.5 million in 2015, $20.75 million in 2016 and $21 million in 2017.

The most difficult part for Colletti and the Dodgers will be to find a trade partner who has interest in Ethier or Crawford, two over-30 players who are off to slow starts and have enormous contracts.

What should the Dodgers expect back? They would prefer a package of prospects with a possible long-term answer for third base or catcher, or perhaps a position player or pitcher who is not coming through in their minor league pipeline. But to get elite talent they'd have to eat a lot of salary, and it's likely they'd have to take on another big contract in any Crawford or Ethier deal.

Potential trade partners

Obvious teams that might be in line for Crawford or Ethier would be the Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs or Minnesota Twins. All have a need for outfielders and should have the resources if they can negotiate down the contracts. Ethier or Crawford would be an upgrade over Rajai Davis in Detroit; the Mariners could use another bat to support Robinson Cano; the Cubs need to put a more respectable major league outfield together as they wait for their future to arrive; and the Twins need more help for Joe Mauer and Chris Colabello in the middle of their lineup as they try to contend for the first time in a few years.

The Dodgers need to commit to their best three outfielders and play them every day while trading the other, and they should do it in confidence knowing that Pederson will be as good as advertised.

It’s not an easy decision, but if I had to trade one, I’d look to move Ethier because I think the lineup is more lethal with the speed of Dee Gordon and Crawford at the top followed by Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Kemp and Puig.

Ethier went 2-for-4 with a RBI yesterday to lift his average to .227. Crawford, on the other hand, went 0-for-4 and is still struggling in 2014 with a .194 BA.

Clayton's Coming Back

Tears of joy about Clayton Kershaw's impending return, but also tears of laughter reading this story:

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw cleared what the Los Angeles Dodgers said was his final hurdle, pitching five strong innings in his second minor league rehab start Wednesday night in Chattanooga, Tenn. Kershaw appears to be on target to rejoin the Dodgers' rotation in Washington next week, perhaps as early as Monday.

He hasn't pitched in the majors since his March 22 Opening Day start in Australia, when he injured the teres major muscle near his left shoulder.

Kershaw struck out nine batters Wednesday while pitching for the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga, allowing two runs, just one of which was earned, while throwing 86 pitches and walking two batters. Kershaw gave up six hits and had to work a bit harder because his team made three errors behind him.

Because it's not like the Dodgers will make three errors behind him, right?