We certainly have a right to expect 5+ runs a game. We need players to play to their potential though. We'll see what we're made of against the Nats and Reds. Cards end their season against those two and the Nats mopped the floor with them. I still have hope. The Wild Card game just scares me. Especially if Kershaw can't pitch. IMO though, there's no point in making the playoffs if Kershaw can't pitch. We're not going anywhere without him.
Funny, I was thinking about this today. Then Fife did what he did today. Plenty of teams have went somewhere in the post season without Kershaw, why not us? We have the best bullpen in baseball with Jansen returning IMO. We essentially have 3 quality closers! Anyone remember the 1990 Reds bullpen? We have 4 starters that we all know can hold any team to a couple runs through 5-6innings. It's all about our fucking bats!
Good pitching shuts down good hitting. That's what the playoffs are about. Our '08 and '09 experiences proved that we needed an ace. I'm not too worried about the offense; because no matter how long it takes, they'll turn it around eventually, but CK gives us that extra edge.
Well, my opinion of '08/'09 was completely different I guess. We had some horrible pitching and an Ace wouldonly change that once a week. The offense took a vacation and choked, as did our bullpen(Broxton). And I agree CK is a huge extra edge. Yet even he loses games lately...alot. It's the bats. That is the most overated saying "Good pitching shuts down good hitting" next to "Pitching wins Championships". I don't buy into that in modern baseball, it's old. That was the case back when catchers, secondbasemen, and shortstops hit like shit. And if you do put so much weight into that, you'd have to give bullpens a huge part of that equation, yet people don't. If starting pitching was the be all end all it's made out to be, then the Angels, Phillies, and Giants would be unbeatable. Yet Texas(no CK equivalent) and St. Louis(minus Carpenter) were the last ones standing last year. All the teams that have great starting pitching are riding around mid pack as far as records go...besides the Nationals. The Brewers traded their CK, and look at them now. Starting pitching is important, I know that...but it just has to keep the other team close. Ours has done that for 5-6 innings every game lately, even missing Bills. They could all suddenly suck like they have individually at times, but maybe they won't.
So i expect if we do make the playoffs, you will give us your word that you will not watch or post anything on these boards. If we do end up making the playoffs then that will mean our bats have awakened and when you could throw out dre, kemp, ag, and hanley then you do have a chance at winning.
08 and 09 we lost to a better team. The Dodgers battled their tails off but just got out fire-powered by an explosive lineup and didn't have a true ace to command the staff. We had a chance to put our pitching over the top, and not only did we not do it, our NLCS opponent did. The Phillies were an amazing team.
In the playoffs there more rest days, so probably we would see Belisario, League and Wright every night as our starters can barely cross the 5 inning mark. I guess we could have a shot if we get there, but we wont if they keep playing like this. We are off to 2 of the toughest series of the year vs first plave teams. If we are 1 GB by next monday, we have a real shot. I expect they'll be 4 GB by monday.
except for the wild card teams 1 game playoff and then straight to the LDS which begs the question... if winning game 162 is a must do you use your ace, save him for the 1 WC game playoff, or save him for the LDS? personally, I say you use the best available pitcher in game 162 because nothing else is guaranteed of course since our #1 and #2 are on the shelf, that's not really a concern for us
I mean I'll be psyched and hope for the best, but how far can we go with a rotation of Beckett, Capuano, Harang, and Blanton?
With our pitching being so beat up our hitting has to be extraordinary and obviously it hasn't been so even IF we make the playoffs IMO we don't have a chance to advance. Now onto why I am posting. I'd love an explanation from DBB about why he continues to bat Matt 3rd or 4th!!!!!! Don't want him hitting 8th like I heard on dodger talk from a caller but geezus at least drop him to 6th or 7th!!!! Hitting .122 in September with 3 extra base hits? WHY DBB WHY, makes me wary of him in the future as our manager.
I fear it's a matter of not hurting Matt's feelings. he's the star/francise player. I for one would move him down to 6th at least. Matt has responded well in the past to stuff like that, and he has to understand it. If not then he has to get over it and get over himself.
well it really doesn't matter, I'm sure its an ego thing or just sticking with him until he comes through anyways this is why it doesn't matter Dodgers 8 regular position players hit .188/.219/.318 in 6 games last week, with 5 walks and 44 strikeouts in 184 PA
I agree Matt can be a little emotional but maybe he feels the pressure of that position in the line-up and maybe a change would do him good. I know Matt respects DBB and I believe if he sat him down he could be fine with it. GOTTA try something different.
Imagine if we didn't have Cruz that number would be even lower? Hard to believe. WE KNOW these guys are better than that.
dbb has gone w the same basic lineup throughout this slump. like iggy pointed out it doesnt really matter if you look at how bad we are hitting collectively. but just shake up the lineup. do something.
Matt isn't under pressure. He's hurt. He needs to put up or shut up. If he can play effectively, let him finish the season. If he continues to fail, bench him until he's healthy.
