NATS/DODGERS

WB the key to LAD's postseason success..of course.
WB the key to the entire playoffs? Don't know about that one. I'd lean towards Brent Strom as the key to the entire playoffs

 

Man, I somehow missed this one yesterday.... that would certainly be something to have Kersh in the pen for the playoffs. I have been thinking that they could go Buehler-Ryu-Kersh-Buehler(short rest)-Ryu in the first round, but maybe instead they go Buehler(short leash)/Kersh-Ryu-Hill-Buehler/Kersh. The thinking could be that they say "fuck it", let's win this shit any way we can and Kershaw is fine with that/ all for it. This would not be a great strategy in a 7 game series, but they could still use Kersh out of the pen multiple times.

 

I like it, yeah.

It'd be ncie to see LA mess with another's team's game plan for a change. Time and again, I watch Roberts and the Dodger be reactive. Try proactive for once, huh?

 

I'm hoping this is the plan.

Buehler and Ryu are set for games 1 and 2, Hill is set for either Game 3 or 4, and Kershaw is a fluid piece. If Buehler is dealing, they will let him go deep in Game 1 and we might just see Kershaw for an inning, but if he struggles Kershaw would be available for 4, 5, or more innings in game 1. I don't know quite how it maps out in a 7-game series, but they could go with a modified version of the same thing. In this setup, Kershaw isn't the traditional #1 Ace in the series, but it's not hard to envision him as the most important piece in that scheme.

 

I actually think this is a case of them being reactive and proactive at the same time. They are reacting to the past two WS losses where they faced a team with a shit/struggling bullpen and still couldn't pull off the win. The offense and our starting pitching did a relatively great job off putting the team in an opportunity to win the game most nights, but bullpen let downs cost us multiple games. Meanwhile, across the diamond we watched a starter or two... or more come out of the bullpen and completely shut us down. Two starters came out of our pens in that time that were somewhat dominant and that was Maeda (vs RH'ers in '17) and Kershaw ('17 & '18), while no other one could say close to the same. This year our pen very well could have at least 5 starters in it with Maeda, Gonsolin, Stripling, Urias and May that have shown the skillset to handle the duties. Adding Kersh to that mix could impact opposing lineups greatly.

Another thing to think about is it is taking Kershaw an inning to get comfortable these days and is regularly getting rocked out the gate. The thought process could be that Kershaw, after the other team has seen someone else, could benefit from a different look and teams needing an inning to adjust back could put themselves behind the 8 ball if they don't tag him early.

 

Something under the radar to watch:
Will Smith had a TERRIBLE September that saw him put up a .222 OPS with a 33% K rate through his first 11 games and that stuck with people's minds through the rest of the month. Something that should not be missed though is that in his final 6 games, the AB's started looking crisper and he put up a 1.257 OPS with a 12% K rate. He walked AND got HBP as much as he K'd in that time. Not saying that he is the dude again, but Roberts had said that they figured something out in his swing a week or two ago and were making adjustments. Him picking things back up again would be incredibly impactful.

 

While the Dodgers being in the postseason has lost a bit of its novelty, this postseason is intriguing if nothing else

 

Both of them getting hits in game 1 would go a very long way. Roberts platooning with Lux would severely piss me off since he rakes against both lefites and righties.

 

Not one talking head, dickless or not, pick the Dodgers...that I saw anyway.
Might as well give the scumbag Astros the rings now.

 

Ah, forgot about Freese since they used him so sparingly down the stretch. That is a good call since he has the chance to be a big impact player. Honestly, if he starts a game he should be in it until you need a defensive change. The dude had a 1.002 OPS for the WHOLE season and was even better in September.

 

Verducci chose the Dodgers. Then again, douche is in the name

 

If Muncy was a better defensive second baseman, I'd almost rather have Freese in there every single day considering the amount of off days built into the schedule. Freese can hit right-handed pitching.

But I think the platoon situation is a good compromise, since Freese can come up off the bench and make an impact. Plus, there is a solid possibility of Lux going off which would be huge.

 

Nice steak to end the season after a Barnes-like start to Sept.

 

Dodgers barely lost any games at home this season. I went to 4. They lost all of them I believe.

On StubHub right now...

 

• No announcement on the rotation tonight. I think they are waiting to see who they are up against before making the final decision.

• Kelly is a go for the NLDS

• Turner will be in the starting lineup on Thursday.

• Rich Hill is starting Game 4

 

Pomeranz, Suter, Hader, random out-getters...

scared yet?

 

I'm letting pomeranz start the 8th

 

I’d like Hader to go 2 innings please