The battle for the NL West begins tonight!
Leeeeet’s Geeeeeet Reaaaaaady Toooooo Ruuummmmbbllllle!!!!
The Dodgers have a new solution to their pitching problems. It’s simple, just hit a bunch of home runs and outscore your opponent. The trick is to just keep scoring, every inning, and keep hitting the ball over the fence. Field tested, baseball approved. So when your pitching staff gives up 29 runs in a 4 game series and still comes away with a split, you know the offense was doing their jobs. The Dodger bats were historically good in their 18-9 bashing of the Reds in Monday’s series finale.
This was the first time the Dodgers had scored 18 runs in a game since 2006 when they did it against the Rockies at Coors Field. Great American Ball Park is no Coors Field mind you, but it’s the next best thing. Prompting Adrian Gonzalez to yell out how much he loved the ball park on one of his home trots.
That’s because Gonzo slammed 3 home runs and drove in 8 of the 18 runs. The Dodgers blasted 7 home runs on Sunday. Including Corey Seager hitting his 22, which ties him for the most by a shortstop in Dodger franchise history. Rob Segedin and Andrew Toles went back-to-back to hit their first career MLB home runs.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Giants
Tonight's Dodger lineup vs. Giants:
Hernández CF
Kendrick LF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Grandal C
Segedin RF
Culberson 2B
Maeda P— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 23, 2016
Madison Bumgarner-12-7 vs. Kenta Maeda-12-7
Game Time – 7:10 PM – TV-SNLA
With the Dodgers win and the Giants idle, the Dodgers gained a half game in the standings The boys in blue come home a game in front of the hated ones as they begin a huge three game series at Dodger Stadium. The opener will see Madison Bumgarner facing Kenta Maeda.
Wednesday’s second game has Rich Hill finally making his Dodger debut, (blister or not) as the Giants will counter with Johnny Cueto. The third game on Thursday will have the Giants giving the ball to left hander Matt Moore, and the Dodgers are still undecided. One thing is obviously clear; Brett Anderson cannot be allowed to start that game.
Bumgarner is perhaps having his finest season yet. The left hander is 12-7 with a 2.25 ERA. Over 175 innings tossed he’s struck out 195, walked 46 and allowed only 6.8 hits per nine. However at times he can be a bit homer prone as he has allowed 19 dingers. He’s faced the Dodgers twice this season, and has lost once and gotten a no-decision in the other game. Against the Dodgers he is 13-8 with a 2.57 ERA in 23 career starts.
At Dodger Stadium he is 8-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 13 starts. Don’t underestimate Madison Bumgarner the hitter. Bumgarner has hit 14 career home runs including 3 this year and as many as 5 in 2015. He’s tough and I hate him. Today might be the only time I will ever advocate for Kike Hernandez to be in the lineup. For whatever reason he has MadBum’s number. Kike is hitting .625 (10 for 16) with 4 doubles and 3 home runs.
Bumgarner vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 50 | 48 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | .167 | .200 | .208 | .408 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A.J. Ellis | 42 | 39 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | .205 | .262 | .333 | .595 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 42 | 38 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 7 | .211 | .262 | .421 | .683 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 16 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | .625 | .625 | 1.438 | 2.063 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howie Kendrick | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Utley | 13 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .167 | .231 | .167 | .397 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .125 | .111 | .250 | .361 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Joc Pederson | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .222 | .222 | .667 | .889 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Blanton | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Reddick | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 1.667 | 2.417 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott Kazmir | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bud Norris | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 210 | 196 | 44 | 12 | 0 | 8 | 19 | 10 | 47 | .224 | .260 | .408 | .668 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
As for Kenta Maeda, he’s looking for thirteenth win of the season as well. He is 12-7 with a 3.29 ERA in 24 starts, Over 136.2 innings pitched he’s struck out 138 and walked 35. He’s allowed 7.3 hits per nine and has posted a 1.06 WHIP. Maeda has been quite good in the month of August winning all 3 of his decisions and 4 in a row since Late July. He’s faced the Giants once back in April and beat them tossing 7 innings of one-run ball and striking out 7.
Maeda vs. Giants
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Brandon Belt | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Crawford | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .667 | .500 | 1.167 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Panik | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .667 | 2.000 | 2.667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hunter Pence | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .667 | .500 | 1.167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buster Posey | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Samardzija | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Denard Span | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Angel Pagan | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 23 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | .200 | .304 | .350 | .654 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
I want to seriously urge the Dodgers to consider using Ross Stripling over Anderson. The benefits of doing this are obvious.
They Listened!
Scott Kazmir and Brett Anderson both placed on DL, and Josh Fields optioned to OKC. Luis Avilan and Ross Stripling recalled (+ Culberson)
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) August 24, 2016
- Stripling nearly no-hit the Giants back in the first week of the season.
- He’s not terrible
- He’s not Brett Anderson
- Brett Anderson is terrible
All important facts that the Dodgers need to consider. Anyways, remember to bring some drinks and a Mylanta for tonight.
Go Blue!
Culberson up from OKC to start at 2nd. Kendrick, Hernandez, Segedin in the OF……that’s a pretty weak defensive OF.
Michael
I would only be worried about Segedin in right.
The Giants have quite a few leftie hitters too, and they will be hitting quite a few balls to right.
And it is hard for almost any player, to be good, if they are not playing a certain position all the time.
Howie has made himself a pretty good leftfielder, he comes up on ball well, and he has improved a lot.
Kike is fine in center.
I think Culberson got a hit off Bumgarner, and at least his is playing everyday down in AAA.
I just don’t like that Roberts is not going with his best team, twice against the Giants.
Bochy use to sit Belt and Crawford, but he doesn’t anymore.
I do think it is ok that Segedin is playing, maybe he can make a difference.
And don’t like Utley only playing in one game in this series.
He has been hitting well lately, and he always seems to make a difference, in almost every game he plays.
Kike is a average CF. Case in point. When Pagan hit that ball to CF, Kike pulled up. He could have caught that ball, and Pederson would have caught it. Segedin made a nice play in RF early in the game. Culberson, on Panik’s ball cut in front of Seager, who could have nailed him at first if Culberson leaves it alone. Kike is not a natural OF, so his instincts are suspect. He is a good fielder, but I do not like him out there. Since they scored 9 runs and Segedin and Toles homered, I would say Roberts put the right guys out there. BP was nails again, and had to be because Maeda stunk, and he still got the win. Guy needs to shut teams down when the Dodgers score and he failed to do that. Gonzo bailed him out with that 2 run single in the 5th.
Quite an interesting lineup that “Roberts” came up with.
Who needs Puig when you have Culberson?
Astute observation. Think they just wanted to give Charlie some MLB time to add on to his retirement fund. Have not seen yet who was put on the DL, DFA’d or sent down so he could come up….Guess they did not want to plug Yasiel in at 2B…..but I think he could have handled RF…..
He’s still in timeout.
Of course Howie could have played second. Culberson to the rescue.
Kenta Maeda better do his Clayton Kershaw impersonation tonight. I love those Kershaw versus Madison Bumgarner match ups. The Dodgers won’t be hitting 7 more home runs t so it might be a good idea to curtail the Giant offense. o Bumgarner is stingy on the mound and can be explosive at the plate. He could beat the Dodgers, 1-0 all by himself. It could be a real barn burner. Too bad I’m among the 70% who won’t see the telecast!
Per Fox Sports. Andre Ethier to be activated in September.
good to hear!
Some good news today: Walker Buehler made his debut today for AZL Dodgers. 2ip, 0 runs, 0 hits, 3k
Be good to read about how hard he was throwing and how he feels in the next few days!
Bobby
I read he was mostly 95, 97, and actually he touched 98 one time.
Buehler. 22 this year. Could be ready in…….. you know what’s coming……. 2018.
wow; that’s impressive for his first start back!
Gurnick said that Reddick is two for three against Bumgarner, with one HR.
When I read the match ups on the MLB game day, it only said that Reddick hit the HR.
Who knows?
Anderson and Kazmir was put on DL today.
not a bad thing whatsoever.
Who’s next!
And Fields sent down. They’ve done four of the things that I suggested in my post yesterday. Now will they bring up Deleon to pitch on Saturday?
Avilan was brought up too.
And Stripling too.
TBD going to be starting a lot of games in the near future.
I’d prefer to see TBD over Anderson, Norris et all
Stripling will go on Thursday.
Great to see Segedin’s bomb!
Maeda’s control a little iffy tonight
Segedin’s wife is in labor. What a day for him. Crazy.
All the pressure is on Roberts this series, with the lineup he threw out.
I like that he’s rolling the dice this series. Reminds me of Phil Jackson and Tommy Lasorda with their wacky gritty lineups.
Maeda looks to be trying too cute. But he’s a full squad if bullpen behind him. Maximum effort for 4-5 innings.
He’s thrown over 50 pitches in 3 innings so we won’t get even 6 (again).
2 mix ups between Maeda and Grandal in a row – unacceptable
Speaking of Charlie Culberson, if he doesn’t try to field that lead off hit in the 3rd inning, Seager fields it and throws out the runner. That probably cost the Dodgers both runs scored by the midgets.
Brooklyn
You are so right!
And Culberson didn’t help with Maeda’s pitch count.
Oh, and it cost Maeda a whole bunch of pitches.
Brooklyn
I agree the Giants didn’t earn most of these runs
Maeda is slowly falling apart in the 4th. Losing control, 2 walks, no heat on his pitches. Dodger bats better be ready to back him up.
Hernandez leading off?! No Joc? What does the FO think these games mean with this kind of lineup? Sorry, folks. My 60 year history just doesn’t compute this logic.
Kike has ownage with Bumgarner – he HAS to play.
Maeda doesn’t have it tonight though – get him out of there
Wow. Double steal attempt with the pitcher up. Sounds dumb to me. Turns into an easy end to the inning. Thank you Bochy. And thank you blue. Strike 3 to Buttgrabber was clearly outside. So far so good
And, as usual, we’ll need 4 innings minimum from the bullpen.
I guess it wouldn’t be a Dodger game without a bullpen guy coming in to pitch in the 6th!
2 wild pitches. It’s clear he doesn’t have the motor to go more than 4 innings. They will probably squeak out another inning with him, but Dodger bats must win this game. Relying on pitching is wishful thinking. Is there any doubt that FAZ cannot justify their pitching acquisitions? Who here can say they have confidence in any Dodger starter other than Big K.
I trust TBD
At least Bumgarners pitch count is going up too!
You don’t like the Maeda signing?
Man, Agone is really swinging the bat well!
Bobby
Did you see Toles bat speed?
they bring in a RH reliever to pitch to a guy that has a .291 avg against RH pitching. ??
playing with fire. Chavez gives up a run. Is this deja vu?
Which monkey will replace Chavez?Which algorythm are they using on their computers? Must be the .99 cent one.
Nice switch here to put Joc in center. Roberts rotated the players and we end up with our best defensive unit for the last 3 outs.
Toles and Sedegin are earning more playing time.
Seager and Agon can hit left handers.
Brooklyn, you are right about that ground ball. Seager would of thrown out the runner.
Maeda did struggle tonight, but he kept us in the game.
I think Toles can hit lefties
I guess Andrew Toles can hit lefthanders also.
MJ, just saw your post. Great minds think alike.
Brooklyn
That is what happened to me, and I think you are right!
Toles could be the Dodgers 2017 lead off man. Got to like what we’ve seen thus far.
Maeda out up 4 zeros with a lot of pitches. He needs to skip a start or two, or go to a 6 man rotation.
Toles and Segedin are playing over their heads, but don’t nobody wake them up. Keep riding them!
And as we all know, Cory can hit them also.
Brooklyn
Cory pissed Bumgarner off, because Bumgarner couldn’t get him out, and he then on the last at bat, Bumgarner walked Cory.
That is for sure Brooklyn!
Interesting to see what Roberts do with Jensen now. I’d let him pitch it out and see how things go tomorrow.
I think it’s too early to say that Segedin and Toles are playing over their heads. Maybe this is the beginning of two solid careers, or maybe they will ultimately come down to earth. Only time will tell.
After all, Toles made to the majors from A ball this year!
Nice job by Roberts today. Even Reddick contributed. Everyone kept plugging along after that Culbertson misplay early, instead of dwelling on it.
(Unlike the Greinke+Ethier meltdown last year).
Tomorrow is another day and we are totally behind the 8 ball now with no Jensen.
I love it!
Hill, let’s see what you got!
Who is Jensen and why don’t we have him?
That went well.
These giants don’t look like the same group I saw at Chase in early July. And as long as we keep scoring 9, we can beat anybody. But ‘cept maybe the Cubs. They’ll score 10 against this pitching staff.