The Dodgers travel into San Diego for a weekend set and what better way to get well after suffering another pathetic series loss than to play the lowly Padres. After the Dodgers rolled over to the Angels in the Freeway Series, it’s just a hop skip and a jump down to Petco Park. The Dodgers opened the season on April 4-6 with three wins in San Diego in which they outscored the Padres 25-0. The Dodgers played the Padres again this time at Dodger Stadium from April 29- May 1. In that series they lost two out of three and would have gotten swept had it not been for Clayton Kershaw’s shutout in the series finale. Now the Dodgers are back in town again and will open the series with left hander Scott Kazmir.
Kazmir defeated the Padres in his season debut on April 5. In that game he tossed six scoreless innings allowing just one hit and striking out five. Since then he has won just two decisions and has gone more than six innings once. That was in his last start on May 14 in which he beat the Cardinals. He allowed three earned runs on five hits while whiffing seven across 8.2 innings. That was probably his best start of the season since opening week. Kazmir is 3-3 with a 4.89 ERA and has posted a 1.283 WHIP over 46 innings pitched. He’s on pace to allow like 50 home runs though. He’s allowed 10 in his first 8 starts.
Dodgers Lineup @ San Diego
Hernandez LF
Turner 3B
Seager SS
Kendrick 2B
Thompson CF
Puig RF
Grandal 1B
Ellis C
Kazmir P
Scott Kazmir-3-3 vs. Christian Friedrich-0-1
Game Time – 7:40 PM – TV- SNLA
He is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 3 starts against the Padres, and is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA in two starts at Petco Park. The Padres are batting .289 (24 for 83) with three home runs against Kazmir. Alexei Ramirez has driven in seven runs and is batting .346 (9 for 26) with 4 etxra-base hits versus Kazmir.
Kazmir vs. Padres
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Alexei Ramirez | 29 | 26 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 3 | .346 | .379 | .615 | .995 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Adam Rosales | 26 | 25 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .360 | .385 | .480 | .865 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Matt Kemp | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .182 | .250 | .182 | .432 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Melvin Upton | 10 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .250 | .400 | .750 | 1.150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derek Norris | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .429 | .500 | .929 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jon Jay | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wil Myers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jose Pirela | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| James Shields | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 91 | 83 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 17 | .289 | .341 | .470 | .811 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The Padres will counter with left hander Christian Friedrich. The 28-year old is from Evansville, Illinois, and attended Eastern Kentucky University. He was drafted by the Rockies in the first round of the 2008 draft. He made his MLB debut with Colorado in 2012, pitching in 16 games and posting a 5-8 record with a 6.17 ERA. His next MLB appearance didn’t come until 2014. Still with the Rockies, he made 16 appearances, (all but three out of the bullpen) and posted a 5.92 ERA, and an 0-4 record. In 2015, he made 68 appearances, pitching primarily out of the bullpen again and finished with a 5.25 ERA and another 0-4 record.
San Diego signed him as a free agent, and Friedrich has made 1 start for the club. He pitched six innings against the Brewers on May 13 and allowed one earned run on 4 hits while striking out 4. He walked 6, but was charged with the loss because the Padres couldn’t score any runs for him. The Padres lost that game 1-0. Friedrich has a career 7.8 whiff per nine rate and a 1.5 WHIP. According to the scouting reports, he throws a fastball in the 88-93 range, cutter, curveball, and a changeup.
He’s made 10 appearances against the Dodgers without a decision. He has a 9.00 ERA and has allowed 7 earned runs over seven innings. He is 1-1 with a 3.21 ERA in 2 starts at Petco Park. The Dodgers have hit him well in the past. The Boys in Blue are hitting .387 (12 for 31) with two home runs against him.
Friedrich vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howie Kendrick | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Utley | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joc Pederson | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | 1.000 | 1.400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 1.667 | 2.417 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .667 | .500 | 1.167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Crawford | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A.J. Ellis | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 34 | 31 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 6 | .387 | .441 | .581 | 1.022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Dodgers are rolling out another stupid all righty lineup and I wonder when this idiocy stops. Joc Pederson who has been crushing the ball lately, gets benched for the night inexplicably. Justin Turner is again hitting at the top of the lineup even though he has yet to hit at all this season. Adrian Gonzalez is out of the lineup again for the fourth consecutive game as he recovers from his rusty back. The Dodgers are claiming he’ll return to the lineup on Saturday evening. In the meantime Yasmani Grandal is at first base with A.J. Ellis behind the plate. Why in the world is Kike still here? I’m pretty sure he hasn’t gotten a hit since Easter.
The Padres are having problems as well. Matt Kemp is not in the lineup because he is 1 for his last 16. Jon Jay is back, and several other Padre hitters continue to struggle. Yes the struggle is real people. I tell you this much, the Dodgers better get some wins now. After this series they fly home to play three with the Reds and the next road trip has them going to play three in New York against the Mets and four games at Wrigley Field versus the Cubs. The Dodgers are already 3.5 games back and continue to drop like a stone in the standings. I predict more losses.
|
#
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
||
|
1
|
|
25
|
18
|
.581
|
–
|
11-10
|
14-8
|
8-2
|
||
|
2
|
|
20
|
20
|
.500
|
3.5
|
8-10
|
12-10
|
6-4
|
||
|
–
|
|
21
|
21
|
.500
|
3.5
|
10-12
|
11-9
|
5-5
|
||
|
4
|
|
19
|
24
|
.442
|
6.0
|
7-17
|
12-7
|
4-6
|
||
|
5
|
|
17
|
25
|
.405
|
7.5
|
8-14
|
9-11
|
4-6
|
||
Late start time tonight.
Go Blue
Who knows which team will show up tonight for LAD?
Let’s see if we can steal a win or two this weekend. Wow Matt Kemp is benched. I remember Torre benching Kemp. And I remember the complaints by other bloggers how terrible that was. Anyone can get benched. And in the FAZ world everyone gets benched.
The Kemp/Grandal trade looks increasingly like a wash, except for Kemps ten HRs.
in that sense, we win because of the huge salary savings (that is until we sign Grandal to an extension)
Greetings from the Police State of Colorado. In Pueblo, did the Riverwalk (not nearly as nice as San Antonio Roger) and will be shutting it down soon. I noticed we be getting a little chippy on the last thread. The low expectations was meant for fans not players. The Dodgers are paid a lot of money to produce. So produce dammit. Fans? It’s just a suggestion, but I wouldn’t expect a lot out of this group. The excitement is in watching the youngsters step in. The rest of those guys? Meh. Go ahead and hit the can while they’re up. You probably won’t miss anything.
I have proof Moneyball is full of crap. Matt Kemp is on pace for 40 home runs and 116 RBIs and has a 0.0 oWAR. That means he’s basically a replacement level offensive player. You tell me there is any replacement level player who can hit 40 and drive in 116. No. There isn’t. That’s solid proof. Throw the book away, fire FAZ and bring back Colletti. Ok, maybe not the Colletti part.
…Badger said: “The excitement is in watching the youngsters step in.”
Right on Badger. Too bad we can’t watch Bellinger this year as well.
Badger good to hear from you. And I agree with your assessment of saber metrics!
Speaking of youngsters: Urias today went 5ip, 3 hits, 5k, no runs again. His scoress inning streak is at like 28 now. Insane
Urias is not as good a pitcher as Hatcher — or they would switch places. At least, that is what a real GM would do.
LOL
Roger
there was a good article about Urias at LA Times. Com today. And a eigth inning guy was mentioned.
An all RH batting order makes the SP’s life so much easier. Neddy Jr. is too FELONY STUPID to understand this fact. So is his ROBOT.
4 for 51 since his 2 HR game. Send him to AAA
Hey guys, happy Friday!
Back at you Scott!
Scott even Puig couldn’t do that!
Scott I just can’t take this.
I know it’s hard to watch
Another Bases Loaded FAILURE. Some things NEVER Change.
BOB you better get the diapers ready!
Agree with BOB about that all right handed hitting lineup. It’s actually stupid. You need to break things up so the pitcher can’t just get used to guys only hitting from 1 side of the plate
Puig looks like crap up there. B17 is right; if he’s off, we’re off
Did anyone see Jason Heyward’s catch in the 1st inning at SF? He ran from right field to that death valley out in right center and made an amazing over the shoulder diving grab and crashed/dove into the wall. He had to be taken out for some injury, but wow, what a play
I didn’t see that play, but I like the five nothing score, Cubbies over the Giants.
Bobby I can’t take this!
I want to know when they are going to stop worrying about Turner’s self esteem.
And move Turner down, and worry more about the team.
Good piece of hitting from Grandal!!!
Puig is back! I have been waiting for Puig to drive the ball to right, and that he did!
Yes he did.
And last at bat he flew around the bases like we’re used to seeing.
Badger he finally did it!
I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce some of you to the game of baseball. I know you have never heard of it before by your comments. The season is 162 games long and they have played but a quarter of them. No champion is annointed until the season concludes. You may be shocked and surprised to know that very frequently the teams that are doing well at the quarter mark, frequently don’t do as well in the end, while ones who may not being doing well at that same juncture may get hot and win it all.
Of course, you don’t know this, but baseball is a game of streaks. If it weren’t, players would hit .600 instead of .290 and pitchers would strike out every batter they face. It’s also a cruel game in that a team can hit the ball right on the screws right at someone all night and make outs while the other team can be fooled all night, but win with walks and bloop singles.
Once you have experience in watching the game, you will learn not to make so many knee jerk reactions, because like the weather in Indiana… it will most certainly change! Once you watch baseball for a while you will learn that guys who are slumping today may be tomorrow’s heroes! It all changes in blink of an eye!
You will learn that most managers, front office types, coaches and trainers have access to information you don’t (well, I admit that most of you will never learn that, because you think you are… well never mind – I digress).
You might learn that baseball is a game that is supposed to be fun and if you are angry and irate all the time, it’s more about YOU than the great game. You also might find that amazing things happen even if you don’t see them.
You might see that people who run this game are so much smarter than most of us and have access to so much more information that we do, but some of you will continue to suffer from grandiose delusions and continue to believe that you know better… and if it makes you feel good, so be it. It won’t change the game, and you will be a legend in your own mind.
Watch the game and learn… or not!
This has been a public service announcement by a royal pain in the rear and someone who still believes in Blue!
Well, Roberts waited too long to take the loser Kazmire out. What a damn knucklehead. This is FUN.
Mark good to hear from you, but this can’t happen. Where is Kazmir’s mind, when he is pitching?
Yeah Mark, but you gotta admit that Scott Kazmir sucks.
Spoken in a very condescending manner and gives the impression that he is not watching the same game as everyone else. The relative and the absolute are both part of the picture. Philosophy doesn’t win games. It’s not what you said, but how you said it.
Cheers.
Another fine game by Scott Kazmir – after 9 starts, maybe he is what he is?
i will admit that after the Braintrust whiffed on all of the other available pitchers, I was glad that they at least signed someone and that he would be an upgrade over not having a pitcher at all – now I’m not so sure.
Let one of the kids pitch!
Turner made me eat my words. Turner wins this game, and Giants lost!
MJ that home run was for you !
Bobby see above! We needed this!
Maybe this is a Turning point in the season guys????
Not sure about turning point completely. Baez was quite scary out there. 2 deep fly ball outs??
Now that was just lovely
Goodnight all
Unbelievable! Why?
They suck
Scott you sound like me. First I demand that Turner stop batting in the heart of the order.
Then he hits that HR, and I love him, and I am all happy. And then the Giants lose, and it can’t get any better.
And then once again, it is from the penthouse, to the basement. Darn Dodgers, they never do anything easy, just like Vinny has been saying forever.
7 walks by KAZ-Mire. No hand injury? Lying bastards.
Bring up Urias and DL KAZ-Mire who is mired in less than mediocrity.
The White Sox have the BALLS to DFA Danks because they want to win and send a message to their players that mediocre is not acceptable. When will the LAD HEAD Eunuchs DFA Howell, Hatcher, and Crawford?
Refusal to play the best players is MORONIC.
3 LAD Get their Diaper Depends tonight for their 4 LOB.
Losers
BOB only three?
Oh dear – that’s tough to take.
Watford
Kenley has been so good, that we all thought it was an automatic win. It has been a long time since Kenley has been unreliable.
And it is so hard, that the hitter got so lucky, and that pitch didn’t cut. Even though that was a terrible game, Jerry Hairson made a good point about playing a team like the Padres.
And we would all agree with his point. He said that when the Dodgers are playing a team like the Padres, they can’t let them hang around, and stay close.
He said that the Dodgers need to take total control of the game. And that is the truth.
They need to get a killer instinct, and squash the other team, so they don’t even have a chance, to come back. It takes more then talent to be a great team. They need to get an attitude of winning.