The Dodgers finally open their postseason National League Division Series on Friday evening a Dodger Stadium. The boys in blue will be playing the wild card Arizona Dbacks based on their 11-8 victory over Colorado in the NL Wild Card game on Wednesday night. The five game playoff series will see the first two games at Dodger Stadium on Friday t 7:30 PM PST, and game 2 will start a 6:0 PM PST.
We now know that the Dbacks will start right handed youngster Taijuan Walker against Clayton Kershaw in game 1. The Dbacks have not announced their starter for game 2, but it’s reportedly could be Robbie Ray. The Dodgers will have Rich Hill on the mound for Saturday’s game 2. Yu Darvish is reportedly going to start game 3 in Arizona. The Dbacks have not named their game 3 starter either, but it could be turncoat Zack Greinke. It looks like Alex Wood will get the start in game 4.
Since the Snakes had to burn Greinke and Ray (in relief) in the wild card game, they’ll turn to Walker. The youngster has never pitched in the postseason before, but has had success pitching against the Dodgers. He faced the Dodgers three times in the regular season winning twice with the third game being a no-decision. On April 16th he allowed one earned run on four hits with seven strikeouts over five innings in a 3-1 Arizona win.
Then on April 21st he faced the Dodgers again, giving up four earned runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings but wasn’t involved in the decision. He didn’t face the Dodgers again until September 6 which saw him toss ix innings of one-run ball, striking out four as the Dbacks beat the Dodgers 3-1.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Arizona-NLDS Game 1
#ThisTeam// Game 1:
Taylor CF
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Bellinger 1B
Puig RF
Granderson LF
Grandal C
Forsythe 2B
Kershaw P pic.twitter.com/TylutG1n71— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 6, 2017
Tonight's game is also available on KTNQ 1020AM @Univision. #ThisTeam https://t.co/QutsvvyVhf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 6, 2017
Taijuan Walker-9-9 vs. Clayton Kershaw-18-4
Game time – 7:30 PM PST – TV- TBS
#ThisTeam! https://t.co/jxpAEp4BuC pic.twitter.com/rWgonVmbht
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 6, 2017
In four career starts against the Dodgers he is 2-1 with a 4.79 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched. He’s 2-1 in 3 career starts t Dodger Stadium with a 4.20 ERA. This season he is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA at Dodger Stadium. During the regular season Walker tossed 157 innings while posting a 9-9 record and a 3.49 ERA. He struck out 146 and walked 61. He gave up 8.5 hits per nine and struck out 8.4 per nine, which was a career high for him.
The Dodgers have a career .745 OPS against Walker and have just six extra-base hits in 74 plate appearances.
Walker vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | OPS |
| Yasmani Grandal | 11 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .375 | .545 | 1.045 |
| Joc Pederson | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .500 | .556 | 1.181 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .500 |
| Justin Turner | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .286 | .375 | .804 |
| Yasiel Puig | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .429 | .929 |
| Corey Seager | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .333 | 1.167 |
| Chase Utley | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Cody Bellinger | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
| Andre Ethier | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .667 | 1.167 |
| Curtis Granderson | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .333 |
| Chris Taylor | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | 1.000 |
| Logan Forsythe | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Alex Wood | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Rich Hill | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Kenta Maeda | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Ross Stripling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Total | 74 | 66 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 16 | .273 | .351 | .745 |
Some people believe that Kershaw had a “down year” in 2017, yet he still won his fifth ERA title (2.31) and led the league in wins with an 18-4 record. Looking at Kershaw’s season we can see that his hits per nine rate (7.0) is the highest it’s been since his 2010 season. He still struck out 202 (10.4/9) and walked 30 in 175 innings of work. Basically he’s still the same Kershaw, despite the back injury.
Kershaw was 2-0 against Arizona this season and is 14-8 with a 2.55 ERA in 26 career starts against Arizona. Kershaw has 187 strikeouts in 162.2 innings pitched versus the Dbacks. He’s walked only 51 and allowed only 10 home runs to the Snakes.
Kershaw has held the Snakes to a .583 OPS and .201 batting average against 65 strikeouts. The Dbacks have hit five home runs against Kershaw. Paul Goldschmidt has hit two of them, and J.D. Martinez (who hit 4 home runs in one game against the Dodgers back on September 4) has a home run and three hits in 10 plate appearances.
Kershaw vs. Snakes
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | OPS |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 47 | 44 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 17 | .227 | .277 | .686 |
| Chris Iannetta | 33 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 5 | .296 | .424 | .869 |
| A.J. Pollock | 33 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | .226 | .273 | .595 |
| Gregor Blanco | 31 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | .179 | .258 | .437 |
| Daniel Descalso | 16 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .143 | .250 | .393 |
| Jeff Mathis | 15 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .214 | .214 | .571 |
| Brandon Drury | 11 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .091 | .091 | .455 |
| J.D. Martinez | 10 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .375 | .444 | 1.319 |
| Patrick Corbin | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Jorge De La Rosa | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .167 | .167 | .333 |
| Adam Rosales | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .167 | .286 | .452 |
| David Peralta | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .167 | .167 |
| Archie Bradley | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
| Ketel Marte | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Rey Fuentes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Zack Greinke | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Chris Herrmann | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Total | 231 | 209 | 42 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 22 | 19 | 65 | .201 | .268 | .583 |
There will be plenty of new food choices at Dodger Stadium for the NLDS, thanks to Levy’s food. Check out the new menu items below and get your grub on….
BBQ RIB PLATTER
o Description: Smoked baby back ribs slathered in blueberry bacon BBQ sauce, served with parmesan fries
o Location(s): King’s Hawaiian Grill on Left Field Plaza
CHICKEN WAFFLE SAMMY
o Description: Belgian Waffle, spicy crispy chicken with candied smoked bacon, maple syrup
o Location(s): Chick N’ Tots on Field level (section 8) & Lot’s O’ Tots on Loge level (section 136) & Tenders Etc. on Reserve level (section 14)
DONUT BACON DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER
o Description: Two all-beef patties, American cheese, candied smoked bacon, maple syrup, blackberry jam piled on a traditional glazed donut
o Location(s): Elysian Park Grill on Field (section 22 & 23) & Reserve Levels (section 31)
CARNITAS WAFFLE FRIES
o Description: Crispy waffle fries topped with smoked pork carnitas, pico de gallo, avocado crema, salsa verde & jalapeños
o Location(s): Bud & Burgers on Field Level (section 47)
CHEET-O-LOTE
o Description: Roasted sweet corn on the cob slathered in chipotle-lime mayo, dusted with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, cotija cheese & tajin seasoning
o Location(s): King’s Hawaiian Grill on Left Field Plaza & Think Blue BBQ on Reserve level (section 30)
ICE CREAM CHICKEN SANDWICH
o Description: Glazed onion-grape jam filled donut, spicy crispy chicken, candied bacon & vanilla ice cream
o Location(s): Bud & Burgers on Field Level (section 47) & Tommy Lasorda’s Trattoria on Right Field Plaza
With the game scheduled to start at the late late time of 7:30 PM PST, means I won’t be tucked behind my desk. I’ll be able to watch the game. That could be good or bad, depending how much of a jinx you believe that I am. James will have the postgame coverage. Lineups should be out around 4:00 PM. We should know the postseason roster by Friday morning. According to Dave Roberts, Hyun-jin Ryu will not be on it, but will stick around in case he’s needed.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to find out if the Dodgers are going to win the World Series or not. The battle begins……
Go Blue!
Each new menu item will only cost between $35 to $95 each. Beer will be selling at the NLDS special price of $55/12oz or $75/16oz. of Miller Mule Piss Lager.
Roster is in. No Pederson, Locastro, Ryu, or Culberson and Segedin, but they all are on the traveling taxi squad in case of injury. I knew Baez would make it in spite of what some who post here think. For a large part of the season he was one of the better pitchers out of the pen. Ethier making the squad was also a no brainer in my way of thinking and it was sort of a thank you for your service moment from the team to the longest tenured player. Since there is probably no way on earth they pick up the 17.5 million dollar option on his deal. Like last year they are carrying 3 catchers, partly because Barnes is their best RH bat off the bench.
But who plays LF?
Granderson, Ethier, Hernandez….those are the current options. None is great, but Ethier is my choice….experience, more of a line drive hitter than the other two, and infinitely more reliable. Decent glove. Knowing Roberts, he will opt for the power guy in Granderson….defense be damned…..but defense is what you need in the playoffs.
It’s Granny all right. I don’t see much offense in him to begin with.
Roberts going greedy, Puig batting fifth (against my advice, hope it doesn’t bite us in the ass)
Roberts will go with our second baseman the hasn’t batted For shyte this year, yikes.
Super yikes, Grandmal seizure will be playing Matador tonight. Since The Seizure is behind the dish why not give us Barnes at 2B? Is that too much to ask?
I’m really not digging this line-up, I will be glad to be proven wrong but WTF!
6, 7, 8 looks like three automatic outs. Yikes!
It is what it is. Plus the US is up 2-nil.
Forsythe is hitting 190 against righties, and Granderson is hitting 175 against righties.
Forsythe starting against a RHP is a mistake. Utley should start. I would have started Ethier over Granderson too; I think Ethier is a better OF defensively.
YF
It is just to bad that Ethier didn’t get more chances to show he belongs out there!
After Ethier hit that HR in that one game, and had two hits in the next game, he should have been given more chances.
But after that, they didn’t play Ethier for a long while, and that looked to me, that they didn’t want Ethier to even have a chance, to challenge Granderson.
Even when Chase doesn’t get a hit he finds a way to help this team!
You really have to wonder what is going thru Roberts melon. A lot of auto outs in that line up card. If Kershaw pitches a perfect game, I say we have a 50/50 chance of pulling off a win.
You guys ready?!
I can’t believe this is the best TBS can do.
This broadcasting team has done literally zero research.
They don’t even know what pitches these guys throw.
Yeah they’re pretty bad. lolz
The crew calling the DC-Cubs game was just as bad.
The long layoff did wonders for us. Seager and Turner look better and Bellinger too.
I don’t understand the move – if you are going to switch out Granderson in the 8th, then Ethier should have been up to bat with Puig on third and no outs. Big wasted scoring opportunity there.
Morrow is a great weapon. Turner looks to be his old playoff self. Our top 1-5 hitters are the only threats. That’s got to change.
Well, not a great game, but a win is a win. Grandal and Granderout should never see the light of day again. Barnes had more hits than both of them combined. Big rally in the first and who kills it? Granderson and Grandal. Even Forsythe came through in the first inning. Turner hit the way he was hitting earlier in the year. Puig was smoking the ball. Seager looked good except for that bad throw in the 9th. I guess they could say Granderson is injured and put Pederson in his place. Anyone would be better than that slug. Roberts should not start him the rest of the series.