The Dodgers slugged four home runs on Friday evening that included three from Corey Seager to defeat the Braves 4-2. The Braves are the worst club in the National league of course, but still a win is a win. Beggars can’t be choosers. This is a good time to fatten up on the soft underbelly of the National League. Now if only the Cardinals would help us out by beating the Giants…..
The series continues as right hander Bud Norris will take on Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers will have to do it without right fielder Yasiel Puig. Just before game time yesterday it was announced that Puig was placed on the 15-day DL because of his strained hamstring. Outfielder Scott Van Slyke was activated from the DL in his place. I have no idea why the Dodgers spoon fed the media that Puig’s hamstring pull was a minor injury and that he would be back in the lineup within a couple of days.
I believe manager Dave Robert’s exact words were that Puig was supposed to be back in the lineup within the next several days. I don’t what changed, especially because Puig pinch-hit twice within that time frame. Not that it matters though, because Puig has been mostly useless at the plate the entire season. I am beginning to wonder if he will ever find his form again. He may become a lost cause. It’s a shame, but that happens to players sometimes. Some players start out hot and then lose it and drop off the face of the planet never to be seen again. Baseball is a tough game.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Atlanta
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Thompson RF
Pederson CF
Kendrick LF
Ellis C
Kershaw P
Bud Norris-1-6 vs. Clayton Kershaw-7-1
Game time- 7:10 PM – TV- SNLA
On to the pitching match-ups. Norris is a 31-year old that was originally with the Houston Astros. He had been pitching with the Padres last season before the Braves signed him in free agency. Overall Norris has been terrible, posting a 1-6 record and a 5.71 ERA over 17 games. He’s made 5 starts and has allowed 10.8 hits per nine. His strikeout to walk ratio is atrocious as he’s walked 20 and whiffed 31 in 41 frames. Norris has made 6 starts in his career against the Dodgers and appeared in 8 games. He has a 1-1 record and a 2.84 ERA. He is 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA at Dodger Stadium. The current Dodgers have not hit Norris at all. He’s limited the Dodgers to a .130 (6 for 46) average against with just one extra-base hit and a .152 OPS against.
Norris vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Howie Kendrick | 18 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .125 | .222 | .188 | .410 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chase Utley | 13 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .167 | .231 | .167 | .397 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A.J. Ellis | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | .000 | .571 | .000 | .571 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .143 | .000 | .143 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Crawford | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .667 | .500 | 1.167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Joc Pederson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 56 | 46 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | .130 | .286 | .152 | .438 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
The Dodgers will give the ball to Clayton Kershaw as he continues his quest for the perfect season. Kershaw is having perhaps one of the greatest seasons ever for a left handed pitcher in Dodger history. Stop me if you’ve heard that before, because we said that in 2014, and again in 2015. It seems each season he has is better than the last and one of the greatest in history. Kershaw limited the Mets to two earned runs over 7.2 innings pitched with 10 whiffs. He got a no-decision but the Dodgers won the game by a 4-2 score. Kershaw is 7-1 with a 1.56 ERA and has struck out 105 and walked just 5 this season. Those seem like video game stats. Kershaw has posted a 0.646 WHIP and has allowed just 5.3 hits per nine. Kershaw is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in 7 starts versus the Braves. As dominating as Kershaw is, the current Braves are actually hitting .256(21 for 82) against him with 2 home runs and a .378 OPS against.
Kershaw vs. Braves
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Freddie Freeman | 21 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | .278 | .381 | .444 | .825 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kelly Johnson | 15 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | .200 | .200 | .400 | .600 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ender Inciarte | 11 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .400 | .455 | .600 | 1.055 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeff Francoeur | 10 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .333 | .400 | .333 | .733 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tyler Flowers | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .143 | .143 | .143 | .286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Castro | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .500 | .750 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adonis Garcia | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nick Markakis | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .667 | 1.000 | 1.667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A.J. Pierzynski | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mallex Smith | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Julio Teheran | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bud Norris | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Wisler | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 88 | 82 | 21 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 29 | .256 | .299 | .378 | .677 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
The Dodgers need to get all the wins in now before their big series against the Giants next week. They need to gain a game or two before they fly up there. They’re going to need some help though. Hard to believe we’re asking for assistance from the Cardinals. I feel a little dirty having to root for the Cardinals tonight, but the Giants have got to lose for us to make up any ground.
So Go Blue! Go Red Birds! Ughhh no, I just can’t do it. Allow me to rephrase this. Let’s just say we want the Giants to lose, but still also hate the Cardinals. Once that series is over we can resume our regularly scheduled hatred of the Cards.
Hopefully the Dodgers can enjoy devouring a nice refreshing Bud tonight.
Anyways, enjoy the game!
Two points:
1. In case anybody is wondering about an erased comment in last night’s recap comments.
I erased it because it crossed the line over a sports argument and went personal. If you read it, you know which one.
The poster said things that would likely get somebody punched in the nose if it was said in person. That’s why it’s called over the line, and I will delete any comment I see here that crosses it.
2. For Scott. I like to think the Dodgers feed a line to the press about player’s injuries is because they don’t want to give free information to the enemy.
A smart manager wants the Braves planning for Yasiel Puig, even though he know Puig’s injured. It’s not being done to dupe the fans. He’s controlling information. Let the Braves waste time and energy planning for Puig. Then we unleash the SVS on them.
Planning for Puig takes two pitches – high and tight heat, low and away sliders.
I don’t hate the Cardinals. I don’t even hate the giants anymore. I just don’t care about either of them.
I don’t think it’s going out on a limb to say the Dodgers are huge favorites tonight. Kershaw goes 7+ and we win by 3.
I hope it was said about me. I haven’t punched anyone in the nose for a while. Actually, I go for the throat – not the nose.
Here’s the real answer about Puig’s DL stint:
The Hamstring is minor, but the Dodgers want him to clear his head and then go on the maximum minor league rehab assignment. I hear they may have a “special” instructor working with him on the assignment.
If they can’t turn him around now, he’s probably out of the organization by the end of the season… or sooner. He is untradable, but will be picked up if the Dodgers waive him. It hurts to have three outfielders who have little or no value.
Samardzija is imploding. That’s a good thing.
Puig. Special instructor? Send Pederson with him.
Badger
I Saw that. The shark gave up
Four HRs. I hope all the Giant trolls, are enjoying this game. And I will enjoy it better, once the Giants get beat.
Happy Kershaw night everyone!
Back at you Scott!
Giants lost. Already a good day
Also on the last thread Badger mentioned how we have Jew and an Arab running things for us and getting along. While I’m all for peace and love, technically Farhan, despite being Muslim, isn’t Arab. He’s Pakistani, so south Asian.
But more importantly, why is JT batting 3rd again today ??
I originally said Middle Eastern because I wasn’t sure where he was from and was too lazy to Google it. His name sounds kind of Persian.
Haha ya. With Muslim names it’s not easy to tell where they from
Bobby Turner is making us eat our words.
Hopefully that extra batting practice helped Turner!
Bobby
I like Roberts but this is like a Mattingly move. Remember when the Dodgers won the game against the Cubs? Turner had a day off, and the line up was Utley, Cory, and Agone. That was the last time that the Dodger offense, was productive. It is insane that Turner is getting more at bats, then Agone, and the rest of the team. There are not a lot of options, but Thompson has been hitting pretty well.
Roberts said that he was playing Turner, because of his OBA. It isn’t really that high. Thompson has a higher batting average, and OBA then Turner has.
Colorado is going to be another tough team, for Urias to pitch against on Tuesday.
At least it’s at home
I agree Scott! I just was thinking about the Rockies hitters, because they are all pretty good.
I think Colorado is the second best offensive team this year, or maybe first, but one or the other.
MJ – this season, EVERY TEAM THE DODGERS PLAY — ARE TOUGH TEAMS FOR THE BOYS IN BLUE.
Roger
Really Colorado has a better offense then both the Mets, and the Cubs. It may because they are hitting in Colorado, but they have a lot of good hitters.
The Braves are making Kersaw work.
The Dodger players, need to make that Brave’s pitcher work!
… maybe that’s what JT needs to get him started!
According to USA Today there are 23 Cubans in MLB. Up from 7 in 2010. The story wants us to believe that Latin players don’t have enough support. No Latino managers. 25% of MLB is Latino. I think think this Latino sympathy is bs. Just play baseball. Do what you are told and stay out of trouble. Stay in your room. Get on the bus and play. Doesn’t seem too hard to me. The Dodgers still have a Fernando hangover. They think that the next Fernando is right around the corner. So they pick a gillion of them and hope to find a couple. They stink at it. The best Latino since Fernando was Beltre. That was a few years ago. Puig is done with this team. Urias has a little work to do before he is annointed. Our suits don’t have a clue when it comes to any Latin player especially Cubans who have been raised as prima donnas in a communist environment.
What? What would you call Manny Ramirez, Hanley Ramirez, Ramon and Pedro Martinez, Adrian Gonzalez, etc. etc.? The Dodgers have had lots of good Latino ballplayers.
I agree that the Dodgers haven’t been too good at selecting good Cuban ballplayers and have overspent on Cubans instead of hiring real major league ballplayers, but REALLY?
Zaidi may be from from Pakistan, but his name isn’t.
Zaidi Name Meaning Muslim: Arabic family name denoting someone descended from an ancestor called Zaid (‘increase’) or a follower of the Shiite imam Zaid al-Shahid. After the death of the fourth Shiite imam, Zaynul Abidin, DATE? a branch of the Shiites chose to follow Zaid as the next imam instead of his brother Muhammad al–Baqir. Zaidis are found mainly in Yemen.
Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press
3,101 Historical Documents with Zaidi on Ancestry
2,528 Birth, Marriage, and Deaths
120 Census and Voter Lists
128 Military Records
218 Immigration Records
107 Member Trees
107 family trees. Is that a lot?
Maybe Trump will deport him. Then you FAZophobes will at least halfway get your wish.
Trump wouldn’t deport him. He just wouldn’t let him back in, even if Zaidi took a trip to watch the Blue Jays!
The Dodgers are simply just a terrible hitting club
It’s FAZ’s fault.
Trump is gonna get his ass kicked. Then Mark is gonna punch him in his throat. Then Hillary will deport him. Trump, not Mark. Though……. you know……, as long as she is …… never mind.
Anyone else as nervous as me for 3 innings of bullpen??
Great at bat, again, by Trayce
And if Joc would just bunt once a game his average would skyrocket !
Very good
Finally saw the kind of offense everyone expected when Roberts was signed. Took advantage of a rare misplay by Enciarte, daring baserunning, the bunt, sac fly, single. A Royals rally. More, please.