The Dodgers are on the verge of being swept by the lowly Padres and only rookie phenom Julio Urias stands in the way from keeping the club from suffering such an embarrassment. These final few games may seem meaningless after the club clinched the NL West title, but they are still playing for home field advantage in the NLDS against Washington. Right now the Dodgers are 2 games back with 4 left to play. The National’s magic number to clinch NLDS home field is now 3. It seems very likely that the Dodgers will have to start the NLDS in Washington.
Youngster Urias will get the call tonight as the Dodgers will play their final game of the year in San Diego. They have still won the season series but it is mystifying to me as to why they have so much trouble beating a terrible team like the Padres.
Dodgers Lineup @ San Diego
(Do not even look at the lineup tonight. It reeks of all-righty-ness. Yuck)
Today's Dodger lineup:
Dodgers:
Kendrick 1B
Culberson SS
Turner 3B
Puig RF
Ruiz C
Hernandez 2B
Segedin LF
Pederson CF
Urias P— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 29, 2016
Julio Urias-5-2 vs. Christian Friedrich-5-11
Game Time – 6:10 PM – TV – SNLA
Urias is 5-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 14 starts and 17 appearances. Urias has whiffed 79 and walked 29 over 74 innings pitched. Urias has struck out 9.6 per nine and has posted a 1.4 WHIP. Urias has faced the Padres once this season back on September 2. He allowed two earned runs on three hits over 5.1 innings pitched and was not involved in the decision. Urias has been pitching out of the bullpen for the past couple of weeks and I am unsure as to what his pitch count will be this evening. Whatever that may be it would be nice to see the Dodgers win and not get swept.
Urias vs. Padres
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Alex Dickerson | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .667 | .000 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Wil Myers | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Luis Sardinas | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yangervis Solarte | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Travis Jankowski | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Derek Norris | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Richard | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adam Rosales | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .188 | .350 | .188 | .538 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
The Padres will give the ball to left hander Christian Friedrich. The 29-year old Evansville native has a 5-11 record and a 4.66 ERA in 22 starts for the Padres this season. Over 123.2 innings pitched he has struck out 97 and walked 51 while posting a 1.4 WHIP. Friedrich has allowed 9.7 hits per nine and has more hits allowed than innings pitched, which is a sure sign of bad pitching.
The Dodgers have seen him many times just this season alone. This is his fourth start against the Dodgers in 2016 and he is 0-1 with two no-decisions. Friedrich is 0-1 with a 7.32 ERA in 13 career appearances against the Dodgers. He has struggled against right hander in his career, allowing a .298 average and .833 OPS against.
The Dodgers have knocked Friedrich around. Howie Kendrick and Adrian Gonzalez are both hitting over .400 and Yasmani Grandal is 5 for 7.
Friedrich vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Howie Kendrick | 14 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .429 | .429 | .500 | .929 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 12 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .417 | .417 | .667 | 1.083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 11 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | .167 | .545 | .167 | .712 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 8 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .714 | .750 | 1.286 | 2.036 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Utley | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .125 | .125 | .125 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .333 | .429 | .500 | .929 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .400 | .571 | 1.000 | 1.571 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Andre Ethier | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .200 | .167 | .200 | .367 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlie Culberson | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 | 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 |
| Corey Seager | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .400 | .400 | .600 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carlos Ruiz | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .750 | .750 | 1.250 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Austin Barnes | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jose De Leon | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott Kazmir | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenta Maeda | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Reddick | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 102 | 90 | 32 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 22 | .356 | .416 | .556 | .971 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Dodgers have released right hander Bud Norris who was designated to clear roster room for Alex Wood
Dodgers released pitcher Bud Norris.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) September 28, 2016
That’s about it for now. After the game the Dodgers will travel to the lion’s den in San Francisco to face the deflated and defeated Giants in the final three games of the regular season. Hopefully Vin Scully will be able to call the Dodgers knocking the Giants out of the playoffs. Revenge would be a dish best served cold my friends.
Go Blue!
I think SD has been playing better after they started unloading some of their opening day players. At least it seems that way. Good for them.
The Nats won today, so as of now we’re 2.5 behind them, with 2 in the loss column. Our chances of getting home field in round 1 are dwindling. This weekend they get Miami in DC for 3 games, while we’re in SF for 3.
I don’t mind starting the series in DC. I think with 2 vets, Kersh and Hill, going in DC, we’ll be ok.
Geez where the hell is everyone?
Scott,
Here’s what you have to realize: For a large portion of this season, most of the posts here were negative posts bashing FAZ. Most of those people have left with their tails between their rear legs save Tim and Chili who are both stand-up guys. Now, the current residents are just treading water.
I hope most of you heard the interview with Andrew Friedman on the game tonight. If you did, you can’t help but like the guy.
Nomar: “What made you think that Andrew Toles could help the Dodgers this year when you signed him.”
Friedman: “I didn’t think he could help this year.” [laughing]
Then he proceeded to give the credit for signing him to Gabe Kapler.
He’s just a genuine guy. It was quite an interview!
The way he talks Urias could be on the playoff roster. That’s good.
All opinions are welcome here. Everyone needs to come come back. We’re a community!
Yes! We are a Dodger community and ALL opinions are welcome. Cool.
So much for going in to the play offs hot. Pray for luck.
Never mind. They’re OK
Since 1958
That doesn’t sound like you.
I’m glad it got better!
Nice start for Urias. I think he’s got the game 4 start locked up
Urias pitching well so far. I can’t see him unfortunately but one hit through 3 innings. I can see a rotation of K, Hill, Maeda and Julio.
The final chapter on McCarthy and Anderson has yet to be written. They both have a shot at that spot. We will see…
Here’s what excites me: Julio Urias in 2017!
Don’t push it Mark.
I always push it.
You might as well tell the sky not to rain. 😉
McCarthy maybe. Urias only went three innings. I would think the Dodgers would want an arm without the obvious pitch limit who can go a little longer.
Ok Bum I will give credit to Joc tonight! !!
Yeah!!!!
You’re good that way MJ.
Bum
Joc had a even better night, and he didn’t hit a HR.
That is when he is at his best, and you know I have wanted the regular team to play against lefties.
I don’t want Reddick to play against lefties.
Puig should play more too.
But Joc’s hair has to go!
MJ, Joc’s “hair” is stupid looking. He should shave his head and start all over again. I might be sounding a little like my Dad.
What’s up with Joc getting hits off lefties!! Growth baby
Bobby
All that was, was patience.
That is why I get so mad at Joc, because he can do better.
Bobby
Did you see how the Cardinals won tonight?
If the Giants continue to lose tonight, they are going to be pissed.
If they can lose tonight, they’ll be tied with StL with 3 to go. Makes our series that much more fun!
Bobby
Way to much fun if that happens!
Do you remember what Pagan did when the Giants eliminated us in 2012?
Wasn’t it the throat slit gesture???
What goes around comes around. Karma is karma.
It’s starting to become apparent that I was wrong about Joc Pederson. If he can grow this much next year… YIKES!
… but I wasn’t wrong about Zach Lee! 😉
Caveat: I am sad about that. He was/is a good kid. He just can’t pitch.
Artieboy
Exactly he motioned that they had just cut the Dodgers throat, and eliminated them.
I have never forgot about that.
I think the story for Anderson has been written. The story for McCarhy has not been written. Urias is the 4th. starter. The announcers certainly like Puig. Pederson certainly does look better tonight and has grown this season. Can you imagine Toles, Pederson, and Puig in the outfield next year with Thompson the sub.
I did listen to the interview. I liked what he said about Maeda. He had nothing but praise for everyone.
Hello Dodger Fans:
Ok I’ll bite on participating; I see good and bad from the present FO. I actually like the future, and this team appears to be playing very well right now, but they do have some glaring weaknesses. – will those be exploited, or will they overcome? I hope the latter, but the confidence level is not high……
Winning the division (a marathon), and finding success in the playoffs are two different things where weaknesses are exposed.
Are the Dodgers set to win in the playoffs, that is the question. They have been exposed in years past and have they addressed their needs, their holes?
Bullpen; yes, in spades
Inability to hit LH pitching; not so much. And if not, why isn’t Puig playing more to help that situation, despite his other issues. Best OF defender on the team and one of the few RH hitters.
Starting pitching; 1. CK has improved with every start since returning, 2. The blister boy looks great, but can he keep it going? He seems fragile. 3. Madea seems to be good if he gets enough rest between starts – does that happen in the playoffs? 4. 4th starter; who is that? There is no more revolving door between OKC and the Dodgers in the playoffs.
The Dodgers get Washington in round one and have a good record against them, what about Chicago?
The biggest hole seems to be the lack of hitting against LH pitching. We shall see if that changes or stays the same because teams will try to expose the weakness.
FAZ has done a good job with this team to win their 4th divisional title, but are they set up to succeed in the playoffs?
Uncertainty reigns, seems like they are short a few pieces but I hope for something extraordinary.
Bruce
Everything that you have said is true, but this team does have a different feel to it this year, under Roberts.
And most Dodger fans do keep themselves honest, and try not to get over excited, until it is done.
If they attack lefties, like they did against Moore they will be ok.
They had a team plan to hit the other way, and that did work.
Sometimes some of our players, over swing and try to end the game faster, but when they play as a team offensively, they do do a lot more.