Baseball for the Thinking Fan

Login | Register | Feedback

btf_logo
You are here > Home > Baseball Newsstand > Baseball Primer Newsblog > Discussion
Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Monday, July 21, 2008

Dodgers stun D-backs in ninth

PHOENIX—“Just get to their bullpen.”

In so many words, there wasn’t a Dodgers player after Sunday’s stunning 6-5 comeback win who didn’t reveal the most obvious of game plans for beating the Arizona Diamondbacks and pulling back into a first-place tie.

There was a whole lotta game to this game, but the Dodgers’ season may have pivoted on Matt Kemp’s eight-pitch at-bat ending with the game-tying double. Kemp, who popped up on Brandon Lyon’s first pitch the night before, fouled off fastballs and hung tough on a curve before mashing a rope to the LCF alley.

This story’s theme is correct, in that Arizona’s bullpen is now a weakness. I don’t know many AZ fans who truly believe in Lyon as a closer. The pick-up of Tony Clark was a nice complementary move, but the D-Backs aren’t doing anything with the addition of a quality arm.

Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 02:00 AM | 36 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
  Related News: ArizonaLA DodgersGame Recaps

Reader Comments and Retorts

Go to end of page

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

Page 1 of 1 pages
   1. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:13 AM (#2866129)
Speaking of bullpens, this was LA's for the series:
15 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 10 K.
Two wins, two saves, an ERA of 1.20 and a WHIP of 0.867.
   2. akrasian Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:33 AM (#2866140)
And all that without Saito.
   3. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:36 AM (#2866142)
Indeed. Broxton will be fine as a closer.
   4. ValueArb Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:39 AM (#2866144)
an ERA of 1.20 and a WHIP of 0.867.


Not as impressive when you realize who they were pitching against.

And how is picking up Tony Clark (2008 OPS vs. RHP .644) a nice "complementary" move when he started tonight against a right handed pitcher instead of Chad Tracy (2008 OPS vs. RHP .832)? Giving a manager with a fetish for veterans an opportunity play an aging, over the hill, "slugger" who hasn't hit since 2005 ahead of younger and better players?
   5. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:43 AM (#2866147)
When Clark is used as a pinch-hitter with pop and late-inning defensive specialist, yes.
As a starter... no.
   6. Boots Day Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:46 AM (#2866148)
The Dodgers now go to Denver for three games, with the Rockies just six back of both L.A. and Arizona. This race to 80 wins could be a lot of fun.
   7. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 03:47 AM (#2866150)
Not as impressive when you realize who they were pitching against.
Opponent-adjusted, it's still quite impressive.
Bitter, are you?
   8. Robert S. Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:02 AM (#2866163)
When Clark is used as a pinch-hitter with pop and late-inning defensive specialist, yes.
As a starter... no.

Reality is that the D-backs are going to give him regular starts because they think that it keeps him "fresh".
   9. ValueArb Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:03 AM (#2866164)
Opponent-adjusted, it's still quite impressive.


Yes, a 92 OPS+ offense in a two month long slump can be known to terrify the stoutest of bullpens.

From hells heart I stab at thee!!!!!

Bitter, are you?


No, not at all. What makes you say that?
   10. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:03 AM (#2866165)
Weakness, you say? Bah. You're saying guys like Leo Rosales (the return for Scott Hairston), Billy Buckner (the return for Alberto Callaspo) and Conor Robertson (the throw-in in the Haren trade) don't inspire confidence in you? Ye of little faith...

Anyhow, with Cruz and Slaten on the DL, Qualls hurt (and sucking), Pena and Lyon overworked, etc, the pen's been shot. Just what you want when you have the Cubs coming into town to face the crappy soft salad tossers in the back of your rotation...

Ironically, I believe every other reliever in the pen besides Lyon would've gotten 3 outs in the 9th today. Just a dumb job by Melvin to call in Lyon, and even dumber to leave him in even when it was obvious to everyone he just sucked today...

The Dbacks continue to lose games in the most imaginative ways.
This, of course, is a kind way of saying that they suck donkey balls.
At least they'll be pretty irrelevant in the NL west race very soon.
   11. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:11 AM (#2866166)
A snapshot of the Dbacks situation, from a post earlier today

The only month in which the Dbacks have had a winning record was April
They were terrible in May and June, and so far in July, they are 5-9
They've won only one series in July, @ WAS, probably the worst team in baseball
They've lost a series at home vs. SDP and now at home vs. LAD

The back of the rotation is ####
The bullpen is ####
The defense is ####
The offense is #### on the road, barely above #### at home

They just got abused by the Dodgers and dropped in a tie with them
They have their worst 3 starters and a shot pen to face the Cubs
And then they have a 10 game road trip @ SF (3), @ SD (3) and @ LA (4)
I honestly don't see them doing better than 4-9 or 5-8, if they're lucky

I can see them going home from LA with a 52-59 record, about 5 games behind the Dodgers
   12. akrasian Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:11 AM (#2866167)
At least they'll be pretty irrelevant in the NL west race very soon.

I doubt it. That hot start will keep them close for a while yet. And the Dodgers will undoubtedly find new and exciting ways to get injured.
   13. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:12 AM (#2866168)
Reality is that the D-backs are going to give him regular starts because they think that it keeps him "fresh".
If BoMel does that, he's an idiot.

At least they'll be pretty irrelevant in the NL west race very soon.
Nah, they'll be hanging around until the end. Despite the troubles with the offense and bullpen, no one else in the division can match Webb and Haren.
   14. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:14 AM (#2866169)
And the Dodgers will undoubtedly find new and exciting ways to get injured.
Or Colletti will pull the trigger on an unbelievably dumb trade.
I'm not looking forward to the Pierre-Jones-Kemp outfield, with Ethier dealt off for crap.
   15. Russlan will never be fond of Jason Bay Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:18 AM (#2866170)
At least they'll be pretty irrelevant in the NL west race very soon.

That's impossible. The rest of the division is too bad.
   16. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:19 AM (#2866171)
They have their worst 3 starters and a shot pen to face the Cubs.
And then they have a 10 game road trip @ SF (3), @ SD (3) and @ LA (4)

Dodgers have a fortuitous stretch coming: @ COL (3), then home for 10 games with WAS (3), SF (3) and the aforementioned D-Backs (4).
At worst, 6-7; best case, 10-3.
   17. akrasian Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:20 AM (#2866173)
I don't see Ethier being traded (though for the RIGHT piece, he should be - not that Ned recognizes the right piece). He was basically Colletti's first move, and a ringing endorsement of Colletti as he fights to save his job.

For what it's worth, since the ASG Jones has been better. Not good, not worthwhile, small sample, but it almost looks like he's making an effort to change offensively.
   18. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:21 AM (#2866175)
Not good, not worthwhile, small sample, but it almost looks like he's making an effort to change offensively.
I'm not seeing it - still letting hittable pitches go by.
   19. Robert S. Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:28 AM (#2866181)
If BoMel does that, he's an idiot.

It's not gasoline's fault if it catches fire when you throw a lit match into it. BoMel was extended by this FO and Tony Clark was acquired by this FO. I see no reason to believe that they don't firmly support the way BoMel runs the team on the field.
Or Colletti will pull the trigger on an unbelievably dumb trade.
I'm not looking forward to the Pierre-Jones-Kemp outfield, with Ethier dealt off for crap.

Colletti didn't give Ethier or Kemp away to the first team that picked up the phone after he signed Andruw. Josh Byrnes probably has a tentative deal to trade Upton for Fuentes already in place.
   20. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:28 AM (#2866182)
If BoMel does that, he's an idiot.
Every village needs one.
Despite the troubles with the offense and bullpen, no one else in the division can match Webb and Haren.
What does it matter? The pen's been crap in their starts, and the offense is hardly ever scoring any runs. Unless they turn into Babe Ruths with the bat as well, it won't matter how good they are. The Valverde trade is turning into another unmitigated disaster...
That's impossible. The rest of the division is too bad.
Really? I can see them playing distant third fiddle to the Dodgers and Rockies by the middle of August.
   21. akrasian Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:29 AM (#2866183)
I'm not seeing it - still letting hittable pitches go by.

It's all relative. He looked like he was succing less in this series than he has all season. As I said, still not worthwhile - but he maybe making an effort to change.

I'd much rather he did it in the minors, of course. The Dodgers could promote Repko, for instance - not a major league hitter, but a better fielder than Jones at this stage, AND a better hitter. Not going to happen, unfortunately.
   22. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:32 AM (#2866184)
The Valverde trade is turning into another unmitigated disaster...
The return for Jose was used in the Haren deal, right?
   23. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:34 AM (#2866185)
And the Dodgers will undoubtedly find new and exciting ways to get injured.
That arguably is AZ's best hope. Even though it's more likely that we'll see another run by the Rockies (as Jesus indeed loves them more than we will know)...
   24. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:35 AM (#2866186)
The return for Jose was used in the Haren deal, right?
I wish. I'd gladly drive Chris Burke to Oakland...
   25. NTNgod Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:36 AM (#2866187)
The return for Jose was used in the Haren deal, right?

No. They got Qualls, Burke, and Juan Gutierrez.
   26. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:38 AM (#2866188)
No. They got Qualls, Burke, and Juan Gutierrez.
Oh. Yikes, that's not good.
(BB-Ref doesn't have transactions from last off-season posted yet. Get on it, Forman!)
   27. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:39 AM (#2866189)
See, the Dbacks' official line is they had to trade Valverde to free up cash for Haren's salary
Never mind they blew all of their discretionary cash on a $30m extension for the team's gimp
   28. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L) Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:41 AM (#2866190)
Oh. Yikes, that's not good.
Yup. When Ed Wade parts with a pair of crappy relievers AND throws in the heir apparent to Biggio to lead the way, you know you got taken to the cleaners. Sadly, I liked this trade at the time, mostly because I thought Qualls would fill in ably for Valverde. Little did I know the guy's a headcase and chokes like a dog under pressure
   29. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: July 21, 2008 at 04:42 AM (#2866191)
I won't even bother with my customary "He sells merchandise!" jab at Moorad.
But that deal offends almost as much as anything Colletti has done. Ned made (bad) deals while trying to make the team better; Moorad offered that extension as a marketing move.
   30. shoewizard Posted: July 21, 2008 at 05:28 AM (#2866205)
I got nothun
   31. We don't have dahlians at the Palace of Wisdom Posted: July 21, 2008 at 05:45 AM (#2866209)
Is Levski manic depressive?
   32. Justin T contains indigenous nudity Posted: July 21, 2008 at 05:53 AM (#2866210)
Just retarded.
   33. ValueArb Posted: July 21, 2008 at 06:08 AM (#2866213)

No. They got Qualls, Burke, and Juan Gutierrez.


That's absolutely not true. We also saved $5M we needed to fit Captain Spazz's (floppy haired hero of baseball idiots everywhere) new contract in our limited payroll.
   34. Gern Blanston Posted: July 21, 2008 at 07:01 AM (#2866218)
At least they'll be pretty irrelevant in the NL west race very soon.

Un-possible, however hard they might try to make it so.

Well, unless you're the Padres. Seriously--how bad do you have to be to play .370 ball in this division?
   35. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: July 21, 2008 at 08:16 AM (#2866230)
I'm starting to think the Rockies will win it again.
   36. Jolly Old St. Neck Wound, Moral Idiot Posted: July 21, 2008 at 08:52 AM (#2866237)
I'm starting to think the Rockies will win it again.

This wouldn't have happened if Hurdle hadn't made Webb throw 300 pitches in the bullpen during the All-Star game, with a knowing wink from Selig.
Page 1 of 1 pages

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

 

 

<< Back to main

Support BBTF

donate

Thanks to
robneyer
for his generous support.

Bookmarks

You must be logged in to view your Bookmarks.

Hot Topics

NewsblogNY Daily News: Brian Cashman's accused stalker says Yankees GM misled feds on steroid probe
(51 - 7:30am, Feb 10)
Last: ray james

NewsblogSources: Cubs’ Starlin Castro Accused Of Sexual Assault
(5847 - 7:22am, Feb 10)
Last: Lassus:

NewsblogFangraphs: Cameron: The 10 Worst Transactions Of The Winter
(87 - 6:59am, Feb 10)
Last: LionoftheSenate (is roaring!)

NewsblogOrioles Scouts Banned from Korea
(7 - 6:30am, Feb 10)
Last: Swedish Chef

NewsblogMONEYBALL~ Oscar Nominations 2012: Academy Award Nominees List ~ MONEYBALL
(595 - 6:22am, Feb 10)
Last: Quiet Flows the Don Taussig Avenger (Edmundo)

NewsblogKnobler: Stay away from steroids -- but vote how you want
(20 - 6:11am, Feb 10)
Last: Athletic Supporter leads the nation in drifters

NewsblogRosenthal: Swapping Figgins for Ichiro at leadoff could revive Mariners' offense
(1 - 6:02am, Feb 10)
Last: A One-Shoed Craig K

NewsblogJeff Sullivan: The Worst Team Ever Projected?
(51 - 5:57am, Feb 10)
Last: Sam Hutcheson is the 'saur with the rainbow roar

NewsblogPrimer Dugout (and link of the day) 2-10-2012
(4 - 5:37am, Feb 10)
Last: Not The Real Fausto Carmona (Dan Lee)

NewsblogWhatever Happened to the Spitball?
(19 - 4:19am, Feb 10)
Last: toratoratora

Transaction Oracle2012 ZiPS Projections - Texas Rangers
(19 - 3:53am, Feb 10)
Last: Jebuddhallah

NewsblogGrantland/Bill James: An Open Letter to the Hall of Fame About Dwight Evans
(26 - 2:04am, Feb 10)
Last: DanG

NewsblogL.A. Times: 11 bidders remain in running to buy Dodgers
(7 - 1:56am, Feb 10)
Last: Joe Kehoskie

NewsblogNYT: Alderson Remakes Needy Mets From Bottom Line Up
(41 - 1:37am, Feb 10)
Last: PreservedFish

Newsblog'Duk: Tim Lincecum slims down with swim routine, loses appetite for McDonald’s
(282 - 12:44am, Feb 10)
Last: MM1f

Buy MLB playoff tickets, plus 2011 World Series, 2011 ALCS tickets and NLCS game tickets. We also have Texas Rangers playoff schedule, tickets to Red Sox games and Yankees game tickets. Plus, buy Phillies baseball tickets, Tigers playoff tickets and the biggies like ALDS baseball tickets and 2011 NLDS tickets.

Demarini, Easton and TPX Baseball Bats

 

 

 

AllianceTickets.com has cheap MLB Tickets. Get all your Colorado Rockies Tickets, Seattle Mariners Tickets, San Francisco Giants Tickets and all your favorite baseball tickets here. We also carry cheap Denver Broncos Tickets, Seattle Seahawks Tickets and Denver Nuggets Tickets.

Page rendered in 0.5894 seconds
40 querie(s) executed