The Dodgers have announced that Walker Buehler will get the start in tonight’s crucial Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. Buehler will take the ball in place of Max Scherzer, who was initially slated to start but was scratched yesterday.
Buehler didn’t look sharp in Game 3 against the Braves, allowing two earned runs (and four runs total) on six hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. He’ll now take the ball again on only three days’ rest, working on short rest for just the second time in his career, and the second time this postseason. Los Angeles deployed Buehler for both Games 1 and 4 of the NLDS, and also on three days’ rest, Buehler held the Giants to one earned run over 4 1/3 innings of work.
Since this is the only instance of Buehler pitching on short rest, it is hard to say whether or not his shaky performance in Game 3 (which came a week after Game 4 of the NLDS) was due to after-effects from having only three days to recover and prepare between starts. Surely the Dodgers would have felt much more comfortable having Buehler fully rested for a potential Game 7, though given how the Dodgers have more or less used an “all hands on deck” philosophy with their postseason pitching mix, it wouldn’t have been shocking if Buehler had been used to record some key outs in relief of Scherzer in Game 6.
That possible scenario didn’t come to pass, however, as Scherzer continues to be bothered by the “dead arm” that plagued him in his Game 2 start against the Braves. Scherzer was pitching for the third time in six days in that outing, after he had thrown 110 pitches in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Giants, then came into Game 5 as a closer to seal the series with a scoreless ninth inning. Returning to the mound three days later against Atlanta, Scherzer threw 79 pitches in 4 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on a walk and four hits (though with seven strikeouts).
In the big picture, Buehler is type of ace a team would love to have on the mound for a possible elimination game, except for the X-factor of how the short rest could impact his work. It remains to be seen exactly how long of a leash Buehler will receive from manager Dave Roberts, as while Buehler is an ace, the Dodgers don’t have any margin for error being down 3-2 in the series. Pulling Buehler after, for example, another 3 2/3 innings will leave a lot of outs for the Dodgers bullpen to cover, especially since Joe Kelly has already been removed from the NLCS roster due to injury, and Justin Bruihl’s availability may also be in question due to arm soreness.
Using Buehler tonight also raises the question of how the Dodgers will handle the pitching in a potential Game 7, though obviously L.A. just wants to win tonight before worrying about tomorrow’s issues. Julio Urias (Game 4’s starter after pitching in relief in Game 2) would also be working on short rest if he pitched in Game 7, though since the Dodgers have already had two bullpen games in this series, normal starter/reliever roles would quite likely be thrown out the window in a Game 7 scenario. It also isn’t known if Scherzer will be available for any action at all, even a one-inning appearance.
RIP, he will be missed
This series is far from over. The Dodgers are still very much in it. Ian Anderson was not very good his last start despite pitching at home. If Buehler wins tonight the Dodgers have a real shot at taking game 7. It would be a heartbreaker for the Braves to start the NLCS 2-0 and 3-1 against the Dodgers for a 2nd year in a row and still lose both times. If Sherzer can come back the Dodgers would even possibly be favored in the World Series. That would be a huge turnaround for a team that was 1 loss away from elimination with 3 games remaining. The Braves last loss was huge. It was probably their best chance with Fried on the mound and the Dodgers throwing another bullpen game. I know Sherzer isn’t pitching tonight but I haven’t heard any real confirmation yet that he won’t be available for game 7. The fact that the Dodgers are starting Buehler on short rest tonight shows me they are still hopeful Sherzer can start game 7. Otherwise their best chance would have been throwing a bullpen game against Anderson and using Buehler on regular rest against Morton. The only better option is pitching both Buehler and Sherzer. Beating Buehler with Anderson on the mound will be tough. If they don’t pull it off having to face Buehler and Sherzer back to back could end up losing it for them. The Braves still have to be favored but the Dodgers winning back to back games wouldn’t surprise anyone.
Not going to happen. The Braves haven’t lost back to back games in a month(not counting the continued game vs the Padres. Ian’s last start wasn’t great but normally at home he gets the job done. Buehler not only got hit in game 3, he didn’t have great command either. Now he has to come back on short rest. These are games in the past that the Braves didn’t come through, but this is definitely a different Braves team. Too many solid bats to go quite at same time. Braves win by 3+ tonight. Close it out baby!!
Cle D, I hope the Braves’ team is as over-confident as you are.
Well they are now. Riding high into the world series.
I actually think the opposite. Game 5 was the easiest of the next 3 for LAD.
If they’re going to do it, it’s only going to get progressively harder.
Game 5 they were at home in a bullpen game. And normally you’d say bullpen game would be a disadvantage, but look at what’s held the Braves down most this series. It’s been LAD’s bullpen.
Now you turn to Buehler on short rest on the road. Fried may have been the best pitcher, true, but all 3 of Fried, Anderson, and Morton have been red hot.
The Braves also feed off their home crowd. This is a team that hasn’t lost at home in the playoffs yet. And you’re asking to go in and win back to back elimination games against two red hot staring pitchers. The fact you had some first inning success against Anderson last time doesn’t mean you’ll get it again. And if he gets past the first inning, he settles in and you’re in trouble. So you’re hanging your hat on one good inning against him hoping you repeat that.
And maybe you will. But Game 6 will be more difficult than Game 5. And if necessary Game 7 will be even more challenging for LAD
No you are not dead yet. But don’t confuse this with last year.
The Dodgers are all out of sorts. Scherzer has a dead arm, Buehler on short rest, Joe Kelly out, Turner out, Muncy out, Kershaw out, Urias looks overworked, Lux looks uncomfortable in CF now in an unfamiliar park making it even worse and now compound it with being back on the road.
Lol at thinking Game 5 was the most difficult of the next 3 you need to win. That’s nothing but optimism talking, not reality.
MJ – Nice post. Not to mention the fact that Buehler has also been less than average since early September. Does not bode too well for LA
Of course, Fried and Anderson were hot last year in the playoffs…until they weren’t.
I do agree the that the Braves will probably win tonight, but if they don’t, they’re not going to win tomorrow night no matter who the Dodgers start. The pressure to not choke will just be too great.
Braves in 6 or Dodgers in 7.
If you take out the bad times, everyone is always good!
Except the Mets
@MJ: I like what you said. 2 sides to every coin. I’m not. Dodgers fan and I’m hoping they lose because I hate seeing the same teams win it over and over. Great point about home field advantage. In game 5 I was just thinking about Fred vs. a bullpen game. The Braves did beat a Dodgers bullpen game twice already this series. Fried has also been arguably the best pitcher of the 2nd half with an ERA in the 1.00’s. Home field advantage is huge though. Also, since the Astros have locked it up already, if the Braves make it to the WS there pitching might be in the same situation as the Dodgers. Using Fried, Anderson and possibly Morton all in a row while the Astros rotation has basically been resting would not be the ideal situation. Let’s hope the Braves can lock it up tonight so Morton can start game 1 on good rest. I hated that swing in the dirt by Freeman to hit into a double play. That cost the Braves a run. That ball was almost in the dirt and these games really matter. I can see that crap from Albies every once in awhile but Freeman is the one guy that knows better. He might have thought he could hit it but he definitely knew he could take it for a ball.
@missedwar. You had me fooled. I figured you were a new user name for a poster with the same style who went by bravesfan something. I have seen him comment for along time.
*have not…
I’m still kind of not watching baseball. But I caught that kid Maztek blow the Dodgers away with none down & runners on 2nd & 3rd.
That was awesome.
Your club is going to the series, @McGriff.
Do us all a favor & win it, man.
@ducky. Thanks man. I’ve been waiting 22 years for another chance for the Braves to win the World Series. It would’ve been nice to see another Braves/Yankees series. On a side note this must really irritate Manfred. Looks like the city of Atlanta will get the lost millions in revenue back after all!
LFG @FredMCGriff for the HOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sign the man Eddie Rosario. It’s out of here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@McGriff (this is the only time I am going to refer to you as McGriff. From here on out I prefer to call you CrimeDog.) I think I read you say that before. I have never had the name “bravesfan” or even the words “Braves” or “fan” in my screen name. Very simple misconception but I just wanted to clarify that whoever you thought I was is a totally different person. Side note: Braves are going back to the World Series for the first time this millennium! I’m assuming that the Astros cheating scandal has most non-Astros fans rooting for the Braves to win it all. Especially since the Astros won it just a few years ago. Let’s hope the Braves win the World Series for the first time in over a quarter century!
Which McGriff are you talking to @ The Mets Missed War.
Happy for you guys, man.
For whatever reason, the Braves guys never held being a Yankee fan (& a Yankee in general?) against me. I do want to point out that I had the Braves out of the NL since spring. Unfortunately, I also had the Yanks out of the AL. (Had Yanks in 5. So.)
I’d rather it had turned out the other way.
But if not us, I’m good with you guys.
Also: if that is the real Fred McGriff I want to point out that he & I have combined for 493 jacks in the bigs.
No its over.
Yeah. I guess I spoke too soon. It was pretty much over.
It’s over
FAR FROM OVER. California (and NY) will continue to haunt the USA and democracy for ever!!! LOSERS.
FOX Sports will spend the entire Sunday crying on air, Surely, there must be a way to REMOVE CALIFORNIA FROM THE USA union.
Thoughts and prayers
Do you guys really want someone like Buehler (who always comes up short in big games. To pitch in a win or go home? Lol ok
Wtf
Thumbs down.
I wish we’d have more experience seeing deGrom in that scenario, rather than always just going home. It’s just not fair.
It’s tough for any Met to come up short in big games when they aren’t in any.
Their playoff mWar is huge.
In the annual “Mwar Games” the Mets are a contender. Probably.
Now this is a nice burn
If deGrom cannot stay healthy for a regular season, the postseason would be even more stress on his body. Trade DeGrom to the Dodgers and they can let him rest until Labor Day. Obviously, when he is healthy DeGrom is the most dominant player in baseball.
Yea, but lindor also sucks. Maybe he should focus on his swing instead of his smile?
FPG: He did take time away from his smile to work on his thumbs down approach to fandom. There is that too….. $300m for an idiot influenced by another idiot, booing the very people who come to support you………lol, Mets.
Bitter, talentless and poor much?
The Yankees fan poor?
You’re literally bald
London does not suck, he is solid. But Lindor is getting paid almost double what he is worth.
He’s 3-2 with a 2.62 era lifetime in the postseason.
See, it proves Metsie’s point…Buehler’s just one game above .500 in crucial games! (Sorry, sarcasm is a character flaw I’m trying to work on.)
He actually comes up big in the big games. You need to do better research.
Buehler has been huge in postseason, only haters would say otherwise. But, I will say that he has been fatigued since early September. It would have been nice to give him a couple weeks off, but chasing the division title but the kabosh to that. Hopefully his adrenaline can get him through 5 tonight. But we need the bats to help!
He wasn’t HUGE tonight. Season over
As a fellow Mets fan, you make use look incompetent. For anyone else reading this, please don’t limp is all together, this guy is 1 of 1
@joeyrocafella That’s exactly the point. He’s not a Mets fan. Everyone falls for his troll act, even me.
*us
We have one of those too. At least yours doesn’t change his user name every other day
Possibly the same person.
MetsFan22 remind me again how your playoff season is working for you? What time is the Mets game on tonight?
Michael Conforto is 1 gazillion times better than Mike Trout!!!!!!!!!’nn
Clown comment bro
Buehler is the best chance in my opinion to push towards a game 7. I don’t think the bullpen can handle another full bullpen game. If your the dodgers your hoping for 4-5 innings and that he can keep it close so your offense can take over.
If you can win tonight worry about game 7 when it is official
Imagine being a Mets fan rooting for the Braves. Did we break you that bad?
1 run in 13 World Series innings. lmao
Whoa. Three days rest?
Let’s go Braves Country!!!!!! Take care of business tonight!!!!!!! Chop on!
If the Dodgers force a game seven, what are the chances that Max “guys it out” and starts Sunday night??
*guts it out.
That’s one of the great things about Max…he always wants to be “the guy.” Give him the ball and he’ll carry the team on his back if he has to. If he can throw, he’ll give whatever he’s got.
He’s not the guy any more. Bueller just moved into that spot. He’s the ace now.
I don’t disagree, but you’re penciling in Buehler for back-to-back starts since we were talking about Sunday’s starter?
Max Muncy or Max Scherzer? They’re both in the shelf with the NL pennant on the line. Bob Gibson might be rolling over in his grave.
He could do just that today, why wait until tomorrow ?
Ctyank7; max is a warrior but you go to believe that he is really hurting to be talking about dead arm etc. I don’t think if your the dodgers you can let him attempt to pitch that soon
I think of there is a game 7 the dodgers will start Urias and than everyone would be available.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery
You are not Fever Pitch Guy. At least his act was original.
Good job dodgers 300 million payroll n don’t have a pitcher for the biggest game of the year
Injuries happen.
They’ve lost Bauer, Kershaw, May this season. That’s 60% of their opening day rotation. Tried Getting Duffy and Hamels, didn’t work out and obtained Scherzer but him arm is dead. What more could they have done?
Scherzer did not pitch a “perfect inning” in game 5 of NLDS. Runner was on first base after an error.
Good catch, it has been corrected!
Sounds like the dodgers really need a big game from walker. It could set them up nicely to comeback. That said, 2nd time this post season that walker would be on short rest & the braves have a much more rested pen at this point. If I was a dodgers fan, i’d place a 50$ bet on the braves (potentially next two games if necessary). Either way, you could win $ or have the satisfaction of another pennant.
Is that like disappointment insurance?
This is what being a loser is, planning for disappointment
Damn, @McCourt.
It was a pretty good baseball comment. & I am sure he was not being serious. Look. We all know the Dodgers are on the ropes & all the Dodgers guys are continuing to be…dunno…”mad” I guess.
Just take it down a notch, bro.
This is a baseball blog. Not one of your mock trial classes or whatever.
And this is where the Braves choke it away and make Buehler look like cy young.
You mad
Some choke!
@ham77 This comment aged well.
Eddie the man Rosario says hi.
It’s outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOME RUN……..3 runs score.
And this is where all of the arrogant dunces who publicly make reckless bold predictions come across as the silly morons that they truly are.
Cashman picked Kaprielian over Buehler in 2015 draft. Cashman did take Whitlock in that draft class, but failed to protect him from Rule V. Instead he kept Kriskie and Abreu on the 40-man roster. At least he got rid of a few minor coaches, so that will make a big difference. :/
Buehler was going to have TJ and lots of teams passed on him.
& Kaprielian was part of the trade for Gray.
Not sure of the relevancy there.
Also: Whitlock was coming off TJS. I am not too impressed with Kriske. But I can see Abreu turning into the next multi-inning power righty. I know it was fashionable just this time last year to be down on Loaisiga. & look at how well he threw. Abreu has Big Stuff & came up as a starter. Decent chance he’s the next Green or Loaisiga.
Yanks kept Kriske because of health. Backfired. But far from an indefensible decision. & you can do the “could have picked” thing with 90+% of every single team’s draft picks ever.
Ducky, have you looked at Luis Medina? If he can develop more control, he’s going to be a force. 102mph FB and 70/70 rating on his hook. He projected at a 40/70 control –
Oh, yeah.
I’m familiar with Medina ever since the old @RAB. Chapman went through a spectacular summer meltdown & Green gave up a bunch of jacks (though he was really overused), but our pen is in excellent shape for ’22.
I had no real “concerns” in the rotation before we found out Taillon will not be available opening day. So I think Cash needs to do a little something there. ~ 100 competent starter innings & pitching is fine. (You know I’d love to add that co-ace. But it’s not high on my priority list).
What do you think about Dodgers starting Beuhler? I like it. He’s young & an excellent pitcher. I say ride him if you can.
@bright @ducky. Kriske is now a member of the Orioles.
google.com/amp/s/amp.desertsun.com/amp/5785496001
How quickly we moved on from the memory, @McGriff.
Buehler did not look great in his last start but he was Cy Young caliber most of the season. If he is tired, Robert will yank him quick. Either way, neither team is pitching a shutout tonight.
does whitlock hit .300 with gold glove defense at shortstop? that’s the only way he would have made a difference for the yankees this year
He’s a stud. At least he’s answering the call. Braves should win it though
“He always answers the call”
What the H3ll does that even mean? Name me a player that doesnr answer the call?
Max didn’t.
Pitch Buhler back to back and see if he answers the call.
Ben Simmons and Kyrie Irving come to mind
@ Fever pitch guys: wtf does “RIP He will be missed.” Mean on a page about a guy starting a game?
Name me a player to be missed.
He was probably talking about Max Scherzer, since he’s not starting, he will be missed.
He’s been making a habit of repeating the same bad joke over and over again, I wouldn’t worry too much about what it means
Stroman in 2020
Burnes didn’t
David Price – ever
The desperation is real
In Bauer we trust. Too bad that money wasn’t given to another arm. Haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere but this a one of the reasons the starting staff is short arms. The Bauer effect continues. Ask the 16 Indians.
You can say something similar about the Ozuna effect. Interesting both teams have high-priced free agent signings over the offseason that are restricted in legal cases. I’ve seen some say that Bauer was replaced by Scherzer, Ozuna (& Acuña) eventually replaced by anyone of Pederson, Rosario, Soler, Duvall combo. AA took the Dr. Frankenstein approach of piecing together multiple options (Rosario was injured at the time of his trade, slowly rehabbed at AAA until ready).
They wouldn’t have signed Scherzer if Bauer was still pitching (baseballs I mean).
Idk the dodgers are the team that with the top rotation would get more just to stop another team from having Max
That’s a fallacy. LA got Max and Trea as much to keep them from SD or SF as it was because of Bauer
CK was the big pitching mid season injury in LA. If anything actually tipped the scales, that was the final piece. Not Bauer being dumb
It’s a sound argument not a fallacy. Either way, the LA brass went out of their way to reject the notion (quite publicly) that they picked him up so other teams wouldn’t. I guess u feel they were being disingenuous.
CK injury was after trade deadline so bit of a nonsensical reach to suggest he influenced the signing.
Dodgers pitching staff is gassed. If they are going to win, its got to be with their bats – stay hot, boys.
Agree with the bats comment. Losing their most outstanding offensive player of the year (Muncy) on the final day of the season really hurt. They did not have time to go out and get another player. Then, Turner fell apart. Been tough sledding. Hopefully Seager and Will Smith get hot
Really both Turners took a hiatus
they really miss muncy. completely changes the line-up and lowers opposing pitch counts. IMO the most under-appreciated large market player
Under-appreciated by whom?
When did Ben Stein get the managing job?
Who wants to pitch today? Anyone?
Scared managing. Should have just went Gonsolin-Urias in games 1 and 2
Have confidence in all your guys. They can get it done.
Gonsolin has been terrible in the playoffs two years in a row. At this point he cannot be relied upon. This year he’s lacked command. Throws a lot of pitches. Nibbles and walks a lot of batters. When he doesn’t nibble he gets hit hard. Sometimes manages to get out of high traffic situations but he’s not a good option. Same for Price. Can’t believe I’m saying this but at this point Evan Phillips is a better option than Gonsolin or Price.
When you manage with fear you get killed. And that’s what the Dodgers do when they hit the playoffs
May had 2 meaningless appearances in the 2019 NLDS. That’s a travesty
Using Scherzer in the 9th vs the Giants threw off the whole series. And then they botched Urias’ handling. Now they’re gonna mess Buehler up.
Meanwhile they’re not even using Treinen and Graterol
I’m sorry did Graterol and Treinen not pitch 2 innings each last game? Ahhh wait, Orioles fan. NM.
Yeah, using Treinen for 2 innings with a 6-2 lead in the 6th and 7th is scared managing. Then using him in the 7th with a 4-2 lead in game 2 and having Urias blow it is also very bad management of Treinen, who is arguably the best bullpen arm on the staff
Eight erroneous statements in one post. Nice job!
I only counted 7, the 8th is still pending
When was the last time even a July game was relevant for you? Let alone September. crack another beer and sit on your hands
Seem a little upset McCourt. Your team miss out on the world series or something?
Just see if he can get through 4-5 innings. They have Knebel, Vesia, Treinen, and Kenley to piggy back.
Could always start Price in game 7 (if it gets there) to go a couple innings hopefully and then have Urias and the back end of the pen again to help.
But……..none of it will matter if the Dodgers don’t execute offensively.
Go Dodgers!
I’d start Price
Lol
I’m serious, I think you get 4 or 5 okayish innings out of him and Gonsolin before the parade of short relief arms. You have to win two games. How deep can Buehler realistically work? It’s not like you’re going to avoid the weak end of the pen by moving the start up. They’re going to pitch innings. All this accomplishes is getting some combination of less length and less effectiveness out of one of your best arms.
Heck no. He hasn’t pitched in a while. He mostly pitched in low leverage situations this season and was hit hard in general. His only there for desperation. He may have to pitch game 7 if the Dodgers survive as I suspect that Buehler will be limited today.
I wasn’t trying to give a ringing endorsement of 2021 David Price. I was saying that I don’t think doubling down on overtaxing fatigued pitchers is a wise strategy. There *is* a line somewhere, where you are better off using fairly fresh mediocre arms over tired good arms.
Let’s look at where the Dodgers are at if they come back to win tonight: between four and six of their short relievers will be working back-to-back to get you through tomorrow. Urias isn’t a fresh arm and hasn’t been terribly effective, but you probably give him innings anyway.
Meanwhile, your nominal ace gave you four innings, four runs, ten base runners.
Again, not a ringing endorsement of mediocre pitchers. I don’t think it’s crazy to think you could’ve squeezed that kind of performance out of the two fresher mediocre arms. Then you’d have your ace on full rest in game 7. Instead, your ace gave you pretty lousy production again, and you have to use the fresher mediocre arms tomorrow anyway.
Easy to play Monday morning QB. Buehler was one batter away from one run in four innings. He pitched better than his line. Rosario is just as red hot as you can get. From what we’ve seen from Gonsolin and Price there is no way you’d go there. Why do you care about game 7? There is no game 7 if you don’t win game 6. Much more likely that Price and Gonsolin get shelled in game 6. Price hasn’t pitched in forever. Who care if he’s fresh but rusty. Gonsolin has been terrible.
thumbs up because hey, it’s possible he starts and does the impossible.
don’t forget, giants down 3-1 in 2012 nlcs, barry zito came out of nowhere and pitched 7 great innings to keep season alive.
and shoot, they both have the record for highest paid free agent pitcher at time of signing.
Anything is possible but why not try to put your team in best possible situation to win? That means avoid pitching your weakest pitchers as much as possible. Don’t pitch Price unless you have to.
They added Evan Phillips before Price…that’s all you should need to know
If Dodgers need to depend on Price it’s probably WAYYY over
They can get 5 out of Bickford Graterol and Vesia in some combination for game 7 (Bick and Grat ex starters btw)
Ive been a little critical on them pulling guys after 3 outs only …thankfully Graterol had a 7 pitch inn the other day and they left him out there to go 2 ………These guys can and NEED to go 2 if able. Thought they should have gone this route with Blake game 2 instead of Urias…we’d prolly be in a whole new scenario today if so up 3-2
6th Knebel
Blake and Kenley for 9 outs combined…. and don’t be surprised at all if you see max for an out or 2 to end an inn…(against a righty or 2 )
Thad be my playbook…..Catman and Price would never factor in EVER unless things got sideways or we have a 5 or 6 run lead …. I think Dodgers feel the same
** And you don’t need to pinch hit the pitcher spot every time
Outs from live arms are worth more than a pinch hitter in most scenarios….I know the computer probably flashes red alert at this idea but maybe just maybe ignore it this weekend a tad
“ Ive been a little critical on them pulling guys after 3 outs only …thankfully Graterol had a 7 pitch inn the other day and they left him out there to go 2 ………These guys can and NEED to go 2 if able. ”
So a large portion of the staff is dealing with dead arms and fatigue, and your answer is they should have pushed the few guys who are still keeping it together, harder? Mkay
Man, I remember when pitchers worked more than 4 innings. Seems like once a pitcher walks a batter or gives up a hit after the 5th he’s gone. The days of a pitcher carrying a team through the postseason is over. Now it’s all bullpen games.
Framber would like a word with you!
I agree with you, though. Also, I think there is a lot of potential work to be done on how the cost of TTO compares to the cost of shorter starts and shorter rest.
The great Jack Morris vs John Smoltz duel in the 1991 World Series will likely never be repeated do to teams going to the bullpen in the 2nd inning rather than trusting their starters to work out of jams
Yeah really and remember when teams regularly used their ace three times in a seven game series? Now it’s only two times and like 2 bullpen games. And speaking of bullpen games remember when teams sometimes used their fourth starter to actually start a game in the playoffs? Have pitchers gotten so bad at going through a lineup that they can’t go 6 innings anymore in the playoffs? Or has everyone bought into the idea that the Tampa Bay Rays had with the opener being such à great strategy that no one tries just using their starters?
Which is strange since they’re a lot of pitchers who can actually complete games once in awhile but their managers usually won’t let them unless they are pitching a no hitter or perfect game and in some cases the manager pulled them before the could even finish one of those. Everyone throws too hard and not just the closers. So usually a starter these days is considered good if he can get a quality start 5 innings or more of 3 runs or less on a game. Imagine Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax or Bob Gibson settling for that.
If you see Price up, they’re likely desperate and behind. They didn’t care enough condition him at all because they were loaded with talent, then suddenly some went poof.
Using starters to close out tense postseason games is a successful and time-honored method. Except it failed this time for Dave Roberts. Not his fault.
He didn’t blow it. Right moves can be made all along the way, and adverse outcomes still happen. How it can go,
Buehler does not possess that which my favorite pitching coach of all time once said, “that big a**”. He liked a mound staff ace horse with a big behind. Said the skinnies “wilted in the heat of the hottest moments”. OK.
I think this is a fortunate coincidence for the Dodgers. Max can start out a big game over amped and get hit hard. Giving the Braves an early lead is dangerous.
If the Braves win the NLCS they should send the Giants a big box of chocolates for wearing the Dodgers out over 162 games and then a tough 5 game NLDS. The Cards should also get a Hershey Bar for their effort in the wild card game.
Fairly certain the Giants didn’t play the Dodgers 162 times this season. Also this notion annoys me, as if the Brewers weren’t good. There’s some outstanding pitching in Milwaukee. The Braves have earned their way, too, and they’re not just where they are because LA played SF.
The Dodgers and Giants were close enough to be competing for the division lead for all 162 games. The Brewers had a wide lead going into the St. Louis 17 game win streak. With a one game wild card, Dodgers could not concede the division and rest their pitchers. Unlike the NBA, where good teams can rest their stars whenever they feel like it. The Braves lost good players so no one had an easy path, but it is foolish to discount that the Giants wore the Dodgers down. I think that it is more fair to have three division winners and a single wild card. Then have two seven game series en route to the WS. But in an hour, everyone puts their excuses aside and gives it their best.
Agreed. Giants taking the division had LA in survival mode April till Oct. But the Braves had to restructure their team and were as good as anyone since mid summer.
On a side note, Ron Darling should try out as a circus performer to be a trapeze artist. He has been swinging from one Dodger players nuts to the next all series long in the booth.
BRAVES WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Braves outscored Dodgers 29-28 and win series 4 games to 2. Both teams played well. Good luck to the Braves, I hope they defeat the Houston cheaters.
Thanks for explaining how the NLCS works.
Braves scored more runs. Braves won more games.
Faith,
And Padres barely edged the Rockies for third in the Division, only 28 games behind the Giants and 27 games behind the Dodgers.
Congrats on the worse draft position Manny. Hard earned and well deserved. Instead of drafting in the teens youll draft towards the end of round. Thats really what the giants and dodgers won as a consolation prize for the 2021 season. Worst draft position.
I would rather have 112 wins in a year (106 + 1 + 3 + 2) and a worse draft position, then to go 79-83 and get a better draft position. Using your logic, the best result (Atlanta and Houston, which do have the true best result) would be immediately followed by Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
So as a fan, I would take either the Dodgers or Giants season over that of the Padres, yes, no doubt about it. Giants fans will enjoy reminding Dodger fans that they won the Division, Dodgers fans will enjoy reminding Giants fans that they won the playoff series. Well Padres fans can remind everyone how much they enjoy “winning the off-season”.
Typed all that just to say youre happy getting bounced from the playoffs and all dodgers have to show for trading ruiz and gray is worst draft position. Well to each their own man. Enjoy reminiscing about regular season accolades. We all ended up in the same place this year. 0 title.
Actually, that is not all the Dodgers have to show for trading Ruiz and Gray. They also have one more cheap year of Trea Turner. While Trea had a weak post-season, his regular season made him a top ten position player in the league. With catcher Will Smith on the roster, the Dodgers could afford to trade Ruiz who will become a really good player. To be honest, I have not seen Gray enough to say whether he is a possible star or just a possible #5 starter. But Ruiz for Trea Turner in 2021 and 2022 is OK with me, even if they are unable to extend Trea. His cheap salary gives the Dodgers more options for next year. And Gray for a short rental of Scherzer is also OK with me, again, admitting that I am relying mostly on prospect lists to assess Gray.
And the Padres traded Luis Patino and Francisco Mejia (and others) to get Blake Snell who will cost what $40 million over three years? And Patino might be as got as Snell right now. Who is selling prospects on the cheap?
1. Trea Turner doesnt have a cheap salary next year lmao. Sportsrac is estimating his salary at 18.5 million. Maybe you dont know how arbitration works? He just had an arb salary of 13 mill this year.
2. Trading for multiples years of control of a player is different than overpaying for a rental and not winning a title. You cant offer Scherzer a QO so you dont get a draft pick back. He walks and Dodgers get nothing for their efforts.
It doesn’t always work out that way. The Braves outscored their opponents in the World Series in 1991, 1992, & 1996….lost all three.
Dodgers do not win the [162 gm] World Series for 33rd consecutive year!
Breaker,
The World Series is best of seven games. A 162 game World Series would harm the TV ratings.
Time to fire Roberts. Only one shortened WS title to show for having all this talent for several years. Dodgers should have had 3 rings by now with him managing.
Shoulda walked Rosario in the fourth.
Tstats
So you’ll load them for one of the best contact hitters in baseball. OK.
Dodgers are only built to win in the regular season. This once again proves that
C’mon the Dodgers are a great team they just were worn down by trying to win the western division and falling short. Then they lose Kershaw, Munchy and Joe Kelly.Scherzer dead arm from getting the save in game 5 of the division series. And the other excuses that I’m sure Dodger fans have. Truth is to hst they ran into a hot team at the wrong time. It happens to some great teams sometimes. Anyway as a Braves fan I salute the Dodgers for a great year, but now you guys know how it feels to come up short.
C’mon the Dodgers are a great team they just were worn down by trying to win the western division and falling short. Then they lose Kershaw, Munchy and Joe Kelly.Scherzer dead arm from getting the save in game 5 of the division series. And the other excuses that I’m sure Dodger fans have. Truth is to hst they ran into a hot team at the wrong time. It happens to some great teams sometimes. Anyway as a Braves fan I salute the Dodgers for a great year, but now you guys know how it feels to come up short.
BS! They just didn’t know how to win!!!!!
Just like the Giants didn’t know how to win. Talking trash only works if your team wins their son.
Let’s make it clear, the Giants did wear down the Dodgers and the injury to Muncy was huge. But the Braves also took down the defending champion by bringing in four key players, Rosario, Soler, Duvall and Pederson. After those acquisitions, the Braves were not just a “hot” team, they were a rebuilt and improved team. Rarely would I say that the front office was co-MVP, but here it is a fair argument to say that.
EVERY playoff team has to win multiple series to win a championship. Saying that we should pity the Dodgers because one of their series went to five games (the Braves series went four), and using that as an excuse for losing is just…..lame. And the Braves lost a key player just before the series too (Soler) but had the resources to replace him. But the Dodgers with their $200M payroll didn’t??
Very tired of hearing about the Dodgers being “worn down” and using the loss of Muncy as an excuse. Man up Dodgers! You got your asses beat by the better team.
Just like the Giants got their asses beat by the better team. Funny how you Giants fans come out of your rat holes after the Dodgers lose. Cowards to take your medicine after the Dodgers beat you. I’ll repeat what a Giants fan told me “If we beat the Dodgers in the NLDS that’s my World Series and everything else is gravy”. Fortunately for me that’s exactly what happened.
Worst mistake and understandably so! Booo hooo! Niether the f- ups or the GIANTS are going to the World Series!
Eddie the man Rosario….It’s outta here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Tyler the man Matzek…….huge 2 innings of relief after Jackson’s meltdown again, he saved Snitker’s ass.
Minter was huge.
Roberts did a terrible job handling the pitching staff. Urias great season and throws him in the pen, yes he has experience coming out the bullpen but no relief appereceanes this year. Scherzer is a Bulldog but he is up in age. Also Lux in CF? Why not switch positions with Taylor? I guess the Dodgers computer crashed during the playoffs
Surprised me that they didn’t flip-flop Lux and Turner (Trea.) Lux is a natural 2b and Turner did play CF for Washington for a while (he wasn’t great at it but at least had more experience.)
Wild card team lost, so what! Then they blame the Giants