MLB '09

[SacTown Chronic]

Ryan also accounts for 100% of the worst ass whipping Robin Ventura ever took.



I can't wait to see or hear Rickey Henderson's HoF induction speech this weekend. I want to know if "Rickey thinks Rickey is humbled by this honor".

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by SacTown Chronic

Ryan also accounts for 100% of the worst ass whipping Robin Ventura ever took.

One of my favorite highlights ever. I thought Ventura was an idiot--at least until he played for the Mets, had some good years and hit that grand slam single.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Poor Manny. Between the release of the absolute nothing that is the Lebron James dunked-on video and the perfect game, his grand slam disappeared off the highlight reels faster than a plate of spaghetti at Tommy Lasorda's dinner table.

[Ghoulish Delight]

My god ESPN's baseball coverage is insufferable. I may never complain about Lyons, Steiner, and Eric Collins again.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Ah, three blowouts in a row. Oodles of runners LOB. And the icing on the cake, pinch hitter Mark Loretta taking the mound for the first time since 2001. I fear this is going to be one hell of a road trip.

[Ghoulish Delight]

First 3 game losing streak since of the season. Actually, first since Manny was acquired last season if memory serves. Frustrating games to watch as they were all winnable. Out of 26 innings, there were maybe 5 or 6 bad ones for Dodger pitching. But boy were they bad. And then the bizarre disappearance of clutch hitting. It's not like they weren't hitting or anything. If someone told me only that the Dodgers had 11, 11, and 9 hits respectively in the 3 games I'd have put them on a 3 game winning streak. But they just couldn't string any together at the right time. And WAY too many double plays. Seemed like they hit into one just about every inning.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

All right, I'm fully aware that the Dodgers paid good money for Broxton and, therefore, it wasn't unreasonable to bring him in to close things out in the 9th, especially when the starter is well over 100 pitches. But geez, Kershaw gave perhaps his most impressive appearance to date, and in the 8th, was still throwing around 95 MPH and retiring batters with ease. Let the kid have his first complete game shutout. I believe he could have shut them down quickly in the 9th, but instead, I got to watch an additional 2 hours of baseball as a result, with a very displeasing ending. Ugh. What is going on with this team?

[Ghoulish Delight]

What's going on is that the starters' lack of innings on the first half is catching up with the bullpen. It was bound to happen.

I'm really starting to worry they're going to make a rash trade to either get a starter than can eat some innings or at least a fresh arm or two in the bullpen. I will be sorely disappointed if one of the regulars goes.

Meanwhile, late last night I could be heard to have yelled at my television, "I hate fvcking Pujols!!" That just didn't sound right.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Although, it certainly can't be entirely blamed on the bullpen, because nobody is getting any run support. Between the double plays and failing to get the leadoff guy home, it just seems like nobody is hitting the ball. And were it not for Manny last night, making an outstanding play, we would have seen another lopsided score.

Agreed though, I would rather see them work through it then make a stupid trade decision. I would consider letting McDonald go though. I know he is supposed to have significant potential, but my patience is running thin.

[Ghoulish Delight]

The lack of run support and hitting with men in scoring position this week is problematic. But that can theoretically be fixed with some coaching and studying tape. An exhausted bullpen is an exhausted bullpen and no amount of mechanical corrections or coaching can make that go away.

Agreed on McDonald. I think him and a few AAA kids (and maybe Blake DeWitt) could net to Dodgers some decent upgrades without breaking up the winning formula they've got going.