Extra! Extra! (9.28)
Programming Note: Blue Notes has once again returned to Blue Notes Central, and will be following today's game as usual. Basically, it's all back to normal.
Today's forecast calls for a 9.9% chance of a division title mixed with a higher probability of wild card, thanks to Wednesday night's 6-4 comeback win in Colorado. The victory pulled the Dodgers to within a game of San Diego — 4-2 losers in St. Louis (go figure!) — and kept them a game ahead of Philadelphia, who topped Washington 8-7 in 14 innings, a game that got more attention in the visiting clubhouse at Coors than Evangeline Lilly modeling lingerie.
Blue starter Derek Lowe wasn't exactly sharp, giving up four runs and 10 hits over six innings, but it was good enough to keep the Dodgers in the game, pick up the win, and conserve enough energy for a possible short rest start on Sunday in San Francisco. Plenty good enough for him. And plenty good enough for the Dodgers, who once again received solid contributions up and down the lineup for the win (proving again that the Monforts may own the Rockies, but the Dodgers own the Rockies).
The box shows three hits from Nomar, who we believe showed up at the game in a full body cast before emerging to play, clutch hitting in a two-run triple from J.D. Drew, clutch pitching from Broxaito in the seventh, eighth and ninth, and clutch baserunning in the decisive three run seventh that put L.A. ahead for good.
For this afternoon's series finale, the Dodgers will give Nomar a much needed day off. That'll give him a killer seat to dissect the performance of Brad Penny, who has more or less been dissected by the National League since the All-Star break. Grady Little thinks he can turn it around — does he have any other choice? — but don't look for major changes out of Penny. The Blue hope for changes out of Colorado starter Byung-Hyung Kim, namely that he'll be less effective against him than he's been this season and over his career.
The Dodgers could very well cost T.J. Simers his shot at an Oscar.
They're looking good, but it wouldn't hurt for the Dodgers to add a few more guys to their "hot" category heading into this weekend's season finale against the Giants. Should the weekend involve some celebrating, ESPN.com's Jim Caple has some solid guidelines. And with four games left, it's probably time to start priming for possible postseason matchups.
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71.3% chance of making the postseason. Hey, I'll take those odds! Blue had a 46% chance of wildcard and a 11% chance of the division (57% for playoffs) at the beginning of the week, so our odds are improving.
Magic # for wildcard - 4
Magic # for division - 6
Games left - 4
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 28, 2006 at 09:48 AM
Great win for the boys in blue yesterday. I dont know about you guys, but this team seems awfully familiar to another Dodger team that won the world series in 88. I mean you got two starting pitchers that have won 16 games and the MVP of the team is hurt heading into the playoffs. LOVE IT
Posted by: Brian | September 28, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Made it back to Coors from LA by the 4th inning last night -- just in time to see the Rox go up 4-1. Drew's triple just missed going out -- nice to see him be aggressive early in the AB for once. Anderson's triple also just missed escaping the yard. Had a great view of Delwyn Young's collision with Closser -- give Closser the credit for hanging on. That was headache inducing.
Lots of us Dodger fans again behind the visitors' dugout -- the team looked like they wanted to get into the clubhouse ASAP after the last out, probably to watch the Phillies' game.
And escape the chilly fall air. I'm back today for the final tilt -- should be a nice 70 degree afternoon. We only need to pick up 2 on the Pads to win the NL West -- go D-backs!
Posted by: RC | September 28, 2006 at 09:49 AM
NOT GIVING ON ON DIVSION TITLE- THE PADRES COULD
DEFINITELY STRUGGLE IN ARIZONA , IN FACT THEY
HAVE STRUGGLED IN ARIZONA FOR YEARS 22-70.
I THINK THEY WILL LOSE A COUPLE OF GAMES .
THATS THE OPENING WE NEED.
JUST NEED TO KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THEM BY WINNING
EVERY GAME.
DODGERFREAK- I DON'T THINK PENNY HAS BEEN LACKING
MOTIVATION. I DON'T THINK ANY DODGER IS LACKING MOTIVATION.
THE KEY TO TODAYS GAME WILL BE FOR THE DODGERS TO SCORE EARLY AND FOR LITTLE TO HAVE A REAL QUICK HOOK. LITTLE'S GOT TO PULL PENNY AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE ( AND YOU KNOW THAT WILL COME EARLY)
AND INSERT BILLZ INTO THE GAME(HE SHOULD BE STARTING THE GAME ANYWAY).
500 POUND GORILLA
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:00 AM
BRIAN - JUST WHAT I HAVE BEEN BLOGGING THE LAST TWO DAYS???????????
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:02 AM
DODGER FREAK - JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU HOW QUICK THE NUMBERS CAN CHANGE AND HOW THE NUMBERS CAN LIE.
THEY CAN'T MEASURE THE SIZE OF THE DODGERS HEART.
WE JUST GOTTA KEEP PENNY FROM SHOOTING US IN THE FOOT. LITTLE'S GOT TO HAVE A QUICK TRIGGER FINGER.
NO 5 RUN INNINGS . PLEASE. DO NOT BE PATIENT. NOT
NOW. HE DOES NOT DESERVE YOUR CONFIDENCE.
HE SURE DOESN'T HAVE OUR CONFIDENCE.
WE GOTTA WIN THIS GAME. GOTTA HAVE THE MO GOING
INTO FRISCO.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Penny pitches well against the rockies too, 5-0 this season with a 1.93 era. im banking on another good night.
Posted by: bmurph | September 28, 2006 at 11:13 AM
bmurph-
I'm sure that's the stat Grady Little was clinging to when he woke up this morning. haha.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 28, 2006 at 11:32 AM
ITS THE
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
CURSE.
OH NO.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:39 AM
RC- GLAD YOU'RE THERE REPRESENTING BLUE NOTES.
DID YOU BRING YOUR DODGER BLUE NOTES BANNER WITH YOU
SO WE CAN SPOT YOU IN THE CROWD???
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:53 AM
BLUE NOTES CENTRAL- ISN'T THAT THE 75 STORY BUILDING
IN DOWNTOWN L.A.???????GOT THE FLASHING NEON DODGER
SIGN ON TOP.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 11:55 AM
The two starter system with Penny. Have Billz ready to go just like he is the 1st inning starter. First sign of trouble, bring him in.
We need this one, come on Dodgers!!!
Posted by: Jim | September 28, 2006 at 12:11 PM
Got Penko! Damn
Posted by: Jim | September 28, 2006 at 12:19 PM
THIS IS JUST STUPID. BILLZ SHOULDA BEEN THE STARTER.
PENNY STINKS BIG TIME.
BUT LITTLES GOTTA GO WITH THE GRIZZLED VET.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Should have had Billz prepared just as he would to start this game.
Posted by: Jim | September 28, 2006 at 12:20 PM
So much for Penny's stellar vanity performance. I figured he'd have to be on a short leash, but this is ridiculous!
Posted by: Jen | September 28, 2006 at 12:20 PM
I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY PUT THAT GUY OUT THERE FOR ANOTHER START WHEN YOU COULDA STARTED BILLZ.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:21 PM
JEN- THEY DON'T MAKE LEASHES THAT SHORT.
THEY SHOULDA PULLED HIM AFTER THE FIRST TWO BASE RUNNERS.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:23 PM
IF A GUY GETS POUNDED EVERYTIME HE PITCHES DON'T YOU PULL HIM FROM THE ROTATION AT SOME POINT.
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:24 PM
Unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jim | September 28, 2006 at 12:25 PM
We can't afford another inning - hope Billz is warmed up by then!
Posted by: Jen | September 28, 2006 at 12:26 PM
I put up a game thread for you guys if you want to vent collectively.
It's only the second. Keep the faith.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | September 28, 2006 at 12:30 PM
TOLD YA LONEY WAS A GAMERRRRRRRRRRRR
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:36 PM
BEEN CALLING FOR LONEY AT FIRST BASE FOR A MONTH NOW
HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Posted by: stargazin | September 28, 2006 at 12:37 PM
If you wanted Loney at first where would you put Garciaparra?
Posted by: Eric | September 28, 2006 at 12:47 PM