Extra! Extra! (9.26)
After a day of rest, refocusing and regrouping, the Dodgers head into, as Mitch Martin would say, "Denver. The sunshine state. Gorgeous!" What awaits the squad upon this voyage to Colorado? A three-day series with the Rockies, half of the remaining games that will make or break the Dodgers' playoff hopes (given a boost by Houston last night).
The mountain-residing ball players have already been eliminated from contention, which may or may not be a good thing. Teams with nothing to lose often compete with an unpredictability that can be tough to counter or prepare for. Then again, given the topsy-turvy nature of the Blue's entire season, it's only fitting that "the unknown" play a large factor right down to the wire. But for what it's worth, they've had more than their share of luck against Colorado this season.
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick both covers the Dodgers and knows a lot about baseball. Thus, it's not surprising folks would write in for his two cents.
Takashi Saito's future beyond 2006 is still up in the air, but he's had a blast living out a dream (that doesn't include pizza overkill).
It's still too soon for a fully fleshed evaluation of Ned Colletti's GM prowess. But even if he ends up a runaway success, it's unlikely he won't remain grounded.
Tonight's game: Crucial outings such as this are not best left in the hands of the inexperienced. Starters don't come with much more under their belts than Greg Maddux, taking the hill for the Dodgers. On the flip side, the certified legend battling Colorado's Jason Jennings has been a little off his game of late, save one brilliant effort on Sept. 15. For his part, Jennings is on a two-game winning streak, despite less than impressive stats in either outing.
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I feel much better this morning. The Phillies loss has given me more than a ray of hope that we can make the playoffs. At the same token, the San Diego win has convinced me that we are not winning the division (not because we won’t play well, but because it looks like the Madres have no plans of relinquishing the lead). If the Phillies would have won last night then I would have been REALLY worried. As it stands we are tied for a playoff spot with 6 games to go, and the Phillies still have to finish up their series with the streaking Astros.
Am I the only one who is sh***ing bricks about having to play the G-Nats the last weekend of the season? That is going to be one HOSTILE crowd.
Every effort needs a war cry. We as a blog should come up with one for the last week of the season and our charge into the playoffs (it’s kind of like not naming your boat; it’s bad luck). I for one nominate one that is near and dear to my heart:
BRING OUT THE GIMP!!
(Long story, hahaha!!)
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 08:39 AM
Tell the Rockies to crank up that humidor in case we have to turn to Bombko after Maddux.
Posted by: Dodgerdog | September 26, 2006 at 08:53 AM
It's do or die now folks! Let's hope Houston can continue to cool off the Phils and we can turn it up a notch.
AK/BK, are we going to have a hot stove blog to vent and discuss the season and what we need to do to get better for next season? I hope so, it is a lot of fun hearing everyone's views and opinions even if we don't agree at times.
Anyway, great job and hopefully the guys will get us some live playoff blogs.
Posted by: Jim | September 26, 2006 at 09:02 AM
Unfortunately, the Phils are in DC to face the Nationals for a three game series. That game against Houston last night must have been a make up game.
Posted by: Limited7 | September 26, 2006 at 09:21 AM
SOB!!! I guess I should have looked at the Phillies' schedule. I thought they were playing the Astros. Now I don't feel so hot.
Maybe I should show up at RFK this series and root against the Phillies.
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 09:30 AM
Damn, I thought the Phillies had a series with the Astros also. Doesn't look as rosy now.
Posted by: Jim | September 26, 2006 at 10:02 AM
You're my boy blue
Posted by: Vicky Sarner | September 26, 2006 at 10:16 AM
(I'm reposting, didn't know we were on a new thread)
According to Baseball Prospectus, we have a 47.2% chance of making the postseason. Phillies have a 63.71% chance and the Madres have a 89.0% chance. The Dodgers chances are lower than they have been since "the streak".
Having read that, I still like our chances a lot.
Our magic number for the wildcard is 7. Magic number for the division is 9. Phillies of course also have magic number of 7, and Madres have magic # of 5.
Dayn Perry at Fox Sports says the Dodgers won't make it. Lets prove him wrong. He factors in several factors which are valid, but he leaves out one major factor IMO. HEART. I do believe our boys in blue have shown plenty of HEART, and even though everything else is going against them, Heart will get us there.
Believe.
Believe!
BELIEVE!!
As fans, WE MUST BELIEVE!
GO BLUE!
GO DODGERS!
We're with you all the way!
GO NATS! GO CARDS!
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 26, 2006 at 10:19 AM
Breathe easy, folks, focus now. The Madres have to face Chris Carpenter tonight, Walt Whitman-Batisita on Thursday, and "he shall be" Livan on Friday. It's not all easy street for the Madres from the Litter Box, yet. . . .
However, I've got a little African proverb I'd like to share with Grady and the boys:
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.
It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better start running."
The sun is rising today, Grady. Time for you to get the Blue Boys a$$es into gear!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 26, 2006 at 10:20 AM
Lolo,
How about you deliver a nice & fresh "Salinas Valley SPINACH Salad" to the visitors clubhouse at RFK tonight? That oughta put Howard and Utley down for about six games!
GET YER E.COLI, HERE!!!!!
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 26, 2006 at 10:24 AM
I'd like to hope but it's really hard.
We will not catch the Padres. The Phillies play better on the road than we do. We are not playing well right now.
The Dodgers are going to have to play out of their minds to make it. I think it will take 5 out of 6. Even if it took 4 out of 6 does anyone
think we can do that right now on the road?
I sure hope so.
Posted by: Andy B | September 26, 2006 at 10:52 AM
The article above (Saito's fututre up in the air) mentioned that Saito might return to Japan next year. I really hope that Saito and Garciaparra stay next year. I can't imagine this team without them now.
Posted by: Eric | September 26, 2006 at 10:57 AM
Frankly, the walk off granny and the phils loss last night has taken some time to set in, but now im feeling surprisingly positive. we got maddux twice and d.lowe twice. i feel like grady's number of 87 is going to be enough for the wildcard, but not for the division. hopefully im wrong and the cards and dback just beat the snot out of the padres. and as for the giants and the rockies i got a good feeling we are going to suck it up and play well.
Posted by: bmurph | September 26, 2006 at 11:13 AM
Tony Gwynn and Yahoo's MLB columnist Jeff Passan just picked the Phillies to win the wild card too.
Come on Dodgers...prove all these guys wrong !!
Posted by: Eric | September 26, 2006 at 11:23 AM
DBB,
I need something that will act faster. Milk of Milanta might be good though.
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 11:43 AM
DBB,
Actually, I think I'll pay the Philly team bus driver to take the LONG way to RFK tonight. Don't be surprised if he gets a flat-with-no-spare out by where Butch lives.
Posted by: LoLo | September 26, 2006 at 11:46 AM
DodgerFreak,
Don't let Dayn Perry's remarks get you worried. His entire column is based on sabermetrics. Remember the last time someone tried to use sabremetric to analyze the Dodgers?? Good ol' DePod. And where did sabermetrics get us then?? Hee-Sop and Jose Valentine!!
Dayn Perry is just expressing sour grapes to Team Blue for firing his boy, DePod, and it's clear Mr. Perry is just sucking up to the Madres for giving his fellow sabermetrician a job again.
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 26, 2006 at 12:46 PM
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH, AS JOHN DENVER WOULD SAY.
EVERY GAZELLE HAS ITS DAY.
AT LEAST PENNY IS ONLY SCHEDULED FOR ONE MORE START.
(SHOULD BE BILLZ)
USC STILL NO. 1.
DOW UP 93 POINTS.
OIL DOWN 44 CENTS.
Posted by: stargazin | September 26, 2006 at 01:02 PM
DARN HUMIDOR- I REMEMBER WHEN A TRIP TO DENVER
WAS AN AUTOMATIC CURE FOR THE DODGER OFFENSE.
Posted by: stargazin | September 26, 2006 at 01:05 PM
Despite game time temps in the 40's tonight, Maddux will be the one with "Sunshine on [his] Shoulders" in the rocky mountains tonight.
http://www.lariat.org/AtTheMovies/essays/jd.jpg
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | September 26, 2006 at 02:59 PM
AS CASSIUS CLAY SAID RUN LIKE AN ANTELOPE AND ROAR LIKE A LION.OR WAS THAT BLUE BALLS???
Posted by: stargazin | September 26, 2006 at 03:02 PM
I, too thought that Phils have a series against Houston. Dang PPDs!! Crud...Here are the results of Philly's last 6 against the Nats:
Fri. 18 Washington L 6-4
Sat. 19 Washington W 11-2
Sun. 20 Washington W 12-10
Tue. 29 at Washington W 10-6
Wed. 30 at Washington W 5-1
Thu. 31 at Washington L 6-5
Dominated. Sigh.
Posted by: Wasabi | September 26, 2006 at 03:03 PM
DBB- NICE PIC.
Posted by: stargazin | September 26, 2006 at 03:04 PM
DBB- SHOULD BE LIKE A BRISK WALK IN THE PARK.
Posted by: stargazin | September 26, 2006 at 03:06 PM
DBB,
That was more of John Denver than I EVER wanted to see.
Posted by: DODGER FREAK | September 26, 2006 at 03:14 PM