Even without Manny on hand, Lowe v. Webb is worth checking out, in my humble assessment.
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Hi guys, I saw somewhere tonight where the Blue may outright FAJ to AAA. That is something they should try, it will give him a chance to work it out, he can be on the postseason roster, and will still be here next year if he fixes himself (loses 50 lbs)
On a day when the Dodgers made arguably the finest acquisition in their history, Joe Torre opted to field his bench against Brandon Webb in the most important series of the year. Game one of this four game war was a "tone setter", and while our B team hung in there due to Derrick Lowe's brilliant but supernaturally unlucky stuff, I really question Joe Torre's decision to start Jones over Ethier, especially when you have virtually no offense from the two utility men at short and second. Granted, you can take away the positive that we almost won without Nomar, Kent, Manny and Ethier, I still feel that Torre essentially capitulated by the team he placed on the field. I predict this could have vast consequences in this series, as far as momentum and emotion.
While common sense dictates that momentum is only as good as the next night's pitcher, I believe that this loss was a huge shot in the arm for the victorious D'Backs and may have the same impact that the Cubs breaking serve over Sabathia had in launching them to a resounding four game sweep against the Brewers. One simply cannot overestimate the impact of such a win psychologically. What made it worse was that nothing appeared to carry over from the announcement of Manny's signing, which I believed prior to the game would have a tremendous affect on the Dodgers in game one tonight. It did not, apparently.
The Diamondbacks appeared steadier, more professional and simply better when it counted. This has been my observation all year long, certainly as pertains to how they play against the West. At this point, they clearly are the better team.
I have a very queasy feeling about this series and have the ominous feeling that we could very easily be five games back by the end of Sunday night, Manny or no.
Torre didn't "field the bench" against Webb. Jeff Kent hurt his knee on Wednesday night and Andre Ethier had a stomach bug and was throwing up during the day. They were okay with Ethier entering the game late, but didn't think he could make it through the entire thing. Thus, Jones and Ozuna started.
Yes, I heard that about Andre. However, I was confused as to the nature of his illness, seeing him devouring an entire packet of David's sunflower seeds in the dugout during the game. Then when he came in late, I was more confused as to his health. I then became simply baffled when Bowa chose to send an infirm Ethier from third to home on a shallow fly ball with Martin coming up next, especially since his flu like body slowed an already fairly slow runner of his caliber.
In other words, I question the "reasons" often cited for playing Andruw Jones, which seem to attempt to deflect any controversy in Torre's decision to play him.
Andrew (right) and Brian Kamenetzky are hosts of the LA Times Lakers Blog, and contributing writers to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. Additionally, they co-authored Fishing on the Edge, the autobiography of Mike Iaconelli, the bad boy of bass fishing and 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion. They grew up in St. Louis as Cardinals fans, but it doesn't impair their ability to Think Blue. After all, the Cards and Dodgers aren't even in the same division.
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Hi guys, I saw somewhere tonight where the Blue may outright FAJ to AAA. That is something they should try, it will give him a chance to work it out, he can be on the postseason roster, and will still be here next year if he fixes himself (loses 50 lbs)
Posted by: TimDodger | July 31, 2008 at 08:56 PM
On a day when the Dodgers made arguably the finest acquisition in their history, Joe Torre opted to field his bench against Brandon Webb in the most important series of the year. Game one of this four game war was a "tone setter", and while our B team hung in there due to Derrick Lowe's brilliant but supernaturally unlucky stuff, I really question Joe Torre's decision to start Jones over Ethier, especially when you have virtually no offense from the two utility men at short and second. Granted, you can take away the positive that we almost won without Nomar, Kent, Manny and Ethier, I still feel that Torre essentially capitulated by the team he placed on the field. I predict this could have vast consequences in this series, as far as momentum and emotion.
While common sense dictates that momentum is only as good as the next night's pitcher, I believe that this loss was a huge shot in the arm for the victorious D'Backs and may have the same impact that the Cubs breaking serve over Sabathia had in launching them to a resounding four game sweep against the Brewers. One simply cannot overestimate the impact of such a win psychologically. What made it worse was that nothing appeared to carry over from the announcement of Manny's signing, which I believed prior to the game would have a tremendous affect on the Dodgers in game one tonight. It did not, apparently.
The Diamondbacks appeared steadier, more professional and simply better when it counted. This has been my observation all year long, certainly as pertains to how they play against the West. At this point, they clearly are the better team.
I have a very queasy feeling about this series and have the ominous feeling that we could very easily be five games back by the end of Sunday night, Manny or no.
This was a very bad loss, in my opinion.
Posted by: Dodger Tony | August 01, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Dodger Tony,
Torre didn't "field the bench" against Webb. Jeff Kent hurt his knee on Wednesday night and Andre Ethier had a stomach bug and was throwing up during the day. They were okay with Ethier entering the game late, but didn't think he could make it through the entire thing. Thus, Jones and Ozuna started.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 01, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Yes, I heard that about Andre. However, I was confused as to the nature of his illness, seeing him devouring an entire packet of David's sunflower seeds in the dugout during the game. Then when he came in late, I was more confused as to his health. I then became simply baffled when Bowa chose to send an infirm Ethier from third to home on a shallow fly ball with Martin coming up next, especially since his flu like body slowed an already fairly slow runner of his caliber.
In other words, I question the "reasons" often cited for playing Andruw Jones, which seem to attempt to deflect any controversy in Torre's decision to play him.
Posted by: Dodger Tony | August 01, 2008 at 11:06 AM