Results tagged ‘ Giants ’
Opening Series Observations: They’ll Be Fine
First off let me go ahead and say that Baseball is back you guys and it feels great to see the regular season in full swing. Being back in Dodger Stadium to see the Dodgers in action was great to see. How I missed waiting for 7:10 to roll around and hear Vin Scully start off the broadcast with “It’s Time For Dodger Baseball!”. The Dodgers opened up with the hated San Fransisco Giants. This was bound to be an interesting series either way. The Dodgers were eliminated from playoff contention by the hands of the Giants last season. Since then the Dodgers have spent money to improve pitching in order to contend. Spring Training we saw good individual performances from players like Luis Cruz, Hyun Jin Ryu, and Josh Beckett. Opening Day was a historic one for the books. From Sandy Koufax throwing out the first pitch to Magic Johnson being there to see his team take on the Giants. Clayton Kershaw and Matt Cain had a pitchers duel up until the bottom of the 8th inning when Clayton Kershaw nailed his first career Home Run to give the Dodgers the lead. After that it was all Dodgers from there as they scored 3 more runs in that same inning. Dodgers got a 4-0n victory on Opening Day over the Giants giving Kershaw a complete game shut out. Kershaw was also the first player since 1953 to throw a shut out and hit a Home Run in a opener (Bob Lemon, Cleveland Indians). After that it seemed like the magic was all gone and the Giants showed why they’re the defending World Series Champions defeating the Dodgers the next two games. Yeah the opening series wasn’t something we expected at all especially losing to the Giants.
Looking back at this series I saw a few things that caught my eye. Starting off with the good Carl Crawford had a great series. Opening Day and last night Crawford was getting on base weather it was via hit or drawing a walk, He got on base. Clayton Kershaw obviously had a great game on Opening Day with his historic game. Mark Ellis also started off good as well which shows that him and Crawford can put this team in good position to score some runs. The defense from the Infield on Opening Day also showed tons of potential and had a good outing last night as well.
As for the bad there was a good amount to point out. Matt Kemp has struggled batting this whole series going 0 of his last 10 at bats. Even though it’s early that is not good. Especially when you have runners in scoring position that can break open a game. Hyun Jin Ryu made his major league debut Tuesday night but gave up 8 hits in a 3-0 loss. You can say it was pitching and a number of errors that night but with Ryu he is still transitioning into the MLB. Last night was also very bad with the Dodgers being 1-13 with RISP dispite Lincecum giving up a career high of 8 walks. The Dodgers look to be swinging for the fences instead of getting the base hits that are needed to get runs in. Josh Beckett also was up and down last night giving up two Home runs.
Theres alot the Dodgers can take from the first series of the season. It’s only the begining 3 games so theres no need to panic at all. If anything the Dodgers are trying to get it all together right now and they will In my opinion. Beckett and Ryu will have everything settled down, Kemp, Ethier, and Gonzalez will find there grove, Injured players such as Ted Lilly and Chad Billingsley are on the way back, and Don Mattingly will have a set line up. Yes it always sucks to lose to San Fransisco but it’s the begining. Let the Media and everyone else overhype issues. The Dodgers will be fine folks.
Blue Frustration
Last night the Dodgers were swept by the San Francisco Giants. Typing that sentence left a bad taste in my mouth. In the 3 games against the Giants the Dodgers struggled offensively with the bats and also saw Joe Blanton and Chris Capuano implode. Overall it was a struggle. It’s funny how the Dodgers are struggling at home yet do so well on the Road. As I stated in an earlier blog i said the Dodgers can get into the post season and while I still believe that my frustration for this team is at an all time high. Maybe because we lost the lead to the Giants, maybe because The Dodgers were swept by them, Maybe because The Dodgers showed lack of fight lack of urgency in the series, Maybe all of the above but the fact remains I’m frustrated along with other Dodger fans.
The Dodgers after having a great road trip went up 1/2 Game in the NL West and coming home with a chance to add on against the Giants who had No Melky Cabrera due to a 50 Game suspension testing for PED’s. Instead of taking advantage the Dodgers got swept and how they got swept was where I had a problem and still do. I get that there 37 games left and anything can happen in baseball I completely understand that but let’s get something straight here this series was a chance to do damage coming off the road trip. Let’s not forget that this is also the second time the Dodgers had an opportunity in an important series at home after the break and failed to take advantage (Arizona series after sweeping the giants in SF). We all want this team to win but on the field it looks as if they really don’t want it. You can talk about it but you have to want it every game and every chance You get! The Dodgers have to look themselves and at each other and say Do We Want This?! If they do then go out and do it and not just talk about it. I can’t sit here and sugar coat anything the Dodgers flat out blew it and we’re not happy with that nor the play on the field in that series. I’m really tired of having other teams Do our work when the Dodgers had a chance to do it Themselves.
Again I have lost 0 faith in the Dodgers and I still believe they can make the Playoffs and do more but this blowing opportunities has got to stop. I’m upset the Dodgers played like they did and against the Giants of all teams. If they want to do damage then Starting tomorrow the have to turn it around because with the Diamondbacks coming to LA again and a September trip to SF the Dodgers must prove that they want it and it starts against Miami. Mission October isn’t over but that series did hurt Los Angeles.
Dodgers Sweep SF and Tie for NL West lead, Arizona Series, and More
Oh how sweep it is?! That’s right the Dodgers did something that was highly needed to get back into this thing and that was Sweep the hated San Francisco Giants. Not only did They sweep them but Shut them out two consecutive games and held them scoreless 20 straight innings. With the sweep of the Giants the Dodgers are now tied for the NL West lead and with plenty of baseball left every game is important but it’s always sweet when you beat your rival….at that sweep them but eyes must be on the prize for the Dodgers as they’re playing for the NL West, Post Season, and more!
As we move away from the last series the Dodgers FINALLY return home for a home stand vs the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs. Arizona will be a very critical series for the Dodgers because Arizona is also not far back as well so winning the series for the Dodgers is very huge here. Tonight Aaron harang is on the hill against Trevor Cahill so tonight will be an interesting one. Tomorrow is also Kirk Gibson Bobblehead night which is fitting because the DBacks are in town and their manager is Kirk Gibson. It’ll be a huge night for Kirk as they honor him and his accomplishments as a Los Angeles Dodger.
MORE TRADE TALK!!!! In a Span of days the Dodgers have been linked to Ryan Dempster, Hunter Pence, Shane Victorino, and Alfonso Soriano. Another arm is needed to help but the Dodgers are looking to grab another bat to bolster up the line up. As of today the Dodgers are in on Pence but looking like Soriano is likely. Either way it’s great to see the Dodgers in Trade talks as buyers and with the Trade deadline tomorrow look for the Dodgers to get something dome soon!
Tonight will be my first game as a season ticket holder so I’m very excited about that! Great to be apart of the Dodgers season ticket Holder family! Dodgers must keep this race tight or pull away and if the Dodgers can get deals done then it’ll be big for them!
Dodgers/Giants: Race for October
Tonight is the start of a critical Series for both the Dodgers and Giants in San Francisco. The Dodgers who are coming off a loss to the St Louis Cardinals march into AT&T Park with a healthier team, Hanley Ramirez, Randy Choate, and down 3 games. Last time the Dodgers came to San Francisco they got swept and shutout. Two things that was very embarrassing because it’s one thing to get swept but to not score a run in a single game of the series is another. The Giants have also been hot since the break but are also going into the series coming off a loss as well. No doubt this weekend is huge.
Now the Dodgers who has had chances to trim the lead have done so but has so suffered 3 straight losses to the Cardinals in that 4 game series and now trail 3 games to the hated Giants. At this point The Dodgers can do at least these things to help. Beat the Giants 2 games out of 3 and trim the lead to a game or sweep the giants in San Francisco and tie them for the NL West lead. Anyway the Dodgers HAVE to win or risk being down 4,5, or 6 games which will really damage things. With the Dodgers healthy things should get really interesting and they know that this is a race to October so every game counts.
The Dodgers will get to face the Giants rotation of Matt Cain, Berry Zito, and Ryan Volgelsong which isn’t an easy task at all but if the Dodgers can get their offense going then there shouldn’t be an issue at all but the Dodgers have to do their job. Dodgers pitching also have to be ready and step up to the task of doing what they can to win the series in SF. Yesterday’s game the Dodgers pitching pretty much blew it for them. They can’t have a repeat of that tonight or they’ll be in a world of trouble.
This is BIG by all means and the Dodgers have to come ready to play and out play the Giants. San Francisco knows how much this series mean but the Dodgers have to want it more. This weekend is the time to bring the Game! No more excuses because this is the one game where they can’t afford to let things slip away. The Race for October goes through San Francisco tonight and will have to a few times but tonight is a Critical one.
Dodgers Opening Day Facts
Next Week!! Thats right we are One week away from Opening Day as the Dodgers travel to San Diego to take on the Padres. In a Stadium where it’s expected to be A LOT of Dodger fans in attendence in San Diego there will also be fans at Dodger Stadium watching the game on the big screen at Dodger Stadium that day as well. As we approach opening day I looked up some Dodgers facts when it comes to Opening Day and came across some that you may or may not know about the Dodgers on Opening Day. Some quite Interesting and Schocking as we count the Few days till the Start of the Dodgers Baseball Season.
-Through out their time in Brooklyn and Los Angeles the Dodgers have played 128 Opening Day games. April 5th will be the 129th Opening Day Game the Dodgers have played.
-In those 128 Games the Dodgers have played their record on Opening Day is 63-61-4. The Boys in Blue are currently on a 4 game winning streak on Opening Day with 3 of the 4 wins over the heated San Fransisco Giants.
- The Dodgers open with the Padres. Dodgers and Padres met only 10 Times on Opening day prior to April 5th. Dodgers and Padres Split the Games against each other on Opening Day 5 to 5 (Last game on Opening Day 4-5-2004 Dodgers loss 8-2)
-Clayton Kershaw will be starting on Opening Day. The Last Cy Young Award Winner to pitch on Opening Day was Sandy Koufax on April 14th 1964 vs the St Louis Cardinals (9 Innings Pitched, 6 Hits, and 5 Strike Outs in a 4-0 Dodgers win)
-The Largest Margin of Victory on Opening Day was 14 Runs in 1969 vs the San Diego Padres (14-0)
-The Largest Margin of Defeat on Opening Day was 15 in 1912 by the Hands of the Then New York Giants (18-3)
-The First Game at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day of the 1962 Season was a 6-3 Loss against the Cincinatti Reds. Johnny Podres was the Pitcher for the Dodgers on that day.
(Credit to Baseball almanac for facts and stats)
Don’t Stop Believin- Is it time for Dodger Stadium part ways with the Song?
Since 2008 Dodger Stadium has played the song “Don’t Stop Believin” In the middle of the 8th Inning. Incase you don’t know Journey, A Rock Band from San Fransisco, Sings the song that blast through Dodger Stadium every 8th inning of home games. To my knowledge many Dodger fans are really tired of the song and want the Dodgers to get rid of it. in 2010 a Dodger Blog on ESPN-LA was calling for the Dodgers to part ways with the song. Today on my Timeline many Dodger fans spoke. It’s time for Dodger Stadium to stop playing Don’t Stop Belivin and do something else.
I have to say that It’s time to part ways with Journey and the song Don’t Stop Believin. Lets be honest almost nobody likes the song in the 8th inning and the more they play it the louder the unhappiness for the song gets. I also get a bit annoyed by the song everytime it comes on. Lets think about it for a few here I mean it’s not a tradition like Take me out to the Ball game so theres no big controversy on getting rid of it. I won’t get into the Journey are SF Giants fans but Don’t Stop Believin is used at AT&T park which is a bigger reason to stop using it. Now don’t get me wrong I have nothing against Journey at all but the song to me and many others is overplayed and grows annoying by the minute.
Now i have heard a suggestion that th Dodgers should use Nancy Bea more than the DJ and where I don’t have an issue with that I do believe they should still use the DJ to satisfy the younger fans. I don’t know what you’ll use to replace Don’t Stop Believin but anything at this point will due. At this point the Fans and almost any blogger will agree with this. The Song has to go.
Matthew
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