He's actually human…
Greg Maddux is 1-9 in his career against the Diamondbacks…hard to believe anyone has had his number like that over the years, but that sounds like a surefire sign to me that he’s going to throw a no-hitter tonight.
Or something like that.
Here’s tonight’s lineup:
Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Drew, RF
Kent, 2B
Ethier, LF
Betemit, 3B
Martin, C
Maddux, P
Inside the Dodgers 
The usual suspects, I see 🙂
Never thought seeing Drew and Kent bat back to back would fill me with dread, but there it is! 😀
No reason for Maddux to do badly against the Diamondbacks today. The team has to be more or less completely different from the teams that wrapped him up in the past. And shouldn’t this lineup be able to provide some run support?
Here’s to hoping Team Blue has what it takes, and more!
no hustle drew still hitting cleanup. Move my boy Ethier up!!!!!Go Dodgers!! we have to win game 1!Let’s get the momentum back on our side!
j.d. drew needs to get moved from this spot, he’s dissapointing.. hopefully our bats wake up today, and mad dog pitches a siick game…
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/mukluck/BATS.jpg
this is the best way to describe our bats right now..
BELIEVE IN BLUE!
Little is conjoined at the hip with JD Drew in the cleanup spot, and untill death do they part. Why isn’t Nomar or even Kent hitting in that slot? Drew’s power numbers have dropped off the planet. Someone, please stop the madness! We have the talent to get the runs we need, but not with this lineup. Here’s my day-dream for today. Someone wake me when it’s over, okay?
I’ve pretty much have stayed out of this Drew debate becasue I think most of what I’ve been hearing is just frustration. But I have to say, go to the Dodger team stats and see it for yourself. Drew is 1st in RBI, 3rd in HR, 3rd in TB, 1st in BB, 3rd in OBP, 2nd in TOTAL GAMES !!!, 2nd in AB, 4th in Hits, 7th in SLG and 12 in AVG. Now if you guys were Grady and you were looking for the right combination in your lineup, you have to give these kind of numbers some very serious consideration !!! Give this guy his just rewards, not just for what he’s done but for what he’s capable of !! This is not 2005, he hasn’t taken a dive and it’s not his decision to sit the day before a day off, Grady and the Coaches make that decision. This is a team and Drew is contributing, the numbers prove it !!! I like what I see, do I think he’s worth the $55 Mil he’s making ?? Of course not, but then I don’t think any Ball Player is worth that kind of money !!! That’s why I don’t miss Beltre $65 Mil, Brown $105 Mil, Piazza $90 Mil or any of those other high priced primadonnas !! I like seeing the Kids come up and this year has been the best year for that in a long time !!! I think Nomar has been great, but he just might not be a Dodger next year becasue he’s going to comand a big contract in the off season and the Dodgers have a very good kid in Loney that comes in at a fraction of the price. What’s the right decision ?? They’ll probably go with Loney and spend the money on pitching !!!
Go get’em Dodgers, veterns and kids alike !!
Let’s beat the **** out of AZ and start that win streak tonight !!
Go Dodgers !!
I’m getting some wierd “comment spam” warning. All I’m trying to do is post my view of the lineup. Josh, what gives??? There’s no links in it.
1) Furcal, SS
2) Lofton, CF
3) Ethier, LF
4) Nomar, 1B
5) Kent, 2B
6) Drew, RF
7) Betemit, 3B
8) Martin, C
9) Maddux, P
hey ksspark, i got that too, is neone else getting it?.. and when we where winning, my kid loney was in there, and at this point i’d rather have him in right field instead of mike marshall j.r., … i also hope to see a lot of my kids getting the call, i.e. kemp, loney, kuo, laroche, miller, young, and mayber even joel hanrahan who i think deserves it.. this guy was our best pitching prospect at one point, the reds even offered us adam dunn straight up for him, and we said no, thats how high dodger brass thought of him, and after a couple of down years, it seems likes hes back, so to give this guy a call up would be a great story..
BELIEVE IN BLUE!
Yeah… all I’m trying to do is post my comments about my lineup choice and it still won’t let me post it. Josh, this is frustrating. I really had some good points about my lineup and it’s still not letting me post it.
Furcal is the true Mr. Consistency of this team.
Lofton can still hit and has the experience late in the season as well.
Ethier has shown all year long that he can produce. Why is his talent being wasted behind guys who aren’t getting on base?
Nomar has the best RISP percentage on the team. Can you say DUH?
Kent has 10 hits in his last 35 at bats and will get better with more runners in scoring position.
JD Drew Maybe the less pressure will help him produce.
Betemit’s five home runs lead the Dodgers over the same span since we acquired him and he’ll only get better.
Martin. Need we say any more? The shame of it is that he should be hitting lower in the lineup. Next year kid.
Maddux is a master. Greg could you please have a sit-down with Brad Penny and show him how not to melt down on the mound during the future? We need Brad to not have the umpires hate him so much. Thanks for your help. I’m sure you’ll know just what to say that will wake him the heck up.
And by all means, let’s get the win tonight!
Sorry about all the posts. This was the only way I could post all of these comments together. Go Blue!!!
I have to sgree with GS a little bit. Drew may not be the greatest,but who is the alternative? It’s been pretty well documented he does not give a 100% all the time, but I really don’t get to see Blue often enough to see for myself. I read “3 Nights in August” in which La Russa thought perhaps another manager might be able to reach Drew. The Braves did not offer him a contract at the end of his stint in Atlanta, as I recall. Not the greatest, especially at his salary. I see Coletti continues to watch the waiver wire but the players he claims are withdrawn. So…perhaps Drew should bat lower in the order but he is what we’ve got. I’ve noticed in the past he’s done well after being criticized here, so hopefully he’ll do something big tonight. The coming couple of months would be a great time to earn those big bucks.
I rather leave Nomar in that 3rd hole and put Ethier 4th and move Drew to #6 and move Martin #7. Drew is really a #3 hitter not #4.
Heck let Martin bat #6 and move DRew to #7 but Drew batting #7 is weird.
Why is Nancy Drew still hitting clean-up. She is not a power hitter… she should be hitting in the 6th or 7th spot. I’m tired of her patented weak ground balls to 2nd. Ethier or Betemit would be a much better choice instead of our little cream- puff Drew.
1)Lofton
2)Furcal
3)Nomar
4)Betemit
5)Ethier
6)Martin
7)Drew
8)Lugo
That’s my lineup!!!!!!
I also got hit with the anti-spam blocker… I figured Josh was just sick of me… 😉
Hey Gary…
I agree with you about Drew on most points, however his SLG percentage is not where it should be for a “cleanup” type of hitter. As far as everyday players are concerned, his SLG percentage is actually fifth best on the team. But the four players above him really tell the tale:
1) Ethier, .541
2) Nomar, .524
3) Betemit, .493
4) Kent, .452
5) Drew, .449
That’s why I believe that for now, the best cleanup hitter we have with experience is Nomar. Ethier really should be hitting lower in the lineup, batting 3rd. He’d do well with the rabbits on base, with Nomar to finish matters off. It’s worth a try.
ive noticed that the times were the cruelest on j.d. drew, thats when hes actually contributes.. so u guys know wat we have to do..
BELIEVE IN MIKE MARSHALL J.R.!
Yeah so hmm what do you have to say about JD maybe he’s snapped out of it. I knew he had it in him.
Greg Maddux is old. He’s going to have a heart attack on the field. So’s Kenny Lofton. Except not, ‘cuz he used to be a Giant. Mad props.
Oh yeah, by the way, all you Bluebloods…. Flatbush. Remember that. Steve Finley’s with us now.
Beat LA.
P.S. I don’t care you guys are in first.
hey giant fan, this is for u..
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y229/mukluck/giantstrophy-1.jpg
BELIEVE IN BLUE!
I would agree Kris, Drew doesn’t have the pop or the SLG to be a #4. But 1st in RBI’s is why Grady keeps him in the top 5 spots. He wants those extra at bats. My only point was overall Drew has earned “A” spot in the lineup !!! After all he has played the second most games, 114, as any other player on the team !! and he’s coming off injuries !!! The “Cream Puff” comments just aren’t justified when to look at the numbers !!
Lets get behind the WHOLE team, and beat AZ !!
Go Dodgers !!!
Hey nsulat@gmail.com, bet you wish you guys were in first !!! Take a Gerital and watch the Giant sink into the sunset !!!
Dodgers RULE !!! Giants Drool!!
AND DREW HITS A 2 RUN HR !!!!
Go Dodgers !!!
JD Drew actually went deep! Wow, I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day.
So what if Drew hits a HR? One every three weeks or so isn’t really what you want from your cleanup spot.
The mere fact that it gets remarked on shows its rarity ;-D
Well, Maddux seems off his game so far, and the Dodgers have given him all the offense they were going to. I hope he can make the one remaining run stand up!
For goodness sake get off the guys lets please JD Drew hunt… Far more worried about the fact that the team is playing horrible baseball and we just gave up the lead on 2 un earned runs….. Were are making first pitch outs, errors etc… I hate to say it but it looks like were back in the funk…. We really need to get our act together!!!
Lets go BLUE!!! you are the better team, play like it!
Claudio Vargas looks like after the hickup in the 1st he can dominate our line up… I really dont understand what happens to this team when we get behind.
LOL, you guys are never happy !!!
Go Dodgers !!
2 run homerun? Told you.
Un-freaking-believable. JD Drew is my hero! :o)
BELIEVE IN J.D. DREW! (?)
OK you guys you have to give me my moment !! Drew just hit his 2nd HR !!! Now come on how sweet is that !!
Go Dodgers !!!
SD is losing !!
from now, all we are gonna do is badtalk j.d. drew, look how he has responded today.. but our defense has to get better.. betemit has been struglin at the plate lately, so maybe my kid laroche has a chance, who knows…
BELIEVE IN MIKE MARSHALL J.R.!
So THAT’S why Drew’s hitting cleanup!
atta girl drew it takes his little brother to make him hustle nice! what happen to his arm that has to be one of the weakest arms for a right fielder? Hey giant fan that says it all “I don’t care you guys are in first.” that says it all!! you guys stink!!DODGERS RULE giants DROOL!!!!
NOOOOOOOO GIO!!!! NOOOOOO WHY IS GIO IN THE GAME?????
2 crushed line-outs to the outfield and a line drive double off the wall… Gio= Batting practice, guys please, stop the madness!!
y bring in gio?.. there is a guy in jacksonville who would be perfect in that spot, jonathan meloan needs to be brought up and fill that role.. i think he can exell at that spot..
Come on guys – let’s see you score some late-inning runs when it matters!
I like the team’s play this far. Some fantastic defensive plays. They’re playing hard – even Drew puts in an effort tonight, attempting to catch that popup on the slide!
It is fun to watch the team play like this. Good work, Dodgers.
This is tough to like…. no offense since the 4th… and AZ chipping and chipping away un answered….
Eric Byrnes’ hit in the eighth inning should have been played by Rafael Furcal and not Wilson Betemit. Betemit showed good hustle getting to and stopping the ball, but it was a case where he should have let the ball go. Clearly Rafael had the easier play on the ball. Betemit made it a close play, but Furcal had the angle on the ball. The two of them need to get together and talk about these situations, and trust in each others’ defense. Wilson needs to allow Furcal to make those plays… and tonight if he did, then we should have won this game already.
Well unless we can run back time and fix that this game looks over- the bats are in the showrs, thiking about a late night snack.
Pretty much game over, yeah.
Sad ending after a day where everybody put in a honest day’s work – except Betemit, who once didn’t try hard enough and once tried too hard, resulting in at least a couple runs for them.
its not over yet griff, and yess, betemit really upset me today, i’d rather see andy laroche there, andy who by the way hit another home run today..
BELIEVE IN THE ’04 MAGIC!
this is the worst coached team ever. if you blink your eye, with the Dback bullpen runnig on fumes, if yous so much as sneeze, you miss the top 1/2 of another 5-6 pitch scoreless dodger inning. its amazing, were DONE!
guys take a D.A.M.N. pitch!.. im tired of the first ball hitting ground out or pop out!.. wat the **** has eddie murray been telling them?
Of course, D-Back fans are probably pulling their hair out watching their team strand their 19nd runner on base…..Wow… this is insane.
The game tomorrow will be harder for us no matter how this current game turns out…
Hudson’s ball is still flying…
dam-n!
and the losing continues, todays game was pathetic.. lousy fielding, and for the most part lousy hitting.. the dodgers have to change their hitting approach… nomar, betemit, ethier, and little really let me down today..
Grady… gain some brass nuts and do something about this lineup. We need Lugo’s bat in the lineup.
What a tough loss this is… for sure it stings. But it’s still just one loss. Shake it off and come back tomorrow. No loss in the standings, so let’s get it going tomorrow.
Why wasn’t Beimel brought in?
how the **** does aaron sele walk brandon lyon! W.T.F.!
I half watched the entire game and I didn’t see a single Ethier at bat. Weird.
Bummer loss.
This game was the worst of the year as far as I am concerned. We really needed the win to pad our lead. We had the lead several times and lost it several times. Maybe the guys are out of gas and it is a harbinger of things to come for the rest of the year. I hope not but the Dodgers really need to bear down and play every pitch like they are in the playoffs.
DFA Cararra, bring up Loney and let him play first and have Lugo play second and we might start winning again. Kent and Nomar are great players , but it just isn’t working with them in the lineup.
1) I’m not going to say that Josh jinxed the game with the title of this post, but Maddux pitched a pretty awful game. Really, 10 hits and 2 walks with no K’s just isn’t good. I am still puzzled a bit, though, with why Grady insists on a pitch count limit of 80 for Maddux. He always gets off to a rough start and is better once he gets into the middle of the game. Even with the way he pitched last night, he would have been better than Gio.
2) JD Drew came through and in a big way. He homered twice, and drove in the go-ahead run that nearly won the game. Perhaps even more impressive was his throw to get his brother out, considering his defense has been the most troublesome.
3) Takashi Saito and Jonathan Broxton have generally been reliable. Occasionally they falter, but it is even more rare tha they would do that on the same night. Two blown saves in a game is a rare feat, and not one to be particularly proud of either.
4) Russell Martin went yard last night, and also caught 15 innings. Even fresh from an off-day Thursday, Toby Hall might catch Derek Lowe to rest Martin here. Potentially, the Dodgers could rest their 3-5 guys and move up Ethier, Betemit and Martin in the lineup to look like
Furcal
Lofton
Lugo
Saenz
Ethier
Betemit
Martinez
Hall
And that wouldn’t be too bad.
5) The last time the Dodgers won, Derek Lowe was the starter. He can go deep into the game, and he can pitch well. His one obstacle is that too many Diamondbacks hit him last time, but that was in July. In August he’s 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA, having pitched at least 7 innings in each start this month, and he has regained his sinker grip, which wasn’t quite working for him in July. There is good reason for optimism today.
I really do think Blue has the best team (on paper) with the best chance to win the west, but I’ve got to say this inconsistency is MADDENING.
“guys take a D.A.M.N. pitch!.. im tired of the first ball hitting ground out or pop out!.. wat the **** has eddie murray been telling them?”
I AGREE….GEEEEZ, WE MADE THEIR BULLPEN LOOK UNHITTABLE…too many Dodgers tryng to hit the first pitch out of the yard..
And yes, *** was Sele walking a pitcher in his first MLB at bat?!?
Curious about Betemit today. Will his two very costly errors get him a seat on the bench in favor of Lug-nuts?
Tough, tough game to lose on the road with the Padres also losing last night and even more so after Drew awakens from a slumber and has great game…
First pitch ground outs and pop outs of the lineup also incredibly frustrating to me. Fire the hitting coach!
We run into pitchers we struggle with, Peavy for instance, and so many first or second pitch outs. The guy stays in for seven innings and we’re done for, given that we can’t score in latter innings.
We need a Bobby Abreu or an Eric Byrnes who go out there with the guts and bloody-mindedness to foul off pitch after pitch.
“That was a great game out there tonight,” Dodgers manager Grady Little said. “We made a couple of mistakes defensively, but we came out of the gates swinging. It was just one of those nights where we needed to score a few more than we did.”
….ummm… a “great game” WOW!!!! you want to know why we go on 5,6,8 game loosign streaks? A “GREAT GAME”?!!!! HOLY COW! Yea, few more runs would have been good….
Well, yes – Little can be the man of understatement or the funny turn of the phrase. I suppose if we end up the season a couple of games out, he’ll say “Well, it was certainly a GREAT SEASON. We could have won a couple more games, and look at where we would be.” Yeaaa!
Yeah… kind of like looking at the “bright-side” when you only lose 4 1/2 games in the standings when the team goes on a 1 of 14 losing streak.
The bottome line is though… WE’RE STILL IN FIRST PLACE!! Yippee!
Though there’s good things to be said for looking on the bright side, there’s bad things to be said too, one of which is eroding motivation to be better.
griffon,
Well put.
Anyone else remember 2 sorta sloppy/low energy back to back extra innings losses to StL about 6 weeks ago? Pressure is HUGE on Lowe to step up and right the ship tonight. I think he can do it. I hope he can do it.