Kuroda, Stults, etc.
Eric Stults takes the mound today in place of Kuroda and while it’s obviously a bummer that Hiroki hurt his side, I’m glad that our medical department is smart enough to try and nip this in the bud now before it gets to be a bigger issue.
Here’s hoping that good things continue to happen to good people, as Stults is one of the nicest guys in the game. Every so often, I like to escape my job in the press box and watch the game from some place in the stands so that we can see the Dodger Stadium experience from a fan’s perspective. Well, last year I did that with one of my front office counterparts at a June game and it turned out to be the day Stults pitched a complete-game shutout. I was so happy for him because of how hard he’s worked over the years. Plus, with the recent passing of his mother, you’ve got to be pulling for this guy.
He may go on to have long MLB career and he may continue to go back and forth to the Majors, but he’ll always be able to point to that game against the Sox as the day he dominated in the bigs. Let’s hope there are a lot more of those in his left arm.
Here’s today’s lineup:
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
Stults, P
Inside the Dodgers 
Joe, now just flip-flop Martin and Kemp and you’re on to something…
I’d flip-flop Hudson & Ethier and then Hudson & Blake!
I agree that Kemp should be moved up, but I would have moved Andre to the 3 spot and Manny to cleanup. I think Martin will be fine. He’ll get going soon and I think the results that the 2009 lineup is capable of will come. It’s so early in the season and they’re not the only top team that has struggled a bit.
How is everybody Tonight?
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I see where Loney has moved up in the batting order and Ethier has been moved down. I don’t think the Ethierholics will mind that too much since most of them also love Loney.
Josh, You mentioned that big game in June, well I was remembering, as always, another big game Stults pitched at Shea Stadium in ’06, when I was in attendance.
Stults can be bad but he can be very good, lets hope tonight will be the latter.
He may even help the offense.
I’m glad the game’s on MLB Network tonight, that’ll save a lot of stress although I must say the HD on MLB.TV was pretty good last night, for a change. Let’s hope it stays that way.
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Now let’s see how this server is working tonight.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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Obi ~ this Internal Server Error has been going on long enough!
Very surprised not to see Pierre in the line-up tonight.
Manny really crushed that last pitch. Too bad it was foul.
Good Evening ITD readers and writers!!! Joepierre ~ you are correct, James is my #2 guy. I still think Andre should bat 2nd, but I am with enchanted, I was surprised JP wasn’t in the line up tonight. For that I am happy with Torre for sticking to the same starters in the lineup with the exception of Russell and Raffy’s day off, which is understandable.
Enchanted, Vinny just said that Pierre is going to get a start tomorrow according to Torre, but he didn’t say who he would be playing for. I think we all know who the one to get screwed will be, same as always.
This team strikes out entirely way too much.
bluecrewgirl – yes, I think we do 😦 However, that also means JP is playing centerfield.
enchanted – we are striking out too much!!
Right now watching this team is like watching paint dry.
At his current rate, Blake ought to break Kemp’s club strikeout record by the middle of June.
Nelly, I don’t have a problem with him getting a lot of pinch hit at bats and a start from time to time, but I completely disagree with him starting a game a week, or more God forbid, on a regular basis. I have nothing against the guy personally, I just don’t think he at all fits with where I want to see the Dodgers go. They need to stick with the guys in the lineup. It will be completely worth it if they do. At least with Stultz, it’s not a wasted at bat. He can really swing the bat.
Eric is doing a great job so far (knock on wood).
bluecrewgirl – Not only are you taking away a possible homerun or 2B, you are taking away from the team defensively. Manny is not known for his defense either,and the whole mlb knows what JP can do out there – nothing.
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
Ride Captain Ride!!!
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GO DODGERS!!!!
Well, that was a much better inning……let’s go Eric Stults!!! Keep us in the game 🙂
Well, that was a much better inning……let’s go Eric Stults!!! Keep us in the game 🙂
Wow!!! Eric is looking impressive right now – LET’S GO DODGERS, LET’S GO!!!!
Well, we’ll see how long this lasts. By the end of last night’s game, I couldn’t get on here at all. My patience is just about spent. Keep it going, Eric. We sure need a big performance from you tonight. GO BLUE!!!!!
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
ALRIGHT ANDRE!!!!!!!!!
Everyday Dre!!!!
Alright Matthew! – way to get the Sac Fly!!!!
This is more like it.
Lots of great team AB’s this inning!!!!! This is more like it!!!!Keep it going, boys!!!!!
bluecrewgirl – this is where I wouldn’t JP coming into a game. Get through the 6th and 7th inning, make sure the BP doesn’t unravel, and then go ahead and put JP out there. There is no way he should be starting a game. Not when Matt and Andre can possibly do what they just did every game.
Seesky, I was just about to say hi to you when you finally got on and right in the middle of my post, I got completely kicked off and I just now got back on. I couldn’t get back on with Explorer and I have Firefox loaded too, so I switched over to that and got right back on with no problem and my cursor isn’t jumping around quite as much when as it does when I post like it does on Explorer, so for anyone having issues with the blog, you might want to see if Firefox works better. Hopefully, we’ll be passing the victory flask around tonight. It was great to see that offensive explosion. We needed it. I’m really happy for Stultz. He’s got a hell of a lot of talent for someone who’s had to struggle so much to stay in the majors.
Fabulous job Eric Stults!!!!! Come on Bullpen – keep this win for Eric!!! GO DODGERS!!!!
Good job Stults…Way to hit the ball and score runs, Dodgers. Ronald Belisario take it to BROX!!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
Hello, everyone. So far, so good. What a difference a day makes! Let’s keep it going Dodgers!!!!
Yeah, bluecrew, it’s sure nice to see us hitting the way we know our guys can. A great outing from Stultz. Now, if he could just be more consistent, he could be a real shot in the arm for us. Bellisario has looked good, too, in the early going. So far, no problems with the server tonight….as I whistle past the graveyard.
Way to hustle, Matty K!!!!!!!!
Way to hustle, Matty K!!!!!!!!
That’s it. Juan plays for Manny tomorrow.
……you think enchanted?
Yea, sure he does!
Yea, sure he does!
……you think enchanted?
So, who would you sit tomorrow. Manny got on base, Andre started the scoring in the 6th with his 2 run double, and Matt did his part too. The answer should be none of the above.
I don’t know how you can keep him out of the line-up Nells – he’s hitting .500.
And what speed…
LMAO, Enchanted. Can JP pitch? He can almost reach the plate!
I think you as GM need to consult your manager on that. LOL!!!! I am team mom, and I say “no” – LOL!!!!
LMAO, Enchanted. Can JP pitch? He can almost reach the plate!
Agree, Nelly, none of them should sit and I think I could have gotten off a better throw to the plate on that last play.
So, who would you sit tomorrow. Manny got on base, Andre started the scoring in the 6th with his 2 run double, and Matt did his part too. The answer should be none of the above.
Here’s Johnny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great game Boys!!!!!
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Good Night and God Bless all 🙂
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GO DODGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Life is good today 🙂
Sorry about the double posting……I’m at the point now, where I just keep pushing the submit button, even though I know we are only supposed to hit it once!
Team massage therapist says NO too, lol.
This one’s dedicated to whoever has to sit in favor of Juan tomorrow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKIKEm1jul8
So, who says “yes”? The answer is NOBODY!!!!
Trublu, I have hit it only once several times and still ended up with double posts.
bluecrew ~ LOL! I know what you mean!
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I don’t think Juan should ever start. I want him so unhappy we have to get rid of him!
Perfect enchanted!!!!!!!! I am laughing, but it’s really not funny. None of the three (really two) should be sitting just to placate him, and shame on management for letting it happen.
You’re right, bluecrew, I’ve hit it only once each time and I’ve had as many as 4 postings of one entry. Some have shown up late or not at all. Somebody should fix this piece of !!@$ system.
Neither Matt or Andre have warranted being sat tomorrow because both of them were key in tonight’s game.
FABULOUS GAME TONIGHT DODGER BLUE!!!!!!!
Maybe Matt and Andre will draw straws to see who sits. I’m with you Nellyjune, neither one of them deserves to sit in favor of Pile. (That’s for Jhall, since he’s not here)
Agree, Nelly. I really do hope they can find a way to deal Pierre to a team that he is a fit with and really wants him. Matt and Andre just don’t deserve to sit one game for him.
The Padres are handing it to the Gnats for now. It’s 5-1 Sanchez started and has since been replaced, and Peavy is still in so far.
6-2 Padres – Peavy is still pitching in the 6th. I know jhall said he thinks he dislikes the Padres more than the gnats. I can’t bring myself to dislike them more than the gnats. To be honest, the Phillies are on the bottom of my list.
Padres are always a thorn in the Dodger’s side, but I still dislike the Giants more. The rivalry goes back a lot farther and runs deeper.
It looks like they may prove to be a thorn in all the teams in our division. I know it’s a long season, but they certainly didn’t start out as the terrible team everyone thought they were going to be.
I just realized I’d been spelling Stults’ name wrong. I was putting a z on the end. Sorry, Eric!
Is always a good feeling to come back home and see are teams crush the dback.
Blue you was spelling his name Stullz? We have a guy I think still in are organization name Carlos Medero-Stullz that we drafted in the 8th round in 2004. I would love to see a Stullz and Stults battery.
Blue you was spelling his name Stullz? We have a guy I think still in are organization name Carlos Medero-Stullz that we drafted in the 8th round in 2004. I would love to see a Stullz and Stults battery.
I read that in an article on the Dodger’s site, Shad. Maybe that’s where I got it from.
bluecrewgirl – I am not looking forward to tomorrow’s lineup. I really don’t want to see this become a habit of Joe’s putting JP in the lineup for pure entitlement reasons. Yes, he is hitting the ball, but so are Andre and Matt, and with power.
I agree, Nelly. I am really nervous about it and hope that he’ll change his mind. I dread the thought of going back to last year’s bs. I really hope that doesn’t happen. I thought we were finally past it and Matt and Andre could stop worrying about it and thinking they couldn’t even have one off game. They have both earned to go through a slump here and there without fear of losing their jobs.
If the skills were the same, I would understand. I know there are other teams that platoon, but it’s because the players have equal skills/abilities. This is not the case here. This is just playing someone for pure entitlement purposes and not for the benefit of the team as a whole. I am hoping Torre got enough of him tonight and changes his mind, but I doubt it at this point.
..then again, if the skills were the same, he would have been traded by now 🙂
I am still having problems with this blog kicking me off constantly. I have to get up early tomorrow to go to spend Easter with my family, so I’d better get to bed. Have a great Easter, Nelly and wish your mom the same!
..then again, if the skills were the same, he would have been traded by now 🙂
Good Night Bluecrewgirl – Happy Easter to you too. I will tell my mom seeing how she will be over here tomorrow – thanks!!! May Joe make the right decisions tomorrow in keeping our young gun outfielders from sitting the bench for tomorrow’s game.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090411&content_id=4230574&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
Matt is sitting 😦
Thanks For letting us know we don’t get to watch our most dynamic young player play tommorrow so you can play Pierre. By all accounts the whole fan base, based on the dodgers actions and Pierre’s public unhappyness as a role player , know the reason it is being done. It’s sad and pathetic and want no part of it. I’ll be watching the masters. Kemp should be marketed better. He should be hitting way higher than 7th. He is the guy after Manny I want to see hit. Ethier might be a tad more polished and takes better ABs and Martin sorta bugs me (sac religious i know, i cant explain it) and loney has no power and furcal is awesome and so is hudson, but Kemp is where its at. And now we get Pierre. Boo. Big Boo.
Happy Easter everyone! Feliz dia de resurrencion!
I can’t wait for Opening Day here on Monday! A friend of mine went to the gift shop today and she said they were practicing for Monday!
I can’t wait for Jackie Robinson Day also and I have been invited to the Bluetopia movie premiere! Woohoo!
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
Happy Easter Everyone
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Man O Man what a game, Stults and the bullpen hand it to Box in the 9th, 11-2. O Dog started the party and everyone jumped in. Rhythm in the Blues ~ Way to go Dodgers.
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Lets keep the ball rollin all the way home. Wolf will get the start on Sunday. Lets get a quick start scoring runs tomorrow again and get it to Brox!!!
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Enjoy your Holiday everyone 🙂
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Life Is Good Today!!!
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GO DODGERS!!!!!
BRING THE RING TO L.A. IN 2009!!!!
Have a Happy Easter everyone.
jungar – I think you are right. As much as I am an ethieraholic, I agree, Matt needs to be batting much higher. Everyone knows Matt is going to be the clean up batter so why not prep him for it now. Andre, because of his patience at the plate, can bat anywhere. I think he can be just as much of a threat batting 7th (or even 8th) as he can batting 2nd or 4th because he “normally” doesn’t strike out much, and he will get on base to set the table for the top of the order as well. I really thought Andre was going to be sitting this one out. Matt is the one with the streak of getting on base safely in every game. Matt has hit a homerun since the season started. Not only are you taking Matt’s offense out of the game, you are taking his defense as well.
I think how they are handling this JP issue is just sad.
I feel like I am a little league parent again watching a kid play because his parents bitched and moaned about their kid not getting enough playing time, and the coach caved.
This doesn’t even happen in high school ball. On my son’s team, Every player knows their role, but I guess in the Dodgers case, JP doesn’t want to accept his, and the management is caving.
HAVE A FABULOUS EASTER EVERYONE!!!
GO DODGERS!!!!!
Nellyjune ~ You and Jungar are right. However, it is Joe who is caving in under the pressure of putting JP in the lineup. If, Mr. Pierre was any kind of team player, he would accept his role as a situational pinch hitter or runner….that’s it! But, of course we all know that will never happen.
Nellyjune ~ You and Jungar are right. However, it is Joe who is caving in under the pressure of putting JP in the lineup. If, Mr. Pierre was any kind of team player, he would accept his role as a situational pinch hitter or runner….that’s it! But, of course we all know that will never happen.
Hi all,
I’d like to see a line up shake-up to what eric suggested a few days ago. Andre in front of Manny, Manny cleanup, followed by Kemp, Loney, Blake and then Russel. Russ’s speed and ability to draw walks will be valued in the 8 hole and will lead to less innings led off by the pitcher and further maximize Blake’s power w/ less garbage pitching. It also increases Manny’s impact on the line-up w/ Ethier benefitting from more fastball’s and strikes, so far Ethier has also shown a great eye and patience at the plate.
Arayd ~ good to see you back. Isn’t it amazing that we can all see what the lineup should look like and, Joe can’t?
thx tru, yeah it is interesting, cause this line-up seems to make so much sense. i think joe wants kemp to show better plate discipline and reduce the k’s before moving him up though.
i sure hope the pitching shakes out alright, we all know that’s what will really make the difference. i’m worried and optimistic about it simultaneously. bellisario is impressive. his true test will be to show he can adjust to the league once they adjust to him, that splitter is filthy, but reynolds showed what to do with it by slicing and opposite-field line drive.
HAPPY EASTER ALL! I’M LOOKING FOR THE EGG WITH A DODGER BLUE W (victory) IN MY TV SET!
Can we institute a designated thrower rule for balls hit to JP?
I like JP, but his arm hurts the defense, runners on 2nd are automatic, sac flies too, it’s too bad. I like his speed so much but the arm, ehhhh not so much.
Makes send to me – take out a 5-tool player hitting .348 for a one trick dead horse, all because little Juany P has to be treated like a baby.
Anyway, careers vs. Haren:
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JP – 6AB 2H 1K
MK – 11AB 4H 1HR 3BI 2K
But hey, the OF defense will be entertaining.
LOL, Arayd! That’s exactly why Juan should NOT be playing!
Andre’s numbers against Haren.
15 15 7 2 0 1 4 0 4 .467 .467 .800 1.267
15 AB
7 Hits
2 Doubles
1 HR
4 RBIs
That of course should say “sense”, not “send.” Shouldn’t try to do two things at once. Makes me wonder what I sent in the email I was working on…
I’ve a question… if offense is at a premium vs. a premium pitcher like Haren (or any premium pitcher for that matter), why would you take out a 5-tool player in favor of a slap hitter that will give up runs in the OF? If they HAVE to coddle JP, why not against a less than average pitcher where offense and defense isn’t as big of a factor? I can almost guarantee JP costs them 2 runs playing center today. 2 runs you could likely get away with against a team’s #5, but not against their #1 or #2.
But what really pisses me off, is that we even have to have this discussion. If JP were the team player he professes to be, he’d sit his *** on the bench and do what he was told. I don’t see Meintkiewicz or Loretta whining for playing time.
The Juan Pierre signing IMO cost us…
44 million for Pierre
36 Milliion for Jones
45 million for Manny.
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The offense (power) was on the bench in Ethier and Kemp. But they signed Pierre and Gonzo. Then kids emerged and we needed Power so we got Jones. And jones didn’t hit so we had to get Manny.
So, if we are going by numbers, why would you put JP in a game against Haren? I am telling you right now, he better not be in centerfield on the 16th. Nellyjune will be extremely p*i*s*s*e*d. Hopefully they have more sense to start him in a game at Dodger Stadium, but they don’t think about the fans do they?
enchanted – McDonald and Zito are pitching on Thursday, and I don’t want JP starting then either. This is very frustrating to say the least. You are right, we shouldn’t be having this discussion again.
oh yeah, i know it’s late to say but i gotta say it, cause i was saying it to the t.v. when russell came up to bat 2 games ago in SD w/ hudson on 3rd (from a leadoff triple), ethier on 1st (walk) and one out. we all thought it too, games gonna end on a dp. torre shoulda had russ bunt on a squeeze, hudson’s FAST, russ can bunt, and it eliminates the chance of ending the game w/ one swing of the bat and still have ethier at 2nd in scoring position. not only that but Bell throws straight heat, not too much breaking, perfect to lay down a bunt. Even if hudson gets tagged at the plate (not very likely) you still have a chance to tie. THAT was a blunder, it’s been irking me ever since.
Nellyjune ~ I have the feeling they will put Yougnomewho in just for you, when you are there! lol
Besides, Nellyjune, I want to hear you boo once!
Well, I don’t know about booing, but I am certainly not going to have on my Mrs. Nelson persona if that happens 🙂
Let’s face the facts – Joe doesn’t have the cajones to not cave into JP, and Ned/Frank don’t have the cajones to let him go. And that’s all it is. Its one thing to rest a fielder now and then in the middle of the year and let your 4-5 OFer get a start, but I doubt a 24 year old needs much rest after 6 games.
JP’s worthless as a starter. Worthless as a defensive replacement (what a 4th OFer is really for.) Worthless as a PH. Worthless as a teammate (no enthusiasm, and its always about him.) And for all intents and purposes, worthless as a PR because be it a reserve IF or OF, someone in that capacity will have speed. For CS they have pitchers PR.
Whether NedCo wants to admit it or not, the $44 mil is already wasted, why not just give him what he and we all want – his walking papers. Two years from now he’ll still be taking playing time he doesn’t deserve, and still be blocking the likes of Paul and Lambo.
Very well said enchanted 🙂
In honor of JPs first start of 2009. To Helen Reddy’s Delta Dawn:
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQpvbTHkJXg
HEY THERE JUAN
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Hey there Juan, where’s the talent you had gone?
Could it be it faded way in days gone by?
And did I hear Joe say,
he’d be aplayin’you ‘gin today?
So he wouldn’t have to hear another why-hine.
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He’s 31 and they’re treatin’ him like a baby.
All the folks round D-Town think Joe’s crazy.
Cuz he sits down in the dugout and just pouts.
Waitin’ him for a chance to make his out.
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In his younger days they called him speedster Juan.
Fastest runner you’ve ever laid eyes on.
Then a man named Ned Colletti got him signed.
44 mil sittin’ him on the pine.
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Hey there Juan, what’s that fragrance you have on?
Could it be a little Phew from days gone by?
And did I hear you say,
You should be playin’ you ev’ry day,
and not sit disenchanted on the pine?
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Yo there Juan, with that useless noodle arm
could it be your whole career has passed you by?
And don’t all bloggers say,
we don’t like watchin’ you run and play?
Can’t wait for the day you waive bye-bye-hi
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Hey there Juan… (to fade)
Hey There Juan
480 and Counting
©NedCo Broken Records 2009
enchanted – I don’t know if I should say I am very impressed with that song seeing how if he wasn’t playing, you wouldn’t have had to post it.
You never disappoint enchanted 🙂 Fabulous song for what it’s worth. Does Eric know how many of the over 500 songs are about JP and/or the players affected by him? It’s got to be over half perhaps 🙂 LMAO!!! You need to send JP a copy.
Enchanted. Just a correction, cajones means drawer and cojones is the other word you are looking for. Ok, done with the Spanish lesson. Back to your regular schedule.
Emma
http://crzblue.mlblogs.com/
LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!
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LETS GO DODGERS, LETS GO!!!!