Mixing it up…
We’ve had rough patches before and quite often, when the manager mixes it up, you turn things around. So, with Xavier Paul at the top of the lineup, we’ll see if we can’t get this offense going.
And for you UCLA Bruins who had to stomach all the USC Trojan colors last night, this is your chance to get even. First 20,000 in the park get an LA hat in Bruin colors.
Here’s the lineup:
Paul, LF
Martin, C
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
DeWitt, 2B
Carroll, SS
Billingsley, P
Inside the Dodgers 
I think Josh is totally ignoring us…..don’t you?
Ignored again.
Shame.
“How long must we sing this song…”
I am glad you haven’t forgotten that Messagebear!
For the players sake (and the players sake only), I hope this does bring them out of whatever brought them to this point. I think there is more to this hitting drought than meets the eye. Their spirit seems to have been knocked a few pegs, and I noticed that before the issue with Matt/Colletti. Whatever it is, I hope it gets figured out for their sake.
Just remember boys (Andre, Matt, James, Russell, Blake, Casey, Brox, Billz, et. all), it’s not you that we have issues with, it’s your owner and GM. Keep fighting the good fight on your end, and we will keep fighting the good fight on our end, which is for a team that is ran the Dodger Way once again.
GO DODGERS!!!!
SELL THE TEAM!!!!
I agree also, it’s good to see the X-man in the line up. We can’t do any worst with him ih there then we’ve already been doing.
I certainly admire everyone’s loyalty to the players with all the criticism directed at management, most of it deserved I might add. I have some issues with the players since they are the ones on the field. Say what you will about the limited abilities of some of the arms out there but the pitching the past few games has not been that bad. It is the core position players who collectively went into a slump and who are making poor decisions on the field. Now before everyone jumps on me I realize even the best players go into slumps and make errors. Did Kemp make a bad play last night? Perhaps, but we all know Kemp believes he can get to any ball hit near him so why would a fan be upset at his effort? The problem this little mistake gets so magnaified because of the comments made the past two days and the overall poor play of the team since day one. So little things will get magnified. But the players have to make the plays. I have no idea if or how players are affected by what goes on in the front office but they are human and if we are talking about it I have to guess they do to. Nonetheless, I still hold the players accountable for what they do on the field whether or not they like the manager, owner or GM. Anything is possible. I still expect hitters to drive in some runs in key situations more often than not. I still expect pitchers to throw strikes and limit walks. I still expect fielders to make plays. I don’t care if the player is a veteran or just starting his career. I know the Dodgers will not win every game but tell me what is wrong with expecting a win every time the team takes the field?
The difference is I am not going stop rooting and enjoying my love for baseball and the Dodgers when things get rough. I might get a little disgusted and highly disappointed, but I will back the next day to see what happens. Win or lose.
Batting Xavier leadoff tonight makes a lot more sense than batting Garrett Sweeney #2 last night.
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Today’s projected season record is 59-103.
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We really need a series victory to start turning things around. However, even if we go 3-1 against the Pirates this weekend, that’s not enough to remove the paper bag.
The Mets went from last to first in 4 days. We should be so lucky.
“Hey Bart? Am I seeing things, or is the earth rising?”
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, I hate it.”
32and53, you are right on! I neglected the intelligence part of the equation. Shawn Green used to get criticized for not diving at balls and as I recall his response was why risk injury on a play I am not going to make anyway. I also recall him being a decent fielder with a good arm who got to the ball most of the time. He played within his capabilities which at times might have made it look like a lack of effort on some plays. However, the fans love the guy who hits the wall full steam trying to run down a fly ball. I am sure Matt was not too happy when that ball got by him. It happens to the best of them once in a while.
“Perhaps, but we all know Kemp believes he can get to any ball hit near him so why would a fan be upset at his effort? ”
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I am a Kemp fan and have no doubt that he puts in a great effort. In general, not just with Kemp, I get a little ticked when I see mental errors. I mentioned on the Steve Lyons blog last year about 6 tool players where the last tool is intelligence, situational awareness, or baseball instinct whatever you want to call it. Sometimes that is a skill that comes with experience or coaching. Sometimes it comes naturally. Sometimes a player will never get it. Manny has it. He knows his limits. Even though Manny does not have very good range, he picks up on the ball and can tell where it is going and whether he can get to it or not. Sometimes it makes him look lazy but most of the time his response is correct. He is not like Repko, who will crash into a wall trying to catch a ball that is 4 rows into the stands. Kemp seems to be struggling with some of these issues right now. I hope he learns from his experiences and makes fewer plays that exhibit bad judgement. I also hope Colletti learns from experience and keeps his criticism of players private.
Bravo Nelly, bear, lbirken, all BPB’s and 32and53fan! Spot on as usual.
lbirken – your two cents is always…….always welcome here, and I certainly see your point. I honestly don’t know what happened to the hitting. It’s like overnight, the Dodgers went from getting 5-10 per game to being lucky to get 2. I guess the only people that do know what is happening are the players themselves, and it’s ultimately up to them to figure it out.
In terms on being upset with the players, in most cases, I am sure they are pretty hard on themselves. Just by how Andre reacted after that last at-bat, I would have to assume his batting helmet didn’t make it into the dugout tonight because it was probably broken once again.
I am certainly not giving up on them. We have seen the Rockies rocket through the standings with less than three weeks remaining in the season 2 out of the last 3 seasons, and we are just beginning this season. So, there is a lot of baseball to be played, and there are alot of factors that can change on a dime for all teams in the league……….. injuries and trades.
GO DODGERS!!!!
32and53fan (I love those numbers), you are right on! I neglected the intelligence factor. As I recall Shawn Green took some grief because of his apparent reluctance to dive for balls. His response: why risk injury on a play he is probably not going to make anyway. Some might look at this as being selfish but what good is a player who can’t play because of injury? I thought Shawn was a decent fielder and had a good arm and I never thought he was lazy or lacked effort. However, some fans just love it when a guy crashes into the wall chasing down a fly ball.
Hey 32and53fan!!! Another great post sir!!!
Thanks Sparkleplenty!!! It’s great to read about your friend. What a blessing!
Then there is Messagebear who is good at reminding players when it is time to kick it into gear. He seemed to have a good read on when Andre needed it last year – lol!!!
good post from lbirken. All we can do is hang in there and wait this out.
Sorry for the double post. Have a great evening everyone and let’s pull for a victory tonight! Keep the faith.
Dang I didn’t even know Baez pitch for the Phillies.
I think everyone besides the owner is frustrated with the team the dodgers put together. Torre, Kemp (and the rest of the team), Coletti, and the fans. I mean Torre starting Padilla on opening day is a pretty big FU to the owner IMO
Hi everybody
Well that 6 hour flight back from N.Y. (took me 5 hours), there probably was some trouble up there and jet lag probably set in ( I felt that jet lag the whole time I was in LA). LOL.
Aside from jet lag, they probably wasn’t expected, somebody probably got the schedule wrong, or something and left the door locked.
Charlie Morton, I understand, is having a bad year, so far. John Maine was having one before he faced us, if we don’t hit Morton, pitching against the Dodgers will be known as a safe haven for pitchers that are struggling. If it’s not already.
My camera wouldn’t work at all at Citi field even after I put new batteries in. But today on my way to the camera store to have it checked out, it was working perfectly.
Maybe that’s a good omen.
GO DODGERS!!!!!
GO DODGERS!!!!!
You want to read some good news? JP went 0-3, with a walk. He is now batting a nice healthy .193 :))))
LET’S GO DODGERS, LET’S GO!!!!
C-R-A-P !!!!!!!!!!!
LMAO…..somebody on At-Bat says on twitter, “What inning do I have wait until I get a refund?”
Ummmmm…. He got out of it, but it is just scary.
Go X-man that’s the way to get us started. I love to see the number 30 leading of for the Dodgers.
ANDRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now THAT is our Andre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to go Andre Ethier!!!!!!
ETHIER will do much better.
WTG DRE!!!! I just got this feeling that the losing streak ends tonight.
Nice to see Bills shut them down with a 123 inning. The streak ends tonight.
And keep that confidence like in the last game, maybe it’s a good night for the offense.
Gosh damn these freaking Thunders won’t go away. This series should’ve been over if it wasn’t for these lopsided FT’s from the Thunders.
The Thunders???? haha
Bills looks like he has a little more hop on his fastball tonight. The streak ends tonight.
Yeah watching the basketball game and they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics until they move to Oklahoma City and I never seen an arena this loud for there 1st playoff game in that city. While we at it let’s keep Paul up and released Anderson.
I’m watching it too Shad 🙂
Well actually there 1st playoff series.
J-A-M-E-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I called LONEY’s HR on TBLA.
Not my sport.
Nice to see James hit his first one. oldbrooklynfan it is nice to see the other team play like crap and give us some gifts for a change. The streak ends tonight.
Nice call Joey Joe! It wasn’t long but it was in the right location.
I hope that double by Doumit, that Either mess up out there
doesn’t rattle Bills.
I don’t think it is so much the outfielders having issues as it seems like the wind is causing the ball to do weird things. Vinny has even mentioned it a few times. I was more worried about how Andre came off that wall. I think I saw him cringe because due to his ankle.
How did Either mess up that play? My MLB.TV blacked out during that play.
red pen – omit the word “because”
I don’t think he really did mess up. It appeared the ball went over Andre’s head, but it just missed his glove as he crashed into the wall. It wasn’t ruled an error.
Loney hit home run #1 today.
Konerko hit home run #10 today.
Genius move by Lasorda trading K away.
PAUL looks good but I’d like to see more power. I think I will, he seems to have a nice swing.
I think Ethier should’ve caught it, Nelly.
Ohhh, I think he should have too, but I think the wind is playing tricks on them to some degree. It has been very windy here in the valley, and it is usually worse over there.
Three K’s for Matt isn’t so good……………….hmmmm!
It’s good to see Billz still in the game in the 6th inning. I was a little worried after inning #1.
Come on Lakers so tired of these refs just let them played.
I was just concerned with Bills and the run coming in, because lately, since late last year, seemed to suddently lose it, after a run scored after he was pitching very well and it looked like to me that ‘Dre messed up that chance. But you could be right.
I wonder how Kemp is doing with Rihanna.
I think we have to thank Ned for Matt’s problems!
I think he is trying way too hard to prove Colletti wrong.
Nice going BELLIARD.
Very intriguing article……………
http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/jon_heyman/04/30/dodgers.kemp/&ct=ga&cad=:s1:f1:v0:i0:lt:e0:p0:t1272650413:&cd=B5k3ph3BieU&usg=AFQjCNE2T3r9PmNuywKjuxmDtE9x__VmxQ
Bills had another quality start YEAH!!!
Here comes DY! Come on Ronnie…………..go get’em!!!
It was good to see Billz get through six. Let’s hope the Bullpen can finish up for him.
Dang the Lakers game is freaking close can’t believe they blew that lead.
Nice job Ronnie!!!! Let’s get some insurance runs boys!!!
Nice HOLD for Belisario,
Way to go Lakers! Now, let the other L.A. team win!!!!! GO DODGERS!!!!!
Good job Gasol
Nice hold Belisario
KEMP finally got some wood on the ball.
Well, that catch made up for the missed catch………….way to go Andre!!!!
NICE CATCH ‘DRE
BELASARIO looks more like he’s back from Venezuela.
Great catch Andre!!!!!! The streak ends tonight.
lol yahoo finally have sherrill in a dodgers hat dang he got a big head.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7379
That’s holding them GEORGE.
Nice game tonight, James.
Sherrill pitch 8 games in a rows without given up an earned runs
Urgh should’ve had played home Loney instead of Agon tonight.
All my comments have gone through tonight without a hitch.
knock on wood………………so have mine oldbrooklynfan!
GEORGIE PORGY PUDDEN PIE did a good job tonight.
Yep but the time warp is a problem lol
Let’s hope it keeps up, Nellyjune.
Here’s Johnny!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go guys! Tonight is the start of a long winning streak!!!!!!
What does Johnny say boys and girls?…………………………….
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Fu Q y’all!!!!!!!!!!!!! We finally won one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOW DARTS MORE LIKE IT.
Nice job Bills & the bullpen, two HRs, an all around good game by the Dodgers. Another 85 or 90 like these and we’ll be alright. The streak HAS ended!!!
whoohoo! keep paul in. best game in a week. I hope matt gets ned out of his head. start the streak!
Keep Paul released Anderson.
Andre Ethier continues to be the Dodgers’ star.
When I saw the title to the thread I was excited as I thought they were mixing up how the security is run at the stadium.
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I guess not.
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Take the challenge Frank. Step up to the plate & make a difference. I dare you!!
Nice game tonight. The team played well rounded ball tonight. No errors, Bills had a good start & didn’t waste pitches & knuckled down when facing some diversity. The bully performed well. I also felt they were more agressive with the hit & run and seemed like they were trying to take it to them.
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Watching Kemp I feel he’s really gripping and trying to hard. Maybe something you can do while running the bases but not at the plate or defensively.
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One final note… At the Giants game tonight the fans were chanting “Beat LA”. Pathetic for them! I take it as a compliment and when I hear them do that I have to laugh because in order to be hated so much you must of been good! Whenever I see our Boys In Blue here in SF I try to encourage them and remind them to take pride when they hear it.
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Okay now one last note… Some great posts from earlier today. Birk & CY come to mind. I think we all agree that Kemp
isn’t playing as well as he can, but he hasn’t been the reason we’ve not done well. It’s been the pitching which is Ned & Franks call, so it’s on them & for Ned to call out Kemp
in public is the issue. I think we can all agree with this. But good discussions. I enjoy all of you and look forward to when we can celebrate a safe & fun stadium, new ownership team, and the Ring coming to the Ravine! Go Blue!!
Wow we bring up Konerko name huh 32and56? We needs an all stars closer since the closer at the time was a left handed specialist forgot who was in that bullpen at the time I think it was DePostra that traded Konerko. I wish we could’ve traded Karros for Shaw and moved Konerko to 1st.
lol beat LA chant and they weren’t playing us seriously is tha a joke?
I wonder what happen if that other so calls LA team playing in SF would that say beat LA to lol.
I really think I need to say this again sorry Anderson but you need to be released and keep the young stud Paul.
Monasterios 1st start today. I really don’t think we should be experience this so soon which Weaver was off the DL.
Pitchers pitching fielders fielding=a win.
well we won last night… we all know what that means, anderson will be back in there batting 2nd, paul doesnt need to start on consecutive days (good ol joe joe)… but great win last night!
Sorry to disappoint but Eric’s letter did not make the cut in today’s L.A. Times. However, the letters that did appear pretty much echo sentiments expressed here the past couple of days. On a more positive note, lets hope the Dodgers feel comfortable playing in front of the home field fans since a good portion of the games the next few weeks will be played at Dodger Stadium. Also, the articles in today’s local papers point to the absence of Manny in the lineup for the struggles from Ethier, Kemp and company.
Wow Ozzie why did it take you this long to put someone in that 9th spot? I guess it took a stats lines like this .193/ .260/ .193/ .454 and 1 for 19 in his last 5 games combined. To bad I can’t say much about the other fool who just hit his 7th homerun just now.
Now he just popped up to the shortstop with the bases loaded with no outs.
They better resigned Dye and stick him in LF now.
You guys should read the White Sox board and I bet they hate phew now.
http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?folderId=1&listMode=13&nav=messages&webtag=ml-whitesox
Shad, all those poor folks had to do was take a look at the ITD archives and cut and paste. What more is there to be said about poor JP that has not already been said? Aren’t the Dodgers still picking up some of his salary?
lol are we still? Of course is JP first time in the AL league maybe the pitching there is tough and damn if only Jones would had did that with us we probably wouldn’t have had Manny on this team and we could’ve had keep Andy.
Andrew Lambo was suspended for 50 games for testing positive on a drug of abuse. http://twitter.com/dylanohernandez
He must be smoking pot again. Not too bright for someone who wants to be a major leaguer.