Know Your Foe #39: Rockies Pay A Visit To Dodgerland

by Russ Oates on Aug 17, 2010 11:30 AM MDT in Know Your Foe

Los Angeles Dodgers (60-59, 10.5 GB, 4th NL West, L2)

Last Series vs. Rockies: 2-1 series victory over Rockies

The Rockies won the middle game of the series 11-3, tagging Hiroki Kuroda for seven runs in four-plus innings. In the final game of the series, Clayton Kershaw opposed Jhoulys Chacin and led the Dodgers to victory. Kershaw struck out nine Rockies.

Last Two Series Results: 1-2 road series loss at Philly; 1-3 series loss at Atlanta

Jonathan Broxton lost the closer's job after he allowed four runs in the bottom of the ninth in last Thursday's game against the Phillies. The Dodgers had been up 9-6 when Broxton entered the game. Thank you Joe Torre. Hiroki Kuroda was on the wrong end of run support in the first game against the Braves as he allowed a run in seven innings. The Dodgers were shut out. Last night, Hong-Chih Kuo left the ninth inning with three runners on and Octavio Dotel entering the game. Dotel allowed all three runners to score. The Dodgers lost 3-4.

Tuesday-Thursday: 3-game series at Dodger Stadium

Expected Pitching Match-ups

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 @ 8:10 p.m. MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jhoulys Chacin	5-8	19	12	0	0	0	0	82.1	70	42	37	8	38	89	4.04	1.31

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Clayton Kershaw	10-7	24	24	0	0	0	0	150.1	123	58	53	9	64	157	3.17	1.24

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 @ 8:10 p.m. MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jason Hammel	8-7	21	21	0	0	0	0	130.1	135	66	64	11	34	106	4.42	1.30

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Hiroki Kuroda	8-11	23	23	0	0	0	0	140.1	138	66	55	12	37	111	3.53	1.25

Thursday, 19 August 2010 @ 8:10 p.m. MT

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jorge De La Rosa	4-3	11	11	0	0	0	0	61.1	58	39	34	7	33	63	4.99	1.48

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Ted Lilly	3-0	3	3	0	0	0	0	19.0	10	4	4	3	2	15	1.89	.63

Expected Lineup

Player	Pos	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	ISO	BABIP	wOBA
Scott Podsednik	LF	0.314	0.377	0.371	0.748	0.057	0.373	0.338
Ryan Theriot	2B	0.309	0.361	0.327	0.688	0.018	0.362	0.313
Andre Ethier	RF	0.300	0.363	0.512	0.874	0.212	0.319	0.373
James Loney	1B	0.288	0.341	0.418	0.759	0.130	0.324	0.330
Casey Blake	3B	0.247	0.324	0.402	0.726	0.155	0.300	0.317
Matt Kemp	CF	0.261	0.316	0.451	0.767	0.190	0.313	0.325
Jamey Carroll	SS	0.284	0.380	0.327	0.707	0.043	0.338	0.328
Brad Ausmus	C	0.176	0.263	0.206	0.469	0.029	0.250	0.213

Bench

Player	Pos	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	ISO	BABIP	wOBA
Jay Gibbons	OF	0.385	0.385	0.615	1.000	0.231	0.400	0.433
Ronnie Belliard	2B/3B	0.221	0.307	0.338	0.645	0.117	0.261	0.286
Reed Johnson	OF	0.291	0.314	0.388	0.702	0.097	0.375	0.303
A.J. Ellis	C	0.177	0.246	0.210	0.456	0.032	0.212	0.214
Juan Castro	SS	0.000	0.250	0.000	0.250	0.000	0.000	0.175

Closers

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Hong-Chih Kuo	3-2	40	0	0	0	4	1	42.1	22	7	7	1	14	52	1.49	.85

But Jonathan Broxton had been the closer until last Thursday.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2010 - Jonathan Broxton	4-4	48	0	0	0	21	5	47.1	44	20	18	2	18	60	3.42	1.31

Injuries

Los Angeles Dodgers Injuries

15-Day

Player	Injury Type	Injury Date
Manny Ramirez	calf	07/17/2010
Rafael Furcal	lower-back	08/03/2010
Russell Martin	shoulder	08/04/2010

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Comments

I think this series is a last gasp

for both teams. Really, each needs a sweep. In any case, I’ll be there tonight and tomorrow, maybe Thurs as well depending on work. Not loving the pitching matchups, but oh well…go get ’em fellas.

by Teekalong on Aug 17, 2010 11:53 AM MDT reply actions

Enjoy, send some cool reports

I do agree, each team really needs a sweep….though I guess the Rox could stay alive with just a series win.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

I want to go 5-1 on this road trip

The Giants play both the Phils and the Cards this week which means these teams will likely all be around .500 for the week. If we can go 5-1 here we can actually pick up ground on the teams in front of us while taking road games off the schedule. If we can cut the gap to three or four games going into the stretch where we play 23 of 35 at home then we have a decent shot at this.

If the 2007 Rockies can win 21 out of 22 to reach the World Series and the 2009 Rockies can come from 12 games under .500 in June to make the playoffs, why can't the 2010 Rockies make the postseason after being 51-50?

Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Aug 17, 2010 12:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Title of this series

1) Battle For Third Place
2) Protected Draft Pick Here We Come
3) We Got Problems Yes We Do, We Got Problems How About You!
4) Jim Tracy, Larry Bowa… Who Would You Rather Vacation With?
5)

by Xeifrank on Aug 17, 2010 11:56 AM MDT reply actions

#4 is hilarious

well done.

by Teekalong on Aug 17, 2010 12:04 PM MDT up reply actions

5) If you like this series then you'll love the other 9 games these teams have to play against each other before the end of the season

Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Aug 17, 2010 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

6) Its not over until we are mathmatically eliminated.

The lack of Seth Smith's beard is irrational
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #π

by Thnikkaman on Aug 17, 2010 1:27 PM MDT up reply actions

7) Last year's battle for first

Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Aug 17, 2010 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions

Ha! ...sigh.....

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?!" Ubaldo, Tulo, Hawpe and Spilly say "Germans?"
"You can learn a lot just by watching"-Yogi Berra (thanks to pedalpusher)
QPU #4, YHEG #4, Proud Member PR Gynocracy

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 1:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Good job, all.

by Xeifrank on Aug 17, 2010 3:14 PM MDT up reply actions

2 out of 3

must start winning every series…or put together a miracle streak

time to make another run to the postseason....get it going guys!!

Troy Tulowitzki: "When people think of the Rockies, I want them to think of a winning organization."

by TuLoRocks2008 on Aug 17, 2010 12:04 PM MDT reply actions

That lineup is not nearly as intimidating as I would have expected.

by RoxnSox09 on Aug 17, 2010 12:13 PM MDT reply actions

So what Dodger team do we think is going to show up for this series?

The one that’s 11-20 in their last 31 games and has scored 3 runs or less in 19 of their last 25 games or the one that’s 36-24 at home and always kills the Rockies?

Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Aug 17, 2010 12:25 PM MDT reply actions

Kershaw, again. Ugh.

I can’t get over how good and how young this guy is…

Is there a stat anyone can produce that suggests anything other than this guy mowing us down tonight?

Oh, now be honest, NL West rivals, warriors to warriors. You do prefer it this way, don't you, as it was meant to be? No peace in our time. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends."

by jasontheuncatchable on Aug 17, 2010 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

Our outfield is pretty good against him

Spilly = .926 OPS agaisnt
Hawpe = 1.246 OPS against
Dex = .862 OPS against

We can’t take Cargo out of the lineup so all of these guys can play though so maybe Hawpe should play first tonight.

Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #1

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Aug 17, 2010 12:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Dex sucks on the road

and EY2 should be leading off, so Fowler should be the odd guy out.

I Hate the Giants

by Rosenort on Aug 17, 2010 1:05 PM MDT up reply actions

I dunno I want Dex in CF at Dodger Stadium

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions

Please don't tell me you want EY2 in LF at Dodger Stadium

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:05 PM MDT up reply actions

EY2 at second

Spilly, Cargo, Hawpe/Smith in the OF.

I Hate the Giants

by Rosenort on Aug 17, 2010 2:06 PM MDT up reply actions

Why would you want Hawpe/Smith in the OF against a LH pitcher?

I rule out Hawpe, since he appears likely to end up on the DL today (unless Barmes is moved). So it’s Smith or Fowler. I think in that situation, you have to go with Dex, especially as he can hit from the right.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:12 PM MDT up reply actions

Because Hawpe kills the Dodgers...LH or RH I think....

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Really Mondo???

Did you just seriously ask me this question?

Cargo, Dex, Smith/Spilly/Hawpe in the OF

or Hawpe at 1B

EY2 at 2nd

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:13 PM MDT up reply actions

Was having a laugh

I’d like to see Cargo/Dex/Spilly tonight

Hawpe at 1B I’m okay with, though Helton the way he’s swinging lately.

EY2 at 2B? Sure.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions

Oh okay....scurred me...because

Despite what the GM thinks, EY2 is NOT a LF

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:30 PM MDT up reply actions

These pitching matchups don't favor us

and we suck against the Dodgers. They are also desperate and on their last breath. I have a really bad feeling about this series.

by MattBerger on Aug 17, 2010 2:29 PM MDT reply actions

The season's over.

Best get positive, because if we do tank this series, the above will be true.

I don’t think you can compare to recent previous seasons, because frankly, the Dodgers themselves suck right now, and have for over a month, and are dysfunctional to boot.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:31 PM MDT up reply actions

5 games out in August isn't over

I would love to progress to 2-3 games back by September and go from there when we have our best players on the roster.

You’re forgetting one thing about the Dodgers. They can sure as hell pitch, and we sure as hell suck on the road at hitting. If we get a series win I will be jumping for joy but I would not be surprised if we got swept.

I usually am positive, but everything about the premise of this series screams bad news to me.

by MattBerger on Aug 17, 2010 2:35 PM MDT up reply actions

If we tank this series, we're gonna be more than five out

Yes, the Dodgers can pitch…but they’ve completely stopped scoring runs, their bullpen is in tatters and extremely overworked. And no Furcal, who really kills us. And no Manny, who, disgusting as his is, also hurts us.

If we can somehow keep Ethier in check, I think we can with two of three.

But if we end this series 7 back, I think we’re done.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:37 PM MDT up reply actions

Regardless of the season outcome, finding a way to beat the Dodgers in LA is important

They flat-out dominated us last year, and have been very good against us for several years. It would be a small but important accomplishment to come out of the season with a winning record against them.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all." ~Earl Weaver
Yankee Haters Encouragement Group Member #3

by RoarFrom112 on Aug 17, 2010 2:44 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

winning a road series against LA isn’t going to catapult us into the playoffs, but it can’t but help the team’s confidence going forward. Getting whooped, again, in LA would be quite the opposite.

by Teekalong on Aug 17, 2010 3:16 PM MDT up reply actions

We were 6 games out in Sep 1 in 2007. Look how that turned out.

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions

Yes, but this isn't really comparable

This year’s combo of Giants/Cards (or Reds)/Phils (or Braves) is a tougher road to hoe. And if we tank this series, then that puts the Dodgers ahead of us, too. And our 2007 team played much better overall on the road than this team.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Well then you give up if you like. I shall not. :)

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 2:45 PM MDT up reply actions

Oh, I'm not giving up, we're taking two of three (or sweeping)

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 2:51 PM MDT up reply actions

Who are you, Johnathan Sanchez?:P

by SDcat09 on Aug 17, 2010 4:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Bwahahaha

I wouldn’t exactly guarantee anything. Of course, he must be feeling sillier considering they didn’t even win two of three.

Or even the game he started. LOL

He guaranteed the sweep, yet took the loss in his own outing. Awesome.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 4:54 PM MDT up reply actions

Renck just tweeted he'd have the roster move shortly

Chacin definitely starting.

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 4:34 PM MDT reply actions

Renck just tweeted that

Looks like fowler sent down

by humaDONT on Aug 17, 2010 5:22 PM MDT reply actions

I haven't gotten that tweet yet

But also, Ringolsby saying Bucholtz isn’t on the lineup card, so maybe one of them is mistaken

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 5:24 PM MDT up reply actions

Hawpe was put on waivers?

Am I reading this correctly?

by jasonwrites on Aug 17, 2010 5:26 PM MDT reply actions

Yes, trade waivers, yesterday

Not surprising, 1/2 the players in MLB are put on trade waivers in August

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 5:29 PM MDT up reply actions

had I read the rest of the homepage, I'd've known

I guess a lot more players are put on waivers than most fans realize. The surprising part to me is that it seems most of them clear— aren’t claimed by other teams. Contract issue, I suppose; I’ve been playing fantasy too long.

by jasonwrites on Aug 17, 2010 5:35 PM MDT up reply actions

Basically, everyone's put on waivers, except...

….those who the team has a true zero intent of moving (Tulo/CarGo/Lincecum/Strasburg/Pujols/etc.).

Because passing them thru waivers gauges trade interest and makes them tradeable (if they pass through), or lets them get rid of bad contracts, etc.

It’s really not news at all that anyone gets put on waivers, though it does sorta start the clock on when someone can potentially be traded down the line….

not as punny as SDcat00

by Mondogarage on Aug 17, 2010 5:42 PM MDT up reply actions

now he tweets

Not fowler

by humaDONT on Aug 17, 2010 5:29 PM MDT reply actions

he just tweeted the lineup

Again not fowler. Premature tweet. Here’s lineup 2b young cf fowler lf cargo ss Tulo 3b mora 1b helton lf spilly c iannetta p chacin

by humaDONT on Aug 17, 2010 5:30 PM MDT reply actions

I like this line-up....

switch Mora for Stewart and its perfect

Ubaldo "Iron Arm" Jimenez
Seth Smith’s beard looks on in anticipation.
His name is Dan Uggla!

by Colsportsfan on Aug 17, 2010 6:00 PM MDT up reply actions

Mora makes me nervous at all his utility positions defensively

his offensive doesn’t always make up for his sketchy defense

by indianrox on Aug 17, 2010 6:56 PM MDT up reply actions

Buchholz makes a lot of sense in my eyes

Hopefully it’s him.

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Aug 17, 2010 5:31 PM MDT reply actions

Tracy Ringolsby tweeted that Buchholz on the DL with lower back problems.

by CM85 on Aug 17, 2010 6:03 PM MDT up reply actions

BEAT LA!

BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!
BEAT LA!

I still believe...
This is R year!

by prettyinpurple on Aug 17, 2010 6:11 PM MDT via mobile reply actions

I remember chanting that way back in 1991

When the Braves were chasing the Dodgers… and overcame a 9.5 game deficit at the All-Star Break. Of course back then there was no “Wild-Card Race.”

by jasonwrites on Aug 17, 2010 6:14 PM MDT reply actions

Would the Rockies let Hawpe just go without a trade

seems really sad and unproductive. Everyone praises ODowd for his player moves, but this one doesn’t feel like a good one

by indianrox on Aug 17, 2010 6:58 PM MDT reply actions

not very likely now

He is a type A free agent. That doesnt guarantee the Rockies would offer arb. but it is bad business to kill that opportunity before the end of the season. If the Rockies cant get a trade offer they like after clearing waivers they just pull him back and wait until the offseason knowing what offers they got this August to judge trade value on.

Wyoming baseball --- GO GHOSTS!

by Kris Hansen on Aug 17, 2010 7:55 PM MDT up reply actions