Pivotal Game 4 Looms For Dodgers, On Anniversary Of Kirk Gibson Home Run

Dodgers Lineup vs. St. Louis-Game 4

Crawford 7 M.Ellis 4 Hanley 6 Gonzalez 3 Ethier 8 Puig 9 Uribe 5 A.J. Ellis 2 Nolasco 1

Lance Lynn vs. Ricky Nolasco? Or Zack Greinke?

You know when the Dodgers were playing the Mets in the 1988 NLCS, there was some smack talking. I remember I think it was David Cone who made some kind of jerkwad statement about the Dodgers. Kirk Gibson and the Stuntmen company read, and or heard and it really ticked them off. The Dodgers went on to win the 1988 NLCS in seven games. Well the Cardinals made some statements last night after the Dodger’s 3-0 game 3 win to pull them to within a game in the series.

The game 3 loser Adam Wainwright and some of the other Cardinal players were complaining about the Dodger’s ultra exuberant celebrations during their game 3 win. I understand that there is going to be some smack talking. This is the playoffs, and there is a lot at stake. These are professional athletes, and they are competitive. These two clubs are both very good, and they are playing for the pennant. But seriously, why is it ok for them to celebrate wildly after strikeouts, and fist pump after plays at the plate, but it’s not ok for Yasiel Puig to do something he does all the time?

Hanley is a stud-Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

In game 2, Michael Wacha fist pumped wildly in the first inning after whiffing Puig, and Uribe. And if I remember correctly Yadier Molina reacted like Kirk Gibson after tagging out Mark Ellis at the plate during game 2. The Cardinals do it all the time, and I don’t say anything. I mean, that’s Baseball. But apparently Wainwright called Adrian Gonzalez’s bombs “mickey mouse”, and Carlos Beltran would like for Puig to calm down. Come on guys, you know that’s not going to happen. I can understand why the Cardinals would be annoyed though. I get it. Gonzo was laying bombs on top of bombs, and Puig did like a mega bat flip in game 3. It was like the bat flip of all bat flips. The Dodgers have flair. It genuinely pisses opponents off. But if the Cardinals can do it, the Dodgers can do it too. Gonzalez’s reaction to the mickey mouse statement was hilarious. He said “We are in L.A., so Mickey Mouse stuff does go. … Mickey Mouse is only an hour away. So, you know, it fits us. I did what I always do.”

Nice answer Gonzo. I have fallen in love with Gonzalez this year. When he first came over he was a little stiff, but he has loosened up, and fits perfectly in Los Angeles. he’s been everything we were hoping for out of him. He’s been the rock in the lineup all season long. I love those A-gon bombs. Seriously though Cardinals, you celebrate your way, and we’ll celebrate our way. Tonight is of course the 25 year anniversary of Kirk Gibson’s home run, and the 1988 World Series game 1. It would be a perfect night for the Dodgers to turn in another solid performance and tie this series. Our mentor Tommy Lasorda will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Shoddy defense, and base running was the Cardinals undoing in game 3. The Dodgers looked much better last night. They were getting good swings on the ball, having solid plate approaches, and making contact. Hanley Ramirez went 2 for 4 with an RBI single while playing with a fractured rib. We now know that the Dodgers just can’t win without Hanley. He absolutely must be in the lineup. Even if he’s not 100%. Even if he has to be propped up at the plate, and wrapped in duct tape, or bubble wrap. Just stand him up, and pretend he’s fine. Hanley is very tough, and the thing he is wearing is called a flak jacket. His messed up ribs are insulated, and he should be in the lineup for game 4. The Cardinals on the other hand are not hitting at all. The Red Birds are hitting like .134 in the series. They don’t have Allen Craig, and they might have lost David Freese to a calf injury. This could be the momentum shifter the Dodgers need.

Lance Lynn-Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

So will the Dodgers start Ricky Nolasco tonight? Nolasco is the scheduled starter, but it’s possible the Dodgers could start Zack Greinke.

What we do know, is that the Cardinals will start right hander Lance Lynn. The 26 year old had a solid year in the regular season, going 15-10 with a 3.97 ERA, and 198 whiffs in 201.2 innings. Lynn has only faced the Dodgers once this year, and he beat them back on May 24 at Dodger Stadium. In that game he pitched 6 frames, allowing no runs on two hits, with one walk, and nine whiffs. Lynne is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in three starts at Dodger Stadium, but has a career 5.08 ERA in the postseason. Nobody has hit Lynn well, and that is concerning. The Dodgers are just 8 for 54 against him. Check it out.

RBI

OBP

SLG

Michael Young

.000

.091

.000

Mark Ellis

.222

Andre Ethier

.143

.333

.143

A.J. Ellis

.143

Adrian Gonzalez

.250

.400

.500

Dee Gordon

.000

Carl Crawford

.500

Hanley Ramirez

.000

.250

.000

Juan Uribe

.500

.667

1.000

Nick Punto

.000

Edinson Volquez

.000

Yasiel Puig

.000

Total

.148

.230

.185

So the Dodgers are scheduled to start Ricky Nolasco, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to start. They brought Clayton Kershaw back on short rest for the Division series, so I wouldn’t rule out Greinke tonight. But if they do start Nolasco, it could be a risk. The right hander has never pitched in the postseason, and hasn’t pitched in three weeks. Although he is 2-0 against the Red Birds this season. Nolasco is 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in 11 career games against the Cardinals overall. But who knows what we’ll get out of him tonight. The rough part is the Cardinals hit him hard. St. Louis hits .340 off of Nolasco with three home runs. Don’t look at the numbers. Yikes.

RBI

OBP

SLG

Carlos Beltran

.340

.415

.404

Matt Holliday

.462

.481

.885

Jon Jay

.538

.571

.615

Daniel Descalso

.308

.357

.385

David Freese

.500

.583

Yadier Molina

.273

.333

.273

Tony Cruz

.000

Matt Carpenter

.200

.333

.200

Matt Adams

.000

Adam Wainwright

.000

Total

157

144

.340

.387

.458

I figured I would cover all my bases today, so if Greinke does start, here are his numbers against the Cardinals. Greinke is 1-0 against the Cardinals in the 13′ regular season, and 8-3 with a 3.10 ERA in 12 career games.

RBI

OBP

SLG

Matt Holliday

.310

.355

.517

Jon Jay

.240

.269

.240

Yadier Molina

.360

.370

.440

David Freese

.286

.375

.476

Carlos Beltran

.200

.333

.400

Matt Carpenter

.300

.364

.400

Daniel Descalso

.182

.273

Adam Wainwright

.000

Matt Adams

.000

Adron Chambers

.000

.333

.000

Tony Cruz

.333

Pete Kozma

.000

Joe Kelly

.500

Total

162

147

.265

.314

.374

Take those numbers with a grain of salt I guess, anything could happen tonight. Before last night’s uplifting game 3 win, Don Mattingly told the media that the playoffs are one game momentum swings. He then said that the Cardinals had the momentum, but that would end tonight. Or that night, so he said. He looked very matter of fact when he said it too. Like he meant business. I saw his face, and I said, huh, he might really mean that. Well golly! It’s true, the Dodgers came out slugging, and got a win. There’s still a lot of work to do. The Dodgers have to win tonight, no matter who they start. A win tonight ties the series. This game 4 is pivotal, and will decide it all.

I am very nervous, so I will just turn things over to Stacie. She’ll provide the coverage with a game recap tonight. Now is the time to ride this momentum. The time is now. Don’t repeat the past mistakes of the 2008-2009 teams. WIN GAME 4! Do not go gently into that good night Dodgers. Fight. Bring the Pennant back to Dodger Stadium. Keep bat flipping, and throwing bombs. Keep winning. Three more to go.

Game time-5:07 PM

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Go Blue!!!!

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