AZ Snake Pit - Game #38: 9/3, Diamondbacks 1 @ Dodgers 5An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2020-09-04T01:14:07-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/211861992020-09-04T01:14:07-04:002020-09-04T01:14:07-04:00D-backs 1, Dodgers 5 - History made but in a bad way
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<img alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/H4i2kw1fKxVTArGDofJqwyeyaJc=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67353712/usa_today_14875567.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The offense continues to not show up, but when you’re facing Clayton Kershaw it has a tendency to do that.</p> <p id="GsMnhk">The D-backs limped into the finale of this 3-game set with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a>. Not even counting losing 10 of their last 11 games, this series didn’t start as you’d hoped for a team looking for any signs of life after the fire sale at the trade deadline.</p>
<p id="ZG8LmW">Game 1 was not as close as the 6-3 final score would indicate, as a late <span>Ahmed</span> homer was too late to make much of a difference. Yesterday was a disappointment, seeing the bullpen blow not one, but two save opportunities in the 9th and 10th innings. And tonight would see the D-backs trying to stave off a sweep against <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, the owner of a 1.80 ERA going into tonight’s game.</p>
<p id="jZVNni">On the mound for the D-backs was <span>Luke Weaver</span>, owner of the worst ERA in baseball among starters with 7 games started. He has been fairly unlucky, owning a 5.66 FIP with good peripherals to back them up (11+ K/9, 3+ BB/9) but hitters don’t seem to care, with excellent results against each of his pitches.</p>
<p id="Jcu9LO">Things did not go according to plan for Luke, with both <span>Seager</span> and Muncy grabbing 1-out singles to start things off. A grounder to <span>Walker</span> looked to be a double play, but on the throw to 2nd from <span>Walker</span>, <span>Nick Ahmed</span> just didn’t catch it. It wasn’t a normal play you see very often, with the 1st baseman tagging first before throwing to 2nd, but it still happens. Walker’s throw was low, and I mean low enough to hit the base and shoot straight in the air, allowing <span>Corey Seager</span> to jog home without a play. The error as charged to Walker on the play, but I’m not so sure. <span>Chris Taylor</span> singled to left scoring Muncy, giving the Dodgers an early <strong>2-0 </strong>advantage.</p>
<p id="vYJGHJ">The offense took their sweet time getting warmed up against <span>Kershaw</span>, who took a no-hitter (allowed 2 walks) into the 6th before <span>Christian Walker</span> continued his dominance against the lefty but with 2 outs, he was as good as dead seeing how this offense is playing as <span>David Peralta</span> grounded out to end the inning and the night for <span>Kershaw</span>. He finished his outing allowing just the single, with 2 walks while striking out 8. </p>
<p id="ejUOP2"><span>Luke Weaver</span> actually was very good after that first inning, at one point retiring 14 Dodgers in a row. But another <span>Corey Seager</span> single saw the end of his rope, and Lovullo pulled him. He walked 0 batters, struck out 5, and allowed the 2 earned runs in the first. Good bounce back start for young <span>Weaver</span>.</p>
<p id="ZawxVx">Newly acquired <span>Travis Bergen</span> was summoned in relief for his first appearance as a D-back since the <span>Robbie Ray</span> trade, and walked the first batter he saw in Muncy. BUT, a fly out from Bellinger and fielder’s choice from <span>Taylor</span> ended the threat, giving Bergen a scoreless 2/3IP.</p>
<p id="6XasRX">With <span>Kershaw</span> out of the picture, the offense relaxed a bit and actually managed to score a run! <span>Nick Ahmed</span> walked and <span>Josh Rojas</span> singled to put runners on the corners. An Andy Young ground out scored Ahmed from 1st, but that was all the offense could muster, with outs from Varsho and Kelly to end the inning with the score <strong>2-1. </strong></p>
<p id="XBd1SI">The Dodgers responded in turn, as <span>AJ Pollock</span> homered on the first pitch he saw from <span>Keury Mella</span> to dead center. The Dodgers continued from there, with a <span>Kike Hernandez</span> single and advance to 2nd on a wild pitch setting up him scoring on a <span>Mookie Betts</span> single. <span>Joe Mantiply</span> worked in and out of trouble, allowing a single and walk to put runners on every base before inducing a line out from Bellinger to end the inning. The Dodgers added another run after stringing 3 hits together to give us our final score of <strong>5-1</strong> as the offense could do nothing right tonight.</p>
<div id="sW0mfm">
<iframe src="https://www.fangraphs.com/graphframe.aspx?config=0&static=0&type=livewins&num=0&h=450&w=450&date=2020-09-03&team=Dodgers&dh=0" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" height="450" width="450" style="border:1px solid black;"></iframe><br><span style="font-size:9pt;">Source: <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2020-09-03&team=Dodgers&dh=0&season=2020">FanGraphs</a></span>
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<p id="W2ETc6">Josh Rojas was your highest WPA on the night with a +.067 on the night thanks to his single in the 7th. Your lowest was Dalton Varsho, with a -.150 thanks in part to an 0 for 4 performance with 4 runners LOB.</p>
<div id="hkBlPJ"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="1">
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<th colspan="2">Roll Call Info</th>
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<td width="150">Total comments</td>
<td>274</td>
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<td>Total commenters</td>
<td>24</td>
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<td>Commenter list</td>
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<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/68%2088%2096%2098">68 88 96 98</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Augdogs">Augdogs</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/AzDbackfanInDc">AzDbackfanInDc</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/ChuckJohnson56">ChuckJohnson56</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/DesertWeagle">DesertWeagle</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Diamondhacks">Diamondhacks</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/EdTheRed99">EdTheRed99</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/GuruB">GuruB</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Husk">Husk</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Jack%20Sommers">Jack Sommers</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Makakilo">Makakilo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Michael%20McDermott">Michael McDermott</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/MrMrrbi">MrMrrbi</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/NikT77">NikT77</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Oldenschoole">Oldenschoole</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Oscar%20Goldman">Oscar Goldman</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Rockkstarr12">Rockkstarr12</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Schilling2001">Schilling2001</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Smurf1000">Smurf1000</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Totally%20Not%20Blind%20Squirrel%2C%20but%20still%20I%20apologize">Totally Not Blind Squirrel, but still I apologize</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Ubersnake">Ubersnake</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/gzimmerm">gzimmerm</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/onedotfive">onedotfive</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/since_98">since_98</a>
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<td>Story URLs</td>
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<div><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/9/3/21422250/gameday-thread-38-9-3-dodgers">https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/9/3/21422250/gameday-thread-38-9-3-dodgers</a></div>
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<p id="tDQHg7">Comment of the night is the setup and the finish from NikT77.</p>
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<p id="F7tpHV">The D-backs continue their California trip with a 4-gamer against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>. Will the offense show up? Only way to find out is watch the first inning then shut it off like everyone else.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/9/4/21422527/d-backs-dodgers-game-recap-september-3rd-kershaw-weaverSteven Burt2020-09-03T21:30:00-04:002020-09-03T21:30:00-04:00Gameday Thread, #38: 9/3 @ Dodgers
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<img alt="Armillary sphere, 1731." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yzgyP4JhgbKkohQlNHwwCGOfJ4Q=/0x797:2866x2708/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67353176/90731709.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by SSPL/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">3 September 1752. This day never happened because Britain had introduced the Gregorian calendar and it became 14 September. <a href="https://t.co/ZyuFQ6neh7">pic.twitter.com/ZyuFQ6neh7</a></p>— Prof. Frank McDonough (@FXMC1957) <a href="https://twitter.com/FXMC1957/status/1301412117829091333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2020</a>
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<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/9/3/21422250/gameday-thread-38-9-3-dodgersJim McLennan2020-09-03T20:31:00-04:002020-09-03T20:31:00-04:00Preview #38: 9/3, Diamondbacks @ Dodgers
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<img alt="Scream maker: Selena Bishop; 15; of Timmins has a screaming good time on roller coaster at the Canad" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AS1xtYOv_40mq3NSt9vOlw329Vk=/0x71:2790x1931/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67353038/502823457.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Julie Bennett/Toronto Star via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The louder you scream, the faster we go...</p> <div id="Pqyh9a">
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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">DIAMONDBACKS</th>
<th align="left">DODGERS</th>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Tim Locastro - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Mookie Betts - RF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Kole Calhoun - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Corey Seager - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Christian Walker - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Max Muncy - 3B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">David Peralta - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Cody Bellinger - 1B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Nick Ahmed - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Chris Taylor - CF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Josh Rojas - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Joc Pederson - LF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Andy Young - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Matt Beaty - DH</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Daulton Varsho - DH</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Enrique Hernandez - 2B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Carson Kelly - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Austin Barnes - C</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name"></td>
<td class="td-first td-name"></td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Luke Weaver - RHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Clayton Kershaw - LHP</td>
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<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="sk9Suf">
<p id="kpYcJc">Yesterday, I posted the Tankapalooza standings for the first time, and noted the collapse of the Nationals, who may be going through the worst season for a reigning World Series champion since the 1998 Marlins. I actually dug into the numbers a bit, to find the teams who have shed the most wins from one season to the next. Typically, really bad teams don’t become so overnight; there’s usually a slide into terribleness, over the course of two or three seasons. Since the D-backs entered the league, only four teams have been 30 or more wins worse of, year to year. </p>
<ul>
<li id="gbqMmN">1998 Marlins: 38 fewer wins (92 to 54). Unsurprisingly, we start with the franchise who are still the record-holder in recent history, and among the greatest fire-sales of all time. Barely had the champagne dried on the floor of the locker-room, before Dave Dombrowski was putting up the “EVERYTHING MUST GO!” signs. By mid-July, their payroll was $13 million. Yet, five years later, they won the World Series again. Thev’ve <em>still </em>never won their division. </li>
<li id="VTpR1D">2004 Mariners: 30 fewer wins (93 to 63). As is well known, in 2001, the Mariners won a record-shattering 116 games, and didn’t make the World Series. Each of the following two years, they won 93, and didn’t make the post-season. In 2004, they didn’t come close, despite Ichiro setting a major-league record for hits. “A team that had held on too long to veteran players, overrated its farm system and was still dealing with the disaster that was Jeff Cirillo.” <a href="https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2004/oct/04/mariners-needed-a-compass/">— Larry LaRue</a>
</li>
<li id="6YbSNe">2004 D-backs: 33 fewer wins (84 to 51). This wasn’t a great team, to be sure. However, things didn’t start out that badly. On May 5, they were 12-14, after Casey Daigle combined on a six-hit shutout, to beat Kerry Wood and the Cubs. But the loss of slugger Richie Sexson triggered an implosion, which included a fourteen-game losing streak, during a spell where the Diamondbacks went 4-30 from June 18 through July 25. Yeah, we’ve got a ways to go before this year gets to be spoken of in the same breath. </li>
<li id="ct2LeT">2011 Twins: 31 fewer wins (94 to 63). Injuries decimated Minnesota, especially their everyday line-up. Only three players - one of them rookie Ben Revere - played 100 games, and big acquisition Tsuyoshi Nishioka <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coa8qX7H5kc">had his leg broken</a> by Nick Swisher in the first week [unlike St. Buster, no rule change followed...] After losing their Opening Day game 13-3 to the Blue Jays, almost everything which could go wrong, did so. But like the 2004 D-backs, it still had an individual highlight, in the form of a Francisco Liriano no-hitter. </li>
</ul>
<p id="jWkwiS">Obviously, we can’t really compare win totals for 2020 to 2019. But for the Nationals to join this club, they need the equivalent of a 63-win season or worse. Scaled down to sixty games, going 23-37 would do the trick. Going into play today, they’re at 12-22, which is on pace for 21-39. To my mind, that qualifies them. Though there’s a case that a shorter season would need a more extreme total to match up. But I’ll have to save that for another day, because it’s over to Jack for:</p>
<h4 id="VUY0NF">Pre-game audio from Kevin Ginkel</h4>
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<p id="GU0Nep">Felt he was “prepared” for his opportunity and had good stuff. Is still confident in his ability and his stuff. He hung a slider and “Mookie Freaking Betts” hit it out. He spoke at some length, actually. Better to listen to him speak for himself, in order to understand his mind set. </p>
<h4 id="vGLWoS">Pre-game audio from Torey Lovullo</h4>
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<p id="TgfIU1">No injuries for Ketel <strong>Marte and Eduardo Escobar</strong>. Just getting at bats for the younger players. Torey was pressed on why rest them both at the same time and put so many lefties in there against Kershaw. He believes the young players getting opportunity will be better off long term and down the road by letting them get at bats vs. elite pitching. “I’m not putting these guys in there as cannon fodder” He communicated with the veteran players up front about his plans.</p>
<p id="lBRSPi"><strong>Travis Bergen </strong>(moved to the active roster earlier today, with Joel Payamps going to Salt River) will be ready for usage tonight and step in to the lefty reliever role.</p>
<p id="4sHqmW"><strong>Bullpen/Closer Role: </strong><em><strong>“</strong></em><em>How it shakes down from here on out is going to be fairly unpredictable”</em></p>
<p id="a6bVAg"><strong>Pitch Counts:</strong> I asked Torey why he felt there was such a strong belief in baseball that it’s necessary to limit pitch counts so much compared to previous decades, citing the fact that human physiology hasn’t changed. <em>“I usually defer to the medical team in this area because they are the ones studying it, paying a lot of attention to the science, to the arm angles, the motion, the delivery, the follow through, the deceleration”. </em></p>
<p id="NB7ZxS">It sounded like he’s very locked into the system of “magic number” of right around 100 pitches and that number is dictated to him. He said he doesn’t know why, he trusts the information he’s given. He did say he would have let Gallen go to 105-107 last night had he gotten the first batter out.</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/9/3/21422156/preview-38-9-3-diamondbacks-dodgersJim McLennanJack Sommers