You know what today is, right?
Not only is today Game 3 of the NLCS, but it also happens to be the 30th anniversary of Kirk Gibson's legendary walk-off homer during the 1988 World Series. Let's hope that the Dodgers can do something just as noteworthy on the field today. The game begins at 4:39 PM and Walker Buehler will face-off against Jhoulys Chacin. Go here for some pregame details about this afternoon's game.
Photo above of Kenley Jansen after recording a sale on Saturday via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 20118 at Dodger Insider. Below are more links to check out:
- This Day in Dodgers History: In 1988 Kirk Gibson hit his legendary walk-off home run off of Dennis Eckersley of the A's to win Game 1 of the World Series. This happening spawned Vin Scully to utter these immortal words; "In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened." Go here to watch and listen to it. Arash Markazi at ESPN wrote a great article about the event here.
- Happy Birthday, Henry Thielman, Phil Reardon, Chris Haughey, Nick Tremark & Mitch Jones!
- Podcast: Dodgers Nation - Dodgers NLCS Update | Episode 25 | Blue Heaven Podcast (Link Here).
- I didn't notice this during Game 1, but then again I was focused on the game and the ensuing Dodger meltdown that inning. Per Whitney McIntosh at SB Nation; "An ad behind home plate during Brewers-Dodgers wants us to ‘Google Ass’"
- I had missed this last week. Per Adrian Garro at Cut4; "Chase Utley's teammates/adopted sons gave him a rocking chair with engraved Dodgers and Phillies logos."
- This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. Per Bryan McWilliam at The Score; "Vin Scully declines invitation to broadcast NLCS."
"It's not false modesty," Scully explained. "I just think I don't belong there."Those fellows have been broadcasting all year. I don't want to get into their spotlight in any way, shape, or form. I think they're doing a wonderful job."
- I was think this too. Per Steven Matano at Beyond the Boxscore; "Hyun-Jin Ryu’s making his case for a decent free agent contract."
- I wouldn't worry too much about Grandal. Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com; "Grandal to return behind plate for Game 3."
- Per Kenny Kelly at Beyond the Boxscore; "Kiké Hernández has taken a step forward."
In 2018, Hernández put together a career-high 462 plate appearances. That’s over 100 more than he had in 2017 and he only appeared in five more games this year. He certainly made the most of those extra appearances. He hit .256/.336/.470 for a 118 wRC+, the first time he had been above 100 since his partial season in 2015. He put together 3.3 fWAR which would have him the most valuable player on the Giants, Padres, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Tigers. I don’t know if that speaks to the depth of the Dodgers or how bad those other teams are, but the main point is that Kiké Hernández has taken a step forward.
- Here's something to keep in mind during todays game. Via Craig Edwards at FanGraphs; "Jhoulys Chacin’s Matchup Problem."
The Dodgers — thanks in part to lefties Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Joc Pederson, and also switch-hitting Yasmani Grandal — put up an MLB-best 124 wRC+ (non-pitchers) against right-handed pitching this season. It’s clear, in light of this, why Counsell might have avoided using Chacin for a few games after a heavy recent workload and a couple lefty options. Moving Chacin’s game to Los Angeles also meant moving away from Miller Park, the third-best stadium in baseball for left-handed home runs. The Dodgers do play in a park that is homer-friendly for lefties, but not to the extent of Milwaukee.
- Via Dodger Chatter at LA Dodger Talk; "Meet Jared Walker – Quakes First Baseman."
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