Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog
Over the last 24 hours, we asked two questions about this game. We wanted to know how the Dodgers would assemble an outfield from a collection of outfield-like substance, and we wondered if Yasmani Grandal‘s extreme health limitations would keep him out of the lineup in favor of A.J. Ellis.
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Mets
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Dodgers
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5:00 p.m., TBS
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Los Angeles
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RF
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Granderson
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2B
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Kendrick
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3B
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Wright
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SS
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Seager
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2B
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Murphy
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1B
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Gonzalez
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CF
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Cespedes
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3B
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Turner
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1B
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Duda
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RF
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Ethier
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C
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d’Arnaud
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C
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Grandal
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LF
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Conforto
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LF
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Hernandez
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SS
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Flores
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CF
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Pederson
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P
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deGrom (R)
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P
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Greinke (R)
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Now, we have answers, though they aren’t exactly what we’d expected. Rather than choose between Enrique Hernandez vs. Joc Pederson in center and Yasiel Puig vs. Carl Crawford in the non-Andre Ethier corner, Don Mattingly has chosen to go with both Hernandez (starting in left for the first time since July) and Pederson.
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Pederson’s defense requires him to be in center, but neither Crawford nor Puig seem like very appealing options to play, for reasons we went over yesterday. Not that Hernandez’ platoon splits make him a great option either, but at least he’s made some noise this postseason. This might be the best compromise between offense and defense, and I can’t argue with it.
As for the choice behind the plate, well, you know how I feel about Grandal’s inability to hit right now, but it seems that Zack Greinke‘s desire to have his regular catcher won out:
Don Mattingly said Zack Greinke & Yasmani Grandal work well together. Main reason for Grandal's start. 28th start in 34 Greinke games
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) October 15, 2015
Which leaves us with this set of reserves..
On the bench for the Dodgers: C A.J. Ellis, 2B Chase Utley, SS Jimmy Rollins, LF Carl Crawford, RF Yasiel Puig, OF Justin Ruggiano
On the bench for the Mets: C Kevin Plawecki, SS Matt Reynolds, 2B/3B Kelly Johnson, LF Michael Cuddyer, CF Juan Lagares, OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis
In a game like this that’s all-hands-on-deck, you expect you might see starters available out of the bullpen, like other teams have done with David Price & Dallas Keuchel. The Mets may or may not bring out Matt Harvey or Noah Syndergaard. What about Clayton Kershaw?
Mattingly talked to Kershaw about pitching today. Health is a concern. Still wouldn't say if he would use him.
— Dylan Hernández (@dylanohernandez) October 15, 2015
I’m not sure if that means Mattingly is really considering it or if he just wants the Mets to think he is. Either way, if it comes down to a situation where Kershaw would actually enter, that probably means things have not gone well.
So it comes down to this. Are you ready? It doesn’t matter. Now or never. Let’s pick “now.”
