I remember vividly when we used to refer to the Giants for their June Swoons. But 2022, it seems to be LAD.
After Friday night’s loss, LAD Manager, Dave Roberts, had this to say:
“We’re not doing a good job moving that guy to third base to then create a situational opportunity,” Roberts said. “Tonight you saw that with [Cleveland], they did a nice job of that, and it ended up being a sac fly to drive in the winning run. Those are little things that certainly are magnified when you don’t score a bunch of runs. And in extra innings, we haven’t been good at it.”
Thank you Captain Obvious.
The Dodgers are 0-5 in extra inning games and have 0 sac bunts for the year. Maybe they could turn the page on the “all or nothing” RVS approach and sacrifice to get the runner on 3B with less than 2 outs. In the 5 games, they have been outscored 8-2 and have failed to score in 3 of the games. Try something different. Of course, they are also 25th in sac flies.
Of course there are those that continue to point out the run differential and remind us how good they are with a +114 run differential. But let’s look a little more closely at the run differentials. The Dodgers do have the type of offense that can score runs in bunches. There is no denying their abilities. So we should expect the team to have a lot of high scoring games.
In MLB parlor, a blowout game is one where the game run differential is 5 runs or more. The Dodgers are 16-4 in those contests, with a run differential of +97 in those 20 games. In the other 45 games, the team is 24-21 with a run differential of +17.
Not only are the Dodgers 0-5 in extra inning games, but they are also 4-8 in 1-run games. In 2-run games? 8-9. Of the 65 games the Dodgers have played, 29 have been decided by 2 runs or less, and their record is 12-17. Close games are not the Dodgers friend.
You will also notice the Dodgers are averaging 1.4 HRs per game in blowouts, less than 0.9 HRs per game in non-blowout games. What does that mean? RVS strategy is great in blowout games, not so much in non-blow out games?
Much was made of the Dodgers pathetic hitting WRISP last weekend with the Giants: 2-24 with 29 LOB. What can we say about this weekend’s lack of hitting? 5-34 and 28 LOB. Note, that one of those hits was an infield single by Trea Turner where the run scored was because of an error. They did get a sac fly. They are now 25th in MLB with 14.
Close game losses are the residual of not only poor hitting with RISP, but also inadequate relief pitching. Since June, the Dodger relievers ERA is 4.18 (20th in MLB) with a WHIP of 1.21 (16th in MLB). For those of us who believe SIER is a good metric, the Dodger relievers SIERA was 3.28 (25th in MLB). It is not because the bullpen is overworked. For June, the bullpen has 54.2 IP (23rd in MLB).
But not all is lost. This team has the capabilities of going on one those 42-8 (2013), 43-7 (2017) runs. Or 43-17 (2020) and 56-11 (2017).
On June 22, 2013, the Dodgers were mired in last place in the NL West 9.5 games behind the Arizona DBacks, with a record of 31-42.
On August 17, 2013, after 50 games the Dodgers went 42-8 and found themselves 8.5 games in front in the NL West.
They made up 18 games on Arizona in 50 games.
In 2017, they had another run. On June 7, 2017, the team was 35-25 and 2.0 games behind Colorado.
On August 5, 2017, after 50 games in which the Dodgers went 43-17, they were comfortably in 1st place in the NL West.
The team was not done on August 5. The Dodgers continued on with a 56-11 run through August 25, and were 21 games up.
Is the 2022 team capable of such a run? With JT and Max Muncy in the middle of the lineup, I have my doubts. I think Will Smith is capable, but in the 3-4-5 spot? He is a much better hitter in the #6 slot. I think the 1st half 2019 version of Cody Bellinger is in the rear view mirror. But his defense his plus, and I could tolerate a lesser offensive Belli if JT and Muncy start to muscle up. I keep hearing that Muncy has a UCL tear that is hurting his power. Maybe, maybe not. But Max has 4 HRs all year, and three were by or before May 4. Did he reinjure the elbow? Is he hurt now, or is he simply regressing? Is he not swinging as much because of his elbow? Muncy says his elbow is fine. Should we take him at his word?
Over the same approximate number of games:
JT
- 2022 – .209/.282/.338/.620 – 4 HR
- 2021 – .277/.367.481/.848 – 12 HR
- 2020 – .307/.400/.460/.860 – 4 HR (42 games)
- 2019 – .303/.387/.439/.826 – 7 HR
- 2018 – Hurt much of the early season
Muncy
- 2022 – .153/.327/.270/.597 – 4 HR
- 2021 – .264/.418/.529/.947 – 14 HR
- 2020 – .192/.331/.389/.720 – 12 HR
- 2019 – .280/.378/.538/.916 – 16 HR
- 2018 – .263/.386/.599/.984 – 13 HR
2022 is way behind the previous several years in production. The problem is that both are in the middle of the lineup, which is supposed to be the run producers.
So if the Dodgers are going to go on one of those runs, JT and Max are going to need to begin hitting, or the Dodgers are going to need to find suitable replacements. What are the odds? Let’s look at 2022 recent hitting trends.
My prognosis is that the Dodgers will not find any capable replacements, and will continue to have to lean on JT and Max. They are more than capable of making the playoffs with their present roster. Win the WS? I do not believe they are capable of going on a 42-8 run, but I have been wrong before, and hope I am this time.
I know there was a lot of heartache with Eddy Alvarez. Eddy is a SS, and a darn good one, trying to play RF. He had never played a professional game in RF until Friday night. He has never played a day game in RF with that sun. He has played 8 games in LF as a MiLB player.
If it sounds like I am making excuses for him, I am not. He would be the first person to tell you he should have caught the ball. It didn’t take a Mookie to catch that ball. Mookie probably catches the ball in the 9th as well. But watching Joc play 1B was just as painful. Watching Lux at 3B was painful. Watching Lux in LF is still an adventure. Perhaps this is what happens when you value position diversification as opposed to position stability.
It isn’t Doc’s fault that there are no RF replacements on the roster. They want a RH bat and the only OF that would be considered from AAA is Jason Martin…a LH bat. Jake Lamb is a corner infielder/DH, but yes LH. He has 2 games experience this year in LF. Drew Avans is not really an option, and he is also left hand hitting. Saturday Michael Busch was the LF for OKC
Stefan Romero is RH but not an option.
They could consider James Outman moving directly from AA, but he is also LH.
Do you think they would dare try to bring up Andy Pages? The last time they brought up a RHH Cuban OF directly from AA, it worked out pretty good. Remember Yasiel Puig in 2013? Puig was a little older and a little more advanced.
One would think that the #1 Farm system would have a capable RH hitting OF knocking on the door. But the system does have 82 RH pitching prospects.
The Marlins are out of it.
Get Garrett Cooper.
Doc did say they were looking outside the organization (as well as internal). They have until Tuesday to complete all of their roster changes. I still hold out hope for Pablo Lopez. 😀😀
I like Alvarez. If McKinstry or Lamb doesn’t look any better, I’d give him another shot. But I think the Dodgers need a spark. It doesn’t appear to be him.
I’m inclined to agree with you on the Dodgers just waiting out Muncy and Turner. It feels like the perfect time to give a prospect a shot, but maybe they expect more of the same out of who is next.
Eddy has been given the worst possible scenario here. They haven’t given him many at bats and they’ve moved him all over the diamond.
Then, to ensure his failure, they stick him in the outfield yesterday where he’s had basically no MLB experience and expect him to perform with the notorious DS seat background and the sun glaring in his eyes.
And then we wonder why he was a great part of the reason we lost.
Most of our young guys have taken a couple of weeks, minimum, to get their bearings when they’ve been moved up a level. We need someone who can perform immediately. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them go outside the organization and bring in a righty bat outfielder. Just don’t expect to be excited by whomever that might be.
I’m not up to speed yet. We need a righty bat because Belli, Muncy, Freeman, and Lux have the Dodgers covered from the left side? 68% of pitches are delivered from the right side. Freeman usually does fine against lefties.
They need a bat.
I think what is being said is what Doc has told everyone. The organization is looking for a RH bat, internally and externally. Like it or not, the organization likes to play with the RH/LH matches. It is a new era. It is not for us to like, only the computer nerds and their algorithms.
Yes, the organization likes matchups but being old school I like guys who can hit. If you breed oppo matchup hitters you will be stuck with that limitation. Breed guys who can hit anything. They get that way by facing everybody in the minors. We’ve had a lot of them over the years. Only a couple left. Muncy is one. Justin Turner. The other Turner. Freeman. Smith. Bellinger and Taylor to a degree. Mookie.
Wait, why is it we need a RH hitter? Bum’s right. They need a bat. It would be helpful if the ones who have done it before do it again.
Yeah, all that happened to Alvarez. And one could look at it as a unfair set of circumstances. I don’t. It was an opportunity and he swallowed the olive. They called up McKinstry. I assume he wasn’t recalled to sit the bench.
Badger, you and Bums are preaching to the choir. Most of us are old school. Unfortunatley MLB is not, and LAD is leading the parade. Computer algorithms say R-L matchups is best option to win.
The Dodgers did not have a replacement for Mookie, offensively or defensively. The best person to have filled that role is out for the year…Kevin Pillar. Kevin is an outstanding defensive OF and was the best hitter on OKC at the time of his callup – .315/.412/.622/1.034
On 6/2 Kevin Pillar goes on IL, and with Muncy already on the IL, it made sense to bring up someone to play the infield…Eddy Alvarez. As it happens, he was the best hitter on OKC at the time – .304/.430/.500/.930. The next best hitters were Jake Lamb and Jason Martin, but both had OPS numbers below .900 at the time. Unfortunately, it was the RF this time that went on the IL, and the Dodgers were already short on OF. So Eddy had to be the one to go out there. It didn’t work out well.
Today, both Jake Lamb and Jason Martin are having very productive June’s with Jake having an exceptional June.
Jake – .297/.408/.561/.969 (2022)
Jake – .386/.493/.737/1.230 (June)
Jason – .295/.389/.570/.959 (2022)
Jason – .306/.407/.694/1.101 (June)
If they are going to bring someone up to play everyday, it should be Jason Martin. He can play all three OF positions. If you are looking for a bat off the bench, Jake Lamb is probably the call. I would have no objection to platooning Lamb with JT and/or Muncy. The only RH bat in OKC is Miguel Vargas, and he does not play an adequate 3B much less OF.
Per Ken Rosenthal, who didn’t just pull this out of his $#*.
I get that. I was merely trying to point out most of our lineup, by design anyway, can hit hit both sides pitching. The situational at bats are isolated. A few per game, but obviously important.
what are Zach’s splits this year at OKC?
vs LHP – 44 AB – .295/.373/.432/.805 – 6K and 4BB
vs RHP – 139 AB – .338/.427/.475/.902 – 27K and 23 BB
Scoring Position – 47 AB – .319/.386/.489/.875
See full splits below:
https://www.milb.com/player/zach-mckinstry-656716?stats=splits-r-hitting-mlb&year=2022
Thank you. As I thought, he can hit anybody, but not surprisingly is better against RHP.
OK, most pitchers are RH. Put him in the lineup. But, give him more at bats than Eddy got.
You mean like Jorge Soler?
Hadn’t thought about him, but yes, he qualifies. Other candidates are Robbie Grossman and Tommy Pham.
Or, if AF wants to spend good prospects (and I don’t expect him to in this instance), Benintendi, Merrifield, Mancini
All reasonable choices, but we’ve still got near 6 weeks to exhaust all our own resources. We may not need any bats.
Apparently Cain can still play good defense.
Well, I said we shouldn’t plan to be excited about whomever is coming.
Welcome back Trayce Thompson.
Dodgers are close to acquiring former LAD, Trayce Thompson from Detroit. He is hitting well in AAA. Two teams in AAA (SD and Det) – .305/.365/.721/1.086. RH version of Eddy Alvarez. See where it goes from here.
I would love for Trace to get another chance with the Dodgers.
Trayce Thompson was acquired from Detroit for cash considerations. The Dodgers moved Caleb Ferguson to the IL to remove the extra pitcher, and Thompson should take his place tomorrow. But the Dodgers will still have to remove someone from the 40 man. My bet will be Reyes Moronta.
I do not know what the injury is for Caleb. But I am guessing that now that the pitcher limit is capped, the musical relief pitcher chairs will begin.
Kind of concerning that it’s Fergie who goes to the IL. Not likely they would do that if he wasn’t actually hurt, since he hasn’t pitched all that much and is probably our best southpaw reliever at present.
It’s the curse of David Price. People start mentioning he should be DFA and he casts a spell on Ferguson.
Seeing what has happened to Kahnle and Ferguson, I do not think anyone should get all that excited about Dustin May being a difference maker this year. If he does great, but I think the organization is more concerned about getting him ready for next season.
I don’t see him being anything more than a bullpen piece this year.
Considering how our relief pitchers are having a hard time staying healthy, I’d much rather see them put Buehler on the 60-day IL to make room for Trayce, rather than cut loose a pitcher like Moronta, Cleavinger or Bruihl. They might need them all before it’s over.
Buehler on the 60 day makes sense.
I don’t see it. I hope I am wrong, but I expect nothing from Trayce.