After Sunday’s 5-1 win over the talented but struggling KC Royals, the Dodgers have won 5 of 6 in the road trip. Since the 29 game rough stretch of the schedule concluded, the Dodgers have won 7 of 9. And they are now 12-4 in their last 16 games.
The Dodgers took 2 of 3 from a team with multiple strong SP and an excellent bullpen. KC trots out LHP Noah Cameron, RHP Seth Lugo, and LHP Kris Bubic. All three SP have an ERA south of 2.80. The Dodgers countered with Dustin May, Shohei Ohtani/Ben Casparius, and Justin Wrobleski after an opener. May was bailed out by a brilliant bullpen in the first game, and Wrobleski was outstanding in his 6.0 IP on Sunday. Ohtani looks lethal once he gets ramped up, and Casparius had a rough outing, but was reported to be ill. Casparius has been invaluable this season. I can look past this game.
Certainly Max Muncy and Andy Pages have been huge positives in this current run, but IMO, this is a great TEAM run. Different heroes for the different games. It is highly doubtful that this TEAM can be shut down for a considerable number of games. They have now won 6 consecutive series, and while they will obviously lose a series in the future, they will not lose six in a row.
Freddie Freeman goes 3-3 with his 1st HR since May 11 on Saturday, and he sits on Sunday for the benefit of a slumping Kiké Hernández. What does Kiké do? He slugs a go-ahead 2-run HR off a quality LHSP, Kris Bubic, to CF. Great decision, Doc.
I know I am critical at times of the Dodgers and their penchant for utility players. However, just like bullpen games, the versatility seems to work for the Dodgers.
Miggy Ro started at 2B on Sunday, while Tommy Edman moved into CF, and Andy Pages moved to LF in place of Michael Conforto. Another bloop ball into RF that Miggy makes a tremendous catch for the out, that would have dropped in front of Teoscar again.
Many of us have commented on the need for a “true” CF. Dave Roberts has recently commented that the Dodgers’ outfield construction is “not fleet of foot”. He mentioned that this was a known factor when the roster was built, and there will be some “cost” associated with it, particularly when balls have a lot of hang time or are hit in the gap.
Roberts also emphasized that the team knew this and prioritized other aspects in building the roster, like strong bats. He indicated that the team aims to compensate for this with smart positioning and getting good jumps on the ball. Teo has not been getting good jumps.
It would be great if the Dodgers could find a Denzel Clark with even a league average bat. Clark is very special with the glove…not so much with the bat.
BTW, Luis Robert Jr, who many wanted for this year is back where many of us said he was destined for…the IL. He is back on the IL with a hamstring strain and his 2025 metrics are .185/.270/.313/.584.
Now I would prefer Teo in LF and Pages in RF, and I do not understand why this change has not been made. Then again, nobody in the LAD organization is asking my opinion, nor should they.
The Dodgers are now 7 games ahead of the Padres and 7.5 games ahead of the Giants. The Giants are reeling. They have lost 8 of 12 since acquiring Rafael Devers from Boston, including losing 5-6 to the Marlins and White Sox. The Giants scored a total of 5 runs in the series with CWS. Since the acquisition, Devers is slashing .217/.333/.391/.724. I fully expect Devers to get hot, but will it be enough to offset the otherwise weak SFG offense. The Giants are still looking for a 5th starter.
Both Justin Wrobleski and Emmet Sheehan should be in the LAD rotation. Tyler Glasnow should be in the rotation around the All Star break. Shohei Ohtani could be up to 4 innings by the All Star break. Blake Snell should be ready to rejoin the rotation before the trade deadline.
Justin Wrobleski's last 6 games:
30.1 IP
30 K
6 BB
2.37 ERAOne of the biggest surprises of the year for the Dodgers 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qtEL6sMgc8
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) June 29, 2025
The Dodgers look to have the SP depth coming back into fold at the right time. Interestingly, the trade junkies have the Dodgers as the primary team looking to acquire RHSP Sandy Alcantara. While I agree that Alcantara is the type of pitcher/player the Dodgers usually covet, he is not needed, and the cost will have to start at Dalton Rushing and go from there. I cannot see AF/BG interested. Yes, he may go to the Cubs or Padres. Oh well.
The Dodgers have also been tied to multiple starters over the past several weeks. One rumor I want to see end is Walker Buehler.
The Dodgers are linked to a pair of excellent high leverage late inning relievers in Orioles’ Felix Bautista and Tampa Bay’s Pete Fairbanks. If the Dodgers can swing these deals, that would be lethal.
One of the trade junkies at SI proposed a deal with the Pirates: Oneil Cruz for Alex Freeland and Noah Miller. The eye test and the Baseball Trade Simulator say not enough.
Right now, I am enjoying this TEAM. And I am looking forward to Wednesday and watching Clayton Kershaw throw his 3,000 K.
After the open date on Monday, the Dodgers have 3 at home against CWS and 3 at home against Houston. The Dodgers will then go on the road for 3 against Milwaukee and 3 against the Giants. The MLB draft will start before the final out against the Giants on July 13.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 6 – OKC Comets 2
In the 1st inning, OKC got back-to back-to back singles from James Outman, Michael Chavis, and Ryan Ward to plate the first run of the game.
The next run came in the 6th. Outman led off with a double and scored on a Kody Hoese single.
Matt Sauer pitched 6.0 shutout innings and got the first out in the 7th. But he hit the next batter and was lifted for Alexis Díaz. Díaz walked the first batter he faced and then surrendered a 3-run HR.
Will Klein relieved Díaz in the 8th. He allowed an inning opening double, sac bunt, single, and 2-run HR for a 6-2 lead.
Outman reached base 4 times with a single, double, BB, and HBP. He was the only Comets hitter with a multi-hit game and XBH. Matt Sauer and Outman were the stars in this losing effort.
Frisco RoughRiders (Texas) 3 – Tulsa Drillers 2
Patrick Copen is a talented pitcher, but lacks control. He now has 4 starts for AA Tulsa. In 20.1 IP, Copen has 15 BB and 24 K. For the year, Copen has 10 starts with 68.1 IP, 47 BB and 101 K.
In this game, Copen did not allow a run on 2 hits, but in his 3.0 IP he issued 5 BB to go with 2 K. He threw 67 pitches, 36 for strikes.
In the top of the 4th, Griffin Lockwood-Powell and Ezequiel Pagan both singled and moved up on a ground out. Both runners scored on a Taylor Young double, and a 2-0 lead.
Christian Suarez followed Copen and gave up 3 runs in the 4th, 3 hits and 1 BB. The last 2 runs on a 2-run HR and the 3-2 lead.
After Jerming Rosario pitched 2 clean inning, Jeisson Cabrera entered in the 7th. With the score 3-2, Frisco put up 4 runs in 0.1 IP, before Antonio Knowles entered to rescue Cabrera.
In the 8th, Tulsa put up 6 to give the Drillers an 8-7 lead. Sean McLain drew a BB and Noah Miller doubled him to 3rd. GLP doubled home both runners. Ezequiel Pagan singled and put runners on the corners. Kendall Simmons walked to load the bases. Taylor Young drew a walk to plate GLP. Kole Myers singled home Pagan, and John Rhodes singled home 2 more for the 6 runs and an 8-7 lead.
Knowles completed the final 2.0 innings without allowing a baserunner.
- Noah Miller – 2-5, 1 run, double (3)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 BB, double (6)
- Ezequiel Pagan – 2-5, 2 runs
- John Rhodes – 2-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, double (9)
- Taylor Young – Double (10)
Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego) 8 – Great Lakes Loons 7
With all the positive spin given to Reynaldo Yean in his last outing, he lost it all in 0.1 IP in this one. Brooks Auger started and pitched a solid 4.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits, 1BB, and 1 K. Unfortunately for Auger, that run scored after a single, WP, single. In the 4th.
In his 0.1 IP, Yean allowed 5 runs on just 1 hit, but 4 BB.
Great Lakes started the scoring in the first. Mike Sirota and Kyle Nevin drew walks, and Zyhir Hope singled to load the bases. Logan Wagner hit a sac fly for the game’s 1st run.
The Loons were down 7-1 coming up in the 7th. Frank Rodriguez opened with a BB and was forced at 2nd on a Kendall George ground ball. George stole 2nd, and Sirota drew a BB. Zyhir Hope singled to score George making it 7-2.
The Loons got 4 back in the 8th but should have been a lot more. After scoring 4 and loading the bases with no outs, a ground ball force out at home and two strikeouts, and the bases were left filled.
The four runs were thanks to 2 BB, 1 HBP, and a Grand Slam HR from catcher Frank Rodriguez.
The TinCaps picked up one in the 8th thanks to 2 walks, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly, increasing their lead to 8-6.
The Loons scored another in the 9th. Wilman Diaz tripled and scored on a Rodriguez single. The Loons got the tying run in scoring position but both runners were left stranded, and the comeback rally came up short.
- Frank Rodriguez – 3-3, 2 BB, 1 run, 5 RBI, double (2), HR (2)
- Kendall George – 2-6, 1 run
- Zyhir Hope – 2-5, 1 RBI
- Jake Gelof – Double (9)
- Wilman Diaz – Triple (1)
San Jose Giants 20 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 2
There is not anything to write up on this debacle, so we will let this one go.
Wrobo is fast becoming one of my favorite Dodgers. The kid attacks the strike zone and has a lot of zip on his fastball. Muncy continues to rake and bury his detractors in his wake. I see little chance that LA will not exercise his option for 10 mil next year. Hard to find 30 plus homer guys that cheap. Call me old and grouchy, but I get really irritated when announcers get their facts wrong. Nelson did that in this game. He said Muncy was closing in on Kemp’s 203 homers as a Dodger when in reality, Max tied Kemp with his homer on Friday night. As I stated before, Max is just 8 back of Garvey for the 6th spot on the list. Do your research there Nellie.
Wrobocop has been a saviour for the rotation and the bullpen recently.
HOpefully he can keep his great work up.
Great road trip going 5-1. Now lets sweep the CWS and increase the division lead even more.
Well, even Vin sometimes got the facts not right so I give Nelly a pass on that. He is a fantastic play by play guy and he loves the Dodgers.Some of His calls during last season WS winning run were epic IMHO. Listened to some of them over and over and not getting tired. Personally I like him even better than Joe.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Like I said, old and grouchy. Vin got it right a lot more than he got it wrong. Nelson is ok, Davis irritates me. Call me weird, I prefer Neverett.
Agree on Wrobo.
IYKYK
Good for Austin Barnes finally finding a new time. Just wish it was someone other than the Giants.
If AF has shown anything since he became the big dog, he knows how to build a team for the long haul. Rumors starting to ramp up about who LA might target at the deadline. I think if they do anything, it will be in the bullpen, and maybe another bench bat. Rojas jammed his ring finger pretty good today. Hope he does not miss too much time. His defense is elite.
Teo in left, Andy in right makes to much sense. I think the only hold up is Teo prefers RF.
Jeff; as far as the MLB draft is concern, there are two things that will happen:
1. The Dodgers will draft someone who no one expected.
2. Whoever the Dodgers pick, you will disagree (and be proven right 3 years down the road).
Not easy drafting as low as Dodgers do, year in and year out. I think they’ve done pretty well, especially on the pitching side. How about the Dodgers trade some AAA players for some younger prospects at the deadline? Thinking Outman, Knack and Feduccia. How can Outman rake at OKC and flail so badly in the bigs? Does he get another chance if we pull the plug on Conforto?
Karros has said recently what he looks at with minor league players is strikeout rate. Outman has a high strikeout rate in AAA. It’s not going to get better at the MLB level.
Boy, getting Fairbanks would be spectacular. He’s super underrated because he plays on Tampa. But why would they deal him, when they are playing so well themselves?
Tampa Bay is not shy about trading away rentals,even when they are in the hunt. It is not like trading Fairbanks would decimate their bullpen. Manuel Rodriguez, Hunter Bigge, Eric Orza, and former LAD LHP Garrett Clevinger, could take his spot. All are having excellent seasons. They could then promote their 26 year old LHRP Ian Seymour who was their 2nd round pick in 2020. He has seemingly been blocked by a productive bullpen and is pitching very well in AAA.
Tampa Bay sometimes goes against the norm. The same is true when it comes to Brandon Lowe who could find his way to San Francisco. I have also seen Gavin Lux to SF rumors that make sense for the Giants. Both players are a clear upgrade over at 2B.
The All Star Futures game rosters are out. DePaula and Hope made the NL team.
I’m super-excited to see what happens this trade deadline, it’s almost a Bizarro one.
The Dodgers have a surplus of pitching, they have Rushing, they have Outman and, if you listen to some here, Ward.
These are players who almost have to be traded, yet not much needed.
Could it just be a massive influx of lottery tickets?
Trading Rushing would be a huge mistake. If they trade him it will be years down the line when he’s closer to being a free agent.
Rushing is not going to be traded. If any catcher is dealt, it would most likely be Feduccia. They do not have any top catching prospects in their top 30. Both of the guys listed at catcher in AAA are guys who are long in the tooth and not prospects, Okey and Robinson. Fernandez and Lockwood-Powell are not exactly lighting things up in Tulsa. Galiz, and Quiroz at Great Lakes are both injured, the other two, Rodriguez and Rojas are mediocre to bad with the bat. The three kids at Rancho are nothing to write home about either. I see absolutely no reason to even think Rushing will be on the block. Some teams might ask for him, but he isn’t going anywhere.
I’d be okay with trading Rushing… in a package for Skubal or Skenes.
Yeah, I don’t agree with Bear or John.
Well then ok, but you are delusional if you believe they are trading that kid. They have no replacement.
We will see.
the replacement is Feduccia, who is much more the backup profile.
Smith is an All-Star with lots of term left.
Rushing’s value has little chance to grow outside of injury.
With Smith’s performance and contract who needs a high level, high FV prospect? it’s a luxury that is worth more to other teams.
but, you could be right even with faulty (in my eyes only) reasoning.
I think your reasoning is faulty. Have you been watching any AAA games? Feduccia is the DH more than he is catching. Robinson has been getting the bulk of the playing time back there. Smith is a great catcher, but the more he catches, the less effective he has been with the bat. If they thought Feduccia was the better option, he would have replaced Barnes, not Rushing.
Mark Twain — “Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
—Albert Einstein
yeah, don’t buy any of that, but it’s possible!
Don’t care if you buy it or not. I have never heard such drivel in my life. You must be smoking some bad stuff.
seems like you do care, quite a bit!
I’m not sure why.
What possible trade out there do you consider comparable to Rushing? Maybe if Cubs were willing to trade PCA for Rushing, which they won’t, why would the Dodgers trade him at the deadline for a marginal MLB player or multiple unknown MiLB prospects? He is so much more valuable as a Dodger this year. In the offseason, maybe the outlook is different. But not now.
In light of all this Dalton Rushing discussion, I have a Dalton Rushing post coming out tomorrow.
True! Could be traded in the offseason, didn’t mean to imply that he would be traded at a specific time. just that he, and some SPs, will be traded soon.
it’s interesting you bring up the Cubs, I view it as another Michael Busch situation. Would be great if it turned out as well for both teams in that hypothetical.
I would hope that the Dodgers would get a lot more out of trading Rushing than Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. Busch was a good, but not elite prospect.
you see, I thought they were about the same level. Live and learn.
just thinking about this, I wonder if you could do a study to see if better trade value for a player with term/team control is during the deadline, when there’s more urgency for your teams, or in the off-season when there is more competition with more teams.
Jeff I was at Saturday’s game. The first two runs the dodgers gave up wouldn’t have happened with an average left fielder. The ball off the wall would have been a good catch, not a great one. The hit just prior to the ball off the wall. Conforto got an awful jump, he should have had that in his back pocket. Rushing nailing the guy on the attempted steal was an outstanding play. Not many catchers gets that guy. If anything derails this team it will be their outfield defense.
I’m thinking if the Dodgers released Conforto the Padres would grab him and only have about $300,000 of Added payroll.
LF Hernandez, CF Outman, RF Pages = a much better defense and most likely a better offense.
I agree. I think Outman has earned another shot.
Given all of Roberts’ tinkering, I’m still hoping to see Rushing get some action in LF with Conforto sitting.
Duke, there was a statement not too long ago that Rushing was not going to be playing the outfield. He has 20 games experience out there at AAA. Not a good idea, just like playing Lux in center field was a bad idea, not to mention, Pederson at first.
I do not disagree with you about the overall OF defense. If Conforto was Denzel Clarke you could forget about his lack of offense, but he is a poor defensive OF as well. This is almost like not wanting to admit a mistake in signing Conforto. Outman is a far superior OF and he did not get as long of a runway as Conforto is getting.
It appears that Edman is going to get more play in CF with Kim at 2B moving forward. But we have heard that before as well. But, Edman’s ankle is feeling better and he can run around CF now. That will make Conforto a LH bat off the bench and a 4th OF.
But I would also make the change of Pages to RF and Teo to LF. Teo’s arm suits LF better, and it sure seems that he reads the ball off the bat better in LF than RF. We know he doesn’t get any kind of jump off balls in RF in front of him or behind him.
How do you like Kauffman Stadium. I have family in KC and have visited there multiple times. It is big. I like the stadium. Watched Bo Jackson just pummel a ball out of there. One of my favorite moments in baseball was watching Bo Jackson, and then getting to see him hit was a plus.
Super good comments about the Dodger’s outfield. I too think Pages in RF and Teo in LF is a better defensive alignment for the reasons you expressed. I would love to watch Pages throw out tagging runners at 3rd, from RF.
Maybe it’s my imagination but it seems like Teo’s defense in right has deteriorated with his hitting slump. Way too many little Texas-Leaguers and flairs dropping into RF. Rojas’ catch definitely saved another.
By the way, any reports on Miggie’s finger injury that took him out of yesterday’s game?
So, a basic question for the 2nd half; barring a trade, who would you prefer to see in the outfield; Conforto or Outman, getting another chance?
Or perhaps neither, with Edman or Kim with Kike added as a sub?
I am going with Edman in CF and Kim at 2B. I am pulling for Outman to get traded to a team that will play him. I do not see a plan for Outman with LAD unless Coforto is DFA, and I do not see that happening.
I too would like to see Outman get a shot with another team as I don’t see any place for him in the Dodgers future. Also Wade and Fedducia.
If AF could pull off a trade of Conforto, I would be more amenable to calling him the all knowing baseball savant that one self appointed Dodger guru thinks he is.
Trading Conforto would be phenominal. But no selling team is going to trade for a rental, and no contending team would want a sub-Mendoza hitting corner OF.
Outman over Conforto.
Yes, but not over Edman in CF and Kim at 2B. Conforto is on the bench with that scenario, and only getting periodic starts like Kiké and Miggy Ro. That would give LAD a non-Rushing LH bat on the bench. It is conceivable that the Dodgers release Conforto in September, and bring up Outman for that role in the playoffs. But I do not see it now.
Yes our best outfield is Edman in CF, Teo in LF, and Pages in RF. But if the choice is Outman or Conforto, I choose Outman.
Also I heard a story that there was once a proposed plan to build one roof that would roll on tracks to cover Kaufman Stadium in summer and Arrowhead Stadium next door, for football in the winter. As you know they do share a parking lot.
Pretty novel idea that never happened.
Bo may have been my favorite football player of all time. It was unreal watching him do what he did, at a different athletic level.
I was at that playoff game vs Cincinnati in 1990 when he injured his hip. It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, as he was walking normally carrying a child on the sidelines.
Harper activated off of the IL for the Phillies.
Yes, a lot of contributors…. but I’d still prefer to see Kim on the field instead of Rojas. More reps will help maximize what Kim delivers.
Will the Dodgers go after Alcantara? Given Sasaki’s struggles, I think they might–and I don’t think it would cost Rushing. Certainly AF could assemble a nice package of prospects starting with DePaula, Freeland, ??? if AF really wants Alcantara. But certainly the Cubs and some other contenders have a greater need for an ace.
No, the Dodgers don’t need another starter, especially with Shohei on the rise–Wrobleski too!–and Snell and Glasnow due back. Heck, maybe Kershaw really will keep it going all the way through October.
A bullpen upgrade seems likely. A guy like Fairbanks would be better than the latest “churn” reliever. Then again, won’t there be a starter or two who’ll be moving to the pen?
Seriously, I think four or five Comets could be an upgrade over Conforto. But it might make sense to deal for Mullins so the Padres don’t land him.
From what I hear, the O’s won’t deal Bautista.
But maybe what I hear is wrong.
A blockbuster for Bautista + Mullins could be a lot of fun.
I’m often in lockstep with your thoughts on the Dodgers, Duke, but not this time.
I was all in favor of going after Mullins two deadlines back, but no longer. I don’t see him as that much of an improvement over Edman defensively and he’s having a pretty lousy year on offense so if you trade for him, that means Edman plays 2B most of the time and where does that leave Kim? At this point Pages and Teo are starting every day so I think we’re fine in centerfield for the rest of the year.
Alcantara – cost would be way too high considering there will probably be about a dozen teams bidding on him. I expect Preller to trade whatever he has to from his depleted farm system in order to get him away from the Cubs, Yanks and Mets. I’ll roll the dice with Glasnow, Snell, Sheehan and Shohei joining YY, Kershaw, Casparius and Wrobleski (not counting on Sasaki, May or Gonsolin). We only need four starters for the playoffs.
Now, get me one more back end guy for the bullpen and I’d be happy. Clase, Bautista, Fairbanks or someone else we haven’t even thought of. If AF could somehow grab one of those guys without giving up a future Hall of Famer, I’m in.
I don’t know if anyone mentioned it here before, but have you read what Bobby Witt said about Ohtani? He accused him of cheating.
Does anyone know if that’s true? I’m watching it on YouTube.
MLB is reportedly investigating Ohtani’s 102-mph pitch.
What is wrong with Bobby Witt Jr. Here are a couple of YouTube videos on Witt Jr.’s calling Ohtani a cheater and another of him showing Ohtani a total lack of respect. I have included both videos.
I have no idea how Ohtani can manipulate his pitch that would be considered cheating without a substance, maybe Phil does.
I also liked the way Doc went after the KC coaching staff after Witt Jr.’s comments on Friday. I do not know to what degree he did, but I am sure the Dodger players appreciated it. Maybe the Dodgers should claim that Witt Jr. cheated last year with his accomplishments and cannot repeat them this year. Maybe Witt Jr. should take a look in the mirror to see why the Royals are floundering this year, and not blame his issues on Ohtani.
No, forget it, now I’m watching another YouTube video about Judge dissing Ohtani for the All-Star Game.
I have a friend that gives my a gold card every year. I can get into any regular season game anywhere, I thought! I tried to use it Saturday and the game was sold out so my pass didn’t work. I bought a house near where I worked for a while. It is 40 minutes away from Kaufman so I usually hit 10 or more games a year. My house is Western Kansas is a little ove 4 hours from Coors Field. What a nice place but a crappy team. I try and get there several times. My favorite place in the area is OKC. I love the park and the surrounding area. With this pass I’ve gone to 22 stadiums. I usually go once where my friend is working, once with the wife and then I’ll take off and hit a couple by myself. If anyone is in the KC area or any of your family wants to hit a game I can generally get more than the two that my pass gives me. It kind of depends whose in town.
Always nice to get freebies. I used to get Dodger tickets from Wes Parker. They were right behind the visitors’ dugout.
Randy Maria Moya, a 20-year-old right-hander pitcher from the Dominican Republic, signed today with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bonus deal: $30,000.
Originally from Cibao, Moya’s fastball touches 92–94 mph. He trained at Fenix Academy under Yoelny Vera.
If Witt is upset, it should be with Wrobleski. Made him look foolish. Those look fake news to me.