It has been more than evident in recent days, actually in the last few months, that this edition of the Dodgers is not the 2024 version. Despite several high-profile off-season additions, the product has been flawed pretty much from the get-go. Since they started the season 8-0, they have gone 63-54. Just 9 games over .500. Since the All-Star break, they are 13-15. They were swept twice in 3-game series by the Brewers and then the Angels.
The reason is quite obvious to me. Injuries both to key pitchers, Snell, Glasnow, Sasaki, Treinen, Scott have all impacted the pitching staff forcing the use of guys like Sauer, Knack, Garcia, Trevino, Klein, the list goes on and on. Mookie’s illness, the injuries to Max, Teo, Edman, Kim, and Kike. The team has used players they never expected to use this year. I am pretty sure they felt Freeland would be in AAA all season.
Rushing was recalled when they DFAd Barnes and Kim replaced Taylor. Kim was doing a very good job in limited play before his injury. Poor Muncy had just found his stroke when the knee contusion knocked him out, then he returns from that and strains his oblique. Betts has just barely started to look like himself. For some unknown reason, Freeman, who was crushing baseballs all through May, went into a swoon in June that lasted until just a couple weeks ago. His BA dropped from .374 down to .296.
For most fans, the trade deadline was a dud. They added an old friend, Brock Stewart, and he ends up on the IL with shoulder troubles after just 4 games. Alex Call, the outfielder they got to more or less platoon with Conforto, started off cold. He finally warmed up against the Rockies tonight with 4 hits, including his first Dodger homer. Ohtani has provided a lot of power and is coming along as a starter but has yet to go five innings. The nice surprise has been the pitching of Clayton Kershaw. 7-2 with a 3.01 ERA, Kersh is winning with less than impressive stuff, but a lot of savvy. They traded May simply because he is a free agent after the year and he was totally inconsistent. The two minor league outfielders they got in return are doing well.
Some fans complained that they show no fire. That has been said of many Dodger teams in the past, but if everyone was healthy, we would not even be discussing this. They have still after all the injuries, one of the most potent offenses in the league. They already have 185 homers. The only so called regular without double digit homers is Conforto, who has 9. Kike, who has 8, could reach that amount if he has a decent September.
I think it is a good thing that they are being severely challenged by the Padres. They seem to play better when they are pushed. That happened last year when SD came in for their last series in LA and after winning the first game and closing the gap to 2, the Dodgers won the next two and took the lead to 4 games. They have a chance to pull of the same kind of thing this weekend. Last year in the LDS, when they were on the brink of being eliminated in the first round for the third straight season, they played some of their best baseball. They won a bullpen game to even the series, then rode the Hernandez boy’s homers to win the series. Yoshi pitched one of his better games that night, and they beat Darvish.
I still believe this team has that kind of Hutzpah. I believe by playoff time; the rotation is going to be as good as any rotation they have ever taken into the playoffs. As long as they are all healthy. They will choose the best fits for the bullpen, and hopefully all of the position players will be healthy and ready to go. It is extremely hard to win a pennant, let alone back-to-back pennants. If they are good enough to do that and make it back to the World Series, they then have the chance to repeat. But ya gotta get there first.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle) 7 – OKC Comets 6 – 10 innings
Roki Sasaki had a much better start in this one
Sasaki struck out the first batter in the 4th, but walked the second. He was pulled for Logan Boyer who gave up three straight singles allowing 2 runs to score. Sasaki was charged for 2 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits, 3 BB, and 2 K. He threw 60 pitches in 3.1 IP. Not very good, but a big improvement.
That's it for #Dodgers Roki Sasaki. Decent second rehab. For me, he will not be back with the Dodgers anytime soon. Final – 60 P / 39 S / 3.1 IP / 3 H / 1 R / 3 BB / 2 K. FB topped out at 98 mph, 1 slider for 89 mph, mostly threw splitters 83-86 mph. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/dBrvWUZHiu
— Dodgers_After_Duty (@msalas24) August 21, 2025
Michael Kopech followed Boyer. He gave up a 1-out double and walked the next two batters. He then induced a fly out to Ryan Ward in LF (he made the catch), and struck out the next batter for a scoreless inning.
OKC scored in the 3rd on back to back doubles by Esteury Ruiz and Kiké Hernández. It was Kiké’s 2nd hit in his 1st rehab game. He was the DH.
In the 6th, José Ramos reached on a fielding error in CF and scored on Austin Gauthier’s single.
With Garrett McDaniels on the mound, the first batter reached on an error by Gauthier. McDaniels got the next two outs, but Leody Tavares doubled home the run, and the Rainiers pushed their lead back up to 4-2.
OKC got a run back in the 7th. With 2 outs, Ruiz singles, and steals 2B (50). Nick Senzel drew a BB, and Ryan Ward singled home Ruiz.
Ryan Ward lines it to left and scores Esteury Ruiz! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/KqwmUHFjQ9
— Oklahoma City Comets (@OKC_comets) August 21, 2025
In the bottom of the 7th, McDaniels went back out and walked the first batter who stole 2B. McDaniels struck out the next batter and was relieved by Bobby Miller. Miller got the two batters he faced to leave the runner stranded. This was the first game that Miller pitched in back to back games. This was the final box to check for Miller. I do not know if he will get recalled, but he has done everything he needs to do get that call.
Bobby Miller came in with an out in the seventh inning and got a strikeout touching 100 and a ground out. Photo by Barry of @BookThatTruck, God bless em! pic.twitter.com/WyezQqbTY3
— Howard Cole (@Howard_Cole) August 21, 2025
OKC ties the score in the 8th. CJ Alexander singled, stole 2B, and scored on Gauthier’s 2nd RBI single.
Sam Carlson relieved Miller. He struck out the first two batters, but then gave up the go-ahead HR.
OKC came back and tied it up in the 9th. With one out, Ward doubled (29), and moved to 3rd on a WP. Ward scored on a Luken Baker sac fly.
Will Klein relieved Carlson in the bottom of the 9th to try to force extra innings. He retired the side in order with 2 K.
With CJ Alexander on 2B as the placed runner. With one out, Alexander moves to 3rd on a WP and scored on a Noah Miller sac fly.
Klein went back out in the 10th. He struck out the 1st batter and walked the 2nd. The Tacoma runners pulled off a double steal with the tying run 90 feet away and the winning run in scoring position. Klein IBB the next batter to load the bases and set up a DP. Instead Victor Robles hit a walkoff single scoring 2.
- Kiké Hernández – 2-3, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Esteury Ruiz – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, double (19)
- Ryan Ward – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (29)
- José Ramos – 2-5, 1 run
- Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 RBI
Tulsa Drillers 2 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 1 – Game 1 – 8 innings
Tulsa got a HR from Griffin Lockwood Powell (4) to tie the score in the 5th.
In the 8th, Taylor Young was the placed runner at 2nd. John Rhodes was HBP and Eduardo Guerrero hit a sac bunt with Young scoring on the throwing error.
Chris Campos pitched 2 scoreless innings before giving way to Jerming Rosario. Rosario gave up a HR for NWA’s only HR in his 2.0 IP.
Kelvin Ramirez and Christian Suarez followed with scoreless inning through 6.
Carson Hobbs shuts out Naturals in 7th and 8th for the win. He allowed 1 hit and a BB, but remains unscored on in his 9th game and 13.1 IP at AA. He has 16 K against 2 BB. Batting Average against is .109, and his WHIP is 0.53. I am not sure you can be more dominant than that.
NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 5 – Tulsa Drillers 1 – 7 innings – Game 2
NWA scored all 5 of their runs off Wyatt Crowell in 2.2 IP. He allowed 6 hits, 4 BB, and compiled 3 K. Livan Reinoso and Kelvin Bautista did not allow a baserunner the final 3.1 IP.
The Drillers lone run came home on a Zach Ehrhard sac fly, and was an unearned run.
The Drillers had 4 singles, 2 by Chris Newell.
Great Lakes Loons 2 – Quad Cities River Bandits (KC) 1
Logan Tabeling started and went 5.0 innings, and Brooks Auger finished the final 4.0. They allowed a combined 1 run on 4 hits, 5 BB, 12 K.
Eduardo Quintero hit a HR in the 1st to give the Loons the lead. In the 3rd, Frank Rodriguez drew a 1-out walk. Kendall George followed with an infield single, and Rodriguez came all the way around to score on a throwing error.
Eduardo Quintero sizzles his 16th homer of the season — 2nd for the High-A @greatlakesloons 🔥
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 20, 2025
MLB's No. 55 prospect (@Dodgers) is one of just two teenagers with 15+ HR and 40+ SB in 2025, joining Konnor Griffin (No. 1 overall): pic.twitter.com/lKbEZeRHOH
The River Bandits scored their only run on a balk in the 5th.
Kendall George was 2-3 and the only Loons batter with a multi-hit game.
#Dodgers currently have three of the Top 10 outfield prospects in @MiLB, and they're all with the Loons! 🔵 pic.twitter.com/wfIvGNx8qa
— Great Lakes Loons (@greatlakesloons) August 20, 2025
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4 – Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 2
Isaac Ayon started and completed 3.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 1 hit and 1 BB to go with 2 K. 20 year old RHP Domingo Geronimo followed with 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 BB, and 4 K.
The Quakes scored the first run in the 2nd. Mairo Martinus singled, stole 2B, and scored on an Angel Diaz single. The Quakes put up 2 more in the 5th. Niko Perez drew a BB and Charles Davalan reached on an E5 with Perez moving to 3rd. Davalan stole 2B and Perez stole home on a double steal. Davalan moved to 3rd on a WP, and scored on an Emil Morales single.
Jhonny Jimenez relieved Geronimo and allowed a pair of unearned runs.
With the score now at 3-2, Morales hit a solo HR in the 8th.
Charles Davalan started his 2nd game and went 1-3 with a BB in the leadoff role playing CF. He is now 3-7 with 2 BB.
3B Mairo Martinus was 2-3, while Emil Morales was 2-4 with 2 RBI and his 5th HR at RC. Including his time in the ACL, Morales now has 14 HR on the season.
Emil Morales has made ESPN’s updated top 100.
ESPN updated their top 100 prospects list. Seven from the Dodgers farm made the cut!
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) August 20, 2025
12. Josue De Paula OF
44. Eduardo Quintero OF
46. Zyhir Hope OF
56. Mike Sirota OF
73. Alex Freeland IF
85. Emil Morales IF
99. Jackson Ferris LHP
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
That was about as pathetic of a game as I can remember. The mighty LAD lineup led by HOF players included:
· Michael Conforto – .190 BA, .626 OPS – Went 0-4
· Alex Freeland – .174 BA, .517 OPS – Went 1-4
· Buddy Kennedy – .095 BA, .317 OPS – Went 0-4
Freeland is the only player who should be on the roster. He will be optioned once the others return from the IL.
The last place Rockies bottom three hitters:
· Orlando Arcia – .190/.503 – Went 1-2, 1 BB, 1 Sac Fly
· Brenton Doyle – .238/.666 – Went 2-4
· Ryan Ritter – .252/.672 – Went 1-4
Maybe it’s time to put an end to Ohtani pitching this year? Is he really a better option as #4 playoff pitcher than Kershaw? He has already qualified to be a 2-way player for 2026. There is no reason to continue for this year.
The OF defense continues to flail. Buddy Kennedy flailed at a ground ball, but at least he has made a few good plays. Not as many as Alex Freeland.
Meanwhile James Outman went 2 -4 with 2 doubles for Minnesota. He is now 3-12 with 2 doubles and a triple. Oh and he can play defense in CF or LF or RF.
Dustin May? 3 games started, 15.2 IP, 2.87 ERA, 146 ERA+, 4 BB, 17 K.
And yet another clunker.
Dodgers are a tough watch these days.
Lets hope the cavalary is arriving soon. Scott, Yates, Kopech, Miller for the pen.
But what to do with the struggling offense ? Can not even score at Coors vs a very pedestrian Rockies pitching staff.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just a bad baseball team period right now to many excuses for poor fundamentals and arrogant management Friedman et.al. Have had a very bad year in who they chose to sign.
Did not expect much with three guys below the Mendoza line starting and Mookie on the bench. Kyle Tucker has been playing with a fractured hand since July. Bellinger is hitting .266 with 22 homers. Wish he was patrolling CF. He hit 2 of the Yankees 9 bombs on Tuesday. About this time last year, LA DFAd Jason Heyward. About time to do the same to Conforto. I have seen enough of his act. Starting pitcher with a plus 7 ERA and you score 1????? Pitiful. Smith will sit today with a day game following a night game. One game up on San Diego, and the Dodgers are 31-31 on the road. Need a win today, and at least 2 of 3 in SD.
Down the homestretch we go, in a heated pennant race, in a series against an awful team, and the best we can do is a split. And it’s evident coaching fundamentals don’t really matter to this organization. Slice it anyway you want, but we’re watching a pathetic reality.
Yes, the Dodgers have legitimate excuses (i.e. injuries/maybe age?) for what they are now. But strange FO decisions and coaching failures are also glaringly obvious. So at some point, the ppl not wearing uniforms must be held accountable too.
Yes, this comes down to a 2 month season. How will the team play in September and October?
If they are not at full strength it will likely be more of the same. And since this team hasn’t been at full strength all year, how can we believe they will be for 60 days of late Summer early Fall baseball?
Hope, that’s how.
We hope Edman and Muncy. We hope Kiké and Kim. We hope Scott, Yates, Kopech, Treinen and Stewart. We hope Mookie, Teo, Freeman and Conforto. We hope it all comes together as everyone who knows baseball knows it’s how you finish.
And Ohtani? Yeah, maybe it’s time to just let him think about hitting the rest of the way.
There is still reason to believe in this team. They are capable of 8 runs on any given night. They are also capable of flopping like fish in the sand.
I sure hope they don’t flop to the finish.