I know we have read a lot of gibberish about blowing up the pitching staff of the Dodgers. My response then and now, be patient. It is a 162 game regular season schedule, and many of the SP were on the IL. Let’s see how they do once the IL pitchers return to the rotation, and the bullpen is more stable.
Once Blake Snell returned to the rotation on August 2, the rotation has been rock solid, even with minimal innings for Shohei Ohtani, until Wednesday night. It is a true 6-man rotation. For the last month (28 games):
- Clayton Kershaw – 5 games started
- Tyler Glasnow – 5 games started
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – 5 games started
- Shohei Ohtani – 5 games started
- Blake Snell – 4 games started
- Emmet Sheehan – 4 games started
Since July 28 through August 27 (28 games), the Dodgers SP are #8 MLB and #3 NL in IP with 151.0. That is an average of 5.39 IP per start. #1 IP for SP is Philadelphia at 163.2 (5.85 IP per start). Philadelphia is now without their Ace and innings eater, Zack Wheeler (149.2 IP), who is out for the year (and next 6-8 months).
Rock solid? Lets look at some of the metrics for SP over the last month (28 games).
- ERA – 3.40, #2 NL behind Cubs and #3 MLB behind Cubs and Boston
- FIP – 3.26, #2 NL and MLB behind Cincinnati
- WHIP – 1.13, #4 NL and #5 MLB
- K-BB% – 19.5%, #2 in NL and MLB behind Cincinnati (19.6%)
- HR/9 – 0.9, #2 NL behind NYM, and #4 MLB behind NYY, Houston, NYM
While RP metrics are not as impressive as SP, they are still at least average or better. And they figure to get better once Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates are fully utilized, and Alex Vesia and Michael Kopech are activated from the IL.
- ERA – 3.09, #2 NL behind SD and #4 MLB behind A’s, Detroit, SD
- FIP – 3.84, #6 NL and #9 MLB
- K-BB% – 14.5%, #14 in MLB
- HR/9 – 0.96, #5 NL and #7 MLB
Again, while not elite, they have greatly improved. For the games up to July 28, the Dodgers RP ERA was 4.33 or #24 MLB. That is quite an improvement to 3.09 or #2 for the last month.
It sure looks like the pitching staff is rounding into shape now that they are coming off the IL. Yes, of course they need to stay healthy, as do all playoff contenders’ pitchers.
The offense is also getting better. Hyeseong Kim will be activated for Pittsburgh as the September roster addition, and Max Muncy should be back on the road trip as well. Tommy Edman is taking a longer period to get back so that he can hopefully stay healthy throughout the playoffs.
This team was built for October, and that plan seems to be coming together.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis) 7 – OKC Comets 3
Alexis Díaz was the only OKC pitcher to pitch a clean inning.
- CJ Alexander – 2-5, 1 run, 2 doubles (23)
- José Ramos – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, double (7)
- Noah Miller – 2-4, 1 RBI
- Team had 5 BB and struck out 4 times
- Pitchers – 7 BB, 8 K
- RISP – 2 -14
Box Score
Tulsa Drillers 9 – Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston) 7
Pitching was not all that effective. However, Carson Hobbs got back his relief mojo with his 2nd save.
- Kyle Nevin – 3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double (7)
- Kole Myers – 3-3, 1 BB, triple (2)
- John Rhodes – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Zach Ehrhard – 1-2, 3 BB. 2 runs
- Chris Newell – HR (18)
- Sean McLain – Double (7)
- Team had 7 BB and struck out 5 times
- Pitchers 6 BB, 15 K
- RISP – 4-10
Box Score
West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit) 2 – Great Lakes Loons 1 – 10 innings
Maddux Bruns pitched the best game of his pro career (IMO). He completed 6.0 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, 2 BB, and 5 K.
Cameron Day followed with 2.0 IP perfect innings with 3 K.
- Kendall George – 2-5, 1 run, double (9), SB (86)
- Eduardo Quintero – 2-4
- Zyhir Hope – Sac Fly
- Team had 2 BB and struck out 13 times
- Pitchers 3 BB, 10 K
- RISP – 1-8
Box Score
Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego) 10 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 0
Team had 5 hits, all singles. Charles Davalan and Niko Perez were the only Quakes hitters to reach base twice. Davalan singled and walked, while Perez drew a pair of BB. Davalan has now got at least 1 hit in all 7 games he has played professionally.
- Team had 6 BB and struck out 11 times
- Pitchers 5 BB, 5 K
- RISP – 0-6
Box Score
Day off for all of us. I spent it sorting DVDs and visiting a friend in the hospital. She has pneumonia. Schwarber took over the NL lead in homers with his 4 last night, I think he is one behind Raliegh for the MLB lead. What I want to see over the next 4 weeks is consistency and good at bats. Snell, Glasnow and Yoshi versus the D-Backs this weekend. Monday off, then on to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, home for 3 against the Rocks, then up to Frisco for three with the Giants, home for the final homestand against Phils and Giants, then off to Az then Seattle and the season ends. Hard to believe it has gone by this fast. Seager is going to have an appendectomy. Might miss the rest of the season. Mookie’s dWAR of 2.3 is the best among all MLB SS.
Been sitting on the sidelines watching and reading with interest.Am lucky enough to be sitting by a pool on the lovely island of Mykonos in Greece on holiday with my girlfriend, and have some time to comment properly.
Firstly, I wanted to say how sorry I was to read about your health problems Phil. On first reading I had no idea that your bladder condition was cancer related. You must have been, and are still going through some rough times. I just wanted to wish you all the best and although I don’t know you, from your excellent posts I can tell you are a fierce competitor and as with your knee recovery, you’ve got this covered. This place is a nice escape from your troubles. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
Secondly, thank you Jeff and Michael for the ongoing excellent all round coverage and for me at least, Dodgers and baseball education. This place is second to none, and as a result has attracted many excellent and knowledgeable Posters. I know it must be very trying at times with hearing the same and sometimes wacky comments from certain people (Mark had the same thing) but personally I rather enjoy the different opinions and perspectives, and I know Bradley can push your buttons, but t honestly believe these forums are all the better for some diverse perspectives and for people who push back, and Bradley is always polite, humble and respectful. I am a fan of his.
Which brings me onto your amazing Post on your ongoing battle with the terrible disease that is Depression. I read that Post and felt very humbled but at the same time enlightened. Was a powerful read. The following dialogue between you and Scott was what gives me hope that humanity still exists and humility and friendship can overcome. Was a wonderful interpersonal moment.
Scott, I’ve always read your posts with interest. Although deliberately over negative mostly to illustrate your point, I have normally found myself nodding in agreement with your alternate view.
I knew nothing of your health or life, but I do know that when Mark unexpectedly shut down LADT (hard to believe I know!!), you offered us a place to meet, and you were a warm host. for which I will always be grateful. If I’m not mistaken it was there that I first met Michael.
If i remember correctly, your sister Stacy was involved as was your dear friend who passed.
Unfortunately it gotta bit volatile over there and then of course LADT returned.
Scott, we are who we are, no need to apologise.
So to the Dodgers. I said before the season began that the Dodgers have found through their own mistakes and successes, a way to navigate the season in an attempt to peak at the right time, namely the Post Season, with particular emphasis on the Pitching, and nothing I’ve seen this season makes me believe otherwise.
Injuries are going to happen and that’s why depth is so important. AF is the master of depth, and having personnel who can cover multiple positions. The aim is to get to the Playoffs with the Starters fresh, the Position Players healthy, because their quality should prevail in 5 or 7 game series against better pitching, and momentum. Relief arms are acquired for short but necessary periods then released. It works.
The whole management of Will Smith this year has been around preserving him as best as possible. The prolonged IL stints of Snell and Glasnow were by design, as is the rest for Vesia now some other arms are back.
It’s a tactical decision and requires patience. People were losing their minds last week when Shohei threw a clunker in Colorado. Who hasn’t?? The pitches don’t break well there in the rarified air. Look at his next outing. Almost unhittable. He starts game 3 or 4?for me. This is why we got him, to be a difference maker, and his pitching does exactly that. He won’t be able to pitch for ever. Now is his time.
Let him loose for a couple of years , then let him concentrate on being the best Left Fielder in MLB.
Snell was signed for the Post Season. Yes I know that’s ridiculous, but he’s a needle mover, a game one starter, and Ace. This is when we need him, not in May or June. Glasnow is similar to this. He’s frail for sure so let’s treat him as such because we can, that’s how we are built. He has nasty stuff especially if he’s your *3rd or *4tg Starter.
Yamamoto is more of a workhorse (well once a week), but will probably have a couple of weeks rest before long to sharpen him up.
I read some weird stuff about Shohei giving up pitching!! He is an incredible pitcher, an Ace on most teams and we want him to stop pitching!! Unbelievable!!!
Snell, Yamamoto, Shohei and Glasnow with Sheehan and Kershaw hovering in the BP should things get messy early, is a fantastic starting point for any Staff. Nobody can better that arsenal.
I stand totally corrected with Kershaw. I thought he was done. I was wrong.
So patience. It’s a long season. The Dodgers just play it as such and at times it can be maddening especially Doc’s moves sometimes. However, they are normally for the greater good. Doc is becoming a good manager of the long game strategy.
I see a very deep run into the Post Season in our future. It will be a very good team that beats the Dodgers. Would anyone seriously want to play us?
Great post Watford Dodger. Sitting by a pool on Mykonos with your girlfriend sounds like pretty good duty to me. I really appreciate your shoutout and best wishes. My journey is very doable and I’m very fortunate this wasn’t worse. I was mentally prepared for worse news so this was great. I’m not one to give up easily.
Thanks again. I really enjoy your posts.😎
Hey Watford. Hope you’re enjoying Greece and congrats on a very understanding girlfriend who allows you to spend time following the Blue and posting while on vacation with her.
I second Badger’s comment. Well said. All of it.
Thanks Watford, I try to entertain as well as inform. We met with B&P, and I think it was Patch, at that sports bar in Orange County. If you were referring to me, my sister’s name is Donna. I have also met Mark, Jayne Cobb and John. Jeff’s post on his battle with depression hit home here too. Not me, but my son has battled it for years. Baseball and music keep me sane. I cannot play music as much anymore since the arthritis in my hands makes chording a guitar very difficult. Enjoy Greece.
Well said W. All of it.
Good piece. All about deploying the arms successly this fall. I have faith. Roberts wins one this year I’ll shut forever about his flaws.
Hey Phil. I just read your post from yesterday. Happy to hear of the results. It sounds like they have an effective treatment to get you back to a healthy life.
Take care.
Yup Ted, this is really good news and quite a load off of my mind. I had mentally prepared to take on far worse but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t more than relieved.
Looks like I can get all 6 treatments in before I split to AZ for the winter.
Thanks for concern and thoughts.
Ever up Colorado way let me know.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa placed on out-right waivers by the Pirates. Braves selected John Brebbia to their roster.
Interesting that IKF was waived. I wonder if Pittsburgh tried to trade him and there were no takers. Knowing AF/BG’s penchant for veteran utility players, I also wonder if they would prefer IKF to rookies Kim and Freeland. Not advocating, just thinking out loud. .
Just my two cents, base on absolutely nothing, I think AF might prefer IKF to Freeland for the balance of this year, but I think he’d rather have Kim than either of them.
I am pretty sure they had him on their radar as a trade option at one point.
Red Sox have released Walker Buehler.
And no, I don’t think AF will sign him, but somebody else might. The Blue Jays bullpen is not in good shape and they might take a chance on him, assuming he’d pitch in relief which I’m sure he would.
I actually think we could sign him. To be that bullpen arm he was last October.
And, if we do sign him for that role, I’m all for it!
Between the extra starter or starters we may have to move to the bullpen for the playoffs plus the guys we currently have there (including Kopech and possibly even Graterol if/when they return) I just don’t think Andrew would be willing to give up a spot to gamble on Buehler, who really hasn’t pitched well this year. Granted he didn’t pitch well last year either………..until he did.
I still think the chances are far greater that he won’t be coming here this year, but if he does, I’ll definitely be rooting for him to succeed.
Graterol had shoulder surgery in March. I think they are not counting on getting him back, and after that long of a layoff, just how effective would he be? Henriquez is a much better option.
I highly doubt it but it would be cool.
Tonight’s line up. Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Smith, Teo, Conforto, Pages, Freeland, Kike. Snell pitching.