The Dodgers won their second straight against the team with the third best winning percentage in MLB. They have now won 8 out of their last 10, 9 out of 13 for July, and 16 out of their last 26. They are playing good baseball.
LAD was facing Tyler Wells, a Baltimore RHSP who had not allowed more than 2 earned runs for 8 consecutive games. That streak went out the window after the third hitter in the 2nd inning. With 2 on and no outs, Jason Heyward hit a HR over the CF wall for a 3-run HR. It was just the beginning of a 10 run 13 hit attack.
Just like Monday’s game, the leaders of the offense were Freddie and Will Smith. Mookie owned NYM in that 3 game series, while Freddie and Will struggled a bit. Smith was 1-11 and Freddie was 1-10 with 4 walks. Mookie was 7-13 with 2 BB.
With Baltimore, Mookie is 1-9 with a BB, while Freddie is 6-9 with a BB and HBP. He has 2 doubles and a triple. Will is also 6-9 with a BB and double. That is 12 hits, 2 BB, 4 XBH for the #2 and #3 hitters in the lineup.
That was important because the 7-9 hitters were 4-11 with 5 walks combined. They scored 4 of the 10 runs. James Outman reached base 4 times on 2 hits and 2 BB. For the series, Outman is 3-7 with 2 walks. Just like with Lux last year, hitting 9th just might agree with Outman. Since the All Star Break, James is 5-13 with 6 BB against only 4 K.
Miggy Rojas and James Outman actually pulled off a double steal that Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman threw into LF allowing Rojas to score and Outman to move to 3rd.
It wasn’t just the offense that was excellent, but so was the pitching. Michael Grove had a 6 pitch first inning but also a 29 pitch 2nd inning. He walked lead off hitter Ryan O’Hearn on 13 pitches. With one out, O’Hearn scored on an Aaron Hicks double. Grove struck out Colton Cowser and retired Adam Frazier on a 3-U ground ball. Over the next three innings, Grove shut out the O’s offense on three singles, a DP, and 3 Ks thanks to a recently discovered cutter he dominates LH batters with.
After a lead off double and BB in the 6th, Grove was sent to the showers. Yency Almonte came in with runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out. He got three outs without the runners moving up much less scoring.
Phil Bickford retired the side in order in the 7th. With the score 10-1, Bickford came back out for the 8th. He walked the leadoff hitter on 4 pitches…or did he? Two of the four pitches were clearly strikes.. Bickford retired the next batter on a pop out. Doc came out and relieved Bickford with seldom used rookie RHRP Nick Robertson. It was clear by reading his lips, that Bickford did not agree with the decision.
Robertson quickly allowed a double and single before striking out Austin Hays. But Aaron Hicks got his second run scoring hit. Robertson got the third out, and retired the side in the 9th allowing only a single before striking out Adley Rutschman to end the game.
I acknowledge that pitcher’s wins are not as important as it used to be, but don’t tell the pitchers that. Grove got his 2nd consecutive win. This was his 6th consecutive game where his ERA has gone down. It still is not pretty, but Grove’s confidence has to be growing.
Because of the offense, the high leverage relievers were not needed in this game. Outside of Almonte, Bickford, and Robertson, the Dodgers should have 5 relievers ready to go if needed in Wednesday’s game.
Julio Urías will match up against Baltimore’s Dean Kremer in Wednesday’s finale. The Dodgers will have their brooms out for a sweep for the 2nd road series since the break. While NYM spoiled the sweep last Sunday, hopefully, the Dodgers can finish off the O’s for the sweep.
As many of you will remember, Kremer was one of 5 LAD players traded to Baltimore for Manny Machado in 2018. Kremer is the only player remaining with Baltimore.
Before Tuesday’s game, since June 1, Mookie has been putting up numbers that are reminiscent of his 2018 MVP season. Since 6/1, in 165 PA, Mookie is hitting .338/.430/.713/1.144, 9 doubles, 14 HR, 32 RBI, 22 BB against 23K.
For July, it is even more impressive. In 52 PA, Mookie is batting .405/.500/.881/1.381, 5 doubles, 5 HRs, 10 RBI, 9 BB vs only 4 K. That is domination.
Tuesday’s win was an important win as all NL West teams won on this night.
Bring out the brooms for the Wednesday AM game.
07-18-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
OKC Dodgers 7 – El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego) 6
Miguel Vargas led off the 9th with a double, moved to 3rd on a ground out, and scored on a Ryan Ward walk off single.
Gavin Stone started and went 6.0 innings. Not as good as last game. 4 runs, 7 hits, 1 BB, 5 K, and 1 HR (solo).
Key Performers:
- Michael Busch – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 3 RBI, HR (13)
- Miguel Vargas – 4-5, 1 run, double (1)
- Ryan Ward – 2-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (10)
- Devin Mann – 2-4
- Steven Duggar – 2-4, 2 runs
- Justin Yurchak – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI
Box Score
NW Arkansas (KC) 5 – Tulsa Drillers 2
Tulsa scored their 2 runs on solo HRs by Kody Hoese (6) and Imanol Vargas (13)
Kyle Hurt started and completed 5.0 innings – 2 runs, 3 hits, 2 BB, 6 K
Ben Harris surrendered a 2-run HR in his 1.0 IP
Key Performer:
- Brandon Lewis – 2-3, double (7)
Box Score
Lansing Lugnuts (A’s) 2 – Great Lakes Loons 0
Lansing shutout the Loons on 4 hits. Justin Wrobleski started and completed 6.0 strong innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned). Great Lakes had 4 hits, with Damon Keith’s double the only XBH.
Box Score
Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego) 9 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8
Lake Elsinore scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 10th with 2 outs for the walk off win against RC.
Key Performers – A 20 year old and 2 19 year olds led the offense:
- Luis Rodriguez (20 – CF) – 3-5, 2 runs, 6 RBI, double (6), HR (2)
- Wilman Diaz (19 – 2B) – 3-5, 1 run, 1 RBI, triple (1)
- Luis Guerra (19 – LF) – 2-5, 1 RBI, 2 doubles (3)
For the month of July, Rodriguez is hitting .389/.433/.537/.970. For the last 4 games Luis is 14-21 with 3 doubles, 1 HR, 13 RBI, no BB against 2 K. Luis is on an excellent run.
Box Score
Love Dodger Chronicles. I don’t sleep well these days and am usually up at 2 or 3AM. Dodger Chronicles is the first thing I read each morning with my first cup of coffee. I had to laugh at this mornings article as 3 times you referred to today’s game finale with the Orioles as Sunday’s game. You, like me Jeff must be retired or you’re just plain tired. Today is Wednesday my friend. Also, I don’t always pay as close attention to detail as you, and I’m assuming it was an error, but I’ve been trying to figure out what you meant when you said ” he retired Adam Frasier on a 3-U ground ball?” Don’t mean to be so picky. You must have been in a hurry or tired or both when you typed this.
Jeff may not be up yet, so I’ll answer the 3-U question Farhan. It’s a scorebook entry, ground-ball to the first baseman unassisted.
Thank you Badger
Welcome
2 things that really stood out to me in yesterday’s game was the double steal and Peralta’s bunt attempt. Would like to see both of those concepts occur more often.
Good stuff Jeff. I think you need some sleep. It is Wednesday. Sunday is a few days away. But that’s cool. I lose track myself sometimes. Heyward crushed that ball. It was his longest homer of the year. Baltimore needs to find a happy medium with that left field wall. It costs’ their hitters some knocks as well as the opposition.
Looks like Marisnick is going to be heading to the IL. He strained his hammy. Beat my prediction of him being off of the roster by a couple of weeks.
When we slug, we win.
Grove may indeed be growing into the role. If he and Sheehan can continually go 5, with ERAs around 4, it will certainly help. Sure would be nice to see pitchers go 6-7 with ERAs around 3. I guess that may be asking too much in today’s game.
This is a challenging road trip. So far the team has played well. That said, S.F. is 8-2 and 1.5 back. Are they this good?
I noticed Jimmy Nelson pitched an inning. He could help.
Ohtani’s favorite American food is In-N-Out. Sorry East Coast and Seattle.
Yep. Ump hosed Bick on the first hitter in the 7th. Usually when they miss calls it is balls called strikes. Haven’t seen as many true strikes called balls. Maybe that is just me.
How long do we have to endure Muncy batting 4th? This blind devotion by Doc has gotten ridiculous. Sit him down for a couple of games and then bat him 6th or 7th. If he heats up, move him back up.
Hope we are going for a sweep on Sunday in Texas.
It looks like Doc believes Muncy is due. I do too, but until then I’d bat him lower in the lineup. That does go against my theory of the lineup after Smith could be pulled out of a hat. It also could be debated we’ve been winning a lot so.. why change? But, I agree. Move him down.
Vargas had a night. He should be back soon. Especially with Marisnick gone.
With that reasoning, Barnes should be hitting cleanup. Talk about due? LOL
You’re comparing Barnes and Muncy?
Just that both are due.
Agree 100% on Muncy. Can’t even give us a sac fly when needed.
Well, OhioDodger, per Muncy apparently not long. He’s hitting 3rd in today’s finale against the Orioles! I’ve been calling for Muncy to be moved down in the lineup for several weeks. This is the same approach Roberts gave CT3 last year. They were so far ahead in the standings it didn’t have much an impact. But, except for a few games CT3 continued to have a difficult time making contact with the baseball. He’s improved in that department this year and is a productive player for the team.
Back to Muncy. There’s no way Muncy should be hitting any higher than sixth. He takes too many pitches and is not aggressive enough to be hitting any higher. He’s been like this for at least the past three years. When he goes into a slump he is hesitant to swing at strikes and looks for run up the count and maybe get a walk. A power hitter cannot be passive. He should swing his way out of his slumps. Attack first pitch strikes! Be aggressive! You’re hitting fourth (or third) to drive in runs not draw walks. Why Roberts continues to hit him there makes no sense. He can just as easily learn to change his hitting approach lower in the lineup.
Carry on.
He is listening. Attacked first pitch fastball. Fouled it off. Any inning now.
Like maybe that one.
Barnes next? Uh, no.
Are the Dodgers using the cutter as their new “sweeper”?
I read that Grove has started using one, and it’s also the pitch that Brasier credits for his recent success.
Anyone read or hear anything on this?
Never mind. I see there’s something in the athletic. Going to read it now.
I read that too. Dodgers teaching different grips. Something we talked about here.
I apologize for any confusion on the day of the week. I have no idea why, but I kept thinking it was the weekend all day yesterday. When I retired, I seemed to lose all sense of the day of the week. I am sure this will not be the last time. 😄
When I worked I looked forward to the weekend. Now that I’m retired I look forward to the week.
Urias did not look like an Ace today. Every time he pitches like this he knocks a few mil off of his asking price this winter.
The two pre-eminent LHSP in the free agency market are Urias and Snell.
Do we really think Urias’ asking price will be affected IF (and only if) he has an average to above average post-season?
He’s a two year near 5 WAR pitcher in his prime. He will get paid.
That’s kinda what I think.
There is getting paid, and there is getting PAID. I think Boras was looking at a near Gerrit Cole type contract for a 27 year old pitcher if he was anywhere close to pitching as he did the last two years. Next he was probably looking at a Stephen Strasburg level contract. Then a David Price level contract. What he is probably looking at now is a Carlos Rodón level contract. But is he worth any more than a Zach Wheeler level contract? Would you pay him more than $118MM for 5 years? He will get more with San Diego or Texas. But not in the stratosphere of $200MM.
I think Texas can sign Urías and Kershaw and call it a Winter. They will go into next season as an AL Pennant winning favorite.
He will sign a deal with opt outs.
I have no doubt that you will be correct. But I hate player opt out clauses.
Not sure you guys are really in disagreement.
Yes, he’ll be paid, but based on the way he’s pitched this year he’ll be paid a fair amount less than if his 2023 looked like his 2021-22.
If he had continued to pitch like he had the past two years, I think he would have had his choice of anywhere he wanted to sign. Those choices may be more limited now.
On the other hand, if this turns out to be his last poor start of the year……………..
Tyler O’Neill anyone?
With all due respect, why? He is not a difference maker to begin with, and he has been hurt all year. It is going to be a coin flip as to who gets traded…O’Neill or Dylan Carlson. If you believe the Cardinals rags, it is going to be Carlson. The Cardinals thrive themselves on defense and O’Neill is the better defender of the two. Then again, O’Neill has been in a season long dispute with St. Louis management. Carlson – .241/.351/.374/.725 O’Neill – .228/.283/.337/.620. IMO, if the Dodgers cannot get Lane Thomas, live with the bats they have. RH Bat – I do not think Vargas is going to be in OKC for a lengthy visit.
No particular reason. Just heard it mentioned and thought I would inquire if it was a good idea.
“With all due respect”, meaning neither of them is due much respect.
I always enjoy your posts at this time of year, Jeff, because I love to see who you come up with as possibilities for us to get at the deadline.
Jim Callis had an article on MLB.com today mentioning a prospect on every team who might be traded, for whatever reason (need for other positions, blocked by someone else, etc).
If you haven’t seen it, please take a look and comment on any of the 30 guys mentioned here whom you think might be of interest to us. We can probably eliminate pitchers (we have plenty of young pitchers already) and catchers, but there are a number of infielders and outfielders mentioned.
Look forward to hearing your response and anyone else who cares to comment.
Here’s the link:
https://www.mlb.com/news/trade-candidate-prospects-to-watch?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
By the way, the Dodger prospect he mentioned was Sheehan. I don’t consider a Sheehan trade very likely at all, but I definitely wouldn’t call him untouchable for the right return.