You just never know what is going to happen in Colorado. The Dodgers were dead in the water. Literally, reigning CF GG Brenton Doyle closed that game down with his circus catch of a Shohei Ohtani line drive in right center to end the 7th inning. Or did he?
BRENTON DOYLE FULL EXTENSION TO ROB SHOHEI pic.twitter.com/JiPHVdLQVu
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 19, 2024
Statcast gave that a 15% chance for an out.
The Dodgers were down by 5 in the 9th. The last time they were down 5 runs in the 9th and came back to win was July 1929. I wasn’t around for that one. But the odds were not great, especially with Scott’s automatic outs coming up. Andy Pages walks on a 7 pitch AB. Miggy Ro hit a little flair into RF for a single moving Pages to 3B.
Kiké Hernández followed with K. Miguel Vargas also drew a 7 pitch BB on a 3-2 count to load the bases. Doc sent up Jason Heyward to bat for Chris Taylor and he did not disappoint. On the 6th pitch he saw, he hit a slider off the RF fair pole for a grand slam.
Jason Heyward hits a grand slam as the Dodgers try to mount a WILD comeback pic.twitter.com/ZIwcuGBTIB
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 19, 2024
But the Dodgers were still down 1. Bud Black brings in Victor Vodnik to close it down. Power against power facing Shohei and Ohtani drives a ball into LF for a single. Then a strange play. On a 3-2 pitch Will Smith was calling time out, and started to step out, but it was not given, and the pitch went pretty much center/center for a called strike 3.
That brought up Freddie, and the first pitch was a WP moving Ohtani to 2B. Not wanting to let Freddie have that AB, he was intentionally walked, bringing up Teoscar Hernández. Teo was hero in NY, could he do it again? On a 1-2, Teo was able to hold up according to 1B Umpire Lance Barksdale. Not according to Bud Black or the rest of the Rockies and Black was ejected for his outburst. Next pitch…3-run HR and a LAD 11-9 lead. Rockies RF immediately angrily gestured to Barksdale, I guess saying it was his fault that Vodnik gave Hernández a 100.6 MPH 4-seamer center cut pitch to hit.
Rockies manager Bud Black gets tossed arguing a check swing call on Teoscar Hernandez with two strikes and two outs in the top of the ninth.
Hernandez hits a three run homer to take the lead on the very next pitch. pic.twitter.com/Ebi4xkQeE0
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) June 19, 2024
In all of the excitement, we have to also give kudos to 30 year old RHRP Michael Petersen who made his MLB debut, got his first K (2 Ks), and got the win. Petersen gave up a run in the 7th, but retired the side in order, striking out two in the 8th.
Baseball is Awesome Moment of the Day!
The "British Gas" "Big Mike" Michael Petersen got the W in his MLB debut against the organization he was with last year that never gave him a chance. Congrats Michael, awesome moment! #dodgers pic.twitter.com/vniTsIPRmF— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 19, 2024
The Dodgers were 2-5 WRISP, and got 4 HRs that directly resulted in 9 runs. The 2 hits WRISP were the HRs from J-Hey and from Teo in the 9th.
What an exciting come from behind victory. Undoubtedly the best game of the year.
BTW, that is 4 out of 5. Thank you Scott. Keep selling the Dodgers short. Maybe you meant 4-5 and the Dodgers will lose the next 4???
On May 7 on published a post…”Heeee’s Baaack” about the return of Walker Buehler. Badger called me out, and he was right to do so. I was caught up in the joy that he was making his first start in nearly two years.
It has been 43 days since his May 6 start, and he has pitched well in exactly 1 game. On May 18 he pitched 6.0 scoreless innings on 3 hits, 0 BB, and 7 K.
He has now started 8 games into his return. In those 8 games, he has 37.0 IP, He has allowed 27 runs (24 earned), 46 hits, 10 BB, 31 K, and 10 HR (2.43 per 9 innings). His WHIP is 1.514.
I heartily recognize that it is not easy coming back from 2 TJ surgeries, and Walker is proving that.
With Yoshi Yamamoto out for the next several weeks and with Bobby Miller trying to come back, the Dodgers need more than Glasnow, Stone, and Paxton.
10 HRs in 37.0 IP is not conducive to quality pitching. Getting way to much of the plate. His WHIP should be much better than 1.514 after 8 starts. Either he is not fully healed, or he has zero command, or maybe both.
He has 5+ years of service time, so he does not have any options. However, he got hit by a line drive in the back hip pocket, and the Dodgers say they want to check on that. Perfectly set up for an IL stint to get back into MiLB rehab to try and work things out with his command.
It is not easy to get your command in check in Colorado. If this was the only game he was struggling, AF/BG could ignore it. But it is not. Let him take some time and work on things in a non-pressured environment. Landon Knack is more than capable of filling in. It seems as if it is all set up for him to get the call for Saturday’s start at home against LAA.
Great win, and that pushes the LAD to 9.0 games in the NL West over Arizona, 9.5 over San Francisco, and 10.0 over San Diego after they lost their 5th consecutive game.
The Cubs are 10th in the Wild Card race, and they are a mere 1.5 games back in the Wild Card. It sure does not make for determining who the buyers and sellers are at the break any easier.
The @Dodgers are the first team in MLB history to hit both a grand slam and a 3-run HR while trailing in the 9th inning or later in the same game.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 19, 2024
The comeback 2024pic.twitter.com/zzFIgsk2fR https://t.co/K34okQPtcl
— Dodgers Tailgate (@DodgersTailgate) June 19, 2024
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
I got caught up in the MLB game and did not have much time to review the MiLB games. The Great Lakes game was an afternoon affair so that was written before Colorado and LAD. I have provided the Box Scores for the others.
Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado) 8 – OKC Baseball Club 5
Great Lakes Loons – Quad Cities River Bandits (KC)
I was really looking forward to seeing if Jackson Ferris could continue his impressive outings. He was outstanding for 5.0 innings. No hits, but 4 walks. In the 6th, he allowed a leadoff BB and then a 2-run HR, the first hit of the day off Ferris. He then walked his 5th batter, got a F7, and then a single.
Jackson Ferris cruised through 5 scoreless (5th time in a row). Despite a few walks, he was efficient & explosive with 7Ks through 4, 8 through 5 scoreless. Extended into 6th but ran out of gas & lost some command. But, all in all, lots to be excited about.
5.1IP 2H 4R 8K 5BB… pic.twitter.com/JdopReqSp3— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 19, 2024
Brandon Neeck relieved Ferris and induced a ground out that moved the two runners to 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Unfortunately, Neeck then gave up a 2 run single, with both runs charged to Ferris.
Great Lakes took a 3-0 lead in the 4th on a 1-out single by Jordan Thompson, and a 2-run HR by Yunior Garcia (5). With 2 outs, Jake Vogel singled, stole 2B, and scored on a Noah Miller single.
In the 6th, Garcia reached on E-5, and moved to 3rd on a Nelson Quiroz double. Jake Vogel followed with a run scoring single with Quiroz moving to 3B with 1 out. Noah Miller then flew into a double play, right fielder Jared Dickey to catcher Carter Jensen. Nelson Quiroz out at home.
The score stayed 4-4 going into the 10th. Kelvin Bautista could not keep the River Bandits off the board, giving up 3 runs. With 2 singles loading the bases with 1 out, Bautista gave up a third single to Jake Vogel in CF who made a late throw to the plate. Two runs scored, but more importantly, runners moved up to 3rd and 2nd. Next batter hit a sac fly which would prove to be the winning run.
In the bottom of the 10th, with Miller starting at 2B, Dylan Campbell drew a BB. Thayron Liranzo then grounded out to 1B moving both runners up. Chris Newell’s single scored both runners, but he was left at first to end the game.
- Chris Newell – 2-5, 2 RBI, double (12)
- Yunior Garcia – 1-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI, HR (5)
- Jake Vogel – 1-2, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Double – Nelson Quiroz (5)
Tulsa Drillers 6 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 2
Edgardo Henriquez continues to domínate.
Edgardo Henriquez was impressive again racking up 3 Ks in 1.2 innings, giving up not hits and walking no one. FB 100+, slider to both righties & lefties is ridiculous. He has yet to give up a run so far in June, 2 outings with GL 1 with Tulsa. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/j0snhezjp4
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 19, 2024
Diego Cartaya starting to heat up.
Edgardo Henriquez was impressive again racking up 3 Ks in 1.2 innings, giving up not hits and walking no one. FB 100+, slider to both righties & lefties is ridiculous. He has yet to give up a run so far in June, 2 outings with GL 1 with Tulsa. #dodgers pic.twitter.com/j0snhezjp4
— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) June 19, 2024
Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 11 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7
The Dodgers improved to 21-0 when Miguel Rojas gets a hit. Drew Goodman, the Rockies play by play announcer, said just after Rojas singled that the Rockies were going to break that streak. Uh, not so fast Drew!
Well I aim to please Jeff! Why do you think I do it!
What a comeback! I’ll keep short selling the Dodgers if they keep winning….
You’re all welcome!
BS
Wow, what a game!Easily the most fun game of the year.
Best comeback since 1929?Wow.Just wow.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% + I agree with you. Stuff like that just doesn’t happen too often. Yes, a game to always remember …..even when I get to Heaven, I hope not to ever forget this last inning.
I’ve played the two HRs at least 10 times each so far. I’m sure I will see them at least 10 more by the end of the day. -TM
Biggest comeback in the 9th inning since July 18, 1957.
https://www.baseball-refere…
I probably saw that game in Brooklyn. Do I remember it? lol.
It was 4-0 and then I had to go to Immigration to sort out transferring my visa into a new passport and making it impossible to see the rest of the game. Morning time here. Going to almost any government facility in the world is usually an unpleasant experience with all the bureaucracy, full blast aircon, and the dregs of the world parading before you. It too hours for a simple task and when I returned home in the afternoon, turned my computer on and saw the box score. It put a big smile on my face and a good feeling in my gut. Ohtani and Teoscar seem to be rising to the occasion as well as some of the other support players. Let’s hope this continues…….
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195707180.shtml
Was I surprised?
Well yeah, of course I was. Greatest comeback in nearly a hundred years and I was here to see it.
But I wonder how surprised this team was. They are good and they know it. The whole league knows it.
And I wonder who might want to be a part of this going forward? You mentioned the Cubs. Thoughts?
Buehler. Sad to see, but the Dodgers need to deal with it. Miller. His minor league numbers aren’t suggestive of his being ready. June 13th, 4.2 IP, 5 earned, 3 BB, 1 HBP. Box score says 93 pitches, 51 strikes. In a minor league game. Does all that sound ready to you?
As has been said here the Dodgers will need to score. The upcoming schedule says they should be able to do that, but good teams are on the horizon. From where will pitching come?
Buehler said yesterday after the game that the Dodgers are thinking about giving him a reset. He could be on the IL by the weekend. Landon Knack is the logical choice to replace him. Kersh on the bump for Rancho tonight.
Pull him from the rotation and start a slow role to get him back for maybe August/September. He may need to learn how to pitch again, or more specifically how to pitch differently. If his 4 seamer isn’t going to hit 98 anymore it doesn’t mean he can’t pitch in the Majors, it just means he can’t pitch like he usta did. Two seamers breaking down both directions, cutters, sliders, change ups and 93 mph 4 seamers up and he can still get people out. Pitch smart going forward, and it begins with backing off for now.
Big surprise! The game is a sellout already.
I liked what I saw from Michael Peterson. The ball moved well, and after his likely initial nervousness, he settled down. Let’s see him again.
I did NOT think Colorado would be a good place for Buehler to pitch and I do NOT think Bobby Miller’s return after a so-so rehab stint in the minors should be in Colorado either. I would’ve pushed Buehler and Miller back to face the AAAA team, Anaheim Angels this weekend. However, the schedule is what it is.
Vargas looked calm at the plate yesterday; let him play!
In an innjng that was so improbable, the impossible happened!
And, of course, I watched the entire game through the 8th inning. After Doyle’s catch of Ohtani’s ball in the 7th I figured it wasn’t the Dodgers night. No, it wasn’t my night! I missed the biggest comeback in the ninth inning in over a 100 years for the Dodgers. Even as I’m reading Jeff’s article and not knowing the final score I’m going what the heck is he writing about. Reading further and finishing my first cup of coffee I finally realized what had happened.
Watching the highlights from the ninth it looked like the game was played in LA. Especially, the lower level which looked like it was mostly Dodger fans. Watching history and going crazy.
I’m going to catch the squeeze replay on Sportsnet today.
It’s tough watching Walker pitch right now. Like Bear mentioned he had that one excellent outing, but couldn’t build on that performance. He is really having control issues and is throwing too many center cut pitches. Those are some ugly stats Jeff threw out there. He’s a competitor so I’m hoping he and the coaching staff can get him back on track.
Let’s see if Bobby Miller has better success today.
I had turned on a movie, Galaxy Quest, and was set to just relax and watch it. But I usually just check the scores. When I looked and it was the bottom of the 8th and Peterson was pitching, I went back and watched him pitch. Since I was already back, I thought what the hell, I will just finish up and then finish the movie. Wow. The Rockies did have a legitimate gripe though. The umpiring last night was not the greatest and Teo did look like he swung and did not hold up in time. There had already been a couple of checked swing strike calls that were close to what he did. But for the Rockies, it had to be a stake to the heart when he hit the next pitch out to right center. Jake Cave totally lost it.
Love that movie!
“Whoever wrote that episode should DIE!!”
Very underrated movie. Sigourney Weaver looked great.
Yes, it is. And I thought Alan Rickman’s portrayal as Alexander Dane, the stage actor turned TV star was brilliant. Perfect guy for the part. He stared in several movies that I love. Quigley Down Under, The January Man, and the original Die Hard. Different types of characters in all three. He at one time was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in England. Another great role for him was the Sheriff of Nottingham in Costner’s, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.
Dont beat yourself up by going to bed after 8 innings. Comeback from 5 down in the 9th is pretty much unheard of. You applied wisdom and logic in your decision. Can’t fault you for that.
As for Miller pitching today….I can’t possibly see this being a good thing. Didn’t he get shelled in the minors in his last assignment? I thought one was supposed to be brought up AFTER an impressive performance…not a beat down! Oh well…Hope he fools me.
Lastly, that RF for Colorado is such an immature baby. Blaming the ump for the 3 run HR. He didn’t seem to upset with the Will Smith K, but for some reason he thinks his vision out in RF is better than two umps very close by. In my opinion, the call was borderline either way, so no need for a fuss.
Miller has not looked that good in any of his re-hab games. As for Cave, he is 31 years old. His beard looks suspiciously like mine did when I was that age. Lots of gray in there. The whole Rockies team was upset by the call.
Both Teo and Roberts said the call could have gone either way…
I don’t fault the cellar-dwelling Rockies for being pissed. Just a brutal way to lose, especially at home.
Agreed. It was borderline. It could have gone the other way and has. That checked swing has been called a swing and no-swing dozens of times in a game. Sometimes it goes your team’s way, sometimes it doesn’t. I guess Cave was really looking forward to being just 18.0 games behind the Dodgers instead of 20. Coors Field sounded as if it were Dodger Stadium. Maybe that is why Cave was so ticked. Or maybe he was hoping to open up the winning percentage difference between the Rockies and the Fish.
“Regular rest” for the starters this season has been 5 days in between starts with a few exceptions. That would mean, Miller on Wed, Stone on Thur, Knack? on Fri and Glasnow on Sat, then a rare off day on Sunday. Any reason for a Sunday off?
They have to fly to Chicago to take on the Sox. But since the freeway series is now only 4 games, it is a two and two thing. So they only play the Angels two. Since they were traveling to Chicago, giving them Sunday over Friday was probably the reason.
Keith Law’s latest mock ($$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5572706/2024/06/19/mlb-mock-draft-2024-charlie-condon-bryce-rainer
has the Dodgers selecting Vance Honeycutt, OF with this gossip:
You left out the best part.
Is it any wonder why the Dodgers struggle in the draft when even the mock drafters know what the Dodgers look for. Big Power and nobody cares about K. Jeren Kendall anyone???
For the record, that is the first I have heard of Honeycutt being mock drafted by LAD. Baseball America has him going to Boston at #12.
Thus far, the player most often mock drafted for LAD is: RHP Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa
Another high risk high reward pitcher, similar in the Maddux Bruns mold, although Brecht is in college.
Baseball America’s latest mock draft has the Dodgers selecting HS LHP Kash Mayfield, Elk City, OK.
Right now I am hoping that Cam Caminiti drops to the Dodgers. Unlikely, but one can hope. Even if he does, there will be signability concerns because the Dodgers have the second lowest bonus pool, and they are going to have to spread it out. That makes Brecht or Mayfield more likely.
I will get more into the draft as we head the 4th of July weekend (July 5 -7).
This is kind of funny…
“Honeycutt offers plus power and plus-plus defense, but if he goes in the first round I believe he will set the record for the most strikeouts in a draft-year season (81 and counting) by any player selected that high.”
Yeah, sounds like a future Dodger.
I may as well buy this dude’s jersey now. He’d fit right in.
In April of 2016, I went to two games at Coors. On Saturday, I sat in left field with my son and his wife. LA won 4-1 with Maeda shutting down the Rocks. The next day, I decided to splurge, and I bought a ticket right behind home plate in the 5th row. It cost 70 dollars. Alex Wood started for the Dodgers. By the third inning they were up 7-1. The Rockies chipped away and when they came to bat in the bottom of the 8th, they were behind 7-5. They scored 5 runs off of Chris Hatcher and Luis Avilan before Joe Blanton came in to get the last two outs. Jake McGee came in to pitch for the Rockies and the Dodgers scored 5 runs to take a 12-10 lead. Jansen gave up only a walk and struck out two for the win. Closest thing I have seen to what happened last night.
Quakes game for tonight has already sold out. Kersh is packing them in! Wait until the first time he is back on the mound in LA. Place will be rocking.
RIP #24. As the idols of my childhood pass it gives, me thoughts of my own mortality. But I got to watch the man in his prime and it is etched in my memory.
Just like tedraymond, when Ohtani flied out, I called it a night. I know better. I will now hope I didn’t delete the recoding. I never watch anything in real time so maybe I still have it. Incredible 9th from the box score.
I wasn’t all that excited about the game as once again Buehler had dick. The home run to Montero was a mystery pitch. I guess they judged it a slider. It was 86, middle in and did nothing. I know it’s Colorado and stuff doesn’t break but there was no life to anything. Straight as a string fastballs and no bite to breaking balls.
As mentioned he’s going to have to learn how to pitch without 97 and stay out of the middle of the plate. Down the can at 92 with no life, doesn’t play. It’s sad to watch.
I see MLB is scraping ABS in AAA and experimenting with 2 different challenge systems; one league with 3 challenges per game and the other with 2. You retain a challenge if you’re right. I have expressed my objection with a challenge system but now I will shut up about it as a challenge system seems inevitable for 2026.
A couple of nights ago, Manny Gonzales missed 26 pitches in a game, according to the Umpire Scorecard. He had a 77% accuracy rate. How many challenges would it take to correct that? 15? 20? 26? That would be fun to watch.
Now Paul Skenes throws a “splinter” pitch. I’ll have to add that to my list I posted the other day.
I guess I’ll go hunt for a replay of the 9th inning.
There is an X Video in my story above. From Dodgers Tailgate – The Comback 2024. It is a shortened higlighted version. It does not include the outs or Freddie’s IBB.
Mays and Mantle, Mays and Mantle. The mantra every kid in N.Y. had on their tongue. Two of the most exciting players I’ve ever watched. I always rooted for both of them even though I was a Dodger fan. Mays was pure joy.
I don’t know how many of you are familiar with writer Joe Posnanski, but to me he’s one of the very best out there.
Here’s a link to a beautiful article he put out today on Willie M.
“Isn’t Willie Mays Wonderful?” – by Joe Posnanski
Joe Posnanski is awesome. His ‘The Baseball 100″, “Why We Love Baseball” and The Soul of Baseball” about Buck O’Neill are must reads for baseball fans.
He had Willie Mays his #1 player ever. He also has a chapter on Barry Bonds that is unique. Half of it is Why You Should Hate him, the other half Why You Love him. He did a series two summers ago matching up players from various states, matching off, regardless of era. I sort of remembering California beating Alabama in the finals.
He’s the best
Great write-up, Jeff…. Yes, truly a game to remember.
It’s easy to overlook just how clutch Pages and Vargas were in 9th. These are young guys who want to prove themselves with their bats. Instead, they showed newfound discipline and collected the walks that enabled Heyward and Teoscar to be heroes.
And how about “Big Mike” Peterson, born in Middlesex, England and getting his first major league K at age 30! Inspiration for late bloomers everywhere.
As for the other Walker… Buehler clearly needs more than a day off. Perhaps the shellacking is another blessing in disguise.
While I try to be optimistic about the returns of Bobby Miller and later Kershaw, there’s no guarantee they won’t have their struggles as well. And Yamamoto is suddenly iffy too. With Glasnow pitching like an ace, and first Stone and now Paxton stepping up, the Dodgers may not need more pitching.
Clearly not to win the West. But the playoffs could be different.
So if young, ace-potential talents like Crochet and Luzardo are on the market, I hope AF will explore the possibility… even while he ponders adding Sasaki over the offseason.
Right now, the Dodgers are leading the majors in team OPS at .778, with the Yankees, Orioles and Phillies close behind. In terms of ERA, the Dodgers ranked 4th at 3.36, trailing the Yankees, Orioles and Phillies.
Sasaki is injured
Buehler was placed on the IL. He is clearly not the same pitcher he was. I don’t think we can afford to use him as a rotation starter. The BP is his only salvation at this point. Miller, too. Dodgers seem desperate for starting pitching, yet they don’t dip into the farm, Knack, et al. The coaching for the pitchers could use an overhaul. Same bullshit every year. If it weren’t for the inept play of the teams below us, we’d be much more nervous if AZ, SD, and SF, were breathing down our necks. Dodgers are 5-5 the last 10 games. This doesn’t spell CONTENDER.
I keep on seeing Crochet getting mentioned. Why? Do the Dodgers really need him? Sure, he’s young, talented and controllable, but is that really a position of need?
Just on the top of my head, I’m counting potentially eight really good starting pitchers on the Dodgers roster next year, and that’s assuming Buehler is gone.
Speaking of Buehler.
“The home run to Montero was a mystery pitch. I guess they judged it a slider. It was 86, middle in and did nothing. I know it’s Colorado and stuff doesn’t break but there was no life to anything. Straight as a string fastballs and no bite to breaking balls.” – Phil Jones
I actually had a long conversation with my nephew last night. He’s very smart and very knowledgeable about the Dodgers and we got to talking about Buehler. I pointed out that I don’t think overall velo is Beuhler’s problem. It’s about where it was when he had his best year in 2021. I think he lacks command … and also having that 98 four seamer that he can occasionally rear back and throw when the occasion calls for it.
He made a really good observation. My nephew pointed out that Buehler doesn’t have the same spin rate on is pitches anymore. I noticed this when he was struggling before he went down in 2022 and went under the knife. Less spin, less late movement. My nephew observed that his high four seamer just doesn’t have that late rise, and it’s true that his fastball is getting hammered. I think it’s more than location. Sad to say, but Buehler might be done.
We also talked about Ohtani next year, and he asked my thoughts on him pitching. I said I don’t think he should be a starter, even presuming he recovers from TJ#2. It’s just energy management. Doing both wears you out, mentally and physically. I proposed a couple of additional roles for Ohtani. Use him as a spot, high leverage reliever, and maybe just for the playoffs. The fact that he gives you that extra roster spot to do stuff like this is really a big advantage. You have yet another right handed power arm at your disposal.
Could you imagine? WS game 7 against the Yankees, and in the 9th inning here comes Judge. Phillips has already thrown 25 pitches. Bring in Ohtani! That would be epic.
The downside to dual use Ohtani is that, if you rely on him to be your best starting pitcher AND your best hitter, if he gets injured you just lost your two best players. Having him as your occasional spot reliever lessens the impact of losing him and reduces the wear and tear.
Another role was occasional left fielder. Not all the time, but if you want to put Will at DH to give him a breather, Ohtani in the OF makes sense.
And I wish folks here would give the “Slug! …Slug! … Slug!” canard a rest. This whole notion that AF, because of some weird bias, has constructed this flawed lineup of players that only swing for the fences at every at bat at the expense of bat-to-ball skills and don’t hit with RISP is not borne out by the statistics … reality, in other words.
The Dodgers are 4th in baseball in batting average with RISP, higher than the Yankees and Orioles (the Astros are #1), and are 21rst out of 32 MLB teams in K%.
Your narrative simply isn’t true.
…and slugging percentage is now a bad thing? That’s a pretty weird take.
I feel so much smarter now that Dodgerpatch has told us what the facts are. What the hell was I thinking?
Apparently I cannot hope the Dodgers trade for a quality LHSP with the ability and the team control of Garrett Crochet, because it is not a position of need in Dodgerpatch’s POV.
8 “really good” pitchers for 2025? Glasnow, Yamamoto, Stone, Knack, May, Gonsolin, Kershaw, Miller – I guess that is who you are including. I could add Sheehan, Hurt, Frasso, Ryan. I did not include Ohtani as one of your 8 because you have him going to the bullpen. I assume you are convinced that May, Gonsolin, Miller, Kershaw, Sheehan, Hurt, Frasso, and Ryan will all be healthy enough to be considered “really good” to be starting in 2025. I might throw in Yamamoto, since we have no clue how he is going to come out of his IL. Outside of Kershaw, which one is the LHSP? Or maybe you do not think the Dodgers need one.
What about 2024? The Dodgers have three healthy starting pitchers right now…Glasnow, Paxton, and Stone. We have no idea how Miller will come out of this. Buehler is still hurt and even he thinks he should go on the IL. So now the Dodgers will be looking for significant innings from Knack. He is certainly not a polished rookie, but he will provide the support that the Dodgers need. I have no problem with him being a #5 on a team with a 9.0 game lead.
So is it a position of need? More and better pitching is always a position of need IMO. Could have sure used some last October.
Maybe if AF had thought about bringing in additional SP at the deadline in 2023, the Dodgers might have won a game in the NLDS.
Which of Knack, May, Gonsolin, Sheehan, Hurt, Frasso, and Ryan are better than Crochet? This year or next year…especially this year? Would I rather have Crochet start a playoff game or Knack? Or Miller? I would. Or maybe you prefer Knack and Miller just because AF drafted them.
Please do not be offended (or be offended), but I will continue to say Slug, Slug, Slug when referring to the Dodgers.
You said:
I am not sure where you are getting your “facts”. Here is the most recent team stats WRISP from MLB.
https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/stats/team/batting-average?split=risp
The Dodgers are:
BA – #19
OBP – #8
SLG – #17
OPS – #16
Why #8 in OBP? Because they are #1 in BB. That goes hand in hand with #5 most K WRISP.
The Yankees are #5 in batting average WRISP. The Orioles are #9. KC is #1 (not Houston). Houston is #12.
Baseball Reference – RISP – Shows the same rankings.
Here is another one. The Dodgers are 27th in leaving Runners in Scoring Position with an average of 3.73 per game. Not very good IMO. You can certainly disagree.
https://www.teamrankings.com/mlb/stat/runners-left-in-scoring-position-per-game
And another that shows that the Dodgers tOPS+ WRISP is #27.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/tools/split_stats_lg.cgi?full=1¶ms=bases%7CRISP%7CML%7C2024%7Cbat%7CAB%7C
So where are you getting your “facts” from? Please show us your source. I have shown mine.
And I will continue to write whatever I write. You should just ignore it and stay with Mark. Not that he needs you either.
Same thing happened in 22 with the 111-win team. Kershaw pitched in game two and only went 5 innings giving up 3 runs to the Padres. Padres scored 1 off of Graterol and 1 off of Treinen to win the game. Gonsolin got the loss in game 3 even though he only gave up 1 run. Dodgers lost 2-1 to Snell. The Padres pen totally shut down the Dodgers on one hit. Heaney gave up what would be the winning run on a homer to Grisham. They got a good start from Anderson, who was probably their most reliable starter and then the bullpen imploded and gave up 5 in the seventh. Kersh and Buehler both had injuries that kept them out of action. Buehler was on the IL when the postseason rolled around. Their pitching depth went right in the tank. Same thing in 21. Scherzer could not answer the bell in the LCS, Kershaw was out, Bauer was suspended, Gonsolin was injured. May was out.
We definitely could use Crochet if we could get him. I said I was mildly concerned about the starting pitching before Yamamoto went down. I am referring to the post season. I was expecting Glasnow, Yamamoto, and then who. Miller is a concern. He has not had a good rehab as far as results. Mb he can turn it on I am hoping. Miller was not good in the playoffs last year. So we have Glasnow and question marks. Stone has performed well enough but the playoffs are another animal. If Glasnow gets hurt we would be darn glad we had crochet. We definitely need to consider any playoff level pitcher who is available.
All good points on why it makes sense to go after Crochet.
Agree on Buehler. Less spin less late movement. The same problem he had before surgery.
Miller is shown as on the roster, but a corresponding move has not been made yet.
https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/1803561144650502389
Milwaukee has DFA Elieser Hernandez. He pitched 4 games for Milwaukee and threw 6.0 innings. He 2 earned runs, 5 hits, 2 BB, and 2 K.
Some here have been suggesting we go after Marlins reliever Tanner Scott. I just checked his 2024 stats against Vesia’s.
Vesia has a higher k rate, a lower bb rate, a lower WHIP and is making about 1/5 the salary.
Then there is the fact that Scott is a free agent at the end of the year and apparently we are bidding against the Yankees, Phillies and Orioles, among others. That will only serve to drive up the price.
I seem to remember AF saying that he hates to go after relievers at the deadline because, on good ones, the prices are always exorbitant. I think I’d rather spend my prospect capital on something else.
Alex Vesia has caught me by surprise. Can he continue the domination. His 4.4 BB/9 is a concern. Will his BB become an issue in the playoffs? OTOH, Scott’s BB/9 is 2.77 in 2024. His career BB/9 is 6.10. Until 2024, his best BB/9 was 4.35 in 2020. He is not a strikeout pitcher. He relies on soft contact and ground balls.
I do not believe AF will trade prospects for Tanner Scott unless he falls into AF/BG lap. AF is very comfortable in acquiring Yohan Ramirez, Anthony Banda, Michael Petersen…Which of Kyle Hurt, Michael Grove, Ryan Brasier, Joe Kelly, Dustin May (???), Brusdar Graterol (???) will be available after the AS Break?
Are there better high leverage relievers who might be available who are superior to Evan Phillips, Daniel Hudson, Blake Treinen, or Alex Vesia? If so, depending on the cost, I do not think you can have too many high leverage relievers. But I agree, I would rather spend the prospect capital on other needs.
I think one of us is looking at the wrong stat page. I checked Baseball Reference and it shows 21 walks in 30 innings this season, which is 6.3 per 9 innings.
But his strike outs for his career is about 12 per 9 innings.
Am I reading something incorrectly?
What I see is 1.7 WAR in relief and 14 hits in 30 innings.
14 hits and 21 walks.
Except for WAR, Vesia is better in just about every category.
Except for WAR?
No, your eye sight is fine. It is mine that is jumbled. I was using MLB.com. I said it was his career BB/9 was 6.1 when that was 2024. I said 2024 was 2.77 when that was 2023.
His 2024 K/9 is 9.87.
Walker Buehler has been placed on the 15 day IL with what is termed as hip inflammation. I suspect he will find his way to Camelback Ranch to work on his mechanics and pitch shape. I also suspect he will not get a rehab assignment until they are satisfied that he has better command. Keep him out of Colorado.
Can we come from multiple runs down two days in a row?
Guess we’ll see won’t we.
Kershaw thru 3
1 run 1 bb 2hits 5ks 36 p
can the pitcher hit for Barnes and Kiki? Sarcasm
Miller 5 earned in 6.1. Meh. Something to build on anyway. Double plays saved his bacon a couple of times.
Suspect defense raises its ugly head again.
2strikeouts with the stuff he has. Pages not a cf. biggio no idea why.
His stuff was lacking. Yep. Me either.
Miller got tagged early and then held the line until the 7th. BP loses the game. Still unsure why Hernandez was pulled from the game. Ohtani needs to understand, you don’t take strike three looking like that.
Who is BP?
Bullpen
Ah, yes. Thanks.
I think Miller’s 6 runs given up helped more in the loss.