Clayton Kershaw dominated again for his 2nd consecutive start. This time it was the Reds. The Dodgers avoided a sweep and broke their 4 game losing streak dating back to Kershaw’s last start against NYY. Once again it was a recently recalled OKC reliever who came in and this time completed the combined shut out. Tayler Scott gave up a double to Matt McLain who only had 7 hits in the series, including a double, triple, and walk off RBI single. Matt McLain is legit. Scott also had 2 Ks to complete 2.0 shutout innings. Scott and Nick Robertson 4.0 shutout innings. The other relievers?
There is always going to be the argument…Who is the LAD GOAT. It really comes down to Sandy Koufax or Clayton Kershaw. Duke Snider would get considerable consideration, but he spent the most and best years in Brooklyn. I was fortunate to see Snider, but at the tail end of his career.
The Dodgers have 16 players/managers go into the Hall of Fame as Dodgers. The four managers who went into the HOF as Dodgers (alphabetically):
- Walter Alston
- Leo Durocher
- Tommy Lasorda
- Wilbert Robinson
Twelve went in as players (alphabetically):
- Roy Campanella – Dodger years all in Brooklyn
- Don Drysdale – 2 years in Brooklyn and 12 years in LA
- Burleigh Grimes – Dodger years all in Brooklyn
- Gil Hodges – 13 years in Brooklyn, 3 years in LA, 2 years elsewhere
- Willie Keeler – Dodger years all in Brooklyn
- Sandy Koufax – 3 years in Brooklyn and 9 years in LA
- Pee wee Reese – 15 years in Brooklyn, and 1 year in LA
- Jackie Robinson – Dodger years all in Brooklyn
- Duke Snider – 11 years in Brooklyn, 5 years in LA, 2 years elsewhere
- Don Sutton – 16 years in LA, 7 years elsewhere
- Dazzy Vance – Dodger years all in Brooklyn
- Zack Wheat – Dodger years all in Brooklyn Dodger years all in Brooklyn
Best position player would be Duke Snider. The most impactful player would have to be Jackie Robinson. The best pitcher would be Sandy Koufax.
For six years, Sandy Koufax was the best pitcher in MLB. In his last five seasons, it is more than arguable that no pitcher had ever before or since had a better run than Koufax.
- From 1961- 1966 – 129 – 47, 1632.2 IP, 1,713 K, 2.19 ERA, 0.970 WHIP, 2.16 FIP, 156 ERA+, 9.4 K/9, 4.16 SO/W
He was an All-Star for all 6 seasons, and was CY winner in 3 years, and MVP 1 year.
But it was his 5 years from 1962-1966 that fans still talk about as the greatest 5-year pitching run in MLB history.
- From 1962-1966 – 111-34, 1377 IP, 1444 K, 1.95 ERA, 0.926 WHIP, 2.00 FIP, 167 ERA+, 9.4 K/9, 4.57 SO/W.
All-Star all five years, and his 3 CY awards and MVP came in those five years.
The fact of the matter is, over a similar 5-year period Clayton Kershaw was very close, and some would say, better.
- From 2011-2015 – 88-33, 1128 IP, 1249 K, 2.11 ERA, 0.933 WHIP, 172 ERA+, 10.0 K/9, 5.16 SO/W
All-Star all five years, 3 CY Awards, and MVP.
Different pitching eras, but both were extraordinarily exceptional over that selected period.
For their careers:
- Koufax (12 years) – 165-87, 2324.1 IP, 2396 K, 2.76 ERA, 1.106 WHIP, 131 ERA+, 2.69 FIP, 9.3 K/9, 2.93 SO/W
- Kershaw (15+ years) – 205-91, 2657.1 IP, 2900 K, 2.49 ERA, 1.004 WHIP, 156 ERA+ (before Thursday), 2.78 FIP (before Thursday), 9.82 K/9, 4.48 SO/W
You can see all of their awards here:
Don Sutton is the only Dodger to be inducted in the HOF spending his entire Dodger career in Los Angeles. Clayton will be the second. Sutton played 16 years in LA. This is Clayton’s 16th year in LA. Will it be his last year in LA?
Kersh has 8 quality starts out of 13 in 2023. His 10.97 K/9 is his best since 2015, and second best of his career. He has to be on the short list for CY this year with Spencer Strider (Atlanta), Marcus Stroman and Justin Steele (Cubs), and Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly (Arizona). Some of those will drop out, and others will join the list. But for now, those are the 6 front runners.
With his nine Ks on the day, Kersh now has 2900 Ks, and has an outside chance of catching Pedro Martinez for 15th on the All-Time K List. Kersh sits at #21.
- 20 – Zack Greinke – 2932
- 19 – John Smoltz – 3084
- 18 – CC Sabathia – 3093
- 17 – Curt Schilling – 3116
- 16 – Bob Gibson – 3117
- 15 – Pedro Martinez – 3154
Clayton passed Burt Hooten to 210th for career IP. He is also currently 41st on the all-time ERA leaderboard. He is currently 5th on the all-time WHIP leaderboard.
For me #22 is the LAD GOAT, but I will not argue anyone who thinks it is #32. Kershaw will get his statue.
On June 8, the Dodgers sit 1.5 GB Arizona in the NL West. On June 8, 2018, the Dodgers were 1.5 GB Arizona. After their August 22, 2018 game, the Dodgers were 4.5 games behind Arizona in 3rd place. They trailed Colorado by 3.0 games. They had to sweep San Francisco the last weekend of the season just to tie with Colorado for the NL West. Walker Buehler beat Germán Márquez and the Rockies 5-2 on October 1 in Game 163 to win the NL West. They went on to beat Atlanta in the NLDS and the Brewers in the NLCS, making their 2nd consecutive WS where they lost to Boston. Just trying to put things into a little perspective.
The Dodgers just played their 63rd game of the season, and have 99 to go. How many wrote off David Peralta after about 20 games? Okay, some of you before the season began. Since May 1, David Peralta has been one of the biggest offensive weapons the Dodgers have had. With 76 AB (81 PA) in that time, Peralta is batting .342/.383/.474/.856 with 12 RBIs. He strikes out 16% and walks 6.2%. He is also 4th in MLB in left field Outs Above Average (OAA). With 100 innings played in LF, David is #3 in DRS and #2 in UZR. In other words, he is one of the elite defensive LF.
Chris Taylor also catches a lot of flak here. CT3 was never intended to be an everyday player. Last year he had an fWAR of 1.9 with a value of $15.2MM. He justified his salary. This year he is currently at 0.8 fWAR for a value of $6.4MM. He is on pace for a 2.05 fWAR and a $16.45MM value. He will justify his salary.
Everyone keeps asking for a player who crushes LHP. Well, that is CT3. In 55 AB (58 PA) against LHP, Chris is batting .255/.300/.691/.991. 7 of his 10 HRs come against LHP. Yes, he does strike out a lot. A LOT. We do not have to agree with the concept, but the Dodgers do not mind the K. He plays all over the field. He has 2 games at 2B, 13 games (7 starts) at 3B, 23 games (19 starts) at SS, 14 games (10 starts) in LF, 3 games in CF and 1 game at DH. He was supposed to be the RH platoon with LH Peralta in LF.
Outside of Clayton Kershaw and Austin Barnes’s family, I doubt that there has been a consistent supporter for Barnes greater than me. And yes it has been frustrating for me to watch his ABs this year. Today he hit 3 balls 104.7 MPH or greater. One took out Graham Ashcraft, one was a double, and one was up the middle deflected by the pitcher to 2B for a 1-4-3 play.
Barnes’ value is his game calling and working with the pitcher. Like him or not, the Dodger pitchers love Austin Barnes. That is why he got a 2 year $7MM extension before the season. He is not going anywhere this year.
He left the game due to a HBP on his right hand. Every time there is a poll amongst LAD players in podcasts as to who the toughest player on the roster is, it is always Austin Barnes by a wide margin. Will he be able to play this weekend. The Dodgers have to have a catcher just in case, so if he cannot go, the Dodgers are presumed to need to make a move. Doc said it will not be Diego Cartaya. I would guess that it will not be Hunter Feduccia. I would think that the Dodgers would select Patrick Mazeika or David Freitas. The Dodgers would then DFA that player to keep a spot open on the 40 man. If they select Feduccia, he would be optioned but remain on the 40 man. This looks to be a short term need, and not one to tie up a spot on the 40 man, especially with the number of relievers from the 60 day IL that will need to be activated at some point.
Finally, I understand that it is hard to justify a roster spot for Noah Syndergaard with how he has pitched this year. He will be getting a reset physically and psychologically while on the IL. Doc intimated that it would be weeks before Noah will be expected to pitch again. Of course 2 weeks does qualify as “weeks”, but I read that this could go up to the All Star break. You may want to DFA Syndergaard and you certainly would not be alone. But he works his tail off and is a MLB pitcher. He is NOT garbage as he was referred to. I do take that personally as those were similar to comments made about my son. He did not have much of a ML career (but he had one) However, he had a 9 year MiLB career, and there is no doubt in my mind that there is nobody on this site who could play at my son’s level. I will never edit a comment or tell someone they cannot say what they want. However, please show ML players a little respect, even if you do not think they belong there. AF/BG make those decisions, and if he is released he will not be told he is garbage.
Enough of my soap box sermon. I go through this discussion periodically.
On to Philadelphia.
- Friday – Michael Grove vs LHSP Ranger Suarez
- Saturday – Bobby Miller vs RHSP Aaron Nola
- Sunday – Julio Urías vs RHSP Taijuan Walker
06-08-2023 MiLB Summary Report
El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego) 4 – OKC Dodgers 3 – 10 innings
OKC was in front 3-2 going into the bottom of the 9th thanks to Jahmai Jones’ RBI single and Michael Busch’s 2 run double. This was a bullpen game for OKC as Andre Jackson started for 1.0 inning and allowed a run, followed by Mark Washington who threw 3.2 shutout innings on 2 hits and 4 Ks.
Justin Bruihl allowed a run in his 1.1 IP. Going into the bottom of the 9th, OKC turned it over to Brayan Hudson to close it out. Unfortunately Hudson blew his 2nd save as El Paso scored a tying run.
With Wander Suero on the hill in the 10th. He got 1 out, but allowed 2 hits to give El Paso a walk off win.
- Michael Busch – 3-4, 1 BB, triple (1), HR (4), 1 run, 2 RBI
- Kole Calhoun – 2-4, 1 BB
Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 9 – Tulsa Drillers 5
Another AA game, and another top Tulsa AA pitcher has a very bad outing. River Ryan breezed through the 1st 3 innings, and had a 3-0 lead. Ryan struck out the side in the 1st. He allowed a double and registered 5 Ks in those 3.0 innings.
Logan Warmoth led off the 4th with a HR. A ground out, single, and 6th K, and Ryan was almost out of the inning. The roof caved in on Ryan after that. 4 straight singles, a walk, and yet another single. Ryan was removed after giving up 5 runs and leaving runners on 1st and 3rd. Tanner Dodson came in to relieve. After a single, walk, and 2 singles, both of the inherited runners scored, and Dodson gave up 2 of his own as Arkansas put up 9 in the inning.
For the game, Arkansas scored 9 runs on 13 hits. All 9 runs and 9 of the 13 hits came in the 4th.
Tulsa also had 13 hits, but could only plate 5 runs.
- José Ramos – 4-5, double (6), 2 RBIs
- Austin Gauthier – 3-5, double (3), 2 runs, 2 RBIs
- Kody Hoese – 3-4, double (2), 2 runs
- Eddys Leonard – 1-5, HR (6), 1 run, 1 RBI
Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 7 – Great Lakes Loons 2
Great Lakes had three hits. A 2-run HR (4) by Alex Freeland, and two singles by Chris Newell. That was the entirety of the Loons offense.
5 Loons pitchers each were hit and had runs scored against them. Only Ronan Kopp gave up an unearned run with 3 walks and 4 Ks in 3.0 IP. Each of the other 4 gave up earned runs throughout the game.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 7 – Modesto Nuts (Seattle) 3
The Quakes were trailing 3-1 going into the 9th inning. 2 HBP, 5 singles, a walk, and a run scoring groundout plated 6 runs for the eventual 7-3 win.
19 year old RHP, Payton Martin, was once again strong for three innings, allowing a pair of singles and 5K. He threw 40 pitches (27 strikes) and lowered his ERA to 1.90. He does not have enough innings to qualify for any leader boards, but a 1.90 ERA in the California League is exceptional, especially for a 19 year old.
Four other pitchers kept the game close until the Quakes erupted in the 9th.
- Kyle Nevin – 2-5, 1 run, 1 RBI
- Jesus Galiz – 3-5, triple (1)
- Rayne Doncon – 2-5
- Jorge Puerta – 2-3
Thanks for getting on your soapbox. I don’t like to read trash comments either. And yes, I know I my trade Muncy mantra isn’t appreciated by many.
I wish Sutton’s career was all Dodger.
Taylor actually looked like he wasn’t trying to pull every pitch yesterday. Still swung for the fences though. So does Barnes and Muncy. All 3 have low BAs.
Outman is an on-base machine.
Thanks Kersh.
We are privileged to be watching Kershaw. He is a classy guy and agreat pitcher.
Re Thor? If he has been dealing w a blister and pitching bad there is no reason he should have been pitching, especially with the off days he could have been skipped at least once. Then again maybe it’s jusy a front officr excuse to get him on the IL where they can leave him indefinitely.We’ll see.
I think we’re going to need more than one 6+ inning guy the rest of the way. Kershaw looks great, but his recent history suggests he will require down time at some point this year.
Interesting video posted on the last thread by nonicnamebumfan (thanks for that) I would like to see early Thor and current Noah delivery video side by side. It looked to me early Thor was more violent with his delivery. Whatever, he cannot be helpful now without some changes.
Im fine with Barnes. He’s a pro and I believe he will hit better than he has. Feduccia has quieted down. Will it be him?
I trust Taylor will earn his money.
I saw Koufax in his prime. When I saw him he appeared to dominate hitters. He blew them away. 54 complete games, 658 innings pitched in two years, for me, says it all. Granted he was pitching from a taller mound into a larger strike zone. He’s my pick for LAD GOAT.
Here you go Badger. This is from an article about Syndergaard in yesterday’s The Athletic.
“The Dodgers pored over footage from his Mets days and found this version of Syndergaard was staying over the pitching rubber far too long, relying too much on his rebuilt lower half rather than the momentum generated by pushing forward down the mound and utilizing his size.”
So, your analysis was correct. Good call..
“A setback he suffered during his recovery, when he thought he’d re-torn his surgically-repaired ulnar collateral ligament”
Well that certainly might cause caution when throwing the ball.
I’m sure the training staff has done what they can to build a Terminator throwing arm. If he’s not willing to launch toward the plate he won’t get over 92.4. And since he can’t seem to find edges he might be finished.
Two weeks doesn’t feel like it will be enough. But if it’s a blister that has kept him back…. maybe. I’ll hold out hope for now, but fill that hole with somebody better and move forward.
Barnes can still call a game and catch the ball. If his hand keeps him from throwing out baserunners or hitting the ball, well what’s new? Maybe he will bunt some.
Barnes is a good player to have on a team.
He has had ample time this year to show any offensive propensity to his game. He’s played plenty and to my eyes, very little to show for it. Sure, he’s a catcher and can catch and call pitches as most catchers can do it. They need to go in a different direction.
I too was fortunate to have seen Koufax in his prime. As I said, I would never argue against those believing that Koufax was the LAD GOAT. What great choices to discuss over. I chose Kersh because of the totality of his career.
I went to at least 1 WS game in 1963,1965,1966,1974,1977,1978,1981,1988. The first three were because of a neighbor who took me in knowing the abuse I was going through. They also took me to all of the USC football games. They had season tickets to the Dodgers (and USC), and I got to pick one game in each of the series to go to. Naturally I chose all games that Koufax was pitching. Fortunately for me, my friend’s sister got sick (not fortunate for her) and I got to go to Game 3, 1963 in her stead.
I saw Game 3 and 4 in 1963. Game 5, 1965. Game 1, 1966. Seeing Games 3 and 4 have to be my best two days as a Dodger fan. Drysdale pitches a 3 hit complete game shutout in Game 3, and then Koufax beats NYY in a complete game 2-1 victory in Game 4 for the WS sweep. On Game 4, I also got to see one of my biggest non-LAD heroes, Mickey Mantle, hit a HR off Koufax. Big Frank Howard also slugged (and I mean slugged) a HR off Whitey Ford.
The absolute baseball greatness I saw in that series will be with me the rest of my life.
I had the tickets to those games displayed in a picture frame, but my parents threw it out (with my 2,000+ baseball cards). And yes, I also had the tickets to the other WS games displayed, but they were on a wall that was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake. The insurance company engineer hired a crew to clean up, and the tickets went out with everything else.
Oh well, Kershaw or Koufax. Koufax or Kershaw.
Impressive.
I’ve been to 3 World Series games. 1 at the Coliseum, 2 in Baltimore.
My collection of cards, two shoe boxes, disappeared when I was in Vietnam. I was so happy to get home I didn’t care. Then.
Koufax last century, Kershaw this century works for me.
I’d still take 1988 Orel over any of ’em.
You never saw Koufax pitch. His last four seasons he won 25, 19, 26 and 27 games. He had 27 complete games each of his last two years. His ERA’s over those seasons 1.88 1.74 2.04 1.73. Plus he threw a perfect game, 2 no hitters, won 3 Cy Young Awards and an MVP, plus he struck out over 1200 batters. Orel on his best day, was never as good as Koufax. Oh and he also pitched the clinching game 7 in 1965 on two days rest. And he shut out one of the best hitting teams in the majors.
It is very close for me. Very different eras. I’ll take Koufax as the GOAT in the 20th century and Kershaw as the GOAT in the 21st century.
I would agree with that, Hershiser is not even in the conversation.
Sure he is. Dionysus put him there.
It was a very good year.
Once, he never came close again.
Nope.
But it was a very good year.
He was a better pitcher than TV color man.
That’s for sure.
LOL
Happy Birthday Jeff.. # 100 is it????????? 😋 😋
Yeah, but my body feels like 90.
Ahh, mine feels close to that.
I don’t feel a day over 75. I feel 3 months over it.
I am 5 days short of 75.
I’ll wave a flag on your 75th.
I like the Washington kid, comes out and throws strikes. Keep an eye on him.
Agree about Washington. A breath of fresh air for our woefully performing bullpen lately.
Happy birthday Jeff. Thank you for all you do.
Ditto. Great site you have provided for us.
Dodgers have been in Los Angeles since 1958. 65 years in LA, they were the Brooklyn franchise from 1890-1957. 67 years. If you pick an all-time team, you have to separate them. Picking a GOAT gets even more complicated, although a Brooklyn team is pretty easy to pick. I have seen a lot of very good and some great players on the team. I saw Jackie play on TV which I am sure because of the limited camera work back then, did not do him justice. But I can tell you this, for my money in a must win game, I want Koufax on the mound. His track record when he was healthy in those kinds of games speaks for itself. CK is a great pitcher, maybe one of the best of his ERA. And every era is different. But Koufax on any given day was capable of throwing a no-hitter. His fastball was overpowering, and he had the best curve from a lefthanded pitcher I have ever seen. CK’s curve is different. Koufax’s was knee buckling. Sandy is and always will be to me the GOAT of the Dodgers.
If someone would offer me a million dollars if I made contact on a pitch from either Koufax or Drysdale, I would take my chances against Koufax. I say that because I wouldn’t want to step in the batter’s box against Drysdale.
Good choice. Big D would hit his own mother.
I’d say Koufax because he’s left handed and I clobber left handers.
I think I remember some kind of promotion at the LA County Fair involving getting an at bat against Koufax. If I recall all you had to do to win tickets was make contact. I was about 14 I think and all over that but didn’t get picked.
I hit against Larry Sherry when I was 11. But I think he took it easy on me. Norm told him too. I faced Joe Moeller when I was in high school. I heard the fastball, see it? Not so much.
Really appreciate the Soapbox. These are the elite of the elite when it comes to baseball.
Happy bday!! Hope the team gets a W for you (and us)
Well crap.
it’s a simple rule really. You gotta score at least 6.
Maybe, the Dodgers never got the third out today.
Bullpen blows it again. They are garbagel. Hope that doesn’t offend you Jeff. AF putting this crap show out there offends me.
And Stinkergaard is rubbish.
Disappointing loss after their nice comeback. Muncy heading south of the Mendoza line. KT3 back with a vengeance.
DeLuca looks a bit stiff in the batter’s box. Odd stance. He does swing with power. Jury still out. After our top 4 batters, the cliff is steep. Will AF get fired if S.F. & Pads overtake us?