Pitching wins championships. In every season that the Dodgers have won championships, their pitching has carried the day. Podres in game 7 in 55, Sherry with 5.2 innings of scoreless relief in game 6 in 1959. Koufax with his win in game 4 of the sweep in 63. Koufax again in 65, shutting out the Twins in game 7. When they won in 1981, there was no one pitching star, but the staff had a 3.29 ERA over the six games. The Yankees staff was almost a full run higher. Hershiser and some great bullpen work held the 88 A’s to a .177 BA in the series. In 2020, the staff had to be better than the opposition in 13 wins. 13-5 in a postseason run no matter what the circumstances is pretty good. Julio Urias, in what was probably his best moment as a Dodger, threw 2 and a third clean innings to lock down the series win. How many remember who the winning pitcher was without looking it up? Dodgers staff ERA in that series was 3.52. Rays ERA was 5.54. LA held the Rays to a .216 BA.
The offense in that particular post season was very good. Corey Seager hit 9 homers. Will Smith had the only 5-5 postseason game in Dodger history in game 3 of the LDS against the Padres. But it still comes down to shutting down the opponents’ bats. When this season started, the Dodger rotation was Glasnow, Yamamoto, Miller, Paxton and Stone. Stone at this point is the last man standing.
The news on Glasnow yesterday was not encouraging. He has not gotten better, and a re-hab stint could be needed. With the minor league season under 30 games left now, there is not much time for him to do that. Yamamoto is set to make his first re-hab appearance at AAA OKC this week. Paxton is gone. Miller looked awful in his first start after returning but looked better last time. Stone has been pretty solid all year.
Here we are at the end of August, and the rotation is Stone, Flaherty, Kershaw, Miller and Buehler. How many teams have ever won a championship by losing four of their starting five pitchers? And we haven’t even gotten to the rotating bullpen. The Dodgers best chance at a championship lies in the recovery before the playoffs of at least 2 and maybe more pitchers.
Locks for the rotation are Flaherty, Stone, Kershaw. Miller, Buehler, Yamamoto, Glasnow, are all question marks. Possibles at the AAA level, Knack and maybe Wrobleski. How many of you are confident in a rotation featuring three rookies? It is no secret that injuries have played a huge part in the team’s performance over the last three months.
Fans do not want excuses. They want results. The rash of injuries to pitchers this season in the major and minor leagues has to be alarming. The Dodgers were so sure that Glasnow was over his injury issues that they gave him a 5-year extension. He has been on the IL twice. Yamamoto at 25, had never had any issues, and he comes down with a sore rotator. Buehler trying to comeback from his second TJ surgery has issues with his hip. Miller also went down for a while. The only healthy guy has been Stone. The capper was losing talented RHP River Ryan to TJ surgery. With guys like Gonsolin and May not being able to make it back, the vaunted depth of this team has dissipated drastically.
The bullpen has had some very good moments, but it also has taken a beating in several games. At last count, I believe they had blown 29 saves. The entire pen has had pitchers who have gone through very rough stretches. No one has been immune.
At the deadline, many felt that they should target a closer. Tanner Scott was the top choice of many. The settled for Michael Kopech. Kopech has some really nasty stuff. Since he came to the Dodgers he has had just one bad inning. He is 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA. He has also gotten 2 saves.
Daniel Hudson has at times been unhittable. But then he has games where he gives up a crucial late inning homer. One reason he has 9 blown save opportunities. Joe Kelly is an enigma. One game Kelly can be as good as they come. The next game, he will give up a game winning homer. Many fans would prefer to see him at home come playoff time.
Blake Treinen did not pitch for almost two full years. He came back this spring and was looking really good before he was hit in the ribs. When he came off of the IL he pitched well. Then he got hurt again and returned to the IL. Since he came back, he has not been as effective as he or the team would like. Ryan Brasier has been lights out for most of his time in LA.
They have not had Brusdar Graterol except for about 7 pitches. Connor Brogdon, who they signed, has been in the minors all year. He pitched 1 inning in LA early in the year. Vesia has been pretty steady. But he has matched his career high for innings pitched already. Anthony Banda has appeared in 40 games since he was acquired. His ERA is a very good 2.18.
After being their most reliable bullpen arm for a couple of years, this season, Evan Phillips has struggled at times this year. In 2022, his ERA was a miniscule 1.14. Last year it was 2.05. Still an excellent number. This year, his ERA is 3.46. He doesn’t give up many homers, but he has given up a couple this year at the worst time. He seems to have regained some of his effectiveness lately.
Right now, their 3.73 ERA is 4th in the National League. If there is one real Achilles heel to this pitching staff, it is the amount of home runs they have given up this season, 162. That ranks #13 in the NL. The question of who is on this staff by playoff time will be answered over the next couple of weeks. They are going to take the healthiest arms they can into the playoffs. Fans can only hope that includes Glasnow and Yamamoto. Two guys who are considered the aces of the staff. And a lot will depend on how well Miller and Buehler pitch in their attempt to make the postseason roster.
Will some pitcher at the AAA level get a shot? Possible. I would have loved to see what River Ryan could have done. That won’t happen for a couple of years now. Landon Knack? Knack has shown some flashes. The knock on Knack is lack of length in a starting role. In his last 5 starts as a Dodger he went 5 innings exactly once.
Wrobleski might be good in the future, but in his five starts he gave up 7 home runs. Way too many. Tonight, Walker Buehler started and ended up going 4.2 innings. Two of the first 3 runs off of him were unearned. Some very sloppy defense cost him. He looked more like the old Buehler. He got some swing and miss, which he did not get much in his first appearances back. He allowed a couple of bloop hits and a couple really solid ones. He ended up allowing 4 runs, only 2 earned, He struck out 4 and walked only one. Much more Buehler like outing. He made 90 pitches, 59 of which were strikes. His one walk should have been a K. The umpire totally blew the checked swing call.
The bullpen did the job tonight in what basically was a must win game. Buehler earned himself another shot. Most likely in Monday’s final game in Arizona. The Dodgers will go as far as their pitching takes them this season. If they are to make a real run, the pitching is going to have to look more like it did the first month than it has the last three.
Minor League Scores
OKC lost a 10-inning game to Round Rock, 4-3. Of interest to Dodger fans, Yamamoto started and went 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit. He struck out 2 and walked none. Andy Pages was 2-5 with a double and an RBI, but he struck out 3 times. The OKC team struck out 18 times overall with Pages, Rushing and Lipcius all striking out 3 times. Dreyer got the loss.
Tulsa lost to Corpus Christi 7-6 in 11 innings. Miller, 2-4, Santana, 3-5, Lockwood-Powell, 2-5, and Young, 2-4, all had multi-hit games. Wepf got a blown save and the loss. Lockwood-Powell and Newell, just called up from the Loons, had homers.
Great Lakes beat South Bend 6-3 in 11 innings. The game was tied at 2 through 9 innings. Both teams scored in the 10th and the Loons scored 3 in the top of the 11th for the win. Jordan Thompson drove Jake Gelof in with what the winning run with a double with 2 outs. Heubeck started and went 6 innings allowing 1 run, 2 hits a walk and striking out 8. McDaniel’s got his 4th win with 1.1 innings of relief.
Rancho lost 9-5 to San Jose. The had a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the 6th. San Jose scored 5 runs to take the lead, and 3 more over the next two innings. Rancho scored 3 in the top of the 9th. Decker drove in those three runs with a bases loaded double with 2 outs in the 9th. Cabrera gave up all five runs in the sixth and took the loss.
Around the League
The Giants placed Thairo Estrada, Taylor Rogers and Tyler Matzek on waivers. It is an attempt to clear some salary. Since none of the players were DFAd, they can continue to pitch and play for the Giants until the waiver process is completed. If they are not claimed, the Giants can simply keep them. However, the waivers are irrevocable. If a team places a claim, the Giants cannot rescind the waiver. Miguel Andujar of the A’s is undergoing season ending core surgery. Orioles lost Jose Mateo to season ending UCL surgery in his non-throwing elbow. He has been the Orioles Kike over the last couple of years. Nick Senzel elected free agency after being DFAd by the White Sox. The Cubs are expected to try to upgrade the catchers position this winter. Jason Heyward took his physical today and is expected to be activated by the Astros tomorrow. Michale Lorenzen placed on the IL by the Royals with a strained hammy. Nick Anderson signed a deal with the Orioles after opting out of his minor league deal with the Dodgers. Teams that have been all but eliminated from the playoffs in the NL, Pirates, Rockies, Reds, Nationals, and the Marlins. Those teams are 10 games or more out of a wild card berth. On life support, Giants and Cubs. On the bubble, Mets and the Cubs. If the season ended today the three wild card teams would be Atlanta, San Diego and Arizona. Dodgers and Phillies would get the bye, and Dodgers would have home field in the NL playoffs.
Born June 14th, 1948, in Los Angeles California. AKA The Bear
Wins in close games with tough opponents are a very good thing. Especially winning games that you absolutely have to win. The Dodgers and D-Backs both have 29 games remaining. The Padres have 27. All those games come in the next 32 days. Padres are in an 18-game stretch without a day off. They do not have a day off until Tuesday.
DBacks just refuse to lose. Impressive
They are playing well, getting clutch hitting. But let’s face it, they are not exactly playing a really hard schedule either. Since the beginning of July, they have played seven series against very weak teams. Even the Mets are barely hanging in the wild card chase. In August they finish with the Dodgers and then play the Giants, Astros, Rangers, Brewers, Rockies, Brewers, Giants again in SF and finish with 3 with San Diego. Gallen is their best pitcher, he is the only starter with an ERA below 4. They are hitting out of their minds right now, but as we all know, baseball is a game of ebbs and flows. Doubtful they can keep up this pace for the 29 games they have left.
In all honesty, we could use the same logic for the Dodgers. Can they keep up this pace with the problematic pitching that we have? This would mean relying on players that historically slump during a season. While Shohei looks like he has pulled out of his slump, but Smith, Muncy, and most of the lower half of our batting has not done it sufficiently. I’m not predicting they will choke, but it’s a crap shoot. It’s all about the team that gets hot from this point on.
Muncy has been back less than a week. I would not put the nails in his coffin yet. Smith is the most concerning. But he slugged a ball last night and it looks like he has made an adjustment to his stance. We shall see. Kike has been doing well but he obviously should not be out there every day. Taylor has not shown much, but he too is using a different stance than he was, and he no longer is using his bat wiggle as a timing mechanism.
Well, for those who think defense is not as important as offense, I say poppycock.
Defense is even more important in the playoffs. Giving good teams extra outs is a recipe for disaster.
Our defense let Buehler down tonight. Cost him 2 unearned runs and more importantly a lot of extra pitches, a possible win, and extra innings thrown on the bullpen. Luckily the Oriole defense was even worse.
If two players are hitting roughly the same, I go with the better defensive player everytime. The only exception is if a player is OPSing over .800. Then I can except lessor defense.
AKA Max Muncy. They can live with his low BA, and average defense.
I was surprised to learn that Henderson has 20 errors at SS! Yikes.
This is actually the first season he has played more than 84 games at SS. But his fielding percentage is right about where it has been in previous seasons. He is no Ozzie Smith.
Most believed Gunnar would slide to 3rd when Jackson Holliday took over at SS.
I say they cost him three runs. If they make those plays the earned run never happens either. And then the extra pitches. Without those two errors, to me he likely would have gone six and given up one earned run.
Exactly.
I agree with that 100%.
Sloppy game by both teams with the Orioles -luckily- the more sloppier .
D-Backs just don´t quit. Dodgers will have their work cut out for them in that huge 4 game series. The good thing: The Dodgers by winning the series or even sweeping it could all but bury the D-Backs right there.
Yamamoto looked very good in his start at OKC. Velo was there , as was his command. One bad pitch that cost him the HR.
Buehler looked better but still not a lot of trust in him starting a postseason game.
Lets see if Miller can built on his last outing today.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the mark Ram, but I would wait and see how Buehler does in his next start. His next start could be Monday in Arizona in another must win game. I saw a lot of fight in him this evening.
True dat, but he’s giving up hits. Orioles were all over him.
Not really. He gave up 5 hits in 4 innings. And a couple of those innings were extended by sloppy play. His stuff and location were much better than at any time this season. Had the inning been played cleanly, the second inning would have never seen the last 5 hitters. And you pitch much differently with no men on base. 5 hitters worth of pitches he would not have had to make, and it would have been a 1-2-3 inning.
Yeah, I know all about Brasier’s low ERA as a Dodger. But he’s a different pitcher ..a vulnerable pitcher.. this year compared to last year when he was a power hurler throwing consistently in the upper 90’s. He’s nothing like that now, and he’ll hurt the Dodgers in the post-season.
Looks like the elevator is on the way down for Lux.Buehler is close. He needs to put away hitters with 2 strikes. I’d love to see more of his slider with more horizontal break and his cutter could be better but I see more and more of the old Buehler. I’m encouraged. We really need him if Glasnow doesn’t make it back. Now it’s time for Miller to step up.
No way Lux could continue hitting the way he was. He’s good but he’s not .385 good.
Both teams were sloppy last night. The Dodgers got lucky. Smith looked completely unaware on that bounced third strike. How is that not ruled an error? Muncy with a costly error and Kiké is a less than first baseman. 7 unearned runs and with Smith’s bonehead play it should have been more. Strange game. Take the win, clean it up and move on.
The Dodgers need ALL their first string starters to be in there and playing like they are paid to play, and that includes Glasnow, Yamamoto, Freeman and Smith.
Glasnow and Freeman are the most problematic injured players right now. Very concerning.
Glasnow will start throwing by Monday according to Roberts. He felt much better yesterday. Barnes will be activated either today or tomorrow.
He looked pretty good his last two outings. As a matter of fact, since he returned from the IL, he has been almost unhittable. I doubt he is the Dodgers problem in the post season, trust him more than I do Kelly. His last 7 games he has pitched 7.1 innings allowed 2 hits, no runs and struck out 5. His Whip in those games is 0.27. Can’t get much better than that. Vulnerable>? Doubtful. The guy has been nails.
Still think I’m right about Brasier. Don’t trust Kelly in the playoffs either.
Have to disagree Wayne. The guy has been outstanding ever since he joined the team. His BAbip since he returned is .105. It was .221 prior to his IL stint. You can’t argue the stats. His K to walk ratio is 5-1. In 56.2 innings with the Dodgers, he has given up just 9 runs. Better yet, he does not give up home runs. 4 in his time with LA. Kelly has given up that many this year. Treinen has allowed 5 and Hudson 7 Vesia 6, Grove 4, Banda 3. Brasier allowed 3 just before he went on the IL.
I’m not arguing the stats, I’m relying on what I see. And speaking of seeing, we’ll see who’s right about Brasier during the playoffs. Hopefully, I’m wrong, but until then, I won’t conjecture this topic any longer.
No problem.
All teams have struggles. We spent a billion dollars this offseason so no sympathy for us from anyone. Time to nut up and get the job done. We have the talent.
Here’s what has me concerned the most about the post season, a good team can usually overcome one aspect of the game, poor defense, poor offense, poor starting pitching or poor bullpen. My problem is that the Dodgers suffer from all of the above, they are struggling in all aspects of the game. Is Roberts a great manager or is he a terrible manager, how can you tell when the team consistently fails in one or all of these mentioned aspects of the game?
All the injuries, to starting pitchers, bullpen pitchers, everyday players, (hell you might as well throw in injuries to the concession stand workers at this point) really makes it tough on getting a consistent effort and results from such a wounded organization.
It looks bleak and yet the Dodgers have the best record in baseball, go figure (or is that more telling of the true state of quality baseball in the MLB?) However, the regular season is just the regular season and the playoffs really reveal any warts that a team possesses.
What a failure! And yet the Dodgers have the best record in baseball! And on top of a catastrophic amount of injuries. SPOILED fans!
Nah we all know this team and when it’s not clicking. It is good enough to have that record after a hot start. But it does not look like a WS winning team right now. That’s all he is saying and I agree with him. A lot of weaknesses that will have a tough time against the best pitching in multiple series.
I don’t know it’s as much spoiled fans as it is disappointed fans. Yes we have the best record in baseball but we watch and wait as player after player disappears, sometimes, as in Smith’s case, they disappear while on the field. With this team I can’t help but think “if only”. But, I believe that is happening all over baseball.
How does the trainer still have a job? I’m not being sarcastic. It’s an actual question. The Graterol injury for instance. He was not ready. One way or the other he was not ready.
I felt bad for Walker last night. Did Will Smith have a stroke? WTH was he thinking on that third strike? It was baffling.
Do these umpires continue to give other teams corners The Dodgers do not get? Or am I just losing it? Then the same umpire that sucked the game before does not give a third strike to Walker in the 5th. You just knew they would score after that.
All good questions RD. I don’t have all of the answers, but like everyone here I have opinions and guesses.
Trainers probably know they have an impossible task. Those who know the most about kinesiology are saying the body is just not built to do what baseball now asks of it. So the logical answer is, stop asking. That won’t happen. So, just keep doing what you’ve been doing and expect different results. And good luck with that.
Ask Smith if he wasn’t aware a bounced third strike is in play. How long have you been a catcher?
Muncy. Sigh.
Umps. Simple answer really. ABS. One would think they would welcome it.
Walker pitched very well last night. With his attempt to get back on track with his effectiveness, Buehler hasn’t had the best support defensively or any breaks from the umpires. An error or two, some missed calls by the ump, soft contact hits seem to snowball into huge stress innings that increase his pitch count. It happened again last night. Muncy’s error was not that unusual, but Smith’s total lack of awareness was unbelievable. It was finished off with a hard line drive over the head of Kiermaier to drive in two runs followed by a single to drive in another run.
The type of a mental breakdown by Smith last night leads me to believe that he needs some rest days. HIs current play, both offensively and defensively, indicates that he is exhausted. The front office has no problem babying the starting pitchers all season long to keep them “fresh for the playoffs”. It’s a strategy that has, again, failed this year to be effective. Unfortunately, Barnes gets hurt right when Smith could use a blow. But, that’s OK. The Dodgers are deep with catchers in their overrated system. One problem. They don’t use the apparent depth. They brought up Feduccia and he sits on the bench while we get to watch Smith become a non factor at the plate which is now creeping into his defensive play. Hunter has played one game with four at bats that produced a hit and a walk. That, apparently, is a non starter for the Dodger brass.
So far, Kershaw has returned to be a useful part of the rotation. Now Buehler seems to be moving in the right direction. With a bit of luck and some improved umpiring, Buehler is proving to himself that he doesn’t need to throw 97+ to be an effective pitcher. Once he gets the mental part of the equation straight he could be a contributor in the postseason.
So, as we see Kershaw and Buehler progress, we have Glasnow probably being a non factor for the rest of the season. I think Yamamoto will join him. How many times have we heard that a player is progressing and will be good to go for the playoffs and then the player is never heard from again? Too many. The two pitchers they decide to spend an enormous amount of money on and they can’t make it through their first season with the team without trips to the IL. One, is a 25 year old with no serious injury history, that comes to the Dodgers can only start 14 games before going down for several weeks. Fix one, IL one. All season long. It’s very discouraging. I think their whole pitching philosophy needs to be questioned and improved. Yeah, I know they have the best record in MLB right now, but it means nothing without a World Series championship at the end of the year.
Carry on.
Smith’s extended slump is starting to become a real concern.
Roberts reported that Glasnow will begin throwing. He felt much better yesterday, and it was reported on Yahoo sports that he is about ready to throw.
I really thought Buehler came out strong, confident, good stuff, command and then muncys error. Ok errors will be made but will smith was unacceptable. He provides zero offense for 4 months but thankfully he is throwing out runners or we might be putting Barnes in for him. If our defense was not so bad Buehler would have gone 6 at least.
Smith needs about a week off.
*I’m a dog guy. Shohei’s dog was so cute and his first pitch act was hilarious. heartwarming start to the evening.
*Bear, great summary on the Dodger pitching woes, again, this season.
*Buehler is snake bit right now. He had a 5 out inning. Doesn’t get close critical calls and didn’t make many mistakes but doesn’t get away with any.
But he battled through and looked sharp. This is a great sign in his progress. Another brutal start and he’s maybe out of opportunities. But he commanded the zone much better and his stuff looked great. The breaking ball had some swing and miss and was sharp. This is huge going forward. Now, do it again.
*Muncy insists on pulling and rolling over the outside pitch. Just like forever. And he winds up like Bob Fuller to spike a throw to first.
*Shohei, getting hit on his shoulder on the double steal is a good example of why a guy should learn to slide on either hip. That could have been a face shot instead of the shoulder. A slide on the right hip on an infield throw takes the face out of the target zone. Or slide headfirst.
*The quality of defense is in noticeable decline. And not just the Dodgers.
I watched the Yankees a day ago kick it around like soccer team. They made 10 errors in 4 games. Many due to the Jazz Chisholm experiment at 3rd.
I think much of the shabby defense is attributable to the grind of a 162 game season. Think about what you were doing the first of April and what’s changed. These guys have been playing baseball almost every day, since April.
Everybody who’s been playing, now has multiple nagging little injuries that won’t go away as long as they are playing every day. You have a strawberry, bruises and bumps, aches and pains. Your body hurts. And the mind is tired. That’s why players used to take “greenie”.
I’m not making excuses. Players are paid handsomely to produce. But keep in mind what professionals go through physically and it’s affect on play.
Well put Phil, but I feel I must offer a rebuttal.
Most of us have gone to work grinding it out day after day all of our adult life doing the same often mundane shit year after year, and not for a million dollars every two weeks. Of course it takes a lot to get there. But that’s true in any profession.
Many of us worked 40+ hours and also played a lot of ball over the years. Granted it wasnt every day but who among us wouldn’t happily trade places with these guys? They do what they do then get 4 months off. And what they do is play baseball 2 hours a day. And to be honest about it most of that 2 hours is spent standing around doing nothing.
Talk about nut’n up. Put in your 2 hours then retire comfortably at age 35 and don’t tell us it hurts.
Yesterday I saw Bear’s article on the McCourt era. I’m sorry Bear, but I couldn’t spend one second reading it. Those were two of the most disgusting and misguided people in sports. How Bud Selig allowed those carpetbaggers to take ownership of one of the most historic baseball teams is certainly a black eye for MLB. And, in the end that piece of shit human being ends up clearing $2B+ was too much for me.
I, also, read Phil Jones comments on the Dodgers settling on a set lineup for the remainder of the season. With Kiki, Edman, and now Taylor as the ever loved utility players AF goes out of his way to have on the roster, I doubt that is going to happen. Although it should. Not only now, but all throughout the season. And, it’s not only his fascination with utility players, but the obsession with players who can play several positions. I think that may be one reason their position prospects are failing at the MLB level. It’s hard enough to hit major league pitching, but it becomes even more difficult when playing a new or multiple positions at the same time. It is too much for deal with. Look at Vargas, Pages, and Lux and the issues they have had adapting. The one big success has been Will Smith. He has played one position on a regular basis. Catcher. Just something to consider.
How about this lineup the rest of the season?:
C Smith
1B Freeman
2B Lux
SS Rojas / Edman
3B Muncy
LF T Hernandez
CF Kiermaier / Edman
RF Wilson
DH Ohtani
Although, all above is mute if they can’t get and keep a starting staff healthy and available.
Carry on
Frank and his skank wife are truly loathsome human beings. That was a rough era of Dodger baseball to live thru. They should have been prosecuted for embezzlement..
I don’t know but by US standards the business model of those two might should be considered as a gold standard.
Frank: take some of Dad’s money, finance through debt, get in way over your head, declare bankruptcy, walk away with billions.
Jamie: marry and divorce the guy who did the above.
Do we really need skank wife to be written and read?
jesus
Good post Ted. I assume that’s Mookie in right field? Dan Wilson’s busy Skippering the M’s these days. 😎
I too doubt that the Dodgers will settle on a lineup down the stretch, but it’s my opinion, they should for the reasons Ive stated.
As I’ve mentioned, Kike is playing well right now, despite not being Freddie at first. So, he’s the utility guy. Pages needs to be around to hit against LHP, Barnes isn’t going anywhere. And Kiermaier will be around for defense, I suspect.
Adding Kiermaier is interesting in retrospect. If they planned on having Kike and CT3 around for the playoffs, why sign Kiermaier? Seriously, those 3 guys plus Barnes could be the most inept bench I can imagine. I know they love veterans and utility guys but I see no problem with a rookie on the playoff roster.
The only reason to keep CT3 is his contract is AF’s stubbornness to admit he screwed the pooch with that signing.
I mentioned yesterday that any hope of CT3 helping in the playoffs based on his resent post season stats would be a miracle.
In 2022 and 2023, CT3 hit .077/.220 with 58% K rate. Bear correctly pointed out that it was a small sample size. True enough but there isn’t going to be a big sample size when the Dodgers have early playoff exits, in both years. And maybe with a better performance, that wouldn’t have been the case.
Being in a tight race doesn’t provide Smith much of an opportunity to rest. And he desperately needs one. They have blown that chance by not playing Feduccia more. Now we just watch him struggle.
Talk about a brain cramp. Somehow Mookie Wilson became part of the conversation. Yikes. Yes, I meant Betts! Thanks for the correction.
Who is Wilson, I assume you mean Betts. Ok if you could not read it. It was a request from one of our posters. A fan yesterday traded a gold Ohtani bobblehead for a game used Joe Kelly glove. Kelly was elated to get the bobblehead. Millionaires are weird.
I’m sorry, but I don’t think having a volleyball playing RF will help come October.
Yeah, but it’s lonely out in right field and Wilson has plenty of experience being lonely
You are correct. Awesome take Bobby.
Did I set you guys up or what?
A couple of things about Buehler’s start last night. For one thing, his control and location were really good. His velo was pretty consistent. His curveball was breaking really well. In the second inning when the Orioles scored three runs, as we all know, Muncy’s error and Smith’s brain fart on a ball he caught on a bounce extended the inning. Had Kike not let the throw from Muncy get by him, the ball would not have gone into the dugout giving the runner second base. The double that scored 2 was the first hard hit ball of the inning. The hit to right by McCann was a bloop. There were 2 hard hit balls in the inning. But it never should have gotten to that point. Mullins, who got to first on the Smith mental blunder, would have been the third out had Muncy made a good throw. The third base umpire blew a checked swing call in the top of the 5th that allowed the next hitter to come up. It should have been the third out.
Should have had Muncy at 1B and Kike at 3B.
I was thinking exactly that. Sporting News is reporting that Roberts might actually be on the hot seat. An early exit from the playoffs could be the catalyst for change. Skip Schumaker was named as a possible replacement.
D-Backs have set their rotation for the 4-game series. Gallen, Kelly, Pfaadt, Rodriguez.
Such a good team and organization.
next five games will be fun to watch!
It’s obvious Friedman loves anylitics and Doc loves veterans even if the analytics are against a certain veteran. So I know this is hoping a lot from Doc and Friedman, but can’t they call up Rushing before September 1st while putting Smith on the IL for obvious reasons that have been discussed already and then bring up Pages when rosters expand? Then figure out the catching situation (Smith and Barnes) a little later.
Wouldn’t Pages and Rushing be elegible for the playoff roster? Not that I’m advocating for Rushing to be on the playoff roster right now until I see what he can do at the MLB level.
Do players without options such as Taylor for example HAVE TO BE on the playoff roster?
I think I know the answers to all 3 questions, but I’m getting confused from the comments here, because some comments are conflicting with others.
The reason why I’m talking a lot about the position players and very little about the pitching is because I believe pitching wins championships and without Yamamoto and/or Glasnow as a possibility, the offense is going to have to carry the team in the playoffs in a big way. It might not be possible for the offense to carry the team without BOTH Yamamoto AND Glasnow in the playoffs because with weak offense from CF and history say SS Rojas COULD fall apart offensively and who knows what’s up with the offense from the catcher, and then there is a solution to Lux’s platoon partner, me and Phil Jones discussed that yesterday, put Betts at 2B and Pages in RF against LHP, but I have no faith Doc will do that considering he’s a veteran lover.
There’s also the issue of the bullpen giving up HR’s (as they have a lot this year) in the playoffs and that is a BIG THING THAT CAN KILL YOU in the playoffs in tight games.
I just read Bear’s post that Glasnow is going to start throwing. I read it after I posted my post. But still, will Glasnow be effective in the playoffs. I saw some highlights of Yamamoto and he looked good besides the HR mistake he made. I’m not saying the sky is falling if it sounds like I am in the post above, I’m just talking about possibilities.
No one can tell how effective any pitcher can be in the playoffs. Update has Glasnow to start throwing tomorrow in Arizona.
Eric, it is possible to call him up. That being said, they would A. Have to make a roster spot available for him. He is not on the 40-man. It also would have to happen by 8:59 PM PST Saturday night. 11:59 EST. B. Since he has spent the entire season in the organization, he could be added after September first, but only for an injured player and then only if they petition the commissioner’s office and it is approved. The player would have to be on the IL prior to the petition. The rumor right now is that Pages is coming back up. Rushing really has no position to play on this team right now. He would not replace Hernandez in left, and he does not have enough professional experience to be brought up as a catcher. At this point in time, Rushing has caught in exactly 103 games professionally, and none since he was called up to AAA. Putting that little experience behind the plate in a playoff scenario would not be wise. Rushing will get his shot next spring. One reason I am very skeptical that they would bring Teoscar back.
Thanks Bear. I’ll copy and paste in a document about what you said about the playoff eligibility so I don’t forget.
Is Pages eligible to be on the playoff roster no matter when he is brought back up?
Does a player out of options have to be on the playoff roster or can he be left off?
I know you have your opinion on those 2 questions but I’m still asking so I know.
Pages has been with the team all year; he needs to be added by the deadline to be on the playoff roster. But he could replace an injured player. My guess is that maybe, just maybe in the first round they keep Pages and make one of Kike or Taylor inactive. They can do that, and switch players each round. Say they keep Pages for the LDS, then decide they want so and so for the LCS. They submit a roster prior to each series in the playoffs. They could have over the course of three playoff series, three different rosters.
There is an open spot on the 40 man roster. Heyward’s place hasn’t been filled. I assume they’re waiting to use it for Yamamoto when he comes off the 60 day IL.
Most likely because since he is already on the 40-man on the IL and just needs to be activated. Since they can add 2 after Saturday, I think they leave one spot open for him, or call someone up until he is ready, Grove? Knack? They have activated Barnes and optioned Feduccia. The roster itself is at 26. There are 45 players listed on the 40 man, 11 are in the minors, 8 are on the IL.
Totally agree on your Rushing take. If he has a good spring and shows improvement in LF he could find a place on the 2025 team.
The kid can hit, there is no arguing that, but you want experience in the playoffs. Taylor was kept over Heyward because of what he has done in the past. Folks may wonder why, but Heyward has hit under .200 in his 135 postseason at bats. Taylor is close to .250 plus he is second on the team with 9 postseason homers. The leader? Kike has 13.
Phil, as always, I love your analysis on various topics, but with regard to this statement from above:
“ A slide on the right hip on an infield throw takes the face out of the target zone. Or slide headfirst.”
How do you think AF and friends would feel if Shohei decided to do his slides headfirst with that billion dollar arm of his (or maybe 1/2 billion since he’s also getting paid to hit)? A bump on the head might actually be preferred to a messed up shoulder or elbow from sliding headfirst.
Badger, your analysis of the US gold standard business model was a thing of beauty. Made me laugh out loud until I remembered that I was a contributor to the McCourt success story for the years that they were here.
Padres lost today (finally!) in StL today.
Mets/AZ are 2-2 in the 9th inning
Excellent; Mets beat AZ 3-2!
Now let’s go do our job
Mets beat Az 3-2. Dodgers can increase the lead to 4 games with a win tonight.
According to Sports Nation, Glasnow is going to Arizona with the team, and he will begin throwing tomorrow. Tommy Pham, Robbie Grossman, Travis Jankowski and Nicky Lopez all placed on waivers by their teams. Janson Junk DFAd by the Astros, McCormick optioned to AAA and Heyward activated.
Team could do without taylor Barnes and that pitcher that’s all mouth that gets hammered everytime he pitches what is his name. Theres git to be replacements for those three guys which would make this team better. Before Taylor came back this team was rolling now he bat’s and its like dude what are you swinging at so irritating. PAGES AND RUSHING WOULD RATHER SEE.
Are you talking about Kelly? Two chances Rushing gets called up, slim and nonexistent. He is not going to replace Teo in left, and he does not have enough experience at catcher to be put behind the plate in the playoffs. Pages will be activated by Sunday and will be eligible for the playoffs. Kelly is going nowhere. Barnes is the backup, live with it. Taylor might not be active come playoff time. They can add two players on Sunday, one will be Pages, the other will be a temporary call up until they can activate Yamamoto.
Once again Bradley….NO this will not happen and Taylor got two hits tonight so you might have overreacted and where would rushing play or not play because of his inexperience playing his new position in the outfield or maybe catcher or DH or a power bat as a pinch hitter it is hard to tell right now.
No Freddie in the lineup again. I don’t know why they don’t put him in the 10 day IL and send him home for a week with his family and rest his finger. Kind of a mental health break. I still think putting Smith on the 10 day when Barnes comes back makes a lot of sense also.
I have no clue either, they could back date it a week, but I think they want to have him available for the series in Arizona. The reason? He is a career .338 hitter versus the D-Backs. He hits exceptionally well at Chase, .371 in 51 games. 12 homers there, 1.101 OPS at that ballpark. 4 days since he last played, he should be ok to play there. The second-best hitter there is Shohei in limited action. No homers there. Edman hits .308 there in 10 games. second most homers there by a Dodger? Chris Taylor, 9.
Lineup Note:
In a testament to Dodger lineup versatility (and a salute to Phil) the Dodgers are starting 6 shortstops tonight.
It’s a great idea. Shortstops are the best athletes on the team.
Ohtani doesn’t play shortstop, at least not until he says he will.
As a former shortstop Badger, that I agree with.
Not sure about 6 at a time however.
If you see that it means the junior varsity must be playing.
August 21, 2024
Oklahoma City Baseball Club placed OF James Outman on the temporarily inactive list.
Today is August 29, 2024
What’s the rest of the story?
The last I saw he was on paternity leave I hope there were no problems with the birth. Maybe just a few extra days of paternity leave and this is how it has to be done
I’ve always thought there was something in his head distracting him this year. Maybe this has something to do with it. I might be wrong, I’m not a mind reader.
Or maybe a bigshot found out he’s be on the phone a lot with his agent trying to get his agent to get him the hell out of this organization. Something to do with Doc, just a guess.
Never thought I’d see Freddie sitting so we could get Kike’s right handed bat into the line up. You never know what’s going to happen in this great game, there are always surprises.
You think that’s the reason Freddie is sitting?
How’s the weather on your planet?
Saving him for Arizona. He owns them.
Man, if this lineup produces several runs, it will be a miracle but anything is possible.
Keep throwing strikes Bobby! Make them earn it.
Edmund is not your prototypical cleanup hitter
Miracles happen, they scored 5 and no homers either.
Well, there you go Eric. You are witnessing a miracle!
A disappointing inning after being given a 5-run lead. Just bad pitching — terrible control when he needed it.
LOL
Hits the leadoff batter (first pitch), walks another, falls being 3-0 with two outs and then grooves two fastballs right down the middle? We’re looking at post-season auditions right now. He just failed big-time in my eyes. Not sure what game you are watching. Situational pitching is huge.
He regressed some after his last outing. But what I see is that he almost always has one bad inning. Can’t do that in the postseason.
Hmmm.
Dodgers are winning, he’s pitching better.
They are the best team in the league and beating another top team.
Winning is even more enormous that the hugeness that is “situational pitching”
?? It is not a question that the Dodgers will make the playoffs — it is a certainty. I am looking for players that know how to win. Miller is very much a work in progress. That type of inning (with a big league) is exactly how you get bumped out of the playoffs. I don’t like it. It bothers me. Bad Baseball. So I gripe.
Gripe?
Here is what you wrote:
“A disappointing inning after being given a 5-run lead. Just bad pitching — terrible control when he needed it.”
18 words, 3 of them were: disappointing, bad and terrible.
If that’s not hyperbolic, I don’t know what is.
It’s Miller’s 2nd year.
OK — one man’s hyperbole is another’s gripe. Cheers.
Fair.
Seemed excessive at the time, maybe I made too much of it.
I wouldn’t call 16.6% use of negativity hyperbolic. But, that’s just me.
Bluto, Bison isn’t commenting on the team’s winning or losing. Of course, they’re winning. He’s commenting on Miller’s failing with a five run lead. Miller is pitching better?? He may be better, but it’s not what he is capable of. Not even close. Miller’s mental breakdown during games are not playoff quality.
This was silly and presumptuous
Agreed. You can’t do that with a five run lead. He has to get the mental aspect of pitching down or he will not be around much longer. The team has too much pitching to put up with that kind of performance. Maybe, trade him for a young top SS prospect?
Good take Bison!
.
It was a hittable 3-1 fastball and it was hit. 3 earned in 5 (5.4 ERA) actually lowers his ERA. For him, this is actually a good outing.
OK bullpen, do your thing.
I’m not going to try to defend Miller for the home run tonight he needed a shut down inning right there and made a bad pitch. The one positive was in the past Miller would spin further out of control. Tonight he reset himself quickly and got Rutschman to get out of the inning. Also pretty good night for the jv offense.
J-Hey went 1-2 with a double and 2 driven in for the Astros in their win over KC.
Wahoo!! Dodgers take the series.