It sucks without baseball, and we have all week to suffer. On Friday, October 25, 2024, it will be 1,459 days since LAD last appeared in a WS game. Since 2020, there have been 6 different teams reach the WS. Since 2017, the Dodgers have reached the World Series 4 times, the same number as the Houston Astros. No other team has reached it more than once. The last team to reach the World Series a second time was 2015 and the KC Royals.
Not bad for a team that mismanages and constructs bad rosters with the same bad manager and incompetent POBO. We have already discussed ad nauseum as to how the Dodgers some how some way had the best regular season record and found their way to the World Series, with their injuries to the pitching staff, and then late season injuries to Freddie Freeman, Miggy Ro, Gavin Lux, and Alex Vesia.
It makes sense, for those of us who have no chance at determining the outcome or making changes, all we can do is complain and try to educate others how smart we are and what we would have done differently.
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Dave Roberts have been highly criticized for the NLDS losses in 2022 and 2023 (Betts), 2023 Freddie, and every year that Roberts has been the LAD manager (save 2020 for the most part). The Dodgers do not have the only fanbase with questioning fans. There were three different Fansided articles with three to blame.
- Francisco Lindor, Francisco Alvarez, and Reid Garrett
- Sean Manaea, Ryne Stanek, and Carlos Mendoza
- José Quintana, Starling Marte, Carlos Mendoza
Sean Manaea pitched a career year and threw more IP than he ever has. Manaea has not always been successful against LAD, but he changed his mechanics after watching Chris Sale, and Manaea became a different pitcher. The Dodgers had not yet seen the new Manaea, and that could have been a reason for the Game 2 results. But the Dodgers made him work, and he only was able to go 5 IP. Manaea told Mendoza that he hit a wall.
The second time the Dodgers faced Manaea in the NLCS, they had a better feel for his adjustments. Manaea is almost a cinch to opt out and reenter free agency. He will get a lot of attention.
Carlos Mendoza? I will give Bluto credit on this one. He was on the Mendoza bandwagon from the beginning. I think he did a masterful job with NYM. Some were blaming him for turning to Jeff McNeil over José Iglesias. And not including Jesse Winker over JD Martinez as the DH. Again hindsight is 20-20. The NYM bullpen was not very good outside of Edwin Diaz.
There was a reason why Roberts did not want to use his high leverage relievers (or limited usage) in Game 2 or Game 5. Whether fans want to believe it or not, Roberts wanted to limit the exposure of the high leverage guys to the NYM batters. Agree with the strategy or not, it worked. The LAD high leverage was outstanding.
I am going with 6 high leverage relievers: Daniel Hudson, Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, Michael Kopech, Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips.
Ryan Brasier was the only reliever to face a NYM batter three times, Pete Alonso. He also faced Starling Marte twice.
- Daniel Hudson faced three batters twice (McNeil, Alvarez, Lindor)
- Anthony Banda faced three batters twice (Lindor, Nimmo, McNeil)
- Michael Kopech faced three batters twice (Lindor, Vientos, Nimmo)
- Evan Phillips faced three batters twice (Vientos, Alonso, Nimmo)
Only Blake Treinen faced more than three batters twice. He faced 8 batters twice in three games. He pitched more high leverage innings than any other LAD pitcher.
Margin of victory record – 40 runs – 6.7 runs per game. The LAD difference in runs was 30 in their 4 wins; NYM run difference was 10 in their 2 wins.
The Dodgers scored 46 runs in six games against the Mets, more than any NL team in any postseason series. Two more runs than the Braves in the 1996 NLCS, and two more than the Giants in the 2002 World Series. Both series lasted seven games. They scored 46 runs without a lot of help from Teoscar Hernandez.
As we all know, Tommy Edman won NLCS MVP on the strength of hitting .407/.393/.630, tying the LAD postseason series records of 11 hits and 11 RBI, the latter shared with Corey Seager in the 2020 NLCS.
Edman was not the only offensive star. Mookie Betts drove in nine runs with his four doubles, two home runs, and an 1.182 OPS, including a four-hit, four-RBI contest in Game 4 in New York.
Both Shohei Ohtani and Max Muncy reached base 17 times in the 6 games. Both hit a pair of HRs. Ohtani had 9 walks while Muncy had 11 walks, breaking his team record in a NLCS. Ohtani scored 9 runs, more than any LAD player scored in any postseason series, one more than Corey Seager in the 2020 NLCS.
As a team, the Dodgers had a .395 on-base percentage during the series, including 42 walks to set a major league record. The only other postseason teams in which a team walked at least 40 times in a series were the Cardinals in the 2011 World Series (41 walks) and Cleveland in the 1997 World Series (40).
Now we get a series many have been hoping for since Spring Training. Judge vs Ohtani. Soto and Stanton vs Betts and Freeman. NYY has a clear advantage with Gerrit Cole as the Game 1 starter. Bear is working on a matchup article, so I will wait until then to comment. The two best teams in MLB. At least the two #1 seeds in their respective leagues.
NYY and the Dodgers have faced each other in the WS 11 previous times with NYY holding an 8-3 lead (1941-1981). NYY and LAD have faced each other 4 of those years (63, 77, 78, 81). The two teams have split the 4 World Series, with the Dodgers winning the last time they faced each other in 1981.
May the best team (Los Angeles Dodgers) win.
You could actually add two series to that. They have split the last 6 WS they have played against each other. 55 Brk win, 56 NY, 63 LA, 77-78 NY 81 LA.
A lot of questions as to who will be on the World Series roster. Usually those are no posted until early the day of the game. So, I expect to see them either late Thursday or early Friday. The Dodger and MLB site will have their matchup post probably Thursday. It is the same post just put on both sites. Just so everyone knows, I apologized to Eric in a personal email to him. The ball is in his court.
Been critical of DR in the past (and I think some of that was and is well deserved) but this postseason he has done a masterful job, especially considerung all the injuries.
Only two decisions that might be debatable:
Game 2: Not taking out Knack after that ringing double , replacing him with one high leverage arm to try to stop the bleeding right there. If not successful could have still gone the same route with the low leverage guys .
Game 5; Same thing with Flaherty. Could have brought in Banda (who was already warming up) when Flaherty walked the first batter in the third. If Banda gets the jjob done, fine, go with the high levrage arms with the off day coming up.
Or could have saved Flaherty for Game 6 because he was under the weather and go with the pen from the get go.
But hey, the end result has proven Doc right this time and I am perfectly fine and happy with it. 😀 Kudos to Doc for staying with his direction and strategy.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
Sigh…
Date night: You look beautiful except for….
Come on Ram
I played and coached men’s b class softball for 25 years very seriously..We carried 12 to 14 Men on our roster and played 75 to 130 games.We took it very seriously! I look at Dave Roberts and think what an incredible job he does.He plays every player .
I believe this was his best job ever. Navigating all of the injuries. Something Miggy Ro said in the post-game celebration stuck with me. We have a lot of big players in this room, but no big egos. I thought that said a lot about the manager and how his players feel about him. Mookie also sang his praises in his postgame interview.
Good conjecture ‘Ram.
I have always liked Daniel Hudson. Awhile back I read that he is considering retiring after the season. When I watch him now he looks like he plans to retire and looks like a guy who wants it all to be over but still has to dig deep to perform at a high level. I’m referring to his facial expressions and body language.
Does anyone else notice this? I could easily be reading more into it but I predict he does retire after this season. I hope he dominates from here on out and helps us.win the.WS!
If I recall, he tore a knee ligament and rehabbed for a year to return. Only to tear the other knee ligament in his first game back.
He said he cannot go out like that, so he rehabbed, and then returned. I agree with you: especially if we win it all, I think he then retires and goes out on top.
Are we really back to body language!?!!
LOL 😀
You can see the whites of their eyes!
Hudson has been dealing with some lower body issues which has impacted his performance. I am pretty sure no matter what the outcome of the series, he is going to hang em up.
“Not bad for a team that mismanages and constructs bad rosters with the same bad manager and incompetent POBO.”
I do not think I have ever seen a moderator that trolls his own blog more than this guy LOL. Just trying to understand your mindset. No one can ever criticize Dodger personnel. Is that right?
I am a VP. I do not spend a lot of time trolling our customers. They do not appreciate it and things of this nature.
And this is right after they win a pennant. Too funny.
“I do not think I have ever seen a moderator that trolls his own blog more than this guy LOL”
Apparently you’ve never been to LADT.
Jeff D is one of the finest writers in this business. He gets a lot of things right. And on this point, he’s right again.
Jeff is good for my money enjoy this blog dont always agree with him and Bear but feel comfortable sharing my opinion to that end i hope they make edman the permanent ss sign him to extension secondly I hope they bench Freeman if hes not right in his present state he hurts the team Roberts of whom I am not a fan did a great job sitting him. In my opinion Feeman would try to play anyway.
For what it’s worth, The Atletic staff of writers favors the Yankees 60-40 for reasons that included the injuries the Dodgers have. A couple mentioned the lack of an ace and the fact the bullpen has frankly just been asked to do too much for too long. I think that makes sense to me. But… if they continue to get it done, they could make history and who knows, may develop a continuing paradigm, changing ML baseball for years to come.
The league leader in pitching appearances in 2024 is McFarland at 79. There are no Dodgers in the top 30.
Kopech is 37th with 67. And that was with the White Sox wearing him out. Vesia also at 67. Hudson 65. Then you won’t see another Dodger in the top 80.
I think the media gets confused because they have so many relievers. And yes, they have been used in the postseason a lot. But now many of them have a week off.
Just doesn’t seem to be that big of a thing.
You may be right. Dodgers favored -130, O/U 5.5 games. Ohtani favored over Judge and Stanton for MVP.
I have the Yanks as slight favorits too. I think they have the better starters with a clear ace in Cole, both offenses are formidable but we are hurt by FF injury, bullpens a toss up (if we have Vesia and/or Bazooka back edge goes to the dodgers) , Dodgers with home field adavantage.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Free blogosphere. You do not like it, go elsewhere. I promise, you will not hurt my feelings. Again, you want to connote this blog as a business. It’s not. I get paid the same whether I have one reader or a thousand. ZERO.
I have never called anyone a name for disagreeing with me. You do not like Dave Roberts, good for you. Have I ever blocked anyone for saying disparaging things about Roberts or Friedman? I have made it clear that I like both. I hope they are with the Dodgers a long time, and that is my opinion. They have both made monumental mistakes, as does anyone in authority. I have pointed out numerous times where I disagree with some of their decisions. It’s the overall record that I point to, not individual mishits.
I stand by what I said. By any standard, 4 World Series appearances in 8 years is good. If you disagree, I am fine with that. Just be prepared to be called on it when you are wrong, just as you do with Roberts.
Jeff, trust your readers to recognise the merits or lack thereof of comments made in here.
Fred, so are you saying it’s wrong to point out when someone is wrong?
It may be inadvisable, but it isn’t wrong.
Factual errors are okay but opinions are just opinions and typically a dime a dozen. How many good conversations start with or include “you’re wrong” instead of “here is my take”?
Better yet, could say, interesting, tell me more why you ssy that as I was thinking otherwise.
This falls into do as I ssy and not as I do category.
I generally have two readers per week lolz. Sometimes three
Not because of your writing. I have always thought your articles were very good.
So have I. I am still on your email blast.
Agree.
I’d love to be on your email list. Where can I sign up?
ladodgerreport.com
right on the main page of my site.
Ladodgerreport
Where it says “subscribe to LADR via email” put in your email and hit subscribe button.
Thanks guys, it’s nice to hear that every once in a while.
Scott we all know what happened. Some of it was just unavoidable. I am sure if you looked back, you would have been just a little more proactive in curbing it. From what I have learned writing for Mark first and now Jeff, being a site administrator is pretty much a thankless position.
being a site administrator is a thankless position. this is true.
Sounds good. BYE!
Dodgers deliberating their starting pitching alignment.
IMHO they should go Flaherty in Game 1, then Yoshi Game 2(that enables him to come back for a potential Game6 on his regular rest), Buehler Game 3.
That way we would need only 1 bullpen game (Game 5)
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dodgers have always been good at keeping info out of the media, so I doubt we will hear much until rosters are announced. I wonder how close Miggy is to coming back, and if Lux’s injury was bad enough to keep him out of this series.
Who’s pitching game 4?
Yamamoto, Buehler, Flaherty 1-3. Bullpen game 4.
ram, I like your thoughts on the WS rotation. Yamamoto could go Game 1 instead of Flaherty and just have 1 more days rest for Game 6, but to give Flaherty normal rest, I think you’re right about Game 1.
I don’t have good feelings about Buehler’s rest however. His likely Game 3 but that gives him 11 days off. Nothing can be done about that logically, I just don’t like it.
I’m one of the few who is semi-pleased with his progress lately and I can’t help thinking 11 days off is not a good thing.
The Dodgers/Yankees ’77, ’78, & ’81 WS match-ups were epic tv spectacles.
This one will be the same!
The TV numbers will be the biggest in years, bank on it.
MLB News: Cardinals have hired Brant Brown as their new hitting coach and Robert Cerfolio as their new AGM. Brown was formerly a Dodger hitting instructor. He spent 23 with the Marlins and moved to Seattle in 24. But he was fired 5 months after taking the job. Cerfolio was the director of player development for Cleveland. They also hired former outfielder, Jon Jay as a coach. Nominations for the Gold Glove were announced. Only two Dodgers, Will Smith at catcher, and Kike Hernandez as a utility player were nominated. Chunichi Dragons have announced that LHP, Shinnosuke Ogasawara will be posted as per his request. He is a 27-year-old LH starting pitcher. Has pitched part of 9 seasons in the NPB. Slight frame, similar to Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga. His fastball sits at 91-93. He also has a knuckle curve and change-up. His career high in innings is 160.2. He had an excellent walk rate last season, 3.7. But he also had the worst K rate of his career, 13.6. That should limit his appeal to MLB teams. He should get at least a 4-year deal, but at a lower rate than Imanaga got. Mets announced that Paul Blackburn underwent a spinal procedure. Apparently, he had a leaky spine. The Astros hired Tony Perezchica as a third base coach. He had served the D-Backs in the same capacity for the last 8 years. Dodgers announced that several players will be available for the press later today including Freddie Freeman. It is also possible they announce the pitchers for the first two games.
I think Jeff has insight in this direction, but I’d love to know if hitting coaches on a staff are all working in the same way. Do they all follow the same strategy, do they all teach the same mechanics and goals. Or is each hitting instructor going to be different, and the players on the team search out the one that best resonates with them and their mechanics?
I think the Dodgers are going through a bit of a metamorphosis in the playoffs. They still have a lot of slug because that is who they are. But they are also making better contact, not chasing, and going oppo more in the playoffs. Not always successful, but they are bunting more. 46 runs, 19 due to HR. 56 hits, 11 HR, 7 doubles, 38 singles, 42 BB. Great OBP (.395).
Was this due to RVS and Aaron Bates, I certainly do not pretend to know. But their approach certainly seems different. This is a more disciplined offensive approach against playoff pitching staffs. Is Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández and their more contact approach part of the metamorphosis?
Generally there is an organizational approach, and the architect tries to build the team around that approach (same with pitching). Most hitters do have their individual hitting coaches. It is when they go into slumps that it gets more difficult to get out of if they cannot get to their individual coach. Gavin Lux moved away from the RVS/Bates approach to Augie Schmidt’s coaching. It worked well.
I do not think that it is a mystery that CT3 was a better hitter prior to RVS. His best year was 2017. RVS gets the credit for changing his swing. Did it help him in 2020 and 2021? But after 2 1/2 really bad seasons, CT3 has gone back to his pre RVS swing in the 2nd half and he has been a better overall hitter.
Miggy Ro has stated that when he returned to LAD, the coaches wanted him “to cut loose” and go for the power. That is not Miggy Ro’s game. He went back to his approach in 2024, probably after a winter working with his personal coaches.
Regardless, the Dodgers are hitting on all cylinders since NLDS Game 4. Will it continue against NYY in the World Series? I just hope they continue to not chase, and to stay aggressive in the zone.
I heard the story that while Miggy was giving extra time to Betts on SS skills, the payback was that Betts was giving MIggy time in the batting department. MIggy no doubt has been a much better hitter this entire season.
I really like seeing the small ball approach mixed in with some of the bombers we have. Edmunds definitely has really changed the mind-set of being a batter and it has rubbed off on some of the guys.
Whatever is going on, I like it.
Go Dodgers!!!
Here is an amazing stat. Juan Soto going into his age 25 season is 20 (twenty!) wins behind where Mike Trout was (going into age 25 season.)
obviously, defensive value holds Soto back a bit, but wow!
Do you have access to offensive and defensive WAR numbers for each of them going into age 25 year?
I guess what I’m asking is how much of the extra 20 wins is made up of defensive WAR?
Also, how many games had each of them played at this stage?
No, just total WAR. As to games played?
935 for Soto.
926 for Trout.
Trout was truly ridiculous.
Trout was on his way to GOAT status.
Soto scares me more than Judge or Stanton this next round.
Especially with only one lefty in the pen and none in the rotation.
Soto has missed time with injuries too, imagine if he had been fully healthy throughout.
Been busy today and just got around to reading posts.
Jeff D. your report about Doc not using high leverage guys in games 2 or 5 is interesting and spot on.
Yesterday I commented: “ I hope we can we piece together more terrific game plans with our pitching against the Yankees. Doc and the staff has been magnificent despite what some of the semi-professional manager trolls on this site want to do and empty the chamber in lost cause situations. I’m glad the Dodger staff know when to piss on the campfire and call in the hounds in order to prosper another day.” Posters who wanted to pitch the same high leverage guys every day, even if it meant pitching with a deficit, just don’t get it.
To your point, A-Rod, in his pre-game analysis prior to the last game, stated that he was confused by some managers use of relief pitchers. He couldn’t understand why a Skipper pulls starting pitchers so they are not faced a third time yet they allow the same reliever to face the same hitter multiple times over the course of a Series.
As you point out, that’s exactly what Doc DIDN”T DO.
Why let hitters see your high leverage guys in Games 2 and 5? Knowing when to take your foot off the game was just smart management. It isn’t as simple as just saying you need to try to win every game.
This really is the playing chess while a few posters are playing checkers.
Chinese checkers at that. Spot on analysis.
Phil you better take it easy, your going to give yourself a muscle strain with all that patting yourself on the back, lol. We get it, you like how Doc has managed his staff and only a genius is capable of recognizing it. Oops, I think many actually recognize it, but carry on if it makes you feel good. Geez!
Well said Phil.
Dave Roberts says Alex Vesia is throwing to hitters today or tomorrow. He and Brusdar Graterol will be last-minute decisions as far as being on the roster submitted before Game 1 on Friday
Dave Roberts also said he expects Gavin Lux (hip flexor) in there for Game 1. Miguel Rojas has “made strides” with his torn adductor, but isn’t a lock to make the World Series roster.
Finally, it’s official: Jack Flaherty and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Games 1 and 2 in LA.
There will be a bullpen game, RN I expect it to be game 5, but too many variables.
I hope all the experts in the media pick the Yankees to win the WS. Like they picked the Puds and Mets. Look how that worked out.
The Puds? Would have been a perfect post if you had added Mutts instead of Mets.
LOL. 😃
Poll: I was wondering how many of you trust Pages in center field in a huge ballpark like Yankee Stadium. I do not want to see him out there defensively late in a tight game.
Definately need to replace him in CF late in a tight ballgame with the lead. What is the word on Rojas? Would be ideal to have him to play SS and Edman in CF.
Above
Its official. Flaherty game one, Yamamoto game two.
Google sports had a report that Freeman expects to be ready for the World Series. If he is healthy enough to put up some numbers, that is huge.
Just announced on the Dodgers twitter Fernando has passed away
Well this certainly is horrible news and puts a damper on the upcoming WS.
The Dodgers announced that six-time All-Star Fernando Valenzuela has passed away. He was 63. MLB will honor Valenzuela during the upcoming World Series games at Dodger Stadium.
I am totally stunned and very saddened.
Rest In Peace El Toro. You will never be forgotten.