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Dodgers Come Out Sour in Second Half

Bear is going to need a couple of days before his next post.  I got back to the Condo just before the game started, and the game did not put me in a mood for positive writing.  I cannot be convinced that the Dodgers are a better team than Milwaukee.

The Dodgers managed three hits, a double by Freddie, a single by Will Smith, and a single by Hyeseong Kim.  They managed to get a runner in scoring position twice.  On one occasion, Smith hit a bullet right at 3B who doubled Freddie off 2nd, and on the other, with a 3-2 pitch, Mookie struck out on ball 4.

Glasnow got squeezed on ball 4 to Isaac Collins and then gave up a one-out hard hit double to score Collins.  In 6.0 IP, Glasnow allowed the one run on 4 hits, 1 BB, and 6 K.  He threw 88 pitches, 53 for strikes.

I would like for those who think the LAD bullpen is just fine, please explain why they do not have room for Clase, Bednar, Duran, Griffin, or Fairbanks.  Because Yates, Klein, and Trivino are solid relievers?  And no, Edgardo Henriquez is not better than the relievers they are looking at. Treinen will help, but I am not convinced that Graterol will be effective when he gets back.  I am hoping for some elite back of the bullpen help.

In the last 10 games the Dodgers have scored a total of 24 runs, and none over 7 in any one game.  The Dodgers are 2-8 in those games.  Okay, I have had enough positive talk about the Dodgers.

 

 

MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORT

 

OKC Comets 5 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 2

Matt Sauer started and completed 5.2 innings.  He allowed 1 unearned run on 3 hits, 3 BB, with 11 K.

Edgardo Henriquez pitched .1 inning, allowing a BB and registering a K.  In OKC, Edgardo has appeared in 18 games and pitched 18.1 IP.  He has struck out 26 batters, but given up 20 hits and 11 BB.  He has a 5.89 ERA, and a 1.69 WHIP.

Blake Treinen and Garrett McDaniels each pitched a scoreless inning.  Treinen retired all three batters he faced and McDaniels allowed one hit.  Both pitchers registered 1 K.

Jack Little retired the final three batters for his 12th save.

 

  • Ryan Ward – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (22) and HR (25)
  • Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 1 RBI
  • Hunter Feduccia – HR (8)
  • Noah Miller – Double (3)

 

Box Score

 

Tulsa Drillers 7 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 2

LHP Jackson Ferris pitched a gem.  He completed 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, walking 1, and striking out 7.  That is 3 quality starts out of his last 4 games.  In those 4 games, he has 24.0 IP and has allowed a total of 4 runs.

  • Kole Myers – 3-3, 1 BB, 3 runs, 4 RBI, 2 HR (4)
  • Kyle Nevin – 3-4
  • Chris Newell – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (11)
  • Nelson Quiroz – 2-4, 1 RBI, double (1)

Box Score

 

Great Lakes Loons 5 – Dayton Dragons (Reds) 4

Kendall George opened the game with a single, stole 2 bases, and scored on a Logan Wagner single.

In the 6th, with 2 outs, Wagner, Elijah Hainline, and Joe Vetrano singled scoring a run. Jake Gelof singled loading the bases.  Jordan Thompson reached on an error scoring another, and Carlos Rojas singled bringing home 2 more to finish the scoring.

Sean Liñan and Evan Shaw each pitched 2.0 scoreless innings.  Four others finished up the game allowing the 4 runs on 6 hits, and 4 BB.

Logan Wagner was the only GL hitter with 2 hits.

 

Box Score

 

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 – Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 1

Aidan Foeller completed 4.0 IP scoreless innings and Jhonny Jimenez followed with 2.0 additional scoreless innings.  Three relievers followed to finish the game allowing 1 run.  Combined the 5 pitchers allowed 6 hits, walked 6 and struck out 11.

  • Jose Meza – 3-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (8)
  • Eduardo Quintero – 2-5, double (18)
  • Mairo Martinus – 3-5, 1 run, 3 RBI, double (10)
  • Victor Rodrigues – 3-5

 

Box Score

 

 

Jeff Dominique

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Scott Andes
25 days ago

Not much they can do about the slumping hitters, but why are they still playing Conforto everyday? He’s hitting .180 and has twice as many strikeouts as he does hits.

Also Scott and Yates have been total busts. How long are they going to keep using players who are not performing? When Treinen comes back one of either Scott or Yates should be designated for assignment. If that’s Yates and they keep Scott, then they should demote him from the closer role.

We’re less than three weeks from the trade deadline. Why are players continously allowed to not do their jobs and still employed let alone playing everyday? It’s mid July almost late July, it’s beyond time to get the dead weight off the roster.

On a positive note, I almost forgot how important a healthy Glasnow is for the rotation. When he is right, he is one of the best in MLB. The pitching staff is so much better with him than without.

dodgerram
dodgerram
25 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

They will NOT DFA either Scott nor Yates. No way.
They will simply push them down the trust tree and that is fine with me.
Dodgers probably will have to go after a top notch closer at the deadline, something Friedman tried to avoid because of the talent you have to give up for such an arm. But the old saying goes here too: Parades over prospects.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dodgerram
dodgerram
25 days ago

What a frustrating start to the second half.
ONly positive thing to take from that game: Glasnow pitched very, very well.
Sharp, good control and good velo up to 100.
Betts and FF do not look their usual self. That wont cut it for a WS run.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
25 days ago

Glasnow pitched very well just no offense at all they need a drastic trade. This why I said they do something with Betts Outman Conforto and Rushing and go get three or four guys that can turn this offense around shake up the team. Or are the Brewers just a better team now. Quick name the Brewers centerfielder bet you cant. I say look at teams that you could get players to replace those 4 guys I mentioned. Maybe it is in Baltimore. Or maybe its with Minnesota they have relief pitching and outfielders and a shortstop in Correa. Maybe that would be better give these guys a new place to play. Betts does not look the same. Either family problems or injuries we don’t know of but tonite his at bat’s and Ohtani were bad. Then again maybe the Brewers are just a better team and younger. Right now the Astros and the Brewers are not scared of the Dodgers.

Last edited 25 days ago by Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
25 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

Buxton, Correa, Ryan, Castro, Ox, twins for Betts, Outman, Conforto, Rushing, May, dodgers wouldn’t that be a shake up. Betts be like what happened. Um well you ain’t hitting. Off to Minnisota you go. Trades have happened before like this cuz players just need a new team.

Bobby
Bobby
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I don’t know. I like his idea. Then, I say we offer Conforto and Yates to Chicago for PCA.

Then we offer Scott and Trevino or Klein to Detroit for Tarik Skubal, while we at it.

philjones
philjones
24 days ago
Reply to  Bobby

Bobby for GM!
Thoughts on obtaining Skenes? We’re not using Kike.

Bobby
Bobby
24 days ago
Reply to  philjones

Let me ask Livy and get back to you

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Bobby

Skubal is a free agent in 26. He is being recruited by Will Smith. The Tigers would laugh in your face on that idea. And his idea is BONKERS.

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

I will say this, you come up with some doozies. There is about as much chance of a trade like that happening as me being elected to any public office. Zip, zero, nada!

Badger
Badger
24 days ago

Well looks like I was wrong. This team doesn’t appear rested and ready at all. What that means going forward? Beats me, but I don’t see a trade making a difference. The top half of this lineup has to do what they are paid to do or the 2-8 streak will continue. Yes, the bullpen looks shaky. But pitching gave up 2 runs last night and the team lost. That loss is clearly on the offense. This 10 game schneid is on the offense. They need to wake the f up.

Challenge system for ABS? No. These guys are proving getting the strike zone right is just not humanly possible. Employ the technology on every pitch. It could be done seamlessly.

Last edited 24 days ago by Badger
philjones
philjones
24 days ago
Reply to  Badger

Yup

Cassidy
Cassidy
24 days ago
Reply to  Badger
The wheels on the bus have come off for 5 guys. They have completely lost plate discipline and are swinging at so many balls out of the strike zone. Especially Pages. No need to throw any of them a strike. Ohtani and Freeman are barely keeping their heads above water. Only Kim and Smith producing. Seven more years of this Mookie Betts is going to be a tough pill to swallow for the organization.
Cassidy
Cassidy
24 days ago
Reply to  Cassidy

The wheels on the bus have come off for 5 of the guys. They have completely lost plate discipline and are swinging at so much stiff out of the zone. Especially Pages. No need to throw any of them a strike. Freeman and Ohtani barely keeping their heads above water. Only Smith and Kim producing. Seven more years of this Mookie is going to be a tough pill to swallow for the organization.

norcaldodgerfan
24 days ago
Reply to  Cassidy

Couldn’t watch the game after two innings being on the East Coast. Betts looked at two middle pitches for strikes and then swung at a ball damn near the LH batters box in the first inning. Right now he looks to be a shell of himself, completely lost and guessing at pitches rather than read and react.

Hurry back Munce, shake it up AF and jettison Conforto anywhere but the Dodgers.

Dionysus
Dionysus
24 days ago
Reply to  Cassidy

Not really

bluto
bluto
24 days ago

really good article on Betts, his swing, and his hard it is to be a professional hitter at his level:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6503409/2025/07/19/mookie-betts-slump-dodgers-brewers/?source=user_shared_article

Mookie Betts’ season-long slump has continued for the Dodgers: ‘You get so lost in it’ 

Bobby
Bobby
24 days ago
Reply to  bluto

I really cannot watch is at bats right now. He looks so so bad up there.

BUT, still plenty of time to figure it out and get hot for October.

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Bobby

It is getting late early. They are not taking quality at bats. Ohtani is chasing squirrels up there. He swings at pitches he could not hit with an oar. Betts just looks totally lost. Smith is the best thing about this team. One change for me, I put Kim at second and let him face all pitching. Small sample, but he is hitting .455 against lefties, that is so much better than Kike, or Rojas who they usually replace him with. Ruiz needs to go down, maybe to AA ball where he might be able to get a hit.

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
24 days ago
Reply to  Bobby

Maybe Mookie would like to go back to Boston theres some guys the Dodgers would like to have. DURAN the leftfielder or Story at shortstop they even have Chapman in the bullpen all players the Dodgers need.

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

Not a chance. Boston would not want his contract period. No way you could make that trade, and Story? Please, dude is way past his prime. Why are you picking on Mookie? He isn’t the only player in a slump. How about Freeman, who is 3 years older, and Ohtani, the 700-million-dollar man is hitting less than his weight the last month. Make serious suggestions not this fantasy crap.

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
24 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Because the Dodgers right now are ohtani Freeman smith pages and Teoscar Muncy the cancer is Mookie and they need get rid of the cancer to get better. So look and see who you want. Go and get a legit shortstop and leftfielder to put around those other Dodgers. That’s called a major trade.

philjones
philjones
24 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Why do you and Jeff keep taking the bait from this guy?

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I usually just comment and move on, but that last one was so insanely out there, I just couldn’t not say anything. His one glaring fault to his posts are his lack of research on the players he suggests. He also never takes into account money they may or may not be owed. But I will say, he is a passionate Dodger fan, he just lacks the knowledge of how things or AF work.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
24 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

His biggest fault is suggesting trades for players that are just not available. That, and thinking other teams will take our crap for their All-Stars and very good players.

Cassidy
Cassidy
24 days ago
Reply to  Bobby

At least he’s playing a very good short stop. We really only need his bat in October

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago

Affiliates playing better baseball than the Dodgers. They looked more like they were sleepwalking through that game. Pregame ceremony inducting the Penguin into the Legends of Dodger Baseball was more entertaining than the game. They did play solid defense though. Fred Claire looked very frail. Scioscia got in a few digs at the Penguin, the best being the quip that the Dodgers were handing out “Life size bobbleheads of him.” Reggie Smith was also there as was Jerry Ruess. LA outrighted Nastrini to AAA. Padres won and the Giants lost. Lead is 4.5. It is really hard to watch this team hit. They all look like they are pressing.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
24 days ago

I’m loving the comments about really missing Max’s bat. Do any of you remember earlier in the season when we were ready to dfa him?. That’s baseball folks. Sometimes good players go into prolong slumps. And sometimes they never pull out of them. I’m betting that Mookie will eventually be fine and he’ll be a big help during the playoffs.

Bobby
Bobby
24 days ago

God willing we do the same with Mookie come September!!

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
24 days ago

The last Trae proposal I saw

Dodgers Interested in Blockbuster Trade With Guardians For Emmanuel Clase, Steven Kwan: Report

had Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius, Josue De Paula, and one more prospect going for Kwan and Clase and possibly have to add another notable name such as Dalton Rushing or Hyeseong Kim to sweeten the deal. 

Clase is sporting a 2.91 ERA with 42 strikeouts and a 1.233 WHIP across 43.1 innings of work in 2025. He also has racked up 20 saves on the season. I’m sorry but I can’t get excited with a closer with a 1.233 WHIP or a 2.91 ERA for that matter.

If Snell, Glasnow, Kershaw, Sheehan, Yams, and Ohtani finish out the year as the rotation then the Dodgers have May, Wrobleski, Casparius as candidates to close should they be needed. I’m standing pat with the current pitching staff depth.

Kwan would be a nice addition but I want Outman in CF and Kwan, Conforto, Hernandez, Pages, and Outman tell me one or two of them should be included in a Trae for Kwan.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
24 days ago
Reply to  Bumsrap

In order to get away with playing Outman in CF, we’d have to be sure we were getting production from Shohei, Freddie, Mookie and Teo and continued production from Smith. We’d also need to make sure Conforto wasn’t starting most days and Kike is hardly a dramatic improvement.

Let’s face it, as great a guy as James is and as excellent a centerfielder as he is, he’s a total black hole as a hitter. One guy like that in a lineup with 8 other producing hitters might be OK, but right now 3/4 of our lineup is in a zombie-like state. I’ll take Kwan, thank you, and I’d be willing to move one or two of our good young starters to get him because there simply won’t be room for everyone going forward.

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
24 days ago

Dodger pitching is about get healthy and up the middle defense would support their pitching especially when the offense can’t.

Just staying with the defense thinking a bit longer, how about Teo for Arenado and put pages in RF, Outman in CF, and Kwan in LF and Conforto on the bench?

Last edited 24 days ago by Bumsrap
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago

Stay Golden Phanatic :

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Pretty funny stuff

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago

News From Internet (Draft Edition)

Keith Law recaps the NL West Draft ($$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6496058/2025/07/16/nl-west-draft-grades-picks-mlb-2025/

“Los Angeles Dodgers: Despite late first selection, a strong first two picks lead solid class
The Dodgers didn’t pick until 40 because their owners are actually willing to invest in the big-league payroll, but they made the most of it, landing Arkansas lefty Zach Root (1A) with that pick and fellow Razorback Charles Davalan (1A) at pick 41….”

Future Projection Website covered the MLB draft:

“I like the Dodgers draft quite a bit, mostly because I think they were still able to capture a lot of upside, a lot of tools, a lot of stuff, despite where they were picking…”

Jeff Spiegel had Future Dodgers on a YT broadcast recapping the draft:

My summary?
“Not as buzzy as past LAD picks, but interesting in the mix of quality and different player profiles.”

Dan Szymborski on what teams have the most to gain at the deadline:

Which Teams Have the Most To Gain at the Trade Deadline?

“The Dodgers aren’t an unstoppable force, in large part because like last season, the rotation has absorbed a ludicrous number of injuries. While their hopes to make the playoffs and win the division are quite safe, there’s no guarantee that they’ll coast to a first-round bye. And that matters….”

Mark Chiarelli on blocked prospects who could be moved ($$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-trade-deadline-10-blocked-prospects-who-could-be-impacted/

Interesting to note is that it’s Alex Freeland from LAD

Baseball America podcast covered the draft:

Among the picks they liked:
“I’ll go with the last pick of the night, of night one, rather, with the Dodgers taking Landon Viterich outfielder in Cincinnati. Really loud tool set with him, fresh off of career year. Real bat speed, consistently generates quality contact to all fields.”

Good read from a new source recapping Days 1 and 2 of the LAD draft:

“some really good picks. Not the biggest Root fan, but Davalan, Leiter, Vidourek, and Ligenza are all great gets. I like some of the upside plays in West and Hickson. A lot of reliever types which is interesting, but I like it overall”

https://medium.com/@landon_abl/dodgers-breaking-down-day-one-of-the-mlb-draft-1211ed804b0b
https://medium.com/@landon_abl/dodgers-breaking-down-the-day-2-haul-ee25b79d8de4

Davy Andrews on Ceddanne Rafaela

Has Ceddanne Rafaela Made the Leap?

Baseball America draft review:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2025-mlb-draft-reviews-for-all-30-teams/

Draft Theme: Safety Early, Risk Later

Most Interesting Pick In Rounds 4-10: OF Mason Ligenza, 6th round

Ben Resnic has NCAA WAR leaders for pitching:

Z. Root near the top!

Interesting new pitching metric called xPitching+
https://maxsportingstudio.com/explaining-xpitching/

Casarius’ stuff stood out to me.

Top Midseason Prospect Performers from Matt Eddy/BA ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-mlb-prospect-performers-in-every-organization-at-midseason/

It’s Quintero, but Hope, Sirota and De Paula get a mention.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Great stuff Bluto. Thanks for the compilation.

I find it interesting that they say Freeland is blocked and might be moved. We have no successor to Max that I can see and Max won’t be around much longer (maybe another year). On top of that you can count on him to miss a few weeks every year. So, in my mind, Freeland isn’t blocked. Maybe AF just doesn’t think he’s ready or won’t ever be ready. Otherwise I would think he’d be here now. I hope they don’t trade him unless it’s to get another third baseman.

All the draft analysis seems to suggest that Root’s secondary pitches are fine but his weak link is his 4-seam. Maybe the front office plans to change his grip or have him throw a 2-seam instead. If so and if that works, his ceiling might go up dramatically.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago

I totally agree, other than worry about starting his clock or 40 issues I don’t understand why Freeland isn’t getting some run given Edman and Kike’s form.

Badger
Badger
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

My guess is it’s because AF doesn’t feel Freeland can hit ML pitching. He’s hitting.260 at AAA. Outman is hitting .289 there. Ruiz .295.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I’ve been half hoping we trade for Kwan, but the cost would be heavy. Maybe Davalan is Kwan-in-waiting, although it will probably take him a couple of years to get here, at which point any or all of JDP, Hope or Sirota might be ready.

I fully expect either DePaula or Hope to be traded within the next 18 months. Don’t know which of the two or what they’ll bring in return. Just a feeling.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Full disclosure, I just try to grab a summary quote from each of hte articles, people should (obviously) read them for the complete analysis. I’m not sure if BA was more bullish or bearish on the Dodgers than Keith Law. I happen to like Keith Law more, but only because I find his non-baseball writings great!

OTOH, because I know nothing, any of those 6 OFs you feel particular (one way or another?) I’m pretty sure that one of those 6 will out-perform the Dodgers pick, but that’s not saying much.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

yeah, they are both wonderful references!

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
24 days ago

Wow. What a disappointing game last night. At least Glasnow looked good.

NH Dodger
NH Dodger
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

This is my biggest concern with the Dodgers at the moment. We know that all hitters go through slumps during a season but for Freeman, Betts, T. Hernandez, Conforto, and Edman these are two months or more of poor offense. The injury to Muncy has only made these other below-average performances harder to ignore. Even Ohtani, who was scorching hot in May, has had a prolonged stretch of poor plate discipline and inconsistent success. Whether it is due to his emphasis on pitching or not is hard to say though they do coincide. They can not trade their way out of this. If Freeman, Betts, Conforto, Edman, Shohei, and Teoscar are going to be like this or slightly better then the Dodgers will have to roll with it.
If this is the Glasnow we will get for the last two months and Snell returns to form in August, their starting pitching is good enough to carry this team (Yamamoto, Kershaw, Snell, Ohtani, Glasnow, Sheehan, and Wrobleski). Add another reliable bullpen arm, get a very good defensive centerfielder with bat to ball skills, move Teo to left, Pages in right, and play Kim every day at second and Edman at third (until Muncy comes back) and see how it goes.

Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I agree with you Jeff, but it’s not about “cutting Conforto and them boom the Winning starts”

Yes I agree with you that cutting Conforto won’t mean immediate wins for the Dodgers. It’s about sending a message that if you are that bad at your job, you can’t continue to waste a roster spot.

It’s about improving the roster around the edges. It’s about that it is end of July and it’s time to remove the dead weight from the roster. Conforto is bad and he’s gotta go. Taylor and Barnes were better players than Conforto and they were both let go.

Do the Dodgers just keep playing him every day? When is there some accountability for non-performing players?

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Taylor was not better than Conforto.

WTF!

Taylor for most of last year had a negative OPS+! Negative!

Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Conforto has negative war this year. More than half a win. Taylor was better defensively and played more positions. One could also argue he was even a slightly better hitter.

Conforto….-0.6 war….

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Yeah, I was speaking only of last year, when Taylor was below 0 (not below 100) in OPS+ for 70% of the year, and team kept him.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

I totally agree that Conforto is not getting it done and AF should be looking for a replacement. But, it took 2 plus years to get rid of Taylor and he was terrible. Luckily they only signed Conforto for 1 year.
A bigger worry is they signed two big name relievers for big bucks and they are not doing well. Yates is only on a 1 year deal, but we are stuck with Scott for 3 more years after this one. What was AF thinking?

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Guardians listening to offers for both Clase and Cade Smith.

philjones
philjones
24 days ago

I’m in a sour mood after watching last night’s game.
The more I watch the Brewers play, the more impressed I get, especially with Pat Murphy. He just looks like a chiseled old baseball man. Joe Davis mentioned he brings a lot of his past college baseball to the Brewers. If that means Murphy emphasizes aggressive base running, manufacturing runs with some small-ball, and relentless, pesky, at-bats, then Joe’s right. They excel at taking extra bases, stealing bases, and putting pressure on opposing defenses, even when their offense doesn’t rely on power hitting. They have pitching depth, particularly their bullpen, and strong defense. Murphy and his “200 Club” philosophy seems well suited for the Brewer’s youth, speed, and energy.

At the same time, the Dodgers look old and tired, even after the break. How long can the meat of the order, besides Smith and Pages, struggle? 
We got 3 hits and made Quinn Priester look like Cy Young with 10 K’s.
  
Gawd we take a lot of fat strikes in advantage counts: 
Example – Estuary Ruiz who is trying to make a spot for himself and stick in the outfield, pinch hit for Kim. Why, I’m not sure. Doc apparently is convinced that Kim can’t hit LHP, despite being 2 for 5 in only 11 at bats. Ruiz pinch hit against Koenig because he rakes at a .222 pace vs LHP.
So Ruiz worked a nice 2 and 0 count. And how does he take advantage of that? He takes a fastball, Green Light Special, right down the cock for strike one. He put the pitcher right back in the count then proceeded to hit the next pitch that was paint on the corner, to right field to end the 8th. Bad approach.
To add to that, in the top of the 9th, with Durbin on 1st, Ruiz in left field makes a throw where elephants go to die on Ortiz’s single to allow him to advance into scoring position. Please explain to me how you climb through the bushes to get to the Bigs and NOT know to throe that ball to 2nd base to keep the double play alive?
I see way too much of the fundamentally poor baseball.
 
Kirby Yates has dick. He’s a thumber who can’t throw his junk for strikes. He has to rely a mediocre 92 mph fastball to get something over the plate. That’s a bad recipe.
I actually see potential in Will Klein. He has nice stuff and if he ever learns to command it, he could help somebody, somewhere, some day, maybe.

So we are excited to get our pitchers back from the IL. But pitching is not the problem. The last I checked, you don’t win many games scoring ZERO.
Play better.

NH Dodger
NH Dodger
24 days ago
Reply to  philjones

Agree with you, Phil, about the Brewers style of play. Given their market-size and budget, they have done a great job of developing a team around that philosophy. Fundamentally sound, take the extra base, aggressive, make contact, and defend. The acquisition of Quinn Priester, the Rule 5 selection of Isaac Collins, developing a dominant closer from a waiver wire claim, moving Jackson Chourios through their system so quickly, etc.
When the Dodgers signed AF, I was encouraged that he would bring the team building skills he demonstrated with the Rays and couple that with the payroll that the Dodgers work with. Two WS in 11 years with a potential third title “stolen” from them is impressive. But I think that they rely more on the size of the payroll than the team building skills AF displayed in TB. As good as their farm system is rated each year, they are facing another year where lack of position player depth is hurting them. This is an old and unathletic baseball team.
One last point about style of play. I think it was the sixth or seventh inning when Kim was on first with no one out. Down 1-0. Kim, with 23 steals and no caught stealing this year, stands at first for three pitches while Edman strikes out. Then stays at first for two more pitches before Ohtani grounds into a double play. I did not understand that lack of aggression at all.

philjones
philjones
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I’ll take it a step farther Jeff. Why is Ruiz on the roster at all?

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

If I were AF, I would be very curious about Ward and if he can succeed in the show.

Sam Oyed
Sam Oyed
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Probably because Roberts didn’t want to use 2 players for one pinch hit. Of course if he had just let Kim hit he wouldn’t have had to use anybody. I’ve seen enough of Ruiz to know he isn’t the answer.

Tom1946
Tom1946
23 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Jeff –

I agree with you about RVS! I watched him try to help Bellinger out of his hitting problems a few years back and only saw Belly get worse. He had to go to another organization (Cubs) to get straightened out. If he can mess up a talent like Bellinger I have no confidence he can help anyone else….

philjones
philjones
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Great post Jeff.
I have never been an RVS fan, nor his style of hitting philosophy.

So since Ohtani has started pitching, his base stealing is a thing of the past. Why is that? Are they afraid he’ll get hurt? They didn’t seem afraid of injury when he was the DH and stole 50 bases.
So now that he’s pitched 9 innings, he can’t run anymore? He has 12 steals.

david
david
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Dodgers—–2 World Series wins in last 5 years with this ‘flawed’ system.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  david

I think Jeff’s thesis is more about the small ball style that Pat Murphy employs and that the Dodgers (and RVS by extension) stay away from.)

It’s really an aesthetic point, not a results one.

I also think this point was a little disingenous:

“Mel Didier did not need a computer to advise Kirk Gibson as to what Dennis Eckersley was going to throw on a 3-2 count in 1988 WS. He did it through extensive observation in advanced scouting. ”

I’m pretty sure that a computer would have recognized and publicized Eckersley’s tendencies a lot faster and more accurately than advanced scouting. Computers are great for a lot of things, but their real forte is finding patterns.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Yes! Total wrong word. In fact, I’m not sure what the right word would be.

I do think. And this is pure thought, without any proof. That more of advanced scouting these days is for the stuff computers may not be able to pick up. Pitch tipping in glove position. Catcher tells in how they set up. Things that are more visual or random. Not the pattern recognition that computers are amazing at.

That said, are there not training technologies which both show the pitcher (in your example: Chase Burns) and the pitch type and the release point?

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

That’s great stuff!

I only wish we could get more succinct breakdown for the Dodgers’ org hitting philosophy.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  philjones

Teams had better not sleep on the Brewers come playoff time. They have an excellent bullpen, some very good contact hitters and a very good starting rotation. They are going to be a problem come October. LA definitely needs to be hitting on all cylinders by then.

SandyAmoros
SandyAmoros
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Dodger hitters are unwatchable lately. Maybe they come out of it maybe not. The Brewers are better than LA right now the way they play the game is fun to watch. The Dodgers this year continue to reap what they have sown. Analytics home runs and K’s but somehow they manage to win in the end.

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
24 days ago

Hello Bear you don’t think I know baseball really. I remember a couple years ago the trade deadline approached and I said tge dodgers should get the shortstop from the Indians. You criticized me so badly said I was insane. And when AF went and got Rosorio you were like oh what a great addition. Sure you might not like my trade suggestions be a use you baby sine if these guys just so you can be right. Then when your wrong you then try to take the credit. What these Dodgers should do this year is. Da e should call mookie into his office. And say mookie we’re going yo ovr you back to rightfield so you can concentrate on hitting znd go get a shortstop or bring in Tommy to play shortstop. But I know your going to argue and say no Bradley mookie is the shortdop he is not moving he is playing there. And see that’s the problem you an others think he is. But Robert’s should say for the team were moving you back to rightfield and sliding Teoscar back to leftfield. And then bat mookie leadoff then Ohtani second piss mookie off by moving him. So you think zi don’t know basebsll coached high school and junior high baseball when a player is not performing you move them around snd play a player that’s better. And guess what Bear Mookie cinforto and the closer for this team are the problem so you Bear and Jeff think I don’t follow and suggest whst to do. Also I Read trade rumors to before I post them. The Twins are a team the Dodgers are looking at trading with Duran and Castro and Buxton have been rumored to the Dodgers.

Last edited 24 days ago by Michael Norris
Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

Bradley, I did not say you don’t know baseball, I said you don’t quite understand what goes on behind the scenes or what goes into trading for or signing a player. I said you do not do research thoroughly. Just reading the trade rumors does not cut it. As far as the Rosario trade, did they make him the starting SS? No, I knew that would not happen. He was nothing more than a utility guy in LA and he played SS very little in LA. He played just 16 games at SS in his first stint in LA and none when they traded for him last year. I never said he was a great addition to the team. The Dodgers did not think enough of his performance to put him on the playoff roster, so get your facts straight. I admitted I was wrong about them trading for him at the time, but you forget I said that. I don’t take credit for any of those moves. When they happen, I am most often am surprised by them. Listen friend, handling high school and junior high players is a totally different animal than managing pros. The Dodgers moved Mookie back to right last year after he returned from his broken hand. He was all for the move because it helped the team, he is if nothing else a team player. But before any team would trade for him, they would have to agree to take on his salary, which has a substantial amount of money deferred. But when you make trade suggestions involving Betts, I never see you take that into consideration, just like you did not consider that when talking about them trading for Arenado. But he is not moving back this year, as a matter of fact, he is one of the better defensive SS in the league. And managers don’t tell 30-million-dollar players what they are going to have to do. I am pretty sure if Roberts and the front office felt Mookie moving back to right was best for the team, they would sit down and talk to him about it, not say move or else. It is not just me that believe he won’t move; it is the people who run the team. If YOU have a problem with that, take it up with Roberts and management. MLBTR is nothing more than a rumor mill. Very little of what they say comes true. I read the rumors too, but I put little stock in them. What I read that is more relevant is baseball reference checking the players stats and splits. They also shot the players contract status. If you think that Conforto, Betts and Scott are the only problems the Dodgers have, you are mistaken. Their problem is that every player in the starting lineup is in a slump. Smith is the only consistent hitter. Freeman has been on a downhill slide for over a month. Teo hasn’t been the same since he came off of the IL and Ohtani’s offense has suffered ever since he started pitching again. Betts is far from the only problem. As for the Twins rumors, I have read all about them having an interest in the two relievers, Duran and Jax, Castro has only pitched in 1 game. As for Buxton, he has a full no trade clause and has stated he will not be traded, and he wants to stay a Twin. The Twins might trade Duran, but he would not be cheap. There is another rumor involving the Indians. Clase and Cade Smith are the two names mentioned, Kwan’s name has also been tossed out there. But and he is the main point you always seem to miss, both teams have to agree on the package being sent and there are other teams who need the same thing the Dodgers need with better prospects in their system than LA has. Freidman will A. not overpay what he feels is a fair trade, and B. Not get into a bidding war with another team, and C., not make a knee jerk move just because the Padres or Giants, LA’s two closest pursuers make a major deal to improve their teams. Those are the hard facts. Not just an opinion. If that irks you, well, I am sorry. I deal in things that might really happen, not fantasy moves. Also, I respect you enough as a poster and I do not remove your posts, something I have seen done often on other sites when someone disagrees with the editor or writer. You have always kept it civil, and that is respected. I won’t always agree with you, but I respect that you have a right to your opinion. Just my feeling you should do a little more checking of the facts before suggesting a move or a major trade.

Last edited 24 days ago by Michael Norris
Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

My point was to get quality players you trade quality guys. To get a good shortstop use Betts as bait to improve the team. And get a good shortstop and outfielder. You aren’t trading Freeman or Ohtani or Smith so to get a good shortstop then who? And for Pete shakes do something something with the lineup. Let’s see there’s Witt with the Royals he be great asking price alot so Correa nice by nd glove with twins he be great in this lineup one more jp Crawford with the Mariners get a younger SS and better fielder and Seattle gets a player like Betts and other players notice that and go on BETTS is in Seattle and then they wat to go there. That’s why I suggested using Betts as trade bait to improve shortstop dor the Dodgers.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

Well, that is your opinion, and I respect that. I am just pretty sure Mookie Betts is not getting traded, and I am also pretty sure KC won’t trade Witt since he is the face of their franchise and signed a very team friendly contract. Correa has more errors than Betts this season. His chances of being traded to LA are pretty low since he was part of that Astro’s team in 2017. He would be booed unmercifully in LA. Fans don’t like cheaters. Here is why trading Betts is very hard. I am not dissing the idea; I am just stating the facts. Mookie is owed over 220-million-dollars over the next 7 seasons after this one. No team is going to take on that salary. Only a couple could. I understand you trade quality for quality, but in this era, that is not always the case. Even when the Dodgers traded for Machado, they used prospects, not position players or guys on the roster. Same thing when they got Turner and Scherzer from the Nats. Straight up trades of star players are very rare anymore. When Soto was traded to the Yankees, the Padres did not get one player back who was comparable to Juan. It usually does not matter to teams out of the race wanting a star player in return for their star. Usually in this era, they want prospects back.

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

I agree with all of that Jeff, and if Bradley so desires, I will refrain from posting when he suggests a trade. Not a problem here.

John
John
24 days ago

DFA Conforto and use his spot on the roster and bring up Ward and give him a chance he’s earned.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
24 days ago
Reply to  John

That is what I would do.

Norcaldodgerfan
24 days ago
Reply to  Jeff Dominique

Wow, players that didn’t play in the AS game got four days off to decompress and get rested and Mookie gets a day off in game #2 of the second half.

Is Doc sending a message or did Mookie want a day off? Not trying to suggest drama but it sure seems odd he would get a day off so early.

Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago

Just read on X that Plunkett heard from Doc that he just wanted Betts to watch a baseball game. Kopech is throwing and has circled August 27 as a return date. It is the date he can be activated off of the 60-day IL.

Last edited 24 days ago by Michael Norris
Michael Norris
Editor
24 days ago

Betts not in the lineup tonight. Rojas playing SS batting 9th. Smith is in the 2 hole with Freeman 3rd, Teo 4th, then Pages, Conforto, Edman and Kim. Sheehan starting against Peralta. May is now going to be the pitcher piggybacking Ohtani.

david
david
24 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Ok, So we all would like to go back to the ‘good old days’ of chewing tobacco, bunting, hitting behind the runner, stealing bases, best hitter hitting cleanup etc and ‘old school’ managers. And maybe the Brewers can put it together for a year or 2 and then the manager is fired. The fact is that analytics has shown that this is not the best way to score runs. And the latest World Series winners are almost all big spending, slugging teams. And players are not going to end slumps by trying to hit it up the middle. And baseball isn’t going to end bat flipping. I know that the Beatles were the best ever, but times change.

Last edited 24 days ago by david
Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  david

The game has evolved. A lot. Several players still chew despite all the warnings.

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
24 days ago
Reply to  david

Times be a changing belongs to Bob Dylan

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  david

It’s aesthetics and present bias. Nobody would rather be a brewers fan, but right now they are playing better and, because of that, more fun to watch.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Sam Oyed
Sam Oyed
24 days ago

Mookie Betts on his struggles

https://flip.it/P5t1MF

Cassidy
Cassidy
24 days ago
Reply to  Sam Oyed

Our young pitchers really need to learn how to buck up and pitch out of trouble. Right now they just crumble.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Cassidy

I feel like the fans on this blog and a few others are very close to worrying about effort and body language.

The team will be fine.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Cassidy
Cassidy
24 days ago
Reply to  Cassidy

Brewers are just relentless. Right now they’re just a better team. Much better bullpen.
Actually, I think the key to ending this horrible Dodger streak is to get Mary Hart back behind home plate! “Come home Mary, we need you!”

Last edited 24 days ago by Cassidy
Scott Andes
24 days ago

Sometimes records can be deceiving and when you look at the Dodger’s record (58-41) you would think that they are having a great season. But they are 24-26 against over .500 clubs. They’ve beaten up bad teams but play very poorly against good teams. (They are now 0-5 vs. Milwaukee)

There is a glaring weakness on this team that maybe some of you haven’t noticed. And if you watch the games you will notice. They are constantly losing early in almost every game by the fifth inning.

This game was a microcosm of the Dodger’s season. By the fifth inning they were down 4-0. Poor starting pitching from Sheehan and then the bullpen continues to leak runs later in the game. In order to win tonight they needed to score 9 runs. It’s very hard to win when you’re down by 3, 4 or 5 runs in the middle innings, or having to come from behind every night and score 4, 5, 6 or more runs to win. And that’s the only way the Dodgers can win.

There are more than one way to win ballgames, the Brewers are a good example. They pitch well, they don’t fall behind by several runs in the first couple of innings. Their bats spray the ball all over the field, they run, steal, take extra bases and play solid defense. Mix in some power and well timed hits and you have a well rounded club.

The Dodgers are one-dimensional and you can’t expect them to score 8 runs every night and have frenzied comebacks. If the Dodgers don’t hit home runs they have trouble scoring. Half of their runs came on home runs tonight (Ohtani, Edman, Rojas) one was scored on a wild pitch. The Dodgers have a weak bullpen, a thin rotation that is not able to pitch deep into games and poor in-game execution.

I understand teams go through slumps but if you can only win games one specific way, then you’re going to have trouble.

Here’s an idea, how about getting a lead early and then holding it. Not falling behind by 4 runs in the second or third inning.

There is not one reliever in that pen that installs fear in the opposition. The starting left fielder has been hitting .170 all year and management refuses to let him go. Their two first look free agent relevers have pitched very poorly and are not able to hold leads. Why not try something new, upgrade the edges of the roster by letting go of Conforto, Scott and Yates?

Edman had a good game but he was 0 for his last 29 before tonight and the team keeps putting him in the lineup.

The team will continue to lose until they can figure out how to execute better in games, make some adjustments and figure out how to win other than coming from 4-5 runs behind in the late innings. I think the team has to bottom out before management tries something new. The lineup has shouldered the load the entire year and they are running on fumes.

There are other ways to win games folks.

Last edited 24 days ago by Scott Andes
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

There will be no bottoming out.
They aren’t running on fumes.
The team isn’t going to change how they play.
The losing wont continue.
Conforto, Scott and Yates won’t be let go.

Other than being wrong often and consistently, its nice to get this from Scott.

Some things never change.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Bluto,

Im just pointing out flaws in the roster and game execution. But you would rather argue with me without providing any insights to counter.

What do you think about the poor play? What’s your take on the team falling behind in the early innings almost every night?

You are wrong consistently. So we can agree to disagree here.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

I think they are playing poorly.
I think they are falling behind early.

We agree on that!

Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Care to elaborate? Any insights?

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Not really. What more needs to be said?

But if you insist, I’ll elaborate:

They will play better.
They probably will continue, on occasion, to fall behind early.
They’ll make the playoffs (If they’re lucky again, they’ll win the World Series again.)

Here are some insights:
Pitchers will come back (remember when you said they wouldn’t?)
They won’t tear down the staff (remember when you thought they should?)
Hershiser won’t be hired as pitching coach (remember when you suggested he should be?)
Sinkers will be thrown (remember when you said they weren’t?)
Yates and Scott won’t be released (remember I just said that?)
They won’t change their offensive approach (remember I just said that?)

Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Brilliant insight Bluto, my responses…

Pitchers will come back. (Some will, some won’t, which is what I said. )

They won’t tear down the staff. (They should, the Dodgers have had one of the worst pitching staffs in the National League all season)

Hershiser won’t be hired as pitching coach. (He can’t hurt, don’t you think Orel Hershiser knows pitching? It’s not like the staff can pitch any worse than they already have)

Sinkers will be thrown (I don’t think I said they weren’t being thrown, just not utilized as much as they should)

Yates and Scott won’t be released. ( they should be released because they both suck and continue to pitch poorly)

They won’t change their offensive approach(maybe they should. Make an adjustment to their approach, which others here have also suggested.)

This is all you got?

Last edited 24 days ago by Scott Andes
Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

What do you mean is that all I “got”?

You just repeated your own talking points!

No, I have nothing more to add on your talking points. They remain stupid and performative.

But thank you for asking!

Why don’t you repeat them again, maybe do it six times!

It’ll be fun when nothing comes of them. Maybe not 6x the fun, but why don’t we find out!

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

I responded to all of your “points” with my responses in parenthesis. You have nothing to add because you never do, and as expected resort to name calling and insults.

I wholeheartedly disagree with you Bluto. I am still waiting for you to add any kind of insight here other than telling me I’m wrong and my talking points are stupid.

I hope you have more to add then just this.

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

I’m not adding, I’m asking. (I’ll even beg if you want.)

Please stop posting inane stuff.

As for me? I have nothing to add, I have no insight to surface. I have nothing beyond what I’ve said.

If you missed it because your brain was too busy with silly thoughts, I’ll repeat it:

The Dodgers aren’t playing well.
They will play well.
If they get lucky, they will win the World Series.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

First of all, I can post whatever I want as long as Jeff is ok with it. This is his site, not yours. Nothing I posted was out of line. I’m discussing Dodgers baseball, like anyone else here.

Second, you’ve posted nothing useful. There’s more to it then just “they’re not playing well, and if they’re lucky they’ll win the world series”.

Once again, I disagree with you. Care to try again and post some actual thoughts?

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Scott,

Hold on. Wait a second.

Did you just write that the following are not “actual thoughts”:

The Dodgers aren’t playing well.
They will play well.
If they get lucky, they will win the World Series.

What do you think those statements are if not thoughts. Are they divine truths? Voodoo whisperings?

Obviously you can post anything you want. I’m asking you to post thoughtful stuff. You are a smart guy. You write good stuff, on occasion, on your blog. Just don’t write stupid stuff that you know will never come true or happen.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

I think it’s your way of avoiding real discussion and oversimplifying the Dodger’s problems.

Hopefully they will start playing better. But don’t you think their issues go deeper than just “they’re not playing well”?

Bluto
Bluto
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

No, I do not.

I’m going back to my book.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bluto
Scott Andes
24 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

You’re like the Seinfeld of Dodger posters. Your posts are about nothing.

Good talk Bluto.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
24 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

The team will continue to lose until they play up to their capabilities. That will happen sooner than later.

AF will add a piece or two later this month.

By September most of you (except Bluto who hasn’t been worried all year) will let out a sigh of relief and watch them do whatever they will do in the playoffs.

If I thought they’d play this way for the rest of the year, I’d be worried too…..but I expect a major turn around shortly. Talent usually finds it’s level and we have as much talent as anyone.

dodgerram
dodgerram
24 days ago

Agree with your last sentence. But some of our most talented guys are slumping very, very badly for almost the entire season . Can not overlook that fact when talking about talent.
Especially Betts, FF and Teo are not up to their usual self. Hurts the offense immensely.

Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  dodgerram

Actually, if you’re talking about the offense, they haven’t been really badly slumping for as long as you might think.

Freddie was leading the league in batting for a couple of months, Teo got off to a strong start until he got injured, Shohei looked fine for the first couple of months.

It’s mostly been Mookie who hasn’t looked himself for the whole season. At the risk of agreeing with Bluto, I’m not particularly worried, although if those four guys are still slumping at the end of August come back and ask me again.

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
24 days ago

Oh yes AF will make changes at the deadline for this team. Because well it needs improving in alot of areas. Even when Muncy was playing they weren’t on all cylinders either. Sure, I post trade suggestions. And I hear about and read about rumors who the Dodgers are looking at. This is a blog. Where fans can say and post what they hear and suggest what the team should do. But some gentleman on here always want to criticize what you say. Because they think they are the smartest guys in baseball on here. It’s a fan forum where fans chat. So, you can argue and vent and suggest things. And then see what happens with the team. It’s the wondering what they will do. That is what I like. What will the team do to get better and then wait and see.
How do they get better and just wait and see.

Last edited 24 days ago by Bradley Lawton
Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  Bradley Lawton

Well at least you called me a gentleman, and I agree with you, there will be adjustments to the roster. I just disagree on the who. Never claimed to be the smartest guy about baseball on this blog. I just do a ton of research first before I post.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago

Well crap!! Offense shows up tonight and the pitching goes to pot. At least we got lucky and the Puds and Gnats both lost. Clayton needs to stop the bleeding again.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

OKC scored a 14-3 win last night. Ward hit his 26th homer and Senzel #8. But the story was Wrobo going 6 innings giving up a hit and an unearned run with no walks. He struck out 6. Frasso allowed the other two runs in his only inning of work. Looks to me like Casparius has flamed out a little. His ERA up over 4 now at 4.64. He doesn’t even look like the same pitcher he was early in the year. Pages, Freddie and Kim all with o-fers. Pages BA down under .280 now. He took a ball right down the middle for strike three and then argued with the ump about it. Why is Ruiz on this team?

Bluto
Bluto
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Ruiz is on the MLB team because he’s on the 40. That and the seeming fact that the team doesn’t view Ward as a prospect.

take those two together… And voila. Ruiz.

Wayne
Wayne
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Right now, Conforto and Pages dragging down the middle of this lineup. Muncy’s bat sorely missed.

But the top of the lineup will determine the fate of this team. Freeman’s and Betts’ bats must soon find their past star-level forms during the regular season, or else it won’t just magically reappear in the playoffs come October, ..and that spells no championship for this year. And what Kiki has done in the playoffs–regardless of the regular season–is an anomaly, and doesn’t apply to Betts or Freeman.

Last edited 23 days ago by Wayne
Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  Wayne

Conforto is actually one of the players who is not in a deep slump. Not hitting great, but taking better AB’s.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago

Dodgers have been very lucky the Puds and Gnats are not playing much better than they are.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Today’s lineup against Quintana. Betts SS, Ohtani DH, Hernandez RF, Freeman 1B, Edman 3B, Rojas 2B, Pages CF, Ruiz LF, Rushing C: Kershaw P,

Bradley Lawton
Bradley Lawton
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Sweet be nice to see how that works with Betts leading off. Lineup isnt murderers row like we thought there lineup would be. But it’s a little change to see if it helps Betts and Ohtani. I myself would like to see them bring up Ward to play leftfield and Snezel to play thirdbase sometimes new faces bring a spark to the clubhouse.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Love the idea of Mookie back at leadoff, even if he’s in a gigantic slump. That might just be enough to get him out of it. And by doing that it forces them to move Shohei to a spot other than first in the order which I’m also in favor of.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Mookie is a career .296 hitter as a leadoff man. 228 of his homers have come in that spot in the order. He hits 23 points lower in the 2 hole. Ohtani is at .285 leading off and .287 in the 2-slot. His OPS in the 2 is 1.008. It is .996 leading off.

Wayne
Wayne
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Maybe this day we’ll discover why they love Ruiz so much.
….yeah ….right.

philjones
philjones
23 days ago

I see that Tony Clark the MLPA executive director, has proposed an idea provide a little grace, a “buffer zone” a half-inch or so, with the ABS Challenge System used to overturn calls that are wrong by a razor-thin margin. You know, wrong but not that wrong.
Get that? A missed call that isn’t missed after all. Sort of an “ish-ee” call.
You know a “strike-ish” or “ball-ish”.

And why a 1/2? Why not an inch or two?  
Get that? A missed call that isn’t missed after all.  
Instead of just implementing a full-time ABS we will need to further complicate the process. Hell why would you would want to call balls, “balls” and strikes, “strikes?
Maybe the solution if it can’t be decided whether the pitch was a ball or strike, it’s just called “No pitch”, like it never happened. A mulligan.
Great idea Tony 
(sarcasm alert)

Scott Andes
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

The idea that Clark is referring to is trying to save the skill of catcher framing. The skill of stealing strikes for catchers is something they can get paid a little more for, that’s why you see catcher framing stats now. Teams look at those and teach the catchers in their organizations how to steal as many strikes from the umpires as possible.

Im OK with the challenge system, but a full time ABS which is likely what they are heading towards would eliminate catcher framing entirely.

I don’t think it’s possible even with technology to get every call right. A lot of these pitches end up being right on the border (another reason for Clark’s buffer zone idea) and they are very difficult to tell if they are balls or strikes.

philjones
philjones
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Scott, I don’t think that’s what Clark is talking about at all. That’s complete speculation. Did you read his comments? He said nothing about preserving framing.

Badger and I have had this discussion before:
Framing should not influence a Home Plate Umpires call of a ball or strike, at all.

First of all the HPU should be watching where the ball crosses the plate, not where the catcher catches the pitch.

I will say that a pitcher can get a close strike called a ball if he misses his target on the opposite side of the plate, a 17 inch miss.
And if the catcher has to stab across the plate, or up and down to catch such a miss, it won’t be a strike.
But I don’t believe as many pitches are influenced or stolen by framing as people imagine if the HPU is doing his job properly.

Also if lack of framing with ABS causes catchers to get off that knee, back on their feet and actually block pitches again – I’m all for it.

Last edited 23 days ago by philjones
Scott Andes
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

You are correct Phil, I am speculating. I am speculating that this could be the reason why he would want a buffer zone. Why else would he?

Important caveat here, the home plate umpire is never influenced by framing, he is fooled by it. That’s what framing is all about, fooling the umpire into calling a ball a strike.

Badger
Badger
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Every umpire from junior high school up knows the strike zone is over the plate. Where the catcher catches it has nothing to do with it. These guys aren’t being fooled by catchers, they are just missing the calls.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

What an incredibly stupid idea. Good grief. So a 3-2 pitch misses the ABS strike zone by 1/4 inch and is called a strike and the batter is out. On review it is shown to be a ball and the hitter walks. But since there is a buffer zone the call is not overturned. Yeah, that will go over well.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  OhioDodger

Home plate ump sucked again today

Bluto
Bluto
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

I mean it’s pretty evident the thinking, not sure why it’s causing a stir.

In the midst of a game, if a pitch is really close but the batter or pitcher is unsure. They may be reticent to waste their challenge, especially early in the game (even if it’s a high leverage situation.)

They now have a little grace period to make the challenge and not waste it.

It’s pretty liberating for the players.

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

Bear/sarcasm alert are sometimes one in the same, no?

Are fans to the point of calling for Roberts’ head? Will those calls start trickling in?

Are the Dodgers afraid that if they release Conforto the Padres, who need a left fielder, would pick him up at a salary cost of about $300,000 with the Dodgers then having to watch Conforto hit like he did last year? If so, include Conforto plus a lot of his salary in a trade for Kwan plus whatever else the Dodgers would have to give up.

Would Conforto serve the Dodgers better on the bench instead of Outman? I say yes.

Would Teo regain his Teoism if he were to spend time on the IL faster than he would playing through his injury?

AND, no, I am not suggesting Roberts be fired. Stirring the pot maybe but not making that call.

Last edited 23 days ago by Bumsrap
Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  Bumsrap

Haven’t seen any of that yet. I think Teo should have spent a little more time on the IL, same with Edman.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  philjones

Really surprised to see Clark come up with that. Sounds like something the head of the umpires’ union should have suggested.

Badger
Badger
23 days ago

It’s a strike or it isn’t. And everyone watching the game can see if it is or isn’t. The only one who cannot see if it is or isn’t is the guy making the call. What a laughably absurd situation. Why in the world are the guys who are being made fools of on national t.v. not on board with using the technology available to get it right? End this nonsense. ABS in the home plate ump’s ear and the call is made immediately.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  Badger

Maybe the umps are afraid that if everything is done automatically, they’ll soon be replaced by robots. In other words, they have the same worries as most every other occupation does these days.

Badger
Badger
23 days ago

There will never be robots on the field. But AI will be.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago

Doc says that Mookie will remain in the leadoff spot until Max returns.

Logic tells me that means once Max returns, he’ll be the new leadoff guy.
(May I borrow your sarcasm flag, Phil?)  😎 

Philjones
Philjones
23 days ago

It’s all yours, STB.

bisonjones
bisonjones
23 days ago

Yikes — the not-so-pretty baseball continues. The beatings will continue until morale improves 🙂
I am still holding onto a little thread of hope that the first-half comeback kids will pull this one out with some magic in the last four innings.
Come on guys!

Bluto
Bluto
23 days ago
Reply to  bisonjones

bad baseball!
unlucky beanings

bummet

Badger
Badger
23 days ago
Reply to  bisonjones

Yep, just sitting here waiting for the home runs to win it.

bisonjones
bisonjones
23 days ago
Reply to  Badger

Drats — Mookie hit it on the screws.

Last edited 23 days ago by bisonjones
Cassidy
Cassidy
23 days ago
Reply to  Badger

Boy, would I rather have had Ohtani up there. And the pain just won’t stop!

Bluto
Bluto
23 days ago

i’m not watching, nor listening to the game today. But there seems to be a split online between whether Pages was given a stop sign, or stopped running on his own.

Does anyone have anything to illuminate?

NL West

July 3:
LA  —
SD  9
SF  9
ARI 12.5

July 20:
LA  —
SD  3.5
SF  6
ARI 8

Wayne
Wayne
23 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

Don’t know who made the decision, but had Pages tried for home, he would’ve been thrown out at the plate. Staying at 3rd was the right play.

Scott Andes
23 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

It looked like from watching on TV that Pages was given the stop sign. I couldn’t tell 100% though Bluto.

Duke Not Snider
Duke Not Snider
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Pages apparently got the stop sign….but if he had been running harder and rounded 3rd, Ebel might have been waving for him to go for it.
No guarantee that Pages could have made it.

On defense, Pages botched one fly ball and made a nice catch on another. When Kershaw left the game, he seemed pretty pissed about the defense, perhaps most by Ruiz’s sloppy bobble that allowed a runner to take the extra base.
Alternative defense: Outman in CF probably makes both catches, and Pages in LF makes the plays Ruiz couldn’t.
Brewers won with their defense.
And the Dodgers’ defense was costly.

Last edited 23 days ago by Duke Not Snider
Bluto
Bluto
23 days ago
Reply to  Bluto

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago

Pitiful. Just pathetic.

Wayne
Wayne
23 days ago

This bullpen excels at leaking runs. No confidence in them whatsoever.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  Wayne

This loss was on the defense; 3 errors is inexcusable.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Bullpen also sucked.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago
Reply to  OhioDodger

Vesia, Trevino and Klein, what the hell is he doing on the roster anyway, gave up runs. Banda and Yates had scoreless innings. As a matter of fact, they kept the Brewers quiet the last 3 innings. Errors set up those runs. You can’t walk the leadoff man and Kersh did that in the 5th.

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

As we said in the Army, It was a cluster f**k.

Michael Norris
Editor
22 days ago
Reply to  OhioDodger

More than once

Cassidy
Cassidy
23 days ago
Reply to  Wayne

Nothing working now. Starters, hitting, defense, base running, effort. Just a train wreck right now!

OhioDodger
OhioDodger
23 days ago

X-Rays were negative on Freeman’s wrist per David Vassegh.

Wayne
Wayne
23 days ago

David Vassegh reports x-rays were negative on Freddie Freeman’s left wrist.

Last edited 23 days ago by Wayne
Scott Andes
23 days ago

We are definitely seeing the cratering and collapse of their season under the weight of injuries, poor management and dreadful pitching. I don’t see them going anywhere this year…sorry guys. I’m going to call it…RIP 2025 Dodgers season.

On a funny note, kudos to Ruiz for hitting his first career home run as a Dodger. That means he’s already more productive than Conforto has been the entire season.

Dodgers relievers rank 24th in the majors with a 4.38 earned run average, and they’re at an ugly 5.28 mark over the past month. -from MLBtraderumors

Last edited 23 days ago by Scott Andes
Cassidy
Cassidy
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

That clinched it Scott. Dodgers repeat!!!!!!

norcaldodgerfan
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Not giving up on them yet but the offseason acquisitions/signings have been horrible. I’ll grade them from my perspective:

Tanner Scott—D-
Kirby Yates—-D-
Conforto—-F
Snell—–F (to this point, maybe he comes off the IL and is “light’s out”
Teoscar—-C- (three years—ouch)
Sasaki—–D ( a lot of upside, but not much to speak of to this point)
Hyseong Kim—B+

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Sasaki might be back in August. He is throwing again.

Jeff
Jeff
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

What does that mean?

they dont win another gme?

or they trade everyone next wk?

Scott Andes
23 days ago
Reply to  Jeff

Both! Joking of course.

I’m trying to help here. When I call the season over is when they usually go on a winning streak.

So….shhhhhh

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

Just out of curiosity, Scott, on what date last year did you declare them finished for 2024?  😜 

Scott Andes
23 days ago

Around this time. You’re welcome.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  Scott Andes

I hope your powers are still working.
If so, they should put you on the payroll for 2026.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

More concerned about Freeman than the losing streak. Doc said after the game, that the X-Rays were negative and Freddie is day to day. If Freeman misses a couple of days, Rushing will get the starts at first. Minnesota comes in tomorrow. Ohtani hopes to go three innings. Would the Dodgers try to pull the trigger on a trade with the Twins for one of their relievers before the deadline? They have done it before. Guardians have rebuked all trade requests for Clase according to MLBTR and the A’s are not putting Miller on the block.

Duke Not Snider
Duke Not Snider
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

The Guardians probably just want a better offer…
Might be BS, but the blockbuster notion for Clase and Steven Kwan isn’t the worst idea I’ve seen.
Kwan is a hit machine with a gold glove in LF. Clase, who absolutely great last season, is not as good this season–but better than Scott and Yates.
Take it with a grain of salt, but one bit of speculation had the Dodgers offering De Paula, Wrobleski, maybe Casparius and a prospect to be determined.
Given the comparisons to Soto, some prospect-huggers wouldn’t think of dealing DePaula straight up for Kwan…
Maybe De Paula will live up to the superstar hype, but maybe he’s the next Cartaya. If DePaula departs, that would leave Hope, Sirota, Quintero, George, the big kid from Taiwan and the new guy from Arkansas as the Dodgers’ top OF prospects.
Kwan is a proven commodity who would certainly solve the Conforto problem.

Last edited 23 days ago by Duke Not Snider
Michael Norris
Editor
22 days ago

Not according to MLBTR and the reason is his reasonable contract and team control. The cost for Clase would be very high and we all know AF hates to overpay.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Good news is that Snell went 4 innings at OKC giving up just 1 run and striking out 6. Treinen also recorded a scoreless inning. Knack went 3 innings and allowed 3 runs. Little got the save with a scoreless 10th. Ward had 2 more hits, now batting .314. Senzel had 2 more hits to bring his average up to .257.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Phillies signed free agent reliever, David Robertson.

Michael Norris
Editor
23 days ago

Kersh more than a little bit upset with his teammates, and he let them know it. Might be a good thing if someone on this team gets really pissed.

Singing the Blue
Singing the Blue
23 days ago
Reply to  Michael Norris

Exactly how did he let them know it?

Michael Norris
Editor
22 days ago

His post-game comments let everyone know he was not happy. He was restraining himself from saying something publicly.

Duke Not Snider
Duke Not Snider
23 days ago

Well, you could see him throwing his glove in the dugout…
Don’t blame him.

Dionysus
Dionysus
23 days ago

He shut down his blog

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
23 days ago

He started with dadgumit

Bumsrap
Bumsrap
23 days ago
Reply to  Bumsrap

Then he threw his chalkstick at Conforto

Tom1946
Tom1946
22 days ago
Reply to  Bumsrap

Am I just too old school because I was taught when catching flyballs using two hands was preferable to using just the glove hand? Also, getting to the “spot” to use both hands was preferable to relying on one’s speed. Frankly, Pages seems so nonchalant in his centerfield play that I get nervous when the ball is hit his way. Granted, he made a great catch later running into the wall but if he had given the same effort earlier Kershaw would have been out of the inning. Just wondering….

Last edited 22 days ago by Tom1946
OhioDodger
OhioDodger
22 days ago

The team is in the worst funk we have seen in a long time. Hitting slumps happen. But, in addition, they are playing poor fundamental baseball right now. Some things need to change soon. Seems like they are just going thru the motions.

Gonna be interesting to see what AF does.

Michael Norris
Editor
22 days ago
Reply to  OhioDodger

A few seasons ago, they lost 11 straight. Still won the division. This happens to every team at some point. What makes this different, and Doc alluded to it, rarely do you see all of the teams’ stars go in the tank at the same time.

SandyAmoros
SandyAmoros
22 days ago
Reply to  OhioDodger

Should straighten the ship a non 500 team coming in they need it. About the only type team they can beat right now.

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