The Dodgers were greeted with Noah Syndergaard as the series opening pitcher for the Guardians. There are three things Noah is noted for:
- He gives up a lot of HRs and hard hits
- He gives up a lot of SB
- He strikes out a lot of batters
His first inning had it all (first three batters):
- Mookie single (almost hard hit at 93.7)
- A Mookie SB
- A Freddie Freeman K
- A Will Smith HR (103.5)
- Max Muncy line out (99.1)
Syndergaard is a veteran and knows that the Dodgers hit fastballs very well. While he still threw both his 4-seamer and 2-seamer, it was the change and curve that hurt the Dodgers. He threw his offspeed and breaking balls for strikes enough that he did not have to rely on his fastball.
He did allow a lot of hard hits, 1 HR, only 9 whiffs, 4 Ks and 3 SB. He wasn’t great, but he wasn’t bad.
OTOH it was also a typical Bobby Miller game. He looks like a world beater thru 3, but it is that one inning that he just seems to not be able get out of the inning with 2 outs and 2 strikes. He gives up a HR, and then 3 straight singles for a 2nd run. He got thru the 5th and 6th. Most everyone thought that would be it for Miller.
Nope, he went out for the 7th, got the first out. With two LH hitters coming up Roberts fooled most observers again and let Miller face Will Brennan and Bo Naylor. A single and walk left two inherited runners for Caleb Ferguson. Ferguson got Miles Straw to ground into a force play putting runners on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs. Two more singles and a 3-run HR and for all practical purposes, this game was over.
Miller pitched very well for most of the game. He did get 20 whiffs on 60 swings. Each of his five pitches produced at least 28% swing an miss.
I am not a clairvoyant and I do not believe in hind sight criticisms, so I am not going to fault Roberts. I did find it odd because there was discussion that the team wanted to steal innings away from Miller thru the end of the season. But his pitch count was low enough to try and get thru 7. It didn’t work.
This was Caleb Ferguson’s 8th relief in August, and he has not got thru clean except for two of them. In 6.2 IP, Ferguson has inherited 7 runs and 5 have scored. He has given up 8 of his own, 13 hits, 2 BB. Right now, I am not convinced that Caleb Ferguson is a quality reliever, and I am a Ferguson advocate. For the season he now has 4 blown saves, his second in August.
Mookie was 2-3 with a BB, 2 runs scored, and his 33rd double. Will Smith homered and Freddie Freeman had a run scoring single. That was the offense. The Dodgers were 2 for 7 WRISP while Cleveland was 5 for 9.
Michael Busch in his return to LAD went 0-3 with 2 Ks.
The Dodgers have 4 affiliated teams and 3 rookie league teams. OKC (AAA), Great Lakes (A+), and Rancho Cucamonga (A) all won their respective first half championship and are in the playoffs. Of the affiliates, only Tulsa has not make the playoffs.
The Dodgers ACL team has the best W-L percentage in the Arizona Complex League. On Thursday, they will face Arizona DBacks ACL team in one of the two semi-final playoff games. If they win, they will face the winner in the other semi-final game between ACL Brewers and ACL Rockies.
The Dodgers have two DSL teams. LAD DSL Bautista has won their division, and is in the playoffs. Their 2nd team, LAD DSL Mega is also in position for a Wild Card berth. If LAD DSL Mega makes the DSL playoffs, 6 of the 7 LAD MiLB teams will make the playoffs.
Their will be 8 teams in the DSL playoffs. Four quarter-final best of three series. The four winners will play two semi-final three games series, and then the two winners will play a three game series to determine a champion. Those playoffs are scheduled to start later this week. Syndergaard is veteran and knows that the Dodgers hit fastballs very well. While he still threw both his 4-seamer and 2-seamer, it was the change and curve that hurt the Dodgers.
OKC has 29 games remaining, Tulsa has 23, Great Lakes and RC have 17.
08-22-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado) 9 – OKC Dodgers 6
With Michael Busch recalled to LAD, the Dodgers promoted Jorbit Vivas to OKC. He went 1-5 in his AAA debut. Gavin Stone was the bulk reliever in the game following Alec Gamboa. Stone allowed 2 hits, one being a HR in his 3.0 IP.
OKC had a 6-3 lead going into the 7th. Tyler Cyr and John Rooney allowed 6 runs in the 7th and Albuquerque got a 9-6 victory.
Key Performers:
- Miguel Vargas – 2-5, 1 RBI
- Yonny Hernández – 2-4, 2 runs, double (13)
- Hunter Feduccia – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs
- Bryson Brigman – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Justin Yurchak – 2-4
Tulsa Drillers 7 – NW Arkansas Naturals (KC) 4
Ben Casparius continued his hot/cold season with perhaps his best pitched game of the season. He completed 5.1 IP, allowing 1 unearned run, 6 hits, 0 walks, and 7K.
Key Performers:
- Kody Hoese – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, triple (3)
- Diego Cartaya – 1-5, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (18) – 5th HR of the month
- Josh Stowers – 1-3, 1BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (6)
Great Lakes Loons 5 – Fort Wayne TinCaps (SD) 2
The Loons, for the fourth straight game, scored in the first inning. Taylor Young doubled, and Alex Freeland walked. A double steal put two into scoring position for Griffin Lockwood-Powell. The reigning Midwest League Player of the Week plated two on a double struck 104 mph up the left-field line. Lockwood-Powell has 11 RBI in his last seven games.
Hyun-il Choi went five innings, letting up just one run on a HR. The right-hander completed his third five-inning outing in his 13th appearance. Choi retired the first six he faced and forced a double play after a leadoff walk in the top of the third. Nine-hitter Kervin Pichardo smashed a 0-1 pitch 388 feet to left field for a solo home run with two outs in the third inning.
After that, Choi sat down the next four. In the fifth inning, Carlos Luis and a Midwest League debuting Griffin Doersching both singled. The 23-year-old bounced back with back-to-back six-pitch strikeouts. A hit by pitch loaded the bases, and a groundout stranded them.
Key Performers:
- Taylor Young – 3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, double (18)
- Griffin Lockwood-Powell – 1-2, 2 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (20)
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 10 – Lake Elsinore Storm (SD) 1
Josue De Paula had a game-high four hits and Christian Romero fired five shutout innings, as the Quakes won for the second straight game overall.
Jesus Galiz, who finished with a pair of RBI singles on the night, put Rancho on the board in the first, as his first hit brought in De Paula to make it 1-0.
Rayne Doncon, who collected three hits, blasted a solo homer in the fourth, his 14th of the year to make it 2-0.
Romero (6-2) set a new career-high with seven strikeouts over his five innings, allowing just two hits.
Key Performers:
- Josue De Paula – 4-5, 2 runs. 1 RBI, HR (13)
- Jesus Galiz – 2-4, 1 BB, 1 run, 2 RBI
- Rayne Doncon – 3-5, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (14)
- Thayron Liranzo – 1-5, 1 RBI, double (19)
I agree w you re Ferguson. His era might look good but inherited runners stat is probably bad. He looks more like a thrower than a pitcher lately. I still cringe when I remember that game in Cinci where he lost all control, Dave left him in and the game was embarrassingly lost. Btw that was De la Cruz’ first big league game.
In his last 9 games Ferguson has 3 blown saves and both his ERA and FIP are on the rise. Obviously he’s in the pen rotation but if he doesn’t clean it up he won’t be on the playoff roster.
It kinda feels like if Syndergaard can slow this offense anyone can.
I think we all agree that Miller, a rookie, is a 5-6 inning pitcher. And a good one. I believe it’s a mistake to push his pitch count to near 100.
ok, it might take Busch more than 4 at bats to zone in on ML pitching. I think he will, but the heat of a playoff race might not be the time to do it. Speaking of that, yesterday we were 3.5 behind Atlanta. Today we are 4.5 behind. Is best record a goal or do we just cruise to a West win?
Ferguson is sporting a 1.45 WHIP.
Gulp.
Leaving Miller in to face the two lefties after he recorded the first out in the 7th was real head scratcher for me. Not sure what Roberts was thinking there. Fergason is not the guy I want to bring in with runners on base. He sucks with inherited runners.
It made no sense. It’s like he overreacts to criticisms that he pulls guys too early by sometimes leaving guys in too long.
I don’t think Roberts cares one bit about criticism.
It’s possible. Maybe he overreacts to the voices in his head then.
I don’t care about the loss, but with our 13 positions players largely set and our top 4 in the rotation looking solid, the bullpen becomes the main focus of the rest of the season. They failed spectacularly tonight.
Growing pains for Miller.
ESPN ($$$$) has an look at one aspect of the Dodgers’ hitting program, weighted bats:
https://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/35712396/the-los-angeles-dodgers-offseason-secret-weapon-weighted-bats
Jeff–Curious your thoughts on a couple prospects: Ben Casparius & Gabe Emmett.
Thank you
I am working on “The Not So Well Known Prospects” post. Ben Casparius will be included. This is only his 3rd year of full-time pitching. He was a 2-way player. I have not seen him this year. There is still time so I will try to catch a game. I do not believe he is a starter candidate. Probably more middle relief. His slider is a plus pitch, but everything else is below 50. He dominated at A+ as an older pitcher, but is struggling at AA. At 24, he is a tad younger than the average Texas League player. I believe he is working on a cutter and change this year, so that may be causing some of that inconsistency. His future will depend on whether he can harness another quality pitch (I know, thank you Captain Obvious). But he is trying to develop as a professional because of his later start to just pitching. Hopefully he can follow up last night’s good game with another next week.
Gabe Emmet is someone I am rooting for because he is from my Northern California back yard: Folsom. He did not get a 4-year offer out of High School and went to Folsom Lake CC. He was a surprise draft pick, even at 19th round. He is 6’5″ and skinny (175). The Dodgers saw something. He is not a strikeout pitcher and walks too many (59K, 44 BB, in 73 IP). He was California League Pitcher of the Month for July, so something is in there. Has not been good at all since June. He is just over the average age for a California League player. Maybe the Dodgers can tap into something they saw, but for me, I think he will get to fulfill his dream to be a professional pitcher, but only at the MiLB level. He will always have California League Pitcher of the Month – June 2023.
Very cool, thanks
I am not sure of how much of a factor it may or may not be, but remember, Caleb Ferguson has had 2 TJ surgeries.
Jameson Taillon, Daniel Hudson, Jason Isringhausen, Chris Capuano, Joakim Soria, Nathan Eovaldi, Drew Rasmussen, and Mike Clevinger. These are the most prominent pitchers to have recovered and pitched well after two TJ surgeries. Those that did not recover? Long list.
Rasmussen needs a third surgery for his UCL. This one is with an internal brace procedure rather than full TJ surgery. This season Clevinger missed a month and half with a biceps injury. He is having a good year otherwise.
Eovaldi missed additional time because of loose bodies in the elbow.
From June 13 thru July 24 Ferguson pitched in 15 games, 14.2 IP, 8 hits, 5 walks, 17 K, ERA 0.00, .886 WHIP, 6 holds, 5 inherited runners with 1 scoring. Since then, Ferguson has appeared in 11 games, 9.1 IP, 16 hits, 5 walks, 10 K, 4.82 ERA, 2.25 WHIP, 7 inherited runners with 5 scoring.
Is Ferguson experiencing more pain? 2024 is his final year of arbitration, and I would bet he would not like to go into his final year of arbitration with a known injury. His current year contract is $1.1MM.
This is the concern I also have with Walker Buehler. Will he make it back to elite status? If so, how long will it take to get there, and how long will it hold?
Im assuming they are trying to lengthen Miller to see if he can hack it in the postseason because,
they have acknowledged indirectly that not getting any length from their starters whether that is due to hooking them after 80 pitches, or due to the starter not being able to get through the 5th inning is a huge failure. It’s a good thing, and I liked that Miller was allowed to go out for the seventh, I think the Dodgers are finally realizing that not getting innings or length from your starting pitchers is a strategy doomed to fail.It’s a learning experience for Miller.
He’s learning on the job, and if you never let him pitch past the 5th inning, then how is he supposed to learn how to do it?I do think it was somewhat embarassing being unable to score more than 3 runs off of Syndergaard who is cooked and terrible. But these games are kind of meaningless at this point. I know they’re going to lose a few, and they have the NL West locked up.
As for Ferguson, he’s normally pretty good, he’s kind of sucked at times this year, but the Dodgers absolutely can not allow this bullpen meltdown again in the postseason. That means results are what counts right now. Meaning, the relievers that are getting the results need to be positioned to be the primary 7,8,9 guys. So right now that is Brasier, Graterol, and Phillips. If Ferguson continues to pitch like garbage, than he should not be allowed anywhere near a postseason lead in the late innings. I don’t care about lefty/righty matchups…..
Oh and how about those Padres ehhhhhh? Perfect position to make the playoffs huh? LOLZ no, sorry but the Padres stink this year. 😆 (to a few of the guys who kept telling me that the Padres were making the playoffs and soooooo scary).
GO DODGERS
PS Let’s go Dodgers
Nobody here said that Scott. What WAS said is they are far being eliminated and have the talent to make a run.
Actually I think a couple of people did say that, it wasn’t you. They said the Padres were “scary good” and in perfect position to make the playoffs despite having a losing record.
They were out of the race then Badger, and are now even further out of the race now. This year they stink.
I feel exactly the same about Buehler. Would rather not use him this year. But, if the currently broken relievers don’t mend, we will need somebody.
Brandon Gomes on the trade deadline acquisitions.
(Emphasis and underline mine).
We know how that criteria played out for the players acquired, well, because they were acquired. But we have no clue as to who was dismissed for any of the criteria (coaches’ perspectives, other players’ perspectives, how they would fit into different roles, the clubhouse culture and doing what we’re looking to accomplish).
However, don’t look for Tim Anderson to become a Dodger.
We’re more willing to pour resources into a player who has a really good reputation.”
That’s probably because chemistry and clubhouse culture matters. Take a look at the Padres. Wonder why they suck this year?
I really liked that article.
I was happy and surprised when Roberts left Miller in the game with left handed hitters coming to bat. He still had good stuff and had quickly retired the Guardians 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth. This was a learning moment for Miller. His walk to Naylor (.190 hitter) was his mistake. Roberts’ decision was backed up with stats in that Miller does much better against LH hitters (.193) than RH (.273). I loved the confidence Roberts showed Miller.
Some fans complain when a starter is going along nicely and then Roberts pulls them from the game. The when he does leave a starter in the game (finally) and it doesn’t work out the Roberts gets criticized for the loss. No it’s because……
……Miller didn’t fail. That was all on Ferguson. He didn’t do his job. When he isn’t effective there’s no doubt about it. He’s awful. I used to really like Ferguson, but this season has me thinking that he is too fragile mentally and can’t recover once things start to go south for him. Not good mental makeup for a relief pitcher. I doubt he is a Dodger next year. I certainly don’t want to see him on the playoff roster.
Carry on.
It’s been noted that Ferguson is better starting the inning. It’s my opinion that situation is where you bring in your closer. There are managers who have done that.
In case you missed it the Giants went through 10 pitchers in today’s game. They basically use a two-man rotation.
https://sports.yahoo.com/webb-and-cobb-and-a-bullpen-mob-is-the-giants-unconventional-pitching-plan-helping-or-hurting-in-nl-wild-card-chase-231710699.html
Ohtani pulled from his start in the second inning due to arm fatigue. Every time that happens, he loses money in free agency. If he cannot pitch regularly, his value as a two-way player plummets. White Sox fired their GM, and their President of baseball ops, Ken Williams. Today’s game suspended and will be resumed at 9 in the morning. Sucks for Kersh since he was trying to win number 209 and tie Big D.