This had to be a tough game for fans who seemingly quit on certain players after some bad performances. And yes I know that everyone here is a Dodger fan, no matter the complaints. Some fans are glass half full, while others are half empty. I think we all have a tendency to get disappointed in losses and then hold specific players accountable. We have no control over any of the outcome, so we can only react in a way that we are most comfortable. It’s has to be somebody’s fault. But sometimes, the other team is just better on that given night. S*** happens!
Last night we had some fans give up on Bobby Miller after only the 1st inning. He then reeled off 4.0 excellent scoreless innings. Bobby Miller is arguably the second best starter in the LAD rotation. I believe that has something to say about the state of the rotation.
After two quality starts to begin his MLB debut, Emmet Sheehan had four not so good (okay just plain bad) consecutive games. His last four games he completed 17.1 innings. He gave up 20 runs (all earned), 24 hits, 12 BB, 15 K. He had a 10.38 ERA and a 5.13 FIP. Many said he was not ready and needed to be sent down. Fortunately, AF/BG and Doc did not agree with those fans, and Emmet started and pitched 5.0 scoreless 2-hit innings. 1 BB and 5 K. He probably wasn’t ready, but the Dodgers needed a SP, and Emmet has tried to fill in. So often rookies are thrust into a MLB game and just not ready. They have to fight through the adversity and continue to develop at the MLB level.
What was the big difference? Per all those commenting during and after the game, he was attacking hitters. Max Muncy thought that he was guiding his pitches against Texas. On this night at least, he trusted his fastball, especially in the zone. That is his best pitch, and he seemed to make up his mind, that if he is going to get beat, it is going to be with his best pitch.
In the game against Texas, Sheehan threw 58% 4-seamers, 20% changeups, 14 % sliders, and 8% sweepers. In the game against the Reds, Emmet went away from the change and increased his 4-seamer usage to 72% and change at 9%.
With Lance Lynn joining the rotation, and Clayton Kershaw seemingly ready to rejoin the rotation, it seems that Emmet Sheehan will indeed be heading back to OKC. But if he does go back to OKC, he is going to go with a much better mental makeup than if he had gone back after his Texas outing.
Good for Emmet to come out and take charge. He will continue to learn, and those growing pains will probably include games like he had with Texas.
Max Muncy has been maligned, but they have been muted lately. He has not heard any DFA comments. Move him down to #6 in the lineup is one that has been made and made often.. Don’t let him hit against LHP. Okay, I agreed with that one. James Outman is better offensively against LHP. On this night, the Dodgers were facing a RHSP (Luke Weaver) and managed 2 hits. Both hits were HRs by Max Muncy accounting for all three runs.
Max is crediting getting his hands in the proper position. Hitting a baseball is difficult, and if everything is not working in synch, positive results are difficult.
Kiké Hernández and Amed Rosario had positive results in their LAD debuts (Kiké reunion). Unfortunately while they may have played well, their performances did not produce a win. On Friday, Joe Kelly made his reunion debut, and pitched well enough for the win. With runners on 1st and 2nd in a tie game, he came in to a rousing and rowdy celebration from the LAD faithful. He promptly threw one of his patented wild pitches to the backstop. Walked a batter, and then struck out a batter to end the threat. Typical Joe Kelly outing. Always walking a tight rope, and the crowd loved every pitch.
And they won this one without Mookie.
The 4th new Dodger, Lance Lynn, will assuredly get his first LAD start at home against Oakland. Will there be others? We will have to wait and see.
07-29-2023 – MiLB Game Summary Report
Reno Aces (Arizona) 8 – OKC Dodgers 3
Reno scored three runs in both the 6th and 7th innings. The 3 in the 7th were unearned. With Gus Varland pitching, one runner reached on a BB With two out, Yonny Hernández’s fielding error kept the inning going. Next batter a 3-run HR.
On 4 inning Saturday, Gavin Stone completed 4.0 innings on 68 pitches (17 batters faced). Two runs, two hits, 2 BB, and 3 K.
Key Performers:
- Michael Busch – 2-5, 1 RBI
- Miguel Vargas – 2-5
- Ryan Ward – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (12)
- Devin Mann – 2-4, 1 run
- Doubles – Drew Avans (20) and Hernández (12)
Box Score
Tulsa Drillers 4 – Springfield Cardinals 2
River Ryan started and completed 4.0 scoreless innings. 2 hits, 2 walks, and 6 K. 60 (39 strikes), 15 batters faced. My question. This is the end of July. If the goal is for a starter to go deep into the game, why is a SP who has 4.0 scoreless innings, only thrown 60 pitches. and not getting thru the lineup twice, getting lifted? Tulsa scored 4 in the 7th to take a 4-2 lead, and held on for the 4-3 win.
- Austin Gauthier – 2-4, 1 RBI, double (10)
- Diego Cartaya – 1-3, 2 RBI, HR (13)
- Imanol Vargas – 1-4, 1 RBI, double (18)
Box Score
Dayton Dragons (Reds) 5 – Great Lakes Loons 2
Just like River Ryan at Tulsa, Justin Wrobleski pitches 4.0 scoreless innings on 1 hit, 2 BB, and 7 K. 59 pitches (34 strikes). 15 batters faced. Same question for Wrobleski as with Ryan. This is the end of July. If the goal is for a starter to go deep into the game, why is a SP who has 4.0 scoreless innings, only thrown 59 pitches. and not getting thru the lineup twice, getting lifted?
Key Performer:
- Taylor Young – 3-4, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (3)
Box Score
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 – San Jose Giants 3
20 year old RHP, Christian Romero completed 5.0 innings allowing 3 runs (1 earned).
Sauryn Lao and Kelvin Ramirez pitched the final 4.0 scoreless innings to get the victory. RC scored single runs in the 7th and 8th for the final victory.
Key Performers:
- Josue De Paula – 2-3, 2 BB, 1 RBI
- Wilman Diaz – 2-4
- Simon Reid – double (10)
- Jose Izarra – triple (3)
Box Score
Sheehan pitched great last night! I was surprised he didn’t get to go at least one more inning. To me it seems risky to pull a pitcher that is doing well and then hope that the next 4 pitchers all perform well. And last night it only took the first one to give up the lead.
2 hits and 2 walks and they win. Amazing. Ferguson was not sharp last night, and Kelly came in and put everyone into a frenzy. But the nerves did not calm down until he struck that guy out. Impressed with Sheehan’s outing. Orel still talks too much and there was a lot of back slapping going on in the booth. Stick to the damn game.
Orel and Joe think their continuous bantering is entertaining. I don’t find it so.
If he had gone 7, I would call Sheehan’s outing outstanding. 5 is, good in today’s game. But in my opinion starters who aren’t nursing an oft injured arm should be able to throw 105 pitches every 5 days. But then, young starters maybe shouldn’t be coming out of their shoes throwing it as hard as they possibly can for as long as they can, in this case 5 innings. I hope he lasts til the end of the year throwing like that. Buehler and May couldn’t. When we get another front of the rotation starter, maybe Sheehan can take that Wild Thing stuff to the bullpen.
Fangraphs has Freddie near the bottom in DRS. Interesting. I thought he was one of the better fielders in the game.
I will be relieved when this deadline season is over. When the dust settles there will be 57 games left in the season. That’s a lot of games. A lot can happen in 57 games.
Grove pitching today. Need a good game from him.
I changed a comment from I think to I hope yesterday regarding the ability for Grove, Sheehan, and Miller to stay in the rotation and be good. I wish I had left it as I think after Sheehan excelled.
Sheehan was pulled early by Roberts perhaps to let him have the days until his next start thinking about his success instead of maybe having to dwell on a bad 6th inning. I wanted to leave him in up to 105 pitches.
I have for the most part wanted to acquire young controllable position players before the trade deadline and go with Kershaw, Urias, Buehler, Miller, Grove, Sheehan, Gonsolin, Stone, and Pepiot. Lynn didn’t cost that much so that worked. I would have even traded Urias plus others to get someone like Henderson.
If Friedman trades for Verlander I will be happy but realize at the same time he and I aren’t on the same page. Or, he tried to get the young star position player and couldn’t.
I was one of those hoping Sheehan would get one more start. He did and took advantage of the opportunity. The key for these rookie pitchers is to attack the strike zone. Sheehan is pitching for the Dodgers because the FO believes the he has MLB stuff. When they have a rough outing it’s usually because they try to be too fine and don’t attack the hitters. Hopefully, Sheehan has learned this.
I wish we could get an honest explanation why the Dodgers keep pulling out starters when they’re doing well and still under the magic “100” pitch count. As Jeff mentioned in the MiLB summary these young guys go 4-5 solid innings and they yank them out of the game. How do they expect these prospects to develop some arm strength and face some adversity while pitching if they’re not given the chance?
If a starter is rolling along why not leave him in the game until he starts to get hit? The manager is watching reality. What is actually happening. To randomly take out the starter and bring in a reliever who the manager has no idea how he going to perform makes little sense to me. This happens over and over again. I don’t blame Roberts as it most likely predetermined before the game by the FO and coaches how long the starter will stay in the game. Then post game Roberts gives the media the three most common reasons:
“I wanted him to leave on a positive note” – these guys can’t be that fragile.
“We want to keep him fresh for the playoffs” – in June?
“I was just going with my gut feeling” – so your decisions during the game are based on what you had for lunch?
There is no attempt to give the BP a break. Eventually that has to catch up with the relievers. This is one of the most irritating things the Dodgers (and most of baseball) do with their starters. It would be nice to know the reasoning behind it.
I heard on a broadcast that Urias has never pitched into the eighth inning as a starter. I found that amazing.
Anyway, it’s not going to change. It seems like a waste of resources.
Anxious to see how Grove does today and Lynn on Tuesday.
Carry on.
So, if they win today I believe they will have won 3 of the last 3 series against quality opponents.
If they lose today I believe they will have lost 4 of the last 5 games.
Numbers and streaks are quite pliable.
If the Dodgers want to acquire any of the Cardinals players (Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Hicks), they are going to have a lot of competition from teams with prospect capital available to acquire any of the three.
NYY has already made it clear that they are looking at Hicks and Dylan Carlson.
Texas and Miami are reportedly being aggressive with discussion on Montgomery and Flaherty. Miami especially with Flaherty.
Not only have the Cubs re-emerged as a playoff contender, both in the NL Central and Wild Card, and apparently have taken a starter (Stroman) off the table, but they could also be looking for a starter.
Houston needs SP and are apparently out of the Justin Verlander pursuit. Outside of CF Drew Gilbert (55 FV), Houston has no real plus prospects, and only 3 with a FV of 50 after Gilbert. Gilbert has already been deemed untouchable. In contrast, LAD has 8 with a 55 FV and 3 with a 50. The Dodgers are done with their 50 FV prospects at the same time Houston completes all of their 45 FV prospects (at #11). Who can put together a better package.
Arizona is hot after pitching. Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez have been tied to DBack discussions.
Cincinnati needs more pitching. They will be getting Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo back, but they can use an upgrade of Jordan Montgomery.
Baltimore has made it clear that SP is needed and they will get it. They have been eyeing Montgomery for some time. They have also been rumored to be on Michael Lorenzen. If I were Baltimore, I would put together a package for Blake Snell. They have more than enough to make SD stand up and take notice.
Tampa Bay is desperate for pitching. But if they could not match the deal LAD gave to CWS for Lynn and Kelly, just exactly are they willing to do?
Toronto needs pitching.
Who knows where SF plans to go. Same with Boston and Minnesota. Why is Joey Bart still a Giant?
Philadelphia is intent on getting the best RH bat available. Why isn’t Randal Grichuk a Phillie? That seems to be a perfect fit.
If there is a player the Dodgers might be willing to go past the $273MM CBT threshold for, I think it would be Justin Verlander.
Love this:
Dodgers game notes list pitching probables for the next series against the A’s
Tuesday: TBD vs. TBD
Wednesday: TBD vs. TBD
Thursday: TBD vs. TBD
N.B. Dave Roberts did say Saturday that Julio Urías, Lance Lynn, and Tony Gonsolin would start against Oakland, in some order….
Great outing from Sheehan last night. Yes agree he was trusting his fastball, also was attacking hitters more. Good to see some improvement.
On a different note, why in the world are the Dodgers still wasting at-bats on Rojas after acquiring Rosario? I don’t mean to complain after a nice win last night but it’s annoying seeing him in the lineup every day. How low does his batting average have to go before they wake up? Does it have to sink to .180? .150? .Barnes territory? .050? I believe it would have to plummet to almost 0. Believe me it can happen.
I’m seeing on Twitter that Verlander is going back to the cheaters. According to passan.
If the Dodgers are inclined to make a change at catcher, there is name out there that might interest AF/BG. Milwaukee Brewers backup catcher Victor Caratini. He is considered a great pitcher’s catcher. He was Yu Darvish’s personal catcher, and is now Corbin Burnes’. Why would Milwaukee want to trade Caratini? He is a FA and wants to go to a team for more playing time. With William Contreras as the regular catcher, Caratini is not going to get that chance in Milwaukee. He won’t in LA either, but he is a FA and will move next year anyway.
Austin Barnes and a lottery pitching ticket to Milwaukee for Victor Caratini. Why would Milwaukee want Barnes? Because he has a year more on his contract and he could fulfill Caratini’s role for Burnes’ personal catcher for next season. I bet I am not alone in thinking that while Barnes will never be a good MLB hitter, he is not as a bad as he is this year. Actually a couple of those long flies he has hit recently go out of Miller Park. I know Big Deal. Does not make up for his dismal stats, but a .150 BAbip shows that he may be hitting in some bad luck. Milwaukee can do the same math as I can. If Barnes had a still below MLB BAbip of .275, he would have 10 more hits and be at .201. People would still complain, but not as vociferously. BAbip of .275? His career BAbip before 2023 was .299. Not much of a stretch to think he could have a .275 BAbip.
Caratini would come to LAD and he would give Smith an opportunity to rest more than he would with Barnes as his backup. That becomes a huge plus at playoff time. Smith is starting a day game after a night game today. It appears the Dodgers want to win this one, and with Smith’s bat, they have a better chance.
It will not happen, but it is a possible trade scenario that could work and benefit both teams . Milwaukee more long term vs short term.
I think it is also possible (likely?) that when rosters expand, the Dodgers bring up a 3rd catcher instead of Vargas or Busch (if they are still with the team). It would require a spot on the 40 man for any of the AAA catchers, so it might as well be Feduccia. He has certainly earned it, and regardless as to what may happen with Austin this year, Feduccia probably becomes Smith’s backup next year. Break him in in September.
For everybody to revisit but especially Jeff given Friedman himself identifies what it means to be aggressive:
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/08/friedman-dodgers-missed-on-top-targets-despite-aggressive-approach.html
Longshot wild ass guesses.
Dodger additions:
Arenado, Wacha
Edwin Rios outrighted off of the Cubs forty man roster.
Blue Jays trade for Jordan Hicks. The St. Louis players are on the loose.
Texas gets Jordan Montgomery, Bluto, Texas is being aggressive.
At what point do the Dodgers move on from Grove? What can they possibly see in him at this point? Why are they so stubborn about this stuff?
Hes got one good pitch, gives up 5 runs every start. Its almost August. This isn’t acceptable in a playoff race.
Is AF/BG throwing a temper tantrum because Mozeliak won’t trade Arenado? Jordan Montgomery return:
AF/BG could certainly have bettered that return. Apparently Mozeliak is not moved by the likes of Jose Izarra, Jorge Puerta, and Madison Jeffrey.
Verlander’s game against the Nationals:
5.1 IP, 5 hits, 1 run, 1 BB, 5 K – 103 pitches (74 strikes)
Now that is why Rojas is SS.
That sucked
Guess we gotta score 10.
Looks like LAA and Texas are going for it. LAA just traded two Low A 21 year old pitchers to Colorado for Randal Grichuk and CJ Cron. The two prospects:
The Dodgers are bringing back former LAD players. The Dodgers now have a chance to go out and get another former player, Mitch White. He was just DFA’d by Toronto to make room for their new closer, Jordan Hicks. The Dodgers have an open 40 man spot. Seems like the perfect acquisition for LAD. Better still, they will not have to give up a top 40 prospect. Got to keep those prospects down in MiLB.
I’ll keep my brain open for another 41.5 hours. AF/BG may surprise us still.
OK, after serious consideration and paying no attention to what the other GM might have to say about it, this is my list for Andrew:
Starters:
Verlander
Keller
Singer
Gilbert
Civale
Flaherty
Maeda
Ryu
Relievers:
Bednar
Clase
At least he saved the pen a little. Probably punched his ticket to OKC. No help down there, although just like in the big-league game today, a position player pitched the last inning. In this case though, Yonny Hernandez got the save as OKC beat Reno 16-15. Busch hit two homers, so did Dahl. Vargas had a homer also. Vargas and Busch went 3-6. Busch now hitting ,318 and Vargas .317. With the glut of middle infielders on the MLB roster, Vargas will probably NOT get called up until September or if someone gets injured.
Is anyone else as frustrated as I am? As soon as I saw that Grove was pitching and Rojas was back in the starting lineup, I knew they would lose. Didn’t think it would be 9-0 but still.
I can put up with roster and lineup tinkering in April and May but not in July and August in the middle of a playoff race. They’re punting games again and it’s not acceptable.
I dont mean to start an argument with Jeff about Rojas. I know he likes his defense but from this point on there is no reason for him to be in the starting lineup again. Period. He’s a pathetic hitter and if they’re that worried about run prevention then maybe start putting better pitchers out there first before worrying about infield defense. Can’t defend the balls that are flying out of the ballpark.
I’m not saying Rojas should be cut from the roster, but he should never start another game again. The at-bats they’ve wasted on him makes me furious. To be honest he really is a waste of a roster spot when roster spots are valuable at this point in the season. Not only that but he’s struggled to play consecutive games most of the year due to nagging injuries anyways.
On the pitching side, im done with Michael Grove. Since when did this guy become a rotation mainstay? He’s one of the worst starting pitchers we’ve seen this year. He gave up 4 runs within the first several minutes of the ball game. Whats even more irritating is they won’t let guys go into the 6th inning that are pitching well but let Grove pitch into the 7th inning today to wave the white flag. What an insult to our eyes.
This everyone plays mentality is not going to cut it. Just put your best players on the field from here on out. This is not acceptable in a playoff race. I hate losing but Hate losing even more when its not your best players. Now with Mookie, JD and Smith all hurt it will give them excuse to go back to playing Barnes and Rojas in the lineup every day again. Then we’ll really start seeing more losses.
Just stop punting games in July. Ok thanks for listening guys. End rant. Lolz
I’m a big advocate of Sheehan, well, more specifically his fastball. But I was ready to send him down after the Texas game. It’s not his ability I question, but the innings load. He’s pitched a little over 80 the last two years and he’s creeping up on 80 with two months left. Maybe stagger his starts in OKC or keep him under 60 pitches, see if the mechanics and command gets a little more consistent. If he’s feeling good, bring him back up for the post season. Now, I’m not so sure, I thought his performance against the Reds was the best he’s pitched. Big part of that was consistently throwing competitive balls and not give free passes. He’s a young guy, maybe he’s found a second wind.
You wouldn’t think Max has a high maintenance swing, but I guess with the Texas two step it’s going to open up vulnerabilities up and down. Pre-injury Max was still a hot and cold guy, so if he’s back to Good Max, I expect he’ll carry it through most of August and then flip a coin. He’s important and I hope he comes through. He seems to be getting comfortable with 3B too.