Editorial preface – I wrote this before Saturday night’s game. But no matter how well he hits on Saturday night, the premise is the same.
Cody Bellinger won the 2017 ROY and then went on to win the NL MVP in 2019. There were cries for a Belli extension. He was the power hitting superstar CF the Dodgers were looking for. Belli and Corey Seager were going to be the foundation of a long term Dodger dynasty.
The pandemic hit in 2020. Neither Max nor Belli had good seasons. Seager seemed to be fully healed from his UCL TJ surgery, posting a good season that he carried over to the playoffs and winning the NLCS and WS MVP. But no conclusions can be made about a 60 game regular season. Be glad the Dodgers got through the tournament with a WS victory.
Belli hurt his shoulder with a celebratory Kike’ Hernandez after a Belli HR in the NLCS Game 7.
Max seemed to bounce back in 2021, while Belli seemed to bottom out.
Max – .249/.368/.527/.895 – 36 HR
Belli – .165/.240/.302/.542 – 10 HR
Belli never seemed to heal up from the shoulder surgery, and the hairline fracture in his left leg. The questions started to get a little louder. Is it the injury or his approach that has hurt Belli’s offensive prowess? Most were willing to let 2021 be a dead year for Belli, and hope for a 2022 resurgence.
OTOH, 2020 seemed to be an aberration for Muncy. He was back to 36 HRs and a .895 OPS in 2021. He wound up 10th in the NL MVP voting. Unfortunately, during the last game of the 2021 regular season, Max tore the UCL in his left elbow after a collision at first base with Jace Peterson of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Dodgers were going into the playoffs without their best power hitter.
The Dodgers limped through the 2021 playoffs. But the hopes of a rejuvenated Cody Bellinger were off the chart. There were a lot of discussions as to what changed for Cody. Many thought he changed his approach to shorten up his swing. Regardless as to the reason, in 12 games and 39 PA, Belli put up some impressive metrics – .353/.436/.471/.907, 1 HR and 7 RBI. Fans were hoping that the “new” Cody would carry over in 2022.
Cody never did get back to that 2021 playoffs form. For the 2022 season, Belli batted .210/.265/.389/.654 with 19 HRs, and 78 OPS+. He was heading into his final arbitration season, but the Dodgers did not believe that Cody could justify a $18MM to $20MM contract for 2023. It was hard to see a Dodger favorite ignominiously swept away.
In the meantime, Max was due to be back for ST and the regular season opener. Max did not have a good ST. I am not a fan of putting too much credence in ST numbers, and was hoping for a full season of Max Muncy.
However those meager batting metrics from ST seemed to bleed over into the regular season. Through July, Max was batting .161/.310/.303/.613 – 9 HR, 32 RBI (83 games). He seemed to find a new “back step” approach to hitting. For August thru the end of the season, Max improved his metrics to .247/.358/.500/.858 – 12 HR, 37 RBI (53 games). For the season, Max batted .196/.329/.384/.713 – 21 HRs.
With Belli now in Chicago, the Dodgers need Max and his .850+ OPS for 2023. He had a very nice ST, but that has yet to translate into success for the regular season. In his 7 games played thus far during the season, Max has 3 hits in 26 AB/32 PA, with 1 HR and 1 RBI, and a MLB leading 13 Ks – 0-8 WRISP with 6 K.
Will Max turn it around and have a 2021 type season, or will he continue to flounder as Cody did?
I know there are a lot of LAD fans calling for Max to be benched. But who in line to play for LAD can come in and due what Max is capable of. Yonny Hernandez is the OKC 3B. He is more of a utility player, not in the mold of a power hitting corner infielder. Chris Taylor? Miguel Rojas? There is nobody in the Dodger organization who has the capability to hit .850 OPS who can play 3B. You do not give up on a player after 7 games, but you also do not keep hitting your head against the wall by continuing to bat him 4.
Other observations:
I am just so tired of this umpiring crew. It used to be, all the batters wanted was for the umpire to be consistent. If the umpire wanted to expand the zone, fine, pick a side and stay with it. But this crew is missing up, down, and both sides of the plate. Saturday’s plate umpire, Doug Eddings is considered one of the very worst umpires in the game. Game 1 HPU De Jesus was 86% accurate, and Marquez was 85%.
The Dodgers are not going to win a lot of games without their starting pitching dominating, and going deep into the games. Their bullpen is sketchy, and they do not manufacture runs. Alex Vesia gives up another run, and Brusdar Graterol gives up 2. Jackson gives up 3 on 5 straight 2 out hits.
Don’t tell me that stolen bases are meaningless. Corbin Carroll is a weapon. So are Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas. They make routine ground balls close…make that very close. Plus, Carroll has 2 HRs which is more than Max.
The DBacks certainly do not fear the Dodgers. They are now tied with the Dodgers with a 5-4 record, and are 4-3 head to head.
Update – Max Muncy went 1-5 with 2 Ks. His single in the 1st scored the first run of the game.
MiLB SUMMARY – 04-08-2023
Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland) 9 – OKC Dodgers 1
On Saturday, OKC signed William Cuevas as a starter for OKC. He started Saturday, and gave up a HR to the first batter he faced. He then allowed a double and 3 walks to score a 2nd run.
In the 2nd, after a HBP, Tyler Soderstrom slugged a 2-run HR. He allowed 2 singles but no runs in the third, and his game with OKC was over.
In the 4th with Marshall Kasowski on the hill, two walks, three SB including a double steal, put runners at 2nd and 3rd. One run came across on a sac fly. Cody Thomas then hit a 2-run HR (3), giving Inland Empire a 7-0 lead.
Bradley Zimmer hit his first HR for OKC in the 5th, but that was all the scoring offense OKC could muster for the game.
With Tyler Cyr pitching in the 7th, a walk and single and throwing error put runners on 2nd and 3rd. They both scored on a 2-out single for a 9-1 lead.
Wander Suero pitched a scoreless 9th, but did allow a walk.
OKC’s 6 game winning streak has come to an end in what was a very forgettable game.
Tulsa Drillers 5 vs San Antonio Missions (San Diego) 2
The much anticipated seasonal debut of River Ryan was very much worth the hype. He pitched 4.0 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit, 0 walks, and 2 2 Ks. He retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced. He threw 46 pitches, 31 for strikes.
After being shut out in Friday, and not scoring in the first 4 innings, the Drillers finally broke through for 5 in the 5th. José Ramos drew a walk. Yusniel Diaz followed with a single, and Jonny DeLuca was HBP to load the bases. Jorbit Vivas hit a 2-run double. Andy Pages followed with a 2-run scoring single/ Pages moved to second on a F-7, and stole third. Imanol Vargas singled home Pages, and a 5-0 lead.
In Kyle Hurt’s 2nd inning, he allowed a walk. A WP, fielding error, and infield single produced an unearned run. In his 2.0 IP, Hurt allowed 1 hit, 1 unearned run, 1 BB, and 3 K.
John Rooney pitched a scoreless 7th, with 1 hit and 1 K.
Carlo Reyes started the 8th. He was touched up for a run on 1 hit, and WP, and 1 K. Jordan Leasure finished up the 8th and pitched a perfect 9th. He had 4 Ks in his 1.2 IP.
Lansing Lugnuts (Oakland) 4 – Great Lakes Loons 1
The Loons opened the scoring in the first. Austin Gauthier drew a 1 out walk, and was WP to 2nd. Alex Freeland singled to score Gauthier for the Loons sole run of the game.
RHP Ben Casparius started and finished 3.0 IP. He allowed 1 run on 4 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Lansing scored the tying run in the 2nd on a two out single, BB, and run scoring single.
With the score knotted at 1 each, Antonio Knowles relieved Casparius. He allowed a hit and 1 BB in his 2.0 IP.
Aldry Acosta entered in the 6th and was roughed up for 3 runs (2 earned) on 3 hits. There were three Loons errors in the inning.
The Loons last hit was with 1 out in the 5th. The Loons had 4 singles in the game. No Loon had more than 1 hit.
Jack Dreyer pitched two scoreless/hitless innings, with 2 walks and 3 Ks. Mitchell Tyranski pitched a perfect 9th inning with 2 Ks.
Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 5 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 4
The Quakes broke out on top with 2 in the 1st. Jose Izarra was HBP and Juan Alonso singled him to 2nd. With one out, Thayron Liranzo grounded out and both runners moved up. Kyle Nevin who looked so overwhelmed in MLB ST games singled home both runners with 2 outs.
Jerming Rosario was cruising through the first three hitless innings with 5 Ks. In the 4th, with a runner on 2nd due to an error and 2 outs, there was a double and single to score two unearned runs.
Juan Morillo worked around a walk and single in a scoreless 6th.
With Christian Romero on the bump to start the 7th, he allowed a HR to the first batter he faced, giving the 66ers a 3-2 lead.
The Quakes got it back in their half the 7th with a Rayne Doncon double and a Dayton Dooney single.
Jonathan Edwards entered in the 9th for the save. He proceeded to walk three and hit a batter for the tying run. Gabe Emmett came in relief with the bases loaded, and struck out the one batter he faced.
But Emmett could not keep the 66ers off the board in the 10th. With a runner on 2nd to begin the inning, a pair of ground ball outs got the run across.
The Quakes loaded the bases with nobody out in the 10th, but the next three batters struck out to end the game.
Jerming Rosario was signed the same year as Diego Cartaya and Alex De Jesus. It is taking him a bit longer, but he had a very good season debut.
Yesterday Sam Oyed asked: Is it better to have Outman as centerfielder with Heyward in left?
Heyward has never played LF. I assume he can. I am guessing that the Dodgers believe their defense is better with J-Hey in CF and Outman in LF.
Dionysus alluded to that yesterday. Thank you both for the information. Doubt it would have mattered on the ball that went over Heyward’s head but he did take a bad route.
Bad route. Yes. I think Outman would have caught it.
Throw that game out and move on.
As for Muncy, I’m not ready to move on from him. Clearly something is wrong, but there is time to correct it. If this is still happening in May, I would think a move would be forthcoming.
I was annoyed last year and am again this year with Roberts keeping Muncy in the first half of the lineup. If Roberts knows more than I do then I find that scary because it means inside knowledge says the 5 players hitting after Muncy must suck.
I would love to have Bobby Witt on the Dodgers and he is off to a terrible start. Same with Volpe. I still want them.
It is one thing for someone like Goldschmitt or Judge to get off to a bad start because they have been good “lately” and another thing for Muncy to get off to a bad start because he hasn’t been good lately. Muncy might wind up being the Dodger’s best cleanup hitter but he isn’t yet if ever again.
Given Muncy’s ability to get walks which helps raise his OPS via OBP there is a case that might be made to hit him 9th.
Vargas’ bat has been quiet lately.
Can Betts play third?
Maybe instead of letting Muncy improve his defense by playing everyday at third he instead should share DH with Martinez with Rojas temporarily playing third. That would allow Muncy to concentrate on hitting for awhile and keep Heyward’s bat in the lineup while he is doing better than Muncy. Taylor would be the shortstop during that period.
Like the Muncy, Rojas, Taylor option. Might help Muncy to just think about hitting and not worry about defense.
Brilliant premise and frightening preliminary conclusion.
It is time for Outman to move up in the batting order and, for Muncy to move down.
I got Betts, Freeman and Smith. Everyone else hits 9th.
Put Outman in the #4 spot and I am with you.
Done.
What does Dave Roberts have against Michael Grove?
David Peralta – 0 for last 13, 3 for 18 for the season.
Austin Barnes – 0 for the season (9 AB)
Miguel Rojas – 2 for 14
Max Muncy – 4 for 31
They have a combined 1 HR and 3 RBIs (72 combined AB).
Will Smith not in the lineup. No day game after a night game. Johnny Bench, Yadi Molina, Salvador Perez, Yogi Berra…have to be shaking their heads with that strategy. Smith has a .370 BA and 1.270 OPS with 3 HRs and 11 RBIs. Yeah, this lineup does not need Smith in there.
The Dodgers are 1 for 11 off Ryne Nelson, and Trayce Thompson has the only hit, and he is not in the lineup.
The guy with .348 BA and 1.429 OPS with 3 HRs and 9 RBIs is batting 7th, while the guy with a .129 BA and .496 OPS with 1 HR and 2 RBIs batting 5th. Of course we are told that Muncy is being moved down in the lineup.
Mookie, Freddie, Peralta, Muncy, Vargas, Rojas, and Barnes have a combined 3 HRs and 8 RBIs. Outman has 3 HRs and 9 RBIs. Smith has 3 HRs and 11 RBIs
It is entirely plausible that Muncy will catch fire and Outman will turn ice cold. But that is not the way they are playing now.
Now watch. The Dodgers will go out and score 20 runs with this lineup.
I don’t get it.
“They have a combined 1 HR and 3 RBIs (72 combined AB).”
So you’re saying they are due?
Everyone now seems to be questioning the bullpen.
Of course Roberts’ comment is “it’s still early.” Roberts has pointed out over the last few days that not everyone is in the best spot mechanically.
“We’ve talked about it,” Doc said after Saturday’s loss. “They’re working through it right now. But the league’s not gonna wait for you. So you still gotta perform while you’re trying to figure things out.” Via SportsNet LA
So what he is saying is that they did not pitch enough in ST to get their mechanics right? Well Maybe if they pitched more:
Andre Jackson – 10.0 IP
Evan Phillips – 7.2 IP
Caleb Ferguson – 7.0 IP
Brusdar Graterol – 7.0 IP
Shelby Miller – 7.0 IP
Phil Bickford – 6.2 IP
Alex Vesia – 6.0 IP
Yency Almonte – 4.2 IP
Then the MiLB bullpen:
Tayler Scott – 9.2 IP
Jake Reed – 7.2 IP
Tyler Cyr – 6.1 IP
Dylan Covey – 6.0 IP
Adam Kolarek – 5.2 IP
Matt Andriese – 5.0 IP
Rubby De La Rosa – 4.1 IP
Victor González – 4.0 IP
28 other relievers – 44.2 IP
Maybe the top eight could have had some more IP from the bottom 36.
I do think that Alex Vesia has been hurt by the pitch clock. It is reported that Ferguson is also negatively affected by the pitch clock. They are going to have to get used to it.
In my mind, it is way too early to judge any players performance. Max looks out of whack and he is taking way too many strikes right down the pipe.
ONeil Cruz out with a fractured left ankle.
Hope it’s not a Tommy Davis career changing fracture.
Agreed!!!
Ok, not Grove, not Syndergaard, not Jackson, not Gonsolin, not Buehler….. who else you got?
I got nothing. OKC has got Gavin Stone and nothing else. AA has some good pitchers, but the Dodgers want to see their AAA team with a slew of AAAA starting pitchers.
This umpiring crew should be suspended for incompetence behind the plate.
Good for Austin Barnes for finally sticking up for his pitchers. His pitchers were getting screwed all game. Just like they were all weekend. Doc has not said anything all weekend.
Good for Barnes. Bad on Roberts for being such a dull individual, who lacks passion and fire. He is not a leader, he is just a mouthpiece. Give me a manager with an attitude any day.
‘cuse my frustration.
Badger, is JDM barreling up enough yet? At least JDM and Freddie hit this weekend.
Yep. He’s hitting over his weight now, so, that’s a good thing. Numbers rise and fall quickly this early in the year. And, he hasn’t faced particularly good pitching yet, so, long way to go.