Of course it was bound to happen…the mighty Dodgers offense got shut out; on 5 hits. Three of those hits were by Shohei Ohtani, but naturally there was nobody in scoring position when he came to the plate. James Outman and Max Muncy each had a double for the other two hits.
The Dodgers did put a runner in scoring position in the first, second, fourth, and eighth innings. Will Smith, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, Gavin Lux, Teoscar Hernández, James Outman, and Freddie Freeman each had an opportunity to drive in a RISP, and all failed.
Landon Knack’s MLB debut did not get off to the best starts. 3 out of the first 4 batters got hits, including a leadoff HR by CJ Abrams. The Nats had a 2-0 lead after the first five batters. After Joey Gallo’s walk in the 1st, Knack retired the next 10 batters. Eddie Rosario broke the string with a single, but was erased on a DP. Thus, Knack faced the minimum after Gallo’s walk in the first.
Nick Senzel was Knack’s first MLB strikeout. He struck out four in five innings.
Landon Knack with a changeup for his first Major League strikeout. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/ex5G63LVNU
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 17, 2024
After a 28 pitch 1st inning, Knack settled down to throw a total of 75 pitches for his 5.0 IP. He had 7 whiffs on 33 swings. Knack certainly felt the nerves when he first stepped on the bump. Once he got them under control, he was very good.
Alex Vesia and Michael Grove completed the final four innings without allowing a hit. Vesia did walk two in his 1.0 IP along with 2 K. Grove allowed 1 BB and 1 HBP, to go with his 5 strikeouts in 3.0 IP.
This was Grove’s third consecutive relief appearance without allowing a run or hit. Those three appearances include 5.2 IP. His ERA for April is 2.61. Grove’s slider was his predominant pitch. Of his 36 pitches, 22 were sliders. He had 5 called strikes, and 3 whiffs off 9 swings. He also had a whiff with his cutter and sinker (6 pitches each).
Since sweeping San Francisco, the Dodgers have gone backwards.
- They are 5-7 in the 12 games since the SF sweep.
- They are 2-5 in their last 7 games, including 2-4 at home.
- After the first 9 games, the Dodgers had a 2 game winning streak and a 4 game winning streak.
- For the last 12, they have 1 consecutive 2 game winning streak.
- For the first 9 games, the Dodgers averaged 6.33 runs per game, and scored at least 5 runs in every game.
- For the last 12, the Dodgers averaged 4.08 runs per game, and have scored 5 or more runs in 5 of the 12.
- For the first 9 games, the Dodgers hit .363 WRISP.
- For the last 12 games, the Dodgers hit .194 WRISP.
The Dodgers’ offense is not as bad as it has been. Their pace for the first 9 games was certainly not sustainable either. This team will turn around. Freddie is not going to hit .204 for the rest of the year.
Shohei is not going to continue at a 1-19 WRISP pace. Last year he was .317/.475/.604/1.079 WRISP. For his career, Shohei is .288/.416/.614/1.031 WRISP. So it appears that 2024 is the outlier.
James Outman is showing signs of breaking out. Now if only Roberts can get his nose out of the only a RH batter can hit a LHP, we might get to see Outman perhaps develop that production against LHP. He has only faced LHP 9 times this year. Ohtani has faced LHP 37 times. Don’t tell me Outman is not being platooned. And PLEASE, I am not comparing Outman to Ohtani.
BTW, the knock on Outman was that while he could hit singles off LHP, he did not have slug against LHP. Well, Ohtani has a SLG of .729 against RHP and .500 against LHP. You cannot convince me that AF/BG/Roberts does not put an emphasis on HR.
So while it is frustrating to see the team flounder as it has the last two weeks, they will eventually break through and get hot. Last year, the Dodgers were 8-9 on April 17, and 10-11 after 21 games. The Dodgers did not pass .500 for the remainder of the season until April 28 (game 27).
Once again, defense has taken away runs from the Dodgers, but the Dodgers cannot reciprocate. Luis Garcia was outstanding at 2B.
Finally, IMO, Dave Roberts is the least imaginative manager and most predictable manager in MLB. There was absolutely no reason to PH Kiké Hernández for James Outman, other than in his head he had to send up a RH hitter to face a LH bat.
"This is something you dream about from the time you're little, so getting out here and being in front of the fans at Dodger Stadium and experiencing this is amazing." Landon Knack on his MLB debut. pic.twitter.com/XZs84Pbm17
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) April 17, 2024
MiLB Game Summary Reports
OKC Baseball Club 4 – Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 3
Nabil Crismatt is showing why he was a good MiLB signing, and he may be showing the decision makers that he is someone to consider for the Big League team. Crismatt allowed a solo HR to 28 year old AAAA OF Chase Pinder in the 2nd. That was the only run he allowed in 5.0 IP. He gave up 4 hits on 69 pitches. He did not walk a batter, and struck out 5.
OKC had some thunder in their bats as well. Jonathan Araúz hit a solo HR (1) in the 2nd. Kody Hoese hit a 2-run HT (1) in the 3rd. Chris Owings hit a solo HR (1) in the 4th.
Kody Hoese hit his first Triple-A home run pic.twitter.com/w1j6zPQedV
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) April 17, 2024
Drew Pomeranz and Jesse Hahn each pitched a scoreless/hitless inning. However, Gus Varland was not as effective. In the 8th, Varland surrendered a leadoff double. He got the next two outs, but 3 consecutive 2-out singles, plated 2, tightening the score to 4-3.
Kevin Gowdy pitched a scoreless 9th to record his 3rd save. Gowdy has held the opponent scoreless in 5 of his 6 late inning high leverage relief appearances.
- Andre Lipcius – 2-4, 1 run, double (3)
- Kody Hoese – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, HR (1)
- Jonathan Araúz – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
- Chris Owings – 1-2, 2 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
Tulsa Drillers 2 – Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) 1 – 11 innings
This was a terrific pitchers’ duel for 11 innings. Justin Wrobleski started for Tulsa and completed 4.0 innings, surrendering the one Wind Surge run on 4 singles. Wrobleski was followed by Jack Dreyer (1.2 IP), Ryan Sublette (1.0 IP), Antonio Knowles (2.0 IP), and Jack Little (2.0 IP) who all pitched scoreless innings.
Tulsa was the first to score. In the 2nd inning, the Drillers scored their 1st run on 1 HBP, 2 BB, and a Brandon Lewis SF.
In the 11th with Taylor Young starting out a 2nd, José Ramos stroked a 1 out single to score Young. Little struck out the first batter, got the 2nd batter to fly out to LF, and got the final batter to pop out to 3B, to record the victory.
Tulsa had 4 singles in the game, two by Brendon Davis, one by Dalton Rushing, and the game winner by José Ramos.
West Michigan Whitecaps (Detroit) 7 – Great Lakes Loons 5
For three of four innings, Jerming Rosario was outstanding. But that 2nd inning…HR and 2 doubles plated 2 Whitecaps for a 2-0 lead.
Kelvin Bautista continued his mastery this year. He pitched 2.0 scoreless innings. This was Bautista’s 4th relief appearance for 2024, and he has yet to give up a run in 5.0 IP. He has 0 BB against 8 K.
Jonathan Edwards continued to struggle and allowed a run in the 6th. Kelvin Ramirez relieved Edwards in the 7th and allowed his first run of 2024, an unearned run.
The Loons were down 4-1 in the 7th and scored 4 to take a 5-4 lead. Noah Miller led off with a walk. Both Dylan Campbell and Luis Rodriguez continued their hot start to 2024 with singles, scoring Miller. Sam Mongelli doubled (1) home both Campbell and Rodriguez. Mongelli moved up to 3rd on a WP, and scored on a fielder’s choice.
Lucas Wepf had been perfect all year, but surrendered his first run in 2024 for a blown save. Livan Reinoso is still searching in 2024. However on this night, the two runs he surrendered were unearned, thanks to a fielding and throwing error on the same play.
Kyle Nevin opened the scoring for GL with his first HR of 2024.
- Dylan Campbell – 2-4, 1 run
- Sam Mongelli – 1-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (1)
- Kyle Nevin – 1-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (1)
Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 7 – Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 3
Cameron Day started and could not get out of the 3rd inning. He allowed 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 BB.
24 year old LHP Garrett McDaniels pitched a much stronger game for his second 2024 appearance. In 4.1 IP, he gave up 1 run on 3 hits and 2 BB.
21 year old RHP Noah Ruen made his 2024 debut and pitched a perfect 9th on 6 pitches (all strikes). Noah is someone to watch this year to see how he develops. He has a chance at being a good reliever.
- Juan Alonso – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (2)
- Carlos Rojas – 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, double (1)
- Zyhir Hope – 1-4, 1 BB, 1 run, double (6)
These pitching auditions were not something I could have imagined after the acquisitions the Dodgers made in the off season. I even thought maybe they went overboard and acquired too much. But for some reason, we find ourselves back to similar problems of yesteryear. Hitting slumps, pitcher injuries, and a manager that no one really feels is responsible for any Dodger success. He is rather a guy that seemingly undermines those that are not superstars unintentionally. If it walks like a duck…………..
I also was disappointed to see Kike pinch-hit for Outman.
Why not save him to pinch-hit for Lux?
While Taylor is clearly the worst performer on offense so far, Lux is the second worst, with an OPS of .374. He struck out twice in this game–and Outman, whose OPS is a disappointing .625, did not strike out.
Lux’s struggles, it seems, have already cost him a full-time job, as Rojas seems to be playing against every lefty.
What can be done with Taylor?
A supposedly fun season I’ll never watch again.
Sigh. As often has been posted the value of managers (why continue the reminder?) you guys keep insisting Roberts is costing the Dodgers wins. It just isn’t so. It’s the players. Always.
The players. Jeff has posted several stats that tell us who and what need to improve. Clutch hitting (WRISP) appears need of improvement, but it isn’t as bad as it seems. We are first in AB WRISP and 4th in average, 4th in runs scored. Starting pitching. 21 games in we’ve already seen 8 different starters. Our starters are ranked 13th in MLB, relievers 20th. When these stats improve, and I believe they will, the Dodgers and their manager will look better to those fans who want to win the pennant in April.
Roberts could be better with a few talks w Ron Washington over in Anaheim. Wash wasted no time stepping in and lecturing his team when they had a lackadaisical beginning.
Every year Roberts has been given a thorobred to ride but he still has to ride it and not let it ride him.
They played the game yesterday like they were double parked.
2:16 minutes. It doesn’t take long when there’s 9 total hits and no runs for 8 1/2 innings.
Knack understandably got off to a nervous start but settled down nicely. I like his stuff and hope he’s a welcome addition to the starting rotation and not bounced up and down to OKC.
Thank you Joey Gallo. Vesia gives up 2 walks and 3 stolen bases in his inning but Gallo bails him out by looking at strike 3. How he bounces around from team to team, hits .136 and stays in the Big Leagues is a mystery to me. Chicks dig the long ball. I remember well a few years ago watching him take BP on the field at Goodyear in Spring Training. I thought they would run out of baseballs. Awesome light tower power in BP. But a true 3 outcome gorilla.
I enjoy watching Ohtani’s swing. It’s like the Master’s; unlike any other. He has the anti-Bellinger head. Not to perseverate on Bellinger, thank God he’s elsewhere, but Bellinger dropped his head down while the pitch was traveling home 12 to 18 inches. No shit. He’s a little better now, but not much. He was tardy with moving eye balls, constantly.
Ohtani’s head is dead level. No dip what-so-ever, so his eyes stay level and fixed on the baseball. It allows him to swing from his ass and generate that great bat speed without pulling off the ball. It’s really remarkable. And his flexibility allows him that awesome separation. But that still head keeps him on the pitch. It’s a clinic.
Play better.
Bear have you done a piece on nicknames? When did they start going away. Where are the “Scooters, Ducky, Pee Wee, and of course…the Babe?
Stuart Fairchild of the Emerson Hancock just beg for a new first name.
The losing is on the players, not the manager. He puts them in, it is up to them to perform period. They lost in the playoffs not because of Robert’s decisions, but because their best players did not perform. Even if you go all the way back to the playoff loss to the Braves in 21. Guys who were normally playoff monsters, Turner, Seager, had terrible playoff series. Seager hit .167 in the loss to the Braves, even though he hit two 2-run homers. JT was 6-47 with no RBIs and no extra base hits the entire playoff. Taylor and Bellinger were the two best hitters in the 21 playoffs. Yes, sometimes Roberts will make a move that makes us shake our heads, but it is always on the players. Also, when Roberts gives a medical update, he is saying what the medical staff and front office want him to say. He is always evasive and optimistic. That is by design. I have seen posts where the poster says, I don’t trust Dave Roberts. Dave is just reading or saying what he is allowed to say by the team and the medical staff. Finally on Lux. Lux has been in the majors for parts of five seasons. But he has played less than two full seasons worth of games. He missed more than a year. It is going to take him time to get his feet under him. He only played in 13 games this spring. His first action in over a year. Now, it might be better for him and the team if he was getting his feet under him in AAA. But that seems to not be the plan.
Interesting article on the Dodgers indicating they are learning from the mistake they made with Michael Busch by not giving him a clear runway to everyday status, and their intent with Andy Pages getting that runway.
“He’s a complete ballplayer,” Roberts said about Pages. “The head is good. The mechanics are good. He’s physical. So we just feel like, with the runway he’s gonna be given, it’s a great opportunity.”
Per the author of the article, “The runway Roberts is referring to is also known as “not a platoon.” Roberts has been adamant about not platooning James Outman, and Pages will get the same treatment.”
Pages is probably thinking, Lord I hope not the same treatment as Outman. Outman has started all 14 games against RHP, and only 1 of 7 games against a LHP. I guess because he has started 1 game against a LHP that constitutes not platooning. Lux even less. He has started 13 of 14 games against RHP, and only 1 against LHP. The difference is, Outman has 2 more games played and two more PA against all LHP (9 PA vs 7).
The question for me is, is this what Doc thinks is the best strategy (a not platoon-platoon), or is this what the Game Boy Nerds have come up with as the best way to win?
We have all heard about the guy who was good at winning a battle but not the war. The best I can do for Roberts is that he manages to win the war and he mostly does that by keeping his 26 players relevant and active.
The goal for Roberts is to be ready for the Playoffs. What happens there won’t be negatively determined by who and when a player was pinch hit for but might be positively determined by having a prepared bench player step in for a regular.
Do I really dislike tuning into a game with Taylor starting or Outman sitting? Yes, most definitely.
I wish the Dodgers had a few Manny Motas who could come off the bench ready to hit without any expectations for playing in the field. Do players need rest during the season? Yes.
I want to see Lux as a regular through May.
I want Betts, Ohtani, Freeman, Smith, Outman, Lux starting everyday but I understand Smith does need a day off each week.
I prefer Rojas play for Muncy as many times as he plays for Betts or Lux.
I prefer Betts stays at short and never plays second.
I agree Roberts is too stubborn.
I am not in the Dave Roberts cannot manage camp. But in no way is he a comp to game day decision makers as were Sparky Anderson, Jim Leyland, Tito Francona, Tommy, Walter Alston, Whitey Herzog, Billy Martin, Earl Weaver, Dick Williams, Red Schoendienst, Ralph Houk, Casey Stengel…
You can run out all the winning percentage numbers you want. Most of the managers above did not have to face off against watered down lineups and teams that today’s managers face. I have said that there is no better roster architect for the 162 game season than Andrew Friedman, and Roberts has benefitted with those teams. But I will take a manager like Bruce Bochy who in no way has the winning percentage in the regular season as does Roberts, but he has guided 4 teams to a World Series championship, and another team into the WS.
Special teams? He guided the Giants to their first WS Championship in San Francisco, Texas to their first WS Championship ever, and San Diego’s one and only WS appearance. Last time I checked, I believe that is what these players are playing for. I have read from bloggers who say they prefer Roberts to Bochy. Why? They write, look at his winning percentage compared to Doc’s.
Doc’s fault? Players fault? Game Boy Nerds fault? Take your pick. It does not matter. The Dodgers fail when it comes to the playoffs. Why? Many of you say it comes down to luck. One team getting hot at the right time, or the best teams having to sit too long before they play. Why aren’t the Dodgers getting hot at the right time? Wy can’t the smartest team in MLB figure out a way to prepare for the NLDS while sitting for the WC. They are 1-6 in the last two NLDS against teams they beat up on in the 162 game season. That is unacceptable. We read last year that the Dodgers learned from the 2022 NLDS debacle and were better prepared for 2023. They did even worse, so just how prepared were they? Yeah I know they ran out of pitching. Mookie and Freddie had 1 hit combined. But why? That is what autopsies are for…to figure out why? For those that want to rely on luck, good for you. Me? I cannot accept that teams that win 111 games and 100 games lose because of bad luck.
In 2021, LAD was beat to s*** because they were trying to catch the Giants instead of realizing they had the playoffs and needed to rest their players. Who made that decision? I do not think that it is a coincidence that Walker Buehler was absolutely gassed pitching 207 innings after 2020, and was not much of a factor for most of September or any of the playoffs. Maybe that pushed his elbow to the limits? His velo started dropping fast in 2022 and we all know he had his second TJ surgery. Maybe the Dodgers should have followed their own line of thinking with Buehler after only 36 innings in 2020.
Maybe there is something to the winning in a shortened season, because Roberts could not run his players into the ground in a full 162 game season. It is a REAL WS Championship. They won the tournament. And all of those fans who complain about the Dodgers in 2020 would not have turned down a Championship if their favorite team had won. But what if they had played a full 162 game season? Would the results have been the same? Rhetorical question.
Thus, there are those of us who believe Dave Roberts is terrific manager for the regular season. Great communicator. Players love him. But I would prefer a manager who is not the darling of the front office, and maybe someone who the players greatly respect but may not like. Someone like Bruce Bochy. But since the Dodgers will never sign Bochy, I guess we will have to accept someone who “manages” the 162 game season and just hope for luck in October.
If you’re sick and tired of reading about Ippei, ignore the link below, but I found this a very interesting read.
Old friend Chris Martin was one of the American players in Japan who used Ippei as an interpreter and apparently had a great relationship with him, as did other American players over there.
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39963548/shohei-ohtani-interpreter-ippei-mizuhara-american-players-japan-gambling-scandal
Taylor Trammell picked up by the Yankees who claimed him.
Buhler 22/3 68 pitches 4 walks 2 runs. All over the place. He threw 58 pitches in 2 innings. Shocked they left him out there. Velo 94-95 not looking good.