I know, I know, it is just one ball game. That is true in March-September, but in October it is more than just one ball game. It is the way they played that bothers me. They played as if it was a meaningless game in April.
Yes, Tatis Jr., Machado, and Profar are assholes. No denying. But they own the LAD fans. Fans do not realize that when they engage with these guys, that is exactly what the players want. The nastier the better.
How many times does Tatis Jr. have to pummel the Dodgers before everyone realizes that he is better than Betts in the playoffs. Tatis Jr. is 9-14 with 3 HRs and 2 doubles in the playoffs. In the NLDS he is 5-8 including 2 HR and 2 doubles with a BB. He also made a fantastic running catch on a Freddie line drive into right/center.
Profar has made a couple of outstanding defensive plays including maybe the best of the year. He has reached 1st on 4-9 PA with 2 hits and 2 BB.
Machado has 2 hits, but a critical 2-run HR in the 1st inning of game 1. Thanks to Ohtani, that was swept away.
Then the 21 year old CF, Jackson Merrill. Reached 1st on 5-9 PA, with 3 hits, 2 BB, including a HR.
34 year old journeyman catcher, Kyle Higashioka, 2-6 with a HR, his 3rd in the playoffs, and a double.
Padres 9 XBH, LAD 2 XBH. One was a critical 3-run HR, and the other a meaningless solo HR with 2 outs in the 9th in a 10-1 game, making it a much more salvageable 10-2 loss.
This is the playoffs. The Dodgers need to look to driving in runs. Critical moment in the 3rd inning of Game 2. Runners on 1st and 2nd, nobody out and Will Smith coming to the plate. Yes, Smith walked, but he fouled off an absolute center/center 83.5 MPH sweeper, and then fouled off an almost center/center 94.4 MPH 2-seamer on the next pitch. San Diego seemingly did not miss LAD pitcher mistakes.
The Dodgers were 0-5 wRISP in Game 2, and are now 4-21 for the series. Things just seem to just stay the same against the Padres in the playoffs.
I continue to say that defense wins games. I continue to get feedback saying the Dodgers defense is good. IMO, the LAD defense seemingly makes the routine plays, but not make the play to tear the heart out of a team. Profar made two exceptional plays in the NLDS while Tatis Jr. made a catch that was nearly 80% a hit. Two weak defensive 1B for San Diego made good plays. Solano stabbing Freeman’s ground ball in the hole and made the throw to the plate for an out. That was a difficult play for a RH and the infield in. Luis Arráez also made a couple of excellent plays at 1B in game 2. The Dodgers? In Game 1, Gavin Lux made an excellent play on a 9th inning line drive by Luis Arráez, saving a hit that would have brought up Tatis Jr. as the potential tying run. I cannot remember another defensive gem by any of the LAD defenders.
There was a comment…“Should have given Rushing at least a look before the playoffs.” Why? Why do fans try to equate AAA stats in a very very very hitter friendly PCL, with most stadiums in high elevations, with what we should expect at MLB against much better MLB pitchers. Are you going to start him over Mookie? Teoscar? Those are the two RH bats in the OF. The CF, switch hitting Edman, is tied with Lux for most hits in the NLDS by LAD.
Dalton Rushing has done everything he needs to do in MiLB. There is no reason for him to be sent back down in 2025, even though he does not have to be protected for Rule 5. The one consistent knock on Rushing was his bat was too slow. Has he “fixed” that? Are the playoffs the time to check that issue?
Philadelphia benched their All Star 3B, Alec Bohm, because of his slumping at the end of the year and his non-existent Game 1. It did not matter, as Edmundo Sosa did not make a difference. It also p***** off Bohm. Too bad. Produce. Should the Dodgers do the same for Betts? It will never happen, so why dwell on it.
The Padres journeyman C, Higashioka, is 2-6 with a HR and double. He has as many XBH as the entire LAD team. Smith does not have a hit in the NLDS. Should the Dodgers put Barnes behind the dish? He does not have the arm that Smith does, but he blocks better, and IMO handles the pitchers better.
Before the Dodgers bring up a C who is trying to learn how to play LF, why not give Andy Pages a chance? Yes I know he is a RH batter facing RH pitching. So what? Playing these matchup games has not produced many wins. Why not put Pages out in CF and Edman at SS for Miggy Ro whose groin has to be hurting. Pages is not a CF and he scares the devil out of me out there, and it goes against my thesis on defense. But…Do something different!
If I am SD, I do not give Shohei a pitch to hit. In Game 2, he probably got 1-2 pitches that he could hit. As he did in his 4th AB, Ohtani has shown a propensity of chasing, particularly when possibly pressing. Ohtani is the one bat in the lineup who can make a difference in a key AB. Even if Shohei walks and steals 2nd, Mookie has given no indication that he is ready to hit Ohtani in. Freddie? I would pitch around the other difference maker, Teo, and take my chances with Muncy or Smith.
Ohtani #1 AB
Ohtani AB #2
Ohtani AB #3
Ohtani AB #3
Without Ohtani, the LAD pitchers need to pitch a shutout.
I am usually a LAD pitcher apologist. I was not upset with the Tatis Jr. 1st inning HR, but I was upset with the David Peralta 2-run HR in the 3rd. It, was not a bad pitch. LAD hitters whiffed at better pitches. It was on the low side of the K zone, but caught too much of the plate. It was a slider that was moving right into Peralta’s swing zone. He should have started the ball more on the inside to break at Peralta’s back foot. With the pitch, Smith was moving his glove down and inside. The pitch did not get there.
Going into the 6th, Flaherty had retired 8 in a row. I do not know how unintentional the HBP to Tatis Jr. was, but the walk to Profar was a problem. He struck out Machado, and Roberts brought in LHRP Banda to face LHH Jackson Merrill. Did not work. The 21 year old who does not seem to be fazed by the bright lights, singled home a run.
Brasier made a good pitch to Machado who reached out and singled with 2 outs. One pitch later, the 21 year old hit an oppo HR. He hit the ball where it was pitched. While it was on the outside of the plate, it was middle outer edge. Not a great pitch, but LAD hitters whiffed at better pitches. SD makes contact.
Neither Michael Grove nor Edgardo Henriquez belonged on the roster. But was there really another choice? Like Henriquez, Ben Casparius and Justin Wrobleski are both rookies. And there was nobody else, unless you consider Zach Logue a MLB pitcher. I do not. I would have selected Casparius over Grove, but I am not watching them during the week in their workouts. Wrobleski was already well over his career IP total.
Bear opined that LAD probably needed to trade for two starters at the trade deadline, but trading for difference makers would have been extremely expensive in prospects. I do not think so. Other than Flaherty, there were two other potentially difference making SP: Yusei Kikuchi and Zach Eflin. I would have pushed for Kikuchi because he was a very much needed LHSP.
The Astros sent RHP Jake Bloss, their No. 9 prospect, rookie outfielder Joey Loperfido and Minor League infielder Will Wagner, their No. 13 prospect, to the Blue Jays in exchange for the 33-year-old Yusei Kikuchi.
Would they have accepted Joendry Vargas, one of the 103 RHP in the organization, and James Outman? Probably pretty darn close. I am not losing sleep on that one to get Kikuchi, even as a rental.
Orioles acquire RHP Zach Eflin and cash from Rays for 22 year old super utility INF Mac Horvath (#23 in A+), 22 year old RHP Jackson Baumeister (#18 in A+) and 22 year old OF/1B Matthew Etzel (#24 in AA). Older players in A ball? The Dodgers could have bettered that deal.
Flaherty cost LAD SS Trey Sweeney and C/1B Thayron Liranzo. Sweeney has more hits in the 2024 ALDS than Mookie has in the last two NLDS. Liranzo could be a player. My guess is that Detroit preferred Liranzo to Cartaya.
The other factor is that LAD fans value the LAD prospects far more than the other MLB teams do.
The Dodgers do not seem to have a lot of fight in them. Just my opinion, but they appear to feel entitled, and the Padres are taking it to them. The three bad boys of SD are not taking crap from LAD or their fans. Just how loud will SD Petco be. The Dodgers better jump on King early and often and take the crowd out of it, or it is going to be a long night. The Padres are not afraid of the Dodgers. It reminds me of when the PGA golfers were no longer intimidated by Tiger Woods. There comes a time that the opponent knows they are your equal, and the Dodgers better bring the fight to SD in Game 3, or it will probably be another 4 games and out, like 2022. I cannot be convinced that LAD is better than SD.
It is going to start with Ohtani and whether he gets something to hit, or goes chasing. And then whether Mookie shows up. Maybe Mookie can show a little Tatis Jr. clutch. Heck, how about Jackson Merrill or Kyle Higashioka clutch. Finally, while I do like the fight in Walker Buehler, he is going to have be Big Game Walker. Will the Dodgers improve wRISP or will they continue to try and slug their way to a win?
Probably because I am a Dodgers fan and hate SD, I am picking Walker Buehler to beat Michael King and give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
BTW, if the following cannot motivate the Dodgers, I am not sure what can:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/dodgers-dave-roberts-says-padres-manny-machado-threw-a-ball-at-him-during-nlds-game-2-there-was-intent/ar-AA1rRj0n?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=4ca614536c15452faf9cdbab33289659&ei=11
For every Skubal, Wheeler, and Darvish, there is a Rodón, Cease, and Yamamoto. If Jack Flaherty pitched a bad game, so did Gerritt Cole and Michael Wacha.
Skubal pitches a 7 inning 3 hit scoreless start and does not get the win. Wheeler pitches a 7 inning 1 hit scoreless start and does not get the win. Darvish did get the win after 7.0 IP allowing 1 run. Tanner Bibbee pitched 4.2 scoreless innings with 4 hits and did not get the win.
Cole Ragans, and Cristopher Sánchez. Ragans cannot get through 5 IP and does not get the win, leaving with a 4-1 lead. Sanchez left losing 2-0, but Philadelphia came back with a win and Sanchez did not get a decision.
In 8 Division Series games, the only starter to get a win was Darvish. Flaherty and Rodón were the only two other starters with a decision…a loss. The other 13 decisions were from the bullpen.
Wheeler faced Senga, David Peterson, and a full on bullpen game. Skubal faced Matthew Boyd and a bullpen. Thus the two aces did not face two opposing aces, and still did not get a decision.
Thus far bullpens have decided 6 of the 8 division series games.
If the Dodgers had Skubal they would win the WS IMHO.
It is much easier to win a game and even more so a series if you have solid to good starting pitching. Keeps your bullpen fresh and buys your offense time to get rolling.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
And yet the Dodgers do not have Skubal, and no he was not available for trade at the deadline. If the Dodgers had Fernando Tatis Jr. to play SS they would win as well. If they had Jackson Merrill to play CF they would win.
The Dodgers had a chance to draft Skubal in 2018 for 8 rounds. Instead, they drafted JT Ginn (did not sign), Michael Grove, John Rooney, Braydon Fisher, Devin Mann, Bryan Warzak, James Outman, and Luke Heyer. The Dodgers actually chose Luke Heyer 1 pick before Detroit drafted Skubal. Heyer was released June 2021. The Dodgers were not alone, as 29 teams passed on Skubal for 8 rounds. Skubal was the first pick in the 9th round by Detroit.
Also, Skubal had flexor tendon surgery in August 2022 and did not return to MLB until July 2023. Kind of goes against some LAD fans not wanting the Dodgers to acquire a pitcher with that level of elbow surgery.
I wrote that I wanted the Dodgers to trade for Skubal just after he had the surgery in the Winter of 2022. I know I am in the minority, but I do not fear previous injuries. Injuries are just too common place for pitchers now.
If the Dodgers lose this series is Roberts on the hot seat because this would be the third year in the playoffs where the bats just go cold and the team looks flat. Who would be a good manager to say fire these Dodgers up. The Padres manager he has his team fired up. The Royals manager has his team fired up as well as the Mets manager and you watch these Dodgers and they show know fire in there belly. Is that a manager problem or just the group of guys you have on the team. Who would be a good manager for this team. I’d like to see how Robert’s would do managing a team without so many stars. Say like the As or Pirates. Strategically in game management I would say Cora of the Red Soxs or maybe even the Braves manager if they let him go. It’s really hard to pick a guy but the Royals Tigers Mets and Guardians sure have some good ones and a young team to groom for the next couple of years.
Bradley, did you ever play any sport at a high level? You don’ seem to understand that this Dodger team doesn’t lack motivation. These are professional athletes that are actually trying. This has been 2 games. Mookie is hitting .150 over his last 6 games. He’s in a slump.
He doesn’t hit in the playoffs. In 22, he was 2 for 14. In 23 he was o for 11 and in the last 2 games he’s 0 for 6. Bradley, do you think that’s because Doc doesn’t give great, fiery pre-game pep talks? Maybe throw him under the bus, publicly? Do you think Mookie’s not trying?
These guys are paid handsomely to perform. But the playoffs are magnified that isn’t conducive to baseball. Go o for 6 in July and it’s no big deal. Go 0 for 6 in the playoffs and you’re a chocking bum. When teams succeed it’s not because their Skipper has more “fire in his belly”. He players played better.
Roberts is not on the hot seat. If they lose, he may or may not get fired. As for a replacement, none of those guys you mentioned are going to be let go by their teams. Joey Cora, who was part of the 17 Astros that cheated and the manager of the Red Sox in 18, who were also accused of cheating will never be a Dodger period.
I agree that if the Dodgers lose in the NLDS that Roberts could be fired. I am not sure that it is warranted, as I am not sure which of today’s robot managers can get better results. Maybe Lasordo or Alston could make a difference, but those managers are not managing anymore. It is the laid back front office liaison that teams want now. Is Craig Counsell better at game managing? Mike Schildt? Maybe if either win a WS.
I agree it will not be Alex Cora. Unless they think Skip Schumaker can be the same front office liaison and get better results, Doc will be back. Is it his fault that the LAD pitchers could not stay healthy. Is it his fault that Freddie sprained his ankle. Is it his fault that Mookie, Smith, Muncy continue to not produce in the playoffs?
AF has also done better this year. Shohei, Teo, Kopech, Glasnow, Yamamoto, Flaherty, Edman. Shohei and Teo are the two difference makers in the lineup.
You mentioned three managers of teams that are doing well in this year’s playoffs. So every manager of the teams that are winning are firing their teams up. The Braves have lost in the first round of the playoffs three consecutive years. Yet you want to fire Roberts for the same reason and hire their manager? Do you honestly think the Dodgers lost Sunday because they were not fired up? Yu Darvish pitched really well and held a really good offense to one run in 7 innings. If the Dodgers lose this series, it will likely be due to playing a very good Padres team and the general ineffectiveness of their starting pitching. They may fire Roberts but it would be unfair to make him a scapegoat for this team and I would be surprised if the FO fired him. No need for me to list all of the injuries to starting pitchers in this season but none of the injuries are the fault of Dave Roberts. Nor is he to blame for Muncy and Smith combining for one hit in two and a half games.
Well, we are about to find out what these Dodgers are made of. Just gotta win one of the games in San Diego and get the series back to LA.
Not sure about you folks, but losing another NLDS to a division rival and going one and out again is not going to sit well with me.
Go Dodgers!!!
Had just read the about the Machado ball incident before reading your article. Manny is a punk. So much for Davis suggesting he turned the page on leadership.
I’m a Mookie Betts fan and I want him to shine on the big stage. 3-43 in the last three post season starts (2022, 2023 and 2024) has me wondering if he can indeed be a big game catalyst. He seems so passive, but maybe in the clubhouse he’s the glue that holds this team together. Why does his bat go AWOL on the big state while other players step up and relish the moment?
I’m not saying he needs to be the vocal flamboyant asshole that Profar, Machado and Tatis are, but a little fire would be nice.
Win tonight and we’re in OK shape….lose and I think it’s probably onto the winter meetings for the Dodgers.
Jeff has previously chronicled the work of Andrew Freidman much of what I agree with. He’s done very good building regular season rosters but has come up short in the post season.
Preller acquired Arraez from the Marlins just after the year started, inserted a rookie into the line-up in Merrill (who will be the ROY while the Dodgers slow play rookie position players elevation and woefully misread the progression of Outman) and then at the trade deadline he got Adam, Tanner Scott, Hoenig and Martin Perez. Gave up a lot minor league talent but just might have done enough to get SD a WS championship. We’ll see.
Go Dodgers.
Excellent post norcaldodgerfan.
This third year in a row of Mookie failing to hit is really difficult to understand. Being robbed of the HR by Profar certainly didn’t help his confidence. But, the series isn’t over and he has at least 8-10 more ABs to prove himself.
Your last paragraph on the Preller trades shows how much Preller has progressed as a GM. First, a very smart move for Arraez. Especially so early in the season. Who does that? He looks for premium talent on a poorly run team and makes a deal. Miami had signed Arraez in the 2024 offseason to a $10M bonus with a 570K salary. So, San Diego is paying Arraez less than $550K and Miami ate the bonus after a couple of months. The four pitchers they got cost them less than $2M in payroll and minimal prospect talent. Thanks, again, to Miami and another poorly run team, Pittsburgh. With the youth of this team the depth in the minors isn’t that critical. Although the pitching will need some help.
In contrast, AF waited until the end of the trade deadline to make moves. And, it was probably his best deadline as a Dodger exec. Flaherty, Kopech, and Edman were all very good additions and a reasonable cost in prospects. It’s interesting that the Dodgers have a need for a SS yet they traded away recent acqusition Trey Sweeney to Detroit for Flaherty. He’s now starting for the Tigers and playing in the playoffs.
As good as the above trades were for AF it doesn’t look like it will be enough to progress very far in the postseason. The new additions are like putting a new roof on a house that has a deteriorating foundation (the crumbling health of the starting rotation throughout the season). The uncontrollable injury factor has been awful for the Dodgers’ chances of winning a World Series. Again.
Carry on.
I catch a lot of grief when I write that AF can build a great regular season roster but not one that can come through in the playoffs. I am still hopeful that this team can. AF knows that depth wins the regular season, and staying in 1st draws crowds. Why change? Does anyone really think the season ticket sales will go down next year if the Dodgers lose AGAIN in the NLDS?
It does not have to be Mookie, but the Dodgers have a team full of Mookie personalities. Freddie, Smith, Lux, Edman, Barnes, Outman, Pages, Taylor. Low key. They do have personalities, but they are not the face of the team… Kiké, Rojas, Muncy, And the big personality is Teo. But he is a one year guy, just like the key personality for 2023 was…David Peralta. Dodgers do not have the Reggie Smith personality, that was a multiyear regular and had the team respect.
The Dodgers have three fiery personalities, but all three are pitchers and pitchers are not going to be the fiery captains. And none of the three figure to be with the team in 2025. Buehler, Flaherty, and Kelly.
I have no idea how to draft, trade for, or sign that clutch hitter. But the Dodgers have not had clutch hitters since Corey Seager and Joc left. The Dodgers have won exactly two playoff games since Seager left. They have traded for or signed nice guys. But clutch?
Alex Verdugo is 3-7 with a walk and a RBI in the ALDS. Verdugo now has as many hits in two playoff games as Mookie as had in his last 11 games (48 AB). That dates back to 2021 NLCS Game 5. The Dodgers are 3-8 in those games. The last playoffs that Mookie played well was 2021. In 53 PA (47 AB), he hit .319/.377/.404/.782. In 2021 for Boston, Verdugo hit .310/.383/.452/.835 in 47 PA (42 AB).
Mookie is by far a better player and a better person than Verdugo, but he has not yet come through with his promise when he signed his extension. Bring home World Series Championshipsssssssssssss. Multiple.
The Dodgers feared lineup of Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman is not there. Betts disappears for the playoffs. Freeman is too hurt. They are not going to give Ohtani anything to hit with the game on the line, if at all during the game. Who do they have to fear if Ohtani does get on base? They can also pitch around Teo, because they have no fear of Smith/Muncy.
Nice guys finish last.
It was reported that when the Dodgers traded for Machado the team acknowledged that they wanted his spirit and enthusiasm in the clubhouse.
i think they know it’s lacking, I’m not sure how highly they evaluate it’s absence
Pages it is
Jeff nice article Roberts is Roberts Front Office is what it is and we near another year of more of the same. sad
“Do something different”
That’s what I’ve been saying the last several years. If Mookie can’t swing for a hit, then use your damn speed, bunt towards a deep 3b playing Machado, and get on base that way.
As we seem to say every single year “let’s see what these guys are made of”. I’ll reserve judgement on what pitchers we should’ve traded for, what pitchers we should sign for 2025, or if Dave Roberts needs to go or not after this postseason is over.
You’re preaching to the choir on “do something different” mantra. And, you, along with many others, have been consistent with this belief.
I think Phil Jones suggested this very thing about Mookie doing something positive like bunting to get off the snide. Hitting the ball over the fence doesn’t even work right now. Why not try to bunt? I pounded the table for Bellinger to do this when he was having his hitting issues. They are both athletic enough to bunt when in a hitting slump. This is the playoffs. Win NOW or go home. If not now, when?
Not just bunting but how about hitting the ball where it’s pitched, shooting for holes and cutting down on the swing. Getting really tired of Mookie’s pop ups seemingly every at bat. I really feel like he puts a ton of pressure on himself in the postseason and ends up overswinging and trying to pull everything.
Yup. Mantle used to bunt his way out of slumps. We just go up there and bang away and hope.
Beautifully written piece Jeff.
Do something different. It’s a great idea but it’s my opinion the Dodgers don’t have anything different. Just the fact Grove is on the roster while Glasnow, Stone and Kershaw are not tells the story. The Dodgers have no pitching depth. Flaherty and Yamamoto are THE guys and you saw what happened with them. Henriquez was something different. I was glad to see him on the roster but look what happened to him.
I’ve said it for months and it is staring everyone in the face at this moment. The Dodgers have to hit if they expect to win. And that means everyone in that lineup but especially the top 6 hitters. The Padres are going to continue to rip this pitching staff, you can count on that, so if Ohtani, Betts, Freeman. Smith, Hernandez and Muncy don’t match them you can forget it.
Totally agree w/Jeff’s Pages take. That’s what I would do …if I were in charge.
As always, Jeff, a great read.
Don’t have anything to add to what others have said here.
Maybe we’ll all be feeling much better at this time tomorrow. If not, we may have seen Walker Buehler’s last game as a Dodger.
I dreamed that today Buehler would have one of his best games, today he would be the same one who has always dominated those sons of bitches. And now he is more motivated after having been assaulted when he was with his wife.
What assaulted with his wife, what the hell are you talking about? Was it a Padres player?
This is going to be a rough off-season I’m afraid. They have to do something different, can’t expect different results if you keep doing the same things. I have been saying this for quite some time, but Homerun Derby style teams have a great time against weaker pitching and have a terrible time against the better pitchers in the league. There has to be a mentality change in the front office in order to start doing something different to arrive at different results.
I’ll be watching and cheering tonight but this could be a long night of viewing.
Buehler has to pitch lights out 6 innings or …
(I can faintly hear Dandy Don warming up his vocal cords)
I read the full report
Okay, I just read the report more fully and here is what happened. After his last start of the season, Buehler did not travel with the team to Colorado. He and his wife went to Santa Anita to watch the horse races. While heading from the paddock to their seats, he was the victim of a snatch and grab. The matter is being investigated by the police.
Jeff you accurately reiterated my feelings and previous statements, that it’s a Padres mission to get under our skin and take us out of our game. And we continue to take the bait. I see no point in Doc accusing Machado of throwing a ball at him. Again, we let the freckled-face little neighborhood brat get our goat. Profar is such a dick. He trolls the fans in left. Of course, he acted like a little bitch over the fans response by becoming incensed and throwing a tantrum. I don’t condone throwing baseballs at him but he instigated the whole deal and we took the bait. Ignore the bastards and PLAY BETTER.
AF has a problem trusting rookies in the post season. The Padres don’t have much of a problem trusting Jackson Merrill.
Jeff, I agree that Henriquez and Grove probably don’t belong on the playoff roster. But at least you realize what many posters here don’t. Who else that’s available? Casparius supposedly doesn’t have a role as a short relief guy, despite my feelings he does, and neither does Worbs. It’s the same with some lobbying for Rushing. We want to try to pull more rabbits out of the hat.
This roster is who we have and if they aren’t good enough then we deserve to go home and come up with a new plan.
I think we will see Casparius as a short inning reliever next year. Because he is LH, Wrobleski probably gets a longer run as a SP.
While I agree with you that LAD management does not trust rookies in the playoffs, they do not have a Jackson Merrill. That does not mean they should not at least give Andy Pages a legit shot to be a difference maker. Lord knows they need someone.
You are probably right that Doc never should have said anything about Machado throwing a ball at him. The Dodgers are not going to do anything about it. They are not a bulletin board material team.
And if we had a Jackson Merrill he might be stuck in AAA as we play CT3, Kike, Kiermeier and Barnes? We slow play guys. That might be s stretch as Jackson is an obvious talent but I think you see my point.
I do not disagree with your point. I have consistently said that the Dodgers slow play their talent. Fernando Tatis Jr. was 20 when he came up, never playing AAA. Same with Atlanta’s Michael Harris. Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope should start the year at AA and even with average results get moved to AAA. Dodger prospects need to be pushed. One of the very best DSL prospects was LAD SS Emil Morales. Start him in Great Lakes (A+). The Padres have Leodalis De Vries as thier top IFL signee last year, and he started and spent the whole year in the California League where he batted .237/.361/.441/.802 in 360 PA. He does not turn 18 until Friday. With 201 PA in DSL, Morales hit .342/.478/.691/1.169. They already know Morales will not end up at SS, but as we know, SS can find another position if they hit. Right Jackson Merrill, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado, Jurickson Profar.
I was surprised to see Alex Freeland and Jackson Ferris get promoted as many times as they did. At 23, will Freeland be ready for MLB? I am sure not in the LAD management eyes. Jackson Ferris is close to MLB as a 20 year old. He turns 21 in January. Start him at AA but with a quick push to AAA. His issue like almost every LAD pitcher is control. Tell him to trust his stuff and to pound the strike zone. If he gets hit, he gets hit. He will learn to shape his pitches better. This was the same problem Julio Urias had in MiLB. He pitched around the edges and got the calls in MiLB that he did not get in MLB. And trying to correct got too much of the plate.
There will be more of this during the offseason.
Slow play? If we had anyone as talented as Merrill and Tatis they would be playing.
And for the record nobody threw a ball at Profar. Profar walked up and handed that guy he had previously pimped a ball and that guy simply threw it back on the field. In my estimation many of the Padres are hot dogs but Machado is the only dick.
The question is, how much more does Guggenheim put up with here? How many more embarassing playoff losses will they accept? 5 years in a row? 6, 7? The Dodgers could conceivably win another 5 division titles consecutively and lose in the NLDS in the same fashion every single year. Is Guggenheim only about the profit? Or do they care about winning championships?
One thing not talked about enough is how poor the starting pitchers are in the first two innings. Every game, they are giving up 1-3 runs in the first inning. Actually if you check, the Dodgers staff is 26 out of 30 with a 5.11 ERA in the first inning, and have a 4.67 ERA in the second. This is a big reason why they lose, because they are constantly playing from behind, and this happens in almost every game. At least the last few weeks.
If the Dodgers fold up again, that would make 3 consecutive pathetic and embarrassing postseason exits, all from division rivals. Are you guys ok with this again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.
Maybe the Dodgers should stop being so obsessed with chase rates and edge pitches, (should be talked about more), and matchups, and load management. I’ve said this before, it takes something more from a team than just talent, or data, or “crapshoot luck” to go deep into the playoffs and or win a title. If the Dodgers get bounced again, I think there needs to be a sweeping organizational house cleaning.
John Smoltz was talking about how the Dodgers needed to change their philosophies on pitching first when Joe Davis asked what the Dodgers can do to you know actually go into the playoffs with starting pitching. Check out what he said, as I have been saying the same thing for a while now.
I do not think it is embarrassing to lose when you are not playing with a full deck of players. Especially when you are facing a team who owned you in the regular season. The Dodger’s starting staff is indeed depleted. Their bullpen has carried the load, how much more can they carry? How many pitchers have gone down to injury in the majors this season, and not just on the Dodgers. Are fans ok with this? Most likely not. There has to be some accountability. But I look at this particular team and I am amazed they are even in the playoffs. But I don’t get all teary eyed when they lose because winning it all just isn’t that damn easy, especially when your team is not playing with its best cards. And let’s face facts here. The Padres are the one team LA did not want to face. Playing in that ballpark is a nightmare for opposing players. But I ask you Scott, who are you going to get rid of and who are you going to replace them with? The heart of the team, Betts, Ohtani and Freddie are going nowhere. Roberts? Possible, but not likely. Besides, he has to play what he is given. They needed at least two front line starters at the deadline. They got one. Freidman ultimately is responsible for the roster along with Gomes. Analytics have definitely changed the game. Maybe they need to change how they use them.
Who I would move from the dodgers next year I would trade Muncy to st Louis for Arenaldo better third baseman and a good number 5 or six hitter I would sign Addames as the every day shortstop keep Edmans as the centerfielder and Betts in rightfield if they dnt sig Teoscar then yiu put Andy Pages in leftfield find a good free agent outfielder to be number four outfielder keep Rojas as the utility guy and and Rushing as the number two catcher or outfielder and get two starting pitchers that would be my off season so yiu let Kiki kiermier Kelly Hudson and if yiu can tradr Barnes and Taylor but that’s what I woild do to improve the team.
Okay, why would the Dodgers take on Arenado and his 74 million dollars still left on his contract, and who has declined considerably his last two years, and trade Muncy, who still OPS above .800, something Arenado has not done his last two seasons, when Muncy is only costing them 13 million next year. Arenado makes 32 million next year. Adames is considered a legitimate target. And since AF originally signed him when he was with Tampa, a good possibility. Edmans is not an everyday CF. Betts may well play in right, but it is a gut feeling I have that they move Lux and move Mookie to the infield at second where he is more comfortable and actually has more range than Lux does, and a better arm. That opens up RF for Pages. He is far better suited for RF, not left. Teo will most likely get a more lucrative offer from another team. Rojas and Edman will be the main guys who are used as utility players. Kiermaier is retiring so he isn’t even in the equation. Kike is a free agent and unneeded since Edman and Rojas and yes, Taylor, will still be options. Kelly and Hudson are almost sure to be gone. Barnes has one year left on his deal. He is not being traded and neither is Rushing considered as the backup catcher. He was moved to LF for a reason.
Actually, Adames was signed as an IFA by Detroit in 2012. As TB GM, AF acquired Adames and Drew Smyly from Detroit in the David Price deal. That was July 2014 and may have been the last deal AF did with TB. I do not know if AF loves Adames enough for Trevor Story, Javy Baez, or Dansby Swanson $$$$. A lot is going to depend on how AF/BG feels about Alex Freeland. Is he a legit SS prospect? Will he be ready sometime in 2025?
Thanks for correcting me Jeff.
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
“I do not think it is embarrassing to lose when you are not playing with a full deck of players.”
The padres are not playing with a full deck either. They dont make excuses.
“The Dodger’s starting staff is indeed depleted. Their bullpen has carried the load, how much more can they carry?”
Correct, this happens every year. So who’s responsiblity is it to make sure the Dodgers have healthy and reliable starting pitchers who can pitch deep into the game when they reach the postseason? This is the third consecutive year. isn’t this Friedman and management’s job?
“There has to be some accountability”
correct, and no excuses. figure it out, try something new, or go work somewhere else.
“But I look at this particular team and I am amazed they are even in the playoffs.”
Amazed? Why? they make the playoffs every year. That is one thing they have no trouble doing, because that is the easy part.
The Padres are the one team LA did not want to face.”
right, because they know they can’t beat them.
Playing in that ballpark is a nightmare for opposing players”
Why can’t this be said about Dodger Stadium?
But I ask you Scott, who are you going to get rid of and who are you going to replace them with?”
I told you, I am firing the entire coaching staff, and front office. someone like Theo Epstein is who I would look at, but I don’t know. That’s the second step. First step is cleaning house, and then you look around for replacements.
Freidman ultimately is responsible for the roster along with Gomes. Analytics have definitely changed the game. Maybe they need to change how they use them.”
Correct, this is correct. Isn’t it possible, that maybe they need fresh voices in the front office? Or would you prefer this kind of losing to linger on for another 9 years?
I was more talking about the front office and maybe the coaching staff. Obviously they can’t clean house entirely with the roster. Obviously Mookie, Freddie, Ohtani, Muncy, Smith, are not going anywhere, nor should they.
But what would you do? Would you trot out the same guys, with the same coaching staff, and same front office/management next year and do the same thing all over again. They’ll just lose in the NLDS again. Probably to the Padres again, or maybe Arizona.
And yes it is embarassing to lose in the same way every single year. Please don’t make anymore excuses for them. The Padres just lost one of their best starting pitchers to TJ, and have no trouble putting competitive starting pitchers on the mound, getting through the first 2 innings of games without allowing 3-4 runs, hitting with runners in scoring position, making great plays in the field, motivating with leadership, speeches in the dugout etc.
What do you think about the Dodgers obsessions with chase rates, load management, lefty/righty matchups? None of those work, and they continue to deploy those every year due to Friedman’s stubborness and unwillingness to change or try anything new. His ego gets in the way because he has to prove to everyone that he is the smartest man in the room.
Look at the Padres and what they have done. They sucked last year, and lost Juan Soto, Josh Hader, and several other key pieces in free agency or trade. They fired their coaching staff, fired their manager, brought in several solid yet not flashy players, like Michael King, Tanner Scott, Dylan Cease, Luis Arreaz, etc, and look at them now. They made smart baseball moves, and it’s paying off for them.
No more excuses, if the Dodgers are unable to win a playoff series for the third consecutive year, then changes must be made, and they must stop using their terrible and predictable strategies and philosophies on game management and pitching. There must be a clean sweep of the front office, and coaching staff, or this will just happen again next year. This is year three. Are you ok with 4 consecutive pathetic NLDS losses? 5? 6? 8? 10? how many more playoff losses will you be ok with before you have reached your limit with this current adminstration?
I agree that another early exit from the playoffs is unacceptable and will not sit well with me. If we are one and done again this year, I think the Guggs will have to entertain some big changes starting at the top of the food chain.
However, we haven’t lost yet so it is a bit premature to start the argument for major front office changes.
Let’s see how it all plays out first. We will have more than enough time to discuss what the Dodgers should do in the off season.
Go Dodgers!!!
I would guess that the one person who feels worse about his performance in the playoffs lately than the fans is Betts. There is a lot of professional pride in that guy. Is he fiery? Does he show a lot of emotion on the field? Hell yes. Those who think this team has no fire or passion are not watching the same guys I am. It is pretty hard to get all emotional when your pitchers put you in an early hole and then the other team makes a play that just takes the wind right out of your sails. Best thing is to just get the game over and get ready for the next one. Darvish pitched one hell of a game. He did his job and kept the hitters off balance. Everyone knew going in that this series was not going to be easy with the starting pitchers available to the Dodgers. They knocked Cease out of the game. Any pitcher can be beaten. You just have to take the fight to him. The Dodgers are famous for running up pitch counts. But they are going to have to hit the ball when they do get a good pitch to hit.
A refreshing breath of common sense.
Rosenthal says Yankees and Philly are under more pressure than the Dodgers or this year‘s playoffs. Found that reasonably interesting.
Agree with the overall sentiment that if Betts and anyone else do not step up in lieu of Freeman‘s injury, it’s a very steep uphill task.
Yankees are under a lot of pressure. First, it is New York. Second, the Yankees haven’t won a World Series or even gotten there since 2009. People talk about the Dodgers failure to win one and losing three years in a row without advancing to the Series. The Yankees have lost five league championship series, three division series and a wild card series in the last 15 years since they won the World Series in 09. They went to the post season six years in a row without getting to the series. Am I going to diss the Dodgers who are banged up and making do with a patchwork rotation if they get knocked out again? Nope. I am just glad they even got there with all the injuries they have had. Fans expect a lot, but it just isn’t that damn easy to get there.
Luis Tiant, El Tiante, passed away this morning at the age of 83. RIP.
At 83, it’s likely the cigars didn’t kill him.
El Tiante was larger than life, loved to watch him on the Saturday Game of the Week broadcasts. (you remember when there was only one broadcast each week).
What’s a broadcast?
Just kidding!
Tiant was loved in Boston, which for a black player at the time was notable. and thus I kind of loved them.
Self-important warning.
Apparently, Dave Roberts is making a big deal about Machado bouncing a ball to the Dodger dugout in the 6th inning of Sundays game. Dave called it unsettling and disrespectful and sent a video to the MLB office to complain.
Highlighting this minor incident makes Dave and the Dodgers look soft and deflects from the task at hand. They need to find a way to win game 3 tonight, not complain about being disrespected.
Interesting that you think they can’t do both. Both find a way to win, and callout improper behavior.
that said, I do think it’s possible the Machado was just throwing the ball away.
Seems to me if you want to hit someone with a ball, you probably want to throw it on the fly. From what I saw, the ball bounced a few times before it reached the dugout.
Also, if Machado was angry with Flaherty, why throw the ball at Roberts, whom I assume he had a decent relationship with when he was here.
I’m guessing that Machado was pissed and put a little something extra on his throw, but definitely wasn’t trying to hit anybody. But then I don’t always think the worst of him like most others here seem to.
I’m right there with your final paragraph
I agree and will add the ball tossed out on the field towards Profar wasn’t intended to hit him. A few empty plastic water bottles, if they were empty, were very wrong but not intended to harm.
Do third baseman not throw an infield ball into their own dugout? In fact doesn’t the first baseman throw the infield ball into his dugout, especially one on the first base side?
This sounds strange to me. What am I not getting here?
Rockies extended Black for one more year and MLB is taking over the broadcasts for the Twins, Guardians and Brewers. All used to be with the Diamond group, which basically has gone out of business.
Whatever happens tonight, I think we have a real shot in game 4 without Musgrove. I would lean towards an opener in first inning to relieve some pressure off Knack. Perhaps Brazier.
Most likely they will start Waldron. Yes, bullpen game makes a lot of sense, but they need to win tonight. I look for Buehler to pitch his best game this year. He knows what is at stake. They need to score early and take the crowd out of the game.
Sure seems like this post-season is peak SLUG playoffs. Especially the Phils-Mets, and Detroit-Cleveland.
Craig Goldstein gets his wish:
Major League Baseball announced today that it has approved a roster substitution for the Dodgers due to an injury sustained by right-handed pitcher Michael Grove. As a result, Grove will be replaced by right-handed pitcher and rookie Ben Casparius on the NLDS roster.
I don’t get the preoccupation with players who show emotion. Why is that important? Most here have been around enough to remember when that was considered bush league. You didn’t show up your opponent. Did Koufax bellow each time he struck someone out? No- he was an assassin. Did Drysdale yell at his opponent? No – he just stuck the next pitch in someone’s ear.
Ernie Lombardi told his Green Bay Packers “When you make it to the end zone act like you have been there before”.
Let the Pads be punks and show-offs. Let the Dodgers be classy, cold-blooded assassins.
The other thing. None of these players need motivation to want to win. They are probably more competitive than any of us are. They may be over-trying, if anything. They are just fallible human beings. Some people thrive with pressure, others not so much.
Finally, what does Dave Roberts have to do with injured starting pitchers or Mookie Betts being in a post-season slump? How is it his fault?
Precisely Rick. Back in the day the game patrolled itself. If you showed up your opponent, there were consequences. It might not have been immediate but players have long memories. I’ve seen guys hit in Spring Training over something that happened the previous season.
Profar was an example of how that’s all changed. He intentionally pimped the fans and then complained like a little bitch when they retaliated. He knew what he was doing.
Just imagine the response from Drysdale, as you mentioned, or Bob Gibson? Go ahead and act like a bush-leaguer but you will eventually pay – in spades.
Now the umpires try to control this, taking it out of the players hands and fans think all this bullshit is great fun and acceptable behavior. I often think of Ted Williams when I see home run celebrations in the dugout with laundry bins, tridents, photos of OMG and sunflower seeds thrown in faces. Can you imagine Teddy Ballgames response?
I’ve loosened up a lot but I absolutely understand how the game used to be played. Little by little everything has become tolerated.
I miss those days.
I do not disagree that the Dodgers should ignore the Padres’ antics, and so should the fans. But when it does become an issue as it did Sunday, we have to comment on it don’t we? Dodgers can ignore it.
While Padres fans are indignant at the LAD fans, and Jeremiah Estrada opining that MLB should not allow Game 5 to be played in LA. Maybe Estrada should look at the following that happened to Cody Bellinger in San Diego.
Are the players trying? 100%. I do not know of anyone who questions the players desire to win. Too hard? Probably. But your comment: “Some people thrive with pressure, others not so much” is also 100% true, and probably more poignant. How does a POBO/GM find those players? How do they identify them? The Dodgers players seem to be fine during the season, but their sphincters tighten up in October. Why? Isn’t that a legit question from a fan? Undoubtedly rhetorical since no fan is going to get an answer.
Players who struggle with October pressure:
Mookie – .245/.333/.367/.700
Aaron Judge – .208/.311/.449/.760
Clayton Kershaw – 194.1 IP, 4.49 ERA, 3.81 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, 51 BB (2.50/9 IP), 213 K (9.87/9)
Players who may thrive:
Bryce Harper – .280/.395/.629/1.024
Carlos Correa – .282/.352/.508/.860
Juan Soto – .269/.356/.496/.851
Who is the Dodgers the Dodgers Mark Vientos? Jose Iglesias? Some will recall that I have been an advocate for Jose Iglesias for the last few years.
I said the same thing about Roberts. Has he been a prolific manager in the postseason? Not always, but he has done a masterful job at getting the Dodgers to the finish line with the best record in MLB in 2024 with a depleted roster. It wasn’t that long ago that some commenters were questioning whether the Dodgers could even make the playoffs. Many said no. It is not Roberts’ fault the pitchers have incurred the number and severity of injuries. Or that Freddie turned his ankle and is trying to come back in a week from an injury that was estimated to last 4-6 weeks. Or that Miggy Ro suffered a significant adductor tear that will require post season surgery. Or that Mookie has seemingly forgot how to hit.
All eyes will be on Mookie and Walker tonight. Mookie should concentrate on driving the ball back up the middle. Buehler should concentrate on keeping the ball down and looking for soft contact instead of swing and miss.
the way everyone is commenting you would think they lost the series! The series is tied 1-1 and the team that wins the first game of a five game series wins 73% of the time. Let’s enjoy the playoffs, root for the Dodgers and talk about next season when this one is over. Go Blue!
Exactly. Go Dodgers.
Road Apples
After reading everything here today that is the thought that came to me. The irony is that just by adding this comment I further add to the road apples. Sorry.
The best laid plans of mice and men could well be Friedman’s epitaph for this year regardless of what happens. Whatever happens, happens. That’s my motto. The sun will come up tomorrow.
I think the Dodgers miss Logan White and his evaluations of potential draftees.
To Jeff’s comment that “the LAD defense seemingly makes the routine plays, but not make the play to tear the heart out of a team”, I mentioned yesterday that Muncy has been an inch away from reaching several hard hit balls down the line. A quicker third baseman might have gotten the out and maybe turned the game and series around like Craig Nettles did a while back in a Dodger/Yankee WS.
San Diego has made a few catches that were an inch away from being a Dodger big hit.
Someone is going to step up and it could be the Bucky Dent’s of the world and who knows the team that player is on. Let’s enjoy the ride, and like most rides, there are potholes.
Judge also hasn’t been good in his playoff opportunities.
Can we get vintage playoff Buehler tonight? Or vintage Sean Manaea?
I really hope the Phillies win their series.
They are the much better team, more fun to watch and, IMHO, a better fanbase.
BUT.
If they don’t, I wonder if we see a repeat of what happened to Dombrowski in Boston.
It’s a much more unforgiving market than San Diego, and like Preller he’s burnt prospects and money.
A depleted system (beyond Painter) and far into the tax. Plus, he’s been known to burn out his welcome.
From here on out, it’s a best 2 out of 3 series with both teams under enormous pressure.
So will the Dodgers players respond with focused confidence and a little swagger ..or do they play stressed out & tight and fold under the pressure?
Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic
““Manny Machado has taken a lot of criticism in his career,” I said. “For being too laid-back. For occasionally playing dirty. For being the kind of player you don’t want to build around. Well, what we saw in that dugout tonight, in that meeting, that was the most visible and powerful act of leadership in his career. He’s 32 now. Clearly a different guy.”
Ah, if I only knew then what we learned after the game and during Monday’s workout at Petco Park. That Machado threw a ball toward the Dodgers dugout. That it struck the netting in front of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. That the throw was forceful enough for the carom to carry out toward home plate.
Two things can be true. Machado indeed showed leadership in the dugout, draping his arm around catcher Kyle Higashioka and imploring his teammates to maintain their focus. But his punkish response to Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty hitting Fernando Tatis Jr. with a 91.7 mph sinker, well, that was Manny being Manny. Again.”
Manny is a punk.
More on Machado by Ken Rosenthal
“This is a player who in 2014 triggered a benches-clearing incident when he objected to a hard tag by Josh Donaldson. This is a player who in 2016 charged the mound and threw punches at the Royals’ Yordano Ventura. This is a player who in 2017 caused the injury that brought on the end of Dustin Pedroia’s career with a hard slide that some perceived as dirty.
And let’s not forget Machado’s heel turn with the Dodgers in the 2018 National League Championship Series, when he twice slid questionably into Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia in Game 3 and clipped first baseman Jesús Aguilar running out a grounder in Game 4. He also generated controversy during that series for explaining his failure to run out a grounder by telling me in an interview on FS1, “Obviously, I’m not going to change, I’m not the type of player that’s going to be ‘Johnny Hustle’ and run down the line and slide to first base … that’s just not my personality, that’s not my cup of tea, that’s not who I am.”
We’re sorry Mookie!
No, keep it up we need him.
Everytime Buehler pitches we play crappy defense
Great play by Machado blocking the throwing lane. David Peralta is the Dodger killer? What the ……..
Why wasn’t that called for running out of the baseline?
he was on the grass?
Well this game is over. Gotta save the bullpen for tomorrow night. A lot of Casparius and Henriquez tonight
Like I said.,This game is over!!!!!!
Unless he is avoiding a tag, there is no baseline. Smart play by Machado.
Huh. I had no idea that was the rule? So you could, in theory run into a 2nd Baseman who is under a pop-fly?
0-2 pitch to Tatis right down the middle. Huh?
Get Buehler out of there. I don’t think Rojas is healthy. He doesn’t look right to me.
Teoscar!!! Grand Slam!!
Rojas gone. Injured.
Don’t let Buehler back in.
Buehler did fine, His defense let him down.
Wow! You play like crap, you lose. Very disappointing. I don’t mind getting beaten — I do mind when the Dodgers beat themselves. I’m on the east coast, so I ‘m going to bed. May they somehow slug their way to a win — but sheesh that was just and awful inning, That was not playoff baseball
Holy shite — they are right back in it — still going to bed, Keep slugging boys!
We are witnessing the end of the Roberts/Friedman era before our eyes, and it couldn’t come soon enough IMO. Although I do like Roberts. I think Guggenheim makes sweeping changes this winter, and obviously Ohtani will need to be heavily involved in the process.
Maybe I’m wrong!!! I hope
Timmons is watching you!
So what? I don’t care. I can say what I want.
God damn it looked like Machado illegally interfered with the throw to 2B.
That’s what I thought, is it not reviewable? What is the actual rule for the baserunner?
He looked like he was out of the baseline to me too. Is that reviewable? and if so, why didnt the Dodgers review it?
I thought I heard Dandy Don, I was right
“TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PARTY’S OVER, THEY SAY THAT ALL GOOD THINGS MUST END, TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PARTY’S OVER…”
At least Mookie got a playoff hit, first one in 3 years. Mookie has a terrible record in the playoffs over the last 5 years
Not too late to delete that post.
Nor any other of the silly ones.
Or
Or what?
No, he actually had good numbers until the Atlanta series in 21. He hit .450 against the Giants. But in his last 10 playoff games over 3 years, not 5, he has just 10 hits including his 2 tonight. And the party isn’t over till the fat lady sings, and they still have to play tomorrow. No ace left for the Padres to throw at LA.
Wow Teo.
This bad luck is getting ridiculous. If that throw aggravated Freeman’s ankle then it’s time to check to hexes.
And please, no “Freddie to DH and Shohei to 1st.” Please.
Wow! This is just a great Padre defense!
Even Arraez! Who is known to be a liability in the field.
Aside from the inning full of weak contact, Buehler has been great!
This is a major component as to why missing bats (read: high spin) is such the rage.
I’m just hoping sticking with him doesn’t backfire.
I agree. Kudos to Buehler! Great mental toughness and I love the dugout fire. He just struggles putting away batters with 2 strikes.
I had some doubt staying with Buehler would work especially after the basehit to Machado, the wild pitch and IBB to Merrill.
Got to give Doc credit…..he made the right move. Now he’ll go to the BP and they need
to be lights out.
The pre-surgery Buehler I talked about the other day showed up today. I love the kind of player he is.
Dunno about that. He lacks the put-away pitch he used to have. But it could still come back (just hasn’t yet.)
Buehler battled today but defense let him down. The box score says 6 earned runs but that can’t be right. The freeman error and Rojas mistake should make 4 of the runs unearned. It doesn’t affect the game but Buehler did not give up 6 earned runs and with good defense he would have put up a zero in the second inning.
Not sure if he puts up a zero but your point is spot on.
Lux is 0-3 on 5 pitches tonight. No battle in his ABs whatsoever.
Will the Dodgers get a Kirk Gibson moment from someone tonight? The Padres BP is lights out.
Both pens are.
lolz not really.
Every batter needs to battle the way Pages did.
Total choke. Again. It’s beyond time to move on from the Roberts/Friedman era. How long does Guggenheim accept this kind of failure? Please clean house this winter Guggenheim.
Muncy and Smith need to give us something!
Scott that is not going to happen. They might fire Roberts, but they are not firing Friedman.
We’ll see. We’ll see how long Guggenheim puts up with this garbage.
Great game.
bad outcome.
oh well.
really enjoyed that one.
I think we’ve all seen enough of this right? How many more seasons of this? Please fire Friedman.
#FireFriedman
Yes it’s Friedman’s fault 2 good defensive players both make errors in the same inning.
They only charged Freeman with an error. Rojas was not charged with one. That made all of the runs off of Buehler earned. He deserved a better fate. They are not firing Friedman no matter what happens. Right now, face it. Padres are the better team.
Rats!!!!
Buehler with an ERA of 10.8 and it was a good outing?
Another game of not enough runs being scored. Ohtani with more Ks than total bases. Muncy, Smith, Lux, Edman 0fer. Team 6 for 33.
Bullpen was great. Teo with a big hit. Betts with a couple of hits. Everyone else, including Buehler, swallowed olives.
Not sure that ERA is in any way indicative of how he pitched. Lots of weak contact. Lots of infield hits. except for the one pitch to Tatis.
Buehler pitched better than his final line looked. If Freddie takes the sure out at 1st and Rojas flips the ball to Lux for the out, the outcome would have been much different.
Bullpen game next?
Pretty much. Zero chance Knack goes more than twice through the order.
Bottom of the order and defense let us down. Muncy, Smith, Lux, Edman 0 for 15 with 5 SO.
Not trying to be argumentative, but I think I would make the case that the superstars let the team down.
The bottom of the order is the bottom of the order. They’re not as good hitters at the top of the order. It’s not like San Diego’s bottom of the order was amazing.
And you call other peoples posts silly. Top 4 hitters had 5 of our 6 hits, scored 4 of our 5 runs. Sure they could have been better but they hardly let us down. You are a piece of work. And not a good one. .
I guess. Fair point!
I was wrong.
Cool. Lets win tomorrow.