This game started out bad and got worse from there. Bobby Miller just did not have it tonight to begin the game. Before he could get an out, it was 5-0. The feared Dodger lineup looked like a AA team against Griffin Canning. Canning came into the game with an ERA above 5, 12 losses on the year and had given up 25 homers.
No problem? Well, not the case. He set the big 3 down in order in the first. Of course, having a 5 run lead takes a lot of the pressure off. As with the D-Backs game on Sunday, Roberts started pulling his starters after the score got to 7-0. Miller by then had allowed 3 home runs. He did strike out 8. But he walked 3 and allowed 5 hits. All 7 runs against him were earned.
Meanwhile the offense has disappeared once again. It looks like they will lose a game off of their lead. Just have to wait for the results of the games in San Diego and San Francisco. The best thing about this game is that another day is taken off of the schedule. They also got the news that Yamamoto will make his next start at Dodger Stadium Tuesday against the Cubs, who are back in the playoff hunt. The Cubs placed two pitchers on the IL today, Justin Steele and Jorge Lopez. Cubs also got a combined no-hitter at Wrigley in a game Imanaga started.
With Yamamoto coming back, that means someone has to be sent down off of the 28-man. Take your pick of who that might be. Right now, after tonight’s performance, it could possibly be Miller. He obviously has lost some of his luster with this debacle. Sweeney hit his second homer of the year tonight against Mitsui of the Padres. Darvish only lasted 2.2 innings in his return from the IL.
Gallen pitched 6 innings of no-hit ball against the Giants tonight. Ginkel gave up a leadoff single to Fitzgerald in the bottom of the 7th to end that. Wade followed with a homer to end the shutout. 10-1 loss. Bad game all around. OKC and Tulsa both lost their games Rancho was a loser too. Great Lakes got a win. No game for the Dodgers tomorrow as they head home to face the Guardians and then the Cubs. I have no idea what they might get from Yamamoto on Tuesday, but they must feel he will be able to go maybe 5 innings.
22 games left. 12 of those games are at home. Their next 10 games are all against contending teams. Guardians, Cubs and then the Braves before they head to Miami for three. Then six of the last nine are against Colorado. One thing I think they need is for the offense to not take nights off. That is what seemed to happen tonight. I might be totally wrong about what I saw, but I thought they swung at too many pitches that were not in the zone.
Guardians are throwing a lefty, Boyd on Friday, Alex Cobb goes on Saturday and Gavin Williams on Sunday. No starters announced for the Dodgers yet. While LA is off tomorrow, both Az and the Padres will be playing. That means that if both win tonight and then tomorrow, they will pick up 1.5 games on the Dodgers. That would put San Diego only 4 games back and the D-Backs, 4.5. Arizona did beat the Giants despite another 9th inning Giant rally. Lamont Wade drove in all four Giants runs.
The Padres ended up beating the Tigers in 10 innings. The Dodgers lead SD by 4.5 games and Arizona by 5. Things tightening up a bit in the NL west. Dave Roberts did say after the game that Miller would make at least one more start, most likely next Wednesday against the Cubs in the series finale. The Giants struck first in the 2025 free agent market; they signed Matt Chapman to a six-year-151-million-dollar contract. The Dodgers are 4 games up on the Padres in the win column and 6 up in the loss column. As I have said before, the Padres play one less game than the Dodgers.
Will be gone most of the day, have to go to the Springs and pick up a friend at the airport. Visiting from Nevada. Will check in later and then update todays scores and standings.
For Bobby Miller his next start probably means do or die. He either shows something or he will be shut down for the rest of 24. At some point you have to make a decision and give the next man in line his shot (Knack ?) or hopefully have Glasnow back.
Miller IMHO also is not an option for the bullpen. He has too many innings where he simply implodes completely. Can not have that in the playoffs. We saw last year how that script ends.
Second beat down in the last 4 games, first in ARI , now vs the Angels.
I still want to see the Dodgers give Henriquez a look. An arm like that could make a huge difference in the playoffs.
Grove, Peterson and Honeywell probably are not making the playoff roster anyway. At least not all of them.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s highly doubtful that any rookie or pitcher straight from the farm is going to get a shot in the playoffs. It’s just not happening unless every starter for the team is not available. If, Yamamoto can look anything like he did, he will get a shot but his efficiency will probably take a hit before he can have real consistency as a starter. We’ve got to hope and pray that our BP will be ready to rumble and healthy. It’s too late for auditions. It’s buckle up time.
Disagree.
There have been numerous examples when a rookie is called up late and pays dividends in the stretch run and postseason.
You can call up Henriequez now and see what he got. If he falters so be it. But IMHO he has the potential to be an asset and provide more than Grove, Honeywell or Peterson in the bullpen.
Not much to lose if you try it.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where is the problem ? It has been done before. For example Bobby Miller openly has said he has a knee injury and it becomes clearer with every start he just does not have it in 2024.
In the postseason you need as many power arms in your pen as you can get. And Henriquez has just that.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Obviously for you it IS a problem or you would not suggest the commissioner would have to agree and the Dodgers would have to do some roster shuffling . But lets leave it at that.
Listening to some of the Dodger blogs on the net there is growing talk about Henriquez (for example Locked on Dodgers on todays episode).
One last thing: Why would they not replace Miller with a relief pitcher for the playoffs ? The way Bobby is pitching he has no place in the rotation anyway and in the playoffs you only need 4 starters to begin with. And in addition Grove, Honeywell and Peterson probably have ZERO chance to make it to the playoff roster. So that is 3 more spots that could go to Henriquez.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here’s hoping Henriquez gets a shot. One advantage is that he’d be a lively arm the hitters probably hadn’t seen before.
Miller certainly can be replaced; he needs a sudden reversal in his performance to make the playoffs. Knack is far more deserving of a spot in long relief.
We have our fingers crossed for Yamamoto and Glasnow… and I guess we shouldn’t count Kershaw out just yet. But among the healthy, Flaherty, Stone and Buehler are the top options. (Isn’t it nice to finally feel a bit optimistic about Buehler?)
Injuries can happen at any time, of course, but the full-time position players seem pretty locked in: Shohei, Mookie, Freddie, Teo and Will. Expect platoons involving Lux, Max, Edman, Rojas, Kike, Taylor, Pages and Kiermaier… with Barnes giving Smith a break whenever possible.
That’s 14 players for September–and one will have be shaved for the playoffs. I hope it’s a very tough choice. The bench will be much stronger than the one AF created in ’22. When Roberts needed a pinch hitter for the badly slumping Belli, he passed on Vargas and Gallo and chose Barnes. And he truly was the best option, even if he did line out.
I think it’s pretty close to a certainty that the Commish will approve. I don’t think there’s ever been a case to the contrary.
The issue with Henriquez is that some of his underlying metrics (like, say, WHIP, aren’t great.) I think Rushing would be the player to fit this mold.
Rojas not a starter? This is what Badger said, yet he has started most of his career and not done badly. He is a super SS, but he is not a super OPS guy. He doesn’t hit many HRs but my money is on him to make the big plays at SS any time he is on the field. If it weren’t for the Mookie experiment, his stats might even look better for this season and they are already looking pretty darn good. I think he’s good for another year and I’m hoping we make the playoffs so we can see him do his magic.
Wow where have you been on Mars. I guess you don’t check stats about Rojas.
Exactly bro, HR’s will kill you in the playoffs.
I probably just let this go, but I’ll give it one more try.
What I said, several times, was the Dodgers didn’t have designs for Rojas to be the starting shortstop this year. He was signed as a utility backup. He is currently at shortstop due to a set of unfortunate circumstances. Lux was the starting shortstop at the beginning of the year. Then Mookie was the starting shortstop for 65 games. I would refer you to the stat sheets. Miggy has played shortstop for 482 innings of 1260+ innings the team has played. He’s also played 3b, 2b and 1b for the team. He currently IS the starting shortstop, having an exemplary year and will be the starting shortstop for the remainder of this year while sharing time with Edman. I believe he will once again take the role he was signed for next year, the Dodgers hold an option, but the Dodgers will seek the services of an every day shortstop for 2025.
I hope that clears it up.
If I misunderstood you, I apologize.
One of the basic problems Dodger pitchers have had this season is throwing the HR ball. If you’re a pitcher coming back from rehab, this is about as bad a thing as can be. Having good command is not enough for a pitcher. You’ve got to have good control and not be hittable, especially, the BOMB. This is kind of killing our staff. Miller, Buehler, even Flaherty, suffer this flaw. Giving up the HR is our biggest pitching weakness. Even Kershaw is not immune any longer. This is a problem that we have not addressed as of yet and it seems to me it will be a real weakness in the playoffs. Letting teams back into a game via the HR is deflating. I love when we do it, but hate when it is done to us.
Good point, Jeff.
Miller yesterday had excellent stuff, Karros pointed that out several times yesterday.
But he just has trouble with the command and control. And pitching sequence.
His fastball while touching 100 is rather straight and the hitters can “see” it.
He should use it as a setup pitch and when he does he gets his strikeouts with the change and curve. As he did regularly yesterday.
Same thing with Buehler. Their fastballs get lit up when they are too much in the zone.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I often find Karros to say some pretty strange things.
In my opinion excellent stuff doesn’t get hit the way the Angels hit Miller yesterday. And the Angels are a very poor hitting team. Granted he did settle down some after the first, giving up 2 earned in 4, but the Angels teed off on him
What does this mean going forward? I don’t know, but the Dodgers may have to continue using the less than starters they’ve been using until Glasnow and Yamamoto show up. And if they don’t show up? Gulp.
Major league hitters can hit elite stuff if it’s not properly located. The Angels–though bad–are still major leaguers.
The White Sox otoh . .
What it means, as things currently sit, old Doc better think about the use of Bullpen games (I guess, not by design, that is what is going on currently). Just plan on getting 2 to 3 innings out of a string of pitchers. (No Bluto, I’m not saying I prefer this approach but it may be our only choice right now).
The almost unheard of rate of pitchers on the IL this year is really crazy. I’m not a Doc fan, by any means, but what the hell is the guy supposed to do, talk about a lousy hand being dealt to you hand after hand.
I love the Dodgers so don’t get me wrong, but if our current SP situations doesn’t change, we will not make it out of the first round (again). Glasgow and Yakimoto we need you!
I guess I’m missing something. YY is coming back. Add him to Knack, Stone, Flahrety and Miller and/or Walker B. and there’s more than enough starters to get through the regular season.
I’m also not aware of playoff scheduling post-wild-card rounds. Is there generally enough off days to go with four starters? Provided “normal” usage.
Wild card begins on Oct 1 for both leagues and is scheduled for 3 straight days. LDS begins on the 5th; all 8 teams play. On the 6th, the four NL teams play, the AL teams play on the 7th and the NL has a travel day. The four NL teams play on the 8th, and all the teams play on the 9th. Game 4s are if needed since the LDS is a 5-game series. AL plays their game 4 if needed on the 10th, NL plays their game 5 on the 11th. AL plays their game 5 on the 12th. The LCS begins on the 13th for the NL, and the 14th both leagues play. AL plays the 15th, NL on the 16th and both on the 17th, ALs game 3, NLs game 4. Game 5 for the NL< if needed is on the 18th, AL plays game 4. If needed. 19th, AL, 20th, NL, 21st, both, 22nd, AL. World Series starts 25th. Depending on how many games it takes to win the LCS, teams can have anywhere from 2 to several days off to set up their rotations.
Yeah, so most probably 4 starters.
Karros said Miller couldn’t get a 4 seamer past a lefty hitter. Location was the biggest problem.
Maybe all they had to do was wait for that center cut cheese. It looked like they knew what was coming.
I agree ram. I have more comments below
Yes Roberts keeps pulling his starters after 5 innings, sometimes 6 , rarely.leaves them in for 7. But I checked and their pitch counts.are in the 80’s by the 5th inning. At that rate letting them go one more inning puts them at near 100. Why are they throwing so many pitches?
Given that I think it would be helpful to have 2 long guys in the bullpen to piggyback. This would help the bullpen not have to use 4 relievers every game.
And in the playoffs using 4 starters some of them might need to pitch on less rest than their accustomed to. Having long relievers would help ( Knack, Glasnow, Kersh)?
Long relief. Don’t forget about Gonsolin. He along with a several other pitchers have a chance to return for playoff time. That’s the word from Roberts.
It’s interesting that baseball has so conditioned us that pitchers will self destruct if they exceed 100 pitches. How do they know this if they rarely let a pitcher throw more than 100 pitches? In the past poorly conditioned, analytically starved, computer less pitchers thought nothing of throwing more than 100 pitches. In fact, it probably never entered their mind. And a manager allowed them to. They were more focused on innings pitched and complete games. And, they pitched every four days!
I have never seen any explanation or reasoning on why 100 pitches for EVERY pitcher is the magic number.
To answer your “throwing so many pitches” question I don’t think they really are. If they are allowed to throw 110-120 pitches then the 7th or 8th inning should not be a problem.
With 16 games in 17 coming up here is how I look at the pitching situation for that stretch (the lineup and bench is pretty much set up):
Starters for the next 5 games according to what Roberts has said yesterday: Knack, Stone, Flaherty, Buehler, Yamamoto . I think they will DFA Honeywell or Peterson to bring up Knack. Then the decision will come if Miller gets another start on Wednesday to give the other 5 the extra day as has been the case most of the year.
Bullpen I would like to see: Kopech, Phillps, Treinen, Hudson, Brasier, Banda, Vesia, Grove/Honeywell/Peterson. Eventually need to sent down or DFA 2 out of 3 for Knack on Friday and then for Yamamoto on Tuesday.
Grove has options so one of Peterson and Honeywell will have to be dFAed. Should they call up Graterol all three of them will be gone by then.
When Glasnow comes back (fingers crossed) a decision on Bobby Miller will have to made. If he does not well next Wednesday I think that will it be for him for 2024.
Yes, the stuff is there but the Dodgers can not wait any longer for him to maybe work out his mechanics and psyche. To Those who think he is close; He has not been able to correct himself all season long. Why do you think that will happen in the last 3 weks before October ? If the Dodgers would be up 10 games in the standings they might wait til the end of the regular season but with all the injuries, the overworked pen (looking at the last 2 months) and a dog fight for the division they simply can not give Bobby Miller that additional time. And it pains me to say it cause I am one of the biggest Bobby Miller fans around. When I saw that first inning today on MLB archives I skipped breakfast because of it. Made me really depressed.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like tp see Miller effective in at least two straight games in order to have him on the playoff roster. Last night was one and he failed miserably. Why waste another turn on him when there will be others to work into the rotation. I would shut him down and make an appointment for some sessions with a sports psychologist. Start fresh in the Spring. It’s all mental with him. He has Kershaw, Glasnow, and even Gavin Stone to go to for some guidance. Pryor isn’t getting through to him.
Once again Ted, spot on.
Knack being called up to pitch the opener against Cleveland on Friday.
If Glasnow and Yamamoto finish this year healthy and well, I would entertain trading them in the off season. That should raise a few eyebrows. If payroll is the lid on which free agents the Dodgers chase then dumping their cost would free up payroll to fight for Soto.
Yes, the Dodgers will need more pitchers if Glasnow and Yamamoto are gone but how much fun would it be with Betts, Soto, Ohtani, Freeman in the lineup.
Yikes, I know nothing, but I would put major money in Vegas on these three things ALL not happening this off-season:
One: Glasnow traded.
Two: Yamamoto traded.
Three: Soto signed.
Perhaps more money than on any other potential Dodger move except for re-signing Grandal.
I am not a gambler by any stretch but I would bet that none of those things happen.
Andrew says he’s never before made trades based on fun but he’ll certainly consider it. Thanks for the suggestion.
Sometimes you wonder, do they game plan against pitchers every single game? This guy is trying to lead MLB in losses. I am guessing there are patterns you can pick up on film. Like the fact he sucks at pitching.
I guess it’s best just to move on from a game like that. It does not build confidence at any level.
I mean they definitely game plan, but do the batters adhere to such plans completely? Very doubtful. Old habits, the dynamics of the at-bats, what they see from the bench and at-bat circles, how they are feeling in the moment….
“Like the fact he sucks at pitching.”
RogerDodger, that is funny! Sometimes it’s the obvious stuff.
🤣
Ted, “Dodger lineup posted on the Dodger broadcast a couple of minutes before the first pitch. Then showed the Angel pitcher’s stats for the season.”
Thanks for the report on SNLA.
That’s what I see as well and it’s inadequate in my opinion. The visiting team’s lineup and the starting pitcher’s stats are less than half of the information I want to know.
I want to see the defensive alignment, too.
In the bottom of the inning, I want the same information in reverse with the umpires listed in there somewhere.
I don’t know why they don’t do that.
Maybe MLB believes the less you know about the umpires the better. You can read about it after they’re dressed and out of the building. It’s a safety issue.
It’s my opinion Joe Davis is more prepared with historical and statistical anecdotes than any of the others.
The NY Yankees not only identify the umpires pregame, they give a scouting report on the HPU.
Maybe, MLB and Manfred love the Yankees and allow it. They hate the Dodgers and they would probably be fined $10M and lose a few draft picks for poor sportsmanship and to the detriment of baseball. Although the investigation would take a couple of years and keep the team in the dark up until the day of the draft.
Miller struggled with some of the same issues that Miller has shown. But Miller is getting worse while Buehler is showing improvement.
This was my analysis yesterday of Buehler. Miller suffers from similar issues.
Much of what I wrote about Buehlar applies to Miller, in spades.
Walker was again victimized by the home run. He just doesn’t seem to get away with mistakes. I set out to research why. His fastball seems to be the problem and he lives “thigh high” with that pitch. Even when not center-cut, thigh high gets hit. More at the top or bottom of the zone, works.
His velocity is back to where it was prior to TJ, but it’s lost movement. It’s hit at a .367 clip. His other pitches are more effective, especially his cutter, which I think he hung last night for a dinger. His changeup has been horseshit, but he never throws it. That pitch could keep hitters off his fastball. He could rally use that pitch now days, if he could improve it and threw it way more often. But he gets better every outing.
Both of the homers off Buehler were solo shots.
Miller just can’t locate his pitches. 85 pitches in 5 innings with 3 walks doesn’t look horrible, in today’s game. But a closer look reveals his issues.
He threw 29 pitches in the first inning. Walk, hit by pitch on 0&1, single, single, home run. He got ahead of the next 3 hitters and struck out the side.
The homer in the 2nd was on a 3&1 count.
Another 19 pitch 5th including homer, walk, walk. A double-play saved more damage.
It doesn’t take Einstein to figure out the problem. If you pitch behind in the count to big league hitters with no consistent command of at least one breaking pitch, these big innings, you will get rocked.
Plus they say you can see his pitches well out of hand.
We really could use one of these guys for the playoffs, obviously.
Miller just can’t locate his pitches. 85 pitches in 5 innings with 3 walks doesn’t look horrible, in today’s game. But a closer look reveals his issues.
He throw 29 pitches in the first inning. Walk, hit by pitch on 0&1, single, single, home run. He got ahead of the next 3 hitters and struck out the side.
The homer in the 2nd was on a 3&1 count.
Another 19 pitch 5th including homer, walk, walk. A double-play saved more damage.
It doesn’t take Einstein to figure out the problem.
Plus they say you can see his pitches well out of hand.
In case you missed it, this was my assessment of Buehler I posted yesterday. The same applies to Miller only more so.
“Walker was again victimized by the home run. He just doesn’t seem to get away with mistakes. I set out to research why. His fastball seems to be the problem and he lives “thigh high” with that pitch. Even when not center-cut, thigh high gets hit. More at the top or bottom of the zone, works.
His velocity is back to where it was prior to TJ, but it’s lost movement. It’s hit at a .367 clip. His other pitches are more effective, especially his cutter, which I think he hung last night for a dinger. His changeup has been horseshit, but he never throws it. That pitch could keep hitters off his fastball. He could rally use that pitch now days, if he could improve it and threw it way more often. But he gets better every outing.”
Miller’s lack of success is stunning with every pitch but his change-up.
While Batting Average isn’t every thing, it’s worth a look in his case.
By pitch type, take a look at batting average difference between 2023 compared to 2024:
4-seamer; BA up .63 pts from 23
curve: BA up .130 pts
sinker: BA up .105 pts
slider” BA up .56 pts
Change-up: BA down .33 pts. His ONLY effective pitch is his change.
That just has to be command issues.
Miller is not getting better and I think it’s one more try or shut down for the year.
Enjoyed reading this.
Jim Bowden put out his Top 50 Prospect List today.
Rushing – 17
dePaula – 30
Normally I wouldn’t pay any attention to a prospect list from him but he had one interesting comment about dePaula. He said Juan Soto speaks very highly of him.
I would think Soto knows good hitting when he sees it.
Unfortunately no context or quote was given in the article.
They work out together
Az lost to the Giants today, 3-2, picked up 1/2 game in the standings. Az now 5.5 back. Little help from our friends up north. SD will either be 4 or 5 games back depending on if they win or lose. Pads have 6 games left with the Giants.
So it’s been reported that Landon Knack will take Kershaw’s start on Friday. This is a great opportunity for Knack, who with a strong start could push himself ahead of Miller in the pitching pecking order.
The plain fact is that Knack has out-performed both Miller and Buehler this season. A convincingly strong performance by Knack could also ease some of the the uncertainty that still surrounds Glasnow, Yamamoto and Kershaw.
In my many fantasy trades, I’ve packaged Knack in many deals–for Burnes, Cease, Crochet, Skubal…
With his lumpy build, Knack is not out of central casting. But he’s got an outside chance here to be a Cinderella Man, the hero nobody expected. Everybody likes a good story, right?
Poor man’s Bartolo Colon. One thing I really like about the kid, he attacks the K-zone.
Don’t pitchers work out to condition their whole body? It’s hard for me to consider any pro athlete serious if they do not work on their conditioning. Max Muncy and Knack are two prime examples of undisciplined athletes who can’t deal with their bad habits. They should be fined for being out of shape.
Funny stuff
Jeff – If you read Money Ball I believe Billy Beane said “we’re not selling jeans here” to the scouts regarding a dumpy catcher he loved.
It’s not a Mister America Contest.
Did you workout when you played ball?
Wow — Tigers just hit a full-count, two outs grand slam in the top of the 9th to take a 4-3 lead over the Pads.
Nice
Tigers stun Padres. Down 3-0 in the top of the 9th and down to their last strike, the Tigers got a grand slam homer from rookie Parker Meadows and beat SD 4-3. Dodger lead against SD is now 4.5. Since Az lost too, LA picks up a half game on them too. Lead by 5.5.
6 games up in the loss column on both Puds and D’Bags.