Well, the next round is set. Now the waiting begins, and news will trickle in. Late today we learned that the Dodgers had flip-flopped Flaherty and Yamamoto, with Yoshi getting the start in game one. Flaherty will get game two. It will be Yoshi-Cease in game one, and Flaherty-Darvish in game two. The 26-man does not have to be submitted until Saturday. Big day for the Dodgers tomorrow as Freeman will face live pitching for the first time since he was injured during the last game of the Padre’s series.
There are players who are on the playoff roster bubble both offensively and on the pitching staff. Many want to see LA leave Hudson and Kelly off of the roster and put Casparius and Henriquez in their place. I have to believe Kiermaier is not going to make the final cut. Andy Pages deserves a spot for the way he has played against lefties. But all of the Padre’s lefties are in the bullpen. They have no left-handed starters. They have four left-handed relievers. Peralta, Scott, Morejon and Matsui. Do the Dodgers keep Pages on the roster as a primary PH? Outman was called up for the last game because Kiermaier had dislocated his finger.
The Dodgers on the other hand have only two lefties active period. Banda and Vesia. That is it. And the Padres have some thumpers from the left side. Profar, Merrill, Cronenworth all have good power. Arraez, is a contact hitter and they have Peralta and Wade who hit left-handed off of the bench. Solano and Arraez will most likely share 1B and DH in this series. The Dodgers can match their thump from the left side with Ohtani, Freeman and Muncy, but they have no left-handed hitters on the bench unless they keep one of either Outman or Kiermaier. Edman is a switch hitter, but he is much better from the right side.
With Musgrove hurt, there is a good chance that the game 3 pitcher for the Padres is going to be Michael King. The key to this series for the Dodgers? Their stars are going to have to produce. They cannot win with sub-par performances from those guys. That means Mookie cannot go ofer, and Freddie needs to be better than 1-10. Will Smith had his best game ever in the 2020 playoffs against the Padres. He had the only 5-5 postseason game in Dodger history. They need Will’s bat. Ohtani is an unknown. He has never played in a postseason.
Teo has exactly 4 games experience in the post season. He did hit 2 homers against the Mariners when he was with Toronto in 22. The reserves are going to have to step up. The bottom of the order, which has had it problems this year, is going to have to play their best baseball.
Padres-Dodgers, Mets-Phillies, Yankees-KC, Det-Cle. Who makes it to the LCS? Also, who thinks the LDS should be 7 games instead of 5? Let the games begin.
This Brisbee thread shows how fucking BONKERS baseball used to be:
Summarized here:
That was pretty crazy Bluto, thanks for throwing that out there.
Before George signed his first big contract, he used to frame houses in the off season with his oldest brother, down here in the South Bay. My dad was a concrete contractor, and I saw George out rolling joist on the second floor on a job my dad had just finished a couple of weeks before.
Ken Brett actually pitched for the Dodgers for a short time, in 1979. He was signed before the 79 season as a free agent. Pitched in 40 games for LA. Did not pitch bad at all 4-2 record, 3.45 ERA with 2 saves. He only gave up 1 homer. As I recall there were 5 Brett brothers but Ken and George were the only ones who played in the majors. Ken was only 56 when he passed away.
Four Brett brothers, John was the oldest he had a Framing company, that’s who George worked with early on, then Ken, then the brother who was a lawyer, if I remember right, and George was the baby.
The Brett Brothers; John, Ken, Bobby and George all played professional baseball. George is a minority partner in Brett Sports and Entertainment with Bobby. The Brett Brothers Family owns 3 MiLB franchises; the Spokane Indians, Tri City Dust Devils and the Ranch Cucamonga Quakes, as well as the Spokane Chiefs in the Western Hockey League. They also sell a line of Brett Bros. Bats and Baseballs. Ken passed in 2003.
Hasn’t changed much. Guys still charge the mound.
Right.
tell Yourself that
Agree Bluto, Bear is delusional if he thinks brawling is the same these days in baseball. Today is much more tame with the threat of expulsion for games if not weeks for doing the naughty dance with the opposition. REally just about everything has been wussified, no take out slides at second, no pitchers nailing batters, no managers throwing a shitfest with umpires, no hard slides at all, no blocking the plate or any base, the list goes on and on.
Not delusional at all. And I do see your guy’s point. Not nearly as much physical stuff. Last big fight I remember is when Puig was with the Reds. He started a brawl with the Pirates if I remember right.
So what exactly did you mean with your initial response?
I do not have to explain every post to you Bluto. I said what I said without really thinking about it, on reflection I was wrong.
True and fair
Money has also tamed baseball. Guys are now making millions.
Well, there are not as many actual fisticuffs as before. Umpires threatening to toss people has curbed that a lot. But guys making millions and not wanting to risk that with an injury is probably the main reason there are not as many fights. I remember a brawl where Joe Ferguson got his hand, I think it was broken.
Boy that did not take long, the Reds are hiring former Red Sox and Indians manager, Terry Francona is going to manage the Reds. He is getting a 3-year deal. I had forgotten all about Francona. He is one guy I could see in LA if they fired Roberts. That won’t happen now.
My son loved playing for Tito. He played for him in Philadelphia and Boston. They became very close.
I did not know he had Tito as a nickname. I remember seeing his dad Tito play against the Angels.
He does go by Tito as well. Maybe not so much with the media, but with his players.
You can forget about the Dodgers pursuing Ha Seong Kim this winter. He switched agents and hired Scott Boras.
How can I forget something I never thought?
Well, you might not have thought about it, but it has been mentioned on many sites more than once as a cheaper alternative than say Adames who is going to cost well over 100 million.
I would love Ha Seong Kim to play SS for us; he’s a defensive stud and a solid hitter who keeps improving.
Me too.
Versatile. Should be a value signing. Was hitting well this year.
Stats please?
Carrer BA: .243 OPS: .706. 47 HR’s 200 RBIs 78 SBs. OPS+ 99. Good fielder, not great.
Thanks…..he’s decent…I wouldn’t cry if we got him, but I like Tommy Edman, so why do we need him?
I don’t know. Ask Bobby.
Before the Dodgers got Edman, I thought Kim was a legit FA focus for SS. It is still 2024, so I am not ready to delve into 2025, but I think Adames might be too pricey, and he is the only FA SS AF will consider (IMO). AF does like Adames. Potential SS trade options: Bo Bichette, CJ Abrams, Jackson Holliday (Baltimore is no longer saying he is untouchable). If the Dodgers believe Alex Freeland is a legit MLB SS, then Miggy Ro for one more year makes sense. A lot to ponder, but I will wait to really look into it until after the season (and the Dodgers win the WS).
Can’t agree Bobby on Kim. He’s a .230 hitter w/ .700 OPS. No pop. Miggy Ro is getting older but is a better SS. To replace Miggy and move him to limited PT, I need to see a significant upgrade and that will likely be expensive and isn’t Kim, IMHO.
We wait with baited breath to see who makes the roster for the playoffs. Personally, I can’t get a read on what AF thinks. Casparius and Henriquez for Kelly and Hudson? Two up and comers for two experienced playoff pitchers that have struggled as of late. Does AF have the balls to put Casp and Henriquez in place of them? That would be a bold move.
Pages for Kiermaier? Pages deserves a chance, imo. Outman is out, man.
Shohei doesn’t have any experience in the playoffs. I don’t think he makes the cut. LOL.
Most starters won’t likely go more than 5 so that leaves a lot of at bats against the bullpen. I’d go with Pages.
Casparius and Henriquez have shown talent but they are green and AF doesn’t like green.
I agree it will be much easier if the top of the lineup shows up big but the Dodgers have to keep scoring up and down the lineup.
And now we know.
Badger – “Casparius and Henriquez have shown talent but they are green and AF doesn’t like green.” I know he doesn’t but:
Jackson Merrill, Jackson Chourio, Evan Carter, Brandon Pfaadt and Corbin Carroll were all green too.
Not speaking for Badger, but IMO he is talking about what he thinks AF will do, not what he would do. AF has shown his propensity for preferring veterans.
Yep.
Badger- I understood your post. I was speaking about AF and not you. Sorry if I didn’t’t make that clear.
No problem Phil
Yes, they need to keep scoring and that is why Pages should get the job.
Andy did play well the last week or so of the season. He capped the 7 runs against the Padres with a 2-run shot in the 8th. And he hit a long homer against the Rockies.
Yamamoto now starting game one – lines him up for a potential game 5. They view him as their Ace I think.
Also means JF can be available for game 5 on normal rest in a “all hands on deck scenario”.
ERA wise he is.
And of course it happened: the #2 seed gets the #6 seed and the #1seed gets the #4 seed. Oh well, maybe the Mets are good enough to beat the Phillies. I doubt it but this guarantees an East Coast West Coast NLCS which is what MLB and networks wanted. There are no West Coast teams playing in the AL so what they all want is NY v LA. Maybe home plate umps will be in on it.
The lack of AL quality teams in recent years is an underreported story
Who won the WS just.last year?
I’ll bet what the media execs really want is a Mets/Yankees WS
They should reseed after the wild card round.
I second that.
I’ll take it.
Is that a 5.30 start time?. Not ideal for hitters
Yes, 5:37pm or whatever
5:38 according to the website. Really bad time for the hitters.
Personally, I’m good with the LDS being 5 games. Adds a sense of urgency to each game, plus the playoffs drag on long enough.
I have been a silent Milwaukee Brewers fan since the Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Gorman Thomas, Cecil Cooper, Pete Vuckovich days. They have had some tough luck in the playoffs of late.
2019 – Trent Grisham’s 2-out 8th inning error let the go ahead run score in the Nationals Wild Card win.
2023 – Swept by #6 seed Arizona in Wild Card series. Brewers were ahead 3-0 in game 1 and 2-0 in game 2.
2024 – Leading by 2 in the 9th with their elite closer who does not give up HRs on the bump. Pete Alonso hits a very rare (for him) oppo 3-run HR for another Wild Card loss. Devin Williams’ airbender was not so good last night.
Lost to LA in game 7 of the 2018 playoffs. Taylor made a game saving catch. The kicker, Cody Bellinger was the MVP of the NLCS, and he batted just .200 in that series. He had a homer and 4 driven in. 3 of the 7 games were decided by 1 run and the Dodgers won 2 of them. The only shutout of the series was tossed by Jhoulys Chacin, who beat Buehler 4-0. Urias, Kersh, Baez and Madson got the wins.
Turner Ward fired as hitting coach by the Cardinals. Levine stepped down as GM of the Twins.
If the Dodgers do lose this series to the Padres, I am pretty sure they won’t go quietly. Padres are going to be in a street fight.
This should be different than 2022. All four projected starters (Yamamoto, Flaherty, Buehler, and Knack) were not there in 2022. Buehler was on the IL with his second TJ surgery. For the bullpen, only Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, and Alex Vesia will return from 2022. All three figure to be prominent in this series in high leverage situations. Seven of the 13 position players are back: Austin Barnes, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Will Smith, and Chris Taylor. Gone are Cody Bellinger, Joey Gallo, Trayce Thompson, Justin Turner, Trea Turner, and Miguel Vargas.
Shohei and Teoscar should be the two big difference maker changes from that 2022 disaster. All four starters are capable of going 5.0 IP. Although I would like to see Ben Casparius make the roster so he can piggyback with Landon Knack. Everyone in the pen is capable of going back to back in 1.0 inning increments.
Andy Pages will be a better option than were Gallo or Trayce or Vargas. Combined they went 2-13, and that was all Trayce Thompson. Gallo came in one game to play defense, and Vargas did not play. The 2022 bench was a joke. Bellinger was 1-7 with 4 Ks. Whoever plays CF should be better than that. CT cannot do any worse. He went 0-7 with 5 K.
San Diego is good, and will be formidable. But this LAD team can and should beat them. The LAD defense better be good because San Diego will make contact.
My darkhorse hero – Max Muncy.
How in the world can we possibly expect to win this thing without Gallo? 😂
My darkhorse hero – CT3 (he’s been setting everyone up for this for 3 years). I expect him to get us a couple of walkoff hits since he obviously won’t be starting any of the games. You heard it first here.
My dark horse is Betts. This is the Playoffs after all.
We will see. Street fights can be snuffed out before they begin, let’s hope it goes to a street fight. The Dodgers go quietly if Mookie and Freddie go quiet has batters as they have done the last couple years.
Unfortunately for our Dodgers, we could be in a lot of trouble if Ohtani doesn’t continue to go crazy with the bat. Why so you ask?
FREDDIE obviously won’t be 100%…this injury very well could hinder his swing, not to mention his defense. That’s one super star iffy.
Super star #2 is much more troubling to me- MOOKIE BETTS- has been non existent the last 3 years of the playoffs. In those years, his BA has been .174, .143, and .000, respectively. He has all of 2 RBIs in those 13 games as well. But what’s even more troubling is that his total post season numbers are .251 BA with only 18 RBIs in 58 games. His OPS is .710. These numbers are nothing like his regular season numbers (.294 BA and .897 OPS), and if the last 3 years are any indication of what 2024 will be like facing all these top RHPs…..then I’m thinking not pleasant thoughts. Mookie has now become a post season choker or maybe you could say, he for the most part in his career, has been a post season choker. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is how I interpret these numbers.Bottom line for me…if OHTANI is pretty much minimalized, we are doomed….quite possibly, another one and done series, especially knowing two of our SPs are recovering from serious injuries and may not be 100%. The Padres staff even with Musgrave out are firing on all cylinders. Gulp…
Sorry fellows…I wish I had better news for you….it is what it is. But what keeps me upbeat is knowing simply this- you still have to play the games. Go LA! This is still a team sport.-TM
They got to Cease last time and that was a little over 10 days ago and at Dodger Stadium. Any pitcher can be beaten. No one is invincible. Cease has pitched in exactly 2 playoff games. Darvish can be tough to beat, but again, he can also get lit up.
Since the 2021 NLCS, Mookie is 3-38 in the playoffs. Freddie was 1-10 last year, but he was good in 2022.
It doesn’t seem like any of you guys think KK has a chance at a roster spot over Pages.
Kiermaier has a dislocated finger. He suffered it in the last series against the Rockies. But he does have decent postseason numbers. He hit .368 against the Dodgers in the 20 World Series and hit 2 homers off LA pitching.
Sure he does.
I didn’t know about the finger, that makes a difference, but Pages still scares me
He is no centerfielder, but I would not expect him to be in CF late in a game. Taylor, Kike and Edman are all better CF than he is. He will be pulled if they have a lead late and are worried about defense.
Certainly not me. Pages has to be around as a bat off the bench vs LHP. Not even close.
And maybe it’s time for Mookie to reverse his playoff ineffectiveness, too.
I think he has a chance. Edman will be CF, and while not at the level of Kiermaier defensively, not all that far behind. SD could have 5 LHRP making a RH batter coming off the bench more of a need: Yuki Matsui, Adrian Morejon, Wandy Peralta, Tanner Scott, and Martín Pérez. That is why I think Pages gets the nod over Kiermaier.
No way can you leave KK out of the post season. Unlike MOOKIE, he shows up and often delivers. No way can you ignore his resume for a guy with no resume. No way.
Personally I’m worried that his defense could cost us a game versus a hit he may get if he’s not too overwhelmed at the plate by the playoffs, and playoff pitching.
I do not understand the reticence on the LAD starting pitching. Are they capable of pitching a complete game? NO!! But they do not need to. Everyone of them is capable of 5.0 IP which is what is expected in the playoffs. IMHO, the key will be Walker Buehler. Will he reclaim his Big Game Walker moniker? I say yes.
I fully expect to see Joe Kelly on the roster. He was re-signed for October. Outside of 2019, Kelly has been a very productive playoff reliever. Daniel Hudson? Both still throw hard, so it is the command that will dictate how they pitch. Even with both Kelly and Hudson, one of Casparius or Henriquez will make the roster.
Tobias Myers, José Quintana, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Hunter Brown, Cole Ragans…None of them household names outside of their home team. Any starter can get tattooed (Max Fried), but as we can see from the above, any starter can exceed expectations. For 5.0 IP, I like the LAD starters. And I like the LAD bullpen to pick them up.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Hell, texas basically won it all with two starters last year!
Great to see your optimism Jeff. But I totally understand the reticence about the Dodger starting pitching.
The game 1 starter has pitched 16 innings in the last 3 months and gave up 6 runs in his last 8 innings against a last place team.
The game 2 starter has given up 10 runs in his last 14 innings and has shown a reported decline in velocity that may have moved him from game 1 starter to game 2 starter.
Game 3 starter is most likely a proven playoff performer in Buehler with a career playoff era of 2.94. He pitched his best game in his last outing against the Padres which is a good sign. But he does have a season era of 5.38 this year.
And game 4 starter is rookie Landon Knack who is 3-5 with a 3.65 era this year in 60 IP. He started against the Padres last month and gave up 4 runs in 4 innings.
Of course, any of these pitchers can go 5 or more innings, but the starting rotation is the concern of the team right now. The bullpen looks great, and the lineup is strong, but the starters all carry question marks.
I also disagree on Joe Kelly. Maybe have him for long relief, but in a high leverage situation there are many better choices.
He gave up 6 runs in 2 innings in 2019 and gave up the extra inning grand slam to end the Dodger season. He has been average in playoffs since then, but most appearances are a high wire act. And with his era this year of 4.78, he did not earn the playoff spot.
The Dodgers can win the series if their lineup produces and the bullpen continues its dominance. The starters will need to contribute, but I expect a quick hook and heavy bullpen usage throughout the series.
Why are you even going to watch the games RC, you have them losing before the games even start.
I think the Dodgers will win, but I am being realistic about their starting pitching as a concern. Just like it was last year. The starters are all capable of putting in great performances, but in my view, the offense and the bullpen are the strength of the team right now.
I concur that the weakest link in the LAD armor is the SP.
With Joe Musgrove gone until 2026, San Diego’s #4 is now Matt Waldron, Randy Vazquez, or Martín Pérez. I think Landon Knack comps nicely against any of the three. Knack will be #4, and there is an off day following his projected start, so he should have the full bullpen behind him.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw 5.0 innings in Colorado, and could have gone more. He only threw 71 pitches. As long as his control is “in control” he should not have problems going at least 5.0. San Diego will make contact, so it is going to be the team defense that will have to play up. He does not give up a lot of HRs. Although Jake Cronenworth does scare me.
Jack Flaherty vs Yu Darvish??? I will be shocked if Flaherty does not go 5.0 IP. Should be a close game, and I suspect will come down to the bullpen.
As I mentioned earlier, the key question for me will be Walker Buehler. His last start was a huge win for a pitcher looking for a big game. Can he do it again? I said I believed he could. I think he has learned that he cannot rely on that 4-seamer being a dominating pitch as it used to be. Will he revert to that belief? They have to play the game so why believe he will falter before the game is even played.
I still believe this series comes down to the bullpen. Of the four remaining NL playoff teams, statistically the Dodgers have the best bullpen. There are no 12-13 consecutive game schedules for the bullpen to get gassed from. As long as the starters go 5.0 IP, they should have the advantage.
Going into the playoffs one can be positive or one can be skeptical. I choose to believe the starters will come around.
Good points Jeff.
The Dodger bullpen was the difference in the series win last month. They outpitched the Padre bullpen. And the loss of Musgrove puts a hole in the Padre staff.
Gonna be a competitive series and fun to watch!
It will be competitive. It will be fun if the Dodgers win! 😁
I am hopefully optimistic. Need the bats to show up big.
Kelly isn’t worth a shit in short relief, much less long relief. I don’t want to see Guano Joe Kelly in a high leverage situation. Hell, I don’t want to see him at all.
Yamamoto and Flaherty have to come up big for the Dodgers to have chance.
And Freddie and Mookie need to show up.
Any starter can exceed expectations and any ace reliever can fail to live up to his reputation (I give you Hader for the Astros and Williams for the Brewers who both had horrible performances in elimination games).
Bring on Tanner Scott in the elimination game and I’ll guarantee a walkoff hit by CT3.
Per MLBTR, Joe Musgrave will not pitch in the NLDS. Kodai Senga will pitch game 1 for the Mets against the Phillies. Braves are expected to exercise team option on d’Arnaud, Ozuna and Bummer. Rays acquired P Ty Cummings from the Mariners to complete the Arozarena deal
Musgrove out until 2026 with TJ surgery.
Ouch!
Glasnow will be next or soon to follow.
Why do you believe that Glasnow has torn his UCL again?
It may not be torn now, but, it is hanging by a thread. Just a matter of time till it goes.
I hope I am wrong.
It’s been repaired just a couple of years ago
I just do not understand why you would postulate that without any knowledge of the injury whatsoever. You know he has had imaging. What wpuld be the benefit for the Dodgers withholding this information and perhaps delaying surgery (if it were necessary). One thing I am very comfortable postulating is that the Dodgers have a huuuuuuge insurance policy on Glasnow so that if he does have a third UCL tear, the financial impacet would be greatly mitigated.
It sounds like maybe Glasnow needs to let any swelling subside before getting a clear picture of the elbow condition. Hopefully he is able to return for spring training.
In terms of insurance, I can’t imagine what insurance company would write a policy covering a pitcher for an arm injury. Especially, for Glasnow playing with the Dodgers. The incidence of arm injury for Dodger pitchers is close to 80% the last two years. The deductible or coinsurance must be at least 50% of coverage amount if any policy was even quoted. The Dodger front office is brilliant, but so are most insurance companies.
I just have a feeling that another TJ is in his future. I hope I am wrong.
Michael Grove and Bobby Miller recalled from OKC on the 3rd.
I’m assuming they’re only here for the taxi squad and not to take a roster spot from Casparius or Henriquez, both of whom might not make the roster anyway.
Well, I was right, Grave made the roster. Casparius did not, neither did Kelly.
We will find out tomorrow. I would be surprised if they did not have at least one long relief guy. Honeywell would have been that, but he is on the IL.
Umpires for LA-Padres series. Ripperger-Libka-Blaser-Bellino(CC)-Gibson-Johnson
Games will be televised on FS1. Luckily, I have that station on my ROKU.
Hope we see one of these again this year. Dodgers first on-field celebration of winning the World Series.
Cool pic Bear!
In yesterday’s sim game, Freeman took at bats, but Muncy played 1b.
According to Bill Plunket of the LA Times, he’s not sure if Freeman will be ready for tomorrow, as Freeman was not running at all yesterday.
I think Freddie needs some of the Kobe ankle healing powder!
Freeman is facing live pitching today.
Is Roberts on the hot seat? I believe he is if he goes one and out again.
Roberts is always on the hot seat with fans but let’s be realistic. He got the most out of an injury ridden team. Doubtful he would be fired even if they get bounced in the first round. But next season he would be a lame duck manager. Anything can happen though.
How can you say that after the job Doc did. With all of the injuries they had he still managed the team into the best record in baseball. You are all lamenting the state the pitching is in, but if Doc doesn’t win he’s getting fired. ???
I did not state that Doc would be fired or that is what I am hoping for. I merely posed the question to get the opinions of others. If we go one and out again, I think his seat will get warm.
Sorry I thought you were advocating
No, not advocating at all. I can’t think of anyone better off the top of my head. Some think Shumaker would be better. Francona would have been an improvement.
I think that’s much more likely than your Glasnow silliness
Well I don’t think it is silly to think that Glasnow may end up getting another TJ surgery in the future. Just because you don’t share that opinion does not make it silly. What are you, the new Timmons.
I don’t have a clue what is going on with Glasnow and I still doubt Doc is on the hot seat. If the players perform they should win. They are the better team.
100% not thinking ahead but Knack winning Game 4 to clinch sets up next round perfectly.
A sign of the times.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/seattle-mariners-name-new-president-of-business-operations/ar-AA1rIUnw?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=42de70f2505f484fe67ba4c8a4faf9a9&ei=28
Jeff, I’m not sure what this means to Seattle in the big picture. Isn’ Jerry Dipoto still the GM? He is who he is and has never really been given the opportunities to spend any money to shop on the top shelf. He makes a ton of trades but can never spend money.
Last off-season thew frugal posture was blamed on an unstable cable market. They were unsure of the amount of TV money would come in so they refrained from spending on guys like Teoscar.
There’s a reason they’ve never made it to a World Series and you can look directly at all of the ownership. I’m not sure how the new President of Business Operations changes that?
Maybe Jeff knows Martinez? Maybe his son did?
https://drchrisahmad.medium.com/introducing-a-game-changer-triple-tommy-john-surgery-tj3-055832076c78
Interesting article it’s not wire cables but it sounds as close as possible
Thinking the same thing Ron. I’ve semi-sarcastically mentioned little steel cables used in TJ. This sounds pretty damn similar.
Not to be a pessimist but you know what will happen? Pitchers will get bigger and stronger and go to pitching labs that have goals of kids throwing 110 in the next years.
They are using technical analysis of physical motion and medicine to turn kids into robots.
Personally I think it sounds like a good idea.
All young pitchers are going to continue to throw as hard as they can. That has been going on since the 1800’s. For most of us who did the very same thing it wasn’t a problem. If science can help those who need help then I’m all for it.
As far as Robert’s, it was definetley his fault last year that his number one starting pitcher was Lance “gopher ball” Lynn. His number two was an overmatched rookie and his number three was an injured old timer. And he blew it not benching Betts and Freeman who were 1 for the series! I can’t believe they didn’t fire him last year! TIC
If we bomb out again this year it’s because as usual we don’t have 4 quality starting pitchers and the stars don’t show up. It will be nothing to do with Robert’s, who IMHO should be manager of the year 24.
Good take Cassidy.
I’ve seen nearly every inning this year, I read the morning sports sections and of course I read the thoughts of Dodger fans here and there. Knowing what I think I know there are times when I think I could manage the Dodgers. The roster was put together for me, the daily results of algorithmic calcs are always there, just fill out the lineup card, be ready for the mid game moves suggested by the computers and sit back and enjoy the game.
Of course it isn’t that simple. Managing the egos of millionaires cannot be as easy as it might look to me. But the starting lineup today? I’m pretty sure the names I would write down on that lineup card would be good enough to beat the Padres.
The Dodgers are a very good team. Dave Roberts knows baseball and he knows his team. If his team does what they are supposed to do, they will beat the Padres. And if they don’t? Who’s fault is that?
I agree with that until I don’t. I hope the games do not turn on managerial decisions. Roberts is a people person and great at it. Some of the lineups he had to play this year were unbelievable weak and yet we competed and won. As an underdog Roberts is at his best. Unfortunately we are a slight favorite which helps the Pads play with less stress. Robert’s ability to make decisions with the game in the balance requires the best. I just think he struggles in this area. I don’t care for Shildt but he has to be right there for manager of the year. He does not have much playoff experience. If this series is decided by the players the Dodgers have a slight edge. If it turns on the managers decisions well….
“Unfortunately we are a slight favorite”.
Maybe in Vegas, but The Athletic quizzed 15 of their people and 12 picked the Padres.
Those same 15 picked the Phillies 11 to 4.
Granted, the Vegas odds are probably more accurate than 15 writers, but if you’re looking for a reason to make us the underdogs, you now have one.
Um, Vegas odds have one goal: That is to compel gambling.
In theory The Athletic people have one goal: To be right.
Those who are jaded and/or unaware of subscription business models may think the Athletic people are just writing for clicks.
It’s down right embarrassing what I used to do for chicks.
oh, wait…
Yes, it’s true money lines change when the bets flow, and the money has favored the Dodgers pretty much all year. And the money has been right pretty much all year. If I were to bet, which I won’t, I’d bet on the Dodgers. I think they are better than the Padres. And they have home field.
I hope someone post this info to the Dodgers. As a manager I would use this info.
Ya I’m guessing Machado Tatis and Jackson Merril aren’t sitting there saying “ohhh, Vegas has us as underdogs, so therefore we have no pressure”.
The Padres in their minds expect to win this series. The Dodgers in their minds expect to win this series.
No experts’ predictions or gamblers’ wagers will have any impact on what the two teams think and feel over the next week.
They expect to win but they can say we were expected to lose. The Dodgers don’t have that luxury they are expected to win. This expectation has been hanging over the Dodgers all year. Roberts said it has taken some of the fun out of it. Mookie comments tell u I don’t want to fail again. There is definitely a psychological aspect to this series. How it plays out we shall c. So far the Dodgers have met the challenge.
Both teams have outstanding lineups. Which lineup will perform? It’s kind of a toss up, but the Dodgers have something no other team has – Ohtani. That gives them the edge.
I believe an argument could be made the two best teams in baseball are playing in this series.
For me it is a coin flip.
If FF is not good to go I give a slight advantage to the Padres.
They have the better starting rotation, bullpens are equal and the lineups with a slight edge to the Dodgers with FF.
Have rosters been announced yet ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Ohtani made it!
So did Henriquez. Guess they got rubber stamped by the Commissioner’s office.
No Joe Kelly.
Yes it will be the same as it is now throw as hard as possible until you break.
Kelly off NLDS roster:
2024 Dodgers NLDS rosterPitchers (13): Anthony Banda, Ryan Brasier, Walker Buehler, Jack Flaherty, Michael Grove, Edgardo Henriquez, Daniel Hudson, Landon Knack, Michael Kopech, Evan Phillips, Blake Treinen, Alex Vesia, Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Catchers (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
Infielders (4): Freddie Freeman, Gavin Lux, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas
Outfielders (2): Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages
Infielder/Outfielders (4): Mookie Betts, Tommy Edman, Kiké Hernández, Chris Taylor
Designated hitter (1): Shohei Ohtani
Grove?????
Do not understand him being on the roster. Has given up lots of runs all year long.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Casparius wasn’t available. Honeywell doesn’t miss bats. He’s the only one who can provide length?
Honeywell and Graterol were ineligible because they finished the season on the 15-day IL. Grove was pitching well at OKC at the end of the year. I knew they would keep him or Miller as a long man. Cleveland scored 5 in the first inning and beat Detroit, 7-0.
Cleveland….. I don’t really care what comes after that.
Length? He of -0.7 WAR and a 5.12 ERA? In his last 11 appearances he went two innings only 3 times. If Grove is in the game the Dodgers are in trouble.
Who else goes 2-3 from those available
3? Nobody. Including him. Banda and Vesia have both done 2. I don’t want to see anyone going more than 1, and I don’t want to see Grove at all.
I didn’t look at this blog until after 2:00 and already knew who was on the playoff roster so it was fun reading all the guesses.
I’m glad Kelly is not on the playoff roster.
I’m hoping if Rojas or Freeman has to go on the IL that Outman will take his place.
Agree
Well, I got 1 of the 2 pitchers I’d hoped to see on the playoff roster for this round. I’m extremely happy to see Joe Kelly off and Henriquez on. I like Casparious but I didn’t really anticipate he would be on the roster. In a short 5 game series with 2 days off, The Dodgers can get by with 4 starting pitchers and the bullpen. Casper’s has been a good innings eater during bullpen games, but he won’t be needed in a short series. I think he’d be a good option for an NLCS roster.
It was mentioned that Casperious is not eligible. Why is that?
Tonight’s HPU is Janson Visconti – My book, for what it’s worth “6 year MLB. Can be very small north & especially south. Sometimes gives the high strike. Not great consistency.
Casparius was recently optioned.
How about a new main page before the game starts? The current one has 137 posts which is awesome. No need for a new main article. Just a clean slate dedicated to the game.
Thanks