On May 19, the Dodgers embarked on a 29 game in 32 days against teams with .500+ winning percentages. At the beginning of that date, the Dodgers had a 1.0 game lead over both San Diego and San Francisco, and a 4.0 game lead over Arizona. Many LAD fans were writing that the Dodgers were doomed with that schedule and lack of starting pitching. Hard to argue, but then again, these are the Dodgers.
The Dodgers opponents:
- Arizona – 3 (Home)
- NYM – 3 (Away)
- Cleveland – 3 (Away)
- NYY – 3 (Home)
- NYM – 4 (Home)
- St. Louis – 3 (Away)
- San Diego – 3 (Away)
After the first 22 games, the Dodgers record was 12-10.
San Francisco opponents over the same period of May 19 – June 12.
- KC – 3 (Home)
- Nationals – 3 (Away)
- Detroit – 3 (Away)
- Miami – 3 (Away)
- San Diego – 4 (Home)
- Atlanta – 3 (Home)
- Colorado – 3 (Away)
San Francisco had 12 sub .500 teams and 10 .500+ teams. For the 22 games, San Francisco had a 12-10 record.
San Diego opponents over the same period of May 19 – June 12.
- Toronto – 3 (Away)
- Atlanta – 3 (Away)
- Miami – 3 (Home)
- Pirates – 3 (Home)
- San Francisco – 4 (Away)
- Braves – 3 (Away)
- Dodgers – 3 (Home)
San Diego had 15 sub .500 teams and 7 .500+ teams. For the 22 games, San Diego had a 11-11 record.
Arizona opponents over the same period of May 19 – June 12.
- Dodgers – 3 (Away)
- Louis – 3 (Away)
- Pirates – 3 (Home)
- Nationals – 3 (Home)
- Braves – 3 (Away)
- Reds – 3 (Away)
- Mariners – 3 (Home)
Arizona had 12 sub .500 teams and 9 .500+ teams. For the 21 games, Arizona had a 9-12 record.
Only San Francisco played more games against + .500 teams, and that was 12 teams to 10 teams. The Dodgers were 22-0 for teams +.500 vs teams -.500.
Over that period of time, the Dodgers picked up 2.5 games over the Dbacks, 1.0 game over the Padres, and no change with San Francisco.
For the next week:
- Dodgers – 3 against San Francisco and 4 against San Diego
- San Diego – 3 against Arizona and 4 against Dodgers
- San Francisco – 3 against Dodgers and 3 against Cleveland
- Arizona – 3 against San Diego and 3 against Toronto
The Dodgers schedule after the next 7 games should be one of the easier in MLB. The Dodgers pitchers will begin to return around the All Star break. If the Padres and Giants cannot catch or surpass the Dodgers with an easier schedule over the last 22 games and without Ohtani, Snell, and Glasnow in the rotation, how will they catch them when the Dodgers are playing an easier schedule, and they have those three in the rotation?
I know there are those out there that do not give the Dodgers a chance, just like last year. We know how last year turned out, and I suspect, LAD will be there at the end in 2025 as well.
These were the critical 29 games of the schedule, and while they are not yet complete, I am going with over .500 record over the 29 games.
The first three games against San Francisco:
- Friday – Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs Logan Webb
- Saturday – Clayton Kershaw vs Landen Roupp
- Sunday – Dustin May vs Kyle Harrison
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
Albuquerque Isotopes (Colorado) 9 – OKC Comets 8
Emmet Sheehan started for OKC and complete 3.1 innings. He gave up 4 runs, 3 on a pair of HRs, and an inherited run scored for the 4 runs. I do not get too excited for HRs allowed in Albuquerque. He did not walk a batter and did get 7 K. Unfortunately he did not get his 4.0 innings, so he will necessarily need another start at OKC. He did ramp up to 63 pitches/43 for strikes. Can he get to 75 next outing?
The Oklahoma City Comets erased a two-run deficit in the ninth inning, but the Albuquerque Isotopes scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the Comets to a 9-8 loss Thursday night.
Trailing, 8-6, with the bases empty and two outs in the ninth inning, three straight Comets reached base to load the bases for Hunter Feduccia, who tied the game with a two-run single. After the Comets left the bases loaded to end the top of the ninth inning, the Isotopes collected three singles in the bottom of the frame, including the game-winner by Warming Bernabel with two outs.
OKC took a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a leadoff homer by James Outman and RBI triple by Feduccia. Albuquerque scored the next three runs to go in front, 3-2, after three innings. In the fourth inning, the Comets hit three doubles to plate three runs and take a 5-3 lead. But in the bottom of the inning, Adael Amador hit a three-run homer.
The Isotopes remained in front, 6-5, until Alex Freeland tied the game in the eighth inning with a solo homer. Michael Toglia responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to put the Isotopes back in the lead.
- James Outman – 2-4, 1 BB, 2 runs, 1 RBI, HR (13)
- Alex Freeland – 2-3, 2 BB, 3runs, 1 RBI, double (20), HR (8)
- Hunter Feduccia – 2-5, 3 RBI, triple (3)
- Nick Senzel – 2-4, 1 run, 2 RBI, double (3)
- Doubles – Michael Chavis (16) and Austin Gauthier (6)
Box Score
Springfield Cardinals 4 – Tulsa Drillers 3 – 10 innings
Offensive production continued to prove elusive for the Tulsa Drillers on Thursday night in an extra-innings loss in Springfield. In a game that took ten innings to decide a winner, the Drillers produced just four hits and three runs and lost 4-3 to the Cardinals.
It was the sixth straight defeat for the Drillers, setting a season high for the most consecutive losses. They have scored just six total runs in their last four losses, and they have been shut out in two of them.
For the first time in the series, the Drillers held a lead after scoring the game’s first run in the top of the third inning. With one out, Kendall Simmons and Ezequiel Pagan produced consecutive doubles that gave the Drillers a 1-0 lead.
The Cardinals quickly responded in the bottom half of the third to tie the game at 1-1. Cardinals took a 2-1 lead in the 5th.
The Drillers scored to tie the game in the top of the eighth, but the inning summed up their recent offensive struggles. Taylor Young and Simmons opened the frame by drawing consecutive walks. Pagan came through again with a base hit that scored Young with the game-tying run.
Following Pagan’s hit, Chris Newell drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Just needing to put a ball into play to likely take the lead, three straight Drillers batters went down on strikes to leave the bases loaded and keep the score tied.
John Rhodes came through with the big, two-out hit when he lined a single into right field to score Simmons (placed runner) and give Tulsa a 3-2 lead in the 10th.
Springfield scored a pair on a pair of run scoring singles to get the walk off win.
Patrick Copen started and completed 5.0 innings. He allowed the two runs on 4 hits, 4 BB, 6 K. Ronan Kopp, Antonio Knowles, and Lucas Wepf pitched the next 4.0 scoreless innings, with 1 combined hit, 0 BB, and 5 K.
- Ezequiel Pagan – 2-5, 2 RBI, double (8)
- Kendall Simmons – 1-3, 1 BB, 2 runs, double (2)
Box Score
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee) 9 – Great Lakes Loons 2
Luke Fox started and complete 6.0 innings. He allowed 4 runs on 7 hits, 2 BB, and 6 .
In the 6th, Kendall George singled, and Josue De Paula drew a BB. With 2 outs, Zyhir Hope hit a 2-run double to cut the lead in half.
Wisconsin took the 4-2 lead into the 9th and scored 5 to blow the game open.
No Loons batter had a multi-hit game and Mike Sirota had a double (5) to go with Hope’s double (15).
Box Score
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 – Inland Empire 66ers (LAA) 0
Christian Zazueta started and complete 5.0 scoreless innings. He gave up 3 hits, 1 BB, with 6 K.
Cody Morse and Myles Caba each pitched a pair of scoreless innings to complete the shutout.
RC received 4 walks in the 2nd inning for their first run. Mairo Martinus hit a bases clearing double in the 5th, and Elijah Hainline hit sacrifice fly for the final run scored.
No Quakes batter had a multi-hit game, and Martinus’ double (8) was the only XBH.
Box Score
Joendry Vargas out again at RC. Has not played in almost a week.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
giants pitching is second only to the Mets. I don’t know their staff all that well, just Webb and Ray, both of whom are having solid years. We’ll see Webb tonight. At least the varsity, what’s left of them, will be starting the next 3 games. And Sheehan isn’t ready. One more start or two? I suspect two.
It appears to me that maybe the stats of our hitters at OKC don’t necessarily translate to MLB. Outman, Feduccia and Rushing all hit AAA very well, but we’ve seen what they do at the big league level. Guess that’s why Outman and Feduccia remain where they are. Rushing is the choice. Makes me wonder about Freeland. He’s hitting .259 at OKC.
Has Yamamoto crashed out of the varsity? He seems to be imploding and trending downward. Walks and HRs. Inefficiency has become rife.
Freeland, I believe, will get MLB time this year. And, I hope, will replace Muncy next.
Outman had a shot, and not sure he merits another. But there will be injuries and he’s on the 40.
You should.There are no positional stars at OKC or Tulsa for that matter. Our hope is in the lower levels and at least 2-3 years away. Giants are punching above their weight class and don’t have the depth to last the whole season. Time for the bats to wake up and dominate the next seven games and put the West to bed.
While on paper I agree with you about the Giants, but that is what everyone said back in 2021 when they won 107 games. Same thing with comeback wins and walkoffs led by LaMonte Wade Jr. Bob Melvin is a much better manager than Gabe Kapler. I would not underestimate them.
We were right when we said that about SF in 2021. We just forgot to tell the Giants.
And besides, Wade isn’t with them anymore so we have nothing to fear.
SF is missing Matt Chapman who leads the team with 12 homers. Their best hitter right now is Helios Ramos. He and Flores have 11 homers each. Adames is hitting .204.
3 HRs by the Giants. Adames strikes.
Adames OPSn .627 with a negative dWAR. And to think I wanted him. Don’t listen to me. I don’t know what I’m talking about.
A bunch of us felt LA should try and sign him. You are not alone.
This was a comment from a Fabian Ardaya article in the Athletic. Dr C was expressing the absurdity with all the crazy stats used in pitching analytics. Maybe this is one reason for all the arm injuries. Can you imagine what a pitcher’s arm and body has to accommodate to sync all these stats to get a successful outcome? Talk about taking the fun out of the game.
Dr. C.
Spin rate. Vertical approach angle. Induced vertical break. Tunneling. Arm-side run. Extension. Effective velocity. Whiff rate. Barrel suppression. xBA. Chase rate. K-BB%. Pitch axis. Seam-shifted wake. Gyrospin. Horizontal movement. RPMs. Vertical drop. Zone whiff. CSW%. High-spin four-seamer. Late life. Backfoot slider. Tunneling deception. Pitch shape optimization. Downward plane. Swing-and-miss stuff. Ride. Glove-side command. Plus-plus movement. Chase-inducing splitter. Out-of-zone whiffs. Strikeout stuff. Shadow zone efficiency. Elevated heat. First-pitch strike percentage. Pitch usage mix. Edge percentage. Batted ball profile. Pitch sequencing. Spin efficiency. Arm slot deception. Strikeout-to-walk ratio. Induced weak contact. Fastball carry. Stuff+.
High and tight, low and away, change speeds, change locations, hit your target.
Go get ‘em kid.
Some outlets, Yahoo Sports, are still predicting that the Dodgers will go after a front-line relief arm and a starter at the deadline. Brewers traded Civale to the White Sox for Andrew Vaughn and cash, a day after he requested a trade. Vaughn was assigned to AAA. Civale’s replacement in the rotation, Jacob Misiorowski, threw 5 no-hit innings. He left in the 6th after 81 pitches when his right quad and calf cramped. He also turned his ankle on his follow-through. He threw 14 pitches at 100 MPH or better. His fastest pitch was clocked at 102.2. The 23-year-old walked 4 and struck out 5. Mears and Ashby, who is the nephew of Andy Ashby who once pitched for the Dodgers, completed the shutout 6-0 win.
I am still on Chris Sale or Framber Valdez, but I do not think that is likely. I am still not sure why Houston would trade Valdez, and from everything I read, Atlanta still thinks they are buyers, but probably more along the lines for 2026, and Sale has a very affordable 2026 club option.
One of the outlets (do not remember which one), has predicted what I have advocated…Nick Martinez and Kyle Finnegan. Realistic option that will not have an overwhelming prospect capital cost. Martinez can start or relieve in the playoffs, the versatility the Dodgers love.
We have between 6 and 7 weeks before the talks get serious. That is a lot of time for fan speculation.
Valdez is 31 and a free agent at the end of the year. Maybe Houston is thinking the guy will want a 5–7-year deal which will take him to his late 30’s, and they don’t want to do that. As long as the Braves stay close, I doubt Sale becomes available. I think LA would be more likely to get someone like Feltner or Keller from the Pirates.
I cannot see Atlanta in it at all this year. They are 9.0 games under .500 and 9 GB last WC team. They are closer to falling behind the Pirates and Miami than catching the Padres for the last WC spot. But I still do not think they will trade Sale unless it is a huge overpay, and AF is not about to do that. Feltner does not excite me. The Dodgers have more than that in May and Gonsolin. Admittedly, Keller is a workhorse. His one injury was an oblique injury in 2020 (out 6 weeks). He has 3 years control, and I am not sure that AF wants to pay for those three years (prospect capital).
As bad as Atlanta has looked, they are still +18 and are on a 2 game winning streak. I think it’s a bit early to draw conclusions. Lots of time for bad things to happen to good teams ahead of them.
You are probably right, I did not check the standings, whoopsie. D-Backs lost Justin Martinez to TJ surgery.
I give Miseryowski less than a year and he will go on the IL. I’ve become skeptivious of any kid starter throwing 100. Especially 14 of them.
Here are some videos/X posts that I came across that hit on some of our more recent topics:
Torey Lovullo on Arizona’s pitching injuries after Justin Martinez went on IL:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/sports/d-backs-coming-to-grips-with-pitcher-injuries/vi-AA1GsWu2?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=1b56d968af7d4e8d83f9a2b1d71866a4&ei=69
Vin Scully on the genesis of the Dodgers – Giants rivalry to commemorate Game 1 of the year between Dodgers and Giants. The true rivalry.
Who says Zyhir Hope cannot play defense.
LAA vs LAD in pushing their prospects:
Longenhagen Chat:
12 to 6: eric, muncy’s spectacles-related revitalization is key to the dodger lineup, but it seems his days of battling third base to a standstill are nearing an end. given freeland’s defensive skill set and the seemingly dynamite combo of kim and betts in the mi, is there any chance la starts cycling max into 1b (freeman off days), lf, and dh (ohtani off days) with more frequency and giving freeland a shot at the hot corner?
Eric A Longenhagen: IDK if there are enough “Shohei off days” for there to be frequent reps in the scenarios you’re illustrating. Plus, Freeland isn’t on the 40-man, you’re sacrificing someone else to add him proactively. He’ll come up when it’s necessary due to injury dominoes and I think that’s fine.
Kevin: Are the teams who are best at development doing something different than other teams do, or are they just better at doing the same things in some way?
Eric A Longenhagen: A little of both. You have some Have Not Orgs who are a decade behind, and you have other teams who are better at using the same tools the other clubs have. Sometimes that’s just synergizing scouting and dev so you’re taking players that you already that know you’re going to change
Don’r we have a few guys on the 40 man who realistically don’t fit into our short or long term plans?
If Freeland’s play forces this decision, lets do it!
Here is the entire 40-man, you choose who you think is not worthy. P: Banda, Casparius, Davis, Diaz, Dreyer, Frasso ,Glasnow, Garcia, Gonsolin, Graterol, Grove, Enriquez, Hurt, Kershaw, Klein, Knack, Kopech, May, Miller, Phillips, Ryan, Sasaki, Sauer, Scott, Sheehan, Snell, Stone, Treinen, Trivino, Vesia, Wrobleski, Yamamoto, Yates. C: Rushing, Smith, Feduccia. Two Way: Ohtani. Infielders: Betts, Edman, Freeman, Hernandez, Kim, Muncy, Rojas. OF: Berroa, Conforto, Hernandez, Outman, Pages, Ruiz.
Quite a few are not worthy. Noah Davis, Grove sucks too, Klein can go. Conforto.
That’s 4 players that can be easily given unconditional releases.
I could be wrong, but doesn’t your major league service time start as soon as you’re on the 40?
Major league service time is calculated by days on the 26-man roster and/or days on the MLB IL.
thank you!
I guess I’m the only one around here who hopes Freeland doesn’t see Dodger Stadium or any other MLB park this year. I simply don’t think he’s ready.
He’s hitting .264 in the PCL which I believe is considered a hitter’s league. Give him the rest of the year at OKC to develop and add him for 2026 when both Kike and Rojas may be gone.
I agree with that 100%. I have watched several of the Comet’s games. His bat is just not that impressive. I am more impressed with a catcher, Feduccia, having three triples so far this year.
Ok
Tonight’s lineup with Yamamoto pitching. Ohtani DH, Betts SS, Freeman 1B, Smith C, Teo RF, Muncy 3B, Pages CF, Conforto LF, Edman 2B.
Another game another day with a .391 hitter riding the pine while a .175 “hitter” gets another start.
I’ve become Confortoble numb
He’s been swinging better and making better contact of late.
it’s much better than him perennially grounding out to 2nd
Well crap.