First Round Possibilities

September 24, 2020

Our Boys in Blue have clinched yet another NL West Championship.  That streak has now reached 8, and is one behind 9 consecutive AL East Titles by NYY and 14 consecutive Divisional Titles by Atlanta. Out of the previous seven, the Dodgers have won two pennants, with no World Series Championships.  NYY’s streak was from 1998 through 2006.  The Yankees won five pennants and three consecutive World Series Championships for…

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And Then There Were 10

September 17, 2020

It took 50 games, but the Dodgers are the first team to qualify for the playoffs.  They marched into San Diego with a precarious 2.5 game lead and not playing very well at all.  Game 1 in SD was a match up of probably the team’s two Aces, Clayton Kershaw vs. Dinelson Lamet.  The Dodgers broke on top first with a walk, double and ground out to score a run. …

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Lost Arts – The Bunt and the Stolen Base.

September 16, 2020

Watching the game on Sunday against the Astros, I saw Chris Taylor lay down a bunt that went for a hit. And it took me back to a time when the bunt was an offensive weapon to be reckoned with. Over the last several years, especially with the Dodgers, the only time you saw a bunt was when the pitcher came up and attempted to move the runner over. Maeda,…

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Devil’s Advocate

September 12, 2020

As Mark is prone to do, he has laid down the gauntlet.  If you don’t bow down to Doc and AF you need a STUPID tattoo?  I have supported both gentleman for the most part, but while I would have difficulty blaming AF too much (because of lack of insider knowledge), certainly Doc has opened himself up to scrutiny. Let’s start with AF.  The Dodgers lost 2 healthy mid-rotation starting…

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The Dodgers and 2B

September 4, 2020

Second base has been an enigma for the Dodgers for the last two decades.  The concern does predate AF, but he has not found the remedy for the position.  The opening day 2B for LAD during the AF era has been Kike’ (2 years), Logan Forsythe (2 years), Chase Utley and Howie Kendrick 1 year each.  The best bWAR during the AF era was Kike’ last year at 2.2.  It…

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RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM THE RECLINER

August 15, 2020

I’m writing this on Friday morning, basking in the joy of the Dodgers 11-2 thumping of the Padres and thought I would share some random thoughts from my recliner:  ●          Until last night’s game, this year’s Dodgers just haven’t been as fun for me to watch as teams in the past.   In “summer camp” it looked as if though they would be invincible.   Once the season started though, and even…

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After 25% of the Season

August 10, 2020

I was not sure how I was going to write my column for Monday.  It was looking ugly for a while, but with a pair of 3-run HRs by AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts, the Dodgers turned a potential disaster into a win. Typical Dodger win with the long ball.  In the three game series, the Dodgers scored 17 runs, 14 of them directly from seven HRs. I know that…

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More Rants Than Raves

August 8, 2020

I was hoping to sit down on my patio deck to watch the Dodgers vs Giants when I realized that I could not get the game on MLB.TV.  I was already in a foul mood when I had to come into the house and listen to Krukow and Kuiper.  I then watch Urias once again nibble instead of going at the hitters.  For the first time this year, I am…

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Nice Comeback Win to Knot the Series

August 5, 2020

First observation, this is a much different game for the Dodgers without Mookie Betts.  They are still talented enough to win, but he sure does make it much easier.  Seager and Betts seem to have been carrying the team on this trip, and the spark just seems to have gone out without Mookie.  The pitching matchup for Tuesday night was the one expected for Monday. Two of the brightest MLB…

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7-3 Start Thanks to Relief Corps

August 3, 2020

Except for one bad pitch, the Dodgers have been outstanding on this current road trip.  They are currently 5-1 on the trip, with three to go in SD.  I am not sure that home and away mean that much in 2020, except do like the last AB for a potential comeback.  But there certainly is no fan reaction to build momentum upon. The team is currently 7-3, and on pace…

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