…and the Beat Goes on!

April 23, 2021

Since last Friday, when the Dodgers beat the Padres 11-6, they have played five more games and scored one less run than they did in Friday’s game. When you average two runs a game, you are certain to have a sub .500 record and the Dodgers are 2-3 in those games. It’s a testament to their pitching that they have won any of those games. They won one game 2-0…

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We are Closer to a Closer

April 10, 2021

Kenley is a proud man and if he loses the closers’ role, I could see him walking away… and the Dodgers agreeing to pay him to do that. You may or may not know this: But, when Andrew Luck walked away, Jim Irsay paid him $30 million that he was under no obligation to do so. This is just speculation and is way down the road, but it could happen.

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It’s Time For Dodger Baseball! 2021 Style!

March 30, 2021

Kersh takes the mound for his 9th opening day assignment. Frankly, I wish he wasn’t the guy. Although he has a winning record at Coors at 11-5. His ERA there is 4.44. He has allowed 19 HR’s in 23 games. 139 hits, and 36 walks in 140 innings. Not great numbers. His WHIP at Coors is 1.250. The Rocks only hit .203 against him there, but they get the most out of their hits.

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Just Sitting in the Outfield Sun… Wasting Time

March 23, 2021

Spring Training stats can be so deceiving: Last week Garrett Cleavinger was the flavor of the week, an almost certain lock to make the team. Sunday, maybe not so much. Last week, it appeared that Dennis Santana had pitched his way off the opening roster. Sunday, he sort of, kind of, maybe, redeemed himself. But then again, “it’s spring and the statistics don’t matter!”

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The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same

March 13, 2021

LA DODGER TALK is not your normal Dodger blog site. Even Ray Charles can see that no other Dodger site has a Dodger historian like Michael Norris. Michael or “Bear” as we know him, is a National Dodger Treasure! What he lays down is not available anywhere else! Then we have 2Demeter2, who has committed to trying to write one blog a week wherein he will give his “opinion from…

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The Opening Day Starter is…

March 6, 2021

It looks like there will be Butts in Seats as the season starts – the only question is how many? I think it will ramp up pretty quickly… especially as the vaccination process gains traction. I still have not taken the vaccine… still debating!

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AC Observations After Three ST Games

March 3, 2021

The Spring is three games in, and to draw any conclusions would be foolhardy.  But I still have some observations from what I have seen thus far.  For the first three games, the pitching has been outstanding.  Albeit, without Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, Oakland’s offense is just north of woeful, as is Colorado without Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon.  The Giants did not play but a couple of regulars….

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Game Two Analysis

March 2, 2021

Disclaimer: What we are seeing is through the microcosm of Spring Training. Current performance is not evidence of future prospects. It is a small sampling. Some of it is skill and some of it is luck. Take it all with a grain of salt. The Position Players It was great to see Gavin Lux get two hits in three at-bats. If anything, all he needs is confidence and he should…

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ST Begins – Dodgers with Overall Best Depth and Talent

February 28, 2021

October 27, 2020… After that unforgettable strikeout of Willy Adames  by Julio Urias Almost four months to the day, the Dodgers are going to be taking the field in an actual baseball game, even if it is only a ST game.  The Dodgers are starting 32 year old LHP, Mike Kickham.  Kickham signed a MiLB contract on January 27.  Lat year Kickham last year pitched for Boston, and pitched in…

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There Will Be Speed Bumps

February 26, 2021

However, big challenges are not out of the question. Stuff happens! A devastating injury can occur at any time. If it happens to Edwin Rios, Chris Taylor, or Tony Gonsolin, it’s bad, but what if it happens to Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, or Striker Buehler? Injuries occur and sometimes Tommy John Surgery is necessary. Bones can be broken, ligaments can be torn – If you have been around sports for any period of time, you are acutely aware of this.

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