Ernest Hemmingway once said “Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors.”
I scanned several Dodger blogs today after the game and the silence was deafening! If the Dodgers had gotten smoked yesterday, man, the critics would have been cranking out the text! But, as it is, the critics did not have much to say. Well, I did read this:
“It’s only one game.”
“The bullpen was horrid.”
“Turner and Pollock looked horrible.”
“Why can’t we have a starter even go seven.”
I know that I really piss some people off when I tell them that their criticism of the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman is moronic. I am truly sorry, but it is! “Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography,” Oscar Wilde said, because it tells you more about the psychology of the critic than the people he or she criticizes. Astute professionals can formulate a viable diagnostic hypothesis just from hearing someone’s criticisms.
In Psychology Today, Steven Stosny, Ph.D. wrote an article called “What is Wrong With Criticism?” I find this extremely interesting:
“Criticism is destructive when it is:
About personality or character, rather than behavior
Filled with blame
Not focused on improvement
Based on only one “right way” to do things
Belittling (To belittle, you have to be little—Gibran).Critical people are certainly smart enough to figure out that criticism doesn’t work. So why do they keep doing it, even in the face of mounting frustration? It’s because criticism is an easy form of ego defense. We don’t criticize because we disagree with a behavior or an attitude. We criticize because we somehow feel devalued by the behavior or attitude. Critical people tend to be easily insulted and especially in need of ego defense.
Critical people were often criticized in early childhood by caretakers, siblings, or peers, at an age when criticism can be especially painful. They cannot distinguish criticism of their behavior from outright rejection, no matter how much we try to make the distinction for them, as in the well-intentioned, “You’re a good boy, but this behavior is bad.”
The only thing young children can do to survive is attach emotionally to people who will take care of them. Feeling unworthy of attachment, as criticized young children are apt to feel, can seem like life or death. So they try to control the great pain of criticism by turning it into self-criticism—because self-inflicted pain is better than unpredictable rejection by loved ones.
By early adolescence, such children begin to “identify with the aggressor”—emulating the more powerful criticizer. By late adolescence, their self-criticism expands to criticism of others. By young adulthood, it appears to have shifted entirely to criticism of others. But most critical people remain primarily self-critical—I have never treated one who was not.
As hard as they are on others, most are at least equally hard on themselves. “
OK, enough for the psychology lesson. I only write this because critics are generally miserable themselves and want to inflict some of that misery on others. I ain’t accepting it! Neither should they! Life is great and being a Dodger fan right about now is the best! Enjoy it and don’t roll in the mud with the pigs.
It is only one game, but if you might have thought Spring Training stood for something, it really didn’t. Fans did not expect Joc Pederson, Max Muncy, Austin Barnes and Kike Hernandez to go off on opening day. No way. No how. Simply put, the Dodgers hit Eight home runs on opening day which is the MOST EVER!
It’s only one game, but the Dodgers made a statement yesterday. Maybe Zack Greinke is no longer Zack Greinke, but they beat him like a rented mule and that is what they are supposed to do. One game can’t tell the tale, but it does give us hope.
Unite Dodger Fans, let’s win this thing! I want to see how they do against Robbie Ray. The critics said the Dodgers lost too much production in trading away Kemp and Puig and letting Grandal walk, so the Dodgers come out and hit the most HR ever on opening day. The critics said Max Muncy was exposed… and on and on. Look, like I said yesterday, Friedman is not perfect and there will likely be hiccups this year, but even Ray Charles can see this is an excellent team. There may be some holes to fill… but maybe not. The thing is, Friedman has the resources to fill them.
Molly Knight wrote an absolutely great piece about opening day in The Athletic. If you don’t subscribe to that, well… you are just out of it my friends! Here’s a part of what she wrote:
The Dodgers are good, but you knew that already. When you win six straight division titles and two consecutive pennants, you do not need to go out in the offseason and spend half a billion dollars on an outfielder with a slick bat and slicker hair to feel better about your chances. And you don’t need to shatter the all-time Opening Day record for home runs by any team ever to be considered the class of the National League — because you’re already there, baby.
But for whatever reason, Dodger hitters came out Thursday with ants in their pants, eyes wide as saucers, and spent the afternoon disappearing baseball after baseball into the ether. One had to feel a little sorry for both bludgeoned Diamondbacks pitchers, who took on the pallor and posture of food poisoning victims in the Dodgers’ 12-5 victory. That the starting pitcher for Arizona was Zack Grienke, the friendly ghost of Dodgers past who is being paid $34 million this year to throw 88-mph fastballs, must have made it even sweeter for the local nine he left behind. The former Dodgers co-ace was chased after giving up seven earned runs and recording just 11 outs.
In the other corner was the man who used to slot in third in the Dodgers’ rotation behind Clayton Kershaw and Greinke — Hyun-Jin Ryu. Reliable in duty and miraculous in consistency, Ryu proved once again why he is as underrated as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He breezed through an easy six innings, tossing 80 effective pitches and making exactly two mistakes, one of which was hit for a solo home run, the only finger the D-backs could lay on him. Ryu struck out eight and walked zero.
Pedro Moura of The Athletic gives us a glimpse of how the Dodgers’ are adapting to the new hitting culture:
The Dodgers all received printouts analyzing their individual matchup with the opposing starter, Zack Greinke. Hitters had specific pitches in specific areas they were told to target.
“If we didn’t get them,” Muncy said, “we didn’t swing.”
To the group, hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc stressed the importance of not chasing pitches outside the zone. That advice generally holds across Major League Baseball, but it is particularly important when facing Greinke.
Pedro also wrote this: “In 2019, the Dodgers will depend on many of the same players they did last year. Their roster is not dramatically different. But their Opening Day lineup was. Only three 2018 starters returned, two playing the same position. Of the 15 men who appeared in Dodger whites last March 29, only six are on the roster right now. “
Rants & Raves
- Molly Knight went on the predict that JD Hernandez… I mean, Kike Hernandez, is headed for stardom. She’s stealing my material!
- I am excited to see how Chicken Strip does today.
- Sorry, but I think Brock Stewart is headed back to AAA.
- If you haven’t read Ken Rosenthal’s Predictions at The Athletic, you should – it is hilarious.
- Only 161 to go…
I liked this line by Molly: “as underrated as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich”.
I was glad Stewart got to start the season on the 25. He topped out at 94 MPH and he used to hit 95. Whatever he was throwing that moved like a screwball stayed on one plane and needed more sink. He gave up weak contact and suffered from a thousand cuts so while he pitched much better than the box score showed, he didn’t give me confidence that he is anything more than mop up right now.
Roberts, right or wrong, will show us if he is willing to stay with a set lineup tonight when he decides who plays left field.
Unclear if you are implying Stewart has the same velocity or less.
But, I’m more intrigued by your final sentence, why in the world would we expect any current manager implement a “set lineup”?
Don’t they all fiddle around Madden-esque?
I think Brock pitched much better than his line indicated. Like you said Bums, a lot of soft contact. Hitting 94 on opening day is fine as he’ll loosen up as the season progresses. I’m glad he just kept throwing strikes and getting outs even with the cheap hits.
Boy was I wrong, the offense came out hot even if Greinke was soft tossing. Ryu went 6, which was more than enough with an 8 run lead. Everything looked great at the stadium. The baseball Gods shined brightly at Chavez Ravine with a glorious backdrop of forest, mountains and clouds. What a glorious day.
After the game was time for a big sigh and to bask in the glow of such a sweet win. So nice to start off with an old fashioned barn burner beating of a team devastated by rebuild against a pitcher with a bad contract that our guys were smart enough to avoid. How sweet it is! Hopefully, Ray will experience a similar fate and questions regarding Left-Handed pitching will be answered tonight. Looking forward to Chicken Strip to see if he rises to the occasion against the empty D-Backs lineup. The next six games will be a nice tuneup before we start facing playoff hopefuls.
Go Blue!
59
I was thinking yesterday that the Dbacks line up was like that, because the Dbacks management put all their eggs in one basket on Greinke.
If they didn’t sign Greinke like they did, they probably could have locked up Goldy, instead of having to trade him.
59 Great point about the next 6 games, being a good tune up, especially for our pitching
The park was electric yesterday and before the game I told my son the ball was going to “fly” today and it did. My first opening day and to enjoy it with my son was special and a day I will never forget. The pomp and circumstance with the Army Black Knight parachutists, the Air Force flyover and the first pitch in memory of Don Newcomb was terrific.
Hill was throwing on the sidelines and looks fine. I don’t think he’ll be out long at all and Seager, if he can stay healthy, is going to be in the MVP discussion. He looks so smooth both at the plate and on defense.
We have a tough month of baseball ahead with 17 straight games without a day off after the Giants series. We have to get off to a good start, but for now it looks like we are ready to dominate the NL West.
NorCalDodgerfan
I am really glad you and your son, had a great day!
When you said something like you loved this Southern California weather, I was looking outside because it was only 58 at that time, and it was a little over cast.
But it was a little warmer in LA, even though I am probably only 60 miles away from there.
But you live in Northern California so the weather was probably good from your perspective.
I would bet it will be Taylor in LF today. Taylor and Joc will platoon. I think Muncey and Freeze will also platoon. Normally I do not like platooning, but I am ok with those two positions. Although Muncey has hit left handlers pretty well. I felt sorry for Turner and Pollock. No hits.
We are all happy now that AF did not sign Greinke. I did see Bellinger cut down his swing with two strikes. The first run was scored the correct way, with a ground out. Muncey just put the ball in play, and he did not wait long to do it.
Did you see who the players selected as the most overrated player? You guessed it, Harper.
Yesterday was ridiculous! Ridiculously fantastic! Been a Dodger fan since ’63. Being a LHP myself, I was a big fan of Koufax growing up. But this was my first opening day, and what a day it was! With all those bombs flying out of the park, I felt like we were doing aerobics jumping up after each home run. I was impressed with Ryu! He was mixing speeds, locations and did not walk a single batter! I left the game excited about our chances of getting that WS victory we all long for! Mark, I agree with your assessment that Friedman has done a good job, and has the resources to get that “piece” we may need to go all the way–if we need it. I think I could’ve hit Greinke yesterday he was that bad! It could not of happened to a nicer guy! It was quite an opening day indeed!
MJRod
I was thinking about you yesterday, when I saw how packed the stadium was, and the weather was pretty good too.
I hope you had a great time also!
Thanks MJ! Truly had a great time. My Dodger friend (we get a lot of flack from the Angel fans at church) joined me, it was his first time as well and we were just smiling from ear to ear! It made the two hour ride home that much easier (that, and a tomahawk steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Corona)!
MJROD
That is great to hear!
[Warning: Critique Ahead}
I’m glad Brock Stewart got some action but I can’t say I’m a fan. I think his motion is kinda ugly and his command stinks. If he threw a little harder he could be “effectively wild,” but I don’t think he does. I think his best hope at this point is to become a “one pitch” reliever with good movement and deception.
In my opinion, he’s gone like the wind when Kershaw returns. I’m glad they kept Santana in the minors so he could work his way toward a permanent spot someday on our squad.
BlackMirror99
Mark and AC have been saying the same thing for a while now, so don’t feel bad.
So are there any Cinderella teams still left in the tournament?
I haven’t tuned in, although I like college basketball better then pro ball.
Cinderella has gone home. Every team left is legit. The lowest seed left is a #5. With all the freshman [due to the one-and-done rule], there really isn’t any way to build a sustainable dynasty. Most close games end up coming down to the simple question of, “Who will make their shots?”
Anyone who says they know who’s winning it all is lying.
BlackMirror99
Thanks!
I like college basketball more, because there is still a bunch of team work, as compared to, just in your face basketball.
Although that is changing some too.
Criticism is fine… until it’s all about that.
I haven’t enjoyed a ballgame like that in a long time. I loved that the Dodgers scored the first run with small ball. Two productive outs scored Joc. The home runs were great, but more importantly they hit many line drives and I believe that is a result of the new hitting coaches and their approach of keeping the barrel in the zone longer.
If Austin keeps hitting he could be an All Star. Stewart did not impress.
How important was it for the guys (except for JT and AJ) to get off to such a positive start. Especially Kike and Austin.
Critics be Damned. I think we are in for a Amazing Season and I hope we all enjoy it.
It looked easy, which it won’t always be, but the way we were swinging the bat was ideal. Momentum is your next day’s starting pitcher so we’ll make sure that stays the case all season. We have a lot of guys we can plug in and ability to add if necessary [prospects & money]. Feels like the bullpen will be a postseason audition all year long.
BTW, just read a Blake Snell comp for Julio Urias, to which I say, “Yes please!”
I don’t mind if we see some lineup changes today. Taylor for Pederson, Freese for Muncy, Martin for Barnes.
It is early in the season, we want to get everyone involved, and we are clearly better than these chumps.
This is not to say I don’t want less switching around come postseason play.
It takes brass balls to take out a guy who just hit two HRs, but that’s what will happen.
BlackMirror99
Taylor has some of the best numbers against Ray, then most on this team, although I think Kike may have took him deep, a few more times.
When one destroys a team I would like to see the same players get another chance the next day regardless of the L-R stuff — play the hot hand.
That being said, like you, I expect to see Pederson on the bench with his hits and HRs.
Given how they plan to start the year with the catchers I expect Martin (Doc already said they would essentially be playing every other day the first week)
I expect Muncy to start at 1B as Doc said he wouldn’t be platooned, but who knows. Freese will likely get at least one start this weekend. Today may be the day. Haven’t looked at pitchers tomorrow and Sunday
SolCalGrinch,
I did see Freeze has pretty good numbers against Ray too.
I don’t know how holistic the Dodgers are in their approach, but it seems like the issue would be what’s more important: giving Muncy AB’s against a tough LHP or getting Freese some AB’s. They probably base their decision on raw numbers but that’s how I view it. Catcher is more nuanced because they can plan ahead for rest days and basically split the starts. For Joc, it’s a shame to sit a hot hitter but I know they want to get Taylor involved with the offense. I am curious when Verdugo will make his first start and whether it will be in LF, CF, or RF. Have to think Pollock will get plenty of rest this season.
I had a great day yesterday. Played golf and shot an 83. Then watched the Dodgers win. Then watched Gonzaga win. It does not get any better.
Idahoal
I hope you continue to have great days like you had yesterday.
It seems like you are on a good roll right now, and like I have said before, you deserve it.
The trifecta!
BlackMirror99
I understand what you are talking about with Muncy and Freeze, because I kind of see it that same way too, although I understand your point, about this being good preperation for Muncy too.
I did see that Martin has good numbers against Ray, although I don’t know how long ago it was, and it is only a few at bats.
With Verdugo, if they can’t get him enough playing time to stay sharp, he might be better off in AAA.
But Roberts is pretty good about keeping everyone involved as a team.
Greinke didn’t look so good yesterday. And he’s their opener? Hate to wish bad luck on anyone…but he is a snake now. The last game I attended was in San Diego and Greinke pitched a 2 zero shutout. My kind of game, pitching controlling the outcome. That was 2014 when the big 3 were in top form. Greinke was pretty much the only really effective playoff pitcher we had that year. Oh well, nothing or nobody lasts forever. Got to say it was a good move letting him go.
Friedman didn’t let him go without a reasonable fight. It was the extra year AZ promised him at the 11th hour that caused Greinke to take the money and run. I think there was some consideration of trading for Greinke as well if AZ would have agreed to the Dodger offer.
Roberts or someone else said each Dodger hitter had a unique written plan as to how they should approach each at bat. I wonder if RVS was able to use insider information about how Greinke would attack each Dodger hitter. Likewise, did Greinke have a better idea of how to get Pollock out than he would a hitter he hasn’t played with.
Let’s see what our righty hitters will do tonight.
I hear that Kike’ told Roberts he wasn’t going to waste another hit during Spring Training after he was told second base was his. I’m glad he saved them for the regular season. (I might have made that up)
I purposely stayed away from all baseball blog sites yesterday (before and after the game), and I have only read this one today. Yesterday, I locked myself in my office with the game on my computer and did not move. I expected the Dodgers to win as Greinke has been known to have some weak to mediocre first months, especially since becoming a Snake. And Ryu at home is a totally different pitcher. I never expected the bats to explode as they did, but it was great to see.
I may be in the minority, but I am hoping (not expecting) to see Joc back in LF against Robbie Ray. He deserves it. The only way he can lose the platoon handle is to get some ABs against the better LH pitchers. If he doesn’t get the opportunity tonight, I am not too optimistic that he will ever get to start against a LHSP.
I do not get too excited about an off outing by Brock Stewart. He was the perfect pitcher to finish the game. He would not have been in there had the game been close. As soon as Hill is ready to go, Brock will be back in OKC. When he goes back, I hope he recognizes that he is best suited for relief, and gets the experience of getting up and down in back to back days. If a starter is needed for the LAD rotation (for whatever reason), it will be Santana who gets called.
Yesterday was not the first time Joc has gone off on Opening Day. Two years ago, he hit a granny off Jhoulys Chacin only to be sat against LHSP Clayton Richard in Game 2. After swamping the Pads 14-3 in Game 1, they fell 4-0 in game 2. Robbie Ray gets the call tonight and he has been outstanding at Dodger Stadium. In 8 starts he has pitched 50 innings at Dodger Stadium and has compiled a 1.8 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 75 Ks and 25 BBs. He has surrendered only 5 HRs in those 50 IP. He will be a good test tonight. The Dodgers need to quell the perception that they cannot beat quality LHP.
I was ecstatic to see the 8 HRs, and my Corey Seager jersey was welcomed by the minimal number of LAD fans in the Sacramento area, but I was most impressed with the 1st inning. With Joc and Corey at 2nd and 1st, JT gets both runners moved up and Muncy gets the run in with ground balls. At that point in the game, one would have to expect Greinke to find his way and start to get the calls so that the Dodger hitters would start to swing at his pitches, and every run counts.
Great start, but there are 161 games to go and it is going to be a fun ride.
AC
I just bought myself a Corey Seager shirt today.
In celebration that he is playing short just like he ever has.
Interesting story; this is Gary Sheffield’s take on his trade to LA for Piazza. Wow we looked like total morons!
https://www.12up.com/posts/6332079-gary-sheffield-hilariously-recalls-trade-negotiations-with-dodgers
Any page or link where I can see the games of the dodgers? I have this, but sometimes it fails, like today that tells me the games of yesterday!
https://www.vakeourbano.com/transmision-en-vivo-beisbol-mlb-baseball-online/
mlbstream.tv
de nada!
OK, I just heard this on the way home: Robbie Ray held LH Hitters to .124 BA last year, which was the best in MLB. Joc Pederson has a career BA of .181 against LHP and hit .170 against lefties last year. Letting Joc hit against Ray is a recipe for failure.
CT3 has a .381 average against Ray. Freese has a .364 BA against him. Kike has a .276 BA against him. Russ Martin has a.400 BA against Ray. Bellinger has to play, but I would sit Muncy, Pederson and Barnes… no matter how good they did yesterday.
Mark
Good call, that is exactly who is playing tonight.
Kike is hitting in the lead off position tonight, he has hit 3 HRs off Ray and that is top on this team.
Dodger’s lineup vs. D-backs:
Hernández 2B
Turner 3B
Freese 1B
Pollock CF
Seager SS
Taylor LF
Bellinger RF
Martin C
Stripling P
Mark,
You called it, and backed it up with data so it makes sense. My blood pressure thanks you.
It is what I expected, not what I hoped for. It is a long season, and maybe the best long term outcome would be for Joc to find success against a LHP. But I can read computer printouts and can see what Joc has done against LHP. Two years ago after the Dodgers jumped Chacin they benched Toles (2-5) and Joc (1-3, Granny, and 5 RBIs) in favor of Franklin Gutierrez and Kike’, and the Dodgers scored a total of Zero runs off LHP Clayton Richard. Putting Joc and Toles in the lineup certainly would not have hurt the outcome, but maybe Joc could have done something positive and gained confidence against LHP. Maybe he could learn to do some of the little things against LHP.
Last year, Muncy was #1 on the Dodgers with OPS and Joc was #3. This is not the same Joc as when he was a rookie or sophomore. Maybe he will never hit LHP but maybe if he did the Dodgers could have that power bat in the lineup more often. It is not that I do not have confidence in CT3 or Freeze, I am just partial to set lineups.
I understand the game has changed since the 70’s. But I wonder how Dusty Baker and Rick Monday would have taken to platooning. Maybe we should just let the computer print out the lineup everyday.
Maybe we should just let the computer print out the lineup everyday. – Isn’t that what they do?
I’m irritated to see them take 4 HRs from last night out of the lineup. I’d like to see them ride a hot hand a little bit. Let’s see what Taylor, Martin and Freese do. But, it’s hard to argue with those numbers.
This is to the main Topic:
To not critique is what is moronic. To just go along with the crowd and accept the word of the elite, the top dogs, the ones who tell you “we know the what is going on”, believe us! Don’t question.
If that is what you believe, you have totally missed the point. Totally!
Robbie Ray is a far cry from what Greinke looked like yesterday.
Joc should do what Kike has done in the last two off seasons.
Kike put in some hard work, in the off season to try to get better against both lefties and righties.
Mark is right.
Joc might get a hold of one, but he has only hit 3 HRs, in the last three years, in 160 something at bats against lefties.
Why do you assume Joc didn’t put in “hard work”?
They have talked about Kike putting in hard work in the last two off seasons, to be better against righties.
We would have heard the same about Joc.
Bum
Taylor’s average last year wasn’t great against lefties, although it was 50 points higher then Joc’s average, but his OPS is 200 points higher then Joc’s.
And the year before his OPS was even higher against lefties.
I don’t know why you want to push it, it would bring Joc’s numbers down by quite a bit.
At least Roberts doesn’t pull Joc every time a leftie is brought in, like Mattingly did with Ethier.
Like Mark said, Ray is not exactly the best pitcher to see if Joc would do well against.
Remember even last year when Kemp was hitting well, Roberts made it a point to put Joc in a game, and Kemp was carrying the team then.
And you have to remember Taylor has been an almost everyday player in the last couple years, so you know Roberts is going to almost always try to get him in a game.
That is how Roberts is.
Bum
Don’t feel bad, Turner has struck out three times.
There are only three hits.
We heard about Joc losing weight prior to 2018 season and the work he was doing around Dodger Stadium during the off-season. I think it’s apparent by the way he’s cut his strike outs down that he’s worked hard.
Kike raised his average against righties last year a hundred points.
This year is off to a very good start. Come get some, NL.
we really do have a lot of talent. wow.
Bobby
How’s the back?
In addition to the Norco, today we added sativa, indica, actual cbd tincture, and now some steroid anti inflamation thing
this is horrible!
Is the steroid called prednisone?
One time I got so desperate to try to get relief, I went out to my car, because it had a lumbar type of seat.
When it is like that, sitting standing, and lying down, nothing seems to work.
I have never forgot that feeling, it is a terrible.
I hope it gets better soon!
Geez. What if Stripling is a legit mid-rotation starter?
it’s crazy to think he may be our 8th or 9th best starter
2 games in a row Duke escapes. Wow!
2 games in a row Duke escapes. Wow!
M.T. – Don’t let em get to you… They’re like obscene phone callers…
Welcome to LA, Joe Kelly
I hate Roberts and all of his unnecessary pitching changes and over managing.
DITTO!!!!!
59
seems to me if we could keep Roberts off the field, the Dodgers would do great! The hitting is doing much better now that the Swing for the Fences on every pitch is gone
I don’t miss points. I make them.
Totally saw the Roberts panic button coming on the Joe Kelly move. Laughable really when you step back and look at it with a level head. This manager is a buffoon. Taking Strips out early and there goes the lead in 4 outs.
76 pitches. First out was easy in the 6th. He’s a tool and a bad driver.
The fault is with our relievers, Baez and Kelly, who did not have good command. Roberts did the right thing, IMO.
Nice to see Corey getting into the action 🙂
Yes! We missed him last year.
Does that count as 2 blown saves for Kelly
I know Bum will enjoy me saying that Joc should play against left hand pitchers. Let him prove it. He looked good tonight. Also made a nice catch.
Anyone still out there???
This game could run & run.
Not sure who Doc turns to now, as Floro looks done, and he only has Yimi & Brock who both pitched last night?
Not Kike again?
Disappointing defeat having led twice,
Never been too keen on Yimi in high leverage situations.