We all know that life isn’t fair and it especially is not fair that Joc has to sit against four straight lefties simply because he can’t hit them. However, it’s unfair to the rest of the team to have Joc hitting against the lefty. So, Joc loses… while the team wins. Simple math…
It’s way too early to pronounce that Robert Van Socyoc’s new age hitting direction a resounding success, but I am leaning that way. Even Ray Charles can see the direction this is trending. On the MLB.com weekly power ratings, of which the Dodgers are #1, they wrote:
“If we’re basing this on short-term results and long-term projections, there is no reason for any team to top the defending National League champs. Logic tells us the offensive tear the Dodgers have been on since Opening Day can’t continue forever, but hasn’t it been fun to watch? Even before their high-scoring affair with the Rockies on Sunday night, Los Angeles led the NL in on-base percentage, slugging and home runs. Through nine games last year, they had four home runs and ended up setting a franchise record with 235. This year, through nine games, they have 22, and they added two more on Sunday, including Cody Bellinger’s seventh of the season.”
Of course, they can’t keep it up, no way! Can they? Can they….? Well, I doubt it, but we are in completely unchartered territory. The Dodgers have never hit with RISP they way they have been. They have not been going to the opposite field the way they are now. They have not been bunting the way they are now. They have not been shortening up, with two strikes, they way they are now. They have never scored runs like they are now without the long ball.
The long ball is still who this team is, but it is no longer all they are. They move runners and their situational hitting has changed 180 degrees… except for Joc. He will evolve or he will be gone. It’t that simple. CT3 is also having issues. The rope is not short with either one, but in a few weeks we will have the answer. It’s hard to imagine a Dodger team without Pederson and/or Taylor, but evolution as a hitter is what they both have to do.
Alex Verdugo is evolving… showing he can hit in the clutch and showing that he has power to play a corner outfield position. No excuses… just show up, step up and shut up! Alex has! I am rooting for CT3 and Joc to do the same, but the Dodgers have resources “In house” to replace them both.
This is a long season and if you are concerned about the bullpen, well that is a valid concern, although I happen to think the bullpen will ultimately be a strength, not a weakness… but it obviously has been a problem up until now. Denver is not a good place to fix your bullpen woes. It was no surprise to see Julio Urias struggle in Coors or even Kelly or Santana. It’s tough to pitch there – ask Clayton Kershaw (who makes his final rehab start for Tulsa on Tuesday).
Kelly did look better even though his line was not good and it was good to see Kenley get back on that horse that threw him off and get a four out save to close out the game. Yimi is even starting to show flashes of greatness. This is a process. Let it play out.
You can have concerns about certain aspects of the team. I was concerned as to whether Corey Seager would make it back 100%. AC was sure… and he was right. He has concerns about the bullpen, and right about now, so does everyone… except me. It’s going to be fine! You are not a moron if you have concerns about the bullpen. However, if you have a laundry list of 20 things that can be wrong with the Dodgers, like:
- “How are we going to replace Grandal? Martin and Barnes are horrible.”
- “How will we replace Puig and Kemp’s production?”
- “How we replace Alex Wood in the rotation?”
- “We have seen the best of Cody Bellinger.”
- “Max Muncy is a candidate for regression.”
- Blah, Blah, blah
If you have twenty things you are worried about, I am suggesting that you may be neurotic, delusional, a “Negative Nellie” or a moron. There is hope for morons – I have often been one, but to have a negative opinion of this entire team is downright moronic. I will need to see them keep up their “good hitting habits” for a while longer… and this is baseball: this is a peak, but there will be valleys. Be prepared. Now, let’s kill us some bird!
Minor League Report by DC
Loons 6 – Lake County Captains 0 (Indians)
The Loons won their first game of the season after having scored only a total of four runs in their first three games. They struck early scoring a run in the first inning on a lead off single by Drew Evans followed by a double by Jacob Amaya. In the third inning they scored one of those, we’ll take it runs, with Romar Cuadrado scoring on a double play.
The Loons broke the game open in the sixth inning on a double by Miguel Vargas to drive in Jacob Amaya who had walked. Cuadrado finished off the scoring with a two-run single. Of interest, Amaya has three consecutive games in which he has had a double and a walk.
Guillermo Zuniga started the game and pitched 2.2 innings before reaching his pitch count. He gave up three hits and walked four but allowed no runs. He escaped when Jose Chacin came in with the bases loaned and two out in the third inning. He quickly induced a ground ball stranding all three runners. On the game Chacin pitched 5.1 innings giving up two hits, no runs or walks and striking out five. Joel Inoa finished the game with two strikeouts and a ground ball.
The biggest news for the day was that John Shoemaker notched his 200th win as a Loons manager. He now trails only Juan Bustabad who had 225 wins with the Loons over three seasons from 2009-11.
Quakes – Stockton Ports 2(A’s)
The Quakes downed the Ports for the third time in four games with a 5-2 win after spotting Stockton two runs in the first inning. They came back with one run in the second inning when Carlos Rincon scored on a Devin Mann bases loaded walk. Rancho Cucamonga scored four more in the fourth inning. Marcus Chiu, after a walk, scored on Donovan Casey’s home run to left-center field. Mann scored on a ground out and Jeter Downs finished the scoring with a double that drove in Jeren Kendall. Both Casey and Downs had two hits.
Geraldo Carrillo started for the Quakes and after a shaky first inning finished with a four inning start in which he gave up three hits and two runs along with three walks and three strikeouts. Sven Schueller, Logan Salow and Ryan Moseley took over from there and pitched five innings of scoreless ball on two hits, four walks and eight strikeouts.
Quakes relievers have now pitched 20.2 innings over the four games and allowed but one run.
Drillers 3 – Arkansas Travelers 2 (Mariners)
The Drillers also won their first game of the season after losing three to the Travelers. They also started quickly scoring a run in the first inning on an Omar Estevez single and a Christian Santana double. They had only seven hits in the game but strung them together in the sixth inning with a Zach McKinstry triple, a Logan Landon single and and an Omar Estevez double resulting in two more runs to take a 3-0 lead.
Estevez has started the season with four straight multi-hit games. He leads the team with nine hits and a .529 batting average.
Mitchell White started for the Drillers and threw three hitless innings. He walked one and struck out three. He was followed by Louis Head and Luis Vasquez who pitched a combined 4.1 inning allowing only two hits, one run and striking out five. Michael Boyle made it close giving up a two-run home run in the eight inning with one of those runs charged to Vasquez. He finished off the ninth inning, not without incident, but preserved the win.
OKC Dodgers 1- San Antonio Missions 4 (Brewers)
The Dodgers at home, tried to even the five game series at two apiece with the Missions. They were not able to generate much offense. They did have seven hits but struck out 11 times and left 15 runners on base. Daniel Castro and Will Smith both had two hits, each with an extra base hit. They scored their lone run in the fourth innings on a Smith triple and a Rios single.
Tony Gonsolin started and had two strong innings before running into trouble in the third inning walking two and giving up a double and a triple resulting in three runs. He was following by Joe Broussard who pitched a scoreless inning. Kevin Quackenbush pitched the sixth and seventh innings giving up a fourth run to the Missions on a home run by Tyler Saladino. Josh Sborz pitched the last two innings giving up two hits, no runs with no walks and five strikeouts. Former Dodger Josh Fields recorded his second save for the Missions in their four games with the Dodgers. Dodgers pitchers recorded 14 strikeouts in the game. Tony Gonsolin recorded eight strikeouts in his Triple-A debut, including five straight – two strikeouts to end the first inning before striking out the side in the second inning. It marked the fourth straight game that Dodger pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts.
Where is the question on how are we going to replace K. Farmer? The Dodgers went into Colorado and put on a major beat down. The schedule is going to get a bit harder over the next few weeks. That will be the true test. Hopefully the bullpen will be ready for the challenge.
As I posited yesterday, and you brought home today, this is a different team than 2018. Their approach is what is so encouraging. Cody Bellinger is on another planet right now. Will it continue? It did for Bryce Harper in 2015, so why not? Muncy is getting healthy and finding his stroke. Corey is starting to get comfortable at the plate, is seeing pitches, and is back to attacking the first pitch. JT is getting his ST stroke back. The HRs will come. Just keep getting the clutch hits. and getting on base for Cody. The catchers have been a strength and not a weakness. I was never in on the JTR trade, and while I expected Austin Barnes to hit again, not at what he is doing right now. AB 6 walks and 2 Ks, Russell Martin 5 walks 3 K’s, and combined 3 HRs, 2 doubles, 7 RBIs, and both batting over .400. I have zero desire to compare what they are doing to what Grandal and JTR are doing. I am only concentrating on what our Dodgers are doing.
I do not disagree that Joc has to learn to deal with sitting. But I do not have to like it. I am an advocate for playing a player when they are hot. Joc has to learn to deal with things that he has no control over. The same for CT3. According to Pedro Moura of the Athletic, Alex Verdugo gets a start tonight against Miles Mikolas. I do not know if that means that Joc sits. If I were guessing, it would seem to point to AJ Pollock getting a night off after an 0fer last night.. Just like JT, he is going to get a fair number of days off to keep them fresh throughout the year. Luckily for LAD they have the depth to make the lineup change a mild inconvenience.
I am concerned about the bullpen…have been for awhile. I do not discount that the bullpen gets stronger when Kershaw and Hill return to the rotation and Strip and Julio go to the pen. But right now, the bullpen is being taxed. Yimi Garcia and Caleb Ferguson have pitched in 6 of the 10 games. Scott Alexander, Dylan Floro, Pedro Baez, and Kenley Jansen have appeared in 5 of the 10 games. Kelly has been in 4 and Stewart was 3. Dennis Santana has pitched in his one game on the 25 man and went 2.2 IP. Ferguson and Alexander have been pretty solid with only allowing a single walk each with Ferguson 6 Ks and 3 Ks and no runs. Floro has allowed 7 hits but zero walks and no runs. So it is not that there is no talent, it is that they are pitching too many games in the beginning after none appearing in back to back games in ST. Doc does not have a 30 man bullpen once the bell rings. This year the offense and starting pitching (8 of the 10 starts) have been otherworldly. I do think both Garcia and Kelly get it back. With how Ferguson is pitching, when both Kersh and Hill are back, Garcia could be the odd man out. I think Ferguson is safe until Cingrani is ready (which may be never).
Dodgers have a 33 games in the next 35 days. How long can the bullpen keep up this pace?
This is a great and comprehensive response.
Lovely.
Two tiny quibbles.
One way of looking at the Pederson sitting is, as you write: “playing a player when they are hot.” The other side of the coin is, “playing a player when he/she is best positioned to succeed.” For Pederson this is decidedly only when RHP are the opposition.
The second tiny tid-bit is about Bullpen usage. Don’t you think that the team is simply going to play the 40 man game and shuffle pitchers up and down to keep them fresh? Currently on the 40, but not the active, are:
Chargois, Cingrani, “Tall man” McCreery, Sborz and Schultz (He sees NOTHING!)
I would agree about the bullpen usage, particularly that the starters are again showing signs of nursing injuries right out of the gate. So far, its Hill, Kershaw, Buehler, and Ryu who have been on the mend, for one reason or another and its just early April. Seems like this starting rotation has a “glass jaw”, so thankfully the offense is putting up lots of crooked numbers.
I look at the approach and the swing and not just the results. Since Mark keeps bringing up Joc I will add my two cents. Joc started the season not just hitting really well but had a great approach and was making good swings. After he sat for 5 days he came back with a bad approach and was making bad swing. He calmed down Saturday and Sunday had regained his great approach and great swing. He hit the ball hard a couple of times, walked, and had a sacrifice fly. Saturday he moved a runner over from second to third with a fly ball and that runner scored on another fly ball.
He did a great job of going the opposite way against the lefty in his last at bat Sunday. When he came back after sitting he was again pulling away against lefties and yesterday he was again staying in like he was to start the season. If he continues to stay in against lefties and keep his approach consistent, that approach would be to hit the ball up the middle or go the other way, he will prove to hit lefties well enough to play full time. He just hasn’t done that in previous years.
Let’s talk about what we see which includes the good and not just the bad.
Sborz is an interesting prospect to me in that he is one of the very few true relief prospects we have developed [along with Kasowski]. Even when he was starting most people assumed he’d return to the pen where he clearly belongs.
I’m not sure where he is on the depth chart, but he can’t be that far down. He’s on the 40 man roster that helps his case if we ever bring up a guy for a week-long trial during an injury or while an established pitcher is getting a break.
He might not have the impact potential of a Gonsolin, but–unlike Alvarez & Sheffield–he actually has a chance of seeing the bigs this season.
Rooting hard for him and looking forward to a homegrown arm in the pen.
Santana.
I liked what I saw. He’s leaner than I remember but I like his arm action and whip he gets. Not quite Ramon Martinez but it helps him get that movement.
I think he could last in the pen all year long. I don’t think we need to worry about any drop off in development [there is a lot of talk that he needs to improve his third pitch–changeup–to reach his potential] if we use him in that role this season. In many ways he could be this year’s Ferguson, a guy who comes up early and proves that he has one of the 13 best arms on the staff and stays.
What I like about him most, aside from the movement, is his ability to pitch multiple innings as well as potentially come in late against a tough RH or in a DP situation.
Arenado seemed surprised by the movement on his pitches. If we can have our gurus continue molding him, he could be a bullpen stalwart this year. Right now who do you trust to protect a late lead?
Did Santana’s throwing motion remind you a bit of Guillermo Mota? That’s the comp I thought of while watching him pitch yesterday.
That’s a great call and an even better comp. Thank you. I felt like I was thinking of someone but couldn’t place it. Mota threw quite a bit harder but Santana looks like he could still grow a bit into his body.
Ya Mota was a bigger build (like a Durant compared to Brandon Ingram).
Man that bullpen in 2003 with Dreifort, Mota, and Gagne was the best pen I’ve ever seen as a
I’m a Kuo, Quantrill, & Broxton man myself 😉
But yeah, Gagne was on another level altogether.
Beware Zach McAllister. He is the dreaded “veteran bullpen arm” who always seems to backfire for us. It seems we had him twice: once toward the end of last year and again this year after he was released by the Rangers [ouch].
He has a long track record [mostly of success] with the Cleveland Indians, so we know he knows how to pitch. I guess it’s just a matter of monitoring his stuff and deciding if/when we need to tap him.
Ideally he doesn’t sniff Dodger Stadium this year, but if he does I hope it’s as a regular season middle reliever. No more trash heap NRI’s throwing meaningful innings is crucial playoff games. I’d rather let out own guys determine whether we win or lose.
BlackMirror99
I agree with that, whole heartedly!
I can’t wait to see this game tonight, because this will be the first game out of our division.
Our offense last night, reminded me a lot of how the Card’s offense use to do, when they were so good those couple of years, when we played them in the postseason.
This is much more exciting baseball, because as everyone knows, there is much more action, when everyone is participating on offense, to keep our offense rolling.
What a great way to start the season with a sweep of the Rockies being the cherry on top. I’m really looking forward to this 4 games set against the redbirds, another historic NL franchise.
As AC pointed out, the pen has had a lot of ups and downs to start the season and too many pitchers are being leaned on. 4 guys to get through an inning is ridiculous. Overall, it will stabilize. But, it would have been great to add another proven arm. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Ask the Rockies, Cubs and Nats how adding multiple proven bullpen arms has worked out for them recently.
I’m glad to hear Alex will be in the lineup tonight. He deserves more starts, as does Joc and CT3. We all know the problem is that there are too many good players on the team, if that’s such a thing. I don’t agree with cooling Joc, but Doc’s job isn’t easy. I find it easy to point out his shortcomings as I often do, but he’s done some good things as well. I think all in all he may be progressing, then he steps backward and uses 4 arms for 1 inning with a big lead. He doesn’t have a true loogy, but treats Alex and Caleb like it. He can’t stand to bring in a lefty at the beginning of an inning if a righty is leading off. He goes too far with one reliever and then 1 batter with another…IN THE SAME INNING! It’s maddening. Bringing in struggling relievers with runners on, etc. Enough of that.
Mark, I love your passion and AC’s level headedness. DC is always great, just not enough of him. Mark hates Joc now and Alex IS Tony Gwynn in the smallest of small sample sizes after 2 extra base hits with the Coors effect on his side. But, I’m becoming a believer, but I’ll jump on that bandwagon after a few more series.
Booked my tickets for Sunday’s home game against the Brew Crew. Hopefully, both teams will still be fighting for that top spot in the NL. Could I be lucky enough to see CK’s 2019 debut? After a rehab start on Tuesday, it currently lines up that way. I strategically selected seats in the Loge level under the overhang for some Sunday shade on the 3rd base side. I can’t wait to visit My Blue Heaven on Earth for a beautiful Spring afternoon.
I agree with more from DC.
With respect to Verdugo starting tonight, Pedro Moura mentioned that in his excellent The Athletic article that came out this AM. It discusses Cody, Muncy, and Verdugo. It is a great read for those who have the subscription. I will let Mark provide the link if he is so inclined.
I think you will be in luck. If #22 feels good after tomorrow’s start for Tulsa. I think you will get your wish to see him on Sunday.
I need to dump my LA Times subscription and spend that money on the Athletic. The LA Times is becoming less of a newspaper and more of a propaganda pusher anyways.
The Dodgers currently have 6 guys including both catchers with an OPS above 1.000 and Joc is at .996! With that kind of production they can wait on Seager and JT who are heating up and carry CT3 awhile longer. Pollock has been the glue guy and so is Freese, grinders who give you professional AB’s. The offense is just ridiculous and while it’s early the new hitting approach is paying dividends without sacrificing the HR’s.
The starters have been mostly good and the bullpen is a work in progress but shows some positive signs, especially Jansen. I like Santana and think he fits better than Stewart, at least for now. Doc is Doc, a guy impossible not to like but a guy who leaves me scratching my head quite often. He does a great job communicating to his players but his PC interviews leave me cold so I ignore them.
ARod loves to hear himself talk but does know hitting. On Muncy’s HR last night on a 97 mph fastball down he said not many players could catch up to that pitch and he’s right. They replayed Cody’s swing on his HR several times marveling at the torque he generates but also correctly pointed out his hustle and speed turning an out into an IF hit earlier in the game how the guy with the most power on the team is rarely also the fastest.
Muncy made the most of the 8 at bats he got this weekend.
He didn’t have a single strike out, but he had 3 walks, and he hit in 6 runs.
And yesterday he hit that HR after coming off the bench, so it can be done.
I love hitters who are short to the ball. Bonds, of course, was the best ever, but Cano also has an incredibly short swing path. Utley did too in his prime.
Nice start. But it isn’t how you start it’s how you finish that’s important. The Dodgers are put together for the regular season so there is that. I’m sure there will be a few bumps in the road ahead but I think another division is gonna happen. As to the other stuff….I like their chances. Belli looking like a true star. Hope he keeps it going. Should keep him in the outfield for the time being. His speed and arm are wasted at 1st base. Time for that when he gets old.
Man, you all are working too hard out there 😉
Just for fun, how would you rank our current major league players in terms of power tool. I know there are different interpretations of this but keep it simple, just pure power.
1. Bellinger–No doubt. Rotoworld said he had a 60 HR ceiling which is technically true.
2. Muncy–Have to give this spot to the guy who popped 35 dingers last year.
3. Joc–This could be a tie with #4 or flip-flopped; each has season high of 26 on record; Joc can really get into one.
4. Seager–Again, no argument with moving him up; main reason stems from power not really being his game; he’s a great hitter who occasionally hits HR’s unlike Joc who is the other way around.
5. Turner–Why not? Dude’s an amazing hitter and has loft for days. The O.G. “Elevate to Celebrate” guy on team.
6. Hernandez–Can make the case for him to be higher; has lightening in his wrists; 30 a possibility this year.
7. Pollock–Not strictly a HR guy although has power. Like Freese, a smart controlled batter with power potential.
Honorable Mention:
***Chris Taylor–I don’t know how much power he has but boy does he swing hard!
BlackMirror 99
I think Corey is just starting to get comfortable, and because of that, we or even he, really doesn’t know how much power he really has.
Having that hip correction surgery has to be a game changer for him, especially when it comes to power.
It is amazing that he was playing at the level he was with that hip condition, but I think his back issues will go away too, now that he has had that surgery.
It is amazing. I’m not about to crown us yet or get too excited, but if you really think about it, our best player right now is Cody, our best hitter is always Turner, [hell, Muncy just about carried the team last year], but our most important player is Seager.
BlackMirror99
That is all so true.
And I understand your discretion at this point too.
Will Smith, batting 3rd and playing 3B today for OKC, already with a HR, 3 RBI, & 2 BB.
Lux with a MONSTER day for Tulsa: 4-4 w/ 4 R, 3 RBI, & a BB
Smith’s 7th inning 3 run HR was the difference in the 5-4 OKC victory over the Missions.
Lux included a HR, Triple, and 2 singles, plus a walk. This will not be his last 4-4 day. Only “disappointment” is no SB. Of course they had such a big lead.
Estevez got another double and saw his BA drop to .476. Lux now at .471. Reks with two more hits with one being his 2nd HR. It is only a matter of time before this team starts to take off. Just like the ML team, it is the bullpen that is hurting the Drillers.
Michael Grove to start for RC tonight in Visalia.
The surprise of that game was LHP Austin Hamilton. The now 25-year-old was signed by the Dodgers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He had a scoreless four innings with 3 hits, 1 BB, 3 K. This most likely is not his permanent home but good for him.
I saw that Hamilton got 4 shutout innings in. And as you said, GOOD FOR HIM. I am very happy for him.
As great of a week that Belli had, it was not as good as Mike Trout. Belli was NL player of the week with 3 HRs and a .417 BA. Trout was AL player of the week and had 5 HRs with a .438 BA. A pretty good week for both players.
Trout is other worldly sometimes, no? There is another guy who is is not only the team’s best power hitter but also the fastest player. They say speed never takes a day off and Cody and Trout are pretty special with the glove too. I would put Mookie Betts in there too but JD has more raw power.
If you were in the Dodgers front office would you offer:
Seager, Bellinger, Pederson, Ryu and Buehler for
Trout?
If you were the Angels would you accept?
Dodgers would have
Trout, Pollock, Vergudo in the OF:
Turner, Taylor, Kike and Muncey in the IF.
That’s an interesting trade proposal but I don’t think either team would do it and I would pass if I were the Dodgers. It’s the 3 young team controlled stars and not Joc or Ryu that would stop me. The wild card is Boras with Cody and Corey, otherwise they should be lifetime Dodgers and the Angels want the same for Trout.
I’m not sure if I’d do it, either.
But that in and of itself just shows how ridiculously good Trout is.
No and I don’t know.
Heck No. I would trade Pollock Ryu and Taylor and Muncy. But no way Seager and Belli
FYI;
Trump administration cancels deal allowing Major League Baseball to sign Cuban players
By Washington Post Staff
April 8 at 3:13 PM
The administration said the Cuban Baseball Federation was part of the Cuban government, so the deal, signed in December, was illegal. The announcement came just days after the federation released the names of 34 players it said were eligible to sign with Major League Baseball.
Good move. It validates the Cuban Government. They are corrupt a-holes helping to make life miserable for the people in Venezuela and should not be rewarded in anyway. MLB will survive without this deal.
Has anyone checked what the air pressure was last night in Denver? Seems it had to be somewhat higher than usual as several line drives were falling sooner short like elevation wasn’t such an issue.
Kike’s one out instead of two before his play was comical as our lead made his blunder less of a threat. It was probably the most enjoyable game I had ever watched in the park. Tonight’s game, or more like afternoon’s game here in the west has victory written all over it with Ryu taking the mound. Know he’s happy to been able to avoid Denver. Hate games there……..usually.
Gavin Lux – https://www.milb.com/milb/news/los-angeles-dodgers-prospect-gavin-lux-collects-four-hits-for-tulsa-drillers/c-306058006
After all the dust has settled, I’m glad we didn’t trade Alex Verdugo. Mark was right when he said we wouldn’t AND that he would make the opening day roster. I think this may be Roberts’ greatest strength: getting guys to buy into the team-first mindset and sacrifice some personal numbers for the greater good.
I can see us using the same outfield rotation throughout the season and with no upper level outfield prospects pushing for jobs we may even see a repeat of this strategy next season. If it ain’t broke et cetera . . .
Regarding Joc, he starts the first 3 games HOT, 7 for 12. Since he is 0 for 16, .583 to .250…….and a career .250 hitter. I hope he gets his mojo back, I’m rooting for him this series.
Fantastic sweep at Coors. I personally enjoyed bellingers first at bat I think it was. He smashed a pitch away to the left field wall. He was all over it with authority. He would try to go the opposite way last year but would just punch the ball. I said before the season started what great talent he had with bat, glove, speed and he is currently showing it. I do think the team approach is different. A better opposite field approach, a better RISP approach, and less strikeouts. It’s early but it is very encouraging.
Kelley was better last night. I think we are going to need a lefty although Ferguson may develop into a trustworthy reliever who can go multiple innings. Alexander will have ups and downs but he will have to become more consistent to be trustworthy. I realize he hasn’t been charged with a run but he has had a very short rope. Garcia is a homer machine but I still have hope for him. Floro is good but better suited for the middle innings. If you don’t extend starters you burn your bullpen and vice versa. I predict a lot of moving parts in the bullpen to keep it fresh.
The cards will be tough in stl . Our team is playing really well but Colorado can burn up your pitching win or lose. Verdugo could win the left field spot. I think joc is a monster vs rhp but if he is not going to play against lefties it might open the door for verdugo. It’s early so some will come back to earth but others like turner and seager will heat up. Our sp and offense have improved but the bullpen has to develop. Btw one of my happiest days was when I found out grandal would not be back and I also said puig and kemp are good hitters but we won’t miss them. I continue to stand by that.
Jeronimo Castro
9 K’s in four innings with 2 hits and 2 walks.
Ryu. This ain’t good.
All that pitching depth will be challenged. 3 Starters on the DL at the same time already. Over under on May or Gonsolin before the end of May?
If Ryu is out for an extended time, which looks possible, I think we could see Gonsolin. Or they could stretch out Santana. My money’s on Gonzo.
Great Lakes won 3-2
Hulsizer 1-4, 2B, RBI
Cuadrado 2-4, 2B, RBI
Paulson 2-4, 2 2B
Robinson 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB
Castro 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K
Really,? Roberts put Kelly to face the top of line up?
Breaking news………….Joe Kelly sucks!
11-0 without Kelly, 8-3 with him. I wonder if he was really that good during the WS or if we were sleepwalking.
I know you guys will run me out on a rail, but Doc has no choice but to find out what Kelly has in the tank. He was our big bullpen signing, and we signed him for October, not April. He will be a work in progress, he was all over the place for the Red Sox during the regular season last year, then was lights out in the post season. He will come around, Honeycutt is working on him, he has yet to throw his heater consistently up in the zone, that’s why he is getting hammered, too many fastballs down low, which any good hitter will feast upon. Give him time, don’t string him up on the highest tree just yet.
Yup.
Some great news from Rancho: Michael Grove made his debut – 4ip, 2 hits, 1bb, 4k.
Would love to know what the radar gun was saying on him
I must admit that Doc hung himself and the team by bringing in Kelly tonight. He’s been very generous in his use of him, trying to instill the confidence and give him reps to become more comfortable. But, it’s only worked when the bats were in control and tonight was not a situation where this was the case. I immediately cringed and told a friend who watched the game with me (Cleveland fan) that this was a mistake. Sure enough, badda bing badda bam, on cue, the same mistakes and the wild pitch. He cannot retire the batters and has proved himself not ready.
OTOH, with Ryu out of the game so early, what is Doc to do? I would have tried just about anything else beside Kelly. Without a big lead, no way do I bring in the most notorious bust on the roster. Joc can’t compare to Kelly. $25M on the line here. How do we proceed without him? That is the big question in my mind.
Joe Kelly is beginning to remind me of when Larry Brown, a nobody, won the Super Bowl MVP with 3 INT’s for Dallas against Pittsburgh, and in that offseason got paid big money by the stupid Raiders. And naturally, Brown was trash for the Raiders.
A ton of anal-lists said that the Dodgers made a huge mistake in signing Joe. That they were so impressed because he blew away the Dodgers in the Series. Well, that was no biggee seeing that, that team was such a swing at every pitch thrown for the fences.
I must admit that Doc hung himself and the team by bringing in Kelly tonight. He’s been very generous in his use of him, trying to instill the confidence and give him reps to become more comfortable. But, it’s only worked when the bats were in control and tonight was not a situation where this was the case. I immediately cringed and told a friend who watched the game with me (Cleveland fan) that this was a mistake. Sure enough, badda bing badda bam, on cue, the same mistakes and the wild pitch. He cannot retire the batters and has proved himself not ready.
OTOH, with Ryu out of the game so early, what is Doc to do? I would have tried just about anything else beside Kelly. Without a big lead, no way do I bring in the most notorious bust on the roster. Joc can’t compare to Kelly. $25M on the line here. How do we proceed without him? That is the big question in my mind.
I don’t think I even understand what Jeff is saying.
I think I do. It is called “Kelly F#$K up again”
I said it twice, didn’t you notice? lol
It’s early in the season and the Dodgers are off to a good start. If the Padres don’t completely surprise us, it’s likely that the Dodgers will not face any kind of stiff competition for the division crown. That said, it makes perfect sense for the Dodgers to allow Kelly (the $25 million man) the opportunity to work through his problems. If he can’t, then ultimately the Dodgers will have to find another solution.
Tonight’s game was something I feared, and the reason why I hate it when the Dodgers play in Colorado. Not only does Coors eat up a pitching staff, but it often takes the hitters several days to recover their skills at sea level.
As for Joc (and I was a big fan of his when he first came up), I no longer have confidence in his ability to hit consistently. No doubt he has tremendous power, and the ability to provide a high level of power at times. But based upon what I’ve seen of Verdugo, the Dodgers need to find a place for him in the lineup everyday, against all kinds of pitching. If that means trading Joc, then so be it. But whether or not Joc is traded, Verdugo needs to be in the lineup everyday, even if he hits the inevitable slump that all hitters suffer through. And in addition to being a better hitter than Joc, he’s also a superior defensive player.
Life’s not fair.
You know what. Hey everyone. 🙂
Do you remember on Cheers when Sam is filling in for Fred Dryer who played a reporter. And Sam does a Rap about Groin Injuries. Well Ryu reminded me of that tonight. Why is it Dodger Pitchers always get injured so much.
Geez Louise. These Guys are so frail. Where is Walter Johnson and Warren Spahn when you need them. Oh well, just another “Groan Injury”
I don’t know, but do Dodger pitchers get injured any more than the pitchers on other teams, or is it that we just pay more attention to our Dodger pitchers than we do to pitchers on other teams?
Maybe the fans of other teams think their players are more prone to injuries than those on other teams.
Not sure.any of this is valid, and I don’t have any facts to back it up. Maybe somebody does.
We tend to notice more about the team we follow, yes.