Even though he was 3-0, Striker Buehler has been in a funk this season, battling mechanical issues. It appears he is starting to figure it out, as we went 7 innings last night, struggling the last two, but still pitching a good game. I’d like to take credit for this but actually, it was Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com who wrote this about Walker Buehler:
Buehler is 12-5 in his 30 career starts. No drafted Dodgers pitcher has won that many games in that few starts, including fellow first-rounders Clayton Kershaw, Bob Welch and Chad Billingsley.
In franchise history, only Kenta Maeda (16), Don Newcombe (15), Fernando Valenzuela (15), Hyun-Jin Ryu (14), Kaz Ishii (14) and Hideo Nomo (14) rank ahead of Buehler for wins in their first 30 Major League starts. Buehler is tied at 12 with Pedro Astacio.
Additionally, Buehler has limited the opposition to a .195 batting average in those 30 starts, sixth in MLB all-time behind Jose Fernandez (.181), Vida Blue (.181), Nomo (.185), Juan Guzman (.192) and Matt Harvey (.195).
Julio Urias got his first save and was “the closer for the night.” I would not read any more or any less into that. I guess anything is possible, but I would think he will be back in the rotation by at least Mid-June and we should see Pollock back by Mid-July.
Justin Turner is starting to look Turner-esque and Cody bunted for a hit to keep his Batting Average over .400 for at least another day. It’s starting to look like the 2017 version of CT3 is here. He’s hitting .429 this month, but we will have to see a bigger sample before really pronouncing that. He has reduced his strikeouts from 31% in April to 19% in May. A return to his 2017 form would be H-U-G-E! We shall see… He was very streaky in 2018, but was fairly consistent throughout 2017.
Being reunited with Robert Van Socyoc may be paying off. In this month’s Dodger Insider, Cody and Doc both credit the new hitting coaches with helping Cody get off to his MVP start, not just the mechanical part, which evolves every day, but the metal part as well. It’s not gone unnoticed that the Dodgers are second in runs scored behind Seattle (who is sinking like a stone), but they are only 5th in HR – Yes they are manufacturing more runs with timely hitting. They can still hit the long-ball, but they are more-balanced this season and the scoring doesn’t have to come from a big fly.
It will be interesting to watch Kenley in his next outing. His body language and how he rebounds from the hairball he coughed up on Sunday could set the tone for his and the Dodgers season. Ryu tonight! I watched Mitch White’s performance yesterday and it was a great display of his repertoire of pitches utilized to the max with that 98 MPH fastball on display. He had issues with his velocity last year, but now it’s back!
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT BY ALWAYSCOMPETE
OKC Dodgers 0 – New Orleans Baby Cakes 4 (Marlins)
A Cameron Perkins double and 2 singles by Kyle Garlick and Errol Robinson was all the offense the Dodgers could muster against RHSP Elieser Hernandez and two relievers. Ben Holmes started surrendering all 4 runs in 5.0 IP. Luis Head, Stetson Allie, and Justin Grimm pitched 1.0 shutout inning each for the game’s highlight from the OKC point of view.
Tulsa Drillers 6 – Corpus Christi Hooks 1 (Astros)
The Drillers have won for the 8th time in their last 10 games. As Mark previously mentioned, the story of this game was RHSP Mitchell White. 6.0 strong IP allowing only a single and a walk to go with 9 strikeouts. White has now not allowed a run in 4 of his six starts and has his ERA down to 1.85 and his WHIP to an exceptional 0.78. He has 3 strikeouts in 24.1 IP while only allowing 6 BB. That is a 5:1 K:BB ratio, and that is good in any league. Nolan Long relieved White surrendering an unearned run and Luis Vazquez finished for his 3rd save.
Gavin Lux hit a lead off HR in his 2nd consecutive game and has now hit a HR in three consecutive games. He also hit a 2 run HR in the 7th inning to give him 7 on the season. He now leads the team with 7 HRs and is tied for 2nd with DJ Peters in RBIs with 18, behind only Cody Thomas’ 21. Pretty good numbers for a leadoff hitter. Cristian Santana hit his 4th HR on the season. With Lux, Omar Estevez, and Cristian Santana batting 1-2-3 in the lineup, it makes it hard on opposing pitchers to get through the top of the order unscathed. When DJ Peters breaks through in his cleanup spot, he should have plenty of baserunners for RBI opportunities. Cody Thomas contributed a two-run double in the 8th to finish the scoring. Lux and Thomas each had two hits.
RC Quakes – Travel Day
Great Lakes Loons 6 – Kane County Cougars 3 (DBacks)
The Loons’ win streak has reached double figures with the 6-3 win. They are now in first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division. I am used to the Loons starting slowly and finishing strong. This year maybe they just stay strong all year. The Loons won on this day with 7 singles, 1 double (Miguel Vargas), and 7 walks. Romer Cuadrado and Leonel Valera each had 2 hits.
Jose Chacin started his second game on the season and pitched well enough for 5.0 innings. He allowed 3 runs on 8 hits with 1 walk, and 1 strikeout, and saw his ERA rise to 1.63. After a very bad outing in his last start, Guillermo Zuniga relieved for the first time this season and returned to his stellar pitching, tossing 4.0 shutout and hitless innings with 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Zuniga earned his first save on the season.
Dodger affiliates now have two teams in first place (Loons and Quakes) in their respective divisions, with the Drillers playing exceptional ball and within 2.0 games of the Texas League North Division lead.
Winning > Losing
This from Mitchell White.
“Two bullpen sessions ago, we just focused on the slider and getting it to a different place. Mixing up the grip of it,” he said. “And the other day it was all curveballs. Being able to throw it for strikes, and that’s all about hitting the right line with it. Getting it to break down in the zone. … That definitely helped me out today.”
The 24-year-old lowered his ERA to 1.85 over his first six outings, which ranks second in the Texas League to Arkansas’ Ricardo Sanchez (1.75). White is tops on the circuit in opponents’ batting average (.151) and WHIP (0.78). He has fanned 30 while walking just six over 24 1/3 innings this season and Monday was his second consecutive start without allowing a run — a stretch of 11 2/3 frames.
“I felt great today. I just went out there and pitched,” White said. “I established my fastball early, got it working to both sides of the plate. And it was just one of those days where I just felt comfortable throwing anything at any time. Not one pitch was a carry pitch, it was just a little bit of everything.”
“The plan today was very simplified: it was basically just go out there and compete. Just attack the zone, see how the stuff is playing early. Read the swings and reactions from the hitters and go from there,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about executing pitches.”
If he can stay healthy, he’s gonna be another top arm. I’m already getting itchy to see some promotions with Lux and White at the top of the list.
Thank God that Roberts was smart enough let Urias close this game. Looks like that shoulder tweak knocked Cody’s swing out of whack a little. Hope he gets it back right away. I see a pattern with Joc and it doesn’t look good. Don’t look now but our bats are starting to heat up. Seger, Turner, CT3, Muncy have all begun to contribute on a regular basis. Another lefty tonight, so Joc should be back on the pine.
Doc says that Belli isn’t gonna play first base anymore to protect him against diving and hurting the shoulder again. I guess you don’t dive in the outfield. If Joc’s gonna be the odd man out, you might as well trade him with less than 2 years of control remaining. You can’t extend and keep everyone. Maybe we can get that bullpen arm for him and play more musical chairs if we need a fourth outfielder with Toles, Rios, Beaty, Kike, and CT3 in the mix for the 4th outfielder spot. That is when Toles and Pollock come back.
Nothing better than seeing your starter go 7 with a lead and the last six outs recorded in order. Better stop using Urias for multiple innings to keep him rested so he can give Jansen a day off until he’s back to form.
Things are coming together, on pace for 101 wins. I’m still sticking with 105.
I am finally ready to trade Joc. I hope it is to one of these teams: Padres, A’s, Giants, Angels, Mariners, or Rays. There is an if though and that would be to a team where he could play full time. My first choice would be to the Mariners unless the Rays move to Portland.
I like players that come up from the Dodger minor league system and make the Dodgers at an early age. Joc meets that criteria.
Were free agents A.J. Pollock signed for five years and $60 million and Joe Kelly signed for three years at $25 million, mistakes? If so, can they be mitigated? Boston probably would take Kelly back sans a few $M the Dodgers would have to retain and Kelly probably has a sizable insurance policy on him so he only hurts with the CBT.
Those mistakes, if they were mistakes, are reminiscent of Brandon McCarthy, (three years, $48 million), Scott Kazmir (three years, $48 million), Yaisel Sierra (five years, $30 million) and Hector Olivera ($62.5 million, of which $23.5 million is the Dodgers’ responsibility), and Alvarez’ $16 signing bonus all told that’s $250.5 million.
Few teams could afford to make those mistakes and not go bankrupt and for how they would have impacted their ability to have enough payroll left to field competitive teams.
Maybe that is the reason the Dodgers were reluctant to offer Kenley the contract they ultimately gave him in the same off-season they re-signed Turner and Hill. Hill is gone next year and both Turner and Jansen will see their contracts expire after the 2020 season along with their ability to control Pederson.
The Rays are doing well this year with a small payroll. Seattle dumped a lot of payroll and are doing fine this year.
Friedman stayed in the bidding for Greinke and allegedly offered Harper a short but big contract. I think other teams have kept Friedman from further mistakes along the lines of those mentioned in the first paragraph by over paying by too much.
Hill and Ryu and Kemp ($10.3M) will be off the books next year. I think the Dodgers will either trade away the cost of Hill to stay under the CBT this year if they do acquire another player or wait until next year to do anything. But, they have made mistakes before so who knows.
I don’t think you can trade them. Now is probably the worst possible time to exchange them for value. The good news is neither contract looks to be crippling, so worst case scenario is we have a couple of overpaid and inconsistent players that we won’t be afraid to dump if they ever become a burden on the roster. Welcome to free agency shopping. Caveat emptor.
Joe Kelly will likely do what he does, unless Honeycutt can fix him (and I have heard that was part of the reason he was signed): be hot and cold!
He’s not trade-able.
I have no doubt Pollock will be a huge asset for us over the duration of the contract.
But, it’s only 5 weeks into multi-year deals. We know nothing! YET!
The question is: Was Friedman really “IN” on Harper and Greinke or was AF just driving up the price?
Right. If you make an offer you know the other side isn’t going to accept, is it really an offer?
Related, I read in a book that in a negotiation, if one side makes a ridiculous offer, the best thing to do is NOT come back with an equally ridiculous offer but instead tell them, “I don’t consider that a serious offer.”
I’m working on my negotiation techniques so I find that one useful.
The Art of the Deal
Which is why the trade for Cole Hamels a few years ago and the Realmuto trade went nowhere. If the other side makes a demand that is so one sided and ridiculous, it’s almost an insult and an indication that they don’t want to negotiate seriously and you just walk away. The Phillies wanted…who was it?….Joc, Seager and Urias? The Marlins asked for Bellinger with a straight face? Buh Bye!
….at the same time, I just looked at the post by Carlos. Sometimes negotiation needs disruption, something a little aggressive to facilitate serious negotiation.
Because predicting future performance is inherently fallible, of course Friedman will make mistakes. I thought the reasoning that went into the McCarthy signing was sound: they were paying under market value based on his most recent performance and were making a calculated gamble he would pitch to his previous form based on his fundamentals. It’s the same with Kazmir, though I think that one is less defendable.
I think the common theme with Friedman’s willingness to open up the wallet is to pay a little more for less long term exposure. Even if he does make a mistake or a player doesn’t pan out, those don’t become long-term liabilities. There’s a good kind of natural turnover, where the underperformers are shed from the roster and payroll, and new and younger talent fills the void. Pay more on the short term to fill holes.
I was thinking about this recently, and If I were the FO, I would just keep offering Ryu QOs. Even if the annual salary is higher than it would be if he was committed to a 3 year deal, the Dodgers are paying for more real time performance year to year. If he doesn’t perform, you don’t sign him to another 1 year deal. From a player’s perspective, you want the security of a long term deal as a hedge against your own declining performance, but Ryu is 34 and might realize multi-year deals for a guy with a previous shoulder surgery are not in the offing. Ryu has been perhaps our best SP the last couple of years.
You can only offer a QO one time. Ryu is a FA this year with no QO.
Let’s NOT over-react.
Let’s not judge Pollock until he returns and is healthy again. Still think he was a bargain and will produce for Dodgers. Kelly has too good of stuff to be this bad. If he puts it together and has any kind of post season like last year then he’s more than worth it. Don’t give up on these guys. Look what Taylor is doing. These guys have talent. Got to let it play out!
In any event, I hope we have insurance on Pollock. I have no idea how that all works . . .
A Bargain ?? I do not think so. He might be back this year but not for sure. It is a delicate procedure he went through and depends on healing and cannot be rushed back and he will not be able to train or workout at least for this coming weeks. A Bargain right now will be Matt Kemp as bench platoon bat. All here seem to forget when he had that double against Doolittle in Washington and two key hits / home run against Archie Bradley as well as Home Run in WS against Chris Sale. He almost beat the dodgers and got Jansen his buddy a few weeks ago getting a key RBI in the 9th with great piece of hitting. He seems to be more motivated playing for the Dodgers and Dodger Stadium and games that count. That would be a bargain right now to get an experienced Clutch bat . Nothing to lose. I do not agree Pollock is a bargain at all. It was a risky contract and has not started well at all. Same with Kelly. Also would be cool to see Martin and Kemp on Bench on same team.
LOL at anyone thinking Kemp is a possibility to return.
At this point in his career, Matt Kemp does exactly one thing well: swing the bat from the right side of the plate when he sees his pitch.
He’s a major liability in the field and on the bases.
If he’s lucky, he signs on with an AL team willing to roll the dice on any remaining thunder in his stick. I like the guy but for an organization that values versatility, he’s about the polar opposite.
Shoot, even Beaty has trouble latching on because on his one-dimensionality.
And you think Freese plays good defense ??? That guy barely can play 1st base now and about only position he can play. They have never used him at 3B probably because he is not good at defense anymore. And is not like D’arnaud would be the answer .
It won’t happen. Kemp is still injured and most likely, still fat… although he does his best hitting in a Dodger uniform. CT3’s resurgence makes it more unlikely.
Injuries can happen. He needs to get serious and back in Shape can call Doc or Friedman and offer his services as professional hitter and that he will accept an Utley / Mentor role for Verdugo and the guys . He would be welcome back and is not like he is a a clubhouse distraction like Puig. He has to humble himself . I am not sure he wants that anyway. Just saying. You are right but there is still a chance or could be a cheap option.
Good point above about Freese’s defense. It’s probably one of the reasons we’re looking at d’Arnaud: we’re realizing Freese’s limitations.
You can’t have a four man bench with a guy who can’t play a position. Kemp’S not coming back to the Dodgers. Best bet is dh in the AL. Mark my words Pollock will produce!
Okay. Bring Puig back then !!!
Dude, let it go. You’ve been relentless since Kemp was released. His swan song was last year. Kemp is done.
Why would we want Kemp when we have fleet footed (?) Travis d’Arnaud to play left field (taking playing time from Joc and CT3) and first base (taking time from Muncy and Freese). This is his 7th MLB season and he has played a total of zero games at either position. He has, however, played one game each at second and third. This seems like such a ludicrous signing that I’m sure it will work out. They must know something we don’t, but I find it fascinating that Doc apparently stated they don’t intend to have him catch very often.
Dodgerpatch, you suggested giving Ryu repeated QO’s. As far as I know, a player can only be QO’d once in his career so that is no longer an option. We could offer him another one-year contract, but if he continues to pitch well, he won’t have any problem getting three years from someone.
At 34 coming off shoulder surgery? Maybe. I’d offer him a one year deal for 20.
Minor point, but next year will be his age 33 year. I’m not saying the Dodgers should offer him a 3-year contract, but that some team would. If he gets through this season without any more shoulder problems, I don’t think that would be much of a factor and he’s a smart enough guy that I could see him pitching well into his late 30’s. He doesn’t rely on velocity to win games. The front office will have decisions to make on both Ryu and Hill after this season. I wouldn’t be surprised if neither returns, although they might be offered one-year deals to stay. On the other hand with Kershaw, Buehler, Urias, Maeda and Stripling it might all depend on the progress that May, Gonsolin and White make this year as to whether Andrew feels he could use another veteran starter. I’m thinking probably not.
That guy cant play there and is fatter than Kemp . He is for catching depth . I think Doc also said he does not seem him playing any LF at all.
Market for Puig and Kemp: Negative Zero!
I would not be shocked if Kemp retired.
Justin Turner and Bob Geren think RVS can greatly improve Travis d’Arnaud’s hitting. That’s why he is there.
If you have a 4 man bench and one is a catcher that can’t be used to make sure you have a catcher to replace the one that started if injured, then you basically nave a 3 man usable bench.
You still have a 3 man usable bench, but now 3 of them are catchers. d’Arnaud makes no sense unless you consider that medicals about Martin’s back aren’t good, which is likely the case. He’s had 1 hit since coming off the DL on April 28. And don’t tell me that d’Arnaud can play other positions. He’s had exactly 1 chance to make a play at a position other than catcher in the show. This is a crap shoot plain and simple and there will not be 3 catchers on the roster in June. This is an experiment to see if they can turn D’Arnaud around and if they do, Martin will be hanging with Kemp at the gym.
I love the title of this blog post.
I am a lifelong Dodger fan living in the San Francisco Bay Area. I love reading this blog and I enjoy the different opinions on how the Dodgers should strive for a championship. I do not agree with everything posted, but I don’t care because everyone is passionate about the same goal – having the Dodgers win a championship once again and contending every year.
My perspective is anchored by the state of the team leading up to 2012. 2012 was a painful time to be a Dodger fan. 2012 was a painful time to be a Dodger fan living amongst Giants fans. The Dodgers were not competitive. The farm system was not highly regarded. No free agent wanted to play in LA. The Front Office was literally a laughingstock due to all the disclosures that came out of the McCourt divorce filings. and the Giants were winning. I was never going to stop cheering for my Dodgers. But Dodger fans had nothing to cheer about and seemingly no hope for the future. I remember going to watch a Dodgers Giants game at AT&T park and the street vendors were selling T-shirts with the Dodgers logo and the word “BANKRUPT” underneath it. Scott Boras referred to the Dodgers as the “fruits and nuts” section of grocery store that would be where big FA’s shopped. That was the lowest point I’ve experienced as a Dodgers fan.
Fast forward to today. The Dodgers are ranked #1 in the power rankings. They are always in the conversation regarding world series contenders. They have great young stars in their lineup and in their pitching rotation. Every free agent tries to leak that the Dodgers are highly interested. We complain after a month of baseball because instead of being 22-14, they could easily be 28-8. Their farm system has a bountiful supply of talent that will keep the team competitive for subsequent years as well as give them ample trade capital. And the Giants are in the cellar. Now, when I go to Oracle park, I see more Blue than Orange. Giants fans grudgingly envy the success of the Dodgers, a success being underwritten by cost controlled rising young talent as well as ample financial resources and looks to be sustainable for a long time.
Every year the Dodgers go deep in the playoffs, the last two years making it to the championship. Yeah, I get it – a storied franchise like the Dodgers only measure success in World Series victories. But I fully appreciate that my team is playing playoff baseball every season – I remember having to endure the hype about the Giants and St Louis in the playoffs. Now MLB fans get to hear plenty about the Dodgers in the post season. and I am enjoying it – a great time to be a Dodgers fan indeed.
BOO-YAH!!!
Kemp as a mentor to Verdugo and the guys…. no thanks.
An Utley type, no way!
It’s possible the only thing we really need is another dependable bullpen piece or two. I’d be in favor of weaponizing Dennis Santana to be that guy. Gonsolin too, when he returns from his injury. (Kimbrel = long shot)
Or, as an outside-the-box idea, we could bring in another starting pitcher which would enable us to shift a starter to the pen full time. Right now I see our rotation as Kershaw/Buehler/Ryu locked in; Maeda/Hill subject to change; and Stripling/Urias as the flex group.
A lot of year left.
I’ve got wonder if the Dodgers are better off having Maeda relieve and Stripling start.
I was thinking the exact same thing. Strip was an all-star SP last year and looks good this year. Maeda could be the late inning BP piece that we thought we were getting with Kelly.
I liked Urias closing last night and had actually thought he was going to close in SD on Sunday before Jansen started to warm up. I didn’t think Kenley was strong enough to pitch three games in a row. Maybe later in the season but not now based on his recent surgery. Turns out that was right.
I think Kelly needs a total reboot. I don’t know if that is an extended trip on the IL or even a trip to OKC to work out the kinks. But right now I don’t see him being used for anything except mop up work.
No Pollock, No Kelly, No Worries. We are the only MLB team with 23 wins.
Verdugo to Kemp: “How did you meet Rihanna?
Now that’s mentorship.
they met under her umbrella
Kudos to Knights 1 – You’re being nice though, maybe you haven’t read any of Jeff’s thoughtful takes…
I’m a Pollock fan also… He will be a plus for this team in July… He reminds me of a kid the Dodgers had who couldn’t stay healthy and we traded him a year too early, Jayson Werth… (Not the same numbers…just talking health)…
For us old timers… 60 years ago today… LAD vs. NYY… L.A. Memorial Coliseum…
Roy Campanella tribute… My Dad took me…
A year and a half earlier he told me of his accident in New York and I cried…Roy was my hero and I never got to see him play…
Just saying…
I just got this book and am looking forward to reading it:
https://www.amazon.com/Campy-Two-Lives-Roy-Campanella/dp/1416547045/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=campy&qid=1557263395&s=gateway&sr=8-2
Hopefully, it will provide some enlightenment into the Campy – Jackie Feud.
I’m reading “Forever Blue” right now, the story of Walter O’ Malley. Fascinating stuff. Did you know that in 1931, the same year the Empire State Building was completed, construction began in NYC on what was then the largest private building project in history: The Rockefeller Center complex.
Tonight’s line up against Braves pitcher Max Fried (LHP)
Hernandez CF
Turner 3B
Bellinger RF
Freese 1B
Taylor SS
Muncy 2B
Martin C
Verdugo CF
Ryu P
I feel the same way about Campy. I was a catcher and he was my hero, couldn’t believe it when I heard about the accident. Wish I could have seen him play.
For those that watch American Idol, what did you think of the judges not saving the guy with the best voice?
My wife just stopped and said:
“You weren’t even listening were you?”
I thought to myself…
“that’s a pretty strange way to start a conversation”.
love it
When my wife says that I say “what did you just say, I wasn’t listening?”
Then I bought her this to wear every day:
… and then I woke up!
No Country For Married Men
Campy also was my hero. Likewise, I was a catcher.
My wife is mad that I keep introducing her as my “ex-girlfriend”.
Turner is some kind of hitter. He’s up to .294 for the season and it doesn’t even seem like he’s come close to finding his stroke. Look out, baseball.
Also, I feel like I always forget about Ferguson. He could be a big piece moving forward.
I seriously doubt if D’Arnaud is going to replace Freese at 1B. Freese is actually a decent 1Bman. He’s not a gold glover, but this is the position he plays best. He can play 3B in an emergency but Muncy probably gets that call if there is one.
Freese is in the lineup primarily because of his RH hitting. His career numbers back him up and what he did in the WS and since coming to the Dodgers got him a contract. He’s a serious piece to this team, with a .393 OBP this season. The guy is a winner and a great dugout presence.
D’Arnaud is a long shot that costs nothing.
In the meantime, the Dodgers up 4-0 and looking unstoppable. Ryu pitching very well as he usually does at Dodger Stadium.
d’Arnaud’s number says it all.
I don’t get it, 59.
Why do we even make Turner show up in April? His season starts the first of May!
Why cant Verdugo lead off???
I’m thinking Ryu got a real shot at complete game shutout… Damn that sounds good!!! Now just get it done..
P.S. J.T. is in the house.
Turner trying to show Belly what a really good month looks like! Ryu first complete shutout in what seems like a forever! Best 17.9 AF ever spent! Can’t believe Doc didn’t bring in Kelly in the 9th just to make it interesting!