The Game is Evolving

On a number of occasions Mark has advised that the game is evolving and we should get used to it. It is difficult to argue with either point. The game has evolved out of necessity to offer a sense of fairness in competition and to, as they say, level the playing field with a standard set of enforceable rules.

Actually, if you Google it, there are ample sources following the evolution of the game. All aspects have a history, even the bat.

This from “The Evolution of the Baseball Bat” by Bernie Mussill:

“Bill Deane, Senior Research Associate at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York has on record a well-documented account of a baseball game played on June 19, 1846, at Elysian Field in Hoboken, New Jersey. This game was the first played under the Alexander Cartwright rules, which included a 9 inning game, 9 players on each team and 3 outs per side. However baseball players made their own bats and as a result, many different sizes and shapes were used.
 
During this particular time in history, players experimented with different kinds of wood for their bats in order to improve their hitting ability. They soon realized that wagon tongue wood was the best for making baseball bats. While the transition to wagon tongue wood was taking place, players also realized they could hit a ball much more solidly with a round bat. While some players continued to make their own bats, others had their bats made by a wood maker. Within the next four to five years, the round bat became very popular. All ballplayers were using a round wagon tongue bat and the only flat surface bat on any team was used strictly for bunting. The round bat had definitely taken over.
 
Before the year 1869, there were no existing limitations on the length of the baseball bat. Then in 1869, the rule governing bat length was adopted and stated “Length limit on bats, maximum 42 inches long.” Surprisingly, this particular rule has not changed. It is in today’s rule book under Division 1.00 Rule 1.10A, ‘The bat shall be…not more than 42 inches in length’.”

Every aspect of the game has evolved from how to record an out other than hitting an opponent with the ball and having players play bare-handed. Obviously the evolution of rules of play, improvements and standardization in equipment were necessary evolutions and good for the game as well as player safety.

During my lifetime the game has continued to evolve especially in 1947 with our beloved Jackie Robinson.  We have had the birth of the draft, the implementation of the  DH, the  changing of the height of the mound, free agency, multi-million annual contracts, a suspected juiced ball era, a see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil period of steroids and HGH’s. Catching equipment has changed as a result of the Steve Yeager incident. Not to be forgotten is TJ surgery which back in the fifties would have rescued the career of Karl Spooner. The list goes on.

Evolution in all aspects of life is inevitable so it is not surprising that baseball has evolved and is still ripe for further evolution. As a baseball fanatic and faithful Dodger follower since 1952 I have accepted the changes, although not always preferred, and have gotten used to them. I do not let them interfere with my enjoyment of the game although there are changes that I would have been most happy not to have witnessed happen. Because I long for the good old days, the “Golden Age of Baseball”, it does not mean I am walking aground  with my eyes closed and refusing to accept reality. It also does not mean that I cannot have a preference about what changes I like and which changes I would probably be more happy if they had not happened.

When speaking about the game evolving the premise seems to be that whatever has evolved is better than what it has replaced or added to. Not all evolution seems to have led to something only better. The industrial revolution and its sequels have done much for humankind but also left our planet in a terrible mess. The evolution of weapons of war now guarantee the earth’s population could be pretty much wiped out. Now to compare baseball to those extreme situations is like comparing apples to pumpkins. Having said that, while many of the evolutionary moments in baseball have been made to make the game fair and the players safe, one could speculate that today’s moments are not always out of necessity. The game would be just fine without them.

A later  evolution in baseball has been the emergence of electronics onto the playing field and analytics into the dugout. I expect that there will be more electronic imposition on the game as time goes by. It is difficult to argue that electronics has not helped to, “get it right” although that is not always the case and the process to question a call on the bases is a bit farcical. The big intervention  will come with balls and strikes, at some point, so we can look forward to some robo-baseball much like Gameday. The human element in the game is fading.

Analytics is now perhaps the biggest evolutionary step the game has ever taken. Again, I suppose it is difficult to argue against the trend which has eroded the opportunity for the manager to manage as he sees the game. It is now managed by those sitting in front of computers and arguably a game manager is not even needed. Just text what the computer is saying at each point in the game. The intent of the analytics is to win more games and we can’t argue with that goal. However, the constant interference in the game with analytics is not fan friendly, at least for this fan. I have accepted it but am not enamored with it. In my opinion analytics are being worked to death usurping the initiative, experience, intuition of the coaching staff. Even the announcing staff is trying to predict what will happen analytically which is not very stimulating for the listener/viewer. I miss Vin.

If the game has continued to evolve, why it is that the players don’t evolve as men? As we move to robo-ball how it is that pitchers still get their panties in a knot when a hitter admires his home run for an extra second or two or doesn’t run the bases to the pitcher’s satisfaction? He is the one that served up the tater. On the other hand why is it OK for a pitcher to slam dunk, fist pump, jump, scream when he gets a strikeout to end an inning? Don’t get me wrong. I think both of those are simply displays of emotion and we do need emotion in the game.  Or, why do players act like children when a hitter lays down a bunt to break up a no-hitter and put a runner on base. Let’s take the ball and go home. The hitter’s sole purpose in standing at the plate is to get to first base. At that point the only thing in the world that matters is first base. That is one emotional outburst that I do no like. However, perhaps the answer is that since electronics and analytics are taking over the game, the only human elements left are those fostered by the  unwritten rules.

I expect that is why I am so drawn to minor league ball. The game is still a game, it is not all about the money, and players are allowed to play. I am sure analytics are now a part of their lives but the game is not so confined analytically or electronically.  

Minor League Report by DC

Gotta love 4-for-4.

Player of the Day – Will Smith

Great Lakes Loons 11 – Lancaster Lugnuts 8 (Toronto)

The Loons started quickly again scoring three times in the top of the first inning and once more in each of the second and third innings. The big blow in the first was a two-run home run by Jacob Amaya. Before the game was over the Loons had scored in seven of the nine innings played. Great Lakes did not benefit from a great pitching start and actually gave up six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. However, they played long ball after that with two home runs by Niko Hulsizer and the first of the year by Romer Cuadrado. Amaya, Hulsizer, Heyer and Cuadrado all had two hits. Hulsizer now leads the league with ten home runs.

On the mound Jose Chacin had a strong four innings but after that the roof caved in leaving him with a stat line of five runs, six hits, two walks and five strikeouts. Drew Finley followed Chacin with 1.1 innings of scoreless ball although he allowed the two runners he inherited to score. Joel Inoa gave up two runs in his 1.2 innings pitched while Nathan Witt finished up with 1.1 scoreless innings earning the save.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 5 – Visalia Rawhide 1 (Arizona)

The Quakes got a good outing from all five pitchers. Michael Grove, apparently on a 50 plus pitch count, went 2.2 innings allowing only one hit, walking two and striking out four. Wes Helsabeck did give up a run in his 1.1 innings but it was unearned. Melvin Jimemez, Ryan Moseley and Logan Salow combined for five innings giving up just one hit, walking one and striking out seven. It is time for Moseley and Salow to move on up to Tulsa.

Rancho Cucamonga had only four hits but three were for extra bases. In the second inning Devin Mann hit a solo homer, his seventh, and in the fourth inning Drew Avans hit a two run home run.  Nick Yarnell hit his fourth triple of the year in the seventh inning scoring Donovan Casey and Drew Avans who had walked.

Tulsa Drillers 3 –  Springfield Cardinals 2

Dustin May started for the Drillers and through five innings held a 1-0 lead on another lead off homer  by Gavin Lux in the top of the first inning. In the bottom of the sixth May gave up a two-run home run to  center fielder Dylon Carlson. He  was followed by Jordan Sheffield  who went 1.1 innings with a walk and two strikeouts. Marshall Kasowski picked up the win with a perfect eighth inning on 10 pitches while Shea Spitzbarth got the save with a perfect ninth inning and two strikeouts.

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the ninth the Drillers scored the winning runs on  a two-out double by Jared Walker. Logan Landon was the only Driller with two hits.

OKC Dodgers  6  –  New Orleans Cakes 5 (Miami)

Daniel Corcino started for the Dodgers and went five innings on three hits, one run, two walks and three strikeouts. Joe Broussard followed Corcino and gave up one run in 1.2 innings pitched while striking out three. He was taken out with two outs and a runner on via a HBP in the bottom of the seventh inning and replaced by Tony Cingrani who allowed the inherited runner to score and gave up an additional run. In turn Kevin Quackenbush and Jaime Schultz each gave up a run in their appearance. JT Chargois was able to strand two runners and record two outs to claim a save being the only Dodger pitcher not to concede a run.

Offensively the night belonged to Will Smith with his sound and light show. That is, a solo homer to left field in the third inning and a two-run shot to left center in the fifth inning. The winning runs actually scored in a less conventional manner on a single, a walk, a force out and a New Orleans error resulting in two runs in the top of the eighth inning.

This article has 101 Comments

    1. Thinking of you AC. Get well soon. You are on our prayer list at Grace Lutheran Church.

  1. Is Niko Hulsizer now a top 30 Dodger prospect? I don’t see why he wouldn’t be.

    1. He has some of the best power in the system although when you watch him play it doesn’t seem like he should. His strikeout rate is a bit high but he also walks quite a bit. 47/23 K/BB

      In May his stat line in 18 games is: .323/.468/.726 , OPS 1.194, 7 HR, 18 RBI, 18 runs. Currently he leads the league in OPS, HR and SLG.

      I am not sure how often they update the top 30 but he will find his way onto it.

      Will Smith was the player of the day simply because he plays at a higher level.

      1. Niko Husizer went to college in Kentucky at Morehead St. He’s famous for his feats of strengths (Dead Lift of 545 LBS with ease!) and has been compared to Puig (minus the arm). He has legit power, is another athletic type in the Peters/Thomas mold.

        In the month of May: .323/.468/.726/1.194, with a 16.5%/21.5% BB/K rate slash. For the MWL, that’s rather impressive

    1. I don’t know where MJ is. I emailed here but she did not respond. Maybe she’s mad at me.

  2. AC praying for a speedy recovery and a short time on the IL for you! MJ come on back to the fold. You are missed and hope you’re doing well.

    DC – good post! Things change in all areas of life. Smartphones often annoy me, but I appreciate their usefulness and I don’t necessarily want to go back to phones hanging on wall and party lines. Same with cars. I appreciate the safety and efficiency features of modern cars, but I’ll always love my memories of the ‘56 Chevy and the 440 GTO.

    I think much of baseball is better today and it’s hard to compare Bellinger to Hodges, Kershaw to Koufax, etc. However, because I grew up with Koufax, Mays, Bob Gibson, my memories of them will always shine bright and, in mine mind at least, they’ll remain larger than life.

    1. 2D2 -agree. I don’t want to go back to many things such as an outdoor toilet. Much has improved but in many ways I would like to go back to the fifties when life seemed so simple and relaxed. With baseball, I am viewing it through my lens and the way I enjoy it most. I am not trying to say my way is better. It is just my way. Good enough for Frank Sinatra, good enough for me, eh. I do like and enjoy the present but truly live in the past and the future. That is, the Boys of Summer and minor league ball.

  3. Last night’s game was certainly interesting. Not the actual game play, but all of the “analytics” used to set the lineups and to make substitutions.

    I thought the Dodgers lineup was weird right out of the gate with Beaty batting leadoff and Verdugo batting eighth. But, by comparison’s sake, the Rays wanted to be weirder by batting d’Arnaud 5th. Not to be outdone, the Dodgers countered with Kike batting 5th. I guess it worked out well enough for the Dodgers since we won and scored 7 runs.

    4 pitchers in the 7th inning made for an excruciating television experience. Somehow, analytics still directs Doc to keep bringing in Alexander to get a lefty out and Mark still argues to defend Doc in this situation. Lefties are hitting .345 against Alexander, righties just .167.

    Kersh was excellent! Now a junkballer, he’s preparing himself to turn into Rich Hill. Results are results and I sure miss vintage CK. So much so, that I keep looking for his fastball to hit 93-94, but to my disappointment, I see division 2 velocity.

    Our bullpen is in really bad shape when we’re in big trouble with Baez going down. After 8 days of R and R, I thought I might see Julio step in. I guess they’re saving him for today.

    Jansen looked pretty vintage last night with an easy inning. We will start seeing more of those, he’s not done.

    Good thing Taylor started in LF to go 0-3 with 2 Ks instead of Joc who went 2-2 with 2RBIs. Did everyone see him get a hit off a lefty?

    Back to leadoff. Beaty, perhaps the slowest Dodger bats leadoff and is replaced by Freese, who is somehow even slower. I guess analytics doesn’t care if your leadoff hitter is fast. Verdugo and his 380+ OBP has not hit in the leadoff spot all year. I guess he isn’t slow enough for analytics to put him there.

    Mark is right, Alexander did get a couple of ground balls. Bad luck and they went right through the infield. I am also right, as Alexander is horrible against lefties, when he comes into the inning with runners on. As I said, he is not a loogy and shouldn’t be used as one. Mark argues against the stats and against his eyes to defend Doc blindly on this subject. A little more objectivity would be refreshing.

    I’ve always maintained that I hate it when Kike and CT3 are in the lineup at the same time. They combined for 1-7, 4Ks, BB, RBI, 2Runs. Not horrible, but not optimal. I thought one of them could be a full time second baseman. I was wrong. I’ve also lobbied for Joc to get a start against lefties and I’m probably wrong about that too. In the same vein, Kike should not start against righties. Kike is now batting 173 against righties. Joc is 190 against lefties. They need to job share left field.

  4. Both Kiki and Taylor playing themselves out of regular starting roles. When Pollock comes back I can’t see how we need both of them on the roster if neither is hitting. We don’t need two utility guys who can’t hit. We need to find a right handed bat who can hit!

    1. seriously. whichever of them are in the lineup, he needs to be batting 7 or 8, not 5!!

  5. I don’t understand why the Dodgers just don’t make Verdugo the leadoff hitter? Am I missing something? Also best wishes for a quick recovery for AC.

    1. On the Dodger website under the stats tab we can select the year and the splits. Last year Joc did okay hitting first, not good hitting 2nd, 3rd, or 4th, and really really good hitting 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.

      Verdugo doesn’t have high pitch counts and doesn’t walk. He is getting RBIs hitting down in the order without hitting home runs. If he is going to start every game then the Dodgers would always have the same lead off hitter.

      But, he hits lefties better than he hits righties and if Joc were to move down to 5, 6, or 7, the Dodgers would bunch up lefty hitters Seager, Muncy, Bellinger, and Pederson who all hit righties better than lefties.

      Joc has hit enough home runs to start games to stress the pitcher from pitch one and offer the Dodgers a chance to take the lead to start the game.

      Never quite the obvious answer with these questions.

      1. Good Analysis Bum. I wasn’t aware that Verdugo doesn’t take walks. I was looking at speed and his high average and thinking it’s a no brainer. Thanks for your input.

        1. Verdugo also doesn’t chase balls out of the zone. He walked a lot more in the minors.

  6. I hope that AC is OK. Same with MJ.

    We are a community of sorts here. We may disagree on baseball at times but sincerely hope that all are healthy and happy.

    1. I am concerned about MJ. She last posted on 5/5 at 7:31 PM and was cheery. There was nothing said that that would lead me think she was offended or mad. She has been silent since then. Maybe Pete has some more info….

          1. I e-mailed him a while back. He’s lost interest because [there is nothing to bitch about]. The words in the brackets are mine, not his. Just my impression.

          1. I’m here. I didn’t get any email Mark? There is still tons to bitch about 🙂
            I have terrible headaches and my eyes are so swollen, it has made it difficult to concentrate. Allergies I guess, but it isn’t getting better.
            I hope AC is ok.

  7. From the last thread: Wat, thanks for your kind words; rehab is going well!

    Jeff, yes, I would trade Joc, only because I think Verdugo, a healthy Pollock, and Belly are better and should be the (almost) every day outfield. And since trading CT3 might get us a return of Ryan Madsen, I think trading Joc could net us a really good reliever, which might be the difference between a title and a 3rd straight disappointment.

    1. The Mets need a hitter now that Cespedes is injured. Let’s dream and trade Pollock, Hernandez/Taylor, and a pitcher to the Mets for Diaz.

      1. Trade Kikeee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr Strikeout . Tired of watching that guy swing and miss on every AB and trying to pull everything and get called out on strikes !!!! Should had signed Lamehiu and Ottavino instead of Pollock and Kelly !!!!!!!!!!!!!

        1. Yes, if we had done that we would have been in First Place instead of First Place.

  8. The next big rule change coming. The fielders have to wear concrete blocks instead of spikes and the pitchers must wear tutus and toss the ball underhand.

  9. Poor JOC! He has almost a 950 OPS, plays a good left field, is a good teammate and is clutch in the post season and everyone is always trying to trade him! When Pollock comes back Kiki sits not JOC!

  10. One big problem is who to hit behind Cody as teams routinely pitch around him or just put him on. It can’t be Kike or Freese and Muncy and Cory are lefties so too easy to make a pitching change. The only hitter teams fear enough to pitch to Cody is JT so I would go Alex leadoff, Cory or Muncy 2nd, Cody 3rd and JT 4th with Muncy or Cory 5th. Joc, Freese, Kike and CT3 when playing need to be 6-7 and Marnes 8th. The brain trust like going L/R/L/R but I prefer the OPS studs getting more AB’s and more speed up top too.

  11. I have not posted in a while too !!!! Hey Mark how about Puig or Kemp for a RH Bat ?? Jajajaj

  12. This sounds like good news

    From David Vassegh
    When Pedro Baez arrived at Tropicana Field today he was walking unassisted and didn’t seem to be favoring his right leg.

    1. He’s just a beast.

      No longer el Gasolino.

      I hereby re-name him “IRON MAN BAEZ”

  13. Joc has a lot of value right about now. I would maximize it and seek to trade him and CT3 and a prospect or two for relief help.

    Toles has to be making progress too…

    1. Toles is going to
      draw the walk
      in front of Freese
      before he hits the homer
      that wins us the World Series.

  14. I like Joc. I think he’s a good player. But I agree with Mark – we don’t seem to have a way for Joc’s contributions to move the needle for the Dodgers. With Verdugo playing great, and Polluck coming back later this season, Joc will never get the playing time that he deserves. I like what I see of Max Muncy playing on the infield – but the domino effect of this is to push Belli to RF and that’s one less outfield position available to Joc.

  15. Bellinger LOVERS RF and when you are THE BEST player in baseball you can play WHEREEVER you want!

    Kike is hitting .219. Last year he hit .230 in the first half and .294 the second half.

  16. Many times we have seen overnight success players who often turn overnight failures. Joc is improving steadily though rather slowly and he’ll be playing MLB many years further. I say he will whip his issues with batting against lefty pitching and will be the player all teams will wish there were more of his sort on their roster. He’s still a kid. And a baby faced kid at that and the only static he causes seems to be owned by fans, the fans that can’t let go of their early dislikes. He is doing the things that have me warming to him. He’s nowhere near the weakest link on the roster though reading here you’d think he was. Someday this kid will be a master vet. What reason would one think that Dodgers haven’t given up on him? Might be they’re on to something there. At least he shows hints of breaking out where other players are often predicted to do so but don’t. Let him wear off his baby fat before sending to Japan, though that fat might stay with him a very long time. My two cents.

  17. I watched one of Kike’s AB’s yesterday. Runners at 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. Kike struck out. Did not even try to cut down on his swing with 2 strikes. I think someone must have said something to him because later in the game he came up with the same situation and he grounded one through the right side (it was wide open due to the shift) to plate 2 runs. Kike has the skills to hit .295 – but I think he needs to have a smarter approach at the plate in order to get to a respectable BA. I’m hoping that Bellinger’s success will convince Kike improve his approach at the plate. If your best player is shortening up with 2 strikes, going the other way to beat the shift, etc, and hitting .400 then maybe a player batting .219 should try it too. Muncy even bunted for a single to beat the shift and Muncy’s got more power than Kike.

  18. Once again. JOC in left Pollock in center Verdugo in right Belly at first Muncy at second Seager at short Turner at third and Realmuto behind the plate! Don’t trade JOC!

    1. Last I checked, Realmuto was in Philly.

      I cannot see them moving THE FRANCHISE back to 1B when he doesn’t want to play there.

  19. My favorite Joc stat – he is averaging 9.2 AB’s per home run but 10.75 AB’s per single. That’s pretty funny – his home rate is better than Belli (9.7 AB’s per home run). He has more home runs than singles. That just tells you everything you need to know about Joc.

    1. Joc has had very bad luck, everything that has hit the ground, so far, has gone straight to a player, his BABIP of .167 says it’s just bad luck, when he fits then the balls will find the holes and his average upgrade to.

  20. I like Joc. I like him as a person, and Joc, unlike Kersh, has stepped up big time in October. The reason I’m suggesting he be he one to be traded is 1) he has a LOT more value than CT3 and 2) there are better options to play ahead of him.

    He’d bring back a much better prospect or a reliever than CT3 would, and THAT is what this team needs most right now.

    1. Would Joc and change (pitching prospect) yield Will Smith??

      Would Farhan do it? Would you do it for a rental back end reliever (but a Giant)? How would Kenley react?

      Just stirring the pot since the game hasn’t started 😉

      1. I think Belli is more of a team player than that Mark. You shame him with that tag. He is not that self-centered as you hint.

        1. Historically, he hits better when he is in the outfield and this year he has been hitting over .400, so you want to change it up… even knowing he like outfield better? I think that is seriously dumb!

          1. That quote is a far cry from not liking to play 1B. Fake news Mark! You are showing your bias.

  21. I said it the other day and I repeat it again the day that Kike stops trying to pull everything and use the whole field then we will have some of the best 2B of the game, already it is in defense. The now is a very easy out, the rights only have to throw him to the outside corner and he always tries to pull and never gets to the ball. The batters are always struggling with their bad habits, it’s like a vice, it is corrected for a while and then they reappear, the fight is daily, matching game. Kike has everything to be a great 2B, I believe in him.

  22. Maybe I’m missing it due to the cataract in my left eye (laser assisted surgery next Wednesday), but what’s wrong with AC? In any case AC, get well soon.

    I have been in favor of trading Joc, and have been thinking the same thing that Mark is, that now is the time to do it, when he has real value, and the Dodgers have real needs that using him in a trade would address. And I’d have no problem in including CT# and/or Kike’ assuming that neither one reforms, and learns to consistently hit the ball where it’s pitched. And Mark, given that I have an MA in history, I can tell you that although history does repeat itself, it doesn’t always. So I’m not counting on sanity taking hold in Kike’ ‘s mind and his having a good second half. It no doubt could happen, but it’s just not something I’m counting on. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but that’s not surprising.

  23. Would Joc and change (pitching prospect) yield Will Smith??

    Would Farhan do it? Would you do it for a rental back end reliever (but a Giant)? How would Kenley react?

    Just stirring the pot since the game hasn’t started 😉

    1. The Dodgers already have Will Smith. 😉

      How about trading Will Smith for Will Smith?

      Has that ever happened?

      1. I’d trade for pitcher Will Smith just for a battery of Will Smith to Will Smith

    1. Thank you Jeff.

      Mark, any reason why comments start to appear BELOW the cooment box, at least on my phone?

  24. No HR if there was an electronic strike zone. Of course I know that can work both ways, but it’s still annoying.

  25. From a recent FanGraphs chat:

    Question: In Alex Verdugo’s preseason writeup, you guys mentioned that other teams questioned his makeup and didn’t want him in trade talks. Would you now consider that concern overblown with how his current teammates seem to react positively to his antics? I’m bringing it up because there’s a glowing ESPN article on him today. To me, makeup is one of those “secret sauce” attributes that non-scouts don’t really understand.

    Eric A Longenhagen: we were referring to off-field stuff. He’s allowed to play however he wants, we dig stoics and bat-flippers here.

    Question: Keibert Ruiz still looking good offensively, but has 33 SBs allowed, only 7 CS. Does he have the arm to keep a MLB running game in check?
    Eric A Longenhagen: It’s above on pure arm strength, plays like a 50 because he’s kinda slow ut of the crouch, elite accuracy
    i think he’ll be fine

    Old friend alert, Frankie Montas continues to pitch well:
    https://www.mlb.com/news/frankie-montas-dominates-in-oakland-sweep

    New friend alert, Tony Gonsolin today threw a sim game. If all goes well, he’ll be activated off the IL very soon.

    For the new millenia, the 2002 and 2003 drafts have been the best classes for the Dodgers in since I started following the draft. The 2016 draft class is starting to look like a new contender.

    2016 picks: Lux, Will Smith, Sheffield, White, May, Peters, Smeltzer, Raley, Gonsolin, Kremer, Alexy.

  26. Tomorrow, we have a new writer joining the staff. I think you will enjoy it.

    1. Mark, no one has said what is going on with AC. Something serious?

      Brooklyn Dodger:Have had both eyes done 2.5 years ago. A piece of cake. No worries.

      1. my mom just had hers done a couple weeks ago as well; simple and easy.

        Enjoy the cool sunglasses they make you wear!

  27. It’s just a shame to waste such great starting pitching with a bullpen like this!

  28. If Dylan Floro is the answer we are asking the wrong questions. This bullpen makes me pretty nervous no matter who comes in these days.

  29. For those of you who want Joc traded, he is projected to reach 46 HR’s and 83 RBI’s this season.

  30. Caleb and Floro combined for 1 BB, 2 HBP and 7 hits including 2 HR’s in one inning of work. Hill gave up 1 run in 6 IP and left with 90 pitches, I would have let him go another inning but it didn’t work with Kershaw the night before. Doc just doesn’t have many reliable options down there right now.

    1. Your right this is not on doc. Although I have been critical on some of his moves like batting a219 hitter like kike 5th. The bullpen is another story. He has no one he can trust down there. He has to pitch who he is given. When Baez is your best option and he is hurt look out. This is a terrible stretch. They cannot be as bad as they are pitching. Stripling, Kelly, cingrani, urias have got to step up.

    2. Floro was due for a bad outing. He’s good, but he’s not 0.44 ERA good. It’s a “market correction.”

  31. What the HE double hockey sticks just happened? As I was grabbing my cocktail and heading out to the backyard with my wife and my 70’s tunes, Hill was kicking ass in a 1-1 game. Did someone have a kewpie doll on Floro? Wow.

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