Watching the game on Sunday against the Astros, I saw Chris Taylor lay down a bunt that went for a hit. And it took me back to a time when the bunt was an offensive weapon to be reckoned with. Over the last several years, especially with the Dodgers, the only time you saw a bunt was when the pitcher came up and attempted to move the runner over. Maeda, and Kershaw were exceptionally good at that.
But bunting to get on base, or drive a runner in from third, well, that happened very rarely. I remember when I played, our coaches would make us make 3 bunts before we could swing the bat in batting practice. And they had to be good bunts too. Not foul balls.
And in the early years of my love of baseball, the bunt was a huge part of some players arsenal. Maury Wills, and Jr Gilliam were pretty good at it. The last Dodger I remember using it as an offensive weapon was Brett Butler. I always thought that Dee Gordon would have hit 20 points higher with that speed had he been a good bunter.
But baseball today has morphed into a game that is more about launch angle and exit velocity than finesse. Progress they call it. Seems to me they thought the same thing about cell phones. While handy, I hardly think they are progress. But that is just me. Video games and texting have taken the place of being outside in the fresh air hitting a ball.
But that is a rant for a different type of blog. Now the stolen base was also a huge weapon back then. In the early years of the game there were many prolific base stealers. Ty Cobb at that time was the best. He held the stolen base record at 96 from 1915 until Wills broke it with 104 in 1962. 47 years. Cobb ended with 897 steals. Over a 24 year career, that is an average of 48 a year. Some players do not reach that number in a season.
But prior to Cobb, there was a player named Billy Hamilton, who played for the KC Cowboys of the American Association, which in 1888 was a major league. He moved to the Phillies in 1890. Hamilton topped 100 steals 4 times. 1889, 90, 91 and 93. With a high of 111 in 1891. But he was not considered the record holder in the modern game. Hamilton ended with 914 bags over a 14 year career averaging 75 steals a year. WOW.
The top 5 are Rickey Henderson, 1406, Lou Brock, 938, Billy Hamilton, 914, Ty Cobb, 897, and Tim Raines, 808. Players who spent time with the Dodgers in the top 50 include, Max Carey, 738, not all as a Dodger, most of them with Pittsburgh, Otis Nixon, 620, Juan Pierre, 614, Maury Wills, 586, Brett Butler, 558, Davey Lopes, 557, Bill Dahlen, 548, Willie Keeler, 495, Carl Crawford, 480, Jimmy Shekard, 465. Quite a list.
As for the Dodgers all time leaders, they have 43 players who had over 100 steals in their Dodger years. Duke Snider just missed with 99. Of course Wills leads that group with 490 as a Dodger. Lopes is second with 418. Willie Davis is the only other Dodger over 300 with 335. Tom Daly, a 2B I honestly have never heard of is 4th with 298.
Steve Sax had 290, Pee Wee Reese who is # 10 had 232. Gilliam at # 12 with 203 which tied him with Zack Wheat. Best name on the list is # 18, Oyster Burns with 172, which is 2 more than Matt Kemp had as a Dodgers. Big difference is Burns only played in 820 games for Brooklyn, Matt played 1262 for the Dodgers.
The stolen base, and the bunt are two of the more exciting plays in baseball. And I for one wish they were used a lot more. I can easily remember the excitement in Dodger Stadium in 1962 when Maury was going for the record. Those go go go chants would start, and when he made it safely, the crowd would go crazy. Of course, as offensively challenged as they were in those years, the steal was an offensive weapon to be reckoned with.
As an example, Big D had gone ahead to the next city prior to his opening the series there. When told Koufax had thrown a no hitter, Drysdale, knowing how inept the hitters were asked, did he win?
I am a firm believer this skill should be taught more. The right combination of speed and knowledge of how to take better leads can be a real weapon. Speed is the one skill that cannot be taught. How to use that speed can.
I have said it countless times. They won’t because it is not the Dodgers hitting philosophy but I would hire Brett Butler to work with Jeren Kendall. I do not care how many HRs he gets. If he can get on base from the bottom of the order and play CF, he could play at the ML level. Jeren Kendall is a ML CF, but he has to be able to get on base. Gap to gap and base hits. Jake Vogel could also use his speed by slapping and bunting. It may be a lost art, but SD might be bringing it back. I miss that part of the game.
Per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN,com,
“Dodgers pro scouts got hit with layoffs today. Not sure on the number, but it sounds like the entire department will undergo a pretty drastic change. The Athletic reported that 4-5 were let go.”
1. I too miss the stolen base but doing simple math tells us that in many cases it is not worth the risk. I do not thnk it will ever be back to what it was in the “glory days.”
2. Javy Baez – .203 BA/.239 OB% – YIKES! How his stock is falling.
3. Mookie has always taken ground balls at 2B every day. Doc wants him to start one more game there, just in case they have to pinch-hit for the 2B. With Joc leaving after this season and if Lux does not progress, there could be a scenario whereby Mookie moves to 2B. Not saying it will happen… but it could.
4. Kenley had every opportunity to blow that game last night… but didn’t. He was executing last night. I feel a little better!
5. It doe not look good for Caleb Ferguson. He will have an MRI on his elbow today and likely Joe Kelly will take his place today.
Kelly has technically been back the last five days. He’s coming off the suspended list today. Someone else will have to be activated to take Fergie’s spot. I would be good with Victor getting more high leverage appearances. Bazooka too.
~
Javy is a selfish hitter. He also recently blamed all of his struggles on not being able to go watch the replay of his AB’s during the game.
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Well lets hope it is a hitter. They have been playing with a short bench.
I’m all in on bunting. Especially against the shift. And who doesn’t like the stolen base? But if I had to choose one it would be the bunt. Especially now. It’s so much not a part of the game now teams don’t expect it. A hit’s a hit.
Jansen looked better but not great. He is still missing his spots, but he missed them with better spin rate.
Ferguson has been good for us. He will be missed.
Gonsolin. I believe he is a fixture now.
Bellinger. 1 for 4 and raised his average. Pollock was chasing. Smith choked up and shortened his swing with 2 strikes and stroked a line drive to centerfield. Beautiful. Take note Cody. And Taylor. Muncy. And everybody. I still say I’ll give you two strikes to try to hit in the parking lot, after that you will do it my way.
Day game. That’s good cuz I got a Covid test yesterday and am in quarantine until tomorrow. My day is planned. Hash browns in the morning, ball game in the afternoon, read “self to Shabd” in the evening. Stay out of the smoke. My brother in law just got back from Glacier National Park. It was horrible. Mostly stayed in cabin for 3+ days. Awful everywhere out west. Be safe everyone.
Very nice write-up, Bear. You hit the spot with me regarding bunts and stolen bases. Yes, home runs are exciting, but a stolen base to put yourself in scoring position or a bunt to advance a runner is too. And, the suicide squeeze that sometimes takes your breath away, is the ultimate surprise play.
I know, unfortunately, it is not part of the game today and is a lost art, but one of the reasons I like baseball so much is the strategy involved in making the plays. l feel a sense of relief when a stolen base practically eliminates the double play.
So would like to see the bunt and stolen bases used more in today’s game. Hey, Taylor used it against the shift last night and the Padres utilized it too in one inning.
So I actually think the bunt IS exciting! It’s a hell of a lot more exciting than a strike out or a pop up. The bunt forces multiple players to react quickly, requires speed, which is exciting, and sometimes results in a great play by a 3b, which is exciting.
And now with the shift, I think it’s absolutely idiotic for our left handers who are hitting .200 to NOT lay down a bunt down the 3b line. Your job is to get on base. I guarantee that will raise your OPS more than a weak ground ball to 3 guys on the right side of the infield.
May Day today. Looking forward to him match what Gonsolin gave us yesterday.
With all the shifts where the third baseman is closer to shortstop than third, it would make some sense for the left hand hitters to take advantage, dropping down a bunt, pretty much an automatic hit.
Does anybody remember the pop up slide, sometimes called the stand up slide. It’s known to be the quickest path to the bag. At a clinic when I was in Pony League we had a college coach teach us that and I used it the rest of my career. Get immediately to the base with a hard slide, spikes right to the bag and stand straight up on it quickly, ready to take off to the next base in the event of an overthrow. You see this slide in a lot of the old films. Willie Mays did it as well as anyone. The subtleties that I was taught that day also involved sending a message to the fielder who may be standing on that bag. The message was “this is my bag, get the ef off it”. This was done with the entire body, emphasis on elbows and I could land shoulders and a couple times even a subtle head butt. All done perfectly legal and process of the slide. I had a reputation. Fielders knew to take the throw off the baseline. Smith got tagged out because his foot slid over the bag. Huge mistake that killed a rally. If it’s me I hit that bag at full speed with a pop up that just might leave a bruise on Machado who was standing right over my bag. Ty Cobb would have come in with spikes up. Spikes filed knife sharp before the game. I wouldn’t advocate that, but in my game there is no over sliding the bag. Feet first stand up. It’s the quickest path to the bag. Why wouldn’t players use it? Just food for thought.
I think the main reason for not using this kind of slide and also for less base stealing is the possible injury that sliding can cause. Jamming feet, ankles, or what have you. When I see JT slide into a base, I cringe. Over 200lbs of guy hitting the deck at full speed is not a safe thing to do unless you are a particularly athletic player.
The head first is more dangerous and it is widely used. I have seen more guys get injured with jammed fingers or even breaking them sliding that way.
I used that when I played too. You saw it a lot in the old days. I only think I have seen it maybe once in the last 20 years.
Perhaps because it, by your own words, endangers the opposing player?
There’s much less a drive to get an edge in the game “that” way these days.
Less pitching inside, home plate collisions legislated out….
I thought Gonsolin did a great job last night. He proved he deserved to be in the starting rotation by leaps and bounds. Congrats to Turner for his fine batting performance and Kenley, even though you made my hair turn a little grayer and my nails a little shorter, you came through at the end.
Worried to death about Ferguson though. He has been so so good and would hate to lose him this year. Anybody know how he is?
He went back to LA for an MRI on his elbow. We won’t know a thing until after that. But it does not sound good.
Thanks, Bear.
In last night’s game, there were two successful bunt base hits,, and a sacrifice. Taylor got a hit on a bunt that was not in the best location, but Davies could not handle it cleanly. SD laid down 2 in the same inning. One getting by Gonsolin for a hit. I love that kind of baseball. And I love the surprise of the suicide squeeze, which is rarely used these days. But if executed correctly, it is almost impossible to defend. Jansen got out of it, but he still damn near gave me a heart attack!. I really like Smith. The kid plays hard and uses his head up there. Hope Fergie is ok. Orel seemed to think it was something in his lower body. but the report says his elbow. That cannot be a good sign. The kid has worked hard and been a great piece out of the pen. Cody has moved off of the plate a little. And it looked like he was getting around on the inside pitches better. The Umps strike zone was all over the place. And I think Pollock got really frustrated with it because there were at least 3 really bad calls on pitches to him. But they won, and that is the main thing. Yanks scored 20 last night hitting 6 homers. Voit now has 18 to lead the majors. And the Brewers laid an 18 spot on the Cardinals.
Pollock has been guilty for reaching out to bad pitches. Some of his SO’s have been outright hilarious this year. OTOH, he is a much improved player this year. Looks like he’s starting to have some fun. Lux should chat him up.
Yeah he has done that. But that ump last night was a joke. He called some really bad pitches strikes, one of them on Bellinger that was a good 6 inches below the strike zone,
Slider from righties make him look real bad. Thus, the day off on Monday.
Lately he has been hitting to the opposite field when facing RH pitchers, but last night trying to pull and looked bad.
Padres are starting a lefty named Adrian Morejon this afternoon. 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA. Has started 2 games and went 5 both times 14 K’s in his 10 innings. Pitchers that they have never seen always seem to give LA fits. Lets hope that is not the case today.
Very small sample size, but reverse splits: RH hitters 1.69 ERA; .211 BAA; LH hitters 3.38 ERA; .300 BAA
Padres have some good young arms. They’ve been stacking prospects for quite a few years now. Will Myers figured something out and Machado is hitting as well as he ever has. Those guys are for real and they believe in themselves. Kinda fun for old ballers to see really. If they just don’t play over their heads against the Dodgers it will turn out as it should.
Jeff it’s my opinion that the pop up slide is the not only the quickest to the bag it’s the safest. I did it from age 13 to age 56 and other than a few dozen strawberries from some poorly maintained fields all over the country I never had a problem.
SD got two men on base in a row by bunting, and we got one. That is a good argument for the value of the surprise bunt, as long as players can execute it. I can’t say that I was ever a big fan of 1980’s “small ball,” but playing for homeruns gets tiresome, and a mixture would be fun to watch.
The almost certain loss of Ferguson for the rest of the year took some of the gratification away from the crucial win. Ferguson had mostly pitched very well this year, and I had though at times that perhaps he would make our best closer. Now we are stuck with Jansen,,as they can’t pitch him in any other spot,because he is not mentally adapted to it, so they couldn’t really use him at all if he were not the closer; and we don’t have enough quality relievers to get through the grind of the playoffs, unless we use him. i really don’t know how we are going to replace Ferguson in a bullpen sequence, but we are going to have to. I am not looking forward to seeing Kelly again, but maybe he somehow will regain his form of 2018. Can you imagine Kelly and Jansen both being used to protect a one-run lead? We really now only have one good reliever from the left side, and that is Kolarek, who rarely faces more than three batters. Well, maybe our starters can start going seven innings or more, like last night, because if we get those five innings starts, our bullpen is going to really have problems as the playoffs progress. Injuries are part of the game, it always is said, but this one was particularly unfortunate, and of course we feel really bad for Ferguson, who knew right away that he could not throw another pitch.
I think McGee and Treinen can both close, and if he is healthy and throwing the way he can, Kelly can close too.
McGee maybe.
Treinen, IMO, doesn’t miss enough bats.
No, but he has done it before, and he is a low ball pitcher, less chance giving up the long ball.
Great article Bear! I used to love watching a well executed drag bunt. That definitely seems to be a lost art in today’s game. It appears to that the change in philosophy regarding the bunt and stolen base, might also stem from the fact that many of the modern player simply don’t seem to know how to execute a proper bunt or know how to get a lead and jump for the steal. Watching some pitchers try to sacrifice is very painful in their lack of ability to lay down a proper bunt.
Thanks for the reminder of the pop-up slide Badger. That was something we had to master when I played. We would spend hours of practicing in the “sliding pit” to learn how to properly do it. Other than the “strawberries” you would regularly get on the back of your thigh and buttocks, I don’t remember any player getting a serious injury as a result of sliding.
2d2, can you imagine the modern player’s response if a sliding pit being installed at spring training and there was organized sliding practice like the old days?
No I can’t. I do remember they had one in Vero Beach. But today, nope.
William, you say we only have one good reliever from the left side if we don’t have Ferguson, but both McGee and Victor Gonzalez have pitched very well. Not that Fergie won’t be missed. Does anyone know if he’s had a TJ surgery in his past?
The fact that most of us are so enamored with the bunt just proves one thing………………….we’re all old! 🙂
If teams like the Pads use it successfully on a regular basis, the whole league will start copying them. We can only hope.
he had TJ surgery in high school (probably why he dropped so much in the draft)
And what about Kolarek?
And what about Kolarek? That makes 3 remaining lefties who all look good this year.
Conflicting stories: Alana saying May will start. David Vasseigh saying May scratched, and Graterol will start
Thanks Boys. We needed that last night. Some good comments today and a good post by Bear on use of the bunt and steal. I grew up with a dad who was a top-notch fastpitch pitcher. In that game, with dominate pitching, if you couldn’t bunt, you didn’t play. If someone got on it was automatic they got sacrificed to second.
Bunting takes quality practice and commitment. Commitment is the operative word here. Without it there is poor practice. Then poor execution. A Player’s hears has to be in it. Chicks don’t dig the bunt.
My teams made great use of the bunt as a weapon. We also set up a “bunting station” and made it competitive with a coach there supervising. A pitching machine was cranked up (no lob ball half ass practice) and things were taken seriously. Proper mechanics on how to bunt were taught and expected. Players now honestly don’t know how to bunt. I would frequently have a kid bunt with 2 strikes if their previous 2 bunt attempts were unsuccessful. I wouldn’t reward poor execution and let them swing away.
I have never understood how a hitter passes up a sure base hit against a shift, when baserunners are needed, when a bunt or slap it right there. I’m slowly seeing it a little more, like last night. I would eventually like to see it until teams stop shifting so much but I now doubt that will happen in my tenure.
Bear I’m more of a proponent of the “safety squeeze” versus the “suicide”. That play can’t be defended either if done right. And it’s by definition, safer. And I’d never hit and run anymore. Always a “run and hit” taking my chances running on a “ball” outside the zone making the catcher’s throw more difficult and runner stealing.
Badger, I too loved to “pop up” slide and was great at it. It did cost me several levels of skin on my knee. One of the reasons it’s taught less, like a “take-out slide” is because if used during a double play, it’s illegal. If the runner pops up into a fielder while he’s making the turn, both runners are out. So, it’s not taught much too youngsters. Another skill that’s gone away.
Some thoughts on last night:
* No kidding that Quinn Walcott was horrible behind the dish. You could roll it up there and get a strike.
* Awesome to see JT back. Let’s keep him at DH and Rios (by default) at 3rd. No Muncy please at 3rd.
* I wish Fergie well. Didn’t look good.
* Glad KJ got it done. Sadly my trust was not enhanced. He was 1 pitch away from a tie game or worse. I’m still lobbying for closer by committee.
* Joe Davis made a statement during the broadcast last night that I hope was inaccurate or a misquote. He said that “Doc thinks that the series starting next week with 3 games with the A’s and 3 with the Angels as the time to “ramp up” to get the best guys ready for the post season.” I hope he didn’t really say that and doesn’t think that. Why not start that yesterday (I liked that line up a lot with the exception of Joc). Play your best guys every game, STARTING NOW. No more try -outs. No more Mookie at 2nd. No more platooning with Pollock and Joc. No more Lux at 2nd. Put CT3 there and leave him. These games and Colorado matter! Don’t turn on the switch with 6 games left, please.
* Speaking of Joe Davis, I would bet that he never played anything at a competitive level. Last night he was verbally moping around and whining that KJ must be feeling terrible about loading the bases. Oh woe is us. Suck it up in the booth too and talk about competing and getting out of the jam instead whimpering about it. Grow a pair.
* A win today would be awesome. Every win is big one from here on.
I just like the squeeze play period. I remember how excited Vin would get when one was executed successfully. Davis’s statement was not a misquote. Doc obviously said that to the reporters who follow the team, and the broadcasters. Beaty needs to come back. He is at least a contact hitter and does not strike out much. Watching Muncy chase ball after ball and miss has gotten very tiring. And with a lefty in there today, hopefully he gets another day off.
When it comes to a choice between watching the SD and Giants games vs Dodgers, I always go with SD and SF. Both of those crews talk baseball and have had nothing but good things to say about the Dodgers. They like the game and are knowledgeable. Joe has a pleasant enough voice but I usually feel he speaks like an MC or host. Orel is too far gone to do anything with but talk about himself and his endless analysis.
Matt Harvey looks done. He was placed on the IL today by the Royals. In 11 plus innings he gave up 15 runs. His fast ball average was up a little, but his control was way off. Manfred says the DH is most likely here to stay. Opposition in the NL has softened considerable. He also wants to keep the expanded playoff format beyond 2020. Another thing he thinks might be kept is the new extra innings rule, which I detest, but seem to be in the minority. He doubts the 7 inning double header will be kept though. And he is hoping that sometime down the road that MLB can expand to 32 teams, allowing and even number of teams in each league. Thus making scheduling easier.
Roberts says Graterol will start but May will get some innings today. I can’t follow that logic but it wouldn’t be the first time Doc did something I couldn’t understand.
McKinstry will be joining the team today although no official move has been made yet. If he can get some at bats in during the next week and does well, I could see him replacing Lux or even Joc on the playoff roster.
I do find it interesting that it’s ZacMac and not Beaty but that’s probably because they aren’t convinced they want Lux on the post season roster and Beaty doesn’t play second base.
Why May was taken out of mlb app to pitch today?
Graterol is going to be the opener like the other day. May will follow him like Gonsolin did May in Arizona. Just using him in higher leverage innings.
Oki
Buehler is not with the team. He is not traveling to Colorado either. He has been pitching with a cover on his finger, and will stay in LA until the team gets home. Roberts said he will get a start prior to the end of the year.
todays line up.
1 Betts RF
2 Seager SS
3.Turner DH
4. Muncy 3B worst fears realized
5. Smith C
6. Bellinger 1B
7. Pollock CF
8, Taylor LF
9. Lux 2B
P Graterol..opener.
Why Muncy 4? Why Lux y not Like? Bad line up
Excuse I mean kike
Robert’s shenaniganology
Ferguson on IL; Sborz called back up.
Joc on Family Emergency list; McKinstry called up.
I just read “family medical emergency”. Which probably could go unsaid. Hope it isn’t serious, but have to assume it is.
Great article at CBS.com about Will Smith. He’s in the “90/90 club” – he’s one of 7 guys in MLB to have average exit velocity over 90% and an in-zone contact rate over 90%.
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/how-dodgers-will-smith-started-producing-like-a-star-in-shortened-2020-season/
DODGERS RECALL RHP JOSH SBORZ
DODGERS PLACE LHP CALEB FERGUSON ON IL, ACTIVATE RHP JOE KELLY
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled right-handed pitcher Josh Sborz and have placed left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson on the injured list with a left elbow injury. Additionally, right-handed pitcher Joe Kelly has served his five-game suspension and will be activated for today’s game.
Sborz, 26, returns for his fourth stint with the club. He has made three appearances for the Dodgers in 2020, allowing one earned in 3.0 innings with two strikeouts. In parts of two seasons over 10 games, the right-hander is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA (9 ER/12.0 IP) and nine strikeouts. The former Virginia Cavalier went 24-20 with a 3.53 ERA (144 ER/367.1 IP) and 370 strikeouts in 157 minor league games (46 starts) for the Dodgers. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft by the Dodgers.
Ferguson, 24, will be placed on the injured list for the first time this season and the second time in his career. In 21 games (one start), he posted a 2-1 record with a 2.89 ERA (6 ER/18.2 IP) and 27 strikeouts. He has been with the Dodgers parts of three seasons, going a combined 10-5 with a 3.93 ERA (49 ER/112.1 IP) and 140 strikeouts. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 38th round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft and is 15-11 with a 2.73 ERA (81 ER/266.2 IP) in 77 minor league games (51 starts).
Kelly, 32, is active and will be able to play today after serving his suspension. The right-hander has appeared in seven games for the Dodgers this season, tossing 6.1 innings, allowing five hits with five walks and five strikeouts without allowing a run. He is in his second season with Los Angeles and is a combined 5-4 with a 4.06 ERA (26 ER/57.2 IP) and 67 strikeouts in 62 games. In his nine-year career, split between the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox and Dodgers, he is a combined 48-29 with a 3.89 ERA (295 ERA/683.0 IP) and 565 strikeouts.
Roberts must have a gut feeling about Muncy at third. I have one too. I’m more ok with Lux. I know that kid can hit. It’s just a matter of time. And not a lot of that left before the playoffs start.
Game time.
DODGERS RECALL IF/OF ZACH MCKINSTRY
DODGERS PLACE OF JOC PEDERSON ON FAMILY MEDICAL EMERGENCY LIST
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled infielder/outfielder Zach McKinstry and have placed outfielder Joc Pederson on the family medical emergency list.
McKinstry, 25, will be recalled for his second stint with the team and his next appearance will be his MLB debut. He split the 2019 season between Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City, playing six different positions and hitting .300 (129-for-430) with 24 doubles, 19 homers and 78 RBI. He finished the season with Oklahoma City and hit .382 (34-for-89) with seven homers and 26 RBI in 26 games. In his five minor league seasons in the Dodgers organization, he has hit a combined .270 (331-for-1226) with 30 homers and 149 RBI across five different levels. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 33rd round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Central Michigan University.
Pederson, 28, has played in 38 games this season, batting .178 (19-for-109) with six homers and 12 RBI. Last season, he batted .249 (112-for-450) with 36 homers and 74 RBI, setting career-highs in batting average, runs (83), hits, homers, RBI and OPS (.876). In parts of seven seasons with the Dodgers, he is a career .230 (492-for-2141) hitter with 129 homers and 299 RBI. The Northern California native was originally drafted in the 11th round of the 2010 First Year Player Draft out of Palo Alto High School.
Muncy starts off the game as normal. Strikeout.
Call me old fashioned, but I thought that the clean-up hitter was supposed to be someone who can hit. The last two years, Muncy batting fourth, sure. This year, with the division on the line, WTF?
Pollock or Smith would make more sense for batting cleanup. At work today listening to Jerry Steiner and Moe on the radio.
Can we win in the post season with Muncy and Belly this bad? At least Belly is a great defender but what in the world does Muncy bring to the table right now? I’d rather have Kike at first at this point!
The answer to that question is probably not. Someone else would have to play over their heads to make up for the loss.
I’d rather bring back Eric Karros
Well, Kolarek not getting the job done today so far. Cmon, get this inning over already.
Does anyone know when Pollock was hitting well in SF where in the batting order he was hitting?
Skitter
Pollock has been best hitting fifth this year so far.
I just started watching the game I was busy earlier. Can anyone fill me in on why it’s a bullpen game I thought May was supposed to start today?
There’s May.
Okay Eric, the explanation was that Doc wanted May to give him innings in the middle of the game to set things up for the bullpen.
Oh ok. Thanks.
Oh man, that’s the Max Muncy I remember!! You got one week to wake up, dude, and then go on a tear!
You want SB’s – Mookies got SB’s!
Caleb Ferguson has UCL Damage – sounds like his second TJ!
That is a damn shame!
Horrible
Yes Smith with a two run double. That’s why I prefer him either three or four in the lineup.
He’s been awesome lately. Such a clutch money double there!
5th in the lineup is ok too. Depends on who is 4th.
I am so impressed with Will Smith. The Dodgers re-built his swing the last two years and he has responded. He’s a young Buster Posey! I am now convinced he is the “real deal.” What a find! Kaybear could be trade bait… Cartaya!
There was nothing in Smith’s past that even suggested he could be this good!
Mark, Smith has indeed made it if you give him your seal of approval. I think last year you had him pegged for a .250 hitter. He sure looks like the real deal right now! Big pick me up for the team! Terrible news about Ferguson. With his new slider this year he was a different pitcher. Hope for a speedy recovery!
This is what it is like to be coachable. Smith might be the most improved player. Pollock will take that honor because injury has plagued him, but he seems healthy this year and we get to see what he can really do. Of course, there’s Seager, but we all know how good he is already.
But, the one guy who must be on that playoff roster is JT.
Beating up on the Fathers. Handling SD gives me more confidence for the playoffs and the better teams we will face. I’m feeling a little momentum now!
That’s more like it! Way to keep the line going with Smith and Belli! It is a shame about Ferguson. Hope that others can fill his shoes. Killer Kelly? A bit unpredictable, to say the least. Sborz? Unproven, at least so far as I’ve seen. Glad to see McKinstry called up. Let’s see what he can do. Second base is up for grabs. Or maybe he’ll be the next super-utility man. And what’s up with Joc? Not sorry to see someone else take his place, truth be told, but you have to hope everything’s alright at home.
Seems like he is needed at home.
Yes, must be. Enjoying your writing, by the way.
Thank you. I have enjoyed doing it
They announced the pregnancy on April 25. Seems like that birth may have come early
Taylor bomb good deal. I haven’t been very high on him but he’s done good this year and deserves a starting spot in the playoffs. I always liked him but I was never high on him. Glad to see him doing good.
7-1. two bombs, That looks more like the Dodgers I love to watch. Muncy 2 K’s again, but a double to left was nice, and a 2 out RBI by Belli is a good sign too.
Ha! I predicted a rout. You can’t keep the dodgers bats quiet too long. A breakout was inevitable.
May should develop a straight change. That off a 101 mph fastball would be very hard to hit.
That slower curve ball has helped May’s pitch differentials for sure. As I have said in the past, if he develops a good straight change that can take him to the next level. I think he has one but not polished yet. Damn he has a live arm.
He has one – according to fangraphs he uses it <5% of the time. He uses the fastball 55% of the time. Good hitters are gonna sit on fastballs. Saw it tidal. A good change would have those sitting on a fastball sitting on the bench shaking their heads. Look what Davies can do with 89 mph heat. I suspect May will work on it this off season.
Why was not keep Gonzalez? I am nervous with Baez
They never do anything easy. Baez now in the game. Where has McGee been? I would use that guy in this spot. Oh well, I am not the manager…just get the last 2 outs and end this thing. Leave here 3 1/2 up. Three games, 3 ninth innings that make your tummy turn. Nice catch TAYLOR! Gotta love Chris.
Ufffffff. I need a Doctor!!
Congrats, we’ve clinched a playoff spot!
A good team like this is worthless without a decent closer.
Jansen has 11 saves and is in third place. The leader has 13 and the #2 guy has 12.
If he’s not ready there is Treinen, Kelly, Baez and several others.
I kinda like docs strategy today of an opener and then put May in. The least stressful innings are the earliest. I should say for relievers they are used to one or 2 innings and the last 6 outs are usually the toughest to get in the playoffs. That is the positive news. The other news is Baez has no business closing games. How many times do we have to watch him fail in the playoffs? He should never be brought in after the seventh inning during the playoffs. Gonzalez throwing 97 wow!
Winning ugly at the end there, but we’ll take it! Satisfying to beat SD 2 out of 3. May looked good, but his placement can be lacking at times. As good as his stuff can be, MLB hitters will punish you for mistakes. Got to love Mookie stealing 3 bases. Who knows, they may even start bunting!
I looked up Maeda and Ryu stats this year and Maeda has been dominate with a .480 OPS against him, Ryu not as good at .660
Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
A short season and a new league helps Kenta. He would fade the second half and then finish up in the pen. Ryu is pitching in band boxes.
In the pen for the Dodgers that is.
Satisfying 2 out of 3 against the Padres. I have it on good authority, that Mookie read the blog this morning before he went to work, and decided to honor Bear with 3 stolen bases.
Aww shucks, I am so glad Mook did that.
Big win, 3.5 up far better than 1.5. I do not enjoy watching Baez pitch in crucial situations, but Roberts likes to use him. Gonzalez looked good, made one bad pitch, maybe he can be a key for us with Ferguson’s injury. Kolarek got the win;; did they get rid of that old rule when the scorer could have given the win to May in this situation, because Kolarekt’s stint was “brief and ineffective”? Not a big deal, of course, but those things used to matter to me.
Win the division, clinch the last at bat in a majority of the games, which is valuable in the extra inning games, and figure out the bullpen rotation. I expect that Roberts’ use of the bullpen in the playoffs will be interesting, at the least.
Yeah, I’m not sure why the scorer went with the least effective pitcher
Excellent series win by the Dodgers after the tough loss on Monday. I definitely overreacted to Monday’s loss, and the Dodgers showed their professionalism by bouncing back the last two days. Great outings by the young guns, Gonsolin and May! And contributions from so many players including Betts, Pollock, Taylor, Smith, Turner, Rios, and even Bellinger and Muncy. Also, I need to give credit to Dave Roberts for guiding them to a couple of wins through some tense moments.
And the best part was retiring Grisham for the final out of the game! The dodgers addressed his cockiness on the field by winning the last two games. Hopefully they took a little motivation from his disrespectful display.
The Padres are still a very talented team, and they will probably meet the Dodgers again. But the playoffs will be a challenge for all teams with more randomness than ever.
Pollock left the game with a hamstring cramp.
That’s what they said about JT as well
Did not hear that. Cramp is better than a pull.
Just think how good this team would be with normal production from Bellinger Muncy and Joc. I’d still be afraid of the bullpen though. The bullpen is the one area that I believe Friedman can do a better job with, but he’s done an excellent job building the rest of the team.
I believe in the strategy of having a few dominant relievers to shorten the game. A situation where you take a lead into the seventh inning and you basically know you’re gonna win because you have a few dominant relievers.
Totally agree.
It’s a real worry that the Dodgers only have the (checks team stats) THIRD best bullpen in the majors.
17th in save percentage. A couple dominate relievers would solve that problem.
Save percentage.
Interesting stat to predicate personnel moves around.
Save percentage.
After this series, it’s clear to me that although Tatis is an absolute stud, the MVP (with a week to go, of course) is Mookie Betts
I agree.
deGrom left his start after the second inning. No report yet on why.
Just read an Athletic article on who has the better starting pitching depth for the upcoming playoffs that will feature stretches of 5 straight games. The consensus by Eno Sarris is – it ain’t us. Padres and giants are the list, but without Price and maybe without Buehler at 100% we don’t stack up. Of course, this author doesn’t have the confidence in Gonsolin and Urias that we have, right? According to Sarris Cleveland and St Louis have the depth at SP. Whatever. I like our chances. If we hit, we will win from here on out.
My starting rotation for the playoffs is CK, Buehler if he is healthy, and Gonsolin. If I had to choose between Urias and May, I’m not sure which I would choose. But, after seeing two BP started games, I think we could get away with that once in a while.