I don’t have much time today, so this format seemed appropriate.
- If you are so inclined, read what Dan McLaughlin writes in the National Review with regard to the Trever Bauer Debacle. It is at least very thought provoking.
- One has to wonder how long Max Scherzer’s arm will hold up. Justin Verlander’s evebtually broke down. Let’s hope it stays intact at least they season.
- In an interview yesterday, AJ Ellis said that Clayton Kershaw is a “One-Uniform Guy” and that he will go into Cooperstown as a Dodger. We may have seen the last of Clayton. A pitcher doesn’t miss two months because of a little strain in his forearm. In an interview this week, Clayton referred to his sore elbow. Of course, nothing is ever disclosed like that by the Dodgers, but I think he needs TJ and is just trying to finish the season and retire. He’s not going to go through that. I predicted early in the season that he would retire after this season. I stll stand by that, although I hope he can pitch before the season ends.
- Danny Duffy could be a big weapon in the playoffs, if healthy. We don’t have much information on him either.
- Don’t count on Lux and Beaty being on the post-season roster. With Turner, Turner, Seager, Taylor and Muncy able to play all around the infield and with Albert the RH pinch hitter, McKinney is a better candidate due to his defense and experience.
- The Dodgers team ERA sits at 3.00. SF is next with a 3.24 ERA. The Dodgers have been 1st or 2nd in Team ERA since 2017. That is impressive.
- Ryan Pepiot has pitched 83 innings and I suspect he is running on fumes.
- Jorbit Vivas finally moved to Great Lakes.
- Diego Catraya is shut down for the year and Bobby Miller is being used sparingly and is currently on the IL. The Dodgers are being very careful with both of these potential Superstar talents.
- We haven’t heard much from Eric about Bullpen Building lately, as Sean Dolittle was let loose by the Reds this week. I think Bullpen building is a lot harder and vastly different than many fans think.
- Brent Suter (2.73 ERA) has blown 8 saves for Milwaukee
- Brad Hand has blown 6 (remember when he was the flavor of the week?) saves
- Liam Hendriks has blown 6 saves
- Daniel Bard of Colorado has blown 8 saves
- Mark Melancon has blown 5 save
- Jake McGee has blown 4 saves, as has Will Smith
- Tyler Rogers (1.93 ERA) has blown 5 for SF
- Craig Kimbrel has blown 3, but his ERA has went from 0.57 with the Cubs to 1.53 with the Sox
Beaty will be on the postseason roster.
100% he fills the LH pinch hitter role perfectly
Agreed, the bench will be right sized without the need for a 5th starter and built in off days to rest the bullpen.
I can see a bench consisting of Barnes, Pujols, CT3, McKinny and Beaty. Then, they’ll need to decide if they want an extra bat or an extra pitcher on the roster. I could see them adding Lux to the mix to use him as a pinch runner.
There’s so many pitchers on the roster with several more coming off the IL. It’s hard to tell how things will ultimately shake out. Ideally the roster will be constructed as follows.
4 starters – Bueller, Scherzer, Urias, Kershaw
8 relievers – Jansen, Treinen, Knebel, Kelly, Bickford, Greene, Price, Duffy
8 position players – Smith, Muncy, T Turner, J Turner, Seager, Pollock, Belli, Betts
6 bench players – Barnes, Taylor, Pujols, McKinney, Beaty, Lux
I can see them swapping Lux for Vesia. Graterol, Gonsolin, White and V-gone all on the taxi squad?
I think Vesia is a lock for the post season roster.
Right now I agree: Vesia over Lux for the postseason.
An extra arm would be more useful: 13 relievers, 13 position players.
Vesia looks good, but I think it’s too early to call him, Bickford or Greene “locks.” Injuries could always change things. Will Duffy be ready? So many variables. Nice that the Dodgers have so many options.
Brusdar got bruised today, so his chances are diminished. VGon was clutch now, but now hurting and struggling. And in a short series, there’s always the fine option of moving Julio to the pen.
When I look down Mark’s list of Blown Saves, I’m struck that there simply isn’t anyone right now who compares to Mariano Rivera or prime Jansen and Gagne (with a PED help).
Remember: AF invested about $5 million in Kahnle knowing he wouldn’t play in 2021. I’d have prefered an investment in that cost-effective lefty with the gunslinger’s name who helped the Dodgers win a title in 2020 and is now a key reason why the Giants have the best record in the game. Have I ever mentioned that?
As I write these word, the Dodgers are trailing the Rockies 3-2–and the Giants have already lost.
When you look at the talent on the roster, when you consider the massive run differential, it’s frustrating to see the Dodgers leave runners on base and just miss so many opportunities. Will this be another?
B&P – question. I wouldn’t know Duffy if I fell over him. I’ve never seen him pitch. What makes you list Duffy as a lefty on the postseason roster despite not having had him pitch all year instead of Vesia, who we have seen and he’s been outstanding? I like Greene just fine but while Graterol may lack stuff, he can come out and gas it up for an inning. But Vesia has to be a lefty arm out of the bullpen for me with Urias of course available as a reliever.
Doc, in a recent interview mentioned going with experience in the postseason. Danny Duffy was one the best lefty starters this year, his sinker from the left side is up to 96.
I do agree about Vesia though. He’s been one of the top relievers in baseball the last two months. As you can see, there’s going to be some very good pitchers that you can’t possibly put on the roster.
For sure B&P. Having so many guys to choose from is certainly a nice “problem” to have.
I do not think Gonsolin is very close to coming back. I doubt he is on the taxi squad.
Nice win last night. Scherzer was magnifico. Barnes made the best of an infrequent start. Cody drove in a run with a sac fly, and Seager drove in Turner with a bullet double. The once again did nothing in the late innings, as Darvish finally figured it out, but it was too late. Max handled Machado and Tatis easily. 35 games left. Colorado in for the weekend, and then the Braves before they head to SF for their last showdown with the Giants. Belt on the bereavement list. Posey nursing a sore back. I am not so sure Lux will be back when they expand the roster. They need a spot for Kersh who said the last session went well. And they will probably use a spot for Beaty, who at this point is more valuable to the team than Lux.
What a strange year. In so many ways.
Interesting site about pending Dodgers free agents.
https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/free-agents/los-angeles-dodgers/
With Clayton, Scherzer, Bauer,KJ, Sierra (did not even know he still on the salary list), Kelly, SEager and some others there are tons of money that probably could come off the salary list. Over 175 million dollars roughly.
But losing all of CK, Scherzer and TB would leave a gigantic hole in the rotation. Huge decisions looming for the Dodgers in the offseason. would be extra nice if this roster could repeat. Would put them close to a dynasty.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be a gigantic hole, however it would also give up upwards of 100mil of open salary, IF they want to stay over the threshold like they are now. Add Jansen as a possibility & you are up to 120mil. With the offense we have, one would think this would be an acceptable place to land for A LOT of good/great MLB pitchers.
cheers
pb+
I too am concerned about Scherzer’s arm strength wearing down. I mean he is 37. Could he sustain this for two more months? I don’t know. I’m even concerned about Buehler’s stamina wearing down as well.
Hopefully Duffy and Kershaw can return and ease their workload a bit. I doubt it because it looks like we may have to play hard for all our remaining games. And yes, I will continue to say this- I hope Bauer can reunite with the team down the stretch.
Lastly, too bad our two youngest arms are broken down….May and Gonsolin. It would have been nice to have them around now as well.
Oh well….we shall overcome!
TM
I see you turned from the Dark Side and became an optimist! 😉
Lol….if you say so!
I believe Jackson starts tonight, Price tomorrow and White on Sunday. They’ll save Urias, Buehler and Scherzer for Atlanta. That will give the big three an extra day of rest.
That’s a pretty good bet, but it sure messes up the rotation for the Giants series.
They also could make Wednesday’s game against Atlanta a bullpen game and open up with Scherzer on Friday with SF and still have Urias and Buehler in the SF series. A lot more options once the rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Kershaw is also eligible to come off the 60IL on Sept. 5,
I wonder if Kershaw’s throwing breaking balls yet.
I think he is supposed to start today.
Well, it sure looks like things are finally coming together. We have about a month and week remaining in the season and the Giants are really making this stretch run exciting. As TM pointed out the rotation is set for our big 3 to showdown with the Braves, but it leaves a little less than can be desired for our head to head against the Giants. Will the Dodgers pivot in order to get a better matchup against the Giants?
Mad Max was huge last night throwing zeros for 7.2 innings of 2 hit shutout Padres beating magic showing just how important that deadline deal was. It already looks like that deal was a make it or break it move and AF delivered.
Sweeping the Padres at this point in the season in their own yard was beyond huge. Maybe we caught them at the right time as they’re choking like a night in Bauer’s bedroom. But, they’re technically full strength with their position players and still can’t seem to do anything to mount an offense. With 6 more games against our rivals to the South, all at home, they are no doubt seeing their season slip away. Let’s see how they perform under the pressure of September baseball with a schedule full of first place teams.
The Giants, on the other hand, just won’t go away. Somehow, someway they manage to keep winning, most recently by killing off any hope for a Mets postseason appearance. Back to the drawing board for the Metropolitans. Their season is officially over.
Mookie is back, but I hardly even noticed. He was pretty much an invisible man last night, but it won’t be long before he gets going again.
Darvish was pretty good last night if it weren’t for that cutter right down the pipe to Austin Barnes. He’s not quite the same since they took the sticky away. He’s back to being a good, not great pitcher.
Today is judgement day for Trevor Bauer as his current administrative leave is hanging in the balance and set to expire later today. One more week long vacation would pretty much signify an end to his season with only 5 weeks and two days remaining on the schedule. Like a hot potato, no one wants to make a definitive decision on this due to the political ramifications involved with a decision.
Kershaw, Duffy and Gonsolin are all expected back at some point and will provide just enough pitching to get through the remainder of the season with White and Jackson contributing to hold the rotation together with duct tape and bubble gum. We’ll move from “bullpen games” to “piggy back” starts once rosters expand in September.
I think if the “fryers” were smart, they would shut Tatis down & get him the surgery he fairly obviously needs now. We see how long it is taking Cody to re-strengthen his shoulder.
But they talk like they still have a chance. I do not think they do.
cheers
pb+
I think I read it somewhere, when the roster expands to 28, is there a minimum of pitchers? Dodgers could go with 15 pitchers and 13 infielders / outfielders, that would be very important to rest some important arms.
• Rosters once again feature 26 players, after expanding in 2020. Roster size will increase to 28 players in September. There will not be a limit to how many pitchers can be on a team’s roster.
Si, B and P esperaba como tu, al igual que el propietario Cohen que su inversión millonaria despertara vs. los Giants pero que decepción, siguen dormidos. Espero que Atlanta continué en pie de lucha y por lo menos que leas quite 2 de 3 y nosotros hacer en casa nuestra parte, ojalá que Max, CT3 y en menor grado Seager salgan de su depresión ofensiva, no menospreciar a Colorado que últimamente está ganando con más frecuencia y nosotros usaremos pitcheo de grandes prospectos y bullpen, seguro continuaremos en nuestra racha ganadora.
El pitcheo es increíble en este momento. Solo Pollock está realmente caliente y seguimos ganando. Corey está superando los 300 desde que regresó, pero no tanto en el departamento de energía. Este equipo seguirá ganando una vez que los murciélagos se despierten un poco.
Y el maravilloso William es Mr Clutch cuando necesitamos un gran éxito.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I had to watch the game on MLB with mostly the sound off. Who needs guys sitting around and laughing and talking abouit how good they were when they played. Oh and by the way there was a baseball game going on.
You can have your opinion about who should be the main man in a key game Scherzer or Bueler, but you don’t have to listen to Pedro. His answer is always the same–Go with the veteren. Because of experience, (even if he is not the best pitcher)
Found last nights game unwatchable. Turned it off after Barnes homer. As for experience, in post season, I think Buehler has more than enough.
It was definitely unwatchable with all the BS going on. Who gives a damn what they did so long ago. However I continued to watch it but with the sound turned off.
I watched the Padres broadcast. I like Don Orsillo a lot and he teams well with Mark Grant. They are not flagrant homers and are very informative and and respectful about the Dodgers.
Maybe I will try them next time around. Orel was a bit diarrhea mouthed last night for sure. Based on your description, I assume they are NOTHING like the Roc’s homers I have to listen to tonight. THEY SUCK. I have tried putting on the radio broadcast to match the vid, but it never works, seems like it is 20-30 seconds difference, which is totally no bueno.
cheers
pb+
I’ve decided to be a realistic optimist.
Hey, Trea Turner made a great pivot to help complete a double play to end Max Scherzer’s only challenging inning. I think he can flat out play second or short.
Who knew Farhan Zaidi would put together a good enough roster to lead the NL West? There is some speculation that he signed pitchers, hoping they would be good enough to trade at the deadline for prospects, of course. Hey the best laid plans and all.
What are the odds of the Dodgers signing Max to a two year extension? Pretty good, I think.
What are the odds of Trevor Bauer not being part of the Dodgers next year? Unclear. But I’m guessing the Dodgers are anxious to put Bauer in the rear view mirror.
Now that Rob Manfred has shafted long time partner TOPPs, not to mention the minor league fiasco, he has become the face of greed, not a good look for baseball. Moving forward I would like to believe that MLB and the player’s association would reach an agreement. It would be stupid to do otherwise. But when I look around, stupid seems to be in vogue.
This is a Dodger team, if healthy, that would be he odds on favorites to win the World Series. They definitely make the playoffs, but the scary thing is a one game playoff to get into the main event. Luck, fluke plays or just a bad inning could sink their aspirations. Obviously they need to keep winning, hope the Giants falter and again win the NL West. But games are dwindling, another San Fran pinch hitter comes through.
Dave Roberts says the Dodgers are very high in Gavin Lux, the talent is there. But going into 2022, will they count on him? Probably not.
Read an article about the status of Tyler Glasnow with the Rays. As he is out for ‘22 will the Rays want to pay him for a year where he can’t contribute? How about the Dodgers trade Bauer plus cash for Glasnow?
I too watched the game with the sound off. Hopefully they will not do that again. It was dreadful. I was a big fan of Pedro, and still think he was a superstar pitcher. But he never stops talking.
LA looks like a very formidible team that continues to gel. We will catch the Giants and win the division.
I had the sound off and didn’t even think of listening.
* Scherzer is such a craftsman. He just lives on the fringes of the zone. He had 18 strikes looking last night. Scherzer can tunnel so well. Hitters just can’t figure out what the pitch is and he hides the ball so well. Picking up his spin must be difficult. Everything comes out of the same window, looks like a strike and then isn’t. An at bat by Machado was a classic example. 86 mph Slider starts on the plate and breaks well away – swinging strike one. 86 mph Change from the same release pt, down and in, strike 2.
4 seamer middle down at 96 taken for strike 3. 3 different perfectly located pitches out-in-middle down, from the same window, all to different locations but only one actual strike. He just surgically carves up hitters. He’s a treat to watch.
* I’ve tried to figure out the reason Doc pulled the plug on Scherzer when he did, with 1 out left in the 8th? He was at 104 pitches and few more would be no big deal. So, I don’t understand getting Greene in there for 6 pitches. I don’t suspect a match up issue with Hosmer with a 4 run lead. It’s no big deal. I just like to understand things and I don’t understand that one.
* I had absolutely no idea that Billy McKinney played 1st base. He actually has played 20 MLB games there in 3 seasons, last night being the first as a Dodger. I was pleasantly surprise right off the bat. I like his actions there a lot . He Looks the part there and is very at home. He’s obviously played there as a kid and appears to know what he’s going. I had no clue.
* In the 16 inning game, Wednesday, it was reported they used 18 dozen baseballs. That’s a 216 baseballs. I think they wholesale to MLB (who owns the company) is $7.00 or so. That’s $1500 bucks. That’s 3/4 of an “A” MiLB players monthly salary. MLB has no trouble tossing out a ball if it touched the dirt but they can’t pay minor league players a decent salary? Just sayin
* Another shutout by the staff and boy, do I like this line up.
Excellent points Phil!
Scherzer was fantastic.
And Roberts has pushed all the right buttons in the series. I also don’t understand having Greene pitch to Hosmer, but it worked out fine.
Phil, sobre la salida de Scherzer con 7.2 de entradas lanzadas y 104 lanzamientos en lo personal noté que estaba resoplando el aire muy profundo a sus pulmones, era claro que estaba muy cansado, y coincido contigo, porque no esperar a que termine la entrada? Quizá sería seguir probando al relevista Greene.
I’m not sure how many times Kershaw has to say he has no plans on retiring.
Kershaw does not want to be a distraction and would be if he announced his retirement. Every city would honor him and he would be a magnet for reporters.
Doc said in the pregame interview yesterday that it was a roster crunch on why Beaty got sent down and Doc had high praise for Beaty. I expect Beaty to be on the playoff roster but Lux is a different story.
Kershaw doesn’t look like a guy that may not pitch again this season nor a guy planning on retiring after this season.
The reason why I haven’t talked bad about the bullpen lately is because we basically added 2 solid guys to the bullpen in Bickford and Vesia.
So Doolittle got released by the Reds. Maybe the Dodgers know how to fix Doolittle? If so he would be a great addition. If he is fixable.
Mariners claimed him.
The MLB and the players’ union have decided to extend Bauer’s paid administrative leave from the Los Angeles Dodgers for a seventh time. Another decision will have to be made soon since his administrative leave expires on Sept. 3 – for now.
This means he can not be on the post season roster.
What a joke ! MLB basically is ruining TB career .
What a n unbelievable contrast to the Watson situation in the NFL.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
IMO, MLB is sticking it to the Dodgers. Manfred can suspend Bauer without pay if he wanted to. He has gone this route many many times. Instead he is making the Dodgers continue to pay Bauer. The Dodgers cannot do anything because it is solely in Manfred’s control, and as long as Bauer gets paid, the MLBPA will not say anything. This is Manfred saying F U to LAD.
You might be right Jeff but I don’t want to go there.
Yep, Manfred doesn’t play nice on the playground. He’s going to have a very short tenure. It seems that every decision is a bad one because he puts too much emphasis on the short term. He just doesn’t have the vision to be a good commissioner.
I’m surprised that Bauer doesn’t file a grievance. Possibly because his legal team is still working on wrapping this up somehow.
At first glance, I thought that Musher’s trade proposal would be a good fit. Andrew seems to love to hoard broken pitchers on the roster. But, then I think if you’re going to be paying for Trevor anyways, what’s the point in trading him for a pitcher that can’t pitch next year? Also, Trevor has two more years on the current deal and the last year is cheaper. It would be pretty ballsy for Trevor to opt out even if he wins a Cy Young next year.
I just don’t understand why you have to trade him at all. Why is it okay to come back with another team, but not with the same team?
If the reports that players don’t want him back are true, you trade him to keep clubhouse chemistry.
Manfredo lost me FOREVER when he vomited his “piece of metal” comment. It prove without doubt that he really has no respect for the game at all. All he cares about is his bottom line IMO. actual people come last.
Agree totally
Phil – I watched the whole series with the Pads commentary. Had no idea who they were, but I agree, they were very fair.
Eric – don’t let them drag you down.
From what I can see you understood the ramifications of the 3 Batter
Rule before anyone else on here,
I find your posts to be some of the best thought out on here.
What a series that was. In fsct having such a strong division has made gir s really enjoyable session.
Thank you Watford Dodger.
Watford, the Padres TV guys are Don Orsillo and Mark Grant, who pitched for the Giants. Don was the Red Sox announcer with Jery Remy for 14 years. He was fired there in 2015 and it was a very unpopular termination.
Would it be safe for The Wild Horse to take horse dewormer?
Bums,
If Puig were to come back, his teammates and fans would have to take this:
I take their special 2hell supplement.
Probably Bums. I believe only jackasses have a problem with it.
A person with a .300 BA basically is an out 70% of the time. Should he be an optimist, pessimist, or realist?
—-“Pressure’ is a word that is misused in our vocabulary. When you start thinking of pressure, it’s because you’ve started to think of failure”.
TOMMY LASORDA
Being reported that the Pasadena Police Dept has turned over their Bauer investigation files to the DA, who will now decide if they will press charges.
I think this is the last extension of Bauer’s hiatus that we will see. MLB will have to make a decision once the PDA decides if they intend to file charges and I would assume that shouldn’t take much longer than a week.
My issue is that Manfred does not have to wait for the DA to file criminal charges. MLB was supposedly pursuing their own investigation. What did they find? Manfred does not wait for criminal charges when he orders unpaid suspensions. Come on Manfred come out and tell everyone what your crack investigation team came up with!!! You have said all along that MLB was doing their own independent investigation.
This is such a high profile case that Manfred wants to dump the decision in someone else’s lap. If the DA presses charges it’s easy to suspend Bauer. If they decide not to, he can let the Dodgers do whatever they want.
That way he, in effect, doesn’t have to make the decision.
Well I am not going to worry about Bauer. His problems are his own. He has not been part of this team for almost 2 months and I for one have not missed him. Padres are toast. They just have not admitted it yet. 2 back of the Reds in the wild card race now. Reds claimed Asdrubal Cabrera from the D-Backs. Doolittle, who was claimed by the Mariners is not nearly the pitcher he was a couple years ago. That is why he was put on waivers. Playing in Cincinnati did not help. Balls fly there and he is a flyball pitcher. He will probably be a little better in Seattle with that big ball park. I am not worried about Scherzer’s arm falling off. He has a pretty fluid motion, not really violent like some others. I checked into the VPN thing. Most of them want the whole year up front, so they are not that cheap. I will just listen to Monday and Charlie on the radio feed, which is in real time. Rockies here are on AT&T Sportsnet. And that service costs upwards of 60 dollars a month. I get Spectrum for 19. I think if the Dodgers were to win the series again, then Kersh would retire. I do not think Eric understood what the 3 hitter rule meant more than anyone on here. We all knew exactly what it meant. It was put in by MLB to keep the game moving because of all the pitching changes managers would make in the late innings. Sometimes letting a pitcher face only one hitter. It still happens at the end of innings, but the way the rule is written, they do not have to face 3 unless they go back out.
“I do not think Eric understood what the 3 hitter rule meant more than anyone on here. We all knew exactly what it meant.”
This goes all the way back to last year when the Loogies and Roogies showed their true colors in the playoffs after surviving the short regular season against crappy teams.
It’s not about knowing what the rule means, it’s about me knowing stuff ahead of time/before it even happens.
And tonight’s lottery numbers are?
Cassidy
Can’t help you there. It was all based on baseball statistics.
Andre Jackson recalled for tonight’s bullpen game. No word if he will start or come in as a reliever as he did his first game. Darien Nunez was optioned to OKC.
Nunez, like some other players on this team, has to feel like a yo yo right about now. I have seen AF manipulate the roster before, but never like this year.
Hopefully he uses the same airline each time
He was at Rancho, I do not think they fly from there. Kike placed on Covid IL. Marwin Gonzalez returns to the Astros. Dodgers would be leading any division in the majors but the NL west.
Dodgers have 7 HR’s off of Freeland. Taylor and Pollock have 2. Bellinger, McKinney, Pollock, Seager and Turner all hitting well over .300 against him.
Max Fried, who looked like a young Kersh against us last October, faces the Giants tonight.
Tonight’s lineup:
HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
T. Turner2B 147-460 55 19 25 .320
J. Turner3B 118-416 70 21 1 .284
M. BettsRF 93-339 44 17 7 .274
A. Pujols1B 59-245 45 15 2 .241
C. SeagerSS 64-235 33 6 1 .272
A. PollockLF 102-334 55 16 8 .305
C. TaylorCF 121-435 66 18 13 .278
W. SmithC 86-332 61 20 3 .259
B. GraterolP 0-2 0 0 0 .00
No Max or Cody
7 of the 8 are Right hand hitters
Max has been slumping, and has not hit Freeland well. Cody on the other hand has. But Albert is deadly against lefty’s. Maeda’s elbow finally gave out and he is going to undergo elbow surgery. Graterol is the opener tonight.
Max had a twinge in his back a couple days ago, so that combined with his slump is good enough reason to sit him against Freeland.
The doctors will not know if he needs full reconstructive surgery (TJ) until they go in. Even if not full TJ surgery, the rehab time will be extensive. Since Kenta’s compensation is no incentive laden with starts and IP, he is going to suffer for the remainder of 2021 and for much of 2022.
When you can have Will Smith bat 8th in your lineup, you’re doing pretty well.
Short bench again tonight, Cody ,Max, Billy and Austin. Carrying 14 pitchers with the addition of Andre Jackson.
Giants already up 2-0 in the first on a Posey homer.
OK, I give up. The Giants are an excellent team. There, I said it.
(hopefully that will be enough to push them into a major slump)
I too have come to resign myself that the Giants are good. Every time I think they will revert to what we thought they were, they have come through this season. It’s time to admit that Farhan is a genious and extremely skilled at building a winner. There is a chemistry with that team and Lady Luck has certainly gone their way this year. Here we are a few days short of September and they are on the verge of being 40 games over .500.
There are some teams that for some crazy reason has everything fall into place for them. The ‘88 Dodgers had it. So did the 2010 Giants. I’m hoping to be wrong and the the Giants luck will run out, but so far, not happening. With he way the Dodgers have been playing the past few weeks, the Giants should have been surpassed and buried by now, but they have held steady like a true championship team.
I hate the playoff format with the Top Division winner playing the wild card winner. Most likely we are looking at a Dodger-Giant NLDS, when it really should be those two in the Championship Series. I know I’m getting ahead of myself with 35 games remaining, but do we really see two other teams passing LA or SF for the two best records in the National League?
With Pujols batting 4th and a .515 OPS against righthanders I can see Muncy entering the game today after the lefthander (Freeland) is done.
I have a question, maybe baseball connoisseurs can answer, how many times has a team won 2 games on the same day, without being a double header? I mean the game on Wednesday practically ended on Thursday and then again at night another win
Guess who has the lowest OPS against on the Dodgers pitching staff with a large enough sample size?
Nope not Blake Treinen or Kenley Jansen or Max Scherzer or Walker Buehler. It’s Alex Vesia.
I hope he can stay this effective and not regress like Vgon has this year.
As of yesterday, Vesia had the lowest batting average against in the majors, .094
And……………………….he’s controllable through 2026.
Vesia’s development has been a highlight this season, and I love that he can be a Dodger through 2026, but my joy is tempered by what that means for his earning power throughout what will likely be his peak performing years.
I wish Congress would let MLB and MLBPA know that if they want to retain their antitrust status they had better come up with a way better CBA this time. What they are doing, and what they have been allowed to do is simply unjust.
I think this often, but when STB said what he did, the joy and the injustice hit me at the same time and I just wanted to say it.
Did I happen to much how much I hate openers?
Graterol has stats that suggest he is a ROOGY and he gives up a homer to a left handed batter Blackmon.
He’s got the hundred mile per hour fastball, but he just doesn’t miss very many bats
Braves take a 6 – 4 lead over the Giants
Jackson looking good so far, knock on wood
Thanks Joc for the incredible catch.
Braves win 6-5.
yep… Now we have to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Now it’s up to us. Jackson still looking good, knock knock knock on wood
Sing it Eddie!!
Smith is the man. 21st HR of the year. Sorry, he plays everyday. But I know he will not. Now Turner takes him deep. 2-2. Yea Trea!
Back to back bomb Turner
Was not back to back. Pitchers spot was in between.
There’s a lot of firepower in this healthy lineup. Will Smith is the best #8 in all of baseball. I predict a big long ball final 35 games. Buckle up Giants! Finally the Giants lose a close game but just barely. Thx Joc!
That’s right there’s a lot of fire power. Now let’s go out and put the wood to em
And I mean the hardwood
Another nice performance by Jackson. But I don’t know if he has enough velocity and command with his fastball to be a long term part of the rotation. That was some bomb by Cron! Reminded me of the one Stanton hit years ago.
Chance to gain a game in the standings in a regular season that is coming to a close rapidly.
Having two BP
Games with rookie pitchers playing integral parts is not optimal but the offense has been rather anemic tonight.
Got to get this win!
Bellinger over Muncy?
Muncy has a back problem. Diaz HR in the 9th puts them 2 runs down.
As Vinney would say, the Dodgers never make anything easy
Vesia had to come down to earth sometime, too bad it was in this game. Still not over yet Go Dodgers!!!
They said during the broadcast he was fine. I’m betting he hits for Albert but I would have used him with a guy on and no one out.
Enough already! Sit Bellinger down. He’s just AWEFUL! He’s probably the worst hitter in all of baseball. We’re trying to avoid a one game playoff and can’t afford any wasted ab’s. Put TT in center and Taylor and Lux at second. What a wasted opportunity tonight by an offense that is too talented to look this bad! And against one of the worst bullpens in baseball.
Very disappointing game. But as Bob Seger would say Turn the Page
I agree Bellinger should be riding the pine! We have 33 games left…we can’t wait for CB to find his timing.
Why do we continue to struggle against lefty starting pitchers???
How can POS roberts keep putting Pujois in the cleanup spot?? Smith should have been there tonight…he has produced and has been our best clutch hitter this year. I like Pujois but he would be better suited for hitting 7th or 8th in our order
Frustrating game. The use of the opener backfires. Seager swinging 3-0 at what might have been ball four. I don’t get that at all. The incredibly bad call on Seager for strike three. Muncy may have swung at ball 4 but with Wolf’s strike zone who knows.
It wasn’t the opener that failed. It was the lack of offense! With this talent we should be putting up 5 runs plus on a consistent basis!
28 runs in the last 8 plus games against weak competition is not what we need to pass the gnats. We were fortunate to win 6 of those 8 games with stellar pitching. Offense needs to start producing again and not be so Homer Happy!
I don’t disagree but the opener failed.
Graterol made one bad pitch and Blackmon hit it out. That is not failing. Vesia hung one to the catcher, and he hit it out. Jackson allowed probably the longest HR at Dodger Stadium this year. The offense failed again. To many K’s, not enough contact. And the guys who were hot at the beginning of this run, are now cold. Turner, Muncy , Taylor, all have cooled off a lot. Pollock went 0-4. Seager was swinging at pitches he could not square up. The pitchers gave up 3 HR’s. The offense hit 2.
But we are not. Taylor and Muncy have been slumping. Neither did well in San Diego. Neither did Turner. Bellinger is mired in the worst slump of his career. Betts just came off of the IL and has not been Mookie yet. The whole team was flat, and personally, I think they were drained emotionally from the Padre series. I think they will have their hitting shoes on tonight.
I agree. I hate those long fly outs when walks and singles would do nicely. Everybody thinks he can hit it over the fence, but how often does that turn into an out? Yet the guy goes back to the dugout thinking “hey I was almost a hero.” An out is an out unless it’s a sacrifice fly. The best Dodger hitters only homer twenty times a year. Seems like a low percentage gamble to me. I’d rather they bunt against the shift.
Marcia, you have to get a pitch to hit, and then you have to square the ball up. Only Smith and Turner did that until Mookie hit his single in the 9th. Next 3 hitters, 3 of their best hitters, all struck out. You cannot have your run producers do that late in a game. Dodgers have won one game after trailing in the 8th. That is pitiful. And the best Dodger hitters, Muncy and Bellinger have both been over 30 before and Bellinger topped 40 once. Betts is capable of a 30 HR season. Problem is inconsistency, and it has been a problem all year long. Now the guys who were hot are all cold at the same time. Muncy, Taylor and Turner. Pollock after a good game Thursday, was 0-4 today. Albert, who usually kills lefty’s did not make solid contact all night.
Agree on that bunt, especially with guys like Belli who are struggling mightily.
Dodgers pitching is so good that small ball here and then would win a lot of those close games they are losing.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The team was flat. And it showed. They expended a lot of energy the last 3 days, came home to face an opponent they have dominated and fell flat. What they call a trap game. Rockies pitchers are not that good. They were chasing pitches all night and squared up very few. Smith had 3 hits, no one else except Turner with his homer did anything. So do not blame Bellinger for one bad AB off of the bench late in the game. JT 0-4 TT 1-4 Betts, 1-4, and his hit did not come until the 9th. Pujols 0-3 Seager 1-4 Pollock 0-4, Taylor 0-3. Smith 3-3. You score 2 runs, you are going to lose. They struck out 12 times against 4 pitchers and none of those guys has an ERA below 4. The last 3 hitters, Muncy, Seager and Pollock all struck out with a man on. Against a pitcher they have owned in the past. It is over, you can’t take it back, and once again they blow a golden opportunity to get within 1.5 of the Giants.
agree, classical trap game. But if you are trying to catch a hot team like the Giants those trap games are costly.
With Belli it is not about that at bat yesterday. Guy is completely overmatched at this time of his career. Hitting below .180 for so long now is a whole new low for a former MVP . Will they call it the Belli line ?
Team must stay focused , no more trap games .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!
18-5 in August: That’s pretty dang focused.
No one is going to win them all.
Trust me Bear, I would not blame Bellinger. I have very little expectations for him when he has a bat in his hand. He did what Belli has done much of this year. Besides, like many of you here are saying….he’s injured and we shouldn’t expect him to do anything to very little this year. Apparently you guys are right. Unfortunately, you can’t always bury him behind all our great hitters.
He didn’t disappoint me not did he surprise me, the latter would have been better.