… and I am not talking about the Old Bear… Michael Norris. He’s not going to get me because I can outrun him! At least for 50 feet! I’m talking about “the Bear” that got the Dodgers the past two days.
I don’t even want to write a word of what happened in yesterday’s game for fear of throwing up in my mouth. Let’s just say it was a comedy of blown chances. The fact that Freddie Freeman hit his first home run in 17 years was amazing and that Will Smith was 3-5 after going 0 for 863 was also heartwarming. Of course, Gavin Lux was 5 for 4 or something close. FORGETABOUTIT!
Kershaw was back and threw 4 solid innings, he hit 92 MPH which means he has one more MPH in the tank.
Walker Buehler was placed on the IL with a “Flexor Starin on his Right Forearm”. Really? Does he have a tear in his UCL (the Dodgers will not tell us that) and will likely undergo some PRP injection(s). These things seldom end as planned. If we see him again this year it will be in September. I feel bad for him, but Dodgerpatch summed it up perfectly:
“I remember Buehler pitching against the Rays on that key game in the 2020 WS. I forget if it was game five. It was pretty close to a must-win situation.
Buehler threw straight gas. He blew guys away. I had a sense that he wasn’t trying to fool anyone. He was just saying “eff you! Hit this!”
It was impressive. It was a key performance. It gave us a WS win.
I was impressed, but also had an uneasy feeling. I remember thinking, ” He’s not pitching. He’s throwing.” I knew that this approach was unsustainable. Sooner or later he’d blow out his arm – again – or he’d simply lose the ability to blow guys away.
Not sure what his future is, but it’s an illustration of the inherent frailty of invincibility.
Hopefully, he’s not another Tim Lincecum, – another skinny kid who got his results from maximum effort and flamed out prematurely.“
Right on – we should have seen this coming! I missed it!
Dustin May will be back as a starter in a couple of months. He is similar to Buehler in his pitching. Maybe the Dodgers can ride him for 3-4 more years, but these fireballers flame out prematurely! Tony Gonsolin used to throw 100 MPH, now he hits 93-94. He increased his longevity immensely by doing that. Bobby Miller is trying to learn how to pitch under 100 MPH.
Trade for Another Starter?
I will not say “No” here… I will say “Hell no!” Before I say anything else, Andrew Friedman, “Just DFA David Price already!” The Dodgers have plenty of starters and this is now the time for Young Julio Urias to step up as the Staff Ace. He is no stranger to the big stage, being a 20-Game Winner last Season. Clayton Kershaw made his return and looked like a guy who has missed a month. He hit 92 MPH and should be able to give 5 or 6 innings a start. There is no guarantee that he won’t have to do another IL stint for the same injury in two months, but the Dodgers will cross that bridge when they come to it. Tony Gonsolin has been pitching very well and there is no reason he can’t spike his innings like Julio Urias did last year when he jumped from 55 to 186. Andrew Heaney will be back this week and you can either believe that what he did before and in his AAA start was either a sign he is ready or an anomaly. Then, there is Tyler Anderson who had a bad outing in his last start but who has a 3.07 ERA on the season and that is in 59 IP.
Mitch White is also stretched out and pitched 5 scoreless innings in his last start. I think we sometimes forget how good Mtich can be. Health is his only question. So right about now, this is the Dodgers rotation:
- Urias 2.78 ERA
- Kershaw – 2.12 ERA
- Gonsolin – 1.58 ERA
- Heaney – 0.00 ERA
- White – 3.86 ERA
- Anderson – 3.07
There are not many teams that can boast a rotation that good… and that does not include Ryan Pepiot and Gavin Stone whom I would consider calling up after the All-Star Break. Also, the Dodgers are being very cautious, but Dustin May will likely return sometime after the All-Star Game. I do not think the Dodgers need another starter… especially if Gavin Stone continues his progression. He is on a fast track and unlike many youngsters who battle control he can hit a BB on a birds nose! If I were Andrew Friedman, I would stand pat on starting pitching… at least for another month. No dope-fiend moves!
The Bullpen
I was against trading for Kimbrel, but now is not the time to give up on him. It’s obviously a mechanical thing and the fact he hadn’t pitched in 9 days is an excuse. He needs some time. I am not going to say he will be fine, but he has been though this stuff before and has overcome these mechanical issues. You have to let it play out. Daniel Bednar would be nice, but he has not pitched for a winning team in high intensity situations every night. That can be a challenge, but the biggest hurdle to getting Bednar is that you will have to overpay.
If the Dodgers want Bednar they may have to cough up Ryan Pepiot and Landon Knack… both of whom could be better than Bednar. Bednar is better today… but how about in August? Both Knack and Pepiot could be high-leverage relievers. Both could be quality starters, but I am more intrigued by them as relievers. Knack has 4 pitches but could ditch the curve or use it sparingly. Like Stone, Knack is a strike-thrower and he is 24… so is Pepiot! Their time is now.
Otherwise, the Bullpen is a lot more solid than you might thing after the 31 games in 30 days debacle. Look at this:
- Almonte – 1.17 ERA
- Hudson – 2.66 ERA
- Phillips – 2.22 ERA
- Vesia – 3.50 ERA, but his is getting hs old swagger back (watch and see)
- Ferguson – 0.00 ERA
Bickford and Bruihl have underperformed, but Treinen is now throwing, Moronta (2.25 ERA) ain’t chopped liver (that’s a lot of liver), and Kahnle, Duffy, and Victor Gonzalez should be able to pitch in the next couple of months. Michael Grove has the stuff… but not the control… yet. As much as I like Marshall Kasawoski, he is a AAAA pitcher… until he miraculously develops another pitch.
Was Roberts Outmanaged by Kapler?
Of course it is silly to think that. The Dodgers gave up just 5 hits to the Giants while the Dodgers got 13 hits yesterday. Yet, they lost 3-2. The Giants executed and the Dodgers did not. It’s easy for fans to blame the manager, but this falls squarely on the players. When the Dodgers loaded the bases (twice), the Giants pitchers executed their pitches while the Dodgers did not. PERIOD! End of story. The only good that came out of yesterday’s game was a breakout HR by Freddie, 2-4 by Luxie, and 3-5 by Will Smith. But in clutch time, they sucked! Pond Water!
I am very concerned about Justin Turner. Is this the end of the line for RedTurn2? Cody did get two hits, but Cody does so much more than JT all over their field. What is up with JT? Urias vs. Rodon today. Julio needs to take the Ace Mantle and make a statement! I will chalk up yesterday’s loss to the team being down about losing their ace. OK, enough already! Next man up! Let’s Ride!
Dodger’s in Waiting
- Zach McKinstry just keeps on keepin’ on. He was 3-5 with a HR (.344 BA/.909 OPS). What more does he have to do? Sprout wings and fly?
- Yadier Alvarez – 2.61 ERA. 10 IP/9 K/7 BB
- Carson Fulmer – 5th Save (2.13 ERA). He’s also a possibility.
- Jacob Amaya was 2-5 in striving to come back.
- Andy Pages – 2-4
- Clayton Beeter – 2 IP/2 H/0 R/3 BB/2 K
- Jose Ramos of GL – 2-2, HR2 BB. Could be next Dodger CF? (2 years)
- 18 year-old Jesus Galiz (C) – 1-1 with a 3 Run HR for ACL
It is possible that JTs time is up. Last year he didn’t have his usual post season, and we all know this was coming. Maybe next year he can be a hitting coach for us. I don’t know which type of loss bugs me more. When the closer blows blows a ninth inning lead, or a game with 35 hits and you can’t get the one that will drive in the run. Luckily the game wasn’t on TV here.
Freddy Freeman so far is a huge disappointment, especially his lack of power.
Coupled with the horrendous slumps of JT, Muncy and Bellinger these are four bats that were expected to provide a big part of the run production for this team in the middle of the lineup.
The loss of WB is huge. Make no mistake about it. He was the guy closest to an ace on our roster, the one pitcher you would turn to with the most confidence in a decisive game. Now it looks like one fireballer (May) is back soon and the other lost for almost all year at best.
I am with Mark the Dodgers should give Stone, Miller , Pepiot a crack at the rotation before looking into the trade market. But if a guy like Montas could be had for say a package of Grove and Knack plus another lower minor leaguer I would probably do it.
The only untouchables IMHO : Miller, Cartaya, Pages, Stone. Pepiot.
Yadier Alvarez is used very sparingly in OKC-only one appearance last week and that was yesterday- but he lately has pitched very well. Would be great and a nice story if he after all could make it to the Show. The velo is still there.
Good news that Treinen has started throwing. With Kimbrels struggles Treinen would be huge.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Freeman a huge disappointment? You’ve got to be kidding me. Again, go ahead and look around the league. Would you rather have Valddy’s 13 HR and 7 doubles or Freemans 21 doubles and 5 bombs?
Hitters have streaks and slumps. Freddie is coming out of a slump right now. If you think he’s falling short, wait a week or two. But to say huge disappointment? That is a ridiculous statement. Like being hugely disappointed that you only won a couple million in the lottery.
LOL ok man talk about a short sighted statement. It seems some of you guys expect players to maintain an all star status all year long and not run into slumps. I’m already seeing people turn on mookie because he’s had a few bad weeks after carrying the team and basically being the best player in the NL for a month plus. Look at where Freddie is stat wise …. Basically top 10 – 15 in a lot of league categories. Just enjoy the ride all that matters is how they play in October anyway. That’s what being a Dodger fan has become and if you are going to complain about your team making the playoffs every year go root for the pirates or something.
It sure looks like the Dodgers are hung over from that 31 in 30 run. They just aren’t playing the crisp baseball that they’re capable of. I’m not really concerned about losing two to the Gnats. Yes, I hate it. But, didn’t we sweep a two game series against them earlier in the year?
The Dodgers had plenty of chances. Sometimes the ball misses a glove by an inch and sometimes it hits the glove by the same margin. Every time I watch the Dodgers play the Giants, it just seems like the Giants are luckier than we are when they manage to win. That’s why you play 162.
JT with the GIDP with bases loaded made me a little sick. You’ve got to do better than that. Is Miguel Vargas ready yet? Justin is done and I’m sad about that. Maybe Z-Mack needs to play 3B for a while. Can we get a trip to the IL for JT?
What is going on with all these flexor tendon strains? Are they doing some kind of forearm exercise trying to strengthen the elbow against TJ resulting in a strain somewhere else? Now, a squirt of PRP mixed with cortisone and he should be fine in 6-8 weeks? How does 6-8 weeks turn into 3 months? Juan Toribio is probably just bad at math. He is a writer after all.
F-it, just go ahead an bring up Stone, or Miller I guess. Keep trying all of them until someone seizes the day? The problem with that strategy is at some point, you have to take guys off the 60 day IL and there will eventually be a roster crunch when you do.
Was Roberts outmanaged by Kapler? That question reminds of the Cripple fight episode on South Park. They’re both a couple of opinionated BS artists speaking constantly with nothing tangible to say, relying on their respective front offices to make their decisions for them.
At least my BBQ was awesome! I love my new smoker. Same as the last one, only bigger. I used 2 racks (out of 4) to cook 2 racks of baby backs and 4 really large chicken breasts that fed 8 hungry adults that all went back for seconds. The chicken was incredibly juicy. I took them out of the smoker at around 145 internal temperature and finished them on the grill until 155 and let them rest for about 10 minutes tented under foil. The ribs were delicate, juicy and tender. Very dark bark on the outside and very tender inside. For the sides, we had cornbread, a cucumber, red onion and tomato salad with mint and cilantro and a pasta salad with a vinaigrette dressing, olives, onions and roasted tomatoes and Romano cheese. The weather was perfect. Nice and warm during sunlight and cooled nicely in the evening. My God Daughter (My cousin’s child) made a really good chocolate bunt cake for dessert. The dogs did pretty well with all the scraps. Everyone was happy, except for the game results.
Bone in chicken breast? I have a hard time with Chicken Breast unless I over spice/marinate it.
I’m now trending to full chickens or thighs.
Thus any tips on working with breasts would be great.
Thighs or whole leg portions for us. Dark meat is so much juicer.
Hard to improve on marinated chicken. Maybe this is a cardinal sin but I thoroughly tenderize chicken breasts before I marinate.
Sounds delicious BullPen. I love my Treager and can cook wicked pork butt and baby backs. Country style ribs too. I have had absolutely no luck cooking whole chicken. I’ve tries everything. Most frequently they look great, with the internal temp at 170 but the meat seems underdone and rubbery. More time makes them tough and dry. They become King Tut style. I will cook pork and brisket in the smoker but I’ve given up on chicken. Rotisserie chickens are $6.99.
When Toribio says 3 months he probably is including the built up time after the 6-8 weeks without throwing at all.
After 8 weeks of non throwing WB probably needs an additional 4 weeks to get up to starting again.
Good point about the numbers crunch on the 40 men roster. Did not think about that.
But one spot should be cleared immediately: Price.
And as sad as it is but JT is close to the end too.
Nice to hear that your BBQ went well. We will be firing the grill in the next hour. Having some friends over for dinner.
A Weber charcoal grill for steaks and ribs and a Char Broil gas grill for some fish and seafood.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like a bullshit from Toribio. Out 6-8 weeks doesn’t mean no throwing for 6-8 weeks and probably not a full month to build up either. He’s a dumbass.
Wow, steak, ribs, seafood? I love a protein pot pourri. My smoker worked so well, I almost want to use it again today.
Yesterday’s game was so frustrating to watch, but is something we have seen happen dozens of times over the years. Bases loaded failures. How in the hell can the Dodgers come up with a big fat nada when Freddie strikes out on ball four and Trea promptly hits the first pitch he sees for a double play? Trea Turner hit into a double play. What are the odds? You look at the Giants’ lineup with a collection of no names who manage five hits for the game. Then see all the well known “stars” in the Dodgers lineup bang out 13 hits along with three walks. And…..lose! It’s crazy. It’s beyond explanation. Have they sold their souls?
I agree with Mark that the current pitching staff, the return of injured pitchers, and prospects should be enough to get them through the season. Of course, injuries are always the key there. Sad to see Walker go down. I had questioned his ability to continue throwing with the velocity he showed because of his build. Tim Lincecum did come to mind as a comparable. Not so much the height, but his body type. I’m have been totally unimpressed with Kimbrel so far this year. I was hoping Graterol would be the closer this year or next year, but it doesn’t look like he has the pitch execution or mental makeup to do so. How does a guy who throws 100 MPH have trouble striking out batters? And, please, stop that ridiculous punch to the sky after you finish an inning. He hasn’t done anything to validate making that kind of display of success. Do your job, go back to the dugout and sit down. Yet with all the ups and downs the pitching staff has dealt with so far this year they are #2 in ERA. So, there’s that.
Just a side note. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous that David Bednar is the flavor of the month. Yes, he’s good playing under no pressure for a crappy team with no fans in the stands. Regardless, that crappy team isn’t going to trade a guy making the minimum salary with 4 2/3 years of control. It isn’t going to happen no matter what. You have a better chance to trade to for Josh Hader, so you might as well wish for that.
If I’m the Pirates, I would consider a trade for a potential starting pitcher or position player.
Unless they think he’s gonna be the next Mariano Rivera, it would be unwise to make any reliever untouchable, even with plenty of team control.
He’s a reliever. They have limited value because they have unstable track records.
Still, it’s a seller’s market – he’s the only reliever in the potential market who’s an impact. Plus, there’s the team control thing.
But to say he’s just as unobtainable as Hader, who has a reputation and is on a contender, is incorrect.
Patch, you are just flat out wrong here. No closer gets traded when they’re that cheap with that much control. Go ahead and find a prior example, otherwise you’re just arguing made up nonsense.
There is ZERO chance Bednar gets traded this year, no matter what the Pirates record is. You can take that to the bank!
“He’s the only reliever in the potential market who’s an impact.” What the hell does this even mean?
You don’t think there’s any other relievers that will make an impact traded at the deadline? Well, the next time that happens will be the first time.
“Patch, you are just flat out wrong here”
I had a hunch you’d say that.
Not hard to find two minimum pay prospects with all their arbitration years in tact that would be worth more than one of such players on a team that needs multiple players.
While I do not think the Pirates are seeking to trade Bednar, I believe they would tare him for a significant overpay. I would not overpay, but someone might. I hope it’s not AF!
Remember that other Pirate Reliever who was also the Flavor of the Week? He sends a greeting from State Prison as he gets ready to face more charges.
If a rebuilding team has a stud position player or starting pitcher with plenty of team control, they’re gonna want to hold on to him. He’s cheap. If you’re poor, this is the performance/cost ratio you want.
Relief pitchers are a little different. They could be great one year and terrible the next. This is why they’re relief pitchers and not starters.
I brought up Bednar a couple of weeks ago because it was because it was becoming apparent that Kimbrel was iffy as a sure fire, lock down closer who could carry the team through the playoffs.
The only reason I settled on Bednar is because I went over to Fangraphs and looked at all the top pitchers. I then filtered for relievers and looked at the tip 20 or so.
I looked at relievers who had at least a few saves, so they wetr familiar with the closer role.
I then locked at ERA, FIP and strikeout rate. Were they having a really good year? Could they be inserted into a closer role and be expected to dominate? I wasn’t looking for retreads or reclamation projects. I was looking for possible studs.
Lastly, I looked at their respective teams. Were they on contenders, who would be 100% unwilling to sell, or were they in bottom dwellers who would be open to dealing?
Looking at the tip 20 names or so on that list, the only guy – THE ONLY GUY – on that list was Bednar.
If you’re even remotely contemplating getting involved in a trade for a real bona fide closer on the open market, the only guy – THE ONLY GUY – is Bednar. EVERY other candidate is on a team with aspirations of advancing in the playoffs.
EVERY.SINGLE.ONE
So, if you’re making ANY noises about trading for ANY reliever who could be inserted into the closer role and be effective, Bednar is the ONLY choice.
Let me repeat for the people in the back …
If you think the Dodgers should trade for a closer, Bednar is the ONLY possibility.
I’m not even arguing the Dodgers should pursue him versus just promoting from within. I’m just saying if you want to trade for a plug-and-play, Bednar is it.
Well, at least we know what is wrong with Walker Buehler. I suspect this is not something that happened over night.
The big question now since Buehler is apparently out until probably September, do the Dodgers need another starter? Not sure there is an answer right now. There are some possible solutions in the minors. Dustin May is coming back. Andrew Heaney will soon return. Maybe it’s a patchwork approach. Mitch White was solid in his last outing.
Who is out there? Frankie Montas or one of the Reds pitchers or somebody elsewhere. Will they actually make a difference? Montas gave up five earned runs in six innings yesterday.
At this point, hard to believe there is a solution or help in the trade market. Maybe July will help provide a clearer picture.
The Dodgers clearly should have won yesterday, 13 hits to five. You get 13 hits you should score runs in bunches. That’s on the offense. I’m not down on Freddie Freeman for a lack of power. That will probably come later this summer. But his hit skills are elite, willing to go the other way. The top three haven’t really been the issue, it’s often the rest of the line-up. Gavin Lux has certainly stepped up. Cody has to gain some consistency.
It appears now that that Will Smith is beginning to return to form. Justin Turner just hasn’t the hitter he has been the past few years and that’s certainly an issue. A big issue. He can be the difference maker. The Dodgers need a couple of more hitters to take off. I’m not ready to write Turner off.
It’s a shame that Mike Trout and Otani don’t play for the Dodgers. Would that be fun or what? What a waste they play for Moreno’s Angels, a cluster of total dysfunction. Oh well. Talk about creating a super team.
If the bats step up the Dodgers are still a formidable team with a few holes here and there.
In the minor leagues and when he first came up, Tony Gonsolin would throw 98 to 100 MPH, but that soon stopped. I don’t think you just suddenly lose that ability – you just realize that maybe your body can’t hold up to this. Very few pitchers can throw in the high 90s and sustain it. Ryan, Johnson, Clemens, Verlander were a few of the freaks, but most mortals cannot do that. Most of the guys who did it were “bigger guys” and I don’t mean fat, but they had some meat on their bones. Even Jacob deGrom is breaking down because he is not that kind of body.
I think Tony Gonsolin has preserved his arm and with four pitches he may very well have a better career than Walker Buehler without having to hit the high 90s. When Koufax took a few MPH off his fastball, he became a Master. Many people have told me that Sandy was in the 94-96 range after being in the 99-101 range in his younger days. I was also told that Clayton made a conscious decision back in 15 or 16 to take a couple of MPH off to preserve his career. Just scuttlebutt from people in the game…
That makes a lot of sense to me.I just hope it works out for our guys.You know isn’t it weird that Mookie,Smith,Muncy,Belli,Taylor,JTurner would all have prolonged slumps in the first one third of the year.
Did I mention I hate losing to the Giants???????
Is there an echo in here?
I hate listening to Eric Karros anytime he is part of the Dodger broadcast team. He is boring and at times anti-Dodger.
Like we aren’t critical in here?
I agree that Karros can be boring at times and loves to hear himself talk, but anti-Dodger?
Do you have a requirement that no Dodger broadcaster can ever utter the truth about the team’s shortcomings? I think his candor can be quite refreshing. I don’t tune in the games to have the broadcasters tell me how wonderful they are. I want to hear information from an ex-player that I hadn’t previously known about. Only problem is that Karros doesn’t know when to quit. JMO.
I’m not a big Karros fan either especially teams up with A J Pierzynski on Fox. They are oil and water.
* The booth crew for Fox missed the finer point of the 1st and 3rd play in the bottom of the 2nd. They kept discussing the guy on third as that’s where Freddie Freeman’s attention was as well. Obviously keeping that guy from scoring is important but what was forgotten by Freeman and left unsaid in the booth is the fact that all you need with 2 outs is a tag on the runner between 1st and 2nd before that guy at 3rd can score and you’re out of the inning.
The real mental lapse was Lux who stood on 2nd waiting for a throw from Freeman. As soon as that picked off runner is stopped between 1st and 2nd and there will be no play at 2nd, Lux must release from the base and close the distance between he and Freddie pinching the runner. Either Freddie makes a tag or tosses to Lux closing on the runner for a 1 throw tag out.
We played it poorly. I want an out there. It’s like Freddie forgot. He checked out of the rundown way too soon and got concerned with the runner at 3rd who wasn’t in danger of scoring. Freddie threw to 3rd and the runner was back safely leaving runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. It wasn’t costly as the next batter was retired. But that should have been 3 outs and the threat over. Those misplays come back to haunt you in the long run.
* Speaking of missed opportunities, how about non productive outs with ducks on the pond? CT3 2 LOB, Freeman 2, Trea 3, Lux 3, Betts 3 and Belli 2. A timely hit might be nice. Our situational hitting approaches leaves a lot to be desired.
* Good and bad for Striker. 6 – 8 weeks is better then TJ.
* But does that change the Dodgers interest in picking up a pitcher by the deadline? Will any $ toward an acquisition effect what the Dodgers are willing spend to re-sign players like Trea Turner? Or do we stand pat? Time will tell.
The announcers did mention that Bellinger’s throw home didn’t allow for a cutoff and further said it didn’t matter because nobody was covering second anyway.
4:05 PM ET
Dodgers (37-22)
Giants (32-26)
SP Julio Urias L
3-5 2.78 ERA 58.1IP 46K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH Will Smith R
3B J. Turner R
LF Chris Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
2B H. Alberto R
C A. Barnes R
Cloudy
9% Rain
56° Wind 9 mph Out
Mitchell White pitches for AAA Oklahoma City and Gavin Stone pitches for AA Tulsa this afternoon.
lux got too, hot for ,Doc
So he Makes sure he cools down on the Bench
Typical Doc
Go Dodgers!
There is a tough lefty going. Alberto hits lefty’s better than Lux.
Lux has hit lefties well,lately
Go Dodgers!
Lux is doing virtually the same against Lefties and Righties, but if you are going to rest a player you rest him against someone who is considered a “Tough Matchup.”
Yes, Lux is hot, but everything is not about Gavin. Everything is not done in a vacuum. Alberto needs reps too and what better game to rest him?
Rodon does not pitch deep into games so, Lux will likely get an at-bat or two today anyway!
If they do what they did in their last starts, the Dodgers should punch their tickets for LA next weekend.
Remember the last time everyone was clamoring for a certain Pirate reliever! They’re Pirates for a reason!
I was looking back some old posts and ran across this one from August 8, 2016 by DodgerPatch:
Mark gets impatient with repetitive foolishness, as do I. You don’t hesitate to repeat endlessly the canard that the FO are incompetent “fried brains,” or your everlasting reminders that you don’t like Grandal in spite of the objective data that shows him to be the 6th best catcher in baseball. You and others complain and whine and criticize and use salty pejoratives to leaven your criticism, and what Mark does is just take exactly what you dish out and shove it right back in your faces. You don’t like it. You don’t agree with it. Your ego can’t and won’t brook conflicting arguments and evidence, so you label Mark as the problem.
I got a big chuckle reading this post and seeing Mark is now a contributor. Even the new profile pick he posted I enjoyed, not because he’s the most handsome guy in the world, but because I’m sure it will send some of the usual suspects here into paroxysms of mental anguish. I like it when people are able to successfully poke sticks at people I feel need a little poking. I’m the same way. I enjoy arguing and letting myself get animated rhetorically, ..and I sometimes go a little overboard. We all have our hobbies.
What gets me, and what I would encourage some people to truly reflect on, is just the sheer level of dislike some of you have for Mark. For some, it’s an ego-driven competitive preoccupation. For others an angry obsession; for one, although entertaining as a spectator, it’s caused him to become perilously close to be becoming diagnosably unhinged. I don’t get it. And that’s not because I agree with him in all instances. I think my very first post here about a year ago was in response to one of his hare-brained trade schemes or a call to trade Kershaw where I accused him of having less than “half a gnat’s brain,” and characterized his obsession with The Trade as “the white hot hatred of a thousand suns.”
But I enjoy reading his posts. They’re generally infused with a lot of common sense, often convincing, plainly worded and direct, and I respect the generally low BS tolerance. I can almost see why his plain spoken, flyover, middle America red state style offends Badger’s intellectual sensibilities, but I can only speculate. What I don’t see is why some really don’t want him here. Why? Do you really, honestly think this site would be better off without him? I think a site based on discussion and debate is enhanced with varying opinions that are well crafted and well thought out. I read and respect Dodgerrick’s posts. They challenge me and make me think even when I disagree, and Mark’s arguments about the trade has had an effect on my generally favorable view of acquiring Agon. I can tell he took his time to write that post. It was well done. I read it all the way through eagerly, and I don’t always when it comes the stories here. I think those who have this unhealthy dislike of the guy would do well to reflect on why that is. What is it that REALLY bothers you about him. You might find it has more to do with you than really him.
I just find it as relevant now as it was then.
Wow! I was unnecessarily wordy back then. Probably still am.
That sounds like it was from Scott’s site. Man, did that place turn into a cesspool of hatred! … Timmons, Friedman … Grandal was also a frequent object of obloquy.
I never have quite fully understood the decades long love/hate relationship between Mark and Badger. I guess there always has to be factions, and Badger I guess is over on Jeff’s site probably complaining about “certain people who shall remain nameless” who didn’t fully appreciate Badger’s obsessive take that the starting pitching is a weakness, and something bad will happen, and who knows what will happen, and something must be done. What, exactly, must be done, he’ s short on details, but that’s not really the point.
I don’t know what the point is? I think it’s less of a case of him needing to be right- although that is factor – but the fact that his nemesis has to be wrong, which makes him a bad person, somehow, and allows the Badge to be a good and virtuous person in some way.
It’s all very weird.
Mark made the argument that Buehler’s decline in velocity was because he was trying to be a more complete pitcher and not try to throw as hard.
Ultimately, that turned out not to be the reason why his fastball wasn’t getting the job done, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a sensible argument. A wrong argument can still have merit. I certainly wouldn’t be OFFENDED by another point of view about baseball. There are lots of arguments here that I don’t agree with fully, but maybe agree with in part, or may have some element that I find interesting, or makes me think, or may be partially correct. That’s why discussion is good.
Those were the days on that site, Patch.
Some real self-important blow-hards.
I found it fun, while it was.
Yes. Those were indeed the days. I can’t say that I look back on those days with nostalgia, however. I feel somewhat embarrassed I contributed.
Lots of blowhards. At least with blowhard s there’s an assumption they know what they’re talking about. Some. of those characters had the maturity level and intelligence of grade schoolers.
Although referring to Grandal as “Grand Mal” was mildly humorous.
I’ve said this more than once……………………………and I’m saying it again.
We have a team of wonderful, friendly, go-with-the-flow guys.
What we’re missing is the Gibby effect. Someone to get in guys’ faces when they have those sleepwalk games.
Maybe we need to trade for Ramon Laureano.
The A’s were down 5-2 when he had his tirade. They scored 5 the next inning and won 10-5.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1536050442064367616
I totally agree with this. But that guy is hard to find.
#1. Hee has to have the respect of the whole team (including the superstars who make the megabucks). That’s hard!
#2.. He has to lead by example. That’s even harder!
Get me that guy!
Hey Mark, I just come up with the great analysis. I leave it to the LADT readers to fill in the names.
It’s definitely easier if that guy happens to be a superstar (or at least a big star) himself, like Gibby. A guy with Laureano’s stats screaming his head off at Freddie and Mookie might not go over too well.
So, I agree, that guy will be hard to find…………………………..but find him we must.
That same argument could be made for changing managers. But those in-your-face managers never last more than two years.
Good insight, but I’ve argued before that this starts with the manager. Roberts is a player’s manager. We already know he’s not a great tactician. I think he lacks a little fire, too. He has trouble holding players accountable.
Fire Roberts.
There was some of this talk going on a couple of days ago. Roberts will not be fired, and Maddon won’t be hired. HOWEVER, had Maddon been available when Roberts first interviewed for the job, AF would’ve hired Maddon over Roberts in a heartbeat. That ship has sailed. It will take a total implosion of the team and multiple stupid in-game decisions for Roberts to be on the chopping block. Not impossible, though.
Doc is a very predictable in-game manager. He doesn’t do much to spark inspired at bats. We go up there and bang away. Last night our banging failed to produce runs. Doc seldom does anything to pressure a defense or manufacture runs. Aside from an occasional steal, when is the last time Doc put a play on? A run and hit, maybe. A safety squeeze? A push bunt. A bunt to beat a shift. And God forbid the dreaded sac bunt. Done ever give up an out with a sacrifice bunt, but it’s okay to take a called third strike with runners in scoring position?
I love the DH as it has reduced Doc’s in game moves; the double switches and goofy line ups. But he certainly isn’t going to create any offensive excitement from his seat.
Ok. Fire him… for that reason I could dig it. Now, who should the Dodgers hire?
I got it… Yasiel Puig! Ok…. Justin Turner or Chase Utley.
They should hire me! I really could use the $ And I promise not to laugh on my way to the bank! At least not outwardly.
I didn’t say fire him. I did say do something different to spark your team and make something happen. It can’t be worse that sitting on your hands waiting for that big inning while your team is horseshit.
Is it some kind of offense to criticize the Skipper on this site?
Patch –
I agree that Roberts lacks fire and is a players manager who is also a front office PR asset. However, the two most successful Dodger managers – in terms of world championships – were Alston and Lasorda. Although they were polar opposites personality-wise, they both had their moments for firing up a player or team by demanding performance. While times are different in sports these days, I still think strong leadership makes a difference in individual and team performance.
Mark, you mean to tell me that you weren’t well liked back then?
I don’t care.
😉
Julio really looks sharp today.Not.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both HR on 2 strike counts.
Time to regroup.
More unproductive outs.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Julio righted his ship.
Yes, he did. Bounced back nicely from that first inning .
If only the offense would wake up…
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!
I know it’s not the case, but it looks like the Dodgers are sleep walking in this game (and maybe the entire series). I agree that the team needs a player who’s an ass kicker or not shy about getting in someone’s face. Right now it’s a team of stars showing a lack of passion.
Mitchell White 5.2IP no hits 2BB 6K for AAA Oklahoma City today.
JT needs to take a seat for awhile. The loss of Rios is really having an impact on the lineup.
I see White’s career path as similar to Gonsolin’s. Bring him up, keep him up.
Bellinger is NEVER coming back!
I think you’re right.
Sad to watch
I can not remember ever seen a league MVP go into a tailspin like Bellinger at his age.
So sad.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He should at least try to Bunt the Friggin thing
You gotta start somewhere
Very selfish HR swing every time
Twice Taylor leads off with a double and Bellinger can not advance him striking out and popping up.
That is just bad, bad baseball and I put the blame on Roberts for it. It is one thing backing your player who is slumping but with Bellinger this is a two year slump already. And when runs are hard to come bye you have to play small ball in that kind of situation. No excuse .
I just want Roberts fired. He only won that one WS because all the stars aligned for him and the Dodgers in a dramatically shortened season.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
It is good to want things.
No doubt….it’s over…♂️
Stone got hit hard today at AA.
And yet another leadoff double wasted. Very hard to watch, our players look not focused, kind of going threw the motions. And Roberts as usual a listless spectator.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Offense sucks again. Did I mention I hate losing to the Giants?????
Then maybe we should try the Giants from NY! Maybe we can hit their pitching!
Might work. Padres lose so we are still in first. Off day tomorrow. I am going to see the new Jurassic Park movie
Are there any other stops on Mookies elevator besides the penthouse or the basement? Well at least he’ll get to see JT, Muncy and Bellinger when he gets to the bottom.
Mookie is 2 for his last 30 including today so far.
Pirates um, We Aren’t Family. I got that covid virus in me……Mr Sledge
Can anybody think of another hitter with a bigger uppercut swing than Bellinger?
Actually JT is a total uppercut/launch angle/timing hitter.
With JT, though, he’s always had the timing down – at keast until now.
With JT there was always quick recognition and little wasted movement.
Watching Bellinger swing is like watching an oil supertanker leave port. It’s a process that takes an inordinate amount of time.
Well there’s Jerry in my soft ball beer league
Roberts is not THE problem, but he is a problem. And that becomes more apparent as there are now two very good managers in our division, Kapler and Melvin. Kapler was apparently the person that AF wanted to hire, but he was overruled by the owners. Yes, Kapler had a bad time in Philly, but he obviously is an excellent manager. When the bookmakers put your O/U on wins at 75, and your team wins 107, and not because of some amazing trade, you are obviously a very good manager, unless it was just an incredibly lucky series of wins. And this year, with Posey gone, and even with the bad start, the Giants are a serious contender.
Melvin was considered an excellent manager in Oakland, even though his teams fell short in the playoffs, usually against teams with more talent. It was considered to be a great move when SD hired him.
I don’t closely follow SF, nor I am an expert on their bullpen. But from what I have watched of their games over the last two seasons,, it seems that Kapler has that indefinable “feel” for what relief pitcher to put in, when to take someone out. It doesn’t always work, of course, but you can see the concentration, and the awareness, something I also see in Kevin Cash.
As to Roberts, he is not an unintelligent person, but he doesn’t seem to have that feel. He seems to have a gameplan at the outset, and then stick to it, even to a fault, or leaving someone in too long. He defends every move he has made, whereas some managers will admit that they might have erred in a given decision. He sets his mouth, and always says, “I liked him in that spot,” or “I thought that was a good matchup for us.” Well, obviously he did, but he has helped contribute to several crucial losses in the playoffs.
So now we have a division where I think two of the managers are better than Roberts. Talent will overcome that, although we did not win the division last year. If Zaidi and Kapler put together a team with more talent than ours, they will outperform us every season. And we know that Preller, despite being a jerk, will make major moves, and the owners give him a lot of room to do it, and he is determined to have the best roster in the league.
Who would I want to replace Roberts? I have no sure idea, I do not scout minor league managers. I would love Kevin Cash, but managers rarely leave winning teams and jump to another one, tampering becomes a big issue. I wanted us to hire Kapler, not Roberts, but we did not. I don’t want Maddon, and I don’t want Scioscia.
But as our talent level declines with age and injury, with not really very many “sure things” in our minor league system, we need to make a change, though we likely won’t. Not now, of course, we are still in first, and it would look inane to fire Roberts now,. But most managers lose their appeal to fans and players over time, and as I’ve said many time, he is just not a high-level game manager. He is pretty good if he has the best talent, he keeps them on an even keel, and they respect him. But he is not going to make clever moves to win games that we shouldn’t. And as our talent advantage dissipates, it will become more obvious. But we need to make an inspired choice in a hire, and not look for the best public relations choice, at least if winning titles is an important goal. There is a changing of the guard which sometimes occurs in sports, college or pro, and comfortably resting on a belief that you have a consistent advantage over the competitors, is sometimes disastrous. You have to anticipate ahead of it, not just let others pass you.
I don’t think Friedman was overruled to pick Roberts, all reports were/are he interviewed better.
It is what I had read, but perhaps the writer was not accurate.
Right now I cannot watch the Dodgers swing for the fences, terrible.
The Manager needs to get them back to the basics of how to win a friggen baseball game.
This crappy “offense” is unwatchable
Blaming Roberts for the Dodgers getting swept by the Giants seems lazy at best and totally disconnected thinking at worst. How the f*** anybody can blame Doc for simultaneous slumps by several players I won’t mention is asinine.