I hate to say I told you so, but I told you I did not think Clayton Kershaw would pitch well last night. After the game was over Clayton said: “I’m not going to overthink it. “I just sucked today. I haven’t been that bad in a long time.” What was first? The chicken or the egg? Kershaw pitched poorly and it was in Coors Field. No need to overthink it. Move on. Nothing to see her folks. Forgetaboutit! Kershaw’s fastball topped out at 91.2 MPH last night and in the thin air of Denver, his curve and slider had no “bite” so he got bit! End of story!
I fully expect a sweep tonight as Julio Urias has a 5.10 career ERA in Coors Field. We better hope the Rockies don’t make it to the playoffs because they beat us like rented mules there… or so it seems. The only way the Dodgers win tonight is if the bats wake up. Marquez has a 5.58 ERA so that probably means he will shut out the Dodgers. What happens in Coors Field stays in Coors Field – Never speak of this again!
I was watching on my i-Phone at the Grateful Dead Concert… which was a disappointment (to me). It was fun to see , but unless you were stoned, you could not appreciate it and all I had were 2 beers – nothing that was “wacky.” Freddie Freeman and Muncy had two hits each and the Dodgers had 9, but they just could not get any traction. Jake Lamb made his Dodger debut, but someone pulled the wool over his eyes as he struck out. Alberto and JT both hit HR but it was too-little-too-late!
Mookie Betts is finally progressing, but it sounds like it will be another week or 10 days until he gets back. Someone said this:
“You know who else did pretty good at leadoff? The guy who has pretty much hit there his entire career and was leading the majors in runs by a good amount before he got injured. You don’t move your superstar under contract for the next 10+ years out of his preferred spot when he is performing well above average there. Mookie’s our leadoff hitter period.“
So, I did a little research and here is the breakdown “career-wise” of how Mookie hits at leadoff:
.296 Batting Average, .372 OB%
That’s pretty good, but not as good as when he hits #2:
.307 Batting Average, .390 OB% as a #2 hitter, but he hits .309 with a .379 OB% as a #4 hitter.
What about Trea Turner? For his career he is about the same batting #1, #2, or #3. All over .300!
So, to say “Mookie is our leadoff hitter. Period!” is only an opinion. It is not supported by facts. Personally, I do not think it should continue. I think this lineup needs shaken up! Sometimes change for the sake of change is good. When Mookie comes back, why not try this:
- Trea Turner SS
- Smith C
- Freeman 1B
- Betts RF
- Muncy 3B
- Turner/Lamb DH
- Bellinger CF
- Taylor LF
- Lux 2B
The Dodgers hitting has been excellent at times, but not consistent. Why not try that? What harm can come from it? I know that Mookie likes to lead off, but I would hope he likes to win more. Put aside any selfish proclivities and take one for the team.
I will address the Freddie Freeman issue when I know more. This is still playing out! I have no comment at the present time.
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- OKC won 6-3 as Ryan Pepiot went 4 innings, allowing 2 ER, 3 BB, and struck out 6. His ERA sits at 1.94.
- Miguel Vargas went 2-4 with 2 RBI – He has 53 RBI in 281 ABs after having 76 in 483 ABs last year.
- Mike Busch was also 2-4 with a 2-Run Homer (his 8th at AAA, and 19th on the year). For the year, he is hitting .278 with a .377 OB% and .948 OPS. I would not be afraid to call him up. Maybe if the Lamb experiment fails…
- Jason Martin also hit his 12th HR.
- Dellin Betances was roughed up but did not give up a run. He needs time.
- Marshall Kasowski went 2 innings and allowed 0 hits, 2 BB, and 1 K for the win.
- Jacob Amaya is at .184 BA.
- Tulsa lost 14-5 as Bobby Miller was beaten like a rented mule. His line is so ugly, that I will not speak of it again. His ERA is 4.92. Maybe he needs to be a reliever!
- Great Lakes bet Dayton 18-6. Diego Cartaya was 2-4 with his 3rd A+ HR. He has 12 HR and 45 RBI on the year.
- Alex DeJesus was 3-4 with 3 RBI an 2 BB (BA – .330/OPS. – .962).
- Nick Nastrini pitched 5 innings and allowed 2 Hits, 1 ER, 2 BB, and struck out 10.
- Rancho lost 7-6 as Damon Keith (.305/.945) was 2-5. He needs to move to GL.
- 19-year-old Yeiner Fernandez (.272 BA/.364 OBP/.733 OPS) was 3-6 with 3 RBI.
I don’t really criticize anything that happens at Coors field when the Dodgers play there. It’s not really suited for MLB baseball in my opinion so how can you really gauge performance. Don’t even like watching the game on TV when they are in Denver. I know it counts in the stats and in Wins/Losses and everyone has to play there, that’s just me though. Even if they win I just kind of let the chips fall where they may and move on quickly. It sure is a different animal compared to the other MLB venues.
It is not Coors when you in addition to lose 4 of 5 to the Rockies lose 5 of 6 to the Pirates.
That is a combined 2 of 11 to some of the worst teams in baseball . Coors field is an excuse IMHO.
This team lacks the sense of urgency, lack of the absolute will to win. They are going threw the motions, relying on their supposed superior talent. But when I look at the batting averages of JT, Belli, Barnes, Muncy, Alaverez, Thompson I can not find that talent in the stats.
Only three batters are producing consistently without Mookie: Freddie (who has come on strong lately), TT and Lux.
Not nearly enough . Especially for a team with a payroll north of 300 milliom
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe, add Will “the thrill II” Smith to your list who hitting well recently. He quietly takes care of business for this team.
Update above!
As for batting order who knows what is best. If we have to have JT, Muncy, Bellinger in there batting .200 I guess its best to have them bat one after the other and hope they can get a couple of walks and now and then they guess right on a pitch and the ball hits the bat. Then hope the other 6 can be hot enough in same game to score some runs
Maybe one of the 20 pitchers that are on the IL right now can get outs at Coors…
What a bummer for Kersh. He pitched like it was a postseason game. It’s crazy how he just loses it from time to time. But, the umpire wasn’t kind to him. He was painting at the bottom of the zone and didn’t get much help. Then you see Freeland get called strikes a ball and a half low. Did you see those back to back pitches to Trea Turner? What a joke!
We had some opportunities and came up empty. But, we also had 3 bombs, unfortunately also empty. And of course, Doc did his magic by pulling Trayce Thompson only to put Eddie Alvarez in to strike out against a right hander. I think Trayce could have done that all by himself.
Speaking of Alvarez, have we seen enough yet? He’s a left handed hitting infielder that they use in the outfield. Wouldn’t it make more sense to bring up Jason Martin, a left handed hitting outfielder to play outfield?
The media does such a great job reporting these days. As soon as an article comes out about Betts not making any progress, another comes out and say he started taking dry swings. Both in the same day.
Someone made a comment about how we don’t have enough bats on the team. It’s weird to score so many runs without any bats. I think if you’re a top 5 offense while playing in a pitcher’s park, you have bats. It seems that fans are having as much of a hard time adjusting to the new ball as the players.
I didn’t have a good feeling sitting Smith and Belli on the same day. Maybe Clayton felt the same way.
Watched Serena yesterday. So like watching Mike Tysen fight when he was 50 years old. Sure he can knock you out, but otherwise doesn’t have stamina and skills to compete at that level any more. And its time to retire. (note to JT)
End of the line for Serena! That was tough to watch. But what an incredible career and story for both her and Venus. Good thing for Kersh that he wasn’t drafted by the Rockies. Maybe tonight Julio can pitch against our lineup. Something would have to give. Still want to see Vargas’s bat in our lineup. Is it lack of belief in him or adundance of loyalty to JT and Muncy?
Not much to say. They lost. Caught hell from my friends in Colorado who act like their team just won the World Series. I think many of them are in a stupor over the Avs win. Muncy showed some life in his last two at bats after showing nothing for over a week. I still despise Roberts all righty lineups. They just do not win.
Ask em how their Broncos did, and thank em for Von Miller…..
Go Rams!!
Yeah, they get that a lot.
Yeah, baby!
Super Bowl champions Rams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Still on cloud Nr. 9 about it. Having the flew and lying down I just today watched the Super Bowl again.
Made me feel a lot better immediately!
Go Rams, Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers Man, what a season, lets do it again in 22!!!
That’s awesome, made me smile. The Rams Super Bowl was as good as it gets. Cooper!
Oh, now it’s the flu? You sure about that? Either way, I hope you feel better. Cheers!
I was at that NFC Title game. What a fantastic atmosphere!!
After the Rams win, I was screaming “Let’s Go Dodgers” to all the SF fans leaving.
I had to remind them LA knocked their team out twice within 3 months.
Mark –
I agree with your line-up. The main reason I like TT in the leadoff role is that he is very consistent; no prolonged batting slumps. He is also the fastest guy in baseball and able to energize a team offensively. He may not get the notoriety of Mookie and other superstars but IMO he is the best player on the Dodgers.
On the other hand, when Mookie is good he can carry a team. BUT, he also has periods where he looks bad at the plate. I don’t know if my observations are backed up by the data; all I know is that when he is in a slump it is very evident. He stomps away from the plate just like my kids used to do when disappointed or disciplined. I think a streak hitter like Mookie is better in the 4-hole than as the leadoff hitter.
Tom1946. I agree with you as well concerning Mark’s lineup suggestion. And, the thought of hitting Mookie in the 3/4 spot. Sure Mookie has his slumps. A mookie slump would be excused by Roberts who has been hitting Muncy fourth for some unexplainable reason. To show confidence? To get him back on track? There’s absolutely no valid reason he could come up with to justify such a horrible decision. Muncy is a rally killer. And to put a bow on the decision Roberts backs him up with JT, Bellinger, and Taylor just to make sure the rally will be thoroughly extinguished. As long as the front office is in the experimental mood let’s try Busch and Vargas (and the recently called up Lamb) and give JT and Muncy some time to reflect on the IL (I think that’s a valid IL designation).
With his 2 hits yesterday MM has secured his place as the cleanup hitter at least for the next 2 weeks with Roberts. Count on it.
Roberts will sink or swim with his veterans JT, MM and Bellinger.
It will be his downfall . Again.
Same with his blinded trust in Kenley during multiple postsseasons until he finally, probably with divine intervention of the Great Dodger in the Sky who said enough is enough, he realized it was time to go a different road. Enter Julio in 2020.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great story on Nobe Kawano over on Jeffs site
For those of you who don’t remember him he was the clubhouse/equipment manager for the Dodgers from 1959 to 1991.
It also mentions his brother Yosh who worked for the Cubs in the same capacity for 60 years
There are two things I disagree with AF on:
1. The lineup (actually the Dodger Brass has more to do with the lineup than Roberts); and
2. Holding down young players too long (some… not all) are ready sooner.
FREE VARGAS & BUSCH, ANDREW!
One thing I will nitpick about is the number of outs on the bases. As a team stat we have 29 outs on the bases so far this year and only the Cubs in the NL have more – 32. I like being aggressive on the bases. There are some players who should be aggressive, TT, Lux, CT3, Belli and other’s like JT & Barnes last night that should dial it back a bit. He seems to get injured quite a bit on the base paths.
News from Internet:
Fromm various chats:
Tim (Los Angeles):
Bobby Miller and Pepiot get all the hype but Gavin Stone has far outperformed both this season. Does the scouting report match the stats and can he be an impact starter for LAD down the road?
Kyle Glaser: The scouting reports match the stats. Stone is the real deal. He’s going to be a big riser in our next Dodgers Top 30 update.
mike: Better prospect – Maddux Bruns or Ricky Tiedemann?
Eric A Longenhagen: I’ll take Bruns but not by a lot
Kip: Dodgers – Braves round 3 feels inevitable. What roster additions do you see each team making between now and the trade deadline?
Ben Clemens: That’s a strong use of inevitable as I think that the Dodgers will be on the hunt for arms, any arms they can possibly find, be it relief or starting. I think they might be a surprise entrant in trade talks if any incredible bat other than Contreras (awkward fit with Smith in tow) is available. But mostly they should just look to add pitchers
Run Flagstaff: is Cody Bellinger simply a good defensive outfielder with some occasional power at this point? Seems we have enough data suggesting he is about as likely to recapture his 2019 form as the dinosaurs are to walk the earth again
Ben Clemens: Yeah, that’s basically where I’m at with Bellinger. I do think he’ll cut down on strikeouts a bit from here, he’s shown that he has that in his toolkit, but I don’t think the prodigious power is going to return. I have him as a nice defensive outfielder, like you said. That’s a useful player, although not one who would get a contract like he currently has
Guest: Best shortstop currently excluding an injured Tatis?
Ben Clemens: Lindor!
Eh, that’s probalby not right, he’s my favorite to watch though.. I think I’ll take Bogaerts, Turner, Lindor in that order. No disrespect to Dansby Swanson or Tommy Edman, just, I value track record
The Dude: Trea Turner over/under $250m next contract?
Avatar Jay Jaffe: Unless he picks up the pace a bit and more or less matches last year’s production, I’ll take the under because he’ll be heading into his age-30 season
Recent trades I found on the trade Simulator:
Knack, Pages and Vargas for Luis Castillo
Pepiot, Sheehan and Vargas for Moll and Frankie Montas
From Kyle Boddy @Driveline:
MiLB Org pitching stats. Let’s do something different than xERA: Whiff% – total # of swing-and-miss divided by total # of swings.
Top 4: CLE #1, NYY #2, SFG #3, LAD #4
Bottom 4: COL #27, KCR #28, STL #29, OAK #30
Given what orgs typically develop pitching… makes sense, yeah?
At the Great Lakes, Carlos Duran has been piggybacking with Emmet Sheehand over the last three starts.
Duran: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K
Emmet Sheehan:9 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 4 BB, 17 K
Mark now tell us how many AB’s Mookie has in each spot? I haven’t looked but I’m guessing it’s waaaaaaay more hitting lead off. Your right it was just an opinion but my statement about being our leadoff hitter period was more around the fact that he’s our franchise player who will be here for the long haul and trea is a free agent who most likely will be gone next year. IMO they are going to keep mookie happy because that’s where he likes to hit.
Of course, Mookie has dramatically more ABs as a Leadoff hitter. However, even when he was a Red Sox, I heard that he only wanted to hit leadoff. To me, that sends a bad message to his teammates. Bloom where you are planted. I think it would be great for team morale if he said “Doc, I’ll hit wherever you put me.”
All I’m saying is you conveniently left that out to try and prove the point that he was a better or just as good in other lineup spots. You also didn’t mention that his OPS is highest when hitting leadoff. At the end of the day does it really matter where the top 3 hit? Mooke, Trea, and Freddy are the least of our problems so not sure why people are so focused on shaking that part of the lineup up.
Great research MT on the point I mentioned yesterday about the line up when Mookie returns. I personally stay with the hot hand. If Trea is still raking in the lead off spot. I ain’t changing. I doubt Mookie is going to go all Kenly Jansen if he doesn’t lead off. Freeman’s great in the 2 hole but hitting Lux 9 with Trea leading off and Mookie at 2 with Freddie 3rd, the line up looks pretty damn good the 2nd time through.
* When I noticed Chris Guccione was behind the dish, I knew we’d better score some runs. Chris is a very good umpire; very consistent and there was no complaining from either dugout on his balls and strike calls. (including CK who let’s his opinions show) Everybody knows what to expect. He has a small, hitter friendly strike zone. Fringe pitches are balls – practically every time. He will expanded only low and almost never east-west. He missed 3 low strikes and those were close. You’d better get a piece of the plate because he won’t expand. That’s a tough zone for Coors Field where pitching is hard anyway. I knew there would be some runs scored. I hoped it would be more by us. I wasn’t’ optimistic with Doc’s line up.
* When I watch The Rockies, Chuck Nasty is hitting about .900. He just rakes.
* I swear I saw Alberto fake a tag at 2nd on Chuck on a fly ball. I think faking a tag is illegal. By rule. (Badger? ) Dekes are fine; I was good at it; faking a ground ball and a turn is an art form when the runner has no idea where the ball is. But faking a tag on the runner, forcing a slide, is not fine. Back in the day, that would have gotten you knocked on your ass next AB. Maybe I didn’t see what I saw.
* Almonte’s slider just doesn’t play at Coors. It’s a cement mixer that has no snap. That’s why he’s unsuccessful there.
Muncy showed signs of life. I’m rooting for him. But he’d be doing it lower in the order for now.
* We are playing poorly and it’s critical we stay engaged. I’m amazed we’re still in 1st place to be honest. I think we need to weather the storm until we get the reinforcements back. We’re not going to threaten any win records so put all that pre-season prediction stuff to bed. I hope for a winning streak coming in the second half. We need to hang in there for now and get on a roll at some point down the road. There’s a lot of baseball left.
Last year at this time. Atlanta was 37 and 41. They finished with a pedestrian 88 wins and won the World Series.
Did you watch Ole Miss win the CWS? They were dead and buried at one point this season and barely got into the tournament. They peaked at the right time and won the whole deal. It can happen. But you have to get healthy, get better and keep trying.
Hey Phil:
I too saw what you did see with Alberto faking a tag at second. Karros was congratulating him on the play but I totally agree with you that that type of play is one of the unwritten rules that can and will result in someone getting HBP or getting blown up on the bases.
Not sure on if it’s a legal play or not but it was always a no – no in my book as it can lead to an unnecessary injury.
Zeke, I too heard Karros praise Albertos resourcefulness on the fake tag. I just assumed he too didn’t know the rule book but I would assume he knows it’s bush. Very surprising for an MLB veteran.
June gloom almost over!
Rule 2 – Section 22 – Obstruction and Fake Tag
2-22-2 A fake tag is an act by a defensive player without the ball that simulates a tag. A fake tag is considered obstruction.
When obstruction occurs, the ball becomes dead at the end of playing action and the umpire has authority to determine which base or bases shall be awarded the runners according to the rule violated.
Maybe since Blackmon wasn’t out the Umpires decided no harm – no foul. I don’t know as it’s rare for an MLB player to fake a tag. Not so rare to get dotted up however for a bush league play. That’s how I saw it and as an ex-infielder I tried every legal way to deke a runner short of faking a tag, blocking a base etc.
Thanks for clarification.
I didn’t see the play. If a runner slides and an incoming throw gets away where an alert runner might bounce up and take another base, then a fake tag doesn’t seem like it would increase the risk of injury and if by making the fake tag the runner in no way is impeded from bouncing up and continuing on, then for me it’s no harm, no foul.
It’s when a runner would not slide if the defensive player hadn’t faked a catch and tag that can increase injury risk and should be penalized.
I like the top 4 of Mark’s lineup, but I would have Taylor and Lux at 5 and 6 in the lineup.
It’s amazing to me that an organization like the Dodgers can’t get anyone better to pinch hit and fill in than Eddy Alvarez, Hanser Alberto, Jake Lamb, Trayce Thompson. Yes I know Hanser Alberto gets hits off of LHP, but he has very little power according to his career stats and he is not a lefty killer.
I mentioned yesterday that Reyes Moronta has a career OPS against under .600 vs both sides of the plate. That is very good. I wonder why it took so long for the powers that be to bring him up from the minors.
I’m anxious to see what Dellin Betances can do because like Reyes Moronta he too has a career OPS against under .600 vs both sides of the plate.
The hitting is a mess. Do you bring up possible future stars Busch and Vargas and start their clock possibly before they are ready? Or do you bring up possible future solid player but not star (only my opinion) James Outman who is on the 40 man roster and therefore I believe his clock has already started? Or do you bring up yet another failed major leaguer that is doing good in AAA Jason Martin?
I personally would bring up James Outman and give him a shot at starting and if he sticks then when Betts comes back maybe bench J Turner or Muncy.
Looking at stats that I value, the 2 worst pitchers the Dodgers have right now on the active roster are David Price and Phil Bickford. If Dellin Betances does good at AAA, I wouldn’t hesitate in bringing him up and getting rid of David Price or optioning Phil Bickford.
Don’t get me wrong. I like James Outman, but there’s a reason he’s on the 40 and isn’t above AA yet. Look no further than his 89 K’s.
I think the “Clock” is major league services time, not time on the 40. You need to be on the 26 man in order to burn clock.
David Price hasn’t given up a run in his last 5 outings.
Craig Kimbrel has a career OPS under 600 vs both sides of the plate and everyone hates him.
Martin vs. Outman
Both are left handed
Outman was drafted in the 7th round out of college, Martin 8th round out of high school.
Outman .295/.394/.552/.946 in AA
Martin .284/.380/.560/.940 in AAA
I wouldn’t call a 26 year old with just 189 Ab’s a failed Major Leaguer.
I hear you. I guess my words were a little harsh on Martin. But I’d still go with Outman over Martin because Martin has horrible stats in his time in the major leagues. And I’m not being harsh when I say horrible stats. Price is up there in age and has been a bust since becoming a dodger. Anyone can put together five good outings and then fall apart. I like Kimbrel because of his excellent career stats it would be nice to know why he is having trouble this year and for Pryor to fix him.
I didn’t watch last nights game. Probably won’t watch tonights either. When it’s Coors Field, I just pretend the Dodgers have a few days off.
WRONG!
Dodgers (45-28)
Rockies (33-42)
SP Julio Urias L
5-6 2.48 ERA 76.1IP 71K
Confirmed Lineup
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
DH Jake Lamb L
2B Gavin Lux L
RF Eddy Alvarez S
Partly-cloudy-day
2% Rain
88° Wind 8 mph Out
Why the F is Eddy Alvarez in the lineup and in RF at Coors of all places? It’s like they aren’t even trying to win one of these games here.
WRONG!
Predicting a 3 hit for 20 AB night from the 4-7 and 9 hitter but Lux will have a big night from the #8 batting position.
Over/under of runners LOB at 11. Fire RVS!
WRONG!
😉
Whatever I say.
WRONG!
Really, you need to bring in a lefty to get Bellinger out!
Lately, it’s looked like the PRICE IS RIGHT!!!,
Heading home about 2 in the morning on Friday, so I will be off here for a couple of days. Enjoy the games guys.
Safe travels OldBear! It was nice getting together with you.