Note: Bulldogs & Penguins has persuaded me that I should post once a week, so that is what I am going to do. It was a good idea. Thanks, B & P! Sunday will be my day to post… except for this week (since today is Saturday).
Before someone tries and put words in my mouth, I do not think Andrew Friedman is perfect. I wish he had not traded away Yordon Alvarez. I wish he had not traded for Joey Gallo. I wish he had not re-signed Chris Taylor, and I could go on and on… because he is not perfect. However, I am going to start this by asking some questions:
- In the last five years, what team has had a better run?
- In the last eight years (that’s how long Friedman has been in charge of Dodger Baseball Operations), what team has done better?
- Has any team won more games than Friedman’s Dodgers in that span?
- Since Friedman started, have any teams won more World Series than the Dodgers?
- If you weren’t a Dodger fan, what team would offer you a better fan experience with regard to winning and putting a quality product on the field?
Since Andrew Friedman started as President of Baseball Operations for the Dodgers in October 2014, seven teams have won the World Series. Next month, an eighth winner will be crowned, and it won’t be the Dodgers. Many people have lost their minds over this… especially Dodger fans. If the Astros win the World Series, they will be the only team in that eight-year period to have won it more than once. Of course, Dodger fans understand that the Dodgers should have won it twice due to the cheating by the Asstericks. That would mean that if the Astros win this year, it should be their first.
Dave Roberts has taken his share of the blame with fans and in the media, but it seems like this year, Andrew Friedman is taking the brunt of the blame. It has been said he is not a genius, he has failed every October, and he doesn’t understand how to win in October. Some fans have even questioned his ability to build a farm system, although the Dodgers have drafted at the back of the pack since Freidman came to the Dodgers. By the way, the Dodgers Farm System is ranked among the TOP ONES in baseball…. maybe THE VERY TOP ONE! Anyone who thinks otherwise has an ax to grind for some strange reason or is just plain delusional.
World Series Winners 2015 to 2022 (Andrew Friedman Era)
- 2015 – Kansas City Royals
- 2016 – Chicago Cubs
- 2017 – Houston Asstros
- 2018 – Boston Red Sox
- 2019 – Washington Nationals
- 2020 – Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2021 – Atlanta Braves
- 2022 – To be determined
No team has won back-to-back World Series since 1998-2000 when the Yankees of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Joe Torre won three championships in a row. The San Francisco Giants won three World Series from 2010 to 2014, two of which were as a Wild Card. In those five years, the Giants were 31 Games over .500… COMBINED. In 2022 alone, the Dodgers were 60 games over .500. Let that sink in for a minute! Evidently, Brian Sabean built the Giants for the Playoffs… because he knew how to do that (and no longer does it). Yeah, right!
Combined Wins of World Series Teams 2015-2022 (Andrew Friedman Era)
- Dodgers – 745 (Average 93.1 Wins a year)
- Astros – 711 (Average 88.8 Wins a year)
- Yankees – 689 (Average 86.1 Wins a year)
- Indians – 668 (Average 83.5 Wins a year)
- Cubs – 650 (Average 81.25 Wins a year)
- Red Sox – 650 (Average 81.25 Wins a year)
- Braves – 618 (Average 77.25 Wins a year)
- Giants – 602 (Average 75.25 Wins a year)
- Royals – 538 (Average 67.25 Wins a year)
In the past eight years, all of the above teams won a World Series, except the Giants, who won a year before the Andrew Friedman Era. The only difference is that the 2017 Astros won by cheating the Yankees and the Dodgers. If the Dodgers were awarded the 2017 World Series Championship, they would be the only team to have won two World Championships. Andrew Friedman should have two Championships… not one.
Now, the above Stats reflect the 60-game season in 2020 in which the Dodgers won 43 games (and had an extra layer of playoffs). If we were to extrapolate 2020’s winning percentage over 162 games, the Dodgers would have won an average of 102.225 games per year for the past eight years!
“But, they have only won one World Series.”
YES, but nobody has won more... and they should have won two were it not for cheating – NEVER FORGET THAT!
From 2018 until 2022, the Dodgers have had the Best 5 Year Span of any team in baseball in the last 50 years!
“But, they have only won one World Series.”
OK, you can be fan of any other team in baseball… who will it be? You will be less happy with the results.
Many of the posters on this website grew up in a time when the winner of the NL played the winner of the AL for the World Series. It ain’t that simple anymore. Now, twelve teams make the playoffs, and the chances of winning for any team during each layer of the playoffs is 40% to 60%. Ask Las Vegas if you don’t believe me. Baseball is a game of streaks. A player can get hot and hit .342 for a month or then turn cold and hit .193 the next month. BTW, that is actually what Mookie Betts hit in May 2002 and June 2022. I have news for you:
There is the Best Team in Baseball and there is the World Series Winner… and they ain’t usually the same team!
I did not make that up. Keith Law, Bob Costas, and lots of other baseball experts believe the same thing. Well, you don’t have to believe it. You can believe in unicorns and fairies if you want. It’s a free country. In the last ten seasons, only once have the two teams with the best records in each league played in the World Series. We are going to have to accept that there is the best team in baseball, and then there is the team that wins the World Series. The best team in baseball (best record) has not won the World Series in the past ten years.
It’s hard to dominate a team for a whole season. The Mets were 11-1 against the Dodgers in 1988, but the Dodgers took the playoff series. The Dodgers were 14-5 against the Padres this season, but the Padres beat them in the playoffs. It is damn near impossible to dominate a team all season and in the playoffs.
It was written in 2015, but it applies more now than when it was written: May the best team not win: Baseball’s winningest clubs rarely win the World Series. It’s more true now as just about every team has imitated the Rays, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees and have “Andrew-Friedman” Disciples or “Look-Alikes” in their front offices. Andrew and Theo were the first of a long list. Every team has them now.
Then, There is This Thing Called Luck…or Being Hot or Cold.
How can Mookie hit .342 one month and .193 the next? As I write this, Jose Altuve of the ASStros is 0-23 in the playoffs! Yet, they are leading their series in the ALCS. A player hits a 96 MPH flyball that clears the fence by six inches. Another player hits a 111 MPH line drive that bounces off the top of the wall, and he is thrown out at 2B. You don’t believe in luck? I’ll bet you don’t believe in brains, either.
Here is the single dumbest thing I have ever heard:
“Andrew Friedman does not know how to build a team that wins in October.”
What does that even mean and how can you do that? Brian Snitker, Eddie Rosario, and the Braves knew how to win in October last year but evidently forgot this year. To say a team or a person doesn’t know how to win in October IS ONE OF THE DUMBEST THINGS I HAVE EVER HEARD!
Baseball has changed. There may not be many back-to-back-to-back World Series Champs for a while… if ever, but what team would you rather be a fan of: the team that averages 100 wins a season and wins 1 World Series in 8 years (should have won 2) or a team that wins the same amount of World Series and just wins 70 or 80 games a year on average. I don’t know about you, but I loved the 111 wins. I love the 100+ wins a year on average. I’d like to win more World Series, but I understand why it is a crapshoot.
Even Ray Charles can see the answer to that question! Is there anyone better than Andrew Friedman? Tell me who. I want to know. I happen to believe that this year’s loss was on both Friedman and Roberts equally. Maybe Roberts should have motivated them a little better, and Gallo, Vargas, and CT3 were useless. Hanser Alberto was in the dugout, but he wasn’t his usually outgoing, happy, motivating self! He was hurt by being left off the roster. Can you blame him? He wasn’t all that on the field but was in the dugout? He was the rally king! He kept the team loose. That’s on both Roberts and Friedman. Would that have been enough? Maybe not… or maybe so. The team may have been looser, more confident, and had more fun. The dugout looked like a “No Fun Zone.”
This is my opinion, but only a moron blows up this team and management. No other organization has done better, and our future is very bright. Many of you have stated that the Dodgers need fewer “three outcomes players”. It was mentioned yesterday that they needed a contact hitter – Miguel Vargas is that guy. He will be given a chance next year… in LF I believe. Unless he is traded, Mike Busch is knocking on the door. So is Jacob Amaya and Jorbit Vivas and James Outman. Gavin Stone and Emmet Sheehan will pitch in the Majors next season… count on it. Bobby Miller is an “adjustment” away. In 2024, watch Cartaya, Rushing, Nastrini, Pages, and Ramos! They are loaded! Keith Law calls their Farm System “sick,” because it’s so healthy.
Circular Thinking
I really hate circular thinking, or circular reasoning in particular. Especially people who use it repeatedly. You can criticize AF, but please, stay away from circular reasoning. That brands you as a politician or a moron… maybe both! Circular reasoning, which comes from the Latin phrase circulus in probando, literally means proving the validity of a subject by using that subject to prove its validity. This is a logical fallacy where someone basically starts and ends their reasoning on the same thing. This can also be referred to as the “begging the question” fallacy. Here is what I am talking about.
Andrew Friedman will never be perfect, but to pine for Logan White (who was a good friend) is felony stupid and borderline psychotic. Baseball has changed, and it will change even more next year with the new rules. It should be an interesting ride. With the elimination of the “shift”, AF will see the value of more contact and putting the ball in play. I am getting hyped for it already. It’s the best time EVER to be a Dodger fan. There is no end in sight.
Fearless Prediction:
With the signing of Bruce Bochy, the Ranger’s chances of getting Clayton Kershaw just improved dramatically. I think Clayton will play at home next year. I don’t blame him, and it is time for the young guns to take over in LA.
Well researched and thought out piece.
The Dodgers are fine moving forward and yes the farm system is very good, which means the club will have an infusion of young talent over the next couple of years.
Honestly, I never understood the the Yordan Alvarez trade for Josh Fields, a mid level reliever. They paid around two million to sign Alvarez, the scouting reports were very good, then they ship him to the Astros. Made no sense. Somebody blew it. Lack of communication? I’m guessing if he made it into the farm system he would be playing for the Dodgers today. Oh well, water beneath the bridge and all.
This was an incredibly important season for the Dodgers and they really needed to win it all, eliminate the Stan Kasten Braves label. After winning 111 games, expectations were off the charts. Then boom.
Eventually they will win another World Series, maybe two or three. Friedman and the organization gives them that opportunity every year.
I do believe Clayton Kershaw returns. Winning organization and a chance to get to October. No guarantees with the Rangers.
One last hurrah.
Simple solution to our problem.
Team with the best record during the season is declared World Champion.
No Playoffs.
Now wasn’t that easy?
Mark: thank you for this incredible well thought out piece. I get a lot of push back from the likes of B&P and dodgerram anytime I post in defense of Roberts which is really a defense of the Dodgers in general. By the way, those defenses do not imply perfection just a belief that the grass is seldom greener on the other side of the street.
As I’ve said in the past, I have been a Dodgers fan since I was 5 years old in 1949. That was a time when they were called “dem bums” and the annual motto was “wait ’til next year”. As a 7 year old I cried when I watched (on a small back and white TV) Bobby Thomson hit the “shot heard round the world”. I have seen them play in person in 10 different stadiums and been to many of their WS games.
I only say all this because I have seen lots of good and bad over the years. I know it is just an opinion but I believe with everything in me that this is absolutely the best time to be a Dodger fan in spite of any heartbreaking losses. So, once again thank you for doing a great job articulating that belief.
JayB, when you post in defense of Doc, you are the one pushing back, mostly when I point out an obvious mistake.
B&P: without getting into a pissing contest the obvious mistakes you claim are your opinion and always based on hindsight. That is not to say that sometimes I agree with you due to the beauty of hindsight.
However, what you fail to talk about is all Managers make “obvious” mistakes and I know if we were able to interview fans of other teams, that “after the fact” analysis and the criticism of their Manager(s) would be very similar to what is said on this site.
What I suppose bothers me and why I have posted is the fact that you (and others) usually talk about his mistakes and very seldom give him credit for anything. It is clear one couldn’t have his record without doing more things right than wrong. One thing is painfully obvious. You and I will never agree on this subject and actually, that is OK.
Guys, we are posting uniformed opinions under fake names on a lowly trafficked Dodger blog.
Don’t sweat it, enjoy the conversation. Ignore the barbs. Don’t take anything too seriously.
Do I need to change my name?
Nobody believes you’re the real Mark Timmons.
But we do like your blog.
Again the voice of reason. Thanks for the comments. Glad to hear you will be posting at least once a week.
Think what a better world it would be if we all-the whole world-had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.
And it is still true, no matter how old you are-when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
That was a very good book, but since I did not learn to read in Kindergarten, I could not read it! 😉
It was published in ‘88. You were probably out of kindergarten by then. Probably.
I spent seven years in the 5th grade.
I did Kindergarten in three!
That shows character as you refused to quit. I respect that. Also, those years are not wasted as they are reflected in your 5th grade writing skills. Funny thing about that, most of what you say here, baseball stuff anyway, I understand and agree with. Damm. 5 years of college and I read at a 5th grade level.
Ok, back under my rock.
Fantastic article Mark. The playoff loss to the Padres was an entire organizational failure from top to bottom.
So, the front office and coaching staff will remain the same for 2023. I would like to see Vargas, Busch, Amaya, and Outman on the team next year. And two or three pitchers moved into the staff. I would be shocked if Trea is resigned. It’s time for Will Smith to get some 3B action and get ready for Cartaya in 2024. Time to say goodbye to JT, Cody, and hopefully CT3. The addition of a power RH bat would be welcomed. How or where that comes from I don’t know. Other than a few $300-$400M free agents the remaining market looks fairly thin. Lots of players in their early to late 30’s. Most of the relievers are in their mid to late 30’s and have been recycled over and over in recent years.
I agree with phil jones and others that the starting staff has to be pushed into the 6th, 7th, 8th innings. The excuse throughout the year is that the team wants to keep them fresh for the playoffs. It’s a tired cliché that is complete bullshit. So, why is it when the playoffs arrive these supposed “fresh and rested” pitchers still go 4-5 innings? I don’t care how rested the starting staff is it’s the BP that is constantly being worn down. Year after year. Go to a six man staff if necessary. Using the BP to pitch so many innings during the season is not realistic and a recipe for failure. For having the #1 BP in baseball and then seeing it compared to the Padres BP in the series was alarming. We had tired, broken down pitchers to choose from. They brought in pitchers throwing 100 MPH and we bring in a reliever who was out most of the season (Kahnle) who’s out pitch is mid 80’S changeup.
I’ve bring reading all the LADR (Scott) back and forth. When he initially post the day after the Dodgers were eliminated I had thought he was a new poster. His harsh comments on Friedman were something not posted here to that degree. I thought it was a good post at the time. Some good point to consider. But, in the following days it became apparent Scott was obsessed with the subject. And then the complete meltdown in the last couple of days was crazy. I’ve never been to his site, but that sure wasn’t a way to promote the site in a positive way. He obviously has issues with Mark and I’m sure with the rest of the world. Whether he posts here again (why would he want to?) I could care less. I would pass over his post because I’ve already read his two points of view several times. They are the dislike of Mark and AF is overrated as president of baseball operations.
Carry on.
I am obsessed with the Dodgers winning championships in October and not punting playoff games.
There is a lot of history you are not familiar with. Before judging you should know this. If you are curious you can message me and I will explain the timeline of events.
Scott, why would you come on Mark’s site and want to air your dirty laundry about the conflict you have at him? Don’t you see how inappropriate that is? Just drop it.
Scott. I really don’t know who you are. And, frankly, don’t care what history you have with Mark. Post opinions about AF, fine. I don’t agree and I’ve said as much. But we don’t all agree. And discussing the Dodgers at a place like this would be boring if we all did.
But stop with the personal stuff. I spend time here precisely because the people here conduct themselves with vastly more maturity than a place like Dodger Digest. I’ve met Bear, BP and Mark is person. They’re good people. If you have beef with anybody take it directly to them. But endlessly complaining about whatever historical beef you have with anybody here isn’t helping your reputation.
Jayne,
I didn’t come here to air grievances with Mark. I originally came here to discuss my opinions about Friedman and when I echoed some of the same opinions that some of the posters over here had already voiced I was attacked and insulted my Mark.
I was told to stop and to go back to my blog “or what little is left of it” those were Mark’s words.
I was told it was because I always say the same thing “ad nauseum”
I will leave personal beef off this site from now on, I would just like to be treated respectfully when posting opinions, especially when they are similar to others here.
Hey friends! By friends I’m mostly talking to Mark, Scott and Badger and singling them out is because I feel them to be friends and share their opinions from each aside from the ones they disagree to the point of hostility. And you are all guilty at stabbing at one another. It makes it difficult to enter and be part of subjects at hand The Dodgers. I don’t want to address to things that are not of in any of my business but you’ve all been most respectful to me. And I’m the guy who can take it! So please dump right here on me, I’m strong and used to it, I can take it! Well until I can’t that is. Sometimes it ain’t easy being human. For me it never is.
Quote from tedraymond
“””I agree with phil jones and others that the starting staff has to be pushed into the 6th, 7th, 8th innings. The excuse throughout the year is that the team wants to keep them fresh for the playoffs. It’s a tired cliché that is complete bullshit. So, why is it when the playoffs arrive these supposed “fresh and rested” pitchers still go 4-5 innings? I don’t care how rested the starting staff is it’s the BP that is constantly being worn down. Year after year. Go to a six man staff if necessary. Using the BP to pitch so many innings during the season is not realistic and a recipe for failure. For having the #1 BP in baseball and then seeing it compared to the Padres BP in the series was alarming. We had tired, broken down pitchers to choose from. They brought in pitchers throwing 100 MPH and we bring in a reliever who was out most of the season (Kahnle) who’s out pitch is mid 80’S changeup.””””
This is basically the exact same point I’ve been making for years over at my site and this site.
These are the weak pitching strategies I’ve been referencing too. Building a pitching staff and game management around middle relievers is a bad idea. We’re saying the same thing.
Scott,
If you believe any of that, you are completely delusional. Go ahead and believe that stuff about the relievers but writing it does not make it so. Post that stuff over at LADR for all to see. It is so incredibly wrong and stupid that I do not even want to reply.
Kahnle has the filthiest changeup in baseball that is in the mid-80s. He also has a 97 MPH Fastball. Quit saying stupid shit. He struck out the side in his previous appearance… on ten pitches. He wasn’t good in his last one. It happens. The Padres Bullpen pitched 39 fewer innings in 162 games, BUT the Dodgers had a lot few bullpen pitchers who there as many innings. They spread it out. Nick Martinez had 106. The Dodgers had two relievers who threw over 50 innings on the roster. The Padres had three. What you just said is pre BS.
Would you please just go away?
Filthiest changeup in baseball? Are you kidding Mark?
You just be on drugs to be this irrational and idiotic. You are by far the biggest blowhard of Dodger writers. By far. I didn’t even say anything about Kahnle, but if you really believe that you’ve got to be the biggest dumbass of all time.
Tommy Kahnle the reliever who has a career of injury and mediocrity, and gave up the first runs of the seventh inning of the Padres rally that knocked the Dodgers put of the playoffs this year. Lolz!!!!
Keep kissing Friedmans ass Mark!
If you’re trolling, then this is an example of suicide by cop.
If you aren’t, this is embarrassing.
good artile , Mark , sure.#
But why not look at it from the opposite side ?
Dodgers despite their financial resource and their alleged deep farm system have not won more WS title than any other team ? Including a cap strapped team like the Royals.
If we are content with regular season victories and humiliating early exits in the playoffs then I say carry on in the same exact way.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Throwing money at it is not the solution. I think youth and hunger trump long-term superstar contracts.
That’s why I suspect Trea will not be resigned, Lux will slide over to SS and Busch will get a look at second.
I love this bit of dodgerram’s post:
Dodgers despite their financial resource and their alleged deep farm system have not won more WS title than any other team ? Including a cap strapped team like the Royals.
Because it can easily be re-written as:
The Dodgers with their financial resources and deep farm system have won more regular and post-season games, compiled a better winning percentage and are tied for the most World Series trophies won over the past decade plus.
Easily outpacing teams like the Royals, Braves, Cardinals, Angels, White Sox, Cubs and EVERY other MLB team.
Sorry , you still dont see it from the other side. You still only look at The side that looks for and gives excuses.
that side was already attended by Marks original post.
And if the Dodgers goal is to be the best team in the regular season year in, year out they just should say so.
If not they have been a disappointment again.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dodgerram: 5 LCS’s in 7 years. 3 trips to the WS in 7 years. 1 (arguably 2) WS wins in the last 7 years. 44 post season wins in the last 7 years. No team will ever win it all every year and unfortunately that seems to be the only way you measure success. Yes, there have been a couple of disappointing losses, but come on, get a grip on what success really looks like.
As I said. Depends on how you define success.#
Dodgers every year tell their fans a year without a WS title is a disappointment. Roberts even guaranteed a title this season. So why should I as a fan be okay with anything less ? And I never asked for them to win it EVERY year. But 1 title in the last year with the amount of money and talent is not overwhelming to say it mildly.
And I easily can live with the Dodgers losing to another , better team. But the Dodgers have made huge mistakes every year in the postseason. From managerial blunders, to roster mistakes to playing not with enough fire and emotion.
Given all parameters the Dodgers have been chronical underachievers the last years. There is a reason why they are mentioned in the same breath with the mid 90 Braves.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s very hard to not optimize your chances to win in the World Series, if you don’t qualify for the playoffs.
True or false, the best way to ensure you are in the playoffs is to be the best team in the regular season?
This is not a question of sine qua non.#
You dont have to be the best regular season team to win it all. I even dispute it gives you the best chance to win it all since the best regular season team usualy does NOT win it all .
The best chance to win it all is to have a Plan B and that is what the Dodgers are lacking. especially on the offenseive side and to a lesser degree on the pitching side. Starter go 5 and turn it over to the pen. Has not worked for us .
Dodgers under AF and Roberts very much make me think about the Rams under Martz back then. He was just as stubborn, wanted to win it his way or no way at all. Refused to turn to a Plan B, always with this head threw a wall . Even when the opposing D gave him the run all day he wanted to win with the pass.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the best team does usually win it all. Unless you are saying best team vs. the field. In which case, it’s kinda silly no?
Please stop taking universal strategic concepts and assigning them to the Dodgers. Every team is lacking a plan B!
For EVERY team in the playoffs the starter averages 5 innings. For EVERY team in the playoffs. Verlander only went 6, Snell went 5. Cortes went 5. McCullers in round 1.
For every Framber Valdes or Yu Darvish that go 7, there’s a syndergaard or morton who go 2.
* Fun Pardres – Phillies game last night. Made even more enjoyable by the Friars losing. Joe Davis is great at maintaining his impartiality. I doubt deep down he cares for the Padres, but it never shows. I just wish his partner, John Smoltz, would shut up. He analyzes almost every pitch in the game ad nauseam, while missing other elements. Let the game breathe John.
* Yesterday I mentioned I would like to see a contact hitter (or two) in the Dodger line up. Those pests that see pitches, hang in counts and have bat to ball skills. I mentioned a Brett Butler kind, who we are all familiar with from the past, or a healthy Nick Madrigal who could lead the league in hitting if he could stay healthy. “Nicky Two-Strikes” gets the ball in play and makes things happen.
The Phillies have a 3.0 version of the guy I’m looking for. The SS for the Phillies, Bryson Stott, has caught my eye. He’s just getting his feet wet but I love how he plays. He shot through the minors, hitting well, with a high OPS , and plays good D.
I think he will eventually hit well as the Phillies everyday SS, down the road. I plan on keeping an eye on this kid.
* Rob Thompson pulled Ranger Suarez after 5 at 68 pitches., when he was dealing. This one worked out. Had his bullpen pooped the bed, he was set up like a bowling pin for criticism.
Somedays you get the peanuts and somedays you get the shells.
Difference: Suarez is a converted reliever and was not pitching a two hit shutout at the time. And his team was not coming off a bullpen game the day before.
Apples and oranges.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Exactly. They had an off day and didn’t use their best relievers in Game 2. Kahnle, Almonte and Vesia all pitched back to back .
I may or may not be correct, but I think I’ve heard the Phillies are looking to upgrade at SS.
Ummm, they want Trea!
I believe Joe Davis said the Phillies think they may have the SS of the future in Stott. That won’t prohibit them from offering Trea Turner. What I said was I like Stott game and I think he can develop into a nice big league SS.
“I think he will eventually hit well as the Phillies everyday SS, down the road”. I should have said I think he will hit well as an every day SS, down the road. Maybe not the Phillies.
That wasn’t my point however. My point was I would like to see the Dodgers have a guy in the lineup who is a contact guy to balance out all of the swing and miss that’s common in our lineups. We strike out too much for my liking. I’m not lobbying for 9 Punch and Judy guys. I’m not living in the Dead Ball Era of Baseball. But I think we could benefit from an approach that emphasizes more contact.
I agree with much of this article. The regular season in baseball is so long and tends to reward organizations that are deep, well-run, and analytically sound decision makers. Predictive measures of performance have less error in such a long term. Not no error just smaller error. It is no coincidence that the Dodgers, Astros (run by former Ray front office guy) , Braves, etc. have had such success winning their division and doing so well in this setting. They are well run, analytically sound, and deep organizations.
There is no post season in professional sports whose best teams do not win their championship as often as baseball. It is up to MLB to reward regular season performance more. No division winner should in a 3 out of 5 and perhaps a two home two away and three home format would better reward the best teams. But we can only control what we can control. The Phillies and Padres are not now and never were the best teams in baseball this year. The Braves played extremely well over the last two months last year but won less than 90 games. I do believe Friedman and company need to reevaluate their rosters in the post season and their decision making but the best way to win in October is to position yourself as well as possible for October by having a great regular season. However, I do think that there are some things that are important for post season success.
1. Putting the ball in play to score runners from third with less than two outs. Putting the ball in play to get the low exit velocity hit or seeing eye single. The bottom 3 or 4 in this line up were horrendous at putting the ball in play. Bellinger, Taylor, Muncy, Gallo, Thompson, etc. This one is on the front office. They knew what they had here and rolled with it. And got rolled as a result. Look at Padres five run rally – seeing eye single by Profar, soft contact infield hit by Nola to beat the shift, bloop single by Cronenworth with two strikes. No strike outs and contact.
2. Starting pitchers who can limit the number of relievers you need to rely on. Meaning you can get six or more innings out of them and you give them that chance. Kershaw had retired ten of twelve I believe when he came out after 5 and Anderson had retired 9 of 10. They were pitching well enough to try to get another one or two or even three outs. By pulling them to bring in a reliever you are asking one more guy to be on his game – by definition you are asking for trouble. See Kahnle in 7th. Furthermore starting pitchers that can limit contact. Power arms. Guys that can strike people out. Buehler is an arm like that. Padres relied on two or three relievers – Suarez, Hader, Garcia and if needed Martinez. They were not routinely going four deep into their pen. Phillies are riding Alvarado and Dominguez. Wheeler is a power arm who went 7.
3. Don’t sit around waiting for lightning to strike. Steal a base, hit and run, bunt against the shift, etc.
I think the new rules will force the Dodgers FO to reassess their approach to team building and run creation and run prevention. This may lead them to construct teams for the regular season who are better equipped to succeed in playoffs. I trust Friedman and his front office to make a lot of the right decisions. Their track record suggests they will. Despite drafting so low, they have a highly regarded farm system with many of their best prospects in AA or higher next year. A lot of power arms in their system with high strikeout numbers. To suggest firing Friedman or Roberts or whoever to scapegoat this playoff performance or lack thereof is short sighted in my opinion. There is blame to go around – players are also accountable for their performance. FO must now evaluate whether Bellinger , Muncy, Taylor, Gallo, Thompson, JT fit into a different philosophy going forward. Or are they open minded enough to consider a different approach in the case of Muncy Taylor and Bellinger.
One of the most overlooked points about last week’s game 4 loss was that Kahnle and Almonte, two guys who were hurt much of the year, were both pitching back to back and third time in four days. They were dominant in their first two outings and of course didn’t have it last Saturday (especially Khanle). Kahnle pitching a whopping 12.2 innings this year. The 2-1 Friday loss when we had to use our best relievers and still lost was a killer. You’re better off losing that one 8-0 and using the bottom rung of your staff.
Tyler Anderson routinely this year pitched into the 6th and 7th innings but got the 5 inning hook because the Dodgers had to go to their overused pen. Urias and Kershaw could have both thrown more than 5, but you can justify those exits. Anderson you cannot. He had given up 0 runs and 2 hits.
Dodgers LF/CF combo also went 3-27 with 15 Ks. Shout out to them. CT3 was awful this year. Just poor execution and bad strategy telegraphed a mile away by Roberts/Friedman.
Dodgers must rethink their offensive approach. The 3 outcome approach is okay and it has worked in the regular seasons back. However: In the postseason you face better pitching than over a 162 regular season. Pitching is at another level EVERY day . No easy journeyman pitchers or AAAA starters.
Need a Plan B for situations when you are hitting a slump or your big guns are pitched around.#
They say speed never goes into a slump and this is true. Dodgers had the speed in their lineup but they refused to use it even when the 3 outcome approach did not work. Stubbornly they refused to change their approach. kept swinging for the fences anyway. Even the bottom of the lineup.
The ONE time they went for the bunt (by T. Turner during game 3) they immediately had sucesss. Turner reached on his bunt, moving the runners over and putting pressure on the Padres defense and pitching. Too bad they only got a sac fly out of it because right after that both MM and jT reverted to hitting for the fences and made easy outs. Again.
And on the pitching side they MUST keep their starters in longer IF they are doing well. Going to the pen early does not work. How many more examples and years of frustration does it take before they realize it ?
In light of this I would try to sign deGrom. Oft injured but when healthy still THE best in the game. VErlander is older than deGrom but you can make a case that the Astros fortunes turned to their advantage when they brought in Verlander.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Verlander, although substantially older, is healthier than deGrom.
I’d rather sign him.
Not that either of those guys is ever going to pitch for the Dodgers, but it’s nice to dream.
100% agree.
dodgerram,
Does this happen to be the result of circular thinking?
See, the thing is… what you just said is fiction. Not true.
Read: https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2210928
In part it says:
“Starting pitchers used to work in the postseason much as they did throughout the campaign: they dominated the innings. But this postseason, when you combine both leagues, the average start is nearly one full inning less (4.04) compared to the regular season (5.02).
Well said Mark. Time brings more perspective and I’ve settled in to pretty much the same conclusions you have. As fans we often put way too much emotion into our thought process. And losing as we did certainly stirred up a lot of emotion. 101 regular season wins. 1 post season win. Ugh.
I am still very disappointed in how we lost this year. More than the fact that we lost at all. There was something intangible missing. I’m not sure what that is. I simply didn’t get the sense that we were playing with 100% effort. It’s one of those things that is almost impossible to put your finger on. But you know it when you see it. My son has played on some really good club teams. And there are days when they are playing with a level of energy where they seem to always find a way to get that big run across. And days when they play like zombies, make dumb mental errors and end up killing every rally before it even starts. We were playing like zombies against the Padres. I wish I knew why. It’s one thing to lose because the other team just outplayed you. It’s another to lose because your team barely showed up. I hope AF and Doc can address that. They’re a lot smarter than me and know what went on in the locker room. I hope there was a reason. Because if there was, it can be addressed. If there was no reason, no catalyst… then maybe it really does just come down to luck.
I think Andrew has gone out of his way to build a very homogeneous clubhouse. Cuts down on strife, etc.
That seems to work very well for a 162-game, regular season schedule, because when the team inevitably goes into a short-term funk, they just live with it, don’t yell and scream at each other, and because of the talent level, come out of it sooner than later.
That strategy doesn’t work in a best of 5 playoff series, where, if you go into a 3-game funk, you’ve been eliminated.
I’ve often said that this team needs an in-your-face personality to kick them in the ass when they need it, and that’s particularly so in the short post season. It could be a player, a manager or a coach, but someone needs to be brought on board who can do that. That person, instead of yelling at them could also be inspirational. The Dodgers don’t seem to have either of those personalities.
Machado does it for the Pads.
Harper does it for the Phillies.
Correa used to be that guy for the Astros.
Not sure the Yankees have that guy either. That may turn out to be their undoing.
The Oakland A’s won in the early ‘70’s with a team that had internal conflict. I remember reading how some woman saw Reggie Jackson and the rest of team and said to Reggie “are these your friends?” Reggie replied “these are the Oakland A’s, there are no friends on this team”. So maybe there’s something to what your saying.
Maybe there is some “secret sauce” that’s were missing. Joc, KIke and Dick Mountain certainly brought fire and energy to the team. This year in particular seemed to lack that kind of personality. And the one guy that has it was left off the roster. Bauer had it but not in a way that inspired his teammates. Much like Puig. Betts has had it. But I didn’t see that in him this year.
In hindsight, not going 100% after Harper was probably a mistake. Not just for his bat, but as a team leader.
Harper may have been the guy.
Carlos Correa is also that guy…
Good lord I would have a hard time with Correa as a Dodger. But you’re not wrong.
If the Dodgers need a Gibson on this team of pals as some are calling them then Carrera would be perfect.
Some of you are so intent on discrediting Friedman that you resort to inventing shit. I posted this above and wanted to make sure no one missed it. On comment said this:
“on the pitching side they MUST keep their starters in longer IF they are doing well. Going to the pen early does not work. How many more examples and years of frustration does it take before they realize it ?”
The thing is, that isn’t true.
Read: https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2210928
In part it says:
“Starting pitchers used to work in the postseason much as they did throughout the campaign: they dominated the innings. But this postseason, when you combine both leagues, the average start is nearly one full inning less (4.04) compared to the regular season (5.02).
Well, the statistic you posted does not make the difference between winning a postseason game or losing it.
It just says OVERALL the starters go shorter.
Just look at our series vs the Padres. Their starters worked longer than ours.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sometimes that is true, but generally not.
dodgerram: Please get the facts straight. Eliminating the Gonsolin game since that was always slated to be a short start here are the results for the other 3 games. Game 1, Clevinger 2.2 innings and Urias 5. Game 2, Kershaw and Darvish 5 innings, Game 4, Anderson 5 and Musgrove 6. Totals Dodgers 15 and Padres 13.2. So in fact, their starters did not work longer than ours.
But only because you conveniently left out the Gonsolin start. In terms of winning or losing it does not make any difference if it was a planned bullpen game or unplanned.
Sorry, that wont fly.
And maybe we should look into other series too to get a more complete picture. My guess is that in more cases than none the starters of a series winning team lasted longer than those from the losing team.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Realty is the reality.
At least I’m old enough to have seen Jack Morris go 10 innings in game 7 against the Braves.
I really do miss the baseball if my childhood.
I couldn’t agree more. I liked the ancient playoff formula much better. Less of a crapshoot for sure. Unfortunately, being right doesn’t make it hurt any less. The agony and the ecstasy are why we love this crazy game. Go Big Blue!
Someone, whoever it is, can’t handle the pitching staff in the playoffs, whether it be ignoring reverse splits, taking the starter out too early, not using the best high leverage guy at the right moment, carrying LOOGY’s and ROOGY’s.
Building an offense with too many swing and miss, 3 true outcome, and platoon players, including the bench is a big problem.
The second paragraph lies squarely on AF, along with carrying LOOGY’s and ROOGY’s although there were only 2 on the playoff roster this year, I’ve seen more in previous years.
Those flaws are magnified in the playoffs. Case in point 111 wins vs 1 win in the playoffs.
I don’t know who’s to blame for the pitching decisions, but AF said it’s Doc.
If you build the right kind of team, all the other stuff like stealing bases, hit and run, bunting, lack of a motivational speaker, coaches not good enough, lack of a plan etc. don’t matter.
Eric,
You and a lot of other fans are making this too hard.
Let me break it down for the mathematically challenged.
Game 1: The Dodgers scored 5 runs and won
Game 2: The Dodgers scored 3 runs and lost
Game 3: The Dodgers scored 1 Run and lost
Game 4: The Dodgers scored 3 runs and lost
When you score an average of 3 runs a game in a four-game series, you are almost always going to lose it, especially after you score 5 in the first game. After the first game, the Dodgers scored 7 more runs in 3 games. That 2.3 runs a game. You are going to lose every one of those… and they did. The pitching was fine. Dave Roberts pitching changes were fine, No one could hit the damn ball. That was the problem. THe HITTING!
If you have to blame anyone, it is the hitters.
Well, in this years series vs the Padres it was 90 percent the hitting. But in prior years the pitching was the culprit. Or a mix of both sides.
That is what makes it so difficult to swallow. Dodgers appear to find a way or another to lose postseason games an series.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!
You mean there’s no common reason to why teams lose in the post-season? That over a 3 or 4 game period it could be anything foreseen or unforeseen?
It could be starting pitching, Injuries? Pinch hitting? RISP hitting? relievers? Bad calls? Stolen signs?
It’s almost like it could be any of those….
At random.
I’m with Mark on this one. Questionable pitching decisions? Sure. Fans will always second guess and criticize in hindsight. And I don’t totally disagree with some of that criticism.
However, during the regular season the Dodgers scored 5.2 runs per game and had a 2.80 ERA. Post season? 2.3 runs per game and a 3.70 ERA
The pitching was marginally worse (1 more run per game) but the bats were worse by nearly half. 2.9 runs per game less. Our pitching wasn’t the problem. Regardless of the questionable decisions.
This reminds me of all the anger directed reward Darvish after game 7 of the 2017 series (and yes, I know the facts have changed. I’m speaking only of “at that moment”). He gave up 4 earned runs. “He lost us the series! Why didn’t Roberts pull him after the 1st!” . We scored 1 damn run that game! Darvish could have gone all 9, given up 2 runs and we still would have lost!
I don’t know why it’s so difficult to NOT blame Roberts for everything. As if all other things that happen in a game are inconsequential?
We lost because we didn’t score runs.
And I agree with you Mark. The hitting was the biggest problem. I was just listing everything.
In fairness, the bullpen was the problem the game that sealed out fate; coughing up a 3 run lead. Playoff games are going to be tight. Runs are almost always going to be premium in that environment, but you cannot afford to have lapses in defense, period, as well as cough up leads late in games.
Today, Gerrit Cole got to the 6th and then imploded!
100 % Mark
I wonder if Yankee fans are complaining bout pitching decisions.
https://twitter.com/jeffpassan/status/1583964558409928705?s=46&t=FtvGbArXXALmc0qZz9UeMw
The 2022 Houston Astros are the team we thought we were!
I hate that this is true.
Clevinger got knocked out in the 1st without recording an out and giving up 3 runs. Padres responded by scoring 4 in the bottom of the inning.
Padres aren’t going down without a fight. That’s how you win playoff games.
Actually, the game is in Philly.
The Phillies gave up 4 runs in the top of the first and then knocked out Clevinger and scored 3 in the bottom of the inning. And then tied it up in the 4th with another run.
Phillies should have known better. They started a pitcher named Falter.
Think of how Dodger fans are screaming about our quick exit in the DS. and then think of what’s being said on the streets of NY tonight. Astros up 3-0 in the series and Yanks have struck out 40 (read FORTY) times in 3 games. Yanks were held to 1 hit tonight until 2 outs in the 9th when they got 2 more hits but were still shut out.
Phillies are on a mission.
It will be Astros Phillies.
You are correct. I misread the box score. And yes, the Yankees are chocking even more than the Dodgers. But at least they made it to the DS.
Hate to say it, but while the Dodgers may have won 111 games, they clearly were not and are not the best team in baseball. As many have observed, how you finish is a lot more important than how you start.
Hate to say this too, but it sure looks like the Astros are the best team in baseball in 2022. For most of the year, the Astros were ranked 2nd behind our Dodgers–and they dominated the American League. In every which way, they are a powerhouse. With a WS championship, I hope Dusty Baker gets recognized by the HOF. Looking back, it’s a shame Dusty never managed the Dodgers….and we were stuck with inspirational “leaders” like Jim Tracy, Grady Little and Mattingly.
It would be amazing if the Yanks come back. Baseball is good for amazement. But at this point, I find myself hoping that the Phils will advance and shock the Astros.
Back to our Dodgers…
Mark points out that AF has overseen construction of perhaps the best farm system in baseball.
But this raises the question: Why didn’t he do more to tap that depth to upgrade a 2022 team that had obvious weaknesses? Why didn’t this vaunted system–after producing such impact prospects as Seager, Belli, Buhler and Smith–deliver ANYBODY to LA this season?
Most of us, I think, were fairly stunned by the deal for Scherzer and Trea. We understood Scherzer could be coming–but Trea too? How did AF pull off this magic trick???
The fact that AF made some sweet midseason deals in the past created expectations that he’d deliver again.
And he didn’t.
It would be interesting to know more about whatever deals AF was considering and why he balked. Because he certainly must have, enabling others to prevail.
Item one, the best team does not always win, been proven many times over the last several seasons. Like the Dodgers this year, the team with the best record got bounced in the LDS last year by the Dodgers. Then the Dodgers were bounced by the Braves, who at that point in time were the hottest team on the planet, then the Braves this year, last years champs get bounced by a mediocre Phillies team. Baseball is a cruel game. You are a hero one minute and a bum the next. In less than 3 seasons, Cody Bellinger has gone from being an All-Star, MVP and one of the best players in the National League, is now at the bottom of the barrel. Item two, I love all of you guys no matter how often you are wrong! LOL. This is a great bunch of fans with varying opinions on so many subjects. I love the banter, I love the spirited repartee. I have met a few of you and was impressed that the person behind the keyboard is a genuine fan. Dodger sites vary in how the writing is done and the opinions of the posters and the site administrators. I came here at Marks invitation even though he and I had some really spirited conversations elsewhere. He graciously has allowed me to become a contributor to his site. And I am one of the more opinionated people on earth, but I am also willing to admit when I am wrong….which isn’t often…..cough….But I try and understand where each person is coming from. It is easy to criticize after the fact. But like Mark said, no one is perfect. Roberts has his warts and so does AF> But it still is on the players to perform. And they simply failed to do that against San Diego.
Bear, you’re a good man. I agree 100%.