Julio Urias pitched about like I thought he would play in his first game back from the IL. He was rusty and gave up a lot of soft contact in the first inning. The Royals got just one extra-base hit, but Julio was not sharp. That was to be expected. He was using all his pitches but did not have command of them – kind of like what you would expect for the first game back after a long layoff! His fastball had life and was at 93.6 MPH frequently.
So many knee-jerk reactions yesterday, but one voice of sanity stood out, and that was Bluto:
“What can you do?
After that silly first inning full of weak contact hits, the team played pretty well.
Urias will need some time, but that first inning was almost one you laugh, shrug and move on from.“
–Bluto
Well said! Julio should return to his Cy Young form before too long. It’s all a process. In case you have never seen this game played before, it is a very strange game in that a pitcher can look horrible for a month and then be unhittable for six weeks. It’s a game of ups and downs, highs and lows. The key is not to get too high or too low. “On any given day….” You know the rest. To think that yesterday’s game means that the Dodgers cannot play against the top teams is moronic. All yesterday’s game means is that the Dodgers lost… yesterday.
We were told by Andrew Friedman that this was a “transition year” whereby some rookies would be introduced into the lineup. Some fans think it has been an abject failure and already want to trade Vargas and Cartaya. Many already thought Busch was only a trade chip. Player development is not linear, and it’s just fine that fans have different opinions about players. Many scouts and other baseball people have differing opinions, which is why Andrew Friedman values a multitude of opinions and has many advisors around him. The Dodgers still believe in these players.
The Dodgers have introduced seven (7) rookies into the lineup this year:
- Miguel Vargas
- James Outman
- Michael Busch
- Jonny DeLuca
- Bobby Miller
- Emmet Sheehan
- Nick Robertson
All have excellent potential. All need to improve… and there are more to choose from. We have seen James Outman burst onto the scene and look like Barry Bonds for a month, only to turn into Mario Mendoza for a month, but as the oldest rookie, he is showing the maturity to change and adjust. He is not going to be Barry Bonds, but neither is he going to be Mario Mendoza! I think we will see incremental improvement from him for the rest of the season. If you look at the stats of Busch, Vargas, and DeLuca, you can see that a two-game hot streak would carry them to the same level as Outman.
Will Smith is hitting .154 in his last seven games, while Max Muncy is hitting .181 in his last 30 games, but to think that Muncy is done forgets about his hot streak earlier in the season.
Right about now, the Rotation looks like this:
- Julio Urias
- Clayton Kershaw
- Tony Gonsolin
- Bobby Miller
- Emmet Sheehan
“But Kershaw and Gonsolin are hurt!” Are they? All I know is that they are pitching, and Dustin May will try and come back in July, while Striker Buehler will try and come back in September. If you believe Noah Syndergaard is finished, you could be wrong. I guess we just have to wait and see. Landon Knack went six innings at OKC last night and gave up three hits, 0 Runs, and struck out 7! Alex Vesia closed out the game with two hitless, walkless, shutout innings and struck out 2. Jimmie Nelson’s progress is slower, as he gave up two runs in 1 IP last night.
I think Landon Knack can be outstanding! He is MLB-ready! He might be better than any starter available on the trade market. Andrew Friedman is not panicking, and neither am I. Some of you want Bruce Bochy over Dave Roberts, but let’s not forget that Bochy won two World Series as a Wild Card! Maybe the Dodgers will also get that chance! No Dodger team has ever had a run this good. No Dodger team has ever had a Farm system so deep, and progress is not linear. I think you are in for a fun ride. I am not saying that the Dodgers will not make any trades, but the question is: “DO they need to?”
Feel free to have your own opinions – I do. I will continue to call people morons who deserve it. I call myself that on occasion. Yesterday, a commenter in what can only be characterized as a “hit piece” tried to put me down. He’s entitled to his own opinion, but he did state this:
“Somehow you’ve put together the most interesting Dodger site in spite of yourself.”
–Phillip Raven
Actually, it is calculated. This site was created over 20 years ago, and I vowed that it would not be like any other site. Game recaps are all over the internet. You can read a game recap anywhere. Many people have left this site as they are too thin-skinned to take any pushback. Some have left and taken like-minded posters who sing Kumbaya and affirm each other’s worth. Feel free to go there too. I get weary of this at times, but I am still here, and the way this site is run and the eclectic posters who are here are what make this site what it is: Edgy and unpredictable. Go to the other sites, and you will know what dysfunctional is.
I predicted Bob Melvin would be the first manager fired. I thought even Ray Charles could see that. I will continue to use cliches, and I am an eternal optimist. I do get some inside information (not from my barber) which is sometimes right and sometimes wrong. I get nothing from the Dodgers – not even pressbox seats and I was the first blogger to ever sit in the press box. Since Friedman has arrived, I get ZILCH! It has served me well, and I am the head cheerleader because this is the best time in history to be a Dodger Fan. If I am so horrible, why do people keep coming back? “Because it’s the Best Damn Dodger Blog on the Planet!” Thank you to all the dozens of contributors and thousands of readers. If the rest of you don’t like it… don’t let the doorknob hit you!
— Peace out, which is better than peace off!
Big game today for TG.
Can he rebound from his last unimpressive outings ? Will his velo still be down ? Has he the stamina to go more than 60 pitches like last time out ?
A 3-3 road trip to COL and KC would be underwhelming to straight disappointing.
Barnes catching today and MM batting third. Yikes. I like him but Would rather bat him 6th or 7th .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2:10 PM ET
Dodgers (46-36)
Royals (24-59)
SP Tony Gonsolin R
4-2 3.30 ERA
SP Brady Singer R
4-7 5.88 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
C A. Barnes R
Partly cloudy-day
83° Wind 9 mph L-R
Saturday scores
Oklahoma City 8, Sugar Land 2
Amarillo 12, Tulsa 10
Lansing 8, Great Lakes 3
Visalia 6, Rancho Cucamonga 2
Sunday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Hyun-il Choi) vs. Lansing (Joelvis Del Rosario)
5 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Gabe Emmett) vs. Visalia (Ricardo Yen)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Gavin Stone) at Sugar Land (Austin Hansen)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Ben Casparius) at Amarillo (Deyni Olivero)
High-A: Left-hander Lucas Wepf, a non-drafted free agent signee last year, was promoted from Rancho Cucamonga to the Loons after leading the Dodgers minors with a 43.6-percent strikeout rate to go with his 2.43 ERA in Low-A.
Landon Knack pitches 6 scoreless innings
Opinions are like noses …. everyone has one …. and some are bigger than others
I enjoy reading all the thoughts and opinions. Some of the comments are “off the wall”, but the passion for the Dodgers undeniable
I sit in South Florida and watch many of the Tampa games. They are fun to watch grind out the wins.
Mark you operate a very enjoyable site to visit and spend time with. Keep up the good work you do
Good perspective Mark. A lot of ups and downs in a 162 game season. Especially when playing so many rookies and with so many injuries. I thought the defense in the first inning was terrible by the Dodgers. Both Outman and Vargas seemed to get bad jumps and should have made plays to help Julio. And the Dodgers are the worst in MLB at allowing stolen bases. This huge weakness is very likely to be further exploited the rest of the year and into the playoffs.
Dodger ram made a trade proposal yesterday suggesting 5 prospects like Busch, Grove, Pepiot, Nastrini and Kopp for thePittsburgh closer.
Bednar is the closer for Pittsburgh and he is having a great year with ERA of 1.44, WHIP of 0.89 and 16 saves. He is a 28 yr old LHP who only makes $745,000 this year and still has 3 arb years starting in 2024. He was also really good the last two years with ERAs of 2.23 and 2.61. He is definitely an ideal target for the Dodger bullpen, but I would not give up the 5 prospects you suggested for him. However, after looking at his contract and track record, it may take close to that package to get him. Especially, since Pittsburgh is only 4.5 games out of division lead. Maybe if the Pirates included McCutchen or Hill that kind of deal might work.
Another reliever target might be Scott Barlow for the Royals. He hasn’t been nearly as good as Bednar this year with an ERA of 4.06 and Whip of 1.29. But the last two years Barlow had 2.18 and 2.42 ERAs while appearing in 70 games each year. His salary this year is $5.3 million and he only has one arbitration year left. The royals are clearly out of the race, so Barlow is expected to be traded and will command a much lower price than Bednar. Barlow is from Santa Clarita and was originally drafted by the Dodgers in 2011, before being released after the 2017 season. He wouldn’t be a lockdown closer like Bednar but would add solid depth to the bullpen.
Outman certainly does not have Joe DiMaggio*** outfield instincts….that is very obvious. In fact, I don’t think he is even close to Cody Bellinger instincts when tracking a fly ball. I hold my breath every time I know a ball is heading his way.
*** Joe DiMaggio played for the NY Yankees from 1936 to 1951 (brief time out for some war). At the sound of the bat crack, he was on his high horse. You never saw him back up (like Outman) when he needed to come in. Oh, and in case you didn’t know, he got to share his bed with one Marilyn Monroe for a brief time. I guess this is part of the reason as to why he always had a smile on his face.
I do see growth and progress in Outman’s Defense however.
Bednar is a RHP. He hits from the left side.
Thanks for the correction Bear!
* Ryan Blakney who is usually inconsistent, lived up to his reputation last night. He was horseshit with his moving zone and got under Urias’ skin early on. That and the bloops.
The bloops are frustrating but to the Royals credit, they put the ball in play. And run aggressively.
Freddie hit a bullet right at Matt Duffy, top 7, with Mookie on 2nd. No cigar. The Royals scored 5 in the first with 4 lobs that didn’t break the speed limit.
That’s baseball.
* Jason Benetti was spot on about Will Smith’s tags. The enforcement lately on blocking the plate has required even more sweep tags. The Posey Rule that needs reviewed by MLB. The sooner ,the better
* Eric Karros is justifiable all over the Dodger pitcher’s inability to hold runners.
How many runs were aided by a stolen base or two? Do the coaches, especially Mark Prior, emphasize at least trying to very looks and speed up the pitchers? How about not give guys a running start? How about a pitch out? How about a timing pick once in awhile?
We’ve given up 103 stolen, most in MLB.
The Royals 6th run was a perfect example of how our inability to hold a runner is costly. Brasier dropped the toss from Freddie at first, so Blanco was on, no outs. 1st pitch, Blanco steals 2nd, with no look by Brasier. A batter later, Blanco steals 3rd. To make matters worse, Blanco was stealing 3rd on the previous pitch, that was fouled off. Then stole the bag on the next pitch. On neither attempt Brasier paid any attention to him.
Blanco was 3.29 from 1st to 2nd. Will’s pop-time was a speedy 1.9 on that attempt. That leaves 1.39 seconds for Brasier to get the ball to Will, to have any shot. He was at 1.44.
The math is pretty simple. Good runners are 3.3 to 3.5 seconds to 2nd. Some faster. The average pop-time is 2.0. That means 1.4 + to home won’t cut it. Our pitchers are consistently at 1.4 or more. Brasier was 1.54 to home with Blanco stealing 3rd, with no look.
So Blanco got on base, on an error, steals 2 bases and scores on Bobby Witt’s sac fly. It’s great baseball for the Royals, and it’s bad baseball for the Dodgers, who don’t seem eager to fix it. Maybe the coaches (Prior) don’t want to screw with the pitcher’s times to home. Like Syndergaard, who refuses to speed up. But this is a real problem that turns every single into a double or worse.
Again, how about a pitch out?
* MLB may have created a monster with the running game. Teams always had fast guys but chose not to steal bases much as a part of their offense. With the encouragement of closer bases and especially the 2 disengagement rule, many teams decided to employ the running game more. The stealing success rate was always high but teams didn’t want to risk the out. Now, that fear is out the window and it’s a track meet.
I wonder if the 2 disengagement rule will be looked at for next year?
* What was in Franco’s right rear pocket? It looked like a cell phone. No shit. Please tell me that players don’t carry cell phones.
* Somebody yesterday mentioned Muncy’s weight and his need to hit the salad bar. Is it me, or does it look like Urias spent too much time at the delicious Mexican buffet, while his was on the IL?
Bruce Bochy would never take the Dodger job. Or at least not with Friedman there. If Roberts were to be let, go af would bring in someone similar. As long as Friedman is there you won’t see a Lasorda type manager. Let’s see if Gonsolin has any uptick in velocity today. If not, mark may be spot on, Tommy John around the corner! I sure hope not. Dodgers have had more than their share of that.
I know, sometimes I comment out of frustration, and wanting to vent. speaking for myself, but I think it might be true, of some other posters also.
By no means do I want to trade a bunch of our prospects for stopgaps or Band-Aids
And I certainly haven’t given up on the season
I don’t blame AF for not really going into the free-agent market before the start of the year.
I’m glad considering the Bauer situation, and the crazy mount of money free agents where getting that AF did not pull off any crazy moves and put the team in the hole for the next several years
Anyway, I think this is the best place to talk Dodger baseball on the Internet.
I think a lot of us say things out of frustration. It gets old watching the team struggle against the bottom feeders. One thing I have noticed about teams playing the Dodgers. They look to exploit the Dodgers biggest weakness. At this point it is the pitchers lack of prowess holding runners. The last three times Gonsolin has started, he has not been the same pitcher. He may well have some injury issues. Not a good report on Kershaw or Taylor. Kersh said his bullpen was good. Roberts said it was ok. Taylor will now not be back until after the All-Star break.
Royal are playing the Dodgers, literally
Literally?
I literally mean that in those three runs scored they played with the Dodgers. getting extra bases, and being more awake than the Dodgers players. in Spanish literally, it means that Royals use Dosgers as a toy.
Sometimes it is difficult to express Mexican idiosyncrasy in English.
I knew what you meant Daniel
Royal
So sit back and enjoy the insult-ride of Mark calling you a moron for disagreeing with him.
That is a moronic statement. Plenty of people disagree with me, and that does not make them morons. Congratulations, you do qualify!
Yawn
Sorry for the curtness. God bless you Mark.
Base running used to insane:
https://twitter.com/CodifyBaseball/status/1675586289922641920
Like I said, hard to watch. They are being beaten by a team with no where near the talent level they have. Watching Max Muncy hit, er stand in the box and whiff, is so very ugly to watch. Rest of the team not much better at this point.
Old Bear would really like to “enjoy the ride” as the headline of today’s article by Mark suggests, but what I see is a spiritless, listless team, I could almost swear they bring a hangover from God forbid.
It is urgent that they speak in the clubhouse !!! WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM !!!
Yes, it is Bear. I know games like this are gonna happen in baseball, and they happen to every team, but doesn’t seem like we’ve had more than our share so far this year?
Now we have 4 coming up with Pittsburgh, who won the series from us earlier in the year.
They run like crazy and are fifth in the majors in stolen bases
I am cringing already. Kersh is supposed to start today, but who the hell knows. This is one year I believe AF should strike early in the trade market like he did in 18 when he got Machado right after the All-Star game. This pitching staff, as constructed right now today, is nowhere near a championship staff.
Muncy’s numbers since May 1 –
.168 / .273 / .350 / .622 / 165 PA
MT, A most curious reference you make today to “Catcher in the Rye.” As I recall Holden Caulfield was a radical young chap with a distaste for authoritarians (hint, hint) conventional thought. He was a character created loosely from the literary influence of the Beats, Continental Existentialism, and the post-war “Angry Young Men” of England; all anti-establishment movements. My guess, and it’s just a guess, is that Holden would have called you a moron. AF and Doc too. And, most likely, he would have thought the same of me.
I sort of thought “Lord of the Flies” would be your favorite novel. But thanks for the literary reference all the same.
Here’s what I have problems with.
Nowhere did I say that was my favorite novel.
Why would you jump to that conclusion?
Give us your top five novels please.
So using circular reasoning, if you disagree with the host, you must be a moron. And if he calls you a moron, you must be a moron. After all, he’s using the great JD Sallinger as his authority.
https://youtu.be/4HB7zqP9QNo
Close
Okay so if Max Muncy and some minor leaguers can get you so better players. So wouldn’t you do it or do you just stand pat AF and go with what you have and probable be out of the playoffs quick. Because right now the braves are better the Reds are better and nobody wants to play the Brewers in playoffs they seem to always do well in playoffs games. The dodgers should be at the same level as the Braves. and There not. So I think your going to have to make some moves and not go with the youngsters in the playoffs. But get some veterans. And if you go with Vargas and outman in playoffs. The dodgers will be home early just like last year. See what the Reds did they brought up Delacruz and they have played completely different that’s what a rookie is suppose to do come up and improve the team. So I hear rumors Goldschmidt to the Angels for three minor league guys rumors or Scherzer to rangers for three minor league guys rumors. So it looks like if you have the talent. You then go get better players for that playoff run. Pepiot grove cataya nastrini that should get you a better 2nd baseman and a better outfieldeer. Let’s look at the bluejays whit merrifield what does he do he gets on base and plays a good second base that’s the team dodgers should look at they got outfielders to. And what do the the bluejays want better pitching. So if you could deal Busch pepiot grove nastrini to bluejays for merrifield and let’s pick and outfielder the Leftfielder yes I would do that merrifield is and all-star that’s the kinds of moves winners make shake things up get on a winning streak. Or do you keep Vargas at second and watch him swing and mis or outman swing and miss but might hit one out this week. I think you get better by adding veterans then rookies.
Us Dodger fans and commenters Are complaining about Roberts, Friedman ,our hitters, I look at the Reds hitters Oakland hitters Miami hitters All these teams make contact, our problem is the hitting instructor.
Back to the hitting instructor!
Our problem is that over half our roster stinks!
Marlins are hitting .252. But they have scored 109 runs less than the Dodgers and they have struck out only 45 times less. So they do not make contact all that much more than LA. Arraez is their only .300 hitter. Soler and Cooper the only hitters with more than 10 homers. Where Miami has it all over LA is starting pitching. All of theirs are healthy and the real reason they have won 48 games.
I have never been on the fire Roberts bandwagon ever, but I don’t see how he can motivate this team. I have been fine with him in the past, even when he has made head scratching in game decisions. We have for the most part over the last 6 seasons or so had a veteran ball club that could just wait for their pitches and be confident that the big inning will come. This is not that team and it looks like the game is changing before our eyes to a younger faster game where rookies and younger players have an attitude about them that they can beat anyone. This is not Dodger baseball with our current management group. I think it’s getting close to being time for a change at the top to instill some fire in the guys we have and to think long and hard where we need to improve in the future. The Arenado talk yesterday would have been interesting 4 years ago but you can’t throw money and prospects at guy in their 30’s. If we do make changes in the off season I believe we need to be looking at other teams young prospects that would fill the gap in what we don’t have in our system now. Youth, youth, youth and speed is where the successful teams are going. I’m around the High School and travel game everyday and it’s for real….. I’m starting to see kids now that I’ve watched since they were 9, 10 years old making to the show and they could care less who was a superstar a few years ago. They all play with fire and can all hit 100 mph fastballs like the older guys hit 90. Just thinking out load hear as I’m disgusted with our performance against teams we should and need to beat….. Carry on.
I’m going to let you guys in on a secret…..today’s Tony Gonsolin won’t get any better as the season progresses. The sooner we hear Tony will be going on the 60 day IL, the better it will be for him to get healthy, and to our team, so that we can move forward this year without him. He, Dustin May, and Walker Buehler all need to hang out together and talk about what 2024 or 2025 could be like when 100% (if possible) healthy.
I hope this helps. With love,
TM
Nothing helps a group like optimism!
Nothing helps an ego like thinking your opinions are reality!
Sorry Bluto, but I’m both an optimist and a realist. I can see this Tony Gonsolin is not the one we fell in love with. This one has to heal some more. This is me putting on my realist hat.
But did you really expect me to put on my optimist hat after watching one of the worst teams in baseball take our boys out to the wood shed and switch our behinds till we cried “Uncle?”
Lastly, do you never have opinions you know is reality? (In this case, reality is watching TG pitch since returning from Injury. That’s very real to me.)
Reality is that the team has always made the playoffs for at least the past half-decade.
This is not the team of the past half decade.
Every year is a different season. Past accolades wont buy you anything .
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree!!. I might even think he’s one to move. Take away the first half of last season and he’s always been the same guy, can’t go deep.
The Dog Days of August have arrived a month early.
Bow wow!
PATHETIC!
You know who would be a good manager for the Dodgers Dave Martinez of the Washington Nationals and why he won a world series and knows how to control a locker room. And get into the umpires face if they make bad calls. His grit is what the Dodgers need toughness then the laid back Roberts who always reminds me of the dwarf Sleepy when in the dugout like wakeup Dave there’s a game going on
Grit!
This can only mean one thing! The need for junkyard dogs!
BANG!
Martinez’s teams haven’t won squat since. 20-21-22 and this year, they totally suck. Roberts is not the problem.
Let’s fire Roberts and trade everyone.
Now that is the way to go.
Mark, It wasn’t that long ago you posted that it might be time. I believe you also included AF in that too. Obviously that isn’t happening, but it’s getting closer to reality the longer this team can’t get up for games.
I did say that his shelf life may have expired, and I am not against it.
It just might help.
Do it today.
Bring in Joe Maddon (AF’s Old Buddy) – that would be different.
Maybe Travis Barbary or Austin Chubb!
I do not want to get rid of AF, nor have I ever said that.
Get ‘er done!
When did I say trade the whole team you mark said well we can’t just trade two or three guys we have to trade like everyone. Did you see the trade proposal the Angels have for Goldsmith three minore leaguers so I thought the dodgers have the best minor league players but the Angels are only trading three minor league guys for Paul Goldschmidt. That was my point if you can get better by teading minor leaguers then do it.
Mark did I say trade everyone no. I said you trade minor leaguers to get batter what you need to improve and the dodgers need hitters and team speed. If the proposal for Paul Goldschmidt is only three minor leaguers and the dodgers are suppose to have the best minor leaguers why can’t they go get guys and be out done by the Angels rangers or braves that comes down to upper management in what to do and what you get is a old team that can’t run and alot of injuries of that sounds like the Dodgers this year. Any other team have they had four started in pitching staff go down with injuries nope. Just the Dodgers.
Goldschmidt makes zero sense for the Dodgers. He plays only first base. He is 35 years old. Why would they even consider trading for him? He isn’t going to unseat Freddie, and their own DH, Martinez is doing quite well. if they trade for anyone or anything Eric, it is going to be pitching.
Been saying it for two years now but RVS has to go. While the Marlins, Reds, Orioles now have young talent matriculating to the big club and performing well, our collective youngsters are ho-hum. Outman, Vargas, Busch, Stone, Deluca , Robertson have been just so-so with none of them particularly inspiring. Vargas for ROY……give me a freaking break on that prediction.
Our vaunted minor league system that was supposed to produce some ready-made talent seems to have either failed to develop and prepare the youngsters sans Miller and Sheehan or they failed in their evaluation of said talent.
One of the posts above by glaze3 nailed it when he described where MLB is at today. The pitch clock, the disengagement rule, the bigger bases has reintroduced speed into the game. As the pundits say speed never experiences a slump and that is why RVS needs to go. Stolen bases, first to third on a base bit, scoring on a sac fly or passed ball is todays game. The over reliance on the three run HR has been a standard offensive approach for the Dodgers under the tutelage of RVS. If Roberts survives the season, and I don’t necessarily want him fired, there will be changes to the coaching staff.
The Dodgers are playing a boring brand of baseball. Can Roberts turn the ship around? Time will tell.
DeLuca hasn’t had much of a shot. So I would not bunch him in with those guys. And the only rookies getting extended playing time are Outman and Vargas. Outman is doing about what I figured he would except over the last month, he has shown no power. He has been stuck on 9 homers forever. I have never liked the three true outcome hitters. They end up being like Gallo or Muncy. Over his last 200 games, Muncy is hitting .185. That is a fact. And no .745 OBP is making him a more valuable player. Max needs to make contact a lot more consistently than he has to be an asset. Von Shylock is not the answer. Bring in a hitting coach that preaches hit the damn ball.
I’m beginning to think that Max Muncy went on the DL, but Tyler White returned in his place.
Nice analogy. Yep, they swing the bat about the same. Max needs some time at AAA.
Well at least we can take solace in the fact that we aren’t Mets, Padres or Cardinals fans!
Their owner says he plans no big changes. But he did not go as far as to insure Melvin will be the manager beyond 24. Lots of rumors that they might trade Soto. Who is finally hitting like he did in DC.
DODGERS PRESS RELEASE
CLAYTON KERSHAW, WILL SMITH NAMED NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STARS
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and catcher Will Smith were named National League All-Stars, joining teammates Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez in the Emerald City who were all voted in as National League starters on Thursday. For the fourth straight season, the Dodgers will have five or more representatives at the game and have the third highest total of players going to Seattle, behind the Atlanta Braves (8) and Texas Rangers (6).
Kershaw, 35, will make his second consecutive and 10th overall trip to the All-Star game, which will tie him with Pee Wee Reese for most appearances in franchise history. The Texas native becomes the 74th player in Major League Baseball history with double digit nods to the All-Star Game and the ninth pitcher ever, joining Warren Spahn (17), Mariano Rivera (13), Tom Seaver (12), Roger Clemons (11), Steve Carlton (10), Whitey Ford (10), Randy Johnson (10) and Juan Marichal (10). In his last start on Tuesday, he earned his National League leading 10th win of the season and his 207th win of his career, which is two away from tying Don Drysdale for second all-time in franchise history (209), with 6.0 scoreless innings on one hit and two strikeouts against the Rockies. On the season, he is 10-4 this season in 16 starts and holds an ERA of 2.55 (27 ER/95.1 IP) with 105 strikeouts against 24 walks. In 16 seasons with Los Angeles, the left-hander has a record of 207-91 with an ERA of 2.48 (738 ER/2676.1 IP), 2,912 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP. He is currently 21st all-time on the Major League strikeout list and only needs 88 more to become the 20th player in Major League history with 3,000 strikeouts. Last season, he made his first career All-Star Game start, pitching a scoreless inning in front of his home crowd at Dodger Stadium.
He has made seven Midsummer Classic appearances, and he is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA (3 ER/7.0 IP) with three walks and five strikeouts.
Smith, 28, who was edged out by Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy in the Phase 2 Fan Vote, will earn his first ever All-Star Game selection as a reserve. In 61 games with the Boys in Blue this season, he is batting .276 with 12 homers and 41 RBI and is among leaders on the team in batting average (2nd), runs (39, T-4th), hits (59, 4th), total bases (106, 4th), home runs (4th) and RBI (41, 5th). Having played in the 2020 World Series and the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Smith will now represent the National League in the Midsummer Classis, ranking among the National League catchers in various categories, including home runs (3rd), RBI (3rd), batting average (2nd), hits (6th), slugging percentage (.495, 2nd) and on-base plus slugging (.892, 2nd). while he leads the league in runs (39), on-base percentage (.396). In his five big league seasons in the Dodgers, Smith has slashed .264/.363/.501 with 72 doubles, 84 homers and 271 RBI in 419 games.
The 93rd Midsummer Classic will be hosted by the Seattle Mariners and played at T-Mobile Park and will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish language coverage in the United States. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game, while Univision will provide Spanish language coverage on radio. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
Good for Smith. Long overdue! Hopefully Kersh is healthy and can start again.
Failed road trip is an understatement! Dodgers were just awful. They need to go into the weak teams home fields and at least take 2 of 3 games. Today’s game was painful to watch. Gonsolin is not right. I don’t think he will make it through the season. Yesterday, Urias looked fat and out of shape. Dodgers need to come home and beat up on the teams coming into Dodger Stadium starting with the Pirates, and go into the All-Star break being confident that they can win the division and go on from there.
Old friend Jo Gray is an all-star
Josiah Gray is the Nat’s representative? Good for him. Having a good year. Had to be somebody, right?
Brent Rooker is repping the A’s. He’s a guy that I used to think the Dodgers should pursue as a righty outfield bat, because he suddenly seemed to unlock his first-round talent. But my son tells me he’s now batting around .240, but with an OPS still around .800…. Who else is out there? (The wildest speculation I’ve read is that the White Sox could put Luis Robert on the market in hopes of a Soto-like return. I sure don’t expect it but if not….hmm.)
I wonder why Jahmai Jones decided to opt out of his contract with the Dodgers. He was playing pretty great at OKC but perhaps he felt the brass wouldn’t give him a fair shot, what with Busch and Yonny preferred.
Haven’t heard what his plans are. I assume he can just sign with another team.
In other news, Ohtani make the all-star game again as both DH and pitcher.
Yeah, I think the Dodgers will be interested.
Jones might have felt he had no chance of being called up even though he was performing very well with a .292 average and 9 long balls. Hernandez and Busch got the call because they were both on the 40 man. They would have needed to open a spot for Jones. He is a minor league free agent and can sign anywhere. Jake Lamb released by the Angels.
The Book of Moron has included some fun declarations, such as,,,
–The insistence that Gavin Lux should become the Dodgers centerfielder
–The objection to the liberally used term “superstar” being applied to Mookie Betts, who is now preparing for his 7th all-star game and on pace to slug 44 HR while playing RF, SS and 2B…. which could put him on the path to another MVP.
–The prediction that Miguel Vargas, such a bright and shiny object, would be ROY and eventually win some multiple MVPs. And that his defense is “stellar,” while Dave Roberts summed it up as “OK”.
Clearly, progress is not linear.
Often it isn’t even progress
I wholeheartedly agree. One reason I never make predictions. I usually end up with egg on face.
Jake Lamb was released by the Angles. Rosenthal and Hembree got released too. Evan Phillips belongs on the All-Star roster. Matt Andriese pitched six innings of one run ball last night for OKC. Calhoun had 2 hits and is now up over .300. Busch had a triple and is hitting .317. Ward slugged 2 homers. Feduccia hit his 7th. Meanwhile Austin Barnes continues to hit just a hair above .100. Feduccia is hitting .310. Tulsa plays a doubleheader today because they were rained out yesterday.
Ok The small market teams are playing small ball and doing pretty good, do the Dodgers switch gears from long ball to small ball, we all know the chick’s like HR , but they don’t pay the bills.
OKC are fantasy numbers. No indication for Busch, Vargas and Outman. Heck, let’s bring up someone who isn’t hitting at OKC and try that. Our record today is actually pretty amazing considering how many guys on our roster have had horrific first halves.