When the season started, many fans worried where the offense would come from. Some worried that Heyward, Peralta, Martinez, and Muncy were past their prime and could not deliver. They worried there were too many rookies in the lineup. They worried about the bullpen and the starters, and after last night’s bullpen meltdown, they worry again, even though this Dodger Bullpen has been the best in baseball since June 20th. Many worry about Miguel Rojas and whether he will hit enough – the fact that his defensive wizardry is often overlooked.
Every fan worried that at the trade deadline, the Dodgers did not do enough. You can worry yourself sick, and it does not change a thing. This is why I love baseball: You NEVER, EVER know what is going to happen. Due to all the blowouts, Evan Phillips has not been used as much as he should. That should change.
See, I don’t worry – I enjoy the ride. Even though this team will not win as many games as last year’s team, I feel they are better. They have more options with matchups, and they don’t have last year’s Bellinger and Joey Gallo. This is a closer team, and they play as one. Mookie and Freddie have elevated their games. It would have been great to have this year’s Cody Bellinger on the team, but would he have made the changes here that he has in Chicago? Maybe the jolt of being non-tendered woke him up. We will never know, so I will stop thinking about it.
Remember this: The best team does not always win… or even usually win! The hottest and the most resourceful team often does! The Dodgers have that youthful energy with James Outman, but not just James; the entire team has that vibe! Mookie and Freddie lead the charge and are animated and enthusiastic. Even stoic Will Smith gets excited at times. Mercurial Max Muncy, who is becoming a platoon player, is also an excitable guy. David Peralta has bought in, as has the rest of the gang. Of course, the most excitable guy is none other than Enrique Hernandez… older and more mature, and I think he understands he is not a regular.
The starting pitching will work itself out. So will the bullpen. The vibe is great and the Dodgers have pitchers and hitters at AAA should injury require it. Just because Vargas and Bush did not light it up earlier in the season does not mean one or both won’t next time. This is baseball. That is the beauty of baseball. Who could have predicted that James Outmn would come out of nowhere and be hitting .258 with nearly an .800 OPS and still is at or near the top of the league in strikeouts? Mookie Betts has a .283 BABIP.
BABIP measures a player’s batting average exclusively on balls hit into the field of play, removing outcomes not affected by the opposing defense (namely home runs and strikeouts). For example, a hitter who goes 2-for-5 with a home run and a strikeout would have a .333 BABIP. He’s 1-for-3 on the balls he put in play. Freddie Freeman, one of the elite bat-to-ball guys in all of baseball, leads the Dodgers with a .383 BABIP. JDM has a .307 BABIP. James Outman has a .367 BABIP! James leads the team in SO% at 32%, but he has cut it down from almost 35%. If he can get to the mid-20s”, he might hit 300! He is currently not a HR hitter, as he averages a HR every 25 ABs. Max, Mookie, and JDM average a HR every 11-13 ABs, but that power may come. James Outman is a testament to the Dodger’s Organizational instruction.
In fact, this entire team has been molded together in a fashion that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I am intent on enjoying the ride. You can worry all you want – it changes nothing! Worrying is a form of thinking about the future, defined as thinking about future events in a way that leaves you feeling anxious or apprehensive. Clinically, excessive worry is the primary symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. I refuse to buy into that. Que Sera, Sera! What, me worry?
Dodgers have 50 games to play and have a six game lead in the loss column over the Giants. D-Backs and Padres are not a threat to win the division and with seven games to play the Giants head-to-head I would love to see the Dodgers eliminate them from any post season consideration.
Surprised Hudson was sent down for V-Gone after just one appearance, but lets hope V-Gone went to the minors and found his groove. The BP will need him to get some big outs since Caleb shits the bed too often. Interesting that Doc put Almonte back on the bump the day after his Petco implosion but Caleb hasn’t been used.
Hernandez just might have played his way to a new contract for the Dodgers next year as the super utility guy supplanting CT3 who might be on the trading block. The infusion of young talent (Outman, Miller and Sheehan) who have contributed positively bodes well. Next year we should continue to see young talent graduate to be big club with the likes of Vargas, Busch, Knack, Pepiot, Stone, DeLuca and Pages. Or, perhaps some will be used in a big offseason blockbuster trade to acquire more pitching since Urias, CK and Lynn are free agents next year and Tony G. is a question mark if he is healthy or not.
It is indeed a good time to be a Dodger fan.
Lynn has a18 million dollar option for 2024, I can see the Dodgers picking it up if he continues to pitch we’ll down the stretch.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, otherwise known as life.
I am laughing at myself reading your comment, Johnny G.
After last year, I’m no longer sure coming in 1st has an advantage over being a wild card entry.
The Dodgers will win the NL West and then avoid the mistakes they made last year in preparation for the division series. They’ll be ready this time!
The Dodgers will have a better OF and better bench–that seems certain. Looking back, there were a lot of flaws in that 111-win team.
Peralta must be enjoying these games against the D’backs. He was a key player for them for years but lost his job to the team’s youth movement. Now he follows an HR robbery in the last game with a game-winning single tonight. Sweet.
Miller continues to impress. And the BP came through this time.
And while the Dodgers were beating the D’backs, the Giants were losing to the Angels and the Pads were losing to the Mariners…
It’s all good….
Honestly, the bullpen doesn’t make me feel all warm and cozy, weakest link and all. Last night was a little bit of an adventure.
I’d still prefer someone else besides Taylor. He’s easily the most negative link among position players.
Hopefully either Busch or Vargas gets called up in September.
Before the season I thought the Dodgers would go as far as their pitching will take them. I thought the O was middle of the pack at best.
Funny that it is just the other way around at this stage of the season.
I still regret the Dodgers did not bring in one more shut down reliever at the deadline.
Cartaya hit his 3rd bomb in the last three games, going 2-4 . Good to see him fight out of his season long slump.
That dinger he hit was Mt-16 of the season, a monster shot almost out of the stadium.
Kid will be fine. Just a bump in his road to Dodger Stadium.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From what I’ve read Cartaya’s swing still needs editing, but he’s young.
His swing is bit long. Too many holes in it but when he connects it goes a loooong way.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like Bellinger 2021 and 2022.
Cartaya is starting to hit again… but now Rushing is struggling.
One guy worth watching is Yusniel Diaz in Tulsa, who just won league player of the week honors. He was considered the key prospect in the Dodgers deal for Machado–the guy with the most potential. . He had been signed out of Cuba for a big bonus and was rated in the top 100. He did not live up to expectations with the O’s and after they released him the Dodgers brought him back.
Maybe Diaz is just a late bloomer. Maybe it’s just maturity. Seems that it takes a while for some young, talented guys to get their acts together. (The Angels’ Mickey Moniak seems to be one.) At any rate, I wonder if Diaz will join DeLuca, Pages and Ramos among the Dodgers’ top OF prospects.
On Diaz: No, he will not – he will soon be 27 and he has heated up like this for a few games this year on several occasions only to go 0-50 in his next 12 games. He is finding more power this year. He has 10 HR so far (11 is his peak). So, he remains a prospect but much closer top #30 than #10.
Rushing is pretty banged up!
Great win last night. Freddie was so smooth on that DP ball.
Great start from Urias.
It seems that Taylor is one of the two least reliable players this season (Barnes is the other) and his numbers do not help to think otherwise, but for some reason, he is one of the players I trust the most in the playoffs. This year I see stronger, more depth on the bench, but the bullpen still hasn’t convinced me
The bullpen is at this point, a land mine. You can’t see it and you have no clue when it will explode. Only a gutsy and smart play by Freeman kept them from losing that game last night. One other thing though, that umpire was awful. I never saw so many bad calls on balls and strikes. He squeezed both sides though. Taylor over the last 3 years is along with Max, one of the streakiest players in the game. When he gets locked in, he is great. When he is flailing at pitches outside the zone, he is one of the easiest outs in baseball.
The Taylor of 2017 to 2021 doesn’t exist anymore. And CT3 offensively hasn’t been “streaky” at all this season, ..just bad. He regularly misses pitches IN the zone now.
I didn’t know and still don’t know that Dodgers will win the division but I claimed such as fact and still do. I even tried to entice the naysayers with offering them the the field against my Dodgers even money $200 bet. No takers, even though they spoke like Dodgers couldn’t make even a wildcard in before a pitch was thrown for the season. Either they didn’t believe their own words or are fans that wouldn’t bet against the Dodgers. I hope the latter as I’m still in good company. but please quit with all so much naysaying. A quote from the late, great Tommy Lasorda ” YOU GOT TO BELIEVE “. And Tommy……I do!
Game was a little nerve wracking at the end. I caught a lot of flak for my comment about Ohtani being one-dimensional. I get it. Many of you think he is the best thing since cream cheese. And he does pitch for a pretty disorganized and dysfunctional team. To me, the best player needs to play defense and be good in all aspects of the game. Why do I believe Acuna is better? One, he is a better hitter. Ohtani has a lot of power, but he also strikes out a lot. Acuna does not K much and he walks almost as often as he strikes out. Ohtani as a pitcher does strike a lot of players out. His K to walk ratio is good, 3-1. And he does field his position well. Acuna is an excellent outfielder and has a cannon for an arm. He steals a ton of bases. Ohtani except when he is pitching, does not play defense. While Acuna can impact the game on the field at any time, Ohtani is in the tunnel working on his swing. He has usually four chances per game when he is DHing to impact the game. When he is a DH, he is very one-dimensional. He is a hitter nothing else. I think you have to excel in all aspects of the game to be the best. Would I take Acuna over Ohtani, damn right I would. He is four years younger; he will get more hits, score more runs and steal more bases than Ohtani. He might not hit 50 bombs, but he is more than capable of 30 plus. Add that to his speed and defense. Yep, I want that guy. How long can Ohtani do both pitch and hit at a high level like he is now? Ohtani’s biggest asset is his being able to pitch and hit well. Signing a player who is turning 30 the first year of a lengthy deal is risky to say the least. Guaranteeing a player that age 40 mil plus? Extremely risky. Pujols signed his 10-year deal with the Angels when he was 31. And at the time, he was probably the best hitter in baseball. He never reached the numbers he did in St. Louis. Hitting 40 bombs while playing 81 games at Dodger Stadium is not that common. Bellinger was the last one to do it. Giving that much money to a guy who is a pure DH most of the time, just seems even more risky. I worry more about his ability to pitch over the course of the contract than his hitting. You all have your opinions of the guy and hold him in high regard. I look at the hype he gets, and I try to separate the reality from the fantasy. No one player is going to make the Dodgers winners in multiple years. It is and always has been a team game. Would he help? Obviously, he can impact your lineup and make it longer. Is he worth the long-term risk salary wise? That is the question that can only be answered by those spending the money.
Since we will not get Acuna until hell freezes over our next best option is Ohtani.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since Ohtani will probably be getting close to 50 mil plus a year, I doubt LA is that dumb or desperate. I think they need to fill more than just one hole and spend 50 mil filling it. Get multiple good players who can fill the holes. Ohtani is to expensive and a luxury they can do without. Go Dodgers be smart, Spend wisely.
I could live well with 2-3 very good players for the money Ohtani will cost. But I am also absolutely fine if the Dodgers go out and bring in the best player in baseball. Even then the Dodgers will have more than enough cap space and money to improve the roster.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I respect your opinion, but he to me is not the best player in the game. He is very good as a DH and decent as a pitcher. But I prefer all-around players like Acuna. Speed, power, defense and the ability to make contact and not strike out a ton. This might surprise you, but Cody Bellinger has a higher BA, more stolen bases and less than half of the strikeouts Ohtani has. Add that to his outstanding defense at 1st and center field, and I would even rather have Cody, who is also younger, than Ohtani. And all that despite playing in 30 less games than Ohtani.
Seriously, Bear… Are you now saying that Ohtani is not an “all-around player”?
Kind of like doubling down on “one dimensional.”
In Japan he often played OF for the Nippon Ham Fighters when he wasn’t pitching. There was no DH.
He is a slugger who is also an on-base machine. He is one of the fastest players in baseball and could steal more if strategy dictated he do so. On defense, he leads the majors in batting-average-against and he fields his position well.
Interesting stat popped up in today’s game: He is hitting .373 in games that he’s pitching. This is sort of like Mookie upping his game when he’s in the infield.
The argument of Acuna vs. Ohtani is pretty funny when Mark declares–I’m paraphrasing–“I’d rather have Acuna at $40m AAV than Ohtani at $60m AAV.” Well, OK. How about Ohtani at $50 m AAV? We’re just haggling now–but Mark’s comment assumes that, as great as Acuna is, Ohtani is the more valuable commodity.
At any rate, the Braves brilliantly locked up Acuna through 2028 with a contract totaling $124 million. He should do well when he’s a free agent.
Ohtani will be getting much richer much sooner.
Tonight, Ohtani helped the Dodgers by beating the Giants. He wasn’t super sharp, giving up a run and 3 walks and 3 hits in 6 innings, but he improved his record to 10-5 and lowered his ERA to 3.17. On a better team, Ohtani would have a better defense behind him and more often have the luxury of pitching with a lead.
You mention that you’d rather have Belli, “who is younger,” than Ohtani. Belli is indeed younger–by less than a year. How does Belli’s OPS compare to Ohtani’s? Nice that Belli is having a bounce-back season and has really cut down on the Ks… but will see MVP-caliber Belli again? Ohtani is on pace to win his second this year. Could be unanimous. Judge beat him in 2022, of course, but many argue that Ohtani’s performance was better than his MVP season.
When I looked up the pending FAs on a salary site called Spotrac, Bellinger is one of the very few name that seemed to possibly fit the Dodgers. Chapman is another.
So if you don’t want to invest, say, a Judgean $400 million over 8 years in Ohtani–AAV of $50m, but I expect bigger offers–how would you invest that money otherwise?
What would you pay Belli and Chapman? How about a couple of pitchers? How do you dole that money out and, as Mark emphasizes, spread the risk?
And what’s the financial upside like? Which players will expand the market and build the business?
I watched the Dodgers and Angels on side-by-side TVs tonight. I’m not sure if it was digital or analog, but there was a lot of Japanese advertising along the backstop when Ohtani was pitching.
He will look good in a Giants uni!
I think Farhan is despirate and will sign him.
Wrong Matt Chapman to play third base over Ohtani I think Ohtani is injury prone no way I would give him that money besides he is going to go to Seattle or San Francisco. I would rather get Chapman this year and maybe Soto the year after that two young guys to go with Freeman and Betts and Smith and don’t forget about Outman this is his first year wait until year three how good he will be. Plus we can get another free agent starting pitcher from nit signing Ohtani give me a name of number one free agent pitchers one guy is Shane Bieber if Kershaw leaves or sign him to take Urias spot. With Buehler coming back Miller and Sheehan sign Lynn and all you need is an Ace if Kershaw retires or goes to the Rangers. That’s a pretty good starting six if the Dodgers get those guys this off season. Taylor will be gone and you either keep Muncy or Martiniz as DH.
Everyone knows Ohtani is not and cannot play 3rd base. It is one of the holes I would fill with that money instead of spending it all on Ohtani.
Yep hey we agree Bear. Third base rather the Ohtani how about a Leftfielder and a thirdbase and a backup catcher his come most teams have two good catchers and we got one and nothing in the minors yet. Where’s a Crash Davis when you need a guy to spell your starter s couple games.
They need pitching, pitching and more pitching. Two of their best are free agents after the season and I think they might not sign both. Kersh and Urias. I am pretty sure Urias is gone. Kersh’s fate is up to him. Muncy has a 10 million dollar team option, which is pretty cheap if he is the full time DH. Bieber is not a free agent until 2025, so unless he gets traded, he is not on the list. Here are the free agent starters available. Ohtani, Kershaw, Stroman, player option, Ryu, Martin Perez, Morton, team option, Urias, Hendricks, team option, Syndergaard. Greinke, Clevinger, team and player option, Nola, Giolito, Snell, Gray, Severino, Gibson, Montgomery, Marquez, team option, Lorenzen, Odorizzi, Lugo, player option, Flaherty. Barnes is signed through next season for 3.5 mil and there is a team option for 25 for the same salary. Now, they could trade him and replace him with some other catcher, there are several available, Grandal, Navarez, Gomes, Garver and Sanchez.
“To me, the best player needs to play defense and be good in all aspects of the game.”
You would almost have an argument here if Acuna was an exceptional defensive player at his position. He’s a below average defender.
How much does each respective player contribute to a team winning? Isn’t that the most important criterion?
As I pointed out yesterday, Ohtani, right now, at this point in the season, gives his team two additional wins over what Acuna does for the Braves.
Ok, so maybe Acuna doesn’t strike out as much, or he steals bases. That’s nice. And? That’s all well and good, but, again, the criterion is how much all of these things, in the aggregate, contribute to runs created, runs saved, and overall additional wins added to a team’s standings.
Ohtani’s wRC+ is substantially higher than Acuna’s in spite of his stolen bases and fewer strikeouts.
Whether or not you personally prefer a player who plays defense, or doesn’t strike out, or steals basis is just that, a personal preference, and an aesthetic one at that; a matter of old school style that doesn’t necessarily translate to creating runs that help a team win games.
And you and Mark would rather have Acuna … but Acuna’s under contract till at least 2026. Yeah, I’d rather have Ted Williams … but he’s dead, so I can’t. The reason we’re talking about Ohtani is because he’s:
1. going to be available as a FA after this season,
2. The Dodgers can afford him,
3. He’s the best player the game has seen in a long time.
You’re entitled to your opinion … even though it’s wrong. 😉
Wrong for you maybe, right for me. I might agree if Ohtani’s team was a winner. Acuna is helping the Braves dominate their division. It is not a question of whether or not the Dodgers can afford him, it is a question of whether it is the prudent and wise thing to do. I heartily disagree that it is. I think the money is better spent on more than just him. Yes, Acuna is not a free agent and Ohtani is. I just think spending all that money on one guy is not justified.
“Acuna is helping the Braves dominate their division”
It’s the Braves. They’d be dominating their division with me playing the outfield. The Angels are a train wreck. The only reason they’re even in the playoff conversation is because Ohtani is carrying them like a Jansport.
Like I said Patch, we disagree. You can make all the arguments you like until you are Dodger blue in the face. I think Acuna is better than Ohtani. And I also disagree they would dominate with you in the outfield. They do not need a medical emergency on every ball hit to you! Cmon, best player the game has seen in a long time? Griffey JR.? Ichiro, I could go on but I really do not want to embarrass you. That is an untrue statement. He is not even the best player in the game today. Mike Trout was the best not so long ago and everybody wanted him too including 95 % of the Dodger fans.
John Doll. I have my surgery on my eye on the 25th of September. I will tell Mark to give you my email address and then I will email you my phone number. The surgery is outpatient so I will be ok by the time the Dodgers head to Denver. It would be great to meet you then. September usually is not that cold.
Sounds great
Tuesday scores
Tacoma 12, Oklahoma City 9
Tulsa 7, Amarillo 4
West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 4
Inland Empire 6, Rancho Cucamonga 5
Wednesday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns) vs. West Michigan (Wilkel Hernandez)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) vs. Amarillo (TBD)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Roque Gutierrez) vs. Inland Empire (Chris Clark)
7:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) at Tacoma (Adam Oller)
Here I go again – I agree with Bear on how bad Adrian Johnson was behind the plate. Here was my book on him “Adrian Johnson – Ball caller. Just misses true strikes. Dinky plate. You have to throw it in the dryer”
He actually called a couple of strikes, off the plate but then called the same location a ball, the next time. That’s called inconsistency, last I checked.In fact, the Umpires Scorecard has is accuracy at 29% and his consistency is 37%. So, I have to ask, how does he keep his job? Do the reviews and the reports to the umpires post game, have any legs at all?
So he has been in the league for 14 years. Yup….. 14 years and he still stinks. In addition, he’s a CREW CHIEF. He’s the leader of a brutal crew including Manny Gonzales, who’s on the worst list, Junior Valentine who has way too many random misses and their only star, Quinn Walcott, who’s on the best list. He has to wonder what he did to get on this crew?
* I wonder what the value is on the open market is for Vesia and CT3? Vesia is making the minimum and that’s what we’re getting. What a perfect example of how relief pitchers are; Cy Young to sayonara from one year to the next.
And poor CT3 has me wondering how did he ever justify 15 million a year? I love the guy but he can’t hit.
Even Evan Phillips tripped over the gas can. Thanks Mookie for the “insurance” run.
Today is another opportunity to play better.
It was good seeing Will Smith talk to him about his bad calls–and then getting a hit.
Last night it finally dawned on me why Graterol gets hit hard yet throws a 100mph. Obviously, his fastball is straight most of the time but he sometimes gets run.
I think he lacks “perceived velocity”. He is a very short strider. He gets no front side extension to the plate. Orel mentions it often; for every foot of extension on a release point closer to home looks like 3 mph increase in speed.
Graterol throws 100, standing straight up so there is no additional mph for perceived velocity, little life on his pitch and the batter can see the ball the whole time. There is no deception and hiding the ball behind him.
Makes sense to me but who knows what his command would be like if they tried to lengthen his stride.
I know Orel’s tv personality drives some people crazy but I marvel at how much he dissects the game of baseball. He has theories on why certain things happen on the field that I’m sure 90% of players have never given a thought to.
Orel IS WAYYYYY better than Dontrelle and Stephen Nelson….
Why is Joe not doing our mid week games????
Matt I think it all depends on personal taste as far as announcers go. For instance, after tonight I am forced to watch the Rockies broadcast for the next four games. I usually just turn the sound off. Drew Goodman is awful. The radio feed on the computer is out of sync with the TV broadcast, so it is not an option. I am OK with Davis, but I also like Nelson. He doesn’t take himself too seriously and I loved when he would go ahhhrgggh when the ump missed a call for the umpteenth try. I like the D-Train because his style is fun to listen too. Not too much technical stuff and he seems to be having a lot of fun broadcasting the game. Orel just talks too damn much for me. I prefer Nomar to all of them. But that is just a personal choice. In reality, I think they have broadcaster overload, and I see little to no use at all for someone like Watson to be in the dug out. I want to watch the game, not in game interviews.
I got rid of cable so no Rockies games at my house anymore. I’ll either listen to the radio, or watch it with the fast forward in the morning. You are correct, worst broadcast team I’ve ever heard.
Cheers
I’m starting to like Stephen Nelson more than Joe Davis. Joe Davis’ constant “mansplaining” is getting obnoxious.
Yes liking announcers is personal taste. Perhaps I am the only one in the US who mostly didn’t like Vin. He rambled on about some guys high school nick name, or some other inane story and never shut up. But that is just me. As for Orel I appreciate his knowledge and as an ex player he is able to bring something extra to the booth. Although not all players can do it.
David, in Vin’s defense, he worked alone in the booth. Not once did he rely on a color man or analyst. He was dispensing info. And most people who listened, loved it.
Whoa – STB. Nowhere in my post did you see me suggest Graterol changing his stride! I made an observation not a suggestion. A mechanical change that drastic could have numerous unintended consequences. It could affect his command, his arm health, and his back, his stuff. Any attempt would be a gamble and likely a winter’s worth of experimentation to make it natural. It’s probably been mentioned by coaches long before me. I doubt that would be considered. It is what it is.
I’m sure he’s tried many other things that aren’t mechanical changes to get movement on his pitches including grip changes, moving the ball toward in his grip, moving his finger separation on the ball and moving his thumb around underneath the ball. This would be common attempt to get more or different movement. But changing his stride or arm slots are big deals that I did NOT suggest.
Didn’t mean to imply (or is that infer – always get those confused) that you suggested changing his stride.
That thought just came to my mind because, hey, his stride makes his pitches seem slower, why not think about changing his stride.
That was my thought, not yours. And it would be the very last thing they would want to even think about for all the reasons you mentioned.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Graterol has the same issue that Dustin May does. May should really have more swing and miss stuff with his velocity and arm side run, but he doesn’t. Neither does Graterol.
I disagree with you about Graterol having little movement. I think he has a lot of natural arm side run with his two-seamer, which is his primary FB.
I think the thing with both May and Graterol is that the human eye can track that movement on their respective pitches. When you have true swing and miss stuff, you’ll hear the descriptors that the fastball has “deceptive” movement, or “late movement,” or it explodes in the strike zone. The batter sees the ball leave the pitcher’s hand and anticipates the ball is going to be in certain place when it crosses the zone. With a four seamer that seems to rise at the top of the zone, the batter will often swing under it or pop it up because he’s anticipating a certain amount of drop that doesn’t materialize. Hershiser had a great two-seamer that induced lots of ground balls and broken bats because it deceptively ran down and in on right handers.
I think there’s a think as too much movement.
https://youtu.be/fKzSsVYs6Cc
patch – I said “Obviously, his fastball is straight most of the time but he sometimes gets run.”
Notice “sometimes” His movement is inconsistent and doesn’t miss bats. I will stick with my statement and my analysis that he lacks “perceived velocity” that makes the ball get in on a hitter quicker than expected. I agree with what you say otherwise about deception. I just disagree that Graterol consistently has “a lot of natural arm side run”. Graterol also works the top of the strike zone which doesn’t induce ground balls.
Also don’t look now, and I realize it probably wont happen nor will it matter, however we are only 5.5 games behind the mighty Braves….
Yay!
The fact remains that next year, the Dodgers would like to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold. They could not do it this year, but next year is do-able. They need to get that tax re-set!
This is not a fact, this is a theory.
It’s a fact, in theory…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB52NEPJxUs
Marks right – It is a definite fact that unless they want to continue to pay huge penalties, like 50%, for exceeding the cap (excuse me) ceiling for years in a row, is foolish when the tax can be reset in one year.
That is money wasted that could go to salaries. Plus a huge punishment is losing draft picks. We don’t get many high ones anyway but when you consistently lose 1st or 2nd rounders, you’re killing the farm system.
and that’s a fact!
An American Icon dead at 80.
R.I.P. Robbie Robertson
Canadian icon too.
Sorry mark if they don’t win their not the best team simple as that
OK, let’s go with your premise: The best team always wins. How do you explain why the best team does not go 162-0?
If they are truly the best team, they should never lose!
When are we all going to get together and make friendship bracelets?
Probably never. Even true fans cannot agree on the GOAT for their team. Giants fans who saw him play will say Mays, others, Bonds. It is a game, but some people take it a lot more seriously than that.
Whoa! I have never heard a dodger fan in my lifetime say they didn’t like Vin! Personal preference is an absolute right, just as I can’t stand Yankee John Sterling, aaassstros crew, Matt vasscersion(( misspelled), Brent Musberger, and 85% of all mlb team broadcasters! But never Vin! My brother is named David, and I might kick him next time I see him!
Vin gave me a headache.
Well like I told you David, Vin was alone in the booth. He never used a color guy or an analyst. So yeah, for dead airtime he told stories, or he gave information about players the fans might not know so well. Especially rookies and players new to the team. And I have to say that in all my years of being a baseball and a Dodger fan, never, not once until you said it in your earlier post have, I ever heard ANY FAN say they did not like Vin Scully.
Sorry. There should be an amendment to the CA constitution. If you don’t like Vin or In N Out… you should be deported to a labor camp in China or Siberia. Because you obviously hate America and everything good in this world.
The kind of person who celebrated the ending to Brian’s Song.
AMEN
I was born in LA so I am more of an Angelino than most. Loved Vin, but I think In N Out is overrated. I prefer Carls Jr. So sue me.
When I was younger I didn’t like Vin. I felt he wasn’t that knowledgeable about the sport and he even admitted as much one time as he emceed the World Series.
But I got older and wiser and he’s the GOAT. Hyper-literate, ultra-articulate, and a true gentleman.
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (66-46)
Diamondbacks (57-57)
SP Bobby Miller R
6-2 4.26 ERA
SP Merrill Kelly R
9-5 3.21 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF D. Peralta L
CF Chris Taylor R
RF J. Heyward L
DH James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
In Dome Stadium
Hot take: Now that we’ve added Lynn–and to a lesser degree Yarbrough–the team will be actively evaluating Miller to see where he fits in to a potential postseason rotation.
Kershaw’s and Gonsolin’s [and Buehler’s?] health obviously all major factors too.
Dodgers To Sign Top Korean Pitching Prospect Hyun-Seok Jang
By Steve Adams | August 9, 2023 at 1:18pm CDT
The Dodgers have agreed to terms with South Korean right-hander Hyun-seok Jang, his agency in South Korea announced (link via Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency). It’s a $900K signing bonus for the 19-year-old Jang, who is forgoing the KBO amateur draft to pursue MLB opportunities. Yoo notes that Jang was widely expected to be the top pick in this year’s KBO draft. Daniel Kim first reported that the two parties were nearing an agreement.
The signing of Jang likely would not have been possible were it not for last week’s trade with the White Sox, which saw the Dodgers ship a pair of minor leaguers — Aldrin Batista and Maximo Martinez — to Chicago in exchange for additional space in their international bonus pool. The Dodgers’ $4,144,000 pool for the 2023 signing period tied the Rangers for the smallest league-allotted pool. And, as Baseball America’s Ben Badler outlined in detail this past spring, Los Angeles used the overwhelming majority of that pool (all but $1500 of it) on shortstop Joendry Vargas, outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua, right-hander Jesus Tillero, shortstop Daniel Mielcarek, catcher/outfielder Eduardo Quintero, shortstop Elias Medina and right-hander Samuel Sanchez.
Kersh is supposed to start tomorrow’s game against Colorado at Dodger Stadium.
My birthday! What a perfect birthday my grandson said! Love being a dodger fan! Love this site. Love Old Bear! Even love old Mark! Absolutely loved Vin! Like you too David , but don’t disrespect Vin! Go Dodgers!
Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Dodger dad! The team got you a win tonight!
I thought Mark brought up a great point about the salary cap. A some point and time we have to get under the luxury tax to reset the penalizes. This year was maybe the year to do it being able to get a player like Heyward on minimum salary and how that has worked out is amazing. I believe management is going to have to determine if the juice is worth the squeeze on players whose contracts are coming to an end. Of course Kershaw stays as long as he wants too, that isn’t even in the equation. Muncy and his $10 million contract, if he can’t hit left handed pitching that might be looked at (baseball is a tough business, Muncy has been a huge contributor to the Dodgers for a while.) Martinez at the DH another ten million, he has certainly earned it. There one must decide can he produce those numbers again, Father Time is undefeated. David Peralta $6.5 million. He’s having a good year, he might be wanting more money, if so will the Dodgers cut bait. We are a bit hamstrung with Barnes and Taylor’s contracts. I’ll be the first to admit when they made those deals I thought they were great moves, turns out they didn’t age well. Dodgers fans expect and rightly so to be in the playoffs every year. With our front office and farm system to go along with the veterans we have coming back, the front office are going to have to make some tough decisions that may hurt peoples feelings because of the name players they let walk. In the mean time we need to enjoy the ride that we have been on and are continuing. Hope we get a few more World Championship’s out of this run.
The maturation of a future ace!
Co-sign
Word
Bickford gets save for Mets tonite.
I hated losing the long haired dude…I know he was inconsistent, but he was also an innings eater too.
Bobby Miller is coming of age tonight!
He is learning on the job… and prospering!
1. Appears as if the gamble to not put JD Martinez on the IL in hopes that he would return before ten days did not pay off. He has started two of the last nine games (though he did pinch hit in one other.). Meanwhile, Michael Busch hit another homer tonight and would have been a logical replacement for Martinez. That decision does not make a lot of sense in hindsight.
2. In that same light, Martinez not being available tonight puts Taylor in the line up versus a right hander. With the acquisition of Hernandez (and to a lesser degree, Rosario) there is some redundancy to having Taylor on this roster. With Busch performing like he has at AAA (and even Vargas hitting .300) I would think either or both would be a serious consideration for a post season spot, especially Busch. Taylor may be the odd man out.
3. A lot of games left before post season play but Bobby Miller could very well start a play off game in a NLDS. He has looked much better during his time as a starter this season than Tony Gonsolin in the same time. Gonsolin seems like a candidate to be an opener for Ryan Yarbrough with Kershaw, Urias, Lynn and Miller occupying the other four spots in the rotation.
Gonsolin’s stuff may play up in a two to three inning stint as an opener.
If Taylor continues firing blanks at the plate, no question he should be left off the playoff roster. And if/when the Dodgers promote Busch/Vargas/DeLuca, that guy should be brought up soon enough to re-acclimate himself to major league play. I’d do it before this month is over.
Fegurson Will be the next 3th base!!!!ha, ha, ha
David Peralta is the man!
balls of steel with that hit
I just might have to bring back the “Machine Gun Kelly” moniker!
Interesting injury news today on Buehler and Treinen. Both pitched to batters Buehler was hitting 92-93. Treinen touched 97. Could there be help in September and October.
Could be…
Six Games up on the Giants
11 Games up on the D-Backs (and they are now officially a “sub .500 team)
12.5 Games up on the Clowns!
Bear, you mentioned above that Vin never used a color guy or analyst.
What would you call Jerry Doggett? They worked together in the booth for over 30 years.
Jerry Doggett was a play-by-play man. Vin did innings one through three and seven through nine. Jerry handled four through six.
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 9: RHP Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) faces hitters
Buehler threw a 15-20 pitch session to hitters from the Dodgers’ Arizona Complex League, clocking in at 92-93 mph at Chase Field ahead of the Dodgers’ series finale vs. the D-backs. According to manager Dave Roberts, “It went really well, much better than I expected.”
When asked if he feels his recovery process is almost complete, Buehler said, “I think there’s a bunch of checkpoints, right? So when we start throwing, and when you start throwing bullpens, and now hitters and then games, and so you can kind of take little chunks at a time, and it’s kind of what you got to do.”
Buehler added that he’ll need four or five throwing sessions to hitters before doing anything in-game. He targeted Sept. 1 as his return date but says he’ll likely still need more rehab.
“I’m pretty proud of where I am right now,” Buehler said. “I don’t think Sept. 1 is a reality, but I’m hoping sometime soon.”
So it sounds like Striker will return sometime in Mid-Steptember.
I was not counting on Treinen, but that would be a big plus.