… at least he is THIS year. Next year, he will have to contend with Walker Buehler for that role, assuming that Striker can come back strong from his Tommy John Surgery. Bobby Miller is having an excellent rookie season, but in all likelihood, it may be better than the statistics indicate. While Clayton Kershaw was younger, he pitched 108 innings as a rookie and allowed 109 hits; he walked 52 and struck out 100 while allowing a 4.26 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP.
On the other hand, Bobby Miller has pitched 102 innings, allowing 88 hits, with 28 BB and 92 strikeouts. His ERA sits at 3.98, and his WHIP is 1.141! Bobby Miller, much like Clayton, has an easy, repeatable delivery. Contrast that with Buehler, who has a “high effort,” even violent delivery. It’s no wonder Walker has had two (count ’em 2) surgeries on his UCL. Clayton may need one, but Bobby seems to have that Justin Verlander, Roger Clemens type of body!
Like most rookies, Bobby is learning the most from adversity. He would like to have a handful of pitches back that he threw last night, but I think the adversity will build his resolve and (most importantly) his character. Most rookies lose focus at times as the situation, emotions, and underlying circumstances can take them out of their games. You can see it happen with Bobby, and you can also see him snap out of it. He grew last night, and he will keep growing… even throughout this playoff run… however long it may be.
Winning the War
Winning a war is not the same as winning a battle. The Dodgers have the division clinched… or as good as clinched. The battle is won. The war has not yet started. That is the playoffs.
Now is the time to work on the playoff pitching. Let’s start with Gus Varland. I think he could be a useful reliever, but not this year. Gavin Stone will likely get the call today, but it will only happen if someone is injured or goes on paternity leave, because Gavin cannot be recalled within 15 days of being optioned… unless one of those circumstances occur. Gus will likely hop on the bus to OKC, but unless Gus is hurt, Gavin can’t take his place. See what I did there? “Hop on the bus, Gus, You don’t need to discuss much…” I think Gavin will get the start today and has been very good of late.
Ryan Pepiot is finally pitching as his stuff looks. So, it is possible that the Dodgers have three possible starters for the playoffs in Miller, Pepiot, and Stone. I think Michael; Grove’s stuff plays best as a long man in the bullpen, but what about the Three Lefties? Here is my opinion on all three.
Ryan Yarbrough – He is 3-1 with a 2.82 ERA with the Dodgers. He also has a 0.85 WHIP. As fans, we seem to only remember what he has done lately… and it wasn’t good. On September 5th, he pitched three innings, allowing two home runs and three total runs. However, there are mitigating circumstances – his wife is expecting a child this month – how soon? Nobody is saying, but that causes me to give him a pass for his last outing. In the playoffs, Ryan could be a starter or a bulk-inning eater!
Lance Lynn – He has been a HR Machine all year, and can the Dodgers “fix him?” Well, maybe, but I would not do it now. If they are going to tweak anything, it would be during the playoffs. I would not play my hand now. That’s assuming there is a way, and I think there is. We shall wait and see.
Clayton Kershaw – As much as we love Clayton, he just is a shell of himself unless he can recover several MPH on his fastball. I do not see that happening, so the best I think we can expect of Clayton is to use him as an opener for two innings, then bring in Michael Grove (a RHP) and hope he can pitch three or four innings (getting some of the RH batters out of the lineup) and then following up with the LH Ryan Yarbrough. It’s a plan!
The rest of the bullpen is pretty dang good. With Shelby Miller back and filling an important role, the bullpen remains the best in baseball. Today, we see who Gavin Stone replaces… and it can’t be Varland unless he is hurt. Feelings do not count!
Down on the Farm
- OKC beat Sugarland 2-1. Jimmy Nelson pitched on back-to-back days and was roughed up (a little) which is to be expected.
- Tulsa lost 8-3. Ben Casparius got beat like a rented mule (10 hits and 7 runs in 5 IP). Ouch!
- GL lost 5-3.Ronan Kopp continues to look like a future reliever for LA.
- RC won 8-5. Kendall George (2-3) continues to rake, as did De Paula (2-3) and Liranzo (a 3-run shot #24 on the year). Wilman Diaz was 2-4 with a HR, and Gelof hit a 2-run shot. These guys are fun!
The Mighty Quinn
On a sad note, we lost The Mighty Quinn last night after a minor surgery in which the vet “over-sedated” him and flat-out killed him. He was my loyal Dodger Game Companion for seven years. R.I.P. Quinn – I am going to sue their asses!
Very very sad to hear of the passing of the Mighty Quinn. Devastating news.
Sorry for your loss Mark.
Sorry for your loss. Some people don’t realize how much loyal pets are a huge part of our lives. Lost my girl a couple years ago and miss her as much now as ever. Tough loss last night. Miller. Is absolutely number uno in rotation! Looks as if Pepiot is spotted in at 2, and maybe Clayton will rebound and be 3. Lynn is simply an unknown right now. I can see Dodgers making a deep run or losing in first round again! Not being a pessimist, just a realist, after Mookie and Freddie the offense can go into hibernation, or if our left-handed lineup is clicking, we can be lethal. I’m one of the wacko crazy ass fans who doesn’t like all the platoons. I also know it’s a necessity on this team. I would like a more constant lineup with one or 2 platoons. Just my preference. Lux would be at 2nd next year and Rojas at shortstop. I would go get a big-time left fielder, move Max to DH (if he’s there), and trade for Arenado, if not possible give Michael Bush the job out of spring training. Obtain a backup catcher that can hit at least 230-240, since Clayton possibly won’t be there! A rotation of Miller,Pepiot,Buehler. Stone, and a lefty sounds great to me! Maybe Will Smith is that left fielder! Pry Salvador Perez away from the Royals for one year till Rushing is ready. 100 wins is not a priority, but damn with the mighty Friars having a shitshow season, how sweet would it be? Can’t wait to watch the Padre reality show this offseason. Who stays, who goes? Still believe the great Tatis ends up a Yankee, along with Cody Bellinger. They should trade Johnny hustle to the White Sox! Let the gun begin! Shy Mark, so sorry for your loss, God bless the mighty Quinn!
I feel your pain , Mark.
We have 3 Weimaraner, Maddox is 12 years old, Hunter and Ivar are twins and are 2 years old.
Only dog owners know how tough it is to lose one of them. They are family members.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!
We had a beautiful Weimaraner named Cooper about 15 years ago. He was also a great dog.
Sorry for your loss Mark. I am dog owner too. So sorry.
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
Thank you,
Very Nice!
I am so sorry for your loss. I’ve had and loved dogs my entire life. When I lost my elkhound Chloe a few of years ago I thought I would never have another dog because I didn’t want to die and leave the dog. Two years ago my daughter wanted to get a puppy for my grandkids who live with us and I agreed as I wouldn’t be the primary caregiver. What a blessing this grand doggie has been to all of us. It is just so hard when we lose one of these wonderful friends. Hang in there Mark.
Thanks!
Lynn’s a lefty?
It took two days to dispute that? 😉
I edited that. It was fixed the same day. LOL
Very sorry about your dog, Mark.
TKX
So sorry for your loss Mark. It’s hard enough losing a loyal friend to old age but this is doubly devastating.
Hang in there and try to focus on the great memories you have.
1:35 PM ET
Dodgers (86-55)
Nationals (64-78)
SP Ryan Yarbrough L
7-6 3.80 ERA
SP Trevor Williams R
6-9 5.21 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
LF D. Peralta L
DH Max Muncy L
RF J. Heyward L
3B Chris Taylor R
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
C A. Barnes R
58% Rain
76° Wind 6 mph R-L
Mookie’s back in the lineup
What about Martinez?
Saturday scores
Oklahoma City 2, Sugar Land 1
Springfield 8, Tulsa 3
West Michigan 5, Great Lakes 3
Rancho Cucamonga 8, Visalia 5
Sunday schedule
11 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jared Karros) at West Michigan (Jackson Jobe)
12:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Mike Montgomery) at Sugar Land (Shawn Dubin)
2 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (TBA) vs. Visalia (Lorenzo Encarnacion)
2:35 p.m.: Tulsa (Kendall Williams) at Springfield (Brandon Komar)
Joe Kelly is scheduled to pitch at some point in Sunday’s game for Rancho Cucamonga, in what should be a final tuneup before rejoining the Dodgers later in the series against the Padres at home.
Sorry for your loss Mark. Never had a dog only annoying cats for the kids growing up.
Great, Mookie is back! Barnes? I know day game after a night game. Why no JD? 3 hits disqualifies you from playing next game? Lol
The Mighty Quinn looked like one great pup! RIP Quinn.
He is just off of the IL< day game after a really long day at the ballpark. Understand the process. With Mookie back, they can let him sit this one out.
Bobby Miller made one bad pitch yesterday and it cost him a win .
He will only get better, but has to controll his emotions better.
Japans Yamamoto pitched a no hitter in front of major league scouts and team officials.
I hope the Dodgers will be in the hunt for this guy this offseason , will likely get posted.
go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Very sorry for the loss of Quinn. I know the pain all too well. I have had 1 dog and 7 cats that I have had the pleasure of being an owner of and had to deal with their passing. It’s tough as hell to lose a pet.
Sorry for your loss, Mark. Quinn was a fine-looking pooch.
On a less important note, this lineup raises a few questions.
Where is JDM? Nice to have Mookie back, but why is Martinez missing? Is it his back or groin again? Max is DH and Taylor is a 3B.
And why, again, is Peralta so high in the order? Both Heyward and Outman have significantly better numbers. I just wish some sportswriter would ask Roberts why he has Peralta hitting ahead of guys who are having better seasons.
Hopefully no JDM today simply means they’re being cautious with his injury issue. BUT, if JD remains out on Monday against the Friars, then that would spell big trouble concerning his health.
Yes, it IS baffling why Peralta bats so high in the order.
Peralta is hitting .273. He is more of a contact hitter than a power hitter. It is baffling why fans think they know who should hit where. He has had some big hits for the Dodgers. Day game after a game in which they spent almost 12 hours at the ballpark. Nothing is wrong with Martinez.
One more time – nothing wrong with Martinez today, but if he doesn’t play tomorrow,…..
He’s playing tomorrow. Sheesh. They had a long frippen day yesterday. DAY GAME AFTER A NIGHT GAME with about maybe 7 hours sleep after they got back to the hotel. Don’t try to read nothing into something. With a righty on the mound, got Muncy off of the field and in at DH and he used all his lefty hitters except Wong. Is that so damn hard to understand.
Of course I understand – and no, I never tried to make “nothing into something.” I simply gave an “if” scenario.
And the bottom line regardless of Martinez’s status for tomorrow’s game is that it remains an INDISPUTABLE concern as to whether JDM’s long-standing groin/hip problem will allow him to finish this season as an active player for the Dodgers.
What’s so baffling about it, Bear?
The numbers are the numbers. Heyward and Outman both have superior production–and we’re not dealing with small samples at this stage of the season. Both bat left-handed, just like Peralta, so that shouldn’t be a factor. You say Peralta is “more of a contact hitter than a power hitter.” Most managers like power in the middle of the lineup. Robers usually does, so what’s baffling is how he favors Peralta over Heyward and Outman. Peralta’s BA is a bit higher, but his OBP and OPS is lower.
I don’t get it. Hopefully, Peralta wasn’t seriously hurt by that pitch. But I see no reason for him to leadoff when Mookie is out, and no reason for him to bat ahead of Heyward and Outman in the lineup.
And I sure hope we see JDM back in the lineup soon.
Sorry for your loss Mark. My dog Red passed a couple of years ago. He was a great dog and only 5 1/2 years old. But he had diabetes, and I did not find that out until the day he passed. He survived an attack by a pit bull. I won’t get another. I just can’t see having a pet in an apartment, especially a dog. They need to be able to run.
Is Peralta injured??
He got hit and probably had a stinger in that left arm. Hit him on the inside of his arm up by the elbow. Fastball like that would make your arm pretty sore for a while. They will probably do X-rays.
Another rain delay, imagine that. All 3 games had weather delay’s. Hopefully they can at least finish the 5th so it’s an official game.
Mark, so sorry you lost Quinn, especially under the circumstances. I’m a big dog lover and lost my two buddied a few years back. One to diabetes. I miss them every day, but they still make me smile when I recall their unique personalities. Since I have 2 homes now and fly between the 2, I refuse to get a new dog, I actually prefer 2 dogs so they keep each other company.
Quinn was a handsome lad and I feel your loss. Sorry.
I did a lol Bear on Martinez! Just having fun. Usually Doc sits some people after a big day! Who do you want to win when padres play the aaaaasstros? Sometimes a tie in baseball would be ok!
Miller is the ace. At least right now. I have a lot of confidence in the kid. He has fire out there and wants to be the best. Needs to learn a little more emotional control, but that will come. He has to be in the ROY conversation.
Where can one look and see who is eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they are not put on the 40 man roster? I’d appreciate it.
Mark sorry about the Mighty Quinn. Loved that name. We had two dogs named Ralph and Louie. We felt like we had to give them tough names because we busted out of the pen. They both aged out. I asked my wife not to tell me when it happened so I wouldn’t be distraught at work. They were gone for two weeks. When I’d get home they always met me at the gate. When I came home and they weren’t at the gate I went inside and asked Janet if the time had came. She stated as much. I went out back like I always did and instead of them jumping on me and licking me< I just laid there and cried. They had a good life just like the Mighy Quinn had (my guess.)
Where can one look and see who is eligible for the Rule 5 draft if they are not put on the 40 man roster? I’d appreciate it.
Mark sorry about the Mighty Quinn. Loved that name. We had two dogs named Ralph and Louie. We felt like we had to give them tough names because we busted out of the pen. They both aged out. I asked my wife not to tell me when it happened so I wouldn’t be distraught at work. They were gone for two weeks. When I’d get home they always met me at the gate. When I came home and they weren’t at the gate I went inside and asked my wife if the time had came. She stated as much. I went out back like I always did and instead of them jumping on me and licking me, I just laid there and cried. They had a good life just like the Mighy Quinn had (my guess.)
Future Dodgers twitter has a permanent link to their data.
https://t.co/I5jcoVThla
The Rule 5 players are there.
Thanks
I know Artie mareno wouldn’t trade trout to the dodgers but if it did happen what would a trout package look like from the dodgers.
Questionable what Trout’s value is with recent injuries and contract.
Sadly, I agree. I just think it’s unlikely for Trout to return to prime production with his injury history. But I’m rooting for him.
If he is put on the market, the Dodgers might make an offer. The size of the deal would depend a lot on whether the Angels would eat part of his contract.
My fantasy scenario: Angels unload the Trout and Rendon contracts to the big-spending Mets, because Steve Cohen needs a spectacular reboot too. (Rendon is going down as one of the worst deals ever. He can’t stay healthy–and he’s just a royal jerk too. Yes, thank goodness the Dodgers were too “Hollywood” for him. )
I think you could have Trout for a bag of balls if you paid his contract!
Sorry Mark to hear Mighty Quinn passed away From a vet’s Negligence ,being a Vivid dog lover sue their a****
Sorry Mark for your loss…..too many pet burials still haunt my memories.
Just noticed that Quinn was only 7. Much too young.
My loyal companion–Cinnamon, the friendliest pooch in Hong Kong–is 8 1/2 now. Losing her the way you lost Quinn would be devastating. I hope her to be with me for years to come.
Went to visit the LST-325 world war two ship docked in town next to me for a couple weeks. It’s the last remaining fully functioning LST in the country.
Mark this is docked in Evansville, IN have you ever toured it?
Bear: This is right up your alley since I know you served and like history.
https://www.lstmemorial.org/
Zeke,
No, I have not, but I think I will. Evansville is kind of the armpit of Indiana… at least that has been the opinion. I will check it out!
Kersh start postponed
I love Clayton, but this is the end…
I agree. But still hoping that next statement IS NOT, ‘He may be ready in October”.
Just giving him some extra rest and lining him up for his role in the playoffs.
Mark, sorry about your loss, Ive lost 2 dogs in the past 18 months and its real real tough (Dodger and Scully were their respective names)….
Great Ram win yesterday!!!