“In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!” All Dodger fans know that was the best line from Vin Scully’s storied career, as we know that 1988 was nothing short of a miracle. But baseball is like that, and momentum is a tangible, fungible thing. Just about anything can happen, and Underdogs sometimes win. As the Dodgers go into Seattle, they are without a starting rotation, and I am not saying that they are missing just an “arm or two.” They have no set rotation that would instill fear into the opposing team.
Going into tonight’s game, the Dodgers are 88-57 (.607) winning %), which is second-best in the NL behind the Powerhouse Braves. In 1988, the Dodgers were 94-67 (a .584 winning %), while the Mets were 100-60 (a .625 winning %). Moreover, the Dodgers were 1-11 against the Mets during the regular season. We all know what happened: the Dodgers beat the Mets 4-3 in the NLCS and went on to beat Oakland four games to one (who had a 104-58 record (a .642 winning %) in the World Series.
Look at the team batting in 1988:
Kirk Gibson was the NL MVP, but did not play in the World Series (except for one amazing at-bat). The pitching was nothing to be fearful of except for one Bulldog who pitched his ass off. The team was full of underachievers who achieved at the right time and journeymen who seized the day. Next to the Braves, the 2023 Dodgers are the Best Offensive Powerhouse in Baseball (if healthy). They may very well have four hitters with 30 home runs and two (maybe three more) more with 20 home runs (Outman, Smith & Taylor). They should also have three hitters with 100+ RBIs, led by the NL MVP, Mookie Betts! The other two are Muncy (98) and Freeman (93).
They have seventeen games left. If they go 10-7, they will finish with 98 wins. Going 8-9 gives them 96 wins. If they go 12-5, they will have 100 wins. No one expected that! No one especially would have expected that after their starting staff was devastated by injuries: Buehler, Kershaw, May, Gonsolin, et al., and extreme Moronism (Syndergaard and Urias). But here they are, ready to do the unexpected, led by Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Ryan Yarbrough, and “Gopher Ball” Lynn. Old Man Kershaw is a shell of himself (we get to see another try on Saturday), and then there is the bullpen. While not perfect, they have been the best in baseball since June 20th, and they are currently up to #6 in Bullpen ERA for the season. By the way, the Yankees have the best bullpen ERA in baseball, and they are going home!
I have no expectations… well, I do! I want the Dodgers to “Just Win, Baby!” Someone or more may step up and be the Eddie Rosario of the playoffs. The Dodgers have the Big Five: Betts, Freeman, Smith, Muncy, and Martinez, and two wiley vets in Peralta and Heyward. A junkyard dog in James Outman (that is an honor bestowed upon him), and Rojas, Rosario, Wong, and Hernandez, who could be their own “Eddie Rosario.” I am going to enjoy this ride, minus my trusty companion (The Mighty Quinn), who always assumed his place beside me on the deck during games. I miss him a lot!
I have no expectations. I have only one prediction: Expect the unexpected! Let’s Ride!
Health Update
As you know, I went to Cleveland Clinic yesterday for my A-Fib and Aortic Aneurysm. They did an EKG and battery of tests and determined that I should first have a “cardioversion.” During cardioversion, a machine is used to deliver low-energy shocks to the chest while the heart rhythm is monitored. Cardioversion is a medical procedure that uses quick, low-energy shocks to restore a regular heart rhythm. They want me to do that with my regular cardiologist and believe it will have a 90 to 95% chance of success. If not, they will do the ablation. They advised me that my Aortic Aneurysm is “so small that it nothing to worry about” and to just monitor it every two years with a CT Scan (me? I do one every six months).
I contacted my son in Brooklyn, who was getting ready to fly into Cleveland to drive back with me, and told him the procedure was canceled and that the Intercontinental Hotel was going to let me cancel my Thursday night reservations (saving $700), and so he changed his ticket to Indy for next week. It all worked out!
My father in law had that Aortic Aneurism. They monitored it for years and he had the same instructions. Finally it reached the size that matters and he had the surgery to repair it. This thing is manageable as long as you don’t ignore it.
He lived to be 96.
Dodgers remaining schedule: At Seattle. 3 games. Home for 3 with Detroit and 4 with the Giants. Then on to Denver for a 4-game series with the Rockies, includes a doubleheader on Tuesday, and they finish with three in San Francisco. 17 games left. Magic number is four. If all goes as planned, Dodgers would start the NLDS at home on Saturday, the 7th of October. The doubleheader in Denver on the 26th is a day-night doubleheader.
According to a google story, the Dodgers are still interested in signing Ohtani. Even if he is not going to pitch. Not sure how high they would go salary wise.
The Dodgers are always going to be linked to Ohtani simply because of the Idiots at the LA Times who believe the Dodgers should just issue a blank check to him. That will not happen. However, I could see them offering him a deal similar to what they offered Trevor Bauer or Bryce Harper: A shorter term (3 or 4 years) and $40+ Million a year.
With $40 Million a year, the Dodgers could trade for Alex Verdugo, or sign Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman. I could see the Dodgers doing the same for Blake Snell.
AF is not going to be in on $400 Million Dollar Contracts!
Verdugo not a free agent until 2025. And with his attitude and lackadaisical play, no way he comes back to LA. I think Belli either stays in Chicago or heads to NY to play for the Yanks. Matt Chapman? His BA is up 19 points, but his slug and OPS+ are lower. His defense is solid. HR’s and RBI’s way down.
Plus, Busch, Vargas, Pages, and DeLuca are factors.
I don’t expect much. So, whatever happens I’ll be surprised.
No question, the Dodgers could surprise. The Dodgers are certainly not the best team, which is okay. Best teams seldom win. The bullpen is probably the key. Can Roberts push all the right buttons?
As to Ohtani, a lot of rumors and talk that the Dodgers remain the favorite to sign him. But all that means is … absolutely nothing. Just MLB banter.
Yes, you can make the case, the Dodgers make sense for Ohtani. Always in the playoffs, great weather, incredible fan base, nice environment, beautiful stadium and facilities, spring training in Arizona, more access to opportunities and a big payroll.
What would it cost? More than Aaron Judge got. Whatever elite hitters get paid and more.
Would it be worth it? Certainly brings new revenue streams. An elite DH, who hits for power and average.
As to the pitching part, that’s hard to determine.
The Dodgers certainly can use the money in other ways to improve the team, both pitching and hitting wise.
An interesting winter lies ahead. Most teams can’t afford to pursue Ohtani, so it should be a limited field.
Jake Marisnick was 2-3 last night for OKC, and Nick Frasso pitched 5 innings and allowed 0 ER!
The Dodgers don’t usually have trouble scoring runs. Their primary need is for starting pitchers next season.
Lynn has a team option at $18MM. The Dodgers may well not pick it up. Kershaw is a question mark to return. Buehler is a question as well – do the research, pitchers who have had 2 Tommy Johns do not do well as starters. May is out until mid-season, Gonsolin is out all year, Urias is just gone. That leaves nothing but kids and only one of them (Miller) looks like a sure thing.
If what they really need is pitching and Ohtani can’t pitch next year, why would they spend that much money on what they don’t really need?
From a strictly baseball perspective, the Dodgers may want to target Chapman or another third baseman. The goal would be to upgrade the defense–and the Dodgers’ brain trust clearly don’t see Busch or Vargas as a defensive upgrade over Max. If they did, we’d have seen that by now. If the Dodgers landed Chapman, Max could move to DH and serve as a backup at 1B, 2B, 3B. And Will Smith would see more action at DH against lefties.
Replacing JDM with Ohtani at DH would be a major upgrade to the offense. JDM has been good, but Ohtani is one of the five best hitters in the game. Ohtani would create a lot more runs than Chapman would prevent.
From an entertainment/business perspective, Ohtani may be more appealing still. He’s a marquee superstar who would generate more revenue in international markets. He may DH for one season, and then return to his two-way “unicorn” status.
Should the Dodgers get pitching? Sure. Perhaps AF would target one of the Japanese stars coming over, or sign Giolito as a project for Prior.
There are a lot of options for upgrading the Dodgers in 2024. The question now is whether the battered and young Dodgers pitching staff can rise to the challenge.
I do not expect the Dodgers to pick up Lynn’s Option. Maybe they will sign him for less… if he wants to be a Dodger.
I am not counting on Kershaw, May, Gonsolin, Buehler, or Urias next year. Maybe Buehler, but it is far from certain.
To me, the rotation looks like Miller, Pepiot, and the maybe’s: Sheehan, Grove, Stone, Frasso, Knack, and maybe Kendall Williams. From the maybes, I think one or two may be ready. I am not sure who. Some may flame out and others may heat up.
I think the Dodgers might try and make a move for Blake Snell on a shorter-term, high AAV deal. I think that AF will also try a couple of rehab projects like Anderson or Heaney (not Thor).
Add in Yarbrough (one more year of control) and maybe Lynn and there are plenty of options. Then there is the trade market!
Agree on much of this. Buehler, Miller, Pepiot, Stone, Sheehan, Grove, Frasso is a good start. Like you say, a high-end vet on short deal and a value play change that group a lot.
Nice to see you back. Give ’em hell.
Great health update Mark!
Good to hear you are already back home.
The 1988 team was a different era and a much different team . They were reliant on pitching while this year’s team is a great offensive team. Hershiser was dominant and between Orel and Belcher they pitched in 10 out of 12 postseason games and won or saved 7 victories in the 1988 postseason.
Corey Seager is quietly having a great season this year. He leads the MLB with an OPS of 1070, has a 344 batting average and 31 HR. Ohtani will win MVP, but Corey is having an MVP worthy year as well. Sure wish we had locked him up to a contract before free agency as he was a homegrown Dodger. A Great draft pick by Colletti and company. Imagine this year’s team with Seager and Bellinger also in the lineup!
But back to reality, the current team has been grinding to an impressive division title, and has a fighting chance to win the World Series.
Funny you mention Seager, RC. If we all remember correctly there was a raging argument when Seager was a Dodger about him having to move to third or continuing to play shortstop. A good size vocal faction wanted to move him to 3rd base claiming he was a liability at short and we needed an upgrade. The usual bogus analytics were tossed around showing he just didn’t cut. Folks said just move him, regardless of what he wanted to do, like he was a chess piece.
I guess the Ranger were easier graders.
Trey Turner was an athlete but not a great shortstop. And he wanted to go east, which was fine for the money he wanted.
Now we have the best defensive shortstop of all three and there is again a vocal minority that wants to run his ass down the road because they claim he can’t hit. He’d play for me everyday.
We have a history of wanting a different shortstop. In reality a shortstop that doesn’t exist.
Maybe minor league contract with spring game invitation for Madison Bumgarner. Someone, some team will do it, and even more so with so much lack of pitching…
Blake Snell or Aaron Nola would be a nice addition but probably too much $ in the offseason.
These last few games are just not that exciting to me since there really isn’t nothing to play for except to stay fresh and not get anyone injured.
Good luck with your health situation Mark.
It’s interesting to see Bellinger, Chapman and Snell being mentioned as free agent signings in the offseason. I think there’s a better chance of signing Ohtani than any of those three. I think there’s zero chance Ohtani is going to be signed. Bellinger, Chapman and Snell are Boras clients. After Boras’s comments I think there’s even a less than zero chance any of his clients being signed by the Dodgers.
Just a few AFIB comments from a veteran. You are on the same cycle I was, which after living it was, the American medical system earning their fees! My cardio vert lasted about 14 hours, maybe less than that, then wham back to persistent AFIB. I had no one giving me an expectation and I can tell you I was bummed out. They turned the meter on for two more billable serendipities before they did what they knew it would take to fix me. Fortunately, I’m on Medicare but the extra steps and more on going blood thinners just keep the high expense meter going. I’m not unthankful, and I’m thrilled to no longer have those issues! But, I had to delay a knee replacement 8 months to allow these billable steps, then another +90 day heart wait period for my doctors to allow my knee replacement. I could have been 5 months ahead of the curve if they just did what all of them knew in advance would be necessary for my solution. After that long winded report, if the zap fixes you, you’re a miracle! I just felt my cardiologist wanted a billable procedure before (he ended up getting three) he turned me over to the rhythm specialist. The rhythm specialist admitted to me that the ablation was the only way (non drug alternative which I wasn’t up for) to solve persistent AFIB.
So, do what your doctor orders are of course, but don’t be surprised when you go back for your ablation in a few months!
DODGERS MINOR LEAGUE NEWS
Dodgers minors: Great Lakes, Rancho Cucamonga force Games 3
Thursday scores
Playoffs
Great Lakes 3, Fort Wayne 2 (series tied 1-1)
Rancho Cucamonga 4, Inland Empire 3 (series tied 1-1)
Regular season
Oklahoma City 4, Tacoma 2
Corpus Christi 4, Tulsa 3
Friday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (TBA) vs. Fort Wayne (TBA), Game 3
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBA) vs. Tacoma (Kyle Hart)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Ben Casparius) vs. Corpus Christi (Angel Macuare)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (TBA) vs. Inland Empire (TBA), Game 3
* Every time I see a picture of Quinn, I feel more sorry for your loss, Mark. What a stud. And what a shame.
* I’m really looking forward to the young pitching match up tonight in Seattle. George Kirby is a good young pitcher and I want to see him matched up with Bobby Miller. A real look into 2 future stars in MLB. Seattle has a nice pitching staff that has remained healthy all season with the exception of Marco Gonzales. Logan Gilbert is another young quality RHP. Bryce Miller has been good and their frontliner is veteran Luis Castillo. They traded their closer, Paul Sewalt, too much complaining but Andres Munoz has gotten better. The centerfielder, Julio Rodriquez, is a star and is hitting .480 his last 6 games. And he has fun playing the game much like Mookie Betts. Seattle has a nice team and needs wins with their Division battle with the Rangers and Asstros.
Should be a fun series.
* Angel Hernandez was at it again behind the dish last night in the Guardians vs Pirates game. His accuracy rate on called strikes that were actually balls was…….. 65%. The strike zone was as big as the great outdoors. It’s amazing how shitty he is, yet has remained on the job for 32 years. How has MLB not improved or fired him?
As many here will remember, In July 2017, Hernández filed a federal lawsuit against MLB, alleging that racial discrimination led to his being overlooked for World Series games and crew chief promotions. (he has been a crew chief before)
He guessed that he was overlooked due to being Cuban instead of just being horseshit.
During the 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons, Hernández’s calls at first base were overturned in 14 out of 18 video reviews, for a 78% overturn rate, exceeding the 60% overturn rate for all first-base calls by all umpires during that time period.
On October 8, 2018, Hernández was the first-base umpire for Game 3 of the 2018 American League Division Series between the Yankees and Red Sox. Four out of five plays that he called at first base which were submitted for video review were overturned. TBS analyst and Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez said after the game: “Angel was horrible. Don’t get me going on Angel now. Major League Baseball needs to do something about Angel. It doesn’t matter how many times he sues Major League Baseball. He’s as bad as there is.”
CC Sabathia said: “I don’t understand why he’s doing these games….He’s always bad. He’s a bad umpire.” Hernández declined to comment after the game, a blowout win for the Red Sox, but MLB issued a statement through a spokesperson: “There were several very close calls at first base tonight and we are glad that instant replay allowed the umpiring crew to achieve the proper result on all of them.”
Once again MLB covering his ass. I think MLB doesn’t want the bother of firing this clown at the point. They’ll just wait it out until he retires. You can just imagine the lawsuit he’s bring against everybody from MLB, Manfred, Joe Torre all the way to the clubhouse attendant. Look out Mitch Poole. So every team has to live with his ineptitude.
Gee I hear there’s new technology called Hawk Eye / ABS that could remedy the situation? What’s the holdup?
The Vet called today and refunded the $1,000.00 I spent on Quinn.
That did not bring him back!
I can’t fathom what’s going thru your head.
Such a sad story man, so sorry to hear.
Thanks! My granddaughters (all 6) are heartbroken too. Someday, I’ll put all the photos together,
Such a lovely pic! Thanks for sharing. RIP Mighty Quinn.
10:10 PM ET
Dodgers (88-57)
Mariners (81-65)
SP Bobby Miller R
9-3 3.98 ERA
SP George Kirby R
10-9 3.48 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
RF J. Heyward L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
In Domed Stadium
My wife did not let the body get cold. This is her idea of a replacement for Quinn (she has not given him a name as yet):
As a pet owner sometimes the best thing about losing one is to get another one pretty soon. Cute pup.
How about Lunch???? for a big dog that is.
I see you as a more Irish Wolfhound kind of guy.
Best wishes with your a-fib. I went through all that and ended up with a pacemaker and eliquis. Sucks.
Different species. Some kind of rodent or maybe a marsupial.
Rodent
Minnie Mi-Mouse-a
Cool Wahwah. Super Dawgs!
Really don’t understand the affection for Verdugo. He’s an OK player, but nothing special. Dodgers can do so much better.
I expect the Dodgers to bring back Heyward and continue to use Mookie to create platoons at RF and 2B. It just works.
Outman has established himself in the OF, probably CF. Great to see him reach the 20th HR mark today. Great team win against the very motivated Mariners.
During another season, Outman would be a ROY candidate. He should make the all-rookie team. Most important, he proved during the season that he could rebound from adversity and continue to improve. With his work ethic, he should be better next year.
I hope Vargas and Busch keep seeing action in LF. They seem OK as infielders, but I don’t think they’ve shown themselves capable of pushing the incumbents out.
Ohtani will always be linked to the Dodgers not because of the LA Times (an absurd suggestion) but because he is simply a great player and it seems like a great mutual fit–even as simply a DH. Surveys show that a majority of players expect Ohtani to sign with the Dodgers. He could probably get a fatter contract elsewhere, but the Dodgers are the only West Coast team that can practically guarantee a spot in the postseason.
I’ve often pushed for the Dodgers to get Chapman. I will always think AF blew it when the Blue Jays got him. But Ohtani at DH would produce a lot more runs than Chapman’s defense can prevent. Perhaps Dodgers could go with a Max-Chris Taylor platoon at 3B. Or maybe Kike, if he comes back.
Fine win in a Post Season like atmosphere.
Surely if Ohtani has TJ surgery this offseason, as I’m guessing he will
If he wants to Pitch again, he won’t be picking up a bat next year?
A couple of Starters on short high AAV contracts make more sense?
Now we’ve established Miller as our Ace, it will be interesting to see what Clayton has after a long rest between starts?
I’m thinking Miller, Pepiot, Yarborough as our starting pitching come October and possibly Clayton if there’s anything left in the tank.
Both Dodgers minor league playoff teams stayed alive in their postseasons on Friday night. Another playoff-bound team had a milestone win, and Tulsa finally snapped their long losing streak.
Player of the day
Jared Karros came up aces in his first postseason game as a professional. The Great Lakes right-hander struck out six in five scoreless innings in a winner-take-all playoff game on Friday. He allowed only two hits and one walk, and never more than one batter reached base in one inning.
Karros has an active scoreless streak of 14 innings and has allowed only one run in his four games since joining the Loons. Counting his final two starts with Rancho Cucamonga, Karros has allowed only one run in his last 29 innings, with 25 strikeouts against only four walks.
High-A Great Lakes
Great pitching and a couple of timely hits lifted the Loons over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (Padres) to win the Midwest League East Division Series in three games.
Dalton Rushing had an RBI double in the third inning, and Alex Freeland had an RBI double in the fourth inning. For Rushing, it provided a nice contrast from earlier in the game, when he thought he walked on a full-count pitch but instead was called out of strikes. The demonstrative Rushing put his hands on top of his head in disbelief, but luckily for Great Lakes did not add to his team-leading total of five ejections on the season.
Friday scores
Playoffs
Great Lakes 2, Fort Wayne 1 (Loons win series 2-1)
Rancho Cucamonga 11, Inland Empire 6 (Quakes win series 2-1)
Regular season
Oklahoma City 6, Tacoma 2
Tulsa 8, Corpus Christi 3
Saturday schedule
5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Mike Montgomery) vs. Tacoma (Tommy Milone)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Kendall Williams) vs. Corpus Christi (Valente Bellozo)
Magic Number to clinch the West stands at 2 with the Giants and1 with the Snakes.The Padres are booking early tee times in October,