In 1988, the Dodgers had the Stuntmen, but in 2023, they have a team of stuntmen (thanks to Bill Plaschke for that). In 2022, the Dodgers had players who felt they had a pedigree… that they were Bluebloods. In 2023, it’s clear that these guys are really junkyard dogs.
- Boston didn’t want Mookie Betts
- Atlanta didn’t want Freddie Freeman
- Oakland didn’t want Max Muncy
- Miami didn’t want Miguel Rojas
- Chicago didn’t want Jason Heyward
- Arizona and Tampa Bay didn’t want David Peralta
- Boston Didn’t want Kike Hernandez
- Milwaukee and Seattle did not want Kolten Wong
- Cleveland did not want Amed Rosario
- Chicago did not want Lance Lynn
- Chicago did not want Joe Kelly
- Boston did not want Ryan Brasier
- Minnesota did not want the Bazooka
- St. Louis did not want Shelby Miller
- Miami did not want Alex Vesia
- Kansas City and Tampa Bay did not want Ryan Yarbrough
- Seattle didn’t want Chris Taylor
- Baltimore and Tampa Bay did not want Evan Phillips.
This 2023 Version of the Los Angeles Dodgers is 70% built on castoffs (all of the above), oldtimers like Clayton, whose arm is held on with duct tape and baling wire, and unproven youngsters. If Sandy Koufax was the “left arm of God” then Clayton Kershaw is now the “Left arm of Job.” But, the Dude can still get hitters to screw themselves into the ground. These guys are playing with a chip on their collective shoulders. When people underestimate you, there’s a power in you to prove they’re wrong. This is a team that is of the highest character. This is a team with something to prove. This is a team of junkyard dogs!
Last year’s team felt entitled. This team yearns to prove they belong.
Two outs? No problem!
We are behind? No problem!
“Tell me what I need to do and I’ll do it!”
Move the runner. OK!
Make that killer pitch. OK!
It ain’t over until it’s over with these guys.
I’ll go to war with these guys any day. They pick each other up. They score more runs with two outs than any team in baseball. They support each other. They move the runners. They cut down their swings. They are not perfect, but you have to kill them to beat them! This team is to be reckoned with. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
BY the way: On a side note, last year and early this season, I had called Mookie out and said that he was not playing like a Superstar. I was called an “idiot” and mocked by one moron in particular for that. It turns out that was 100% true. Dodgers.com chronicles how Mookie “believes he’s finally in a place to better understand everything that comes with being the face of a franchise, which he certainly is for the Dodgers.” It goes on to say:
For Betts, the hardest part of the change was not performing up to his standards. While he starred in 2020 with a .927 OPS, Betts posted an .854 OPS in ‘21 and an .873 mark in ‘22. Those numbers are above league-average, but they didn’t meet Betts’ standards. It was something that wore on him as he tried to show off his talents in his new home.
— Juan Toribio
“This is really the first year [with the Dodgers] where I’ve played decent,” Betts said. “I think that was also the reservation that I felt like I couldn’t really say nothing because I’m out here doing some average [stuff], you know what I’m saying? In my eyes, I wasn’t helping us win games and [was] just blending in. I kept telling me, ‘You signed this contract and you’re just gonna blend in?’”
Yes, I am an idiot and what does that make you? That’s the final word!
Rob Manfred, Trevor Bauer & The All-Star Game
Rob Manfred likely gets his news from the same place many of you also do: The Mainstream Media, which pushes their own narrative, frequently not rooted in the truth. Remember, in 2020, we were told to”trust the science.” I do trust science, and science is continually evolving. It turns out that a very high percentage of what we were told was simply false. I am not going to beat that horse, but you have to be mentally derelict not to comprehend that.
Staying with a baseball theme, Rob Manfred moved the All-Star Game from Atlanta to Denver because of Atlanta’s Racist Voting Laws. When was the last time anyone talked about that? No one does because it was complete and utter Bullshit. The media mob was screaming it, and the sheeple believed it. Then, the Moron known as Manfred possibly cost the Dodgers at least one World Series by suspending Trevor Bauer for what we now know is just plain bogus. Again, the media mob demanded it, and Manfred caved in. If you have not watched all of the YouTube videos and interviews that were released this week, then you may still believe Trevor Bauer is guilty. Of course, his teammates are not going to jump to his aid for fear of also being ostracized! Rob Manfred is the scum of the earth, and any good he has accomplished, such as the rule changes that came into effect this year are nullified by the evil (YES EVIL) done by this man.
OK, I’m done!
AFL
- Damon Keith was 2-4 on Thursday, and Yenier Fernandez was 1-3 as he played 2B.
- Last night, Keith was 0-2 with 2 BBs. Sublette pitched 1 inning and allowed 2 hits, but no runs while striking out 1. Pilarski pitched one inning and allowed 2 hits and 3 runs (none were earned).
Let’s win one for the Gipper.
Can’t wait to see the roster. I think it’s all set unless they want to carry Wong, in which case a pitcher probably has to go. Grove? I have Ferguson & Vesia in. Lynn & Sheehan too. We’ll wait and see.
Smith/Barnes
Freeman
Betts
Rojas
Muncy
Peralta
Outman
Heyward
JDM
Taylor/Rosario/Keekay
13
Kershaw
Miller
Pepiot
Lynn
Phillips/Graterol/Braser
Yarbrough/Sheehan
Kelly
Vesia/Ferguson
12
Last spot is Wong or Grove
If they decide Yarbrough is not needed as a lefty “long reliever,” then Grove and Wong both make it.
That’s fair, but I’d be surprised. To me, he’s the ultimate swiss army knife.
But you make a good point.
Yarbrough is a “LOCK.”
You can bet he is scheduled to piggyback with Bobby Miller on Monday, just as Sheehan will relieve Clayton at some point tonight.
And Grove will be in the pen.
Go Dodgers
The Dodgers picked your lock, lol.
Ranking the postseason series in terms of interest [non-Dodgercentric]:
1. Phi/ATL–lotta heat in this one. Best team vs. last year’s pennant winner. Phi thinks they are in Atl’s head.
2. Texas/Balt–put some respect on Balt’s name! Texas surprised a lot of people handling TB. Their offense is loaded.
3. Ari/LA–not SD, not SF, but Ari is going to try to ruin our season. We need to come out on fire. Every second counts.
4. Minn/Hou–go Twins cuz fuck those cheating cheaters forever.
agree. Plus Minn also has Correa, so F that entire series.
Yet, Go Twins.
What was the percentage of ‘castoffs’ on the 2022 team?
Fewer: Gallo, Alberto, Thompson, et al.
Bauer is cashing in over in Japan. Win for him and Rachel Luba.
Curious to see who she represents now in Japan. Brand is growing. Media presence solid. Manfred’s? Nada.
They both suck.
Yarborough was not a “lock” to make the 26 man NLDS roster after all. Surprised Ferguson made it over Yarborough and surprised Wong made it over Rosario if for no other reason than Rosario’s speed.
Let’s go Dodgers
Yarbrough is a definite surprise, but I guess they have their reasons.
Wong instead of Rosario makes more sense because the Dbacks have mostly right handed starters which means we’ll be using an outfield of Peralta/Outman/JHey with Mookie at second. If Wong doesn’t make the roster, that leaves us with no lefty subs. We still have CT3 and Kike as righty hitters.
Maybe they figured one soft-tossing lefty was enough.
And it turned out to be one too many…
From Dodgers.com:
Amed Rosario was left off the roster, making room for Kolten Wong. The D-backs will likely deploy a right-handed-heavy pitching staff, and Wong gives the Dodgers another left-handed option off the bench and a plus defender at second base.
Rosario, who was acquired from the Guardians before the Trade Deadline, has had success against lefties throughout his career, but has struggled against righties. On the other hand, Wong had a forgettable season that resulted in the Mariners designating him for assignment, but he has made some changes to his swing since joining the Dodgers’ organization in August.
On the pitching side, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough was the odd-man out for this round. With either Lance Lynn and Ryan Pepiot likely to start Game 3, with whoever doesn’t start providing length out of the bullpen, the Dodgers decided to go with another reliever instead of Yarbrough. The left-hander, however, could be an option if the Dodgers advance to the NLCS.
Here’s the Dodgers’ entire NLDS roster:
PITCHERS (13): RHP Ryan Brasier, LHP Caleb Ferguson, RHP Brusdar Graterol, RHP Michael Grove, RHP Joe Kelly, LHP Clayton Kershaw, RHP Lance Lynn, RHP Shelby Miller, RHP Bobby Miller, RHP Ryan Pepiot, RHP Evan Phillips, RHP Emmet Sheehan, LHP Alex Vesia
CATCHERS (2): Austin Barnes, Will Smith
INFIELDERS (6): Freddie Freeman, Kiké Hernández, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, Chris Taylor, Kolten Wong
OUTFIELDERS (4): Mookie Betts, Jason Heyward, James Outman, David Peralta
DH (1): J.D. Martinez
I suspected that Wong would make it because the D-Backs are a RH-dominant pitching staff, and Wong is a plus defender at 2B, but I was shocked Yarbrough was left off.
I get the rationale, however. I hope it works.
Mark,
I don’t remember all the thousands of posts and who said what on all topics. But the ones that I do remember is you saying from the beginning-about Bauer,–Let’s wait and see until we see ALL the evidence. And as you would say now.
BANG!
Facing lefties or righties I trust Rosario’s bat over Wong’s with what I’ve seen plus think he’s a better for chemistry in clubhouse guy and his speed would sure come in handy pinch running or ghost runner in late innings but they never listen to my lame opinions lol. Yarbrough would have been my choice getting left off. Lot of rookies, gotta hope they embrace the pressure and not fold under it. I bet on the former
Both Rosario and Yarbrough will be in the dugout!
This is why Peralta, in my silly opinion, should have been benched.
Because he could still be on the bench. That’s where his value evidently is.
If I were to pick a player who could be a surprise MVP, it would be Perlta. He would love to harpoon the D-Backs.
Jesus Christ.
The Bauer thing has NEVER EVER been about guilt or innocence.
How in the world can Mark still not be aware of this?
I refuse to accept that.
So, tell me what do you think it is about?
You think anyone cares if he’s guilty or innocent?!??!?
This is a billion dollar industry driven by ratings and attendance.
It’s about the MLB brand. Public perception.
You think they want a guy who hits women going unpunished?
Tony Kornheiser quotes the late Don Ohlmeyer at times like this: “The answer to all your questions is money.”
That’s all we are talking about. Money.
I know that it is all about the money, but that is where they lose me.
People are more important than money… and yes, I know they do not believe that!
Come on man. I have made it clear I don’t like Trevor Bauer. He’s a jerk and acted like a child on social media before any of this BS came out. I tolerated him because he became a Dodger. But he has rock solid proof the woman engineered this whole thing. Read her text messages her lawyers were forced to turn over. The only crime committed was that she filed a false police report and completely fabricated the whole thing. This is Duke Lacrosse 2.0. I hope heads will roll. Starting with the woman being charged with filing a fraudulent police report. Then her lawyers being censured by the State bar. Bauer has been vindicated. Completely. Doesn’t make him any less of asshole in my mind. He acted recklessly for an athlete of his stature. But being an asshole isn’t illegal nor should it be the basis for being suspended and black listed from MLB. How many dudes are playing pro sports with 8 children from 8 women who owe back child support? How many athletes have DUIs and risked the lives of people on the street are still getting paid? How many athletes have been charged with assault and still get to play their sport?
Trevor made bad decisions and I don’t personally like the man. But he’s vindicated. Period.
Child support delinquency?!?!?? You think that’s an analogue?
None of what you cite matters, but is interesting.
The failure of media to be fair to assholes is an issue. Ethan Strauss deals with it here in a thoughtful way:
https://www.houseofstrauss.com/p/the-trevor-bauer-mess-can-the-media
You have an interesting moral compass. The woman intentionally asked him for rough sex, so she could blackmail and steal money from him.
But apparently that still makes her a victim? And Bauer a perpetrator.
Sorry.
No
Who said perpetrator or victim?
Neither of those are relevant.
Here is what is relevant, from my POV:
If you have a high-paying job, or a high profile job. Don’t hit women.
Yarbrough surprised me. But I am pretty sure they know better than I what they are doing. Wong is there because the D-Backs staff is predominantly right-handed. And he is a better fielder than Rosario. Looks like Moreno is going to be ok to play. But they should keep an eye on him.
Of course I’ve never been on a team in a big league clubhouse but would imagine a player actually playing goes way farther than one just sitting on the bench. Truth is I can’t pin point the reason just don’t think to highly of Wong especially in clutch moments but that’s just me. Hope he proves me wrong. Of course I understand the strategy of facing a righty heavy staff just wanna believe there’s way more to it than analytics. Let’s win this thing man
Wong does not hit lefties.
Rosario does not hit righties.
Rosario has little experience at 2B, but is a bad SS.
Wong is a Gold Glove at 2B.
Rosario is faster than Wong… but not by a lot.
Arizona has lots of RHP. I have said that I thought Wong would make it for a week, but I was wrong about Yarbrough.
Well if it came down to Yarbrough or Grove I would also go with Grove. Just better stuff.
You reminded us (not on purpose) that 18 of 26 guys are not home grown.
6 pitchers are (Dodgers do a better job developing pitchers).
2 position players are (my 2 favorites: Smith and Outman).
There are some holes in the bullpen. All I’m saying is that I hope Doc pushes the right buttons and the wrong buttons ARE OBVIOUS.
Last year Andrew home run allowing machine Heaney gave up the game winning HOME RUN in game 2. He was an OBVIOUS hole in the bullpen and yet Doc used him.
Well I’ve seen Rosario get hits off righties a few times also Dbacks got a lefty set up type reliever in saalfrank that’s been pitching Damm good that I’m sure will wish had Rosario to pinch hit against. It’s not like either would start so their defense will matter very little. I’ve also seen Wong blunder plays at second. Stats never amount to much in playoff baseball. One thing I hope for sure is that they don’t manage every decision based on analytics rather then experienced baseball instincts and what the eye test says is actually going on
9:20 PM ET
Diamondbacks (84-78)
Dodgers (100-62)
SP Merrill Kelly R
12-8 3.29 ERA
SP Clayton Kershaw L
13-5 2.46 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
RF J. Heyward L
LF D. Peralta L
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
83° Wind 8 mph Out
Any catchers in the house?
How/what are they looking for on catcher’s interference? Laces? What in hell just happened to Braves?
Big run in big game? Jomboy Media get on it.
Uffff
Ya
I’m in shock
Wow…
Kershaw’s postseason ERA is at 162.0.
A new record?
“Houston, we have a problem.” October
Very sad for Kersh, but in truth, many are not shocked by what happened to him tonight
We’ve probably witnessed Clayton’s last MLB start. Not trying to be too hyperbolic but he is not the pitcher that started the season and is probably in need of surgery that he’ll most likely decline and retire. I love CK and is the absolute and unquestioned greatest Dodger pitcher in my lifetime.
Now we have to start asking why Doc and AF would not start our best pitcher in Bobby Miller to start game one of the post season. It’s a fair question.
I’m in complete shock at the start of the post season. I’m on the east coast and can’t make it to the finish but I hope I wake up and read about one of our best all time comebacks, but truthfully game one is probably over.
So what if Miller started tonight? Kersh would have pitched game 2.
Which team was 16 games better than the other?
Me and my son after two innings.
Thanks all I have to say about that.
https://youtube.com/shorts/InaAKIjzXuE?si=tyf5DtkCsJYU1gLQ
At least a knock-out only counts 1 and not 3 games.
There ..feel better now?
Seriously, the most alarming realization about Clayton is that it now appears the Dodgers brass totally wasted a series roster spot on a helpless injured pitcher.
I have no idea what the Dodgers are going to do for the rest of this series. But I do want to point out that the 1959 Dodgers lost the first game of the 1959 World Series 11-0, and then went on to win the Series in six (6) games.
It’s certainly not over. Dodgers can put runs on the board. Well, not so far tonight.
But Kersh is done. We all know he’s playing hurt. I just hope he doesn’t go out this way. But there is a chance this was his final game. He had nothing. Absolutely nothing.
It looked to me that they knew what was coming. They swung at EVERY strike. Check it out 25 pitches for strikes–everyone swung at. (sorry 24 out of 25 swung at) Somethings not right with that. You mean to say that there was only one strike that fooled the hitter. Also all close pitches were all taken for balls.
To continue. Very few sliders outside oft he zone that were chased
I don’t think that their success means the D’backs must have known which kind of pitch was coming–fastball, slider, curve, whatever.
More likely, I think, is that it means that Kershaw was simply unable to execute his pitches. Pair the loss of velocity with the loss of command and sliders that are supposed to break out of the zone stay in the zone. A fastball for corner drifts middle-middle. Et cetera.
When he’s throwing that “Cooperstown curve,” even hitters who know it’s coming have a hard time getting a barrel on it.
The way he was throwing, it turned out to be batting practice. Merril Kelley, meanwhile, was dominating superior hitters.
Now we see how the Dodgers respond.
Teams with byes and the “advantage “ of a lengthy period of rest are 1-3. Maybe rest works against a team when they are facing a team that just won a playoff series. Just sayin’.
Feel bad for Kershaw. He was never right once he went on the IL in June. We all know what we saw when he came back and I am certain the Dodgers know even better. Low velocity four seamer, high walk rate, not the same bite on his breaking pitches, and short outings. My guess is they wanted him to start in LA and not Arizona and hopefully give them three or four innings. Can’t imagine he pitches next year – either retired or surgery.
Still feel like LA can get three out of next four. Miller and Pepiot have been their best starters (or bulk guy in case of Pepiot) and their pen is the strength of the staff.
Remarkable that they won 100 games with their starting rotation in tatters by August. This team has a lot of baseball character which they have demonstrated all year. Wish they were playing tomorrow so Gallen did not get the extra day off. That extra day off works against the advantage the Dodgers got by getting a bye.
Good points. What a disaster of a game! I will always love Kershaw but he should not pitch another game this year. He gave everything for this team and should not be pitching anymore with an injured shoulder.
An embarrassing loss as a team and don’t think I have seen a team get dominated at home to this extent in a playoff opener.
Four of the five pitchers so far have allowed runs and have been not ineffective. Only three hits from the lineup in the first 7 innings.
But it only counts as one loss. Hopefully, the grinding, proud team we saw all year shows up on Monday.
2004 Red Sox anyone?
Went down 3-0 after a 19-8 asskicking at Fenway.
Ask Dave Roberts how that series turned out.
We win this. D-Backs got no more magic. Guaranteed.*
*Disclaimer: I am a Moron
Arizona kicking LA’s butt in baseball and football tonight! Shocking!
Don’t shoot the messenger (me), but Doc said Kershaw is starting game four.
I have no opinion.
Well, at least he thinks it will get to game 4!
What an embarassing loss. Game practivally was over after the first inning which sucked out all life of the team and crowd.Feel bad for CK but it just might be time to hang em up.
Lets see how resilient this team is. Game 2 almost a must win situation. Facing Gallen will be a steep task.
Bobby Miller to the rescue?!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, if we’re looking for dramatic narratives–and of course we are–then it’s very much Bobby Miller time. The Dodgers really need a hero.
Maybe Miller is the “junkyard dog” type. Hope so. Because I really don’t see much “junkyard” in this roster as a whole.
The Dodgers have to stop kissing Clayton’s ass and start him in the first game of the playoffs.. with his velocity down to 90 and below and he was not deservant of pitching that game.. To me unless he gets medical attention in the off season , he should not be on the Dodger roster in 2024. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and should retire as a Dodger. He is all done. I would have started Miller followed by Pepiot in Game 2. You need pitchers with swing and miss stuff in the playoffs. Game 3 would a bullpen game with Lynn starting. Right now we’re in trouble. AF needs to prioritize pitching in 2024. We need to sign the pitcher in Japan.