The Dodgers are 8-3, and Yoshi Yamamoto just won his first win while striking out 8. Tyler Glasnow has looked like an Ace since Spring Training, and Striker Buehler, a past Ace, went 4.2 innings for OKC yesterday, allowing just two hits, walking none, and striking out six! He threw 65 pitches, 42 of them for strikes. Walker was extremely happy with his results. His fastball was 93-95 until he tired at the end, when it dropped to around 92. That’s why they are building him up slowly. Don’t forget that Old Man Kershaw will be back in the second half, and I expect him to put up Kershaw-esque numbers.
Look for him by May 1st!
The OKC Baseball Club won behind Buehler, Crismatt, Nick Ramirez, and Ricky Vanasco 4-3. Vanasco gave up 1 run in the 9th, walked two, and struck out the side for his second save. Andy Pages is getting untracked as he went 2-5. The Baseball Club improved to 5-3.
Tulsa Drillers
The Driller improved to 2-0 as they beat the NW Arky Naturals 11-4. Cartaya was 1-4 with a hit by pitch as he scored a run and drove in a run. He was the catcher, while Dalton Rushing was the DH. Rushing was 1-5. Taylor Young was 2-4 with 3 RBI and a HR. The Dodgers used six pitchers led by Casparius and Harris, who were unimpressive in their first outings. Both have filthy stuff… but they have no idea where it is going. Last year was a “write-off” year for Cartaya. Just forget about it. He’s back and better than ever. Fans are so quick to turn on prospects. Progress is not linear… ask James Outman right about now.
Great Lakes Loons
The Loons also improved to 2-0 behind Jared Karros (whom I think will move to Tulsa with a quickness). Jared pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 1 ER while walking his usual (ZERO) and striking out 5. He is a man among men here. Noan Miller hit third and was 1-1 with an RBI, a run scored, and three walks. He bears watching! Nick Biddison was 2-4.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Quakes lost 7-5, but DePaula and Hope both doubled and Joe Vetrano were 2-5 with 2 RBI. Edgardo Henriquza went 2 innings, striking out 4, walking 1 and allowing just 1 hit.
Back to the Show
- Watch Conner Brogdon – this is another guy the Dodgers think they can “fix.” He has a 3.88 Career ERA, but in 2023, it was over 4.00, and this year, it was 27.00. He throws hard and needs a sweeper or some such pitch. It a great risk to take.
- The Dodgers are being cautious with Blake Treinen and the Bazooka and are allowing JP Feyereisen plenty of time to build up. JP is filthy when healthy.
- Emmett Sheehan is also being brought along very slowly.
- Muncy, Rojas, and Barnes all had two hits yesterday! HA! Lay off them!
- James Outman is as cold as he was hot early last season. I hope he gets it all together soon, but he looks lost. The Dodgers need him… badly. I feel for the kid.
- I am glad to see Michael Busch hitting .304 and learning 1B again. He will do well, and the Dodgers did well in the return for him.
- Many fans hate it when Joe Kelly is smoking hot!
- It’s hard for a closer when he’s up 4-0. I give Evan Phillips a pass…
- Daniel Hudson and Ryan Brasier just do their jobs.
- Dave said it:
Tyler Glasnow on sticky stuff:
Stone and Imanaga Today at 11:20 PT/2:20 ET
From Seth Godin
Analyzing the last move
When the deal falls apart, or the team loses the game, or a partnership hits the rocks, it’s easy to focus our energy on what just happened.
“What if they had called a different play?”
This overlooks the real issue. It’s the first move, or the fifth, that led to this problem, not what happened at the last moment.
Creating the conditions for success is a very different project than finding a heroic move that saves the day.
Correction today’s game: 2:20 ET with 71% chance of rain
5 out of 4 people struggle with math. I fixed it! 😉
Woke up in a fantastic mood this morning knowing it’s Masters week. Then you hit me with the Walker Buehler stat line from yesterday. Today is a GREAT day.
And Yamamoto notches his first big league win. The kid has got it.
WB stat line is great for sure. But I have doubt that he will be the dominant pitcher he was IF his velo does not tick up 2-3 mph on the heater.
Cartaya looks like a different hitter this season for sure.
And dePaula should have had another double or triple if not for a fantastic catch by the OF.
That Henriquez guy looks like a mountain of a man.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Excellent “Back to the Show” takes Mark. I’m bullish on Connor Brogdon as well. AF and the boys now how to build a pitching staff.
We shouldn’t expect him to be dominant. #3 or #4 starter production is huge on this staff.
Well, Outman has hit some balls hard, but right at fielders.
A few bloops and well placed dribblers and he’ll be fine.
I can’t believe how Stadium staff and security handled the Ohtani homerun ball and the fan who picked it off the ground. After the stories began to appear, the Dodgers contacted the husband and wife, making amends. They managed to make an incredibly cool moment for two fans into somewhat of a nightmare. Maybe they need more staff training. Separating the husband and wife to negotiate for the ball was pretty weird, refusing to certify the ball to lessen the value was over the top.
Okay, the team will be fine. The security staff needs an attitude adjustment. You don’t demand the ball. You treat the fans with respect. It was their right to keep the ball. I hope we don’t see the Nuns for Perpetual Nonsense at the stadium again. Unless, of course they want to anger all the Catholics again and piss off Kershaw.
The Dodgers don’t need all these weird distractions like the bookie/interpreter nonsense.
Be nice. After all the tickets aren’t cheap. Remember, it’s about the fan experience.
Here is for smooth sailing the rest of the season.
a. beautiful day here in southwest virginia! a little chilly this morning but blue skies! blue being my favorite color! weird the dodgers putting trammel on the roster and he hasn’t had a plate appearance! stone could really make a statement today with a solid 5-6 innings. getting excited for walkers next rehab start! go barnes!!
2:20 PM ET
Dodgers (8-3)
Cubs (5-3)
SP Gavin Stone R
0-0 5.40 ERA
SP Shota Imanaga L
1-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
RF T. Hernandez R
CF E. Hernandez R
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Miguel Rojas R
56% Rain
45° Wind 18 mph R-L
Gavin Lux starting against a lefty pitcher
Sunday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Peter Heubeck) vs. Fort Wayne (Dylan Lesko)
12:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Elieser Hernández) vs. Albuquerque (Thomas Ponticelli)
12:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Orlando Ortiz-Mayr) at Northwest Arkansas (Chandler Champlain)
1:15 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Carlos Duran) at Lake Elsinore (Carson Montgomery)
Dodgers are off to a fine start. I believe they are going to continue to seek their best roster. As long as they make the playoffs playing the first round wouldn’t be a bad thing. However, provided they are reasonably healthy they will win the division. This will draw the ire of the Robert’s lovers but just shut up about the “World Series or bust” just keep your head down and get better. Everyone knows that is the goal but it’s embarrassing when u haven’t made it out of the first round in 2 years.
Observations:
Without the velo Buehler will not be an ace.
I believe the Dodgers are holding back Graterol(“I feel great”), Treinen, and Sheehan
Grove will not be on the playoff roster
We will lead the league in ks offensively
Muncy looks to be in excellent physical shape. He is not working the count as much mb the sucky umpires are contributing to that.
Taylor has LA in a conundrum. His salary prohibits a trade as well as his lack of performance
How about a bunt occasionally to offset the double play
We will face the most lefties of any team in the league
Bobby Miller needs to mature emotionally
I think Buehler may become more of a “pitcher!”
The FO created the Taylor conundrum by paying him that salary him.
Good morning gang. Funeral was yesterday and it was a nice service. Got to watch the end of the game. Nice win for the team. D-Backs took a huge hit yesterday as they lost Perdomo to a torn meniscus which will require surgery. Strasburg finally announced his retirement officially. The Nationals will pay the remainder of his 105 million dollars owed on his contract, but reportedly he has agreed to defer some of the money. He made exactly 8 starts after he signed his massive deal. Strider placed on the IL by the Braves.
Walker Buehler was Walker Buehler when he threw 95+ with his FB. If he now sits at 93 I don’t think he’s going to be the same pitcher.
If he comes back fully – If he ever does – it might not be till next year. I think the second year back is the norm for TJ patients regaining velo and pitching feel.
I think 2021 when he threw over 200 innings ruined him. He was not the same in 22, and was shut down, beginning our long journey back from TJ #2.
To Mark’s point, yes, this will force him to become more of a pitcher vs. a thrower of straight gas. Still, you have to have stuff., and 92 is a lot different than 96. In today’s game 96 plays, 92 does not.
And I think he was learning how to pitch vs. throw before this happened, and 21 is when he put it all together.
When he first came up his average FB velo was 97-98. He wasn’t very good. He was more effective when his velo plateaud around that 95-96 range.
Still, he could rear back and uncork that 98 MPH FB when he needed it.
My expectations for Buehler are tempered.
He was at 92-93 in the 4th inning.
That’s why they are building him up.
Orel says he is hitting 97 in bullpen sessions.
From what I have heard and seen, he will be 95+ when he returns.
Dodgerpatch sure sounds negative on Buehler. And it comes across as a lack of appreciation for how good Buehler been as a Dodger. Even with his subpar 2022 when Walker pitched hurt, his lifetime ERA is 3.02.
And his postseason ERA is 2.94 including several clutch and dominant performances.
Maybe you don’t remember his tiebreaker win against the Rockies in 2018, when he pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings allowing only 1 hit as the Dodgers won the division thanks to Buehler.
Or the 2018 World Series game 3 when he threw 7 shutout innings of 2 hit ball against the world champ Red Sox.
Or the 2020 Game 6 against the Braves when Buehler threw 6 shutout innings in an elimination game which enabled them to win the World Series in 2020.
And there are several other clutch performances.
Buehler has been a much better pitcher than either Glasnow or Ohtani in the MLB and he is actually younger than both of them. The Dodgers are only paying Buehler $8 million this year, despite his huge accomplishments for the organization. Compare that to the guarantees given to Glasnow-$136 million, Yamamoto-$325 million plus $50 million posting fee, and Ohtani-$700 million.
I am optimistic with Buehler, and even if he doesn’t come all of the way back, I would bet on his competitiveness.
He has been underpaid and under appreciated as a Dodger.
Ok. You’re going to have to excuse my bluntness, but this was just dumb take.
No. My merely pointing out where Buehler currently is in comparison to where he was is not showing a lack of appreciation for his past accomplishments; and your laundry list of his accomplishments – like I need a reminder? … as if those have an influence on how he pitched today? Sometimes the pessimist will rationalize pessimism and negativity by claiming to be a “realist,” but this is not one of those times.
I would be genuinely thrilled if Buehler comes back better than ever, and am hoping for it, but I’m not going to go into ecstasy over minor league start where is velo sits at 93 when it used to sit at 98. Now, if what Mark says is true and he’s capable of better stuff, then fantastic. I’ll go along with that, but this whole silly notion that I’m somehow disloyal if I don’t repeat happy talk is strange.
I’m a Dodger fan. I’m not part of a Dodger cult.
Ok. Patch. You have a right to your opinion that I had a dumb take.
IMO velocity is not everything with Buehler or any pitcher. And yes there is a good chance Buehler does not regain his prior level of effectiveness. Very few pitchers have successfully returned from a second TJ surgery. But just to clarify, the game summary from the OKC game showed Buehler mostly around 94 with his Fastball. He peaked at 95.9 on Saturday, This is his second rehab start, and he faced 16 batters with only two hits, zero runs, 0 BB, and 6 Ks. As Mark pointed out, he has reportedly been hitting 97 in bullpen sessions.
Hopefully, Buehler comes back close to his form from 2018-2021 when had ERAs of 2.62 and 2.47 and he was 4th in the Cy Young voting. Both of us would like to see him back at the top of his game.
I don’t see how Buhler, at $8 million, is “underpaid.”
Players don’t get the really big bucks until they log enough time to be free agents. Before that, they can negotiate deals and settle disputes in arbitration. Buhler’s injury and inability to perform has tempered his value, but he was still getting paid big money while recovering.
Comparing Buhler to Glasnow and Ohtani (as a pitcher) is an interesting exercise, but those guys didn’t have the benefit of playing for a first-place team. (I’d say all are clearly ace-calibre talents, if not necessarily proven aces.)
If Buhler comes back strong, he might get a contract similar to Glasnow’s, or even better. But the Dodgers may prefer to invest in Sasaki instead. Or they may decide that River Ryan or Wrobleski or ??? should fill out the six-man rotation.
All of these investments seem pretty dicey amid the epidemic of arm injuries. Perhaps that’s one reason that Snell and Montgomery didn’t get the long-term deals they were seeking.
Dodgers will be facing all right handed pitchers in the upcoming series with Minnesota and Trammell should hopefully get a start. If not, having him on the roster is a wasted spot.
Some good analysis of Yamamoto by Pitching Ninja.
It starts at the 7:30 mark.
https://youtu.be/cgGS8x65SGE?si=CwvoNYp3Pts9q_BS
Someone said Friedman did not think Lux is a shortstop. Really? What is the fascination with Lux? We let go of Seager who just didn’t seem to want to be a Dodger. Trea Turner same. How about O’Neill Cruz? Oh yeah we traded him to the Bucs. With a system depleted of ss and no heir apparent (traded Amaya as well) Friedman was absolutely counting on Lux. So after this Spring training it looks like he finally decided Lux is not a ss. Ok now everyone knows but what is Lux? He appears to be a good fit at second but a platoon player? He had one stretch of good major league hitting but doesn’t appear to be able to hit lefties. I personally think he is athletic and will need time to recover his stroke. If it turns out he is going to be a platoon player I would be looking for a trade partner. We actually chose him over the Toronto ss.
What?
The Dodgers could have drafted Bichetgte!
Well, I was all for including Lux in a deal for Lindor….
Would a deal for Lindor have precluded the later deal for Mookie?
Not sure. But Lindor-Mookie would have been a pretty good keystone combo.
At any rate, some of the decisions AF & Company have made are baffling.
Let’s not forget that at the same time they had convinced themselves that Lux was ready to take over they were also confident that Miguel Vargas could take over 2B. Remember, there was no real competition at 2B, even after Vargas got hurt, and even though fellow top prospect Michael Busch was also being groomed as an option.
Yep. Hindsight is 20/20.
The Dodgers have been Am-Busched!
you know, Michael Bush is loving every minute of this! hindsight 20 20 but maybe we traded the wrong prospect just saying. Hopefully it’s just the weather with Gavin but if he keeps throwing the ball this way, he’ll probably earn a trip back down. Can’t wait for Buehler to get back.! I’m sure the umpires will call this game after five even though it’s pouring down!
Nah, there was no place for him to play. 1B is where he needs to be.
The Dodgers did the right thing:
1. They sent him somewhere where he could play; and
2. They got Hope and Ferris for him.
BANG!
Hope with 2 homeruns today for Rancho. He now has 3 in 3 games. The trade for Busch was more than fair as we received two excellent prospects.
Well, I would have liked Busch to get a fair shot at 2B, just like Miguelito.
My guess is that he had more 2B experience than Vargas.
Oh well. Spilt milk.
But I’m happy for Busch. In fact, he was my longshot ROY choice on another site, because why not? He could be the new Konerko. I’m also happy that Dodgers landed both Ferris and Hope. A lot promise there
it’s early i know. but! the dodgers outfield except for t. hernandez is awful. no need to panic or platoon! only one guy producing. hopefully someone starts hitting not in the first 5!
Pages is warming up in the wings.
Yes, but Vargas is off to a better start than Pages in OKC.
I expect the brass to wait a few weeks before they make a serious move.
If Heyward is out for a while, Teoscar could play RF full-time and perhaps Vargas or Pages could be summoned to play LF.