I have to confess that when I hear this, I don’t just chuckle; I erupt into crazed laughter. I mean, how do you construct a team for the playoffs? Maybe you just need to commission someone to make a cyborg for all nine positions? Many fans who read here have been around for fifty, sixty, or seventy years, and most are conditioned to the way it used to be. Or maybe they are just grumpy old men who want to see the Dodgers win another World Series before they die, so they take leave of their rationality. It used to be that if you built a good team and just had the best record in your league, you would play the team that had the best record in their league for the World Series. Simple!
Well, it’s no longer that simple. If you are a truly great team and have the best record, you are penalized by not being able to play for about the first week of the playoffs. That makes you somewhat “stale” and then you have to play four more teams in a five or seven-game series in order to win the World Series. If you think that is easy, well, you, sir, are a dumbass! At the very least, you are old and slow. I am old, but not slow!
Many Dodger fans would complain if the Dodgers went 162-0. It’s in their DNA. It’s who they are. They minimize the fact that the Dodgers have been the most successful team in the past 10 years in all of MLB. They ridicule the fact that there has NEVER been a 10-year run like this in the history of Dodger baseball. They distort the fact that the Dodgers have won one world championship in that period and should have won two had it not been for the Cheating Astros. They fail at math and cannot comprehend how a superteam could put up the best record in either league and then just have to win four games to be a world champion. Now, it takes a baker’s dozen to win.
They say that the Dodgers aren’t built to win in the post-season but want the Dodgers to be ahead by 30 games in September so that they don’t have anything to play for and stagnate in October. Could it be that the Dodgers’ Brass is not playing every game as if it were game seven of the World Series? The Dodgers’ lead over their second-place team in their division (San Diego) is the largest in baseball. Should Doc manage every game “balls to the wall?”
Of course, we all want to win a World Series, but MLB has changed the rules. In times past, two teams (one from each league) played the best of four to see who would be the World Champion. Now, three division winners and three wild cards from each league start playing when the season is over. That’s way different, and if you even have a slight comprehension of how statistics and probability come into play, you have to know that randomness is now one of the biggest factors. We know the Reds are better than the Dodgers – the Reds are struggling his year, but they hold a winning record against the Dodgers as of right now.
Jason Stark wrote a piece for ESPN back in 2016 called “Why superteams don’t win the World Series.” It is now even more true than it was then. He wrote this:
This is Year 22 of the wild-card era. Just twice in the previous 21 seasons has a team like the Cubs, which led the major leagues outright in victories, gone on to win the World Series. The only two to win it all: the 1998 and 2009 Yankees. (No National League team has done it in 30 years, since the 1986 Mets.)
But even if we include teams that tied for the best record in the sport, the percentage of “best teams” that win a championship in baseball is much lower than in the other three major professional sports. In MLB, it’s just 19 percent (4-of-21) under this format. In the NFL, according to ESPN Stats and Information research, it’s 31 percent (8-of-26) under the current playoff format. In the NHL, it’s also 31 percent (11-of-36) since that league expanded to 16 playoff teams. And in the NBA, it’s a whopping 48 percent (16-of-33) in 33 seasons under the current 16-team setup.
Suppose, however, we consider a whole new definition of what constitutes the “best teams.” Suppose we just look at teams that have won 100 games in the wild-card era. Well, the odds don’t get any better. The Cubs are the 23rd team in the wild-card age to win 100 or more. You know how many of the previous 22 went on to win the World Series? That would be precisely two (again, those 1998 and 2009 Yankees).
But why? That’s the question. What makes this mission so close to impossible? What is it about the baseball postseason that sends so many great teams careening off an October cliff? We decided to ask a group of men who have lived through it.
Now granted, one of them (Joe Torre) managed those 1998 Yankees, a juggernaut that actually made it to the land of champagne and ticker tape. But all of these men have lived through enough October pain to understand exactly why winning a title in baseball is the toughest road in sports. So here are the tales they tell:
There’s not enough reward for being great
First off, think about what you get for being the best team. You get home-field advantage through the league championship series. And that’s about it. But is that enough? Home field is a huge advantage in those other sports. But in baseball, it can actually be a disadvantage, Torre thinks.
“I’m probably in the minority, but I always thought that starting a series on the road was an advantage,” he said. “And that’s because the home team is supposed to win twice. So if you go in and win the first one in their place, now you can run the table. I’ve always thought the home team had a lot more pressure on them.”
And guess which team he uses as the perfect example of that pressure? Right you are: The Cubs, even though the Cubs team that his Dodgers played back in 2008 was never in the same position to win that these Cubs are in. But Torre has spent enough of his life observing Cubs fans to admit he wanted to start that series in Chicago.
“When I managed the Dodgers in ’08, I think we benefited in ’08 from them not winning the World Series,” Torre said, “because we went into Chicago, and all they talked about was this drought or curse or whatever you want to call it — and we wind up sweeping them. Even though [that Cubs team] had nothing to do with it, [they] still had to answer for it.”
When things are going great and you see the home team feeding off the euphoria in the stands, it’s one of the most joyous sights in sports. But when things suddenly stop going so great? Uh-oh. Fans can get tense — especially in some of America’s most nervous metropolises. And when they do, you know who can get tense right there with them? We’re about to let you in on that.
This is quite a long read, but it is interesting. Everything that MLB has done to expand the playoffs makes it less likely that the best teams will be there to win the World Series. Al Yellon, who writes “Bleed Cubbie Blue,” wrote a piece last year entitled With MLB’s new playoff system, it’s impossible to ‘build a World Series team’. In it, he wrote:
It’s been said by many that teams who want to succeed in Major League Baseball should build a “World Series team.”
I’m here to tell you that’s basically impossible now that MLB has 12 teams in its postseason. This year, we have a World Series between the No. 7 seed and the No. 12 seed (that is, if all the teams were seeded by record, which they aren’t).
This doesn’t mean the playoffs aren’t entertaining. The first couple of rounds this year were a bit less than compelling, granted, but both LCS had entertaining moments, interesting games, great pitching and hitting and a walkoff win. If you want to enjoy October baseball — and if you’re here, I assume you’re a baseball fan who does — you simply have to accept that the World Series is no longer an attempt to crown the best team champion. It’s simply a tournament played over four-plus weeks’ time that results in a winner. That doesn’t mean it can’t be good and enjoyable baseball.
Even in the “olden days,” the World Series didn’t always crown the best team champion. Take, for example, the Cubs, who won 10 N.L. pennants in the 40 seasons between 1906 and 1945. That’s really good! They won just two World Series in that span, in 1907 and 1908. They had the better regular-season record both times. But in the other eight, all losses, the Cubs had the better record five times, including being 22½ games better than the White Sox in the only all-Chicago World Series in 1906. Two great pitchers, Ed Walsh and Doc White, shut the Cubs down and the Sox won the Series four games to two.
It. Happens. All. The. Time. And it’s more likely to happen now when we have more postseason series — and when MLB expands, perhaps by the end of this decade, we’ll likely have even more. I’m fully expecting MLB to have a 16-team postseason when there are 32 teams.
Too many? That’s an argument for a different day. Today I want to examine what this all means to the Chicago Cubs as they currently stand.
Last year, in the playoffs, the Diamondbacks scored a run when the batter hit a line drive off the pitcher, which bounced to Dansby Swanson, who dropped the ball. Had he fielded the ball cleanly (which he usually does) the Diamondbacks would not have been in the playoffs. What a random play, and it happens all the time.
Yellon ends up with this:
To circle back to the headline, you can’t build a “World Series team.” Teams that appeared to have done that this year — Dodgers, Braves in particular — are watching the World Series at home with the rest of us.
Build a team that’s good enough to get into the October tournament and withstand injuries. That is, in my view, what the Cubs have to do to be able to get in the playoff conversation every year, or nearly so. Do that and it should work out in a championship or two, eventually.
The same is true with any team in baseball, including the Dodgers. In the new playoff format, the team that spends the most money seldom wins. Last year, the Texas Rangers were set to win the Division and went into a four-game series with Seattle. All they had to do was split the series with them. Instead, they lost three out of four and went into the playoffs as a Wild Card. We know how it ended. The stars aligned, and Josh Sborz, who had a career ERA of over 5.00, was one of the pitching heroes. Lightening in a bottle. Totally random.
I think the Dodgers have collectively decided that they are not going to “push” the players this year. It’s a tricky thing to do. You just try to lighten everyone’s workload, and maybe the lead in September will be under 10 games. There’s something to be said about “cruising early in the season” and “sprinting at the end.”
Me? I am enjoying every game. This is the best time in my life to be a Dodger fan. They win 100 games every year, and the Farm System produces – there is no end in sight, but you need to come to grips with the fact that winning games is fun, too. The playoffs are not like anything we used to know when the top team in each league played for the title. It’s much more complicated than that and dramatically more random. Some of you may prefer to remain delusional and say “It’s a failure if they don’t win the World Series.” I prefer reality!
Batting Averages
Have you ever noticed that batting percentages are communicated in “averages?” A player may go 10 for 25 and then go 0-25, but their batting average is .200 or 10-50. It’s an “average.” It’s not what happens every game. A player can go 0-4 in one game and 3-4 the next. There is an element of luck involved, and you can look at BAbip to see how that can factor in. You can hit a ball right on the screws and right at someone, and you are out, or you might check your swing and accidentally hit a triple. Such is the great game of baseball.
Last Night
It was an ugly game. Yohan Ramirez is a rehab project, so AF must think the “juice is worth the squeeze,” but he won’t get a ton more opportunities unless he can’t stop hitting and walking batters. I love Will Smith, but Austin Barnes is a much better game-caller. I put the grand slam squarely on Wills’ shoulders. He called for five straight four-seam fastballs. Any MLB player can time a 92-93 MPH fastball when fed a steady diet of them. At least the bottom of the lineup produced some hits. Will they play CT3 again today? Today is a new day!
James Outman has 2 hits, 8 strikeouts, and 6 walks in 17 Plate Appearances at OKC. Yikes! But, he did have a key hit last night.
So you’re saying it’s a crapshoot?!!!!! It sure helps if you have a couple of dominant starting pitchers and the Dodgers may have that come October with Glasnow, Yamamoto and Buehler. Keep them healthy and rested. If you’re the second seed then you don’t get the Phillies or Braves in the second round
People on this site can spin it anyway you want, but the fact of the matter is that our outfield is SHIT,plain and simple. We’re very lucky we are in a weak division and can outspend everyone. Division titles mean nothing. If we were to enter the playoffs as of today, it will be a short stay. AF and BG have ample time and prospect capital to fix the outfield by trade. Besides Theo with 1.3 WAR ( Wins Above Replacement) a key metric , the remaining outfielders who have played is .5 combined. Also 7-9 in the lineup is a combined BA.192. This is not sustainable to win a championship. You spend 1.3 billion dollars in the off season and expect to win the World Series, but this team has many flaws. Right now two teams that are better than the Dodgers are the Phillies and Yankees with better lineups.These are the facts,like or not.I want WS rings niot division titles.
A lot can and will change between now and October.
We all want World Series rings but it’s no longer as simple as it used to be for all the reasons outlined above.
If I am anything, I am a realist, and the reality is there is nothing to plan for randomness.
Additionally, the Dodgers are still #1 in every power poll.
There are almost 70 games until the trade deadline. IF AF needs to make a trade, he will.
Should the Dodgers be No. 1 in the “power polls.”
Right now, I’d pick the Phillies. The Orioles and Yankees are strong, and Atlanta is loaded with talent but underachieving.
Too early to tell if the ’24 Dodgers are built for the playoffs. A couple of trades in the midseason could have a big impact.
I will argue, again, that AF failed to build the ’22 Dodgers for the playoffs, when the bench consisted of the Miguel Vargas, Joey Gallo and Austin Barnes. While AF has made a lot of smart moves, let’s not ignore his whiffs. Why did it take so long for the front office to realized that Lux simply lacked the arm to be top-tier major league SS?
The ’24 Dodgers should reach the playoffs with no great problem. But it’s not a crapshoot after that; it’s baseball.
I hope you’re right that changes will be made before playoff time.
It’s good to want things!
Mark, two things before I get started with my point of view about the Dodgers and contstructing a team for the postseason.
First, when you click the link to the GL box scores the Tulsa box score pops up. At least that is what is happening to me.
Second, if you have the best record in baseball you win your division and then you have to face only 3 more teams (not 4 ) to win a WS. DS, CS , WS.
So now on to the topic of todays blog: No, you can not construct a team that is assured to win a WS. That was never the case and never will be. These are human beings playing the game so NOTHING is assured.
What you can do: Built a team that has the best possible chance to win a WS.
To do it you first must make it to the postseason tournament (because that is what it is these days).
A good team during the regular season has to have depth and that is the Dodgers absolute strength since AF has taken over. They are deeper than any other organization, maybe the Braves and Yanks come close but the Dodgers in my book are the Nr.1 team in this department.
Depth means that usually your Nr. 3-5 starters are better than the opposing teams starters in those slots. Gives you good shot to win those games . Depth also means you can cope with injuries better than other teams. We are witnessilng this right now again with our bullpen. Although missing some key arms we are still the second best team in the NL.
To be good in the postseason you need good to great pitching at the top of the rotation. A lot of teams can start 2 very good to elite pitchers who have the ability to shut any team down on any given day. And that is where it gets getting tricky to win a postseason series. The postseason as a big equalizer to a superior 1-5 rotation since you do not need that 4th or 5th starter in the playoffs. And as we all know good pitching beats good hitting any day.
Not by coincidence the year the Dodgers won the WS in 2020 we had Kershaw and Buehler at the top of their game during the postseason. Plus Julio who was putting up zeros for multiple innings and closing out games. Or you need A bona fide , reliable closer preceeded by 1-2 set up guys who are nails.
On the hitting side you need a balanced and deep lineup that can overcome cold streaks by your top hitters. We saw that with the Dodgers too the last years. When our top hitters went into a funk there was nobody who could step in and up to replace their production.
Which leads me to this: Dodgers have not only a deep rotation but they appear to have a couple of aces in Glasnow and Yamamoto (who will only get better with experience in MLB). We have a bona fide closer in Phillips and we could have someone like Julio in 2020 if maybe May can come back in time and form for the postseason. We have solid setup guys with Hudson, Treinen, Graterol and Kelly. another LHRP like Scott from the Marlins would be huge.
And that leaves the problem with this team that worries me: The bottom of the lineup and the bench. We are weak their without question. Should guys like Kike, CT3 , Lux, Barnes,Rojas (whose average is sinking fast) , Pages not be able to produce at least adquately the Dodgers should bring in another bat or two. Perferably an OF or SS.
I am still voting for Robert jun. from the WS. He would fill a couple of needs. Great defense and a very good, reliable power bat with speed on the bases.
So to sum it up: No, you can not built a team that is assured to win the WS. But you can built a team who checks all the boxes what is required to have the ultimate succes in the postseason. I am not sure that AF and the Dodgers with all their financial resources have done this often enough in the last 10 years. IMHO there were too many years when the Dodgers did not check enough of those boxes and it was visible before the postseason started.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!
I think sometimes fans only see the warts… and sometimes they see warts that really aren’t warts. The Dodger are #1 in the Power Polls (at least today) and there are more than 60 days until the trade deadline.
River Ryan, Kyle Hurt, Dustin May and Clayton Kershaw should also all be back by then. We will know more about Buehler after today.
The Dodgers did not come this far to only come this far.
I fixed all those links early this AM.
This is all fiction posed as fact.
As opposed to lies disguised as truth?
Tomato / Tomatoe
I agree with your column. But the Dodgers insist they are playing the long game and then when they get the long game they don’t win a game. Why does Roberts insist on saying “if we don’t win the World Series we have failed” that is a bit of an arrogant statement since the Dodgers haven’t gotten out of the first round in 2 years. You win before you run your mouth and put more pressure on your team. The Dodgers are a great organization, proven regular season winners which is enjoyable. If all these things are true, it is random, then there are no favorites. So don’t act like you should win until u do.
It amazes me how long it takes for any of our guys to come back from the dl. Remember Muncy was going to be right back lol Phillips, miller etc
For example Snell missed spring training, started pitching, goes on the injured and now is back again but our guys got to have a couple of months. I expect Kershaw and May to be back by the all star break…next year.
From the Dodger’s Official Page:
RHP Evan Phillips (right hamstring strain)
Expected return: Late May or early June
Manager Dave Roberts said Phillips threw 21 pitches in live batting practice with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on May 23. The right-hander is scheduled to make his first start with Rancho on May 26.
“He came out of it really well,” Roberts said on May 24 in Cincinnati. (Last updated: May 24)
From the Dodger’s Official Page:
RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: June
The next step for Miller is to pitch in a rehab game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on May 26, according to manager Dave Roberts. That start is scheduled for four innings. Miller will need at least a couple of rehab starts before returning to the Dodgers’ rotation. (Last updated: May 21)
The Braves and Dodgers were a lot better than everyone else last year and what did that get them? Lux will find his stride come October. And AF will come through if needed at trade deadline
AF did not come thru in ’22.
The Reds’ Brandon Drury was having a career year and was clearly on the market. He’d have helped the Dodgers at 2B and 3B. I don’t know if AF made an offer, but the Padres did–and Drury helped them beat the Dodgers in the playoffs. Instead of securing the proven Drury, AF opted to trust Miguel Vargas.
All considered, I think Lux better find his stride before October.
The best playoff lineup now would have Rojas at SS, Mookie ad 2B and Lux on the bench.
I knew Barnes was bad offensively n can’t throw defensively. I figured Outman would regress. I figured Lux would be better but was never good against lefties. I realize he needs time but he has been a disappointment thus far and not sure he helps. Rojas all glove. I did not expect Taylor and Kiké to be as bad as they are offensively. I still don’t know about Hayward but he doesn’t inspire much confidence. So while I am sure AF didn’t expect the bottom 4 to be this bad he knows now. No way u win the WS with this offense. Watch out for the Giants. We lose to Arizona and San Diego so this division could get tight.
Rojas is not all glove. He is hitting very close to his career average of .257. His OPS + is 107. MLB average is 100. Heyward has had exactly 29 at bats this year. Way too early to judge what he can contribute. I doubt the division gets tight. They only have 5 more games with the Padres, and not till late in the season. Arizona is under .500 and SD is right at .500. Both lost yesterday, Padres to the Yankees, and the D-Backs to a pitiful Marlins team. The Dodgers next 11 games are all against teams with losing records. Reds, Mets, Rockies and Pirates. They then go to NY for three against the Yankees. Then they play Texas and KC at home before going to Colorado for four games then two in Anaheim against the Angels.
Rojas career ops is 666. He may b slightly above now but I doubt it last. I know Hayward has few abs but was last year an aberration or will he b like like the 2 previous. Probably somewhere in the middle but he doesn’t k as much as the rest. I said watch the Giants. I pointed out we can’t seem to beat San Diego or Arizona currently. This is not currently a great team we have many flaws. There might be correction or at least I hope in the offensive area.
Rojas’s value has always been his defense. Anything you get with the bat is a plus. He is a better hitter right now than Kike, Barnes, Taylor or Lux. Changes will be made. Maybe not soon enough for the fans, but when AF feels he can upgrade the roster, he will. You aren’t going to have all stars at every position. The cost would be monumental. Teams have slumps, the Dodgers are having one now.
I hope that is the last time we see Ramirez in a major league game! Did anyone else notice the way he didn’t want to give Doc the baseball?? Warts,brain farts,lack of consciousness, whatever. NO WAY they score 6 runs and lose that game!! Maybe Grove comes in instead of Ramirez? Not questioning Doc, he pitches who they give him. Questioning him being on the roster! I know , AF. sees something we don’t. But the Pitiful Mets didn’t want him, just saying! At the time i thought Paxton would probably have had a better chance to get out of that 5th inning. ……. Doesn’t look like we’ll see James O. again this season. Sad, likable young man! ……. Gavin really looks better at the plate these days!! ……. Bueler today!!!
Ramirez is still on the roster. No doubt he will get at least one more chance to show his wares. You go back over the total time AF has been in charge, the one constant is the constant changing of the guard in the bullpen. Today’s game is on FOX.
I’ve got a feeling the Dodgers actually prefer to not be one of the top 2 seeds in the playoffs. As Mark pointed out (in a roundabout way), hitters get rusty and out-of-sync beyond 3 days without game-action; so in the present playoff construct, it’s more advantageous to be the 3rd seed to avoid the long layoff. This can easily be accomplish this year, because the rest of the NL West teams are too weak to challenge the Dodgers for the division title, so LA can just tread water in the standings for now, while waiting for every important player to get healthy, then making whatever July trades are needed to shore up weaknesses, ..and then peak in September to win the division and secure the 3rd seed.
2023 was a tale of two seasons for Austin Barnes.
In the first half, he hit .104 with a .319 OPS.
The second half was at .268 with a .708 OPS.
This article sums up why Barnes is the backup catcher:
https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-08-21/dodgers-austin-barnes-tough-season-improved-play-dave-roberts
Last year the Dodgers got hot in August. If the playoffs started in August, woo hoo. The MLB playoffs are a crapshoot and whichever team gets hot, well they go on to win it all. This year I like our chances with Glasnow, Yama, Buehler, and the bullpen, even if the big four don’t hit, we still have a chance. I told myself last year, just enjoy the show during the season and hope for the best in the playoffs. It was and is fun to watch the Dodgers.
Good article Mark!
It is very difficult to win a WS in this format! Jayson Stark provides some great stats on the wild card era, and even the best team in the league only has about a 20% chance to win the WS. The Dodgers have a very good roster and should easily win the division which will put them in the tournament again. Based on the first 50 games, the Dodgers are one of the top 5 teams in baseball along with the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, and Orioles. But there are still another 100 games in the season, and the top teams will likely change during the year.
The Dodger management went all in on Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Glasnow and each has played very well so far. Also, the signings of Teoscar and Paxton have exceeded expectations to this point as well. However, by opting to sign the highest paid player in MLB history and the highest paid pitcher in MLB history in the same offseason, even the ultra rich Dodgers have to sacrifice depth. And the top three signings by the Dodgers have either zero playoff experience or in the case of Glasnow a playoff record of 2-6 with a 5.72 era. It is very possible that Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Glasnow will be the difference makers in the playoffs, but they have not yet shown the ability in the MLB postseason. Recent World Series MVPs include Jeremy Peña, Jorge Soler, Steve Pearce, and Ben Zobrist along with Seager, Strasburg, and Springer. Many times a journeyman player is the difference in the playoffs. The Dodgers have made huge bets on a couple of superstars for the next 10 years, but it will take a productive 26 man roster to win a World Series.
Mark makes a good point to enjoy the regular season as well as the playoffs. The baseball postseason is random and the best team does not normally win. The Dodgers have been consistently good for 10 years and this year is another great chance to win the division and get in the tournament.
Just a thought IF Ohtoni is able to throw by October which is possible,how about he plays LF and the Dodgers trade for JD Martinez to DH from the Mets. It will not cost much in players or salary. Take a chance and trade for Roberts Jr.from Chicago to play CF and the OF problem is solved.
So a veteran like Adam Duval who can play all outfield positions wouldnt help this team. A Tyler O’Neal who can play both cirner outfield spots and first base wouldn’t help. A Brett Rooker wouldn’t help come off the bench and have a possibility to hit a Homer rather then have Vargas Barnes or Lux bat in a play off game. I just mentioned a couple of guys if you got two of those guys on this year’s team it would improve the team so much. Go cut taylor let keke be the guy that plays every where and Rojas the defensive guy that comes in late in games to hold a lead. Vargas needs to be in AAA with Outman so if you had teo hernandez Heyward Pages and say Tyler Oneal and keke wouldn’t that be better in the playoffs and if you could get bichette that would improve this year’s team. Right now this team wojld lose in a playoff series with a two a team with good pitching remember last year they didnt hit.
Duval is hitting .197 with Atlanta and has only three homers. He is only playing left in Atlanta. They do not need him in CF with Harris there. The guy is almost 36, Dodgers do not need older outfielders. O’Neill has had some injury issues. He is hitting .241 with 11 long balls with the Red Sox. Him I would consider. Rooker is a name I have floated a few times; he is hitting .285 with the A’s with 11 homers. A lot of people brought up his high K rate, but with his power, and the fact that he has an OPS over .900, I would love to see him on the Dodgers. Strictly a left fielder though. You have to understand Bradley, simply cutting Taylor would cost them 25 million dollars.
Okay if you could get Rooker of 1b dh. Diaz ss 2b 3b decent bat and good glove . And Miller closer from the A’s for like lux outman vargas znd a minor league pitcher probable need another outfielder. That could make the dodgers better hitting wise and fielding
Chances the Dodgers trade for Bichette 0. They have their SS. And he is playing a lot better than Bichette. Offense has been pitiful the last week or so. Left too many men on base yesterday and today.
Winning a championship, as the games are designed now, is very difficult because in baseball anyone can win a short series, it happens all the time, in the regular season and in the playoffs, only when it happens in October it is magnified.
Just about 15 days ago the San Diego Padres won a series against the Dodgers playing good baseball to immediately lose a series by sweep against Colorado, they went from beating one of the best teams to losing against one of the worst teams in MLB.
If they can’t understand that a short series can be won by anyone, then they haven’t learned anything in all their time as fans.
Being constructed for playoffs is having two elite starters. Two other starters above average a lights out pen and no glaring weaknesses in batting order with a strong bench. Simple as that. Even then ball could bounce the wrong way at wrong time but chances be much improved
Nice summation Michael.
You forgot a solid defense…,
A couple seasons back, we saw Trea Turner muff an easy play. Very costly. It baffles me that AF and the rest of the brain trust didn’t decide years ago that Lux really lacked the arm to be a first-rate major league SS.
Defense is why I’d play Rojas instead of Lux in a must-win game–and every playoff game should be considered must-win.
The Dodgers have some time to see whehter Mookie improves at SS and Lux get his offense on track. But AF should be looking at ways to upgrade the defense.
Interesting post today, Mark. Comments have been interesting as well. I agree with dodgerram and he echoes a lot of what I believe about constructing a roster for post season. There is a randomness to post season in baseball compared to other sports. My favorite example is the Reds making an error on a routine game ending double play grounder in a Wild Card game that would have eliminated the Giants. They don’t make the play, lose the Wild Card game, and Giants win the World Series. But, I do believe there are things that are more important to teams in order to maximize their chances of winning in post season. A strong top three in your rotation, a deep bullpen with the ability to cover four innings a night and the versatility to match up with opponents in different parts of their line up, and a batting order deep enough to compete in each inning. The Dodgers were woefully lacking in two of these three areas last year. I think they have the makings of being strong enough in the first two but as all here have noted, the depth of this line up is lacking. Seriously lacking. But positioning a team for postseason success is a season long process which hits a peak at the trade deadline.
Dodgers have excelled in many areas under AF but their biggest shortcoming has been developing position players to supplement their major league roster. But they have developed enough pitching depth in their organization to trade for two bats to lengthen this line up in time for post season.
I hope they find out what they have in their minor league system before a trade or two. I have no idea why Taylor is getting ABs while Vargas sits. If the belief in Vargas is not there and they don’t see him developing into a contributor for this team, then trade him. They bring guys like Busch and DeLuca up and then play them sparingly. DeLuca has done well with Tampa in a defined role much like Luke Raley did for a year or two. Busch has cooled after a hot start but is still performing better than anyone in the back half of the Dodger position players.
Having said that, it is a great time to be a Dodger fan. They are in the playoffs every year and almost every year has a team good enough to win a championship. This year will be no exception.
7:15 PM ET
Dodgers (33-20)
Reds (21-30)
SP Walker Buehler R
1-1 4.05 ERA
SP Hunter Greene R
2-2 3.22 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
LF T. Hernandez R
2B Gavin Lux L
RF J. Heyward L
3B E. Hernandez R
CF Chris Taylor R
81° Wind 5 mph Out
No Vargas No Pages
Rain moves Dodgers vs. Reds on Sunday to 12:10 a.m. ET
Expected heavy rain moves up series finale 90 minutes earlier
Friday scores
Oklahoma City 4, Reno 3
Springfield 1, Tulsa 0 (7 innings)
Beloit 5, Great Lakes 4 (10 innings)
Modesto 11, Rancho Cucamonga 9
Saturday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jerming Rosario) vs. Beloit (Ike Buxton)
4:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Dinelson Lamet) vs. Reno (Chris Ellis)
4:35 p.m.: Tulsa (Orlando Ortiz-Mayr) at Springfield (Wilfredo Pereira)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Patrick Copen) vs. Modesto (Will Schomberg)
Big moment there – top2 bases loaded and nobody out. Have to do better than one run. That’s a game changing situation.
7,8,9 why bother
Freddie looked like his old self with that double ..but…
Dodgers 3 for their last 26 with RISP
Ohtani loafing on that triple ..hope he’s okay.
The team 0 for last 21 with RISP, ..the nightmare continues.
Game over?
Freddie’s 6’5″ frame and glove have bailed out Lux’s & Betts’ errant throws way too many times so far this season.
Kiki still awful against RHP.
Offense is definitely slumping. Pitching have problems at the same time leads to this skid. They need an infusion of solid hitting and to be much better with runners on base. Another peeve is way too much weak contact when they swing at the first pitch. Especially with runners on base. They could use a solid LH bat in the outfield.
RVS has to coach them up to hit better, that’s all that can be done ..for now.
Any suggestions on a LH outfield bat they could trade for?
Although I do not think the Brewers would trade him, maybe they would, Yelich is hitting .326. He looks to be healthy now, he would only play left field. Luke Raley has been playing very well. He is hitting .281 with 4 homers. Most of the star LH hitters you won’t be able to trade for. I would love to see Kyle Tucker in a Dodger uniform. But that won’t happen. Neither will Soto. Most of the others I have seen are hitting barely over the Mendoza line, including guys like Kiermaier and Varsho. Being old school, I believe the way they are taught to hit now is counter-productive over the long term. Teach them to just make contact and situational hitting. That was totally missing in today’s game.
RVS? he may be the biggest part of the problem or not. if he ain’t the problem then there are 5-6. guys on this roster that flat out can’t hit!!! Take your pick! Walker was pretty solid tonight. just a couple of mistakes. probably no game tomorrow so on to the hapless mets! hopefully they don’t play like the 2001 mets! Go Barnes!!
Yep – If RVS is even part of the problem, then the Dodgers offensive struggles are just beginning.
Game is starting early because of the weather predicted. Also, the Reds are using a bullpen game.
“James Outman has 2 hits, 8 strikeouts, and 6 walks in 17 Plate Appearances at OKC. Yikes! But, he did have a key hit last night.”
Small sample size, of course. The Ks are ugly, but the walks aren’t bad at all. Looks like he has gotten on base 8 times in 17 PAs, an OBP of about .450.
Just hope he keeps plugging away. I think the Dodgers may need him later this year.
From the Dodger’s Official Page:
May 25: DH Shohei Ohtani dealing with right hamstring contusion
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the injury following Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Reds, indicating that it occurred during the Dodgers’ most recent homestand. After striking out in his first two at-bats against Cincinnati starter Hunter Greene, Ohtani tripled down the right-field line in the sixth. As he hit the first-base bag, it was immediately noticeable that he was not running at full speed.
“It’s more of just kind of managing that hamstring,” Roberts said. “But today was better than yesterday. And we just need him in there. So we didn’t want to push it. … It was in the homestand where he got hit when he was on first base on a throw over, and it hit him in the right hamstring. And I think that’s where it kind of started. So, the good thing is that it wasn’t a strain. It was a contusion that we’re just trying to manage.”
Dave Roberts said Yamamoto will start tomorrow. With the start of the game moved up earlier to 12:05 PM ET and severe weather in the forecast there is a “window” to play 9 innings.