For All the Marbles

Posted By on October 11, 2024

When I saw that Dylan Hernandez said the Dodgers should make Game Five another bullpen game, I knew that was exactly what they shouldn’t do. A monkey throwing darts at a NASDAQ list of companies in the Wall Street Journal is right more often than Dylan Hernandez!

It’s going to be an EPIC HISTORIC game as Yu Darvish starts against Yoshi Yamamoto. This is the first time two right-handers start against each other. Wouldn’t it be racist of me to say it’s the first time two Japanese-born pitchers start against each other in the p[layoffs? Just kidding. It’s a testament to how far Japanese Baseball has come.

Yamamoto will start, and at the first sign of trouble, the bullpen will get the call. They may try and use Jack Flaherty, but he used to warm up with a certain routine, so that remains problematic. Best case: Yoshi goes four scoreless (I am asking for a lot, but he is capable).

Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas are questionable. I doubt that Miggy will start… maybe pinch hit in the right situation, but it sounds like Freddie will give it a go. I’m sure it’s a game-time decision, however.

Arizona Fall League

The AFL is in full swing as today, the Glendale Dessert Dogs will play their 4th game. Zyhir Hope is the standout… so far. Here’s what the AFL Website says about him:

If Dominique Wilkins was basketball’s Human Highlight Film, Zyhir Hope is the Arizona Fall League’s version.

In two games in the developmental league, Hope has provided two jaw-dropping plays.

In his AFL debut on Tuesday, the Dodgers’ No. 11 prospect covered 76 feet in less than six seconds before crashing into the center-field wall to rob Romeo Sanabria (SD No. 23) of an extra-base hit, helping the Glendale Desert Dogs escape with a 15-13 win over the Peoria Javelinas. In a rematch on Thursday, he launched the longest home run in the Fall League this season.

Hope absolutely annihilated an 86-mph cutter from David Morgan (SD No. 29) in the second inning of the 13-6 Glendale victory, sending it over the batter’s eye in center field. It traveled 470 feet with an exit velocity of 111 mph.

“I think that’s the longest home run I’ve ever hit,” Hope said. “I just knew it felt good. I thought it was a popup at first and it kept carrying. I’m having so much fun.”  – Jim Callis

Here’s the full article: https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-zyhir-hope-hits-470-foot-homer-in-arizona-fall-league?t=arizona-fall-league  

Another player who is having a lot of fun is Sean McLain. He is the younger brother of the Reds Matt McLain, who is also playing while rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Sean plays 2B and profiles as a utilityman, but he has not yet found a hit tool, as he hit .215 between RC and GL in 344 ABs this season. Of course, Matt McLain is an offensive force. I hope some of his hitting rubs off on little brother.

Jake Gelof is also playing and is off to a fast start, hitting .600 with a HR and a double. Jerming Rosario and Eriq Swan are also playing for the Dessert Dogs. The game is being live-streamed at 9:30 EDT tonight, in case you don’t have anything else to watch. 😉

Something to think about: As much as I love Teoscar, I would rather overpay for Anthony Santander. He is three years younger and a switch hitter. Just food for thought! Not saying I don’t want Teo back. It’s just that there are other opportunities.

This article has 43 Comments

  1. The wise guys in Vegas have the Dodgers at -142 to win tonight’s game and advance.

  2. Hope covered 76 feet in less than six seconds? Sounds kind of slow. If he covered 76 feet in 5 seconds, that would mean he ran a little over a 10 mph pace.

  3. Hope and Ferris acquired by the Dodgers in the Busch trade from the the Cubs was another outstanding move by AF and BG. Busch had no position with the Dodgers with Freeman at first and Ohtoni at DH.

  4. I can see the Dodgers utilizing the money needed to extend Teoscar to pursue a shortstop; I.e. Willy Adames. Offensively, they’re roughly the same, but Adames addresses an area of need at a premium position. Essentially, Adames would provide Miggy Rojas type defense at shortstop with Teo’s offensive output potential.

    1. A line in Baseball Prospectus article mentioned that defensively Adames has fallen off a cliff.

  5. Dylan Who?
    If the brass says no bullpen game I’m good.
    If they say Yamamoto is starting I’m good.
    When they win tonight I’m good.
    Book em

  6. Is there a rule about changing from Yamamoto to an opener at REALLY the last minute? Could this “throw off” offensive planning significantly for the Padres?

    I wonder if he was truly tipping pitching or if Dodgers said that as some sort of “strategy”….or in this case would it be “strategery”?

    Trying not to be negative but, “…at the first sign of trouble” could be three homeruns!

    I believe the Dodgers will also win this game convincingly.

    1. Someone just needs to setup and provide that moment for us.

      Shohei, Freddy, Mookie, Will, Munc? Yamamoto, Kopech?

      We need someone to seize the moment….hoping the crowd gives the boys in blue a lift. This is why we won the division, to get a game like this in OUR park.

      1. Agree with that, Matt. Time for somebody (somebodies) to step up.

        The obvious choice as of now is Yamamoto, but hell, I don’t care who it is. Just get it done!

  8. I know this is well behind, but I found this by Joe Sheehan on the Machado baseline thing to be evocative of my thoughts:

    Joesheehan.com ($$$)

    “If Machado’s play is legal, and by all accounts it is, I’d like to know where the line is drawn on runners blocking throws. Can a baserunner just knock down a throw on its way to a fielder? Can he catch it and toss it into foul territory? Can a runner going first to second stay in a direct line but wave his hands — and oven mitt — in the air like he just doesn’t care? If what Machado did, going well out of his way to block Freeman’s throw, is acceptable, why wouldn’t blocking a throw from right field to third base be? I am honestly asking, because if Machado’s actions don’t break any rules, it seems to open the door to a lot more hijinks on the basepaths. “

    2. While Joe Sheehan may appear to pontificate his position, it does present a valid question.

      From not necessarily a Dodgers fan perspective, but more of a “purist” perspective, what is the added value in allowing the legality of a play like that? Other than providing an appearance of being clever, it makes no sense. Rewarding a player for running out of his natural running lane to interfere with a throw has the earmarks of a “bush league” move.

  9. If you are reading this blog, lets get a

    “Lets Go Dodgers” chant for the guys.. Ill start….

    “Lets go Dodgers!!!!!”

  10. 8:08 PM ET

    Padres (93-69)
    Dodgers (98-64)

    SP Yu Darvish R
    7-3 3.31 ERA
    SP Y. Yamamoto R
    7-2 3.00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    RF Mookie Betts R
    1B F. Freeman L
    LF T. Hernandez R
    3B Max Muncy L
    C Will Smith R
    CF E. Hernandez R
    2B Gavin Lux
    SS Tommy Edman S

    78° Wind 9 mph Out

    LET’S GO DODGERS!!!!!

    1. Dave Roberts said Freddie Freeman will go through pregame work and that will determine if he’ll stay in the lineup tonight or not.

  12. I approve of Keekay in CF. He’s been there done that and we can’t afford a defensive lapse tonight.

  13. everyone playing in dodger blue, everyone cheering in dodger blue,the whole dodger nation needs this win tonight! This season will not be a failure if they don’t win it. With all the injuries to position players and pitchers? Roberts has done his best job by far! Doc seems better at bullpen games than regular starters games. He was absolutely outstanding wednesday night. Key to tonight’s game? score first, get darvish’s pitch count up quickly, and don’t let yamamoto stay on the bump too long! As dear Vinny would say, It’s time for Dodger baseball!! GO BLUE!

  14. I am so scared and seriously panicked! I’m not sure if……I have enough Casamigos for the game.
    LET’S GO DODGERS
    Book em

      2. There are some great Tequila songs.

        Unfortunately, I still prefer Cabo Wabo, but I rarely drink tequila.

        There’s more….

  18. Darvish’s line in the last game looks very good but the reality is that there was hard contact, some went directly to a fielder and in others they made great catches. Now I hope the baseball gods let those balls find the holes.

    2. As long as he shows up for the playoffs Kike can take a vacation during the season as far as I’m concerned.

  21. I said that the best case with Yamamoto the Dodgers could hope for was 4 IP and 0 Runs.

    I was wrong!

  25. So our less than stellar pitching held the Madres scoreless 24th straight innings.
    Bwaahàhahàha

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