The Legend of Three Dingers (and One Very Sad Baseball)

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1. If Max has 2 healthy years he could reach #3

2. WRT Diaz:

   Manager Dave Roberts said the team decided to stay away from him as his velocity was down on Friday night. There’s now some concern there could be an issue with the All-Star closer who joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million deal this offseason.

   “He was down today,” Roberts said after the game. “The velocity was down, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

   “We’ll see how he feels [Sunday],” Roberts added. “I’m not sure what we are going to do.”

3. Max had a night. Actually he had THE night. I think we can all remember our own THE night. They happen once. Last night he was 0 for 3 with a critical error. Duke’s record is safe.

   I read this morning something to the effect that Diaz “is widely recognized for a slow starter trend but his career demonstrates a tendency to improve significantly after the first month.” As long as he is there in the second half? notta to worry.

   Freeland’s OPS now down to .611. So much for .902. That didn’t take long. Kim is at .922, but that won’t continue either. If they can stay at or near league average, .710 – .730, it will be a win for them and the team. When Edman and Kiké return one or both will be disappeared.

   Roki. I got the over on 5 and the under on 6.

   Water filtration is a good thing of course. But if you really want to make a difference you could help design and build a capture system for the Southwest. When it rains in LA the runoff straight to the ocean often looks like the Colorado River. And speaking of that, got any ideas on how to protect and serve that valuable resource? The Southwest is heating up and appears to be running dry.

   Been waiting for that book for over 20 years. Will we be mentioned in it?

   1. Not this book… but there will be a second one.

      I waited 32 years to write this book because I had to wait for the happy ending.

      1. 16 years ago, my daughter and I reunited.
      2. She now works at US Water Systems and spends a couple of nights a week with us.
      3. At her wedding last year, her mother wasn’t invited.
      4. This was the icing on the cake and she told me to write it!
      5. The father-daughter dance:
      

      1. I know that story. And I am happy to know you two are re-united. I thought her mother passed? Never mind. Not my business.

         I do expect a copy of that book. I bet all of those who have known you since those early days (what site was that first one?) will be wanting a signed copy.

         Lineup looks the same. Freeland and Kim are flipped. O/U is 8.5. I like the over in this one. I still bet pushups on it though that number has been going down over the last few years. Feels like I weigh 220 now. I don’t. Still 165, but it’s a much heavier165 than it usta was.

         1. It was my second wife who died.

            1. If Badger gets a copy I am hoping to get one also.

   2. They could stop building & supporting thousands of golf courses in the desert southwest.
      AI says…
      Golf courses in the US desert Southwest (primarily Arizona, Nevada, and desert areas of Southern California like the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs, plus parts of New Mexico and Utah) use a substantial but variable amount of water annually—likely in the range of 300,000–500,000+ acre-feet per year (roughly 100–160+ billion gallons), though exact totals are estimates based on available regional data.

      1. And, IMHO, they don’t pay nearly the state taxes that they should.

         Very old boys club.

         1. Won’t argue that. Golf courses are incredible polluters and a profound waste of space.

            1. No one has ever used my name and “golf” in the same sentence.

               When I had my shoulder replaced, I asked the doctor if I would be able to play golf after it healed and he said, “Yes.”

               I said, “Good, because I couldn’t play it before!”

4. Jeff, your old site kinda, sorta seems to be up and running for what it’s worth.

   1. I sent him an email about that. I did a test post to see if it would work. And it posted, but, things like photos and such are not downloading when you go on the site. I wasn’t able to get to the dashboard from Word Press.

   2. No it is not being resurrected. I have no idea what is going on, but I have no control over the site any longer. I have resolved myself that the site was shutdown and I am okay with it.

5. I don’t think there’s another city in the world with more authentic cultural activites to do than London.

   1. Headed there next week. Looking forward to eating tons of worldwide cuisines and hearing sexy accents.

      1. Have a great trip, Bobby. London has always been one of my favorite cities, although I haven’t been over in quite a few years.

         Hope you’ll have a chance to meet up with Watford.

         1. We went to Watford for the day because my familynm is into Harry Potter. Oxford is a great day trip and Winston Churchill’s pub with the flowers and the Thai food is a must.

            1. The Cotswolds are also magnificent.

               And Ireland!

   2. Paris? NYC? LA?

6. See if we can get another series sweep today. Degrom going for Rangers. Not sure if he is like the dominant pitcher he was with the Mets anymore. Be interesting matchup with him against Roki Sasaki. Then 3 with the Mets. Nice start to the year with an 11-3 record.

   See Phil Garner passed away. Gritty, tough player who had a brief stint with the Dodgers in 1987 at the tail end of his career.

7. Texas has to be the favorite to win today with deGrom pitching. Rushing will probably get the start. Saw some frustration on Freeman’s face last night. He is not hitting the way he feels he should. JT signed with the Tijuana Toros. Springer to the IL with a broken toe. Phil Garner, who spent a shot time with the Dodgers, passed away at the age of 76. RIP. Luis Garcia, who spent a short time in LA last year, DFAd by the Mets. Adley Rutschman placed on 10-day Il by the Orioles who called up Maverick Handley.

8. Bobby and Mark, you have to hook up with Watford and send some pics. London has great Indian food. We love Gymkhana, great food and an incredible venue.

   1. I met Watford when he came to California a few years ago. We met in Orange County at a sports bar with Bulldogs & Penguins and one other former poster whose name I have forgotten. Was a great visit with three guys who shared the same passion as I did for Dodger baseball. Met Mark a couple of times.

      1. Was the highlight of my trip Michael.
         B&P was a great guy, as was Patch (DodgerPatch).

         1. Thanks for reminding me. I had forgot about old Patch. Haven’t seen him post anywhere in a while.

         2. I wonder what happened to B & P? It’s just that he asked him to tone it down a notch, and he left.

   2. My wife is a big curry fan… not me, but I am sure she is writing this trip off as a business trip for Foodies.

9. We know that Clayton Kershaw left a lot of money on the table with his one year contracts with the Dodgers from 2022 through 2025. At 31, Kersh signed his last extension of 3 years and $93MM. There is no doubt he would have exceeded that number had he chosen free agency instead of the extension. For the next four years (34-37 years of age) he earned $63.5MM including incentives vested. His fWAR value was $75.9MM. He wanted to remain a Dodger.

   Now the longest tenured Dodger is Max Muncy, and he has been extremely loyal to the Dodgers with his contracts.

   2020-2022 – 3 years $26MM through all three of his arbitration years (earned $23,870,370)

   2023 – LAD exercised $13.5MM club option

   2024-2025 – 2 years $24MM

   2026 – LAD exercised $10MM extension

   2027 – $7MM contract extension with $10MM option for 2028 with a $3MM buyout

   For 6 years (2020-2025) Max earned $61,370,370. He is guaranteed another $20MM for 2026 and 2027, with another $7MM potential in 2028 if LAD exercises his 2028 club option. Max’s fWAR value for 2020-2025 was $116.3MM.

   With his last contract and extension, Muncy said,

   “I know I’m leaving some money on the table. But I want to be here. I want to end my career here. I know who I am as a person, and I wouldn’t be happy trying to chase money somewhere else. I’ve never been comfortable trying to do that. And I wouldn’t be comfortable now.”

   1. Clayton and Max are Texans and last of a breed.

10. R.I.P. Phil Garner – He was a Dodger for a minute.

    1. I remember him well. One of those guys who loved to get dirty playing the game. A real grinder. Played in 70 games for LA in 87, his next to last year in the league. Hit .190/2/8. His nickname was Scrap Iron. Once tossed for using a corked bat and hitting a homer off of Gaylord Perry. Also managed in the majors for three teams.

11. Per Plunkett:

    The Dodgers plan is to start Justin Wrobleski (Mon), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Tue), Shohei Ohtani (Wed) against Mets. Backs Ohtani up against an off day again. LAD will do that as much as possible for recovery after a two-way day

    1. My good friend, Tony Jackson, is also a good friend of Bill Plunkett. I wish I could tell the stories that beat writers know but can’t talk about. I’ll give you a hint about one thing later. You will just have to pick up on the cue and clues.

12. Lineup posted. Checked the matchups against deGrom. Freeman is the only hitter with any type of success against him since he faced him a lot when he was with the Mets. Rushing starting at catcher and batting 7th. Call hitting 8th and playing left for Teo. Ohtani, Tucker, Pages, Freeman, Muncy, Freeland, Rushing, Call, Kim. Sasaki pitching. Game time, 1:10 PDT.

13. In honor of the Great AVF:

    4:10 PM ET

    Rangers (7-7)
    Dodgers (11-3)

    SP Jacob deGrom R
    0-0 3.72 ERA
    SP Roki Sasaki R
    0-1 7.00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    RF Kyle Tucker L
    CF Andy Pages R
    1B F. Freeman L
    3B Max Muncy L
    2B Alex Freeland B
    C Dalton Rushing L
    LF Alex Call R
    CF Andy Pages R
    SS Hyeseong Kim L

    64° Wind 7 mph Out to CF

    1. Is that us to your standards, AVF?

       1. Great job Mark as always, Deduct one day’s pay from my check this week.

14. Mark. It’s great to hear your wife had a wonderful time here in London. It doesn’t surprise me though. Just spent the weekend walking round, taking in all the sites and history, interspersed with lots of liquid refreshments along the way. I love London pubs. Every day living here feels like I’m a tourist.

    Hopefully you’ll have time for some food or a couple of beers during your visit. Be great to meet you. That time of year is special here.

    Bobby and I have made contact, and I’m really looking forward to meeting him in a couple of weeks.

    Brian, funny that you visited my hometown. I lived a mile from the Harry Potter Tour and Warmer Studiios until I moved into London.

    Dodgers wise things have started well.
    Not missing Mookie too much. Dare I say the offense looks pretty good without him.

    1. Watford,

       Absolutely, I am sure my wife and son would be down for a pint (or two), as well.

       Do you have a cab that accommodates 11?

       By the way, you should know that I have horns and a tail! Well, actually, it’s horns and a tale!

15. No I’ve got a Mercedes E Class so only fits 4 passengers. I’m sure there’s vehicles that can accommodate 11 passengers.

    Willl look forward to it.

    1. Buses!

16. Sasaki is hard to watch.

17. Alnna Rizzo loves the Dodgers, but she will never come back to LA.

18. Lotta noncompetitive AB’s from Mr. Tucker. He is pressing (taking balls down the middle and then expanding the zone). A couple of weeks ago, he said he was gonna hack his way out of his slumber — plan ain’t working.

    1. Trade him and bring up Thibbs

19. I trust Sasaki about as much as I did my exe wife. Not one bit. Walks to many, looks like he is scared before he makes any pitch.

    1. You’re the first person I’ve heard say their ex walks too many.

       1. You can take that any way you like. She walked with way too many.

20. Watching Sasaki today was so painful! Not pouring on the young man, but how much longer can they run him out there being that bad? It’s like being behind 3-0 before the first pitch is even made. Hopefully he can get right. Hernandez and Casparius aren’t long for the big leagues either!

    1. Have to agree with you about Ben and Hernandez. With Hernandez it is a little maddening because of his stuff. But the boys at OKC were not that great today. They had an 8 run second inning, but were tied in the 8th at 11, and had to score a run in the bottom of the 8th for the 12-11 win. Tibbs III hit his 8th, Suwinski his 2nd, Erhard his 2nd,

    2. Sasaki is the worst pitcher on the staff. AAA is calling.

       1. Patience, Grasshopper.

          The Dodgers are on track to win 119 games.

          The keyword is “Don’t Panic !”

          1. Not panic at all. Just an observation that the kid is not making progress. He keeps putting the team behind the 8 ball. 6 plus ERA after three games. hasn’t made it out of the 5th inning in any of his starts. Forces the bullpen into the game early, and today, they were not up to the task. Whole staff with way too many walks today.

             1. Thanks, Bear. The team is incredible. Virtually no holes. Best team I’ve ever rooted for. But watching him he just doesn’t have it [right now]. He’ll be facing a #7 hitter batting .180 and walk him on four pitches. He’s not even inconsistent because that would be a compliment. He’s not ready for prime time. If we’re developing, fine, but say that. He doesn’t currently present the team its best chance to win. I’d skip him next time through.

             2. Brian, my biggest concern with him is that he doesn’t look like he is confident in any of his pitches. He also does not attack the zone. He is trying to be too fine and hit the corners all the time. I do not think he trusts his stuff.

             3. Sasaki was regularly at 100-102mph when he pitched in Japan. now he is averaging around 97 at max. That is a considerable loss of velo for a young man.
                With all his other problems , location/command/lack of movement on the heater , that is just too much to stay in the rotation IMHO. You can get away with 100mph + without much movement but not at 97 mph.
                At some point the Dodgers will have to put him out of the rotation or he alone will drive the bullpen into the ground by not providing enough innings.

             4. The problem with stats: Klein gave up no runs but the two hits he gave up drove in two inherited runs. Not a good day but the ERA stat look good. Kinda like fake news.

             5. Is it possible for a picture who was considered great throwing one type of baseball to never be able to get used to throwing a slightly different type of baseball? He was considered great throwing a slightly smaller baseball which was a fair amount tackier.

       2. Worst doesn’t mean bad in this case.

          1. How else would you put it? Of his three starts, the Dodgers have lost two. Half of their losses came in games started by Roki. That is bad pitching. The win came against DC in the sweep and he pitched just five innings in that game and allowed 6 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. 2 of the hits were homers. That is not awe or confidence inspiring pitching.

             1. Maybe it’s ethnic loyalty and I’m not being racist here, but a Korean hitting over .400 (and now hitting .300 on his return)gets sent down in flavor of a guy hitting 200 a in SD a Japanese pitcher gets to stay while stinking up the diamond under a half Japanese manager. Maybe management doesn’t want to piss off the huge Japanese following and the new field sponsors.

          2. Fair. You get me.

             During this run we’ve rarely put guys out there we don’t trust.

             He’s approaching that territory.

21. One pitcher with stuff and command vs a pitcher with stuff and no command. Both
    deGrom and Sasaki throw 97-98 but deGrom’’s fastball seems much much quicker.
    Typical Sasaki scenario that drives me up a wall. In the third, two out, two strike count on Joc, who has embarrassed himself on off speed stuff and he throws him a fastball right down the middle.?It cost him a basehit, a run and 20 more pitches.
    Really frustrating!

22. 1. I am guessing, but I think that 40% of the pitches Sasaki throws are “non-competitive,” meaning they are so far out of the zone that no one will swing.
    2. That puts him at a huge disadvantage, because automatically, that gives the hitter a huge advantage.
    3. Then, when he throws a strike, it’s right down Broadway.
    4. Bear is right, he has no confidence.
    5. For some reason, the Dodgers believe he should learn at the MLB level, but if he is that fragile mentally, is he going to do it?

    I do not see where they are going with this… but I have been wrong plenty of times.

    What I would do, is keep him in relief until he matures a little more. There’s no shame in that.

    1. I like it. Attack attack attack. Put him in situations where he can just go after guys. I would take right now and leave the table a winner.

23. Not a good night for our young homegrown arms. Ferris and Rosario lit up in OKC as well as our big league young guys.

24. Fabian Ardaya
    @FabianArdaya
    Edwin Díaz said he isn’t dealing with anything physically. Felt during the outing Friday he didn’t have his usual life on his fastball, but said he’s had issues with early-season fastball velocity every season since injuring his knee in the 2023 WBC.

    Maddie Lee
    @maddie_m_lee
    Dave Roberts said he was staying away from closer Edwin Díaz tonight.
    “He was down today. … The velocity was down (Friday), so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

25. For a number of reasons that game sucked. 2 runs with Sasaki on the mound. That’s pretty much a guaranteed L.

    I’m reviewing Sasaki’s stats at Savant this morning and what I see that I didn’t know is he actually has 4 pitches. Four seamer, 41% of the time, slider 30%, split finger (it’s a forkball, Hershiser is right on this one) 28%, and a “sinker” .4%. which according to the metrics he’s thrown once and he threw it for a strike.

    His accuracy is of course all over the map but it appears his slider is over the plate (though not necessarily in the strike zone) more often than the fastball and the split finger. I have no idea what’s wrong with him, apparently neither does the Dodgers staff, but two things seem apparent to me. 1, his stuff is plenty good enough and 2, he needs to throw that sinker, which is a two seamer and something I’ve been saying for weeks now, more often.

    I think they have to keep putting him out there every 6th day and hope he can give them 5.

    1. I was in Scarsdale NY yesterday and just watched the replay of the game. Sasaki is maddening to watch and even though we lost, we did have ample chances to win the game.

    2. During the post game interview, Roberts said he thought Sasaki is being to fine with his pitches.

       1. So Roberts thinks it’s a choice? I don’t. It looks to me like Sasaki trying to throw strikes and can’t. If it’s “too fine” then go out there and tell him to throw it down the middle. I bet he can’t do that either. A down the middle attempt might end up on the edges.

          1. Hershiser basically said the same thing. Suggesting Sasaki throw his splitter at the left handed batter so it would end up on the right side.

             The interesting about Sasaki is the in Japan he had a WHIP of 0.89 over 4 seasons. So why does he have so much trouble throwing strikes now? Is it because the ball is less tacky? Is it the size? The Dodgers last year spent a significant amof time getting his mechanics straightened out which also increased his velocity. Yet it looks like he’s still somewhat off.

             1. Roki is the anti-Orel

26. when Snell returns then one of Sasaki, Wrobleski, and Sheehan have to leave the rotation. If this is truly a meritocracy, I can’t see them running Sasaki out there every 6 days to lose or tax the bullpen. He simply doesn’t look ready to me. He consistently throws non-competitive pitches.

    1. Totally agree. He is not aggressive enough. He nibbles. Reminds me a lot of what Maeda used to do when he was starting. They put him in the pen and he became more aggressive .

27. Geez, bring on the dancing bears. Yesterday’s loss was a circus. We haven’t had many but this one was just bad baseball in so many ways:
    1. Let’s start with the 10 walks. How can a quality major league baseball pitching staff walk 10 guys?
    2. Watching Sasaki pitch is like watching paint dry, 94 pitches and 5 walks in 4 innings is awful. And the frustration is he had 6 K’s. That forkball can be so devastating, but he’s all over the place. I’m still not convinced he has the arsenal right now to be a starting pitcher. If the Dodgers insist let him get better in AAA of send him to the bullpen.
    3. Then Roki was followed up by the equally frustrating Henriguez. Another guy with a high ceiling who can’t find the plate. His errant throw to first was the capper. I know both these guys are young with great promise but work this stuff out at OKC.
    4. ABS Challenge at work again. Rushing and Kim wasted our challenges by the 4th and we played the final 5 at the mercy of the HPU. Once again, this whole deal is a crowd pleaser but doesn’t address getting all the pitches called correctly.
    5. Rushing refuses to block a breaking ball in the dirt. He attempts to glove the ball instead of blocking the ball. There were a couple of wild pitches that were costly and very easy blocks. While I’m at it his body language and demeanor suck. I really don’t like the loud F-Bombs after a strike out but he’s learned well from Muncy. And the shoulder slump, whipped dog look, walking back to the dugout doesn’t cut it for me. Man-Up show some fight and maturity.
    6. Where was Call going on the checked swing by Pages in the 3rd, with 2 outs? Way to run yourself out of the inning. The announcer said that it was okay because you are running with 2 outs on a swing. Not really.
    7. How about Freeman’s pop up that dropped between Seager and Jung in the 6th?
    8. deGrom was great. And we weren’t

    1. Hey, it’s not all bad. You can get a free jumbo jack today.

       1. I don’t live in LA.
          I think I get a free Jumbo Jack if a D-Back hits a homer.

          1. Yes but you have to buy a $4 large drink which is obviously not worth it.

28. Snell threw 15 pitches to live hitters yesterday. One of those hitters was Edman. Fact: when Edman and Kike are ready, two of these three guys will either be in the minors or gone. Kim, Freeland, and Espinal.

    1. I wish Kike could be designated a coach and the just activate him in September like they used to do with Manny Mota.

       Kenley Jansen’s stats compare very favorably to Lee Smith’s. I don’t think Lee Smith had any business in the Hall of Fame but he is so I’m not sure how they keep Kenley out then.

29. I’m going to say despite the last two starts not being as hoped I do think Sasaki has looked better than spring training. I also think he’s shown more compete than this time last year when it looked like he was going to cry on the mound. I was all for sending him to the minors. Snell, Ryan, and Stone are all waiting in the wings. I wanted Ryan to open the year in the rotation. It’s apparent the Dodgers are going to give Sasaki every chance to improve while being at the big league level until they feel the other three are ready or Sasaki has a complete disaster

    1. That trend started with Jim Gilliam. He was actually a coach and was activated in both 65-66.

       1. I was born in 68 so I only got to see Gilliam as a coach.

30. I think Sasaki’s biggest problem is his fastball. It’s getting hit hard (37.% hard hit rate) despite his plus velocity and he’s lost confidence in putting it in the zone. Consequently he nibbles with it, which isn’t good for someone who doesn’t have good command to begin with.

    1. I agree. I want him to throw it more but he struggles with command.

31. Lots of movement in the majors today. Reds traded Encarnacion-Strand to Orioles for cash. Mauricio sent to minors by the Mets and Tommy Pham selected. O’s placed Mountcastle on the 60-day IL and recalled Weston. Cleveland designated Colby Allard for assignment. Cardinals DFAd Jared Schuster. Orioles recalled Dean Kremer. Astros placed Pena and Imai on the IL. White Sox traded infielder Lenyn Sosa to the Blue Jays for minor leaguer Jordan Rich and a player to be named later or cash. Braves DFAd Luke Williams. Reds optioned Noelvi Marte.

32. 10:10 PM ET

    Mets (7-9)
    Dodgers (11-4)

    SP David Peterson L
    0-2 6.14 ERA
    SP Justin Wrobleski L
    1-0 4.00 ERA

    Confirmed Lineup
    DH S. Ohtani L
    RF Kyle Tucker L
    C Will Smith R
    LF T. Hernandez R
    1B F. Freeman L
    CF Andy Pages R
    3B Max Muncy L
    2B S. Espinal R
    SS Miguel Rojas R

    59° Wind 11 mph Out

33. Casparius placed on 15-day-IL with a sore shoulder. Hurt recalled from AAA.

    1. Hmm

    2. Sore era!

       1. That’s a bad injury

34. I have bruised my ego…

35. Who had Wrobo having the first pitching gem of the season?!!!! (7+innings with 0 runs)
    Who knew that throwing strikes would lead to such success?
    Tucker is getting paid a lot of money for a #7 hitter.

    1. Two walks though

36. Should we let the Mets know that he’s our #.7 starter?

37. WroboGod

38. This is why I don’t like trading prospects.

    1. ?

       Do you prefer trading established stars?

39. Enjoy watching Wrobo. He’s making the best of what he has.

    King Tuck will be ok, looks like he’s pressing a little . Miggy defying the years, and say it quietly, but Tanner Scott is looking a lot better.

    Mets have got problems.

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